Muslim leads Christmas procession in India
Lalu Mallick
A Muslim has been leading a Christmas procession in a predominantly tribal Catholic parish in eastern India for the past 28 years.
Lalu Mallick, 48, told ucanews.com he finds inner peace and happiness when he prepares the Christmas float and leads the procession in the Virgin of the Poor Church, Ambika Kalna, West Bengal.
Mallick, a local butcher, said he started leading the procession after some local youths tried to obstruct it. “I felt the need to intervene and help the procession proceed,” he said.
The procession on Christmas Eve, with ‘live’ representation of the nativity scene, passes through the streets.
Mallick said he also helps the parish priest during major Church feasts and invites his family too to join the celebrations. He said he had to rush from Nagpur, central India, on Dec. 23, to be in time for the procession.
Parish priest Jesuit Father Sebastian Xalxo says Mallick is more active than other parishioners on Dec. 24. Mallick’s generosity is “truly noteworthy, especially when we find it hard to get people to work for the Church,” he added.
According to the priest, Mallick spends the whole day on Dec. 24 in the church. “He directs the traffic on the road during the procession and leads the float,” the priest told ucanews.com.
Parish council member Bernard Mardi says Mallick “knows and understands the significance of this feast for us, and takes part in the event with great devotion.”
According to Mardi, some people from other religion want cordial relations with Catholics, but fear ostracism from their communities.
Mallick also prepares biryani (a special preparation of rice and meat) for the priests at Christmas.
Source: ucanews.com
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