As the festival of light, Diwali, is here and now, even Muslims, Christians and Jews are also gearing up to celebrate it. While Judaism is often associated with Israel, Jews residing in Mumbai, Kerala, Delhi, and other parts of India celebrate Diwali with great enthusiasm.
Although Diwali is a major festival of the Hindus, it is celebrated by other faiths as well. To commemorate the release from prison and the return to Amritsar (in 1619) of their spiritual leader Guru Hargobind, the Sikhs observe Diwali. For Jains, Diwali marks the anniversary of the liberation of Mahavira, the last of the saints. The Buddhists celebrate Diwali as the day when Emperor Ashoka converted to Buddhism.
The Judah Hyam Synagogue in the capital will have arrangements for lighting diyas a day before Diwali and also Diwali. It is the only synagogue of Jews in all of North India. Rabbi Ezekiel Isaac Malekar, lights diyas outside the synagogue before Diwali with his family and friends. They light the diyas when darkness descends on Diwali. “How can we stay away from Diwali when we live in India? It is impossible. Diwali is a festival of love, brotherhood, and leading oneself from darkness to light. We are Jewish, but we are also a part of this India,” he said.
Yes, Diwali is celebrated with great fervour even by many Christian too in India. The priests residing at the 1925 built ‘Brothers House’ in the capital also illuminate their abode and other institutions on Diwali. Around half-dozen priests reside here. They say that festivals like Diwali, Eid and Christmas have now transcended religious boundaries. They are celebrated by all. Diwali symbolizes the victory of light over darkness. In fact, the Brotherhood of the Ascended Christ was established in India in 1877. This institution is affiliated with Cambridge University. They established St. Stephen's College, St. Stephen's Hospital and also St. Stephen’s Cambridge School on Delhi-Sonipat border. It is now known as Delhi Brotherhood Society (DBS). Informs Brother Solomon George, “ We celebrate Christmas, Diwali, Eid and our national festivals like Republic Day and Independence Day with our students with joy and fervour. We want to give a clear message that pluralism is the cornerstone of our country.”
Like in the past, Imam Umer Ilyasi, the Islamic scholar and champion of the Inter faith movement in India, would lit diyas outside the Gol Masjid near India Gate. This is an age-old tradition that was started by Maulana Jameel Ilyasi, founder president of All India Imam Conference and father of Maulana Umer Ilyasi in the 1960s.
Maulana Umer Iliyasi, the Imam of Gol Masjid, says that the festival of Diwali inspires us to move from darkness to light. Diwali should not be considered as a festival of one particular community. In fact, who in India can stay away from Diwali?
And not very far away from Dargah Matka Pir, the venerable Dargah Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia would also be illuminated on the festival of lights. Diwali has been celebrated here for the last quarter century or so. The Dargah looks breathtaking with the 'diyas' all around. Since 2022, the Dargah is lit even on DhanTeras. The formal function was attended by people from all walks of life and visitors kept thronging the shrine till late at night. Even in Haji Ali Dargah, light up to mark the Diwali celebrations that engulf the nation.
There is a tradition of lighting diyas at the Dargah Matka Pir near the Supreme Court. It is illuminated on Diwali. Diwali is integral to Dargah Matka Pir. Maulana Qayuum Abbasi of Dargah Matka Pir says Muslims are very much a part of Diwali celebrations of this nation. This tradition lives on in the form of syncretic celebrations of Diwali by Muslims. From the lighting up of Haji Ali Dargah in Mumbai to decorations and diyas adorning many Dargahs in Delhi.
Meanwhile, The tradition of celebrating Deepavali grandly at Jamia has been going on since the time of Dr. Zakir Husain. When he was the Vice Chancellor, the foundation for celebrating Diwali was laid here. He himself used to see how the preparations for the lighting were going on. This tradition gained further strength when eminent historian Dr. Mushirul Hasan was the VC of Jamia.
Well, Religion is to each their own, but festivals are for everyone. Diwali has evolved globally as a secular Indian festival, where everyone takes part irrespective of their religious beliefs.
“ Diwali symbolises the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. The lights of Diwali signify a time to destroy all our dark desires and thoughts, eradicate dark shadows and evils and give us the strength and the zeal to carry on with our goodwill for the rest of the year,” concludes eminent writer and Inter-faith activist, Feroz Bakht Ahmad.

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