Hundreds of Muslims to attend Lord Jagannath Yatra in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad, June 21 (ANI): Hundreds of Muslims will mark their presence on the occasion of scheduled Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra or, chariot procession to be carried out here on Wednesday (June 24) and display a gesture of brotherhood and communal harmony.

These resident Muslims are eager to be present during the 132nd Rathyatra of Lord Jagannath, Subhadra and Balram and get a glimpse of the chariot procession.

On Saturday, a group of Muslims here presented a souvenir of Lord Jagannath's chariot to the priest of Jagannath temple, ahead of the scheduled Rath Yatra or chariot procession.

"Despite communal riots of 2002, the Muslims of Ahmedabad are eager to participate in the chariot procession. It shows that they are emotionally attached to this procession," said Badruddin Sheikh, a religious Muslim leader.

The procession is scheduled to take place amidst tight police security in the communal sensitive areas of the city.

"This procession will take place in a peaceful atmosphere. The Muslim community will extend full cooperation to this procession. The Muslim community is also concerned about the law and order situation and the successful conclusion of the celebrations during this festival. That is why we came here to hand over this (memento)," said Mohammad Hussein Sheikh, President, Ahmedabad Muslim Graduate Association.

After worshipping Lord Jagannath, brother Balram and sister Subhadra within the temple, the heavily decorated chariots, resembling temple structures, will be taken throughout the city. By Ami Sharma (ANI)