Ernest Dempsey — Diwali is one of the most important festivals in Hindu religion. Also known traditionally as the ‘festival of lights’, it is celebrated each year to commemorate the triumph of the divine over evil and the return of Rama, an avatar of Lord Vishnu, after 14 years of banishment. In India, Diwali is celebrated with great fervor not only by Hindus but also by people of other faiths. Small oil lamps and display of firework really make it a festival of lights. But the Hindu community in Pakistan, even in small towns and villages, also celebrate Diwali despite the fear of persecution or outright aggression by fundamentalist Islamists.Last month, while Diwali was celebrated in India and elsewhere, the small Hindu community in Hangu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, celebrated the festival in unison with members from other communities including Christian, Sikh, and Muslim members. The occasion marked the hope of triumph of peace over the threat of inter-faith schism as respectable members of different communities gathered in the small temple of the Hindu community area, called Prem Nagar, in Hangu. Provincial parliamentarian for minorities Kishor Kumar also joined the guests at the temple. One prominent member from each faith group expressed their happiness and bid felicitations to everyone. Each member also acknowledged that all religions are equally respectable and they teach the same respect for humanity; humanity came first and then the religions, noted one of the speakers.
The speakers also mentioned some of the main problems faced by the Hindu community in the area. One of these included the unavailability of a burial ground for the community. Traditionally, Hindus cremate their dead in an area called “Shamshan ghat” and then dispose the ashes according to their religious traditions. In Hangu, however, the Hindu community has no proper place to practice the funeral and cremation rights for bereaved families. They take their dead to the southern foothills to bury in a rocky area allowed for the purpose. Other problems of the community include supply of gas for household use and absence of a proper road leading to Prem Nagar. In his speech, Kishor Kumar told that he has already started working on getting the problems solved by the provincial government.
The most inspiring presence in the gathering was of a respected Hindu member Tanveer who, despite losing mobility to wounds in Hangu’s disastrous terror attack earlier this year, made himself available to participate in this inter-faith community gathering. Tanveer is still under treatment with help from neighbors and a few Muslim community members, who are trying to get the government’s attention to his loss and asking for financial and other kinds of support to the victim.
The guest of honor Kishor Kumar along with other guests later had lunch together in the temple area before Mr. Kumar said prayers at the temple along with his family.
Though it was a small gathering without any pomp and show, celebrating Diwali in Hangu with members of different faiths, all expressing happiness and support for one another, symbolized hope for harmony and lasting peace in the region.
