In the middle of the Thar desert in Pakistan, is lies a quaint town of Mithi. Other than the obvious natural beauty of the desert, the most fascinating thing about this town is the peaceful coexistence of the Hindu and Muslim residents. Both of the religions have existed here since centuries and have not let any external factors hinder their harmonious way of life.
Mithi is located 280 kilometres away from Karachi, the largest city of Pakistan. It is one of the very few places in the country where Hindus outnumber Muslims. According to the local government estimates, the population of Mithi is around 87,000, out of which around 70 per cent are Hindus.
Unlike other rural areas of Pakistan, Mithi is a rather clean town. The crime rate in the town is almost negligible. There are mosques, there are temples and there are city squares which are inhabited by both religions.
“Whenever there is a religious festival or any cultural event, we all get together. When Hindus celebrate Deewali, they invite us, when we celebrate Eid, we invite them,” recalls Haji Muhammad Dal, a former school teacher and a theatre producer. He adds that the Hindu community takes part in Moharram processions and sometimes even fasts with Muslims. Muslims don’t sacrifice cows or eat beef in the city, out of respect for Hindus.
“In 1971, the Indian forces came all the way to Mithi, and we had to flee overnight,” says Dal, adding, “All the Hindus who lived with us got really upset and convinced us to come back to live with them.”
The Jamiya Masjid of Mithi was being expanded in 2001 and some land from the neighbour’s property was needed to fulfil the plans. “There was a Hindu lady residing in the house,” recalls Dal, “she came to me herself and insisted that we take her land for the mosque.” According to him she gave the land as charity because of her love for the Muslims.
Vishan Thari, also known as Mama Vishan, runs an extensive network of blood donors in Tharparkar. “Muslims give me a lot of respect, and are always willing to donate their blood without any discrimination,” he says.
Talking about the Hindu-Muslim unity, he recalls the time when Sadiq Faqeer, a renowned Sindhi singer, died in 2015. “It was Holi that day, but no one played with colours or celebrated. It felt like entire Mithi city was in sorrow that day.”
Kamla Poonam, who is a headmistress of a private school in Mithi, moved to this city from Hyderabad in Pakistan. She is happy that Hindus and Muslims live peacefully here. “People have been living here harmoniously since the very beginning. The elders are keeping the peaceful traditions alive. Even if the youth sometimes goes out of line, they are disciplined by the elder from both religions,” she says.
The level of tolerance exhibited by the locals is very uncommon for South Asia. As Haji Mohammad Dal says, “others should learn from Mithi how to spread love.”
FARAN RAFI 