Shia-Sunni joint prayers offered on Bakrid

A large number of people from both communities as well as clerics took part in the joint prayer, which was organised by a group of young muslims, "Shoulders-to-Shoulders”.Well known Shia cleric and All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) vice-president Maulana Kalbe Saadiq said on this occasion that a majority of people from all religions wanted peace and harmony. "Only a handful create problems”, he added. Clerics from both communities welcomed the initiative and said that it would strengthen the bonds of love between Shias and Sunnis. The convener of "Shoulders-to-Shoulders”, Haider, the brain behind the move, said that the group made extensive use of the social media to connect with Shia and Sunni community members. "We had received tremendous response for our initiative...around 2,000 people had agreed to join the prayer”, he said, adding that the large presence at the joint prayer proved that they had been able to convey the message of peace and brotherhood. Sectarian clashes were common in Lucknow where members of Shia and Sunni communities live close to each other in the walled city areas. Clashes were a regular feature during Moharram, when Shia muslims observe "matam” (mourning) to mark the martyrdom of Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, in the battle of Karbala at the hands of Yazidis. Atif Hanif, member of the core group of "Shoulders-to-Shoulders”, told Deccan Herald that this kind of joint prayer had never been held in the city before.