Ramadan Mubarak!
Wednesday, July 31st, 2013
30 July 2013, Prasanthi Nilayam: Consistent with It’s traditions and in conformity with Bhagawan’s oft repeated dictum that all roads lead to the same Hilltop, Holy Quranic verses resonated throughout the Holy Prasanthi precincts with hundreds of men and women from Region 94 of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations – Worldwide, comprising of the Middle East and Gulf countries assembled here greeting The Lord with ‘Ramadan Mubarak’ here in Prasanthi Nilayam today.
It is Holy Month Of Ramadan, the Month of severe austerities to tread the righteous path towards Godhood. Worldover when Muslims are engaged in strict religious discipline, celebrating the Month, a miniscule of devotees from thef Middle East and Gulf countries, converged here singing paens to Him celebrating the Holy Month.
The word Ramadan is derived from the Arabic word Ramida, meaning scorching heat and dryness, symbolic of fire of hunger and thirst at a physical level while spiritually it connotes to intense spiritual yearning. It is only when one is turned away from senses, he is turned towards God; main principle behind Ramadan is the control of the mind.
The programme for the evening had a mix of songs, commentary and narrations on Islamic Culture and interactive (recorded) conversations presenting ‘what entails the Holy Month.
The programme commenced at 1700 hrs. with a greetings followed by a brief introduction about the Five Pillars Of Islam. The Five Pillars are Shahada, declaration of faith in Allah, as One God and Mohammed as His final messenger, Salah, the five-time prayer offered as per Islamic faith, month-long fast observed, and Hajj, the fourth pillar, holy pilgrimage to Holy Mecca and the fifth and final Pillar is Zakat, charity offered during the holy month as the very religion is based on love and surrender.
Soulful rendering continued, some in Arabic, tuned to popular Indian devotional numbers. The songs were Azaan…, Alla Tero Naam…, Anta Bahural Hubbi…, Suno Ramazaan Ki Dastaan…, Indama Tafshal…, Chahe Ram Kaho Rahman Kaho…, Moula Moula Moula Mere Moula…, Love All Serve All – Listen To The Call Of The Lord etc. Even as the songs continued, it was intertwined with commentary and narrations speaking about the significance of fasting, abstaining from evils, walking the righteous path, importance of charity etc.
The Sanctum Sanctorum bore festive decorations, symbolic of Arabic style, with lanterns and crescends and stars parading all over.
The Holy Pilgrims ended their programme on a high note with a refrain, Love All Serve All, singing the final composition in English, Love All Serve All – Listen To The Call Of The Lord. Bhajans by the pilgrims continued and ended with Mangala Arathi at 1810 hrs.
II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II
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