Kolar: In a rare and poignant gesture, residents of Alipura village in Gauribidanur taluk have decided to mark Ramzan this year without wearing new clothes, as a tribute to a slain Shia leader from Iran.Alipura, located about 90km from Bengaluru, is home to over 25,000 Shia Muslims and around 600 Hindus. The village is known for its long-standing communal harmony, with no reported clashes between communities for over five decades. Despite Ramzan being one of the most significant and celebratory periods in the Islamic calendar, the prevailing mood in the village is of the mourning. “Ramzan will be observed, but in a symbolic and subdued manner this year,” said Abbas, a local merchant. “We will continue to offer prayers and perform rituals, but we will refrain from wearing new clothes as a mark of respect.” He added many in the community will wear black cloth on their shoulders and forearms to signify grief. At the same time, the spirit of harmony will continue, with Muslims exchanging fruits, sweets, and flowers with their Hindu neighbours as part of the festival’s traditions. The decision follows protests held in the village earlier this month. On March 1, residents staged a demonstration condemning the killing, during which shops remained shut and special prayers were offered for peace.
