DID YOU KNOW?
THAT MAHATMA GANDHI, ONCE PARTICIPATED IN ISMAILI GATHPATH/NIAZ CEREMONY IN AHMADABAD, GUJARAT WITH MAHADEVBHAI DESAI? but they both were not permitted to drink Niaz in JK because non-Ismaili can not drink Niaz.
MAHATMA GANDHI PARTICIPATE IN GATHPATH CEREMONY!!!!!
Gathpadh in court.
Intersting!! I also heard that Ismaili Gathpadh ceremony was also performed in a court during 'HAJI BIBI CASE' trial in Mumbai.
The following is an anecdote that was related in a lecture by Alwaez Shamshuddin Bandali Haji on the significance and importance of Ghat Paat ceremony for the Ismailis.
At one time there were serious allegations and accusations laid against Ismailis of Kathiawar that they were sacrificing children of other communities for the sake of Ghat Paat ceremony. There were two court cases against Ismailis on this matter. To prove the falsity of the accusations, Mowlana Sultan Muhammad Shah invited a prominent Indian leader to witness the purity and holiness of Ghat Paat ceremony in Jamat Khana. The leader was astounded by the exalted ceremony. When the Imam, Mukhi and various leaders began partaking the Niyaz, the leader joined them. When he was about to partake in the drinking of Niyaz, Mowlana Sultan Muhammad Shah held his hand and stopped him and said "This privilege is exclusive for Ismailis and no one else can touch it".
At one time there were serious allegations and accusations laid against Ismailis of Kathiawar that they were sacrificing children of other communities for the sake of Ghat Paat ceremony. There were two court cases against Ismailis on this matter. To prove the falsity of the accusations, Mowlana Sultan Muhammad Shah invited a prominent Indian leader to witness the purity and holiness of Ghat Paat ceremony in Jamat Khana. The leader was astounded by the exalted ceremony. When the Imam, Mukhi and various leaders began partaking the Niyaz, the leader joined them. When he was about to partake in the drinking of Niyaz, Mowlana Sultan Muhammad Shah held his hand and stopped him and said "This privilege is exclusive for Ismailis and no one else can touch it".