Indian Christian Who Built A Mosque In UAE Last Year, Now Hosts Iftar For Muslim Workers
An Indian Christian who is a businessman and had earlier built a mosque for the Muslim workers is yet again in the news. Muslims are observing Ramadan and the businessman is serving iftar meal for nearly 800 workers.
An Indian Christian who is a businessman and had earlier built a mosque for the Muslim workers is yet again in the news. Muslims are observing Ramadan and the businessman is serving iftar meal for nearly 800 workers. The holy month of Ramzan began from 7 May and Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset.
Hailing from Kerala¡¯s Kayamkulam, Saji Cheriyan, 49, built a mosque last year for Muslim workers living in worker accommodation he rented out to different companies in Fujairah.
Mary, the Mother of Jesus or Mariam Umm Eisa mosque was built by him last year when he saw workers taking taxis to go to nearby mosque to offer prayers in the holy month of Ramazan. He saw workers spending their earnings on taxi fares.
Cheriyan who had come to UAE in 2003 with only few hundred dirhams, hosted iftar meal for around 800 people which includes workers as well as other senior employees in an air conditioned convention centre.
"The mosque opened on the 17th night of Ramadan last year. So, I could offer iftar to the worshippers only for the remaining days. From this year, I would be doing it every day," he was quoted as saying by the newspaper.
Reuters/Representational Image
Water, dates, juice, fruits, snacks and biryani are the part of meal served to the workers. "I have made arrangements to offer different types of biryani so that they don¡¯t get bored eating the same dish every iftar," he said.
Cheriyan¡¯s efforts have been acknowledged by people. Abdul Qayum, 63, a bus driver from Pakistan praised Cheriyan¡¯s effort, "The world needs people like him. If there are no people like him, the world will end. We are praying for him. Allah will bless him."
Reuters/Representational Image
There are employees of over 50 companies living in this area, an assistant manager of a company and an Indian, Vajas Abdul Wahid told Gulf News.
"Senior employees and labourers are staying in separate accommodations. But, when we come here, we are all equal. We pray and have iftar together," he added.
The mosque is located in the East Ville Real Estate complez in Al Hayl industrial area and it can accommodate 250 worshipers at a time and the facility to accommodate 700 other worshippers to pray has been organised in the interlocked courtyard of the mosque.
