By Jatindra Dash
Bhubaneswar, Sep 27 (IANS) “God is one” said Sheikh Jannat Hossain, the secretary of a Durga Puja committee in an Orissa town, as he along with many other Muslims and Christians joined in the Durga Puja celebrations, a year after the parts of the state were torn apart by communal discord.

Muslims and Christians helped Hindus in raising funds, sat with them for prayers and lent a hand in decorating puja pandals (marquees) in many parts of the state.

“We have joined together as a part of our long tradition,” Sadhu Nayak, a Christian who headed a Durga Puja organising committee at Simanbadi village in Kandhamal district, some 320 km from state capital Bhubaneswar told IANS.

Last year the celebrations were a dull affair in the region due to communal violence that erupted after the murder of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four of his aides at his ashram Aug 23.

At least 38 people were killed and more than 25,000 Christians were forced to flee their homes after their houses were attacked by rampaging mobs, who held Christians responsible for Saraswati’s killing although police blamed the Maoists.

“The Hindu residents were reluctant to celebrate the festival this year with much fanfare but they agreed only after we insisted and assured them that we will provide all help,” he said.

Simanbadi has a population of around 5,000 and half of them are Christians. Nayak said Christian villagers had also contributed funds and were involved in the preparations for Durga Puja.

“The village has at least three Muslim families and they have also joined the celebrations,” he said.

“God is one. We always participate in their celebrations,” Seikh Jannat Hossain, the secretary of a Durga puja committee at Balasore town, some 200 km from here said.

“Hindus always help us in our festivals. We also join them in their festivals. This is a tradition we have been following since generations,” he said.

Hossain said he keeps a fast on the occasion and sits near the priests when he chants hymns.

Hossain and Nayak are not isolated cases. Hundreds of Muslims joined Hindus in Cuttack, Jatani, Kendrapada and Bhadrak and celebrated the festival with pomp and gaiety. Christians have also joined the celebration in state capital Bhubaneswar.

“Christian are part of the whole puja celebrations in many places including in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack,” Swarupananda Patra, general secretary of the All Orissa Baptist Churches Federation, told IANS.

Only 2.1 and two percent of Orissa’s population of 36,706,920 are Muslims and Christian respectively.