Though Aligarh is very communally sensitive city but despite that the city has many such Hindu and Muslims who are making examples of communal harmony and brotherhood. Among them notable are Rafeeq, Shakir,Trannum and Munni who are Muslims but keep fast for nine days during navratri. Not only this they perform Arti of mother Durga and also offer water on Shiva Ling. They have not left their own religion and perform five time namaz apart of keeping fast during ramzan. They say that,” there are many facets of Allah and Bhagwan which may be worshiped .
We should not trap ourselves within boundaries of only one religion”. On the other hand there are Hindus like Ramesh, Vijay and Arvind who not only keep nine days fast during navratri but also keep 29 days fast during ramzan .Also the Muslim families are engaged in making deities for Goddess Durga for the occasion of Navratri.
Behind the back ground of a communally sensitive city, a Muslim family of Aligarh is famous for making dress of Durga not locally but at far flung places also .
The demand of thier dress for Durga increases manifold on navratri. The dresses made by Abid r/o Chowk Bundoo Khan and his younger brother Firaz r/o Civil Lines are being taken by many to Goddess Durga.
This is biggest example communal harmony in a city which is known for its riots and communal flare up
Abid and Firaz belong to fourth generation of a a Muslim family who prepare dress for gods and goddesses. Abid, Firaz and youngest Jabbar had learnt the art of making dress for goddess from their father Naim .
Now young generation is also carrying on the tradition of their forefathers.
Though they are eight brothers but rest of brothers are engaged in other businesses.
All three brothers Abid, Firaz and Jabbar make dress for various Hindu god and goddess. They first stitch the dress and then decorate it with gota and moti. They are receiving big orders from near by areas as Bulandshahar ,Hathras ,Kasganj,Etah and also from far flung cuties .
This dress making of Hindu god and goddesses is so dear to Abid, Firaz and Jabbar that they are not prepared to under take any other business. They are also making crowns and decorative items of Hindu god and goddesses .
In this respect Jabbar told Pioneer “his father was inclined for making dresses for Hindu god and goddesses since beginning “. Not only this they have married their sister in a family which is also engaged in making dress of Hindu god and goddess .
Now Imran son of Abid is also entering in the dress making for gods. He knows well that which colour will suit on which idol. Some of their customers only order the dress after consulting him .
Interestingly the families of Abid, Firaz and Jabbar are receiving honor and respect across the religions boundaries . People believe that they are honest because they are associated with making dress for god and goddess .
But the dress of gods and goddes are also not left with impact of GST . It may be known that there is 5% to 18% GST on cloth gota and other such items .This is effecting price of dress and hence on the demands too.