#MECCA PILIGRIMAGE OF HAJI GANI SAHEB SPONCERED BY ME AS HINDU ITS PERMITTED OR FORBIDDEN?NEWS CIRCULATED IN VILLAGE #

*Can a Hindu organise a Mecca pilgrimage to his Muslim friend? A news was being circulated in our village that Mecca pilgrimage of such nature is forbidden*

  This was a rare scenario hence the natives had little or no knowledge about this. This was coupled with jealousy. These all caused strain to the person who was preparing for the pilgrimage. The same was happening with the hindu who was arranging the means, people said he has lost his mind as he is sending a muslim for a pilgrimage.

  

This is what I and my respected senior friend Sri Ghanni Saab had gone through in the year of 2007. There is a valid reason for the Mecca pilgrimage, as I had promised in Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka Temple of our village.

 

In the year of 2006, A Ganapati Temple was consecrated in our village Yadehalli, (Anandapuram Hobli, Sagara Taluk, Shivamogga District). Till then there was not a single Ganapati Temple in the entire Hobli. There were two churches and a Mosque in Yadehalli.

The idol of Ganapati was sculpted by the renowned national awardee Shivarapattana Sculptor.

 When this sculpture was brought to Yadehalli, a procession took place from yadehalli circle to temple for taking the idol to temple.   Sri Vishwapati Shastriji lead  the procession, where I followed with Sri Ghani Saab. There was a small orchestra was organised by singers Valerian D'Souza and Boraiah.

 When the sculpture was being placed in the sanctum of the temple, out of nowhere, suddenly I said "Gani Saheb ji, if the God's grace is there, i will send you for Mecca Pilgrimage this year. By that way I will earn the 'punya' of constructing this temple.." For which he responded, " yes it will be" and folded his hands in a namaskar..

 

As the god's will had it, when Ganni saab ji was selected for Mecca pilgrimage by the government when he filed an application. I paid the prescribed amount via Demand Draft, he started the preparations for his holy pilgrimage. Then started all these venomous news started to circulate that a hindu cannot fund a Muslim's pilgrimage.

It was a drawback for us. Nevertheless Ghani Saheb Ji said that he is going to go to Mecca no matter whatever the people speculate. But i was really nervous and in dilemma that if such funding for a pilgrimage is explicitly forbidden by the religion, then it's not right, what should be done? It was a 'dharma sankata' for me.

 Some young relatives were criticising Ghani saab ji  behind his back, infront of his family and friends. 

 

At this time, a large group of Maulvis from Uttar Pradesh visited Anandapur Mosque. It was a Friday, after the Namaz, people raised this issue infront of the maulvis for further clarification and assistance.  Both the well wishers and criticisers, were equally curious about the possible explanations from the Maulvis.

 

The Maulvis explained that anyone from any religion, caste, or of any nationality can send a muslim for a Mecca pilgrimage, whoever goes by such funding, it's not forbidden for them, nor its a sin. Also the person who is funding for the pilgrimage earns more punya than the one who is going. Ganni Saab was relieved to hear that and I was delighted.

We organised a function in temple to bid adieu to Ghani saab. Sri Ti.Na Srinivas, Khoya Saheb, Narayan Rao, Amrut Ras and many other came from Sagara to attend this event.

I feel that constructing the village temple was by the blessings of my parents, and also i feel that the Mecca Pilgrimage was also because of the blessings of my parents. Ghani Saab was a dear friend of my father.

 It's been 14 year, on 28th of January. I remembered all this at thi occasion. Till Ghani Saab was alive, thr communal harmony was ensured. In the history of our village, no matter how many times anyone has tried to lit the fire of communal riots, it didn't work. Even today Hindus, Muslims, Christians live in harmony.

 On the occasion of my daughter's wedding, muslims of village came together, they wished the newlyweds, later they congratulated me by giving a memento in the name of Late Sri Ghani Saab. This brought tears of joy in my eyes. This is an instance how harmoniously we all live in this village.