Report : Breaking Religious Barrier

A Muslim girl Fathimath Rahila from Karnataka  has become the new icon of cultural assimilation by securing first place in Ramayana competition

While pseudo-secularists are trying to divide the country on communal lines, a ninth standard Muslim girl has demonstrated as to what is actually religious tolerance.
Fathimath Rahila a student of Sarvodaya High School, Sulliapadavu, Puttur Taluk in Dakshina Kannada District has now become the  new icon of cultural assimilation by securing first place in Ramayana competition. The class 9 student secured 93 per cent marks in the competition and became a topper in Puttur Taluk. Around 39 students had participated in the exam conducted by the Bharat Sanskriti Prathisthan in November, 2015.
Speaking to Organiser, Fathimath said she had been longing to study the Bharateeya epic from a long time and recently got a chance and did her best.  Her favourite character in Ramayana is Lakshman as she believes he is the epitome of sacrifice   since he sacrificed his royal life to accompany his elder brother Sri Ram. Fathimath says her parents never objected to her studying Ramayana. In fact, she is also a Ramayana tutor as people love to listen to her epic tales. She also said that she is eagerly waiting for summer holidays so that she can study Mahabharat also. She is not just well versed in Hindu mythology but has also won first  position in Koran competition in her taluk.
Fathimath, whose village is on the border of Karnataka and Kerala is very friendly and a sociable girl. Her school headmaster HD Shivaram told Organiser that they had recently organised a school programme but didn’t find an MC but Fathimath soon stepped in and did an excellent job.
Fathimath’s father Ibrahim M works in a factory, while her mother Soudha is a home maker. Fathimath said she was helped by her uncle during her Ramayana study. The school staff said the exam was a voluntary one and none were forced to write.
R Guruprasad