Bhubaneswar: Dussehra celebration in Odisha’s Cuttack city has been displaying brotherhood and communal harmony since long.

Many people from the Muslim community have been actively participating in Dussehra celebration in the Silver City since last several years.

Irrespective of their religious beliefs, people from the minority community have been working as the office-bearers of many Durga Puja committees in Cuttack, sources said.

According to locals, former minister Sayed Mustafiz Ahmed had been working as the president of Malgodown Puja panel till his death. Sayed Nizamuddin Ahmed has been acting as the secretary of the same Puja panel since 2002, locals said.

Abdul Rehman is now working as the joint secretary of Binod Bihari-Balu Bazar Puja committee. Besides, a few others from the Muslim community are holding some important posts in the same Puja panel.

Seikh Gora, in his capacity as the president of Alisha Bazar Puja committee, had organised Dussehra for several years in the past. Sheikh Asraf, another member of the minority community, is now holding the post of assistant secretary at Alisha Bazar panel.

According to locals, Maimuddin Khan has been elected as the secretary of Jagannath Ballav Puja committee recently while his fellow community member Muhammad Gora is now working as the president of Tinikonia Bagicha panel.

Liakuddin Ahmed is now acting as the chief advisor of Sutahata Puja panel. Besides, the committee has many other office bearers from the minority community.

Besides, people from the Muslim community are now holding key posts in Jobra, Mangalabag, Tulasipur and many other Puja panels in Cuttack.

“Cuttack is the city of brotherhood. The people from Muslim community have been assisting the Hindus for organizing Dessehra since long. The people of the city celebrate this festival with great enthusiasm,” said a local.