Muslims in Northeast Delhi’s Jafrabad Upholds 30-Year Tradition of Communal Harmony

Muslims in Northeast Delhi’s Jafrabad Upholds 30-Year Tradition of Communal Harmony
———————————
In Jafrabad, Northeast Delhi, a unique tradition of unity continues as the Sadbhavna Camp welcomes kanwariyas annually with open arms, The India Express reported. Established in 1994 by Chaudhary Mateen Ahmed, a five-time Congress MLA, the camp was created to reduce communal tensions during the kanwariya pilgrimage.

Every year, men from the local Muslim community, dressed in white kurtas and skull caps, greet saffron-clad kanwariyas with rose petals and chants of peace such as “Hindu-Muslim-Sikh-Isai, aapas mein hain hum sab bhai-bhai” (We are all brothers). This gesture fosters mutual respect and harmony, breaking barriers despite past communal strife, including the 2020 Delhi riots that affected Jafrabad severely.

The camp provides water, fruits, and shade to pilgrims, ensuring their safe passage. Zubair Chaudhary, current MLA and son of the founder, highlights the community’s support in maintaining peace for over three decades.

This comes amid nation-wide spate of hate-driven attacks and discriminatory treatment targeting Muslims by extremist Hindus excited by nationalist and Hindutva figures within the ruling Establishment.