Members of NGOs Jamaat-e-Islami Hind and Talaash distribute copies of the Quran in Patna City on Sunday. Picture by Sachin

Patna, July 3: Religious books can bridge communal divides. With this noble thought in mind, two non-government organisations distributed Quran to people today.

Rashmi Singh, a Class XII student of Rakiya Balika Ucch Vidayalay, Patna City, said she can recite many verses of the Islamic holy book.

Today, she was happy to receive the Hindi version of Quran translated by Mohammad Ahmad, a professor.

The free distribution of Quran copies was organised by two non-government organisations — Jamaat-e-Islami Hind and Talaash — at Hitaishi Library near Mangal Talab in Patna City.

“I am reading the Quran to understand Islam. I think acquiring knowledge of any religion is good. Earlier, my friends used to ask me why I am reading the Islamic holy book when I am a Hindu but I know that knowledge about other religions is always beneficial in erasing any wrong perspective about them,” said Rashmi. She added: “There is lot of hatred and violence in our society and most of the people who are involved in such things do not have proper knowledge about religion. If my knowledge is able to spread the message of Islam to some extent, I would feel that my knowledge has achieved its goal.” Shama Pravin, a student of bachelor of arts at Oriental College, said: “I have been learning the Quran in Urdu but the Hindi version is very easy to understand because my Urdu is not that good. Now, I can understand each and every word easily,” she said.

On the occasion, around 250 copies of the book were distributed among people.

“Quran is not only for Muslims, but a guidance for all people. Anyone can read and learn from it. We are doing this to reach out to the non-Muslim brothers and make them aware of the message of Islam,” said Rizwan Ahmad, the president of the Patna City unit of the organisation.