Society for Communal Harmony

1894: The Swami Vivekananda Quote BJP-RSS Supporters Never Mention

“Why amongst the poor of India so many are Mohammedans? It is nonsense to say, they were converted by the sword. It was to gain their liberty from the . . . zemindars and from the . . . priest, and as a consequence you find in Bengal there are more Mohammedans than Hindus amongst the cultivators, because there were so many zemindars there. Who thinks of raising these sunken downtrodden millions? A few thousand graduates do not make a nation, a few rich men do not make a nation. True, our opportunities are less, but still there is enough to feed and clothe and made 300 millions more comfortable, nay, luxurious. Ninety per cent of our people are without education — who thinks of that? — these Babus, the so-called patriots?”

— Swami Vivekananda
Letter to Diwanji (Shri Haridas Viharidas Desai)
Dearborn Avenue, Chicago, November 1894

May the silent supreme power of GOD Almighty in Bethlehem awaken something timeless within us. Christmas is not merely a remembrance of a birth, but a call to revive mercy, humility, and fearless love in a restless world where many have forgotten what really means to be human. Prophet Jesus, son of the Blessed Mary (peace be upon them both), came as a sign that strength lives in gentleness and greatness bows in service. His profound words still echo across centuries: “The Kingdom of God is within you.” This truth reminds us that peace is not imported from the heavens; it is cultivated in hearts that forgive, hands that heal, and souls that refuse hatred. May this Christmas renew our inner kingdom—where compassion reigns, justice stands firm, and hope is reborn quietly, like light born quietly in a place of simplicity.

Majid Parekh , society for communal harmony
बेथलेहम में परमेश्वर सर्वशक्तिमान की शांत और सर्वोच्च क़ुदरत हमारे भीतर अटल भावना को जागृत करे। क्रिसमस केवल एक जन्म की याद नहीं है, बल्कि यह एक बेचैन दुनिया में दया, विनम्रता और निस्वार्थ प्रेम को फिर से जीवित करने का संदेश है, जहाँ बहुत-से लोग यह भूल चुके हैं कि वास्तव में इंसान होना क्या होता है। माँ मरियम के पुत्र हज़रत ईसा, (उन पर शांति हो), इस बात की निशानी बनकर आए कि सच्ची शक्ति कोमलता में होती है और सच्ची महानता सेवा में झुकती है। उनके गहरे शब्द आज भी सदियों से गूंज रहे हैं: “ईश्वर का राज्य तुम्हारे भीतर है।” यह सत्य हमें याद दिलाता है कि शांति आसमान से लाई नहीं जाती; वह क्षमा करने वाले दिलों, उपचार करने वाले हाथों और नफ़रत से इंकार करने वाली आत्माओं में पनपती है। यह क्रिसमस हमारे भीतर के उस राज्य को नया करे—जहाँ करुणा राज करे, न्याय मज़बूती से खड़ा रहे, और आशा सादगी से जन्मी एक शांत रोशनी की तरह फिर से जाग उठे।

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) created an atmosphere where faiths stood different, but peace was one — where justice walked with mercy, and all communities lived as one family in harmony. When his Charter spoke, swords fell silent — justice, unity, and mutual respect became the covenant.
But when hero-worship overshadows the message, the true spirit of faith begins to fade. Superstition replaces sincerity, conscience falls asleep, and speeches turn into lullabies. Celebrations filled with noise and display often distract from the sacred essence of such occasions.
In pluralistic societies like India, where every major faith coexists, mere tolerance is not enough. We need an inclusive mindset — one that embraces shared values and removes the idea of “otherness.” That would be the truest way to honor the legacy of the Prophet, a timeless champion of peace and compassion.