By TwoCircles.net staff reporter
Blast that killed 9 people will not derail Tablighi ijtema. In spite of the blast in Makka Masjid of Hyderabad, the 3-day Ijtema organized by Tablighi Jamaat will go on as planned.
Ijtema or gathering is organized by Tablighi Jamaat where Muslms are preached about their religion and are encouraged to bring Islam into their lives. Founded in 1920 by Maulana Mohammed Ilyas, Tablighi Jamat is a group that works within the Muslim community to bring spiritual awakening.
Ijtema for this year is organized on the outskirts of Hyderabad city and many Muslims from all over India are expected to participate. Several trains were specially run to help people attending the ijtema.
In light of the blast, government has increased security around the ijtema site.
Recently general secretary of extremist Hindutva body Vishwa Hindu Parishad(VHP), Praveen Togadia announced that VHP will start a compaign against Tablighi Jamaat for what he claimed to be their being ‘Pakistani agents.’
Tablighi Jamaat is a peaceful religious organization that has remained apolitical over the years and none of the world’s intelligence agencies have found any evidence of them being involved in militancy or terrorism.
On the other hand, VHP in recent years have increased their terror activities. They have been involved in attacking Christian preachers and pastors in many states and some time with full view of the camera, indicating that they consider themselves to be above law. Law enforcement agencies have so far been soft on VHP’s goons.
In light of VHP’s statement against Tablighi Jamaat and the bomb blast on the eve of ijtema, government should be looking at VHP more closely.