Kozhikode: Many Muslim educational institutions and organisations, including MES, have celebrated Onam with flower carpets and Onaadya though discussions are on whether celebrating Onam is un-Islamic. At Dayapauram group of institutions, the students and teachers celebrated Onam as usual. The trend is catching up as many in the community believe that there is nothing un-Islamic in such festivals. At MES College, Kozhikode, chairman of the organization Dr Fazal Gafoor led the celebrations.
Writers K.P. Sudheera and P. Valsala also joined the students and staff in laying flowers for the flower carpet. The MES will have a mega celebration at MES Medical College in which a traditional sadya would be served to more than 3,000 people. Dr Fazal Gafoor told DC that Onam is not a Hindu religious festival. It is of all Keralites. “For the last few years, MES has been celebrating it in about 150 institutions,” he added.
“We should learn to separate our cultural celebrations from religious ceremonies,” he added. Noted academic N.P. Ashley, who is also a member of Dayapuram Residential School, told DC that only a few religious groups oppose participating in Onam celebrations. “Though they openly warn against Muslims attending the celebrations, only few of them keep off,” he added. “Laying flower carpet is not a sin,” he said.
