Muslim body supports save Ganga campaign at Mahakumbh

Times of India – 4th February, 2013

By Shailvee Sharda

LUCKNOW: As a mark of their support to the save Ganga campaign, president of All India Imams Association, Respected Imam Umer Ahmed Iliasi, visited the Kumbha Mela here on Monday.

He met Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswati of the Parmarth Niketan Ashram and assured that the Imams from all over India will join the cause of the save Ganga campaign.

Swami Chidanand presented him three sacred trees — neem, rudraksha and kalp vriksha, as a memoir of their union for for peace, unity and for protection and preservation of the natural environment, particularly the waters of Mother Ganga.

Addressing on the occasion, Swami Chidanand said, “We are here on the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati, and in this basket is a confluence of three sacred trees symbolizing the confluence of our love, our union and our commitment for each other and for our Mother Earth. Our natural environment and our Mother Ganga give and give to all with no discrimination. So protection and preservation is the responsibility of all.”

Talking to reporters, Imam Iliasi said, “I will bring all the imams of all the mosques of India together for this great effort. I will plant these these sacred trees at our mosque in Delhi and they will grow to stand as wonderful symbols of the sacredness of our union. They will grow at our holy mosque in Delhi as a mark of our committment.”

It may be noted that several Muslim groups in Allahabad have already extended their support for the cause of save Ganga campaign.

Prior to the Paush Poornima shahi snaan they went to the river and performed vazoo from the waters of Ganga as a mark of their support to saving the Ganga, which they call the lifeline of Indian civilization.

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