In the Gurgaon area of the Indian state of Haryana, Sikhs have opened the doors of gurdwaras to offer Friday prayers after protests by extremist Hindu organizations against the offering of open Friday prayers.
Due to the lack of mosques in Gurgaon, Haryana, India, Muslims offer Friday prayers in government-owned grounds with the permission of the local administration, but now extremist Hindu organizations there have launched a regular campaign against it.
According to a report by the German broadcaster, despite the permission of the administration, when Muslims gather at these places for Friday prayers, activists of extremist Hindu organizations try their best to disrupt the worship of Muslims and make speeches. Besides, drums are also played.
The local administration had earlier allowed Muslims to offer Friday prayers at 38 open spaces, but prayers were stopped at eight of them following objections and protests by Hindu organizations.
Extremist groups say they will continue protesting until a complete ban on Friday prayers is offered in squares and parks, after announcing last week that they would go to any lengths to stop such prayers.
Seeing the plight of the Muslims, the local Sikh organizations offered the Muslims to offer Friday prayers in the gurdwaras. Gurdwara Shri Guru Singh Sabha President Sherdal Singh Sadhu said that we cannot remain silent spectators in what is happening.
Sadhu said that despite the administration allowing Muslims to offer prayers, they are no longer allowed to offer prayers there. Seeing this, we are both angry and upset. This attitude is beyond our comprehension. He said that the doors of gurdwaras would remain open for prayers.
Muslims have welcomed the offer made by Sikhs. Altaf Ahmed, leader of the local peace committee, said it was a true example of India’s shared culture and that Muslims welcomed the announcement.
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