Varanasi: The people of Varanasi, the holiest city of Hindus in northern India, set an example on December 21 when they jointly celebrated the feasts of five religions.

Local Christians took a lead in celebrating the birthdays of Prophet Muhammad (December 12), Jain Tirthankar Parshvanath (Dec 23) Jesus Christ (Dec 25), tenth Sikh Guru Govind Singh (Jan 5 ) and the Hindu feast of Makar Sankranti (Jan 15).

The main of the unique program was to promote communal harmony, peace and inter religious collaboration, said Fr. Anand Mathew of the Indian Missionary Society (IMS), founder-coordinator of Kashi Qaumi Ekta Manch (United Forum of Communal harmony of Varanasi).

The priest also said the celebration was part of “the dialogue in action” that his group promotes with a specific aim to ease tensions in Varanasi, a communally sensitive city. Fr Mathew, who is the director of Vishwa Jyoti (world light) Communications, his congregation’s media wing, noted that his group has organized such programs for the past 16 years with support from people of all faiths.

The event was marked by chanting of Vedic slokas from Hindu and Jain scriptures by Jains teachers from Syadvad Vidyapeeth, Bhadaini, Varanasi.

Tanveer Mainuddeen Warsi, a Muslim, sang ghazals and couplets on communal harmony and patriotism while a Christian choir comprising members of seven denominations sang Christmas carols.

Father Anildev, who heads Matri Dham Ashram, a Catholic hermitage managed by the Indian Missionary Society, in his Christmas message explained that Jesus takes birth to proclaim the love of God for mankind and to bring “peace to people of good will” to those willing to open their hearts to others.

Christmas is also the opportunity to join Jesus’ mission to reconcile the entire universe with love.

Anand Prakash Tiwary, a Hindu leader, explained the Makar Sankranti is an invitation to return to the nature and to shun modernity which leads to destruction in the name of development.

Mohammad Arif Khan, another Muslim scholar, pointed to the sayings in Holy Quran promoting respect for people of different faiths. Kamaluddin Sheikh, an intellectual, said that harmonious co-existence is a special call.

On the occasion, Jamuna Prasad Verma, who turned 100 this year, presented varieties of cultural songs with social values. The centenarian’s also played the sounds of various instrumental music by mouth.

Fr. Dilraj, IMS, director of Asmita Childline that works to save children in distress, welcomed the guests saying that such joint celebrations bring joy and contentment to all.

Novices of the Missionary Sisters of the Queen of the Apostles and Sisters of the Providence of Gap and seminarians from Gyan Bharati Gurukul, Christ Nagar sang carols along with choir groups from Church of North India and Pentecostal churches.

The artistes of Prerna Kala Manch, a theater troupe under the direction of Fr. Mathew, sang carols in Bhojpuri, the local dialect.

Social and cultural activists, Intellectuals, businessmen Professors, and people form all walks of life were present in large number.

Father Anand founded Kashi Qaumi Ekta Manch in 2000 with Advocate Surendra Charan of the Church of North India as the cofounder. Its members included lawyers, businessmen, intellectuals, environmental activists, artistes and members of Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Parsi and Christian communities.

The Manch also organizes common charity programs for the flood victims and also for the poor who are affected by cold wave in winter. It has also organized Roza Iftar (breaking of fast) every year during the Ramadan fasting days for the Muslims in the federal jail in Varanasi.