Ludhiana: The foundation stone for the enlargement of a gurdwara intended for the Ravidas community was placed on Friday by Shahi Imam of Punjab Usman Ludhianvi, who set an example of communal harmony and brotherhood.
Several communities came together for the expansion ceremony of the gurdwara in Kherabad village, Hoshiarpur district.
The Shahi Imam said, “There is a gurdwara for the Ravidas community already in the village and a new prayer hall is to be added. The gurdwara management committee thus invited me, peachers from Ravidas community, Nihang Singhs and even district health officer of Hoshiarpur for this foundation laying ceremony. So all of us laid the foundation stone one by one thus spreading the message of peace, communal harmony and brotherhood, ” Indian Express reported.
Dr Lakhbir Singh, district health officer Hoshiarpur while speaking on the occasion said, “ A number of times religion had been a reason of war in many parts of the world but if we understand the real message of gurus, it is to stay united and treat humanity as the supreme race. All religions teach us to respect each other. Now that foundation stones have been laid by preachers of different communities, they will also participate in their functions, festivals as well with equal harmony.”
The idea was to take the teachings of Sai Mia Mir, who had placed the foundation stone of Harmander Sahib in Amritsar, and gurus ahead and spread the message of peace, according to Gurdail Singh of the Ravidas Gurdwara management committee of Kherabad village.