Time to Counter Divisive Forces with Love and Brotherhood: Arshad Madani

Addressing a meeting of his organisation’s working committee, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind chief Maulana Arshad Madani reposed faith in the power of the right-thinking people of the country striving hard against sectarianism, religious extremism and injustice against minorities

Team Clarion

New Delhi – Calling the contemporary communal situation in the country “depressing”, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind President Maulana Arshad Madani said, “Those who use religion to incite hatred and violence cannot be true followers of their religion. We must condemn such people at every level.”

The Maulana was addressing a meeting of the Jamiat’s working committee on February 26 at its Central Office here.

He further said that any kind of violence in the name of religion cannot be accepted. Religion conveys the message of humanity, tolerance, love and solidarity.

He reposed faith in the power of the right-thinking people of the country who, he said are in large number and striving hard against sectarianism, religious extremism and injustice against minorities. “They are fearlessly asserting their rights and are also going to courts against these antisocial elements.

During the working committee meeting, important contemporary social issues and the establishment of schools and colleges, especially for girls in a religious environment, were also discussed.

Maulana Madani said that the focus of Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind has been on the promotion of education since day one. The Jamiat and Maulana Hussain Ahmad Madani Charitable Trust, Deoband have been providing scholarships to poor and needy students pursuing modern and technical education since 2012 besides establishing madrassas and schools.

It is worth mention here that during the last academic year, scholarships worth around Rs. 10 million were given away to students, including Hindu students. The scholarships will be provided this year too under the same scheme.

Speaking on the ongoing hijab row in Karnataka, Maulana Madani noted that some so-called educated people are creating the wrong impression that hijab is not obligatory in Islam and that nothing is mentioned about hijab in Quran. He said it is not so. There are Islamic guidelines on hijab in the Holy Quran and Hadith (tradition of Prophet) which clearly say that hijab is mandatory in Shariah.

As far as the prohibition of Muslim students from wearing the hijab in schools and colleges is concerned, he said it goes against Article 25 of the constitution which gives the rights to minorities profess and practice their religion. Article 25 guarantees every citizen complete freedom of religion, religious observance and worship.

India has no official state religion, but it gives complete freedom to all citizens to practice their respective religions, said Maulana Madani adding, secularism does not mean that no individual or group should reveal his/her religious identity. Yes, it is definitely a matter in secularism that the government should not impose the identity of a particular religion on all the citizens. Hijab is a religious duty based on the Quran and Sunnah, but also a natural and logical necessity.

He said schools and colleges are the need of the hour for the community where children could get higher education in a religious environment without any hindrance or discrimination. He also appealed to the influential people with resources to set up more schools and colleges where children can easily get a good education in a religious environment.

Just as we need muftis, ulama and huffaz, Maulana Madani said we need professors, doctors, engineers etc. He regretted that Muslims especially in northern India are not paying much attention to what is very important for us at this time.

On the occasion, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind made an appeal to every citizen not to fall prey to the false and misleading propaganda of sectarian forces, but play a role in improving the social environment, and follow the tradition of their forefathers in maintaining the unity and integrity of the country. They also urged political parties, social organisations and institutions having faith in secularism and the rule of law to unite against the sectarian and fascist forces. The Jamiat firmly believes the key to the country’s development, prosperity and security lies in brotherhood, tolerance and communal harmony.