Muslim Girl Travels From Mumbai to Ayodhya on Foot for Shri Ram
Self-proclaimed 'Bhartiya Sanatani Muslim' Shabnam Shaikh walked from Mumbai to Ayodhya to visit the new Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir on December 21, 2023.
A young muslim girl named Shabnam Shaikh has embarked on a journey from Mumbai to Ayodhya on foot to visit the new Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir. Shabnam started her journey on 21st December 2023 with her two friends Vineet Pandey and Raman Raj Sharma holding a saffron flag & greeting everyone with a 'Jai Shri Ram.' Once the journey is completed, Shabnam would’ve walked 1,425 kilometers on foot. What makes Shabnam's journey unique is her unwavering devotion to Lord Ram despite her Muslim identity. When she was asked what motivated her to start this journey, Shabnam replied “Lord Rama belongs to everyone, irrespective of their caste or religion”. Shabnam believes that one does not need to be a Hindu to worship Ram; what matters is being a good human being. According to the reports, Shabnam will continue to walk 25-30 kilometers daily. The three youngsters give credit to their devotion & faith towards Lord Rama for being able to continue to walk despite getting tired and feeling fatigued. Many people have met Shabnam and her friends on this journey and made them a social media sensation by sharing their journey’s story in forms of videos and photos. A video of Shabnam referring to herself as the ‘Bhartiya Sanatani Muslim’ has gone viral on social media. Shabnam also mentioned that apart from the desire to see the new Shri Ram Mandir, another reason behind her journey is to challenge the misconception that only boys can undertake such difficult & laborious journeys. To ensure Shabnam's safety & health, Maharashtra Police helped her & her friends pass through Maharashtra’s sensitive areas safely and also arranged food and accommodations for them. Despite challenging stereotypes and exemplifying the universal faith, Shabnam continues to receive hateful comments and messages on social media. She decides not to acknowledge them because the overall response & support to her march has been overwhelmingly positive and encouraging. Shabnam has disproved all the rumors about her ‘planned gathering’ in Ayodhya on 22nd January 2024. She clarified that there is no fixed date for her arrival in Ayodhya and said that her journey is a personal quest for spiritual fulfillment and a proof of unity of devotion that cuts beyond religious lines.
