In Ayodhya, an extraordinary example of communal harmony is witnessed annually, where members of the Muslim community actively engage in the traditional Hindu festival of Ramlila, continuing for over six decades. Since 1963, the Ramlila Ramayan Committee has been organizing the event in Mumtaz Nagar, which is mainly a Muslim-majority area.
The Ten-Day Ramlila
The committee was established specifically to promote communal harmony. During the ten-day Ramlila, Muslim performers portray various characters from the epic Ramayana. Dr. Majid Ali, the committee's current president, emphasized that his late father, Dr. Wazid Ali, founded it. Ali noted, 'This initiative began in 1965 to ensure festive celebrations of Hindu festivals in a Muslim-majority village.'
A local cleric, Liaquat Ali, stated, 'Ramlila is a testament to communal tolerance and brotherhood.' Mahbub, a young vegetable seller, echoed similar sentiments, stating that this tradition stands as a marvelous example amid efforts to breed political tensions.
The Ramlila committee is presently led by Dr. Majid Ali, whose late father, Dr. Wazid Ali, was the founding president.
Dussehra on October 12
In 2024, the Dussehra festival will be celebrated on Saturday, October 12. This festival is observed on the tenth day of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Ashwin. Known as Vijayadashmi, this day marks Lord Rama's triumph over Ravana. On Dussehra, the immersion of the idol of Goddess Durga also takes place.
Dussehra concludes the nine-day festival of Navratri. On Dussehra, weapons are worshipped. Worship begins with the goddess, followed by Lord Rama, and then chanting of mantras dedicated to them.
