Although I am an atheist, I respect people of all religions, and have always strongly supported freedom of religion.
When I was in California, U.S. A. ( I was in North America from January to July, 2015 ) the Ramzan month commenced.
I have been keeping one day fast during Ramzan for several years, so this year also I decided to keep it. I informed some Hindus settled in USA about my decision. They said that they would also keep one day fast during Ramzan, and asked me to fix the date. I fixed 4th July as it was a Saturday and so a non working day, and was also the American Independence Day, and I put up a facebook post requesting non Muslims all over the world to keep one day fast on that date, as a mark of our respect and solidarity with our Muslim brothers and sisters.
These Hindus informed Shaista Ali, wife of Syed Ali, President and CEO of Cavium, a multi billion dollar company in the Silicon Valley with branches all over the world, about my decision. Shaistaji, telephoned me and requested that the iftaar on 4th July should be held at her residence, to which I agreed.
Since sehri had to be by 4.13 a.m. ( for Shias ) on that day ( 4.36 a.m. for Sunnis ) my Hindu friends.and I got up at 3.30 a.m. and quickly had some eggs, milk, bread and water, and thereafter till 8.35 p.m. we ate and drank nothing. An excellent iftaar and dinner was served at Shaistaji's house which is on a hill in Saratoga.
Now navratra is beginning on 13th Octobwer, and will go on till the 23rd ( the calender is given below ).
I appeal to all non Hindus all over the world, and especially in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh to keep one day fast during navratra. They may consult some Hindu friend about what can be eaten on that day and when. This will be just as a token of respect and solidarity with their Hindu brothers and sisters, and not that they will be converted to Hinduism
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