By Abdul Hameed, TwoCircles.net,
Mumbai: A huge gathering of nearly 15 thousand Ulama with white skull caps and flowing beards took pledge to always fight terrorism and strive to establish peace. They had assembled in Azad Maidan of Mumbai to attend a one-day Anti-Terrorism Global Peace Conference called by Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind on February 14.
‘We want to remind all Indians especially Muslims of their responsibilities. Our aim is to tell them that our contribution to India’s freedom is great and we have sacrificed for the development of India, therefore, we should abstain from everything that might harm any religion, person or the interest of the country even in the least degree,’ told Maulana Qari Usman, the national president of Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind.
In the conference, the famous Fatwa of Darul Uloom Deoband against terrorism – first issued in the Anti Terrorism International Conference held in February last year in the seminary and repeated in various conferences across the country – was reiterated. Then followed the Oath of Allegiance pronounced by all the attendees.
‘We support the declaration of this Anti-Terrorism Global Peace Conference of Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind and other organizations. We are bound by the Fatwa of Darul Uloom Deoband and undertake that we shall condemn terrorism and spread the Islam’s message of global peace.’
Mufti Salman Mansoorpuri, professor of Hadees in Madrasa Shahi Moradabad questioned why non-Muslims were not denouncing terrorism by holding such conferences. He said, ‘Unless there is a political will, justice is impossible. No justice, no peace.’
‘Islam does not give permission to kill children, women, aged persons and weak then how can it sanction terrorism?’ asked Chhote Murari Babooji, a social activist of Baroda.
Declaring inequality prevailing in the society as a form of terrorism Teesta Seetelvad said that undue patronage of the government to the corporators and its negligence of the poor is also terrorism that should be cured. ‘There are some people who defame religion and language by misusing them. The whole religion or community should not be blamed due to their deeds,’ she added.
The well known Urdu journalist Aziz Burney urged Muslims to come in the field and give up relying on others, ‘None of the politicians can call such a huge gathering. The need is that we should not give this power of public to others. We will fight our own war. No trust in political promises. Muslims are in wait for a leader in whose guidance they can go ahead not a leader via whom another person rules Muslims.’
Besides many other Ulama from across the country, there were many politicians too including Ashok Chavan, the Maharashtra CM.
In his speech Ashok Chavan made it clear that terrorist are not specified to any religion but the terrorists are ‘Deshdrohi’ (guilty of sedition). He assured Muslims to fulfill their demands for mosques and said, ‘Within 15-20 days the order to the effect will be issued.’
Maulana Mahmood Madani, MP and senior leader of Jamiat said, ‘A Muslim can never be cruel. Islam does not allow cruelty even in answer to the cruelty. How can it allow terrorism?’
In the conference an eight-point Resolution Against Terrorism was passed which condemns terrorism in its all manifestations committed by an individual or by an organization, appeals the media and government to refrain from identifying terrorism with a particular religion or community, declares again a huge difference between Jihad and terrorism, condemns suicide bombings, asks for striving to take a deviated group of youths to right path and announces that Muslims are always ready as before to co-operate in building a strong, independent, developed and peaceful India.