Mangaluru: Muslim and Christian organisations in coastal Karnataka have urged the state government to declare holidays on Aug 25 for Eid Milad and Sept 8 for Monthi Fest, citing the religious and cultural significance of the occasions in the region.The Muslim leaders have sought that the general holiday announced for Eid Milad on Aug 26 be advanced by a day to Aug 25 in Dakshina Kannada.A delegation led by former president of the Dakshina Kannada District Waqf Advisory Committee, BA Abdul Nasir Lucky Star, Mangaluru Central Juma Masjid Administrative Committee president Yenepoya Abdulla Kunhi and Ullal Seyyid Madani Darga Shareeful president BG Haneef Haji submitted a joint petition to district minister UT Khader and deputy commissioner Darshan H V to declare Aug 25 a general holiday in Dakshina Kannada instead of Aug 26. In the petition, the leaders said all qazis in the district had decided to observe Eid Milad on Aug 25, owing to differences in the sighting of the moon, marking the beginning of the Islamic month.Meanwhile, the Karnataka Christa Sanghatane has urged the state government to declare Sept 8 a public holiday in the coastal districts to mark the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, celebrated locally as Monthi Fest.In a petition addressed to minister UT Khader, the organisation said Sept 8 had traditionally been observed as an important festival by Christians in coastal Karnataka.The festival marks the birth of Mother Mary and is celebrated with prayers in churches, the offering of the season’s first harvest and family feasts.The organisation said the festival had deep cultural significance in the coastal region, and urged the govt to recognise Sept 8 as a holiday, particularly in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.A delegation led by Stany Pinto, president of Karnataka Christa Sanghatane and Alvin Dsouza, AICU state president, met the minister on Aug 18.It may be recalled that the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi district administation had declared a general holiday for Nagara Panchami festival.
