The Sikh community in Peshawar continues its tradition of feeding the needy and the poor regardless of any religious discrimination this Ramadan.
Feeding the poor is a very important practice in the Sikh religion. It is considered a noble deed and a way to serve humanity. In Sikhism, the concept of Langar (community kitchen) is deeply rooted, where food is served to everyone, regardless of their religion, caste, or social status.
Keeping the tradition alive and to serve God by helping the needy, the Sikhs go over the edge during the holy month of Ramadan where special arrangements for iftar are made. Sikh families that live in the Mohalla Jogan Shah area of the walled city take turns to arrange ‘dastarkhwans’ around the month.
Apart from that, Sikh traders also announce special discounts during the holy month of Ramadan, besides donating money to the needy. For ordinary folks, gatherings of Sikhs around long plastic mats spread to serve food to fasting locals in places like Bolton Block of Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) is also a strange yet pleasant sight to witness.
“This year, within four days of Ramazan, we have distributed food items among 100 deserving (Muslim) families,” informs Jatinder Singh, Chair of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter of the National Peace Council for Interfaith Harmony. We are now arranging iftari for which Sikh youths have volunteered, in addition to providing food packets, Jatinder told APP.
Each of the ration packs consists of essential items including cooking oil, rice, pulses, chickpeas, beans, sugar and tea, he added.
The kind gesture that the Sikh brethren have shown towards their Muslim brothers throughout the years shows that all human beings, regardless of their cast and religious affiliation, are entitled to equal respect and treatment. Moreover, it is very crucial to remember that valuing humanity over religion leads to greater unity and cooperation.
