Maqbul Malgimani with his family praying before Lord Ganesh at his residence in Pernem.
PERNEM
In a rare display of inter-faith harmony, a Muslim family from Korgao-Pernem has been celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi at their home for the past six years.
The family of Maqbul Malgimani, a young journalist, welcomed the Lord Ganesh to their residence and prayed before the idol. The locals in the vicinity visited Maqbul’s home to have a Darshan of Lord Ganesh.
Malgimani family is originally from Hubbali. Maqbul’s father was a mason, and had come to Goa three decades ago in search of work. He never had a permanent home. Maqbul’s mother worked as maid and supported the family.
Maqbul said he was attracted towards Lord Ganesh since his childhood and insisted that his father celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi like others in Goa.
“My father used to work at Old Goa and Divar. I was born on Divar island, but my birth was registered at Hubbali. We came to Korgao in 2000 and began living in a rented room.
“My father worked with a teacher, Parshuram Gaude, and the Gaude family from Gaudewada-Korgao. My father had requested a piece of land from the Gaude family and they had promised to do so. In 2012, my father passed away and I approached the Gaude family with the same request.”
“When I grew up, I had a desire to bring the lord home during Ganesh Chaturthi, but I did not have a home of my own. But my wish was fulfilled when Parshuram Gaude gifted me 100 sq mt land free of cost,” said Maqbul.
Maqbul constructed a home on that plot and once their own home was ready six years ago, the first thing that the family did was to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi at their home, a practice which is continued till this day.
Initially, the family celebrated Chaturthi for one-and-a-half day, but as Maqbul’s sister insisted that they keep the Lord Ganesh home for five days, the family now celebrates a five-day Chaturthi.
The puja is being conducted through a Brahmin and during the Covid pandemic, the family performed the puja online.
Maqbul recalls that his ancestors and grandfather used to worship lord Ganesh, but the ritual had stopped later.
“We consider cow as Gomata and abstain from eating meat. For me, humanity is above all and is the greatest religion,” said Maqbul.
