Maharashtra: Muslims in Ichalkaranji town of Maharashtra, earned heaps of praises from Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackrey as they celebrated Eid festival by donating a 10-bedded ICU to the local government hospital with the help of money collected through Zakat, the traditional Muslim charity tax. The move as reported, is aimed at contributing to the state’s efforts to counter the COVID-19 pandemic.
Muslims reportedly collected charity worth Rs. 36 lac and donated a 10-bedded, well-equipped ICU to the Indira Gandhi Memorial (IGM) Civil Hospital in the town. The ICU is reportedly now ready to facilitate the fight against the spread of Corona Virus.
Even as Maharashtra is one of the worst hit states by COVID-19 in India, the town of Ichalkaranji has seen comparatively lesser number of cases, but the fear of spike in number of cases looms large. The town according to the 2011 census has a population of 2.88 lac people with 78.32% Hindu population and 15.98% Muslim population among others.
Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Monday inaugurated the ICU facility. Applauding the initiative, he said via video conference, “Muslims in Ichalkaranji have shown the way for everyone in the country. Till now, we have controlled the spread of coronavirus with courage and patience. Henceforth, public participation (to fight the pandemic) is necessary. The Muslim community has set an example on how to celebrate a festival.”