New Delhi:
Eid will be a working day for Shakila Banu and her family this year. They head to the capital from Madhya Pradesh every year before Ramlila to make effigies.
Spending hours in the sun while fasting for Eid is tedious, but Shakila wants the Ramlila to be the best.
"I am a Muslim but I am an Indian first. My fasts and Ramzan are on one side but work is work," she said.
The committee organising this Ramlila was initially against giving work to Shakila because she is a Muslim woman. But that was five years ago.
"The main puppet is that of Ravan and I make it. Initially the committee had apprehensions, but I think they liked my work," Shakila said.
"She has Ramzan going on but there's a bigger commitment she shows for Ramlila," said Vishwanath Gupta, the committee head.
And the family continues to make the effigies through Ramzan. Her son Mohammad Arif goes to work after sehari and morning prayers.
"Look at other Islamic countries, there's so much internal strife. But look at India, we have a sense of brotherhood," said Arif.
As Ramayan plays out live, Eid will be celebrated alongside; Ram paath and Eid prayers will take place side by side. And if you ask Shakila Banu what she makes of it, she says it happens only in India.
Spending hours in the sun while fasting for Eid is tedious, but Shakila wants the Ramlila to be the best.
"I am a Muslim but I am an Indian first. My fasts and Ramzan are on one side but work is work," she said.
The committee organising this Ramlila was initially against giving work to Shakila because she is a Muslim woman. But that was five years ago.
"The main puppet is that of Ravan and I make it. Initially the committee had apprehensions, but I think they liked my work," Shakila said.
"She has Ramzan going on but there's a bigger commitment she shows for Ramlila," said Vishwanath Gupta, the committee head.
And the family continues to make the effigies through Ramzan. Her son Mohammad Arif goes to work after sehari and morning prayers.
"Look at other Islamic countries, there's so much internal strife. But look at India, we have a sense of brotherhood," said Arif.
As Ramayan plays out live, Eid will be celebrated alongside; Ram paath and Eid prayers will take place side by side. And if you ask Shakila Banu what she makes of it, she says it happens only in India.
