Not by offensive slogans, DJ music or stone-pelting in front of religious places, this Muslim volunteer group distributed sweets to non-Muslims on the day of Eid al-Fitr across Karnataka and in other states setting a glorious example of peace and communal harmony.
‘Gifting Sunnah’, a Bengaluru-based volunteer group distributed sweet boxes to public servants, municipal workers, bus drivers and conductors, government hospital staff, policemen, and bystanders on the day of Eid to celebrate the festival that symbolises sharing and gratitude.
As many as 600 volunteers from the group distributed over 10,000 sweet boxes across Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal and Gujarat. No Caption required.. Their smiles say everything ❤️ #GiftingSunnah Basavakalyan chapter : The temperature is 40 degree in Basavakalyan yet it doesn't stop our volunteers to spread Joy and Smiles this Eid !!#EidMubarak #Basavakalyan #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/OEAUKtUsdE— Gifting Sunnah (@GiftingSunnah) May 3, 2022 #GiftingSunnah Hosur chapter : Spreading Joy and smiles on the occasion of Eid ! #EidMubarak #Hosur #TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/b3lo58iiek— Gifting Sunnah (@GiftingSunnah) May 3, 2022
This Eid is all about spreading Joy and Happiness !!#GiftingSunnah #Bangalore #EidMubarak pic.twitter.com/EInQ4x0kpC— Gifting Sunnah (@GiftingSunnah) May 3, 2022
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and translates as “the festival of breaking of the fast”. Muslims celebrate Eid by visiting families, embracing them with love and sharing gifts.
The ‘Gifting Sunnah’ campaign was initiated in 2018, by Bengaluru-based social activist Tanveer Ahmed and educationist Ameen-e- Mudassar. “There is a great deal of stress on gifting in Islam. It is one of the practices or sunnah of our Prophet, who encouraged it for the promotion of mutual love and affection. That’s the reason we call it ‘Gifting Sunnah’”, he said.
They said that the group earnestly wants to live by the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, who said, “Exchange gifts, as that will lead to increasing your love for one another”.
“I thought about this idea in 2018 and shared it with a group of friends on WhatsApp. Soon, friends, family members, and complete strangers got associated with the idea”, said Tanveer.
Tanveer said that in the first year, they distributed over 4000 gift boxes in Bengaluru, and the initiative was so well received that people from other places contacted him and his friends and they started the campaign in their cities.
During COVID, the group distributed masks to over 30,000 pourakarmikas, police personnel and migrants of the city, instead of sweets.
Tanveer said the response to the campaign has been overwhelming and that they plan to do so every year.
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