AN ENCOUNTER WITH A MUSLIM BROTHER

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: satish naik

AN ENCOUNTER WITH A MUSLIM BROTHER

Om Sairam dearest Sai Family

Post Gurupoornima there have been so many interesting programmes by overseas visiting devotees and one such programme was a musical presentation by the devotees of Gulf and Middle East. Chanting holy hymns from Quran and very nicely blending the same with Swami's teachings (which is the same) they sang some soul stirring songs. This evening, i went to the ashram bit late and as i had some things in my hand decided to stand in the East Prasanthi Lane and witness this offering of love from these devotees. The programme was shown live on the big screen which helped .

Being out side the Sai Kulwanth hall, no matter how much you want to focus on Swami there is always distraction and right next to me were two muslim brothers very closely watching the programme live on the  big screen. Looking at them they didn't seem to be locals. I looked at them and smiled and they happily smiled back. I was very keen to start a conversation with them, more so because i wanted to know their feedback about the ashram and Puttaparthi, Swami so on... 

Sensing they would be from North India and any ways Urdu is almost same as Hindi, i asked them in Hindi, where they were from. They said they are from West Bengal. I said O! Its very far from here. They said yes it take 3 days to reach here by train. Jokingly i said, some one from Kolkata (West Bengal's capital) could leave for America (which is on the other side of globe) reach the destination, shower, have breakfast, lunch, dinner and sleep and you would still be about 10 hours away from Puttaparthi in the train. They had a hearty laugh. I asked them, would you mind to share as what made you come to Puttaparthi, have you heard of Sai Baba before? 

One gentle man said, his 3 year old daughter has a hole in the heart and after running to all the hospitals which included so called charitable hospitals spread across India, they were finally told about Puttaparthi and they came here. Their daughter was operated on Monday (29th July) and she is very fine and happy. I asked them what made you so confident about this hospital. The father of the girl said, " The first time i came to Puttaparthi, looking at the beautiful hospital building we first thought may be it is Sai Baba's house. The bus conducter who had issued ticket to the hospital had to shout out loudly signalling for us to alight as we had reached the hospital. We had a bit of confusion and also small argument saying that we wanted to get down by the hospital and not by Baba's house. The conductor and fellow passengers had to confirm that this is the hospital and not Baba's home".

That " first impression" itself was the " best impression" for us and we knew God has finally brought us to the right place. He said, any one who comes to your rescue when in need be it your friend, dog,wife, uncle they are verily God to you. But Baba, who has built such a beautiful hospital and also gave free treatment is more than God for me. We haven't seen our Allah, we are in the holy month of Ramadan, fasting, and i have to tell you from my heart that Baba is verily our Allah". I was very touched by his words and thanked Swami for letting me stand outside the Sai Kulwanth Hall (initially I thought it was some sort of punishment for me) because He gave me a chance to strengthen my Love for Sai, my devotion to Him and it was an emotional moment for me. Just as they were saying this the song that was sung there was Moula Moula Mera Moula.. Words can't describe the joy in the faces of this gentle men. Just then it started drizzling and i saw three local muslim men coming walking pass the Sai Kulwanth Hall. As Ramzan festival was nearing, probably they had come to the ashram shopping complex, as they were carrying bags full of new clothes.

This song also caught their attention and those people who walking  pass suddenly stopped and started watching the programme.  In order to share this beautiful moment with you all, i breached the rule of " No Photography" in the ashram and took this photo

Swami's ways of teaching are very peculiar. He knows exactly how to pass on the message and through whom.  I thanked Swami for letting me witness this amazing incident that happened to this girl's father and may Swami bless his girl with a healthy happy life ahead. After arathi, i thanked them for sharing their story with me and i assured them that all will be fine with his daughter and Baba will never let you down. He just had eyes full of tears for me and before i could cry, i took leave from him saying " Insha Allah, Phir Milengey" ...

With Pranams at the Lotus feet of our beloved Lord,

R.Satish Naik