Muslim holds Hindu prayer meets

Setting a perfect example of communal harmony, a Muslim man in Uttar Pradesh has been reciting a Hindu religious book Ram Charit Manas across the country for last 22 years.

By Vipul Goel

Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh), June 20 : Setting a perfect example of communal harmony, a Muslim man in Uttar Pradesh has been reciting a Hindu religious book "Ram Charit Manas" across the country for last 22 years.

Mohammad Yaseen of Pipraich region in Gorakhpur became Yaseen Bharti at childhood when he was awarded the title "Bharti" at his school for singing patriotic songs.

Blessed with a beautiful voice Bharti used to earn his living by singing. But caste and religious differences in society used to upset Bharti. But his determination led him to a saint who was running an ashram in Uttar Pradesh's Maharajgunj District.

After residing at the ashram for few years, Bharti started reciting "Ram Charit Manas" at Hindu prayer meets across the country, which got him the title Saint Yaseen Bharti.

"I got attracted to singing Hindu prayers after I got in touch with a saint at "Hans Sarv Dharm Seva Ashram" in Maharajgunj. With his blessing, I started reciting Hindu prayers. After that I started organising Hindu prayer meets on my own. I want to clear all the filth in the society through this," said Bharti.

Along with his prayers, Bharti also gives the message of communal harmony to the people.

"He is a Muslim but he was singing Hindu prayers so beautifully. I felt that India is the only country where this unity can be seen," Sarojani Srivastava said who came to attend Bharti's prayer meet.

Bharti's family doesn't have any problem with his work. In fact, they say they are proud of him. He practices his own religion at home apart from reading Hindu religious books.

ANI