Ayodhya: Hindus, Muslims appeal for peace

As the countdown begins for the Ayodhya title suit verdict, Mohammad Habib of a nondescript village in Jaunpur district is reciting the Ramayan while locals in a village in Maharajganj district have decided to build a temple and mazaar on a small piece of land to send out a message of social harmony.

"The high court will be pronouncing its verdict tomorrow. I am reading the Ramayan to give a message of peace. India is mother of both Hindus and Muslims", Habib, who lives in Umri Khurdh village, said.

Interesting, at a function organised by Habib, people from all walks of life actively participated showing they were united, a local of Jaunpur Ajay Pandey said. Similarly, people of Duswakalan, Mahrajganj have set an example by agreeing to construct a mazaar and temple on a small piece of land.

Tension prevailed in the village when statues of Lord Shiva were found during renovation of the 'Malang Baba' mazaar but villagers held a panchayat and decided to construct a temple on some part of the land and a mazaar on the rest.

Muslims clerics in Lucknow have also made a fervent appeal for peace in the aftermath of the verdict on the Ayodhya title suit, asking members of both the communities to exercise restraint. "Patience is the virtue of humans and it would be put to test on the day the verdict is pronounced. It's a quality of humans and will be put to test on September 30 when people will have to behave like humans and not like animals which is very dangerous for society", noted Shia cleric and member of All India Muslim Personal Law Board Maulana Kalbe Jawwad said.

Niab Imam of Idgah and member of the AIMPLB, Khalid Rasheed Firagimahli said the almighty cannot be pleased through bloodshed and appealed that "regrettable" incidents such as December 6, 1992 and Gujarat riots should not be repeated in the country.

"We are awaiting the verdict of the court and whatever it be, it would be as per the wishes of the almighty but we want peace", Mahant Bhaskar Das of the Nirmohi Akhara of Ayodhya said The option to approaching the apex court is always open for any of the parties which is not happy with the verdict. "I can say for sure that the twin temple towns of Faizabad and Ayodhya would remain peaceful," Mahant Bhaskar Das said.