Magh Mela witnessing wave of humanity
Engr Farooq Naseer hospitality to Hindu pilgrims during Magh Mela winning hearts
Spirit of unity and humanity vividly displayed via his heartwarming acts
Prayagraj: Muslim community members have demonstrated significant devotion to humanity and communal harmony during the 2025 Maha Kumbh and Magh Mela 2026 in Prayagraj. Despite calls for exclusion, local Muslims provided shelter in mosques, distributed food, and offered aid to thousands of stranded pilgrims following a stampede last year. These acts of service highlighted a strong spirit of unity, with many viewing the event as a shared cultural heritage rather than a solely religious one.
Social worker, Engr Farooq Naseer, a retd Jal Nigam engineer said, “Amidst the systematic hate leading to growing anger and despair, it is important to showcase a lived reality of camaraderie, equality and sharing which is the bedrock of the Indian Constitution and secularism. That way we not only hold on to every thread of hope, but effectively project these narratives, lest we lose our will to fight the good fight. This instances show how we Indians continue to reject hateful and divisive agendas even while street violence and social media are used as part of a sinister, hate-filled political agenda to tell us otherwise. Let’s reinforce India’s everyday lived reality, and through that collectively and aggressively, uphold and defend a unique pluralism, a diverse culture and truly secular values. These acts of compassion, alongside other efforts like offering prayers in Dargahs and distributing food, epitomized the true spirit of Ganga-Jamuni culture, transcending religious boundaries to serve humanity.”
“This act reflected the true spirit of Ganga-Jamuni culture, where traditions of love, respect, and brotherhood transcend religious boundaries. The gesture not only demonstrated hospitality but also embodied a profound message of peace and coexistence, reminding all that faith and compassion unite us beyond religious differences,” he added.
However, the overwhelming number of devotees in the already congested city led to a shortage of hotels, lodges and rooms for accommodation. Amid this chaos, social worker Farooq Naseer thought to do something unprecedented — rising above his personal — for the larger cause of humanity. He opened the doors of his house for hundreds of Hindu pilgrims who had come for their spiritual journey to Triveni-Sangam around key bathing dates, offering them hospitality along with his family.
“I decided to inquire there for accommodation. This house belonged to a very kind-hearted man Engr Farooq Naseer. Upon describing our situation, he immediately offered us space to rest. We stayed there with my sister-in-law and the others, and in the morning, we used his toilet and washroom for our daily routines. His help was much appreciated, especially in a crowded place near Allahabad railway station, where it is not easy for women to find comfortable arrangements. He rose above religious differences and dedicated himself to serving humanity. We were truly grateful for his kindness,” narrated Jyoti Godse, a resident of Gujarat’s Vadodara district, who came with her family to take a dip at Magh Mela in Prayagraj.
“These pilgrims, including men, women, children and the elderly, face difficulty resting under the open sky due to exhaustion. I thought, why not let them rest in my house and compound, have some food and rest before moving on to their next destination. I hope that after their visit here, they return home safely after completing their religious duties,” retorted Engr Farooq Naseer while answering media queries.
He claimed Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath have also made great efforts to ensure pilgrims face no problems. “As citizens of Prayagraj, it is our moral duty to help them,” he said.
Vaishali from Meerut in Western Uttar Pradesh stayed at Engr Farooq Naseer’s home with her family. “We came by car for the holy Ganga bath. When we arrived here, there were no available accommodations. The designated parking areas were crowded, and the ground was filled with dust — making it impossible to rest. We decided to check with nearby houses and found a place to stay in Engr Farooq Naseer’s house. It was for free. I felt like this was the result of my good deeds that we received such hospitality in Sangam City,” she narrated.
She added, “I believe Hindu-Muslim conflicts are a political game. We should understand this. Hindus and Muslims are brothers. The work that the city administration and other citizens should do, a Muslim brother has set an example by doing it. We stayed at his house, and Engr Farooq Naseer and his wife took good care of us.”
