Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday hosted a Dawat-e-Iftar at his official residence, 1 Anne Marg, in Patna, bringing together political leaders, dignitaries, and members of the Muslim community in a show of communal harmony. Governor Arif Mohammad Khan was among the key attendees at the gathering, where prayers were offered for peace, progress, and unity in the state.
Before the Iftar, Hazrat Syed Shah Shamimuddin Ahmed Munami, Sajjadanashin of Mittan Ghat, addressed the gathering, highlighting the spiritual significance of Ramadan and fasting. This was followed by collective prayers seeking prosperity and social cohesion in Bihar.
CM Nitish personally welcomed Governor Arif Mohammad Khan with a bouquet and presented him with a traditional cap and turban. The Chief Minister also greeted the guests and fasting attendees, underscoring the message of inclusivity and mutual respect.
The event was attended by a host of political leaders, including Union Minister for Panchayati Raj, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Rajiv Ranjan alias Lallan Singh, Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Chirag Paswan, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, and Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ramnath Thakur. Also present were Bihar Legislative Assembly Speaker Nand Kishore Yadav, Bihar Legislative Council Chairman Awadhesh Narayan Singh, Water Resources and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, Rural Development Minister Shravan Kumar, Information and Public Relations Minister Maheshwar Hazari, Education Minister Sunil Kumar, and Minority Welfare Minister Md. Jama Khan.
Several Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha MPs, MLAs, legislative councilors, senior bureaucrats, police officials, and a large number of Rozedars (fasting individuals) also attended the gathering.
However, the Iftar was marked by a notable boycott from leading Muslim organisations, including Imarat-e-Shariah, in protest against Nitish’s support for the proposed Waqf Amendment Bill 2024. These organisations argue that the bill threatens centuries-old Waqf properties, encompassing educational institutions, hospitals, women’s centres, and religious sites, potentially deepening economic deprivation within the Muslim community.
