After Iftar parties, it's season of Eid Milan functions in Mumbai

MUMBAI: After countless Iftar parties in the holy month of Ramzan, it is the season of Eid Milan functions in Mumbai and suburbs.
Several organisations, non-political outfits and individuals have already thrown lavish Eid Milan functions since the Eid festival on April 22.
At the Eid Milan functions faith leaders from different communities meet, exchange views on how to promote communal harmony in these fractious times and then bond over biryani and sheer khurma.
They talk of India’s celebrated multiculturalism and the country’s shared past.
These parties, said those who have attended many of such gatherings, are aimed at fostering love, peace and a sense of brotherhood.
“Mumbai has been a financial capital of India and here people traditionally have been peaceful. Iftar and Eid Milan parties help strengthen our bonds. People from different backgrounds and professions break bread together. They chat and exchange views. This helps create a good congenial environment in our society,” said Congress leader, vice-chairman (minority department) of city Congress Haji Mudassar Patel.
Patel has attended the annual iftar dinner organised by ex-minister Baba Siddiqui and his MLA son Zeeshan Siddiqui for the last several years at a five-star hotel.
Patel was at an Eid milan function organised by a leading Urdu daily last week.
At leading Muslim organisation Jamaat-e-Islami Hind’s Eid Milan programmes at the iconic Islam Gymkhana last week many faith leaders turned up.
Beside Muslim clerics, there were Christian and Parsi priests, Faith leaders from Sikhism too.
“We are sure such enlightened talks would go a long way in fostering communal harmony and bonhomie and help usher in a new era of peace and security in our beloved country,” said Shakir Shaikh, secretary, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Mumbai.
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind has turned 75 and its functionaries plan many programmes through the year as part of celebrations of the Jamaat reaching this important milestone.