10. Rahim gets angry about procession

CHAPTER 10

Rahim gets angry about procession

Students were studying in Islamic school. Maulana Razvi was teaching them. All were listening intently. Suddenly they heard the Ganapati procession passing on the road. Tabla, music, shouts, etc. Razvi stopped teaching. Rahim put his hands to his ears.

Maulana said, “Now we have to stop the class for 15 minutes. During the Hindu festivals we have to tolerate a lot of disturbances.”

Rahim got up. “Maulasab, why can’t they go by the other road? I will go and tell them.”

Maulana said sadly, “No use telling them that. I have already tried it many times in the last 12 years. They never listen. Instead they increase the sound. We are helpless.”

Rahim become serious. “They won’t listen to good words. I can’t tolerate any disturbance while I am studying the Quran. I will go and tell them.”

Rahim went out and the other boys follow him.

Maulana thought, “This boy loves Quran so much. I wonder what he will do now.”

He too followed the boys.

Rahim and the boys reached the procession. Rahim folded his hands to and elderly person. He pointed to the Masjid. “This is a very sacred place. At this time we are studying the Quran. You should not make so much noise.”

Suddenly a man came forward and said seriously. “What are you saying? Is our god not pure?”

Rahim said, “I don’t know about your god. According to Islam, Quran is a very sacred book.”

The man caught hold of Rahim’s shirt. “Eh bastard! I will cut you into pieces if you say anything about our god.”

Maulana came forward and separated them. “Forgive him. He does not know. Have I ever stopped you? This boy is ignorant.”

The man said, “Ok. We are leaving him for your sake. Otherwise we would have done his cut him to pieces and sent him to Pakistan.”

Rahim looked at him seriously.

Another man came forward and held Rahim’s shirt. “Why are you staring like that?”

He gave Rahim 3 or 4 blows. Rahim fell down. He got up and came to hit the man.

“Allah ki kasam.”

Maulana stopped him. “Will you listen to me?”

He folded his hands to the men. “Please forgive him. A small matter will become big.”

One elder said, “Ok ok. Take the boys away.”

Maulana pulled Rahim and left with the boys. The procession stopped in front of the Masjid. The men played the band and shouted loudly for some time.

Rahim watched from the window. “Badmash!”

After some time, the procession moved on.