The holy month of Ramadan and Eid this year saw a new beginning, a step in the right direction by people who matter so much. Iranian high commision in its Iftar party invited Mufti Mohammed Muqarram to lead the prayer as Imam. Iran is a shia majority country, almost all the Iranians, including the Ambassador, in this office follow the shia school of thought and mufti Muqarram is a sunni imam. This was followed by another such gesture in which renowed shia preacher and secretary of All India Muslim Personal Law Board Maulana Kalbe Sadiq read Eid-ul-Fitr prayers in Lucknow under the Imamat of a Sunni Imam. Both these events will be marked in the history of shia-sunni relations in India and the world as touching new milestones.
Shia clerics like Maulana Aqeelul Gharvi, Maulana zeeshan Hidayti, Maulana Kalbe Jawwad and Maulana Kalbe Sadiq are huge hits even in Sunni gatherings due to their oratory skills and are praised whole heartedly. Upon differences in opinion on several issues Maulana Aqeel says that ikhtelaf (difference of opinion) is important for intellectual growth and it promotes research and awareness so it should be respected and taken in right sprit. It is also not uncommon for both sunnis and shias to pray in each others mosques but praying before an imam of different school is like breaking barriers and it is hoped that stubborness which existed earlier will be shelved now. It is now expected from sunnis to respond and reciprocate in a fitting manner to keep the momentum going.
Yasser Iqbal Kidwai