There is many a faith but the spirit is one - in me, in you and in every man. These words of Tolstoy aptly fits Matadin Singh, a Hindu, whose family has been observing the 'Roza (fast)'.
DHANBAD: There is many a faith but the spirit is one - in me, in you and in every man. These words of Tolstoy aptly fits Matadin Singh, a Hindu, whose family has been observing the 'Roza (fast)' during the holy month of Ramadan for the last 11 years.
Certainly Singh is not the only inspiration for Hindu- Muslim unity nor is he the first to look beyond his religion to seek solace. But he and his family still stand out at Bhagabandh Basti, about 17 km from Dhanbad town, for their observance of the month-long fasting.
A retired employee of the Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL), Singh is observing Roza right from day one of the ongoing Holy Month like any other Muslim family while most of his 14-member family take turn to observe the fast.
"We strictly observe fast and follow all conditions to keep ourselves sacred to offer Namaz, though I am the only person in my family who attends the prayer at the nearby mosque", Singh said.
Inspired by the famous Pir Balishah Mazhar of Chandauri Sharif (Uttar Pradesh), Singh was the first in his family to start observing Roza eleven years ago after a good Samaritan advised him to visit Chandauri Sharif as he found himself helpless in the face of illness that stalked his family members with regularity.
He visited Chandauri Sharif in 1997 during Ramadan and vowed to observe fast if his family members recovered from various illnesses.
"After returning from the Mazhar I sought advice from a Muslim neighbour on the rituals. First I began Roza alone, later on other members of the mamily also joined me .... the new entrant, my daughter-in-law, also observes fast with us", he said.
A Shiv Bhakt (devotee) and belonging to a Hindu family, Singh's observing ritual of a different religious tradition was not a smooth affair as he was subject to ridicule both by his neighbours and relatives, in the beginning.
''Even close relatives stopped inviting us during family functions. My children faced awkard awkard situations in the basti and I had to endure insults. Even some members of the muslim community had doubts in my religious integrity and were not happy seeing Roza being observed by an individual in his own style'', recouts Singh.
''However, after realising my honest apprach they began cooperating with me,'' Singh, who continues to offer prayers to Hindu gods as wwell throughout the year and a regular visitor to the famous Baidanath temple in Deogarh during the holy month of Shravan, said.
''I have been observing Roza for the sake of my family's good health. And ever since we members amintain a steady health,'' the patriarch believed.
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