NEW DELHI – A leading Indian Muslim organization in India is holding veg-only iftar dinners during the holy fasting month of Ramadan, sending a message of Hindu-Muslim unity.

“Muslims and Hindus from all walks of life will be invited,” Salim Khan, state convener of Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM), told Muslim Press on Thursday, June 1.

Khan, who is also a businessman, noted that they have plans to hold Iftar parties in all major cities and district headquarters in India.

In these iftars, milk will be served instead of beef to avoid raising problems between Muslims and Hindus, who consider cows sacred.

The Muslim Rashtriya Manch was founded in 2002 with the stated aim of bringing Hindu and Muslim communities in India closer together.

There are some 180 million Muslims in Hindu-majority India, the world’s third-largest Muslim population after those of Indonesia and Pakistan.

Ramadan, the holiest month in Islamic calendar, started this year on Saturday, May 27.

In Ramadan, adult Muslims abstain from food, drink, smoking and sex between dawn and sunset.

The sick and those traveling are exempt from fasting especially if it poses health risks.

In Ramadan, Muslims dedicate their time during the holy month to be closer to Allah through prayers, self-restraint, good deeds and charity to the poor.