Eid-ul-Fitr Celebration at the Consulate of India

April 23

It was a huge turnout at the Eid-ul-Fitr celebration hosted by Consulate of India in Chiang Mai. Wishing the distinguished gathering ‘Eid Mubarak’, Ambassador of India H.E. Nagesh Singh stated that India has the second largest Muslim population after Indonesia, and added that Islam came to India at the time of the Prophet himself and became part of India’s syncretic culture which is truly a mosaic of many religions and traditions. He pointed out that the Cheraman Juma Mosque in Methala, Kodungallur, Thrissur in the Indian state of Kerala was established during the time of The Prophet in 629 CE, which makes it the oldest mosque in the Indian subcontinent. Ambassador Singh alluded to the many strides being made in the diversified relationship between Thailand and India and added that he fell in love with Chiang Mai during his first visit in January, and would like to come again and again to the city. Earlier, welcoming the guests, and warmly greeting them ‘Eid Mubarak’, Consul Krishna Chaitanya recalled that a group of Hindu Brahmins had gone to Karbala to fight on the side of Imam Hussain. All of them died except one and he brought a shred of Prophet Mohammed’s hair which is preserved in the holy Hazratbal mosque in Shrinagar. Pointing out another connection of Imam Hussain with India, he stated that his wife, the Persian princess Shahrbanu is believed to be a sister of Mihrbanu, the wife of India’s king Chandragupta Maurya.
Ambassador Nagesh Singh also presented Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) to Thailand’s acclaimed artist Navin Rawanchaikul; and to India Alumni Anan Sriprommarak and Arisa Sriprommarak; and their mother Ms M K Aadama. The OCI enables the people of Indian origin to travel visa free to; and to live, work (except in government jobs), do business, and own property in India and be treated like Indian Nationals. Rains, though much needed in the city, played spoilsport with the event, but could not prevent gifted singers Vijay, Arisa, and Chitra assisted by instrumentalists Sarawut Chaysingkhum, Sarayut Kanrueang, and Ashok Rajpal from presenting a medley of Sufi songs. Chai N Thai provided the catering with variety of traditional Eid delicacies from different parts of India.