By Manzar Bilal, TwoCircles.net,
Deoband: The general session of the three-day conference of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind (JUH) in the historic city of Deoband saw a sea of people on November 3, the last day, coming from almost all parts of the country. Among them were Islamic clerics, political leaders, representatives of religions and social activists. The conference of clerics concluded rejecting the proposed Central Madrasa Board and denouncing terrorism, besides putting various demands before the government.
JUH leaders put across the viewpoints of the oldest Muslim organizations on issues and problems confronting the largest minority community in the country which has third largest Muslim population in the world.
On terrorism, Qari Usman, president of JUH, said: “The entire world is facing the menace of terrorism. Terrorism by any individual or any organization has to be condemned because a country or society can only prosper in peaceful condition. In this connection JUH has organized almost 200 conferences in different parts of the country. We have achieved considerable success on this point and shall continue unless peace prevails in the society.”
On proposed Central Madarsa Board, Qari Usman while delivering presidential speech asserted that the central government’s move was likely to dilute the identity of Madarsas, their aims and objectives and end their spiritual character.
“The setting up Madarsa Board is unnecessary as well as unacceptable. The flaws in the present system could be rectified by setting up a Madarsa Board controlled by the Madarsa functionaries and not by the government” Qari Usman said.
Speaking on the Sachar Committee report, JUH president said that the committee was meant to study the condition of Muslims but later, ignoring the spirit of the report, all minority communities were included in the recommendations. It created huge confusion.
He also warned the government that if their demands were not fulfilled, they would lead a peaceful Mulk-o-Millat Tahrek as they have done in the past.
“The battle being fought under the banner of JUH is not only for the right of the Muslims but it is for the security and unity of the country as well. We want peace and justice prevail in the country” said JUH leader and MP Maulana Mahmood Madni.
He also said that Indian Muslims were proud to be citizens of this country and there is no better place for the Indian Muslims than India to live in. “The beauty of India lies in the fact that people of different language and cultures live here with their unique identities” he added.
On Madarsa Board he said: “We request the government, please do not intervene what we are doing ourselves and demand that government should establish schools, colleges and universities for Muslims and not to insist on setting up a Madarsa Board, if it is really sincere for development of Muslims.”
Maulana Jalaluddin Umri, president, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind said: “Muslims did not ever put for any unlawful demand, yet they have been always ignored which resulted in their lagging behind in every sphere of life. If Muslims would be given chances, they would be at par excellence in all fields.”
Speaking on the occasion Dr. Zafrul Islam Khan, president, All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat said: “Though some recommendations of Sachar Committee were implemented, Ranganath Misra Commission was not even made public. Government should table the Misra report in the Parliament and take necessary steps to remove the barrier in the way of its implementation.”
Congress senior leader and deputy chairman of Rajya Sabha, K. Rahman Khan assured the gathering that government would not establish Central Madarsa Board without taking Ulema into confidence. He also urged the government to take appropriate steps regarding the Waqf properties.
“Ten thousand crore rupees as annual income can be obtained if Waqf properties be used in organized way. The amount is enough to solve most of the problems of the community,” he added.
The 30th Ijlas-e-aam of JUH was more significant than its previous programs in that it was held in Deoband itself where the idea of the JUH was first conceived. The conference sent out a massage that Muslims would not overlook any act of terrorism perpetrated by forces within Islam or outside of it
Union Home Minister, P. Chidambaram appreciated the sacrifice of Muslims in freedom struggle as well as in modern India.
“Who can forget Maulana Qasim Nanautvi, Shaikhul Hind, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Maulana Hussain Ahmad Madni and Ashfaqulla Khan etc. who made the efforts and sacrificed for independent India. Muslims have been shoulder to shoulder with other communities for the development of the country,” he said.
“We condemn communalism which is the root of all evils. It was communalism which demolished the Babri Masjid. So, we should fight with that strongly irrespective of religions, castes and creeds.”
Mr. P. Chidambaram, however, kept mum on issues of Central Madarsa Borad and Vande Mataram. On the contrary, he urged Muslims to get modern education along with religious education.
Minister of State in the Ministry of Communications and Technology, Mr. Sachin Pilot said: “Deobandi ulema were the first ones who issued the fatwa against terrorism and they were also in the first row of freedom struggle.”
Renowned Shia Islamic scholar and vice president of Muslim Personal Law Board, Maulana Kalbe Sadiq was of the opinion that Muslim should try to solve their problems by their own efforts and not depend on government’s help.
“We should restore our relation with Allah who can solve our all problems. I do not have trust on any political party because they may cause problems for us and can not solve difficulties” he said adding “I am running medical college, several educational centres and schools but never sought government help. On the contrary, sometimes I have to present huge amount of money to these politicians for lawful works.”
Rector of Darul Uloom (waqf), Maulana Salim Qasmi said: “We should oppose the Madarsa Board but we should also find out its alternative. In my opinion Muslim should establish the educational institutions according to government syllabus where students can go for modern education after completion of Madarsa courses.
Yoga guru Baba Ramdev said that Muslims and other communities are lagging behind because of corruption. Politicians looted the wealth of the country and invested it in other countries.
“When I was coming to Deoband, some people asked me if I did not fear going to Kurta and cap wearing people. I replied, not at all because they are my friends and brothers,” he told the sea of Muslims.
Addressing the gathering, Maulana Asghar Imam Mehdi, General Secretary, Markazi Jamiat Ahle Hadees said: “I feel happy to see the leaders of all schools of thought on one stage to consider the Muslim related issues. I wish to come together for every problem of Muslims. Had we been united, we would have not needed such conference for our demand. On the contrary, our demand would have been fulfilled only with saying.”
Maualana Ibrahim who came from UK only to attend the conference urged the community to establish makatibs in every part of the country, so that our children can get education easily.
“Muslims have proved their loyalty with the country time and again. There is no need to sing Vande Mataram as a certificate of being a true Indian” said Sawami Agnivesh.
He also called people to come together to stop wine shops, foeticide and against dowry.
The conference passed 21 resolutions on different issues. They include resolutions on implementation of Sachar Committee and Ranganath Misra Commission reports and Libarhan Commission recommendations, on terrorism, Dalit-Muslim unity, proposed Central Madarsa Board, Palestine, Vande Matram, establishment of religious education centres in rural areas, reservation for Muslims and on Homosexuality.
Other prominent personalities who addressed the gathering were, Kamal Farooqi, chairman of Delhi Minority Commission, Mufti Salman Mansoorpuri, Mufti of Madarsa Shahi Muradabad, Maulana Hayatulla Qasmi, the president of UP JUH, Sitaram Yachury of Communist Party of India (Marxist), Maulana Ahmad Khizer Kashmiri, the rector of Jamia Anwer, Deoband, Pundit N Sharma, Dr. J.K. Jain, Niyaz Ahmad Farooqi, the secretary of JUH, Maulana Siddiqullah Chaudhry, general secretary of WB JUH and many others.
Link:
http://www.jamiatulama.org/