Muslim youth will become the chief priest of Lingayat monastery, father donated land

Bengaluru, February 20, 2020, Thursday

In a historic event in northern Karnataka, a Lingayat monastery has decided to break all traditions and make a Muslim youth a high priest.

The 33-year-old youth named Dewan Sharif Rehmansab Mulla will be formally appointed as a priest on February 26. "I am influenced by the 12th century reformer Basavanna and will work on his ideals," Mullano said.

Sharif's father donated two acres of land for this monastery years ago. Now his son Murugarajendra Koraneshwara will be the chief priest of Shantidham monastery. The monastery is associated with the 350-year-old Qureshwar institution of Khajuri village in Karnataka. The monastery is included in 361 monasteries of Shri Jagadguru Murugarajendra. Millions of followers are also in Karnataka and Maharashtra.

Murugarajendra Shivayogi, the chief priest of the Khajuri Sansthan had said, "We embrace all the followers regardless of caste and religion." The doors of our monastery are open to all. Sharif's father was also our aide and Sharif took office in 2019.