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Muslims go the whole hog to root for Team India
Express News Service
Posted online: Saturday, March 13, 2004

Ahmedabad, March 12: It's Friday and the eve of the first one-dayer between rivals — cricketing and otherwise. India and Pakistan. In normal times, a rally and mass prayers in Muslim areas would have pushed the city to the brink and kept police on their toes.

But, obviously, these are different times. There is a thaw in the relations between the two nations, who have revived cricketing ties after 14 years. And the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is reaching out to Muslims.

In Ahmedabad — where rumours and just one firecracker let off after an India loss have been enough to spark off riots — Friday saw Muslims go the extra mile to prove that they are not pro-Pakistan and rooted for India’s victory. More than anyone else.

In fact, Friday capped a week-long show of solidarity the Muslims have been playing out on the streets of Ahmedabad to "remove the impression that we are anti-nationals because we pray for Pakistan's victory and that we were responsible for Godhra and post-Godhra riots."

While the community has taken the initiative in most cases, the police too have played their role in ensuring that the community is out on the streets, when in the past they would ensure both the communities stuck to their respective localities.

The day began with a gathering of 7,000 Muslims in Jama Masjid, where they prayed for India's success. Maulana Shabbir Ahmed Siddiqui called upon the gathering to cheer for the Indian team.

"Hindustan is our land and it's the duty of each Muslim to be faithful to it," he said, and added that "the impression that Muslims are not loyal to India has to change. We will have to prove this by supporting the team openly."