Buddhist monk spreads communal harmony serving iftar for Muslims
Monk K Sri Jyotisen Thero executed this noble initiative to stand by the helpless people who have become unemployed in the area during this crisis
In what can be termed as a glaring manifestation of non-communal attitude, a Buddhist monk has offered iftar items to thousands of needy Muslims at the historic Rankut Banashram Buddhist monastery built by Emperor Ashoka in Ramu, Cox's Bazar.
Monk K Sri Jyotisen Thero executed this noble initiative to stand by the helpless people who have become unemployed in the area during this crisis.
Many have commented that such an initiative in Ajpara, Cox's Bazar, after the Dharmarajik Buddhist Monastery in Dhaka, is a manifestation of a non-communal attitude of Buddhist monks and a unique example of communal harmony.
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On Friday afternoon, the Iftar items were handed over to thousands of people at the ancient banyan tree premises under the Vihara. Among the recipients, there were imams of about 20 mosques in the union and 80 families under these mosques. Chairman of Rajarkul Union Parishad Mofizur Rahman and others were present at the time.
Chairman Mofizur Rahman said it was a commendable initiative to stand by the imams of mosques and helpless people with the gift of Iftar items in honor of the holy month of Ramadan despite being a Buddhist monk. "As the chairman of the area I thank the monk," he added.
K Sri Jyotisen Thero, director of Rankut Banashram Buddhist Monastery, said, "Before our religious identity, we are all human beings. I will stand by other people as a human being. So, I am happy to stand by the fasting people in the holy month of Ramadan.
He added that there is self-satisfaction in charity. This satisfaction cannot be gained by owning huge properties. I think if the spirit of charity is awakened in the minds of everyone, and if friendship and harmony is maintained towards each other, then communal harmony will be stronger in this country.
It is to be noted that several years ago, the late Ekushey Padak recipient Suddhananda Mahathir used to distribute iftar every day during the holy month of Ramadan among the helpless fasting Muslims at the Dharmarajik Buddhist Monastery in Dhaka.
