In a remarkable interfaith gesture, Muslims welcomed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed to their “Eid al-Adha” celebrations in Sparks, Nevada.

Welcoming Zed, Mahmoud Hendi, President of Northern Nevada Muslim Community (NNMC), listed Zed’s various initiatives of bringing the communities together through interfaith dialogue.

Speaking on the occasion, Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, stressed the need of religions working together for a just and peaceful world. Dialogue would bring us mutual enrichment, he added.

American Muslims of Bangladeshi, Syrian, Somalian, Pakistani, Ethiopian, Jordanian, India, Moroccan, Egyptian, Palestinian, etc., origins reportedly came to “Eid al-Adha” celebrations in their ethnic best dresses to a sumptuous dinner which included various chicken, lamb and other meat dishes; biryani and various other rice delicacies; vegetables and lentils; sweet vermicelli, kheer, puddings, baklawa; etc., to name a few.

Prayers from Quran (the scripture of Islam) were read and Hendi listed various projects/achievements of NNMC. A magician and a face-painter entertained the kids.
According to an estimate, there are about 2,000 Muslim families in northern Nevada of about two dozen national origins, with Bangladesh having the highest numbers as compared to other countries. Northern Nevada Muslim Community was launched in 1980, Dr. Sherif A. Elfass, NNMC Vice President, points out.

“Eid al-Adha”, also known as Greater Bayram, is celebrated towards the end of Mecca pilgrimage. To commemorate the ram substituted by God when Abraham was commanded to sacrifice Ishmael, his son, to test his faith, unblemished animals are sacrificed on this occasion. It also includes visiting/receiving extended families.
Islam is the second most widespread religion in the world after Christianity and word “Islam” means “submission/peace”. Hinduism is the oldest and third largest religion of the world and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal.

Rajan Zed (7th from right) with Sparks Mayor Geno Martini (6th from right) and Northern Nevada Muslim leaders and others during “Eid al-Adha” celebrations in Sparks.