By Faisal Fareed, TwoCircles.net,
Lucknow: Eminent Shia cleric and Imam-e-Juma Maulana Kalbe Jawwad at Asafi Mosque in Lucknow used the podium during his sermon on Alvida Juma namaz (last Friday of the month of Ramazan) exhorting Muslims to support Anna Hazare’s Jan Lokpal Bill.
“The cause of eradicating corruption is important. One should not go into the details of the groups supporting the movement. But badunwani (corruption) should be wiped out from the society”, said Jawwad. Favouring the Jan Lokpal Bill he said that it will be a phansi ka phanda (gallows) for the corrupt politicians that is why they are hesitant to implement it in the country. Showering praises on Anna Hazare, he stated that he has taken the country by storm and the general public is with him. “People are fed up of corruption and Anna’s anti graft agitation gave them a channel to express their feelings”, he added.
On the perceptions that parties like RSS and BJP are behind the campaign, Maulana Jawad said that this would have a bad impact if at all the perception was true. He, however, praised Anna Hazare for taking the country by storm. “Even if some political outfits are associated with it for their vested interests we do not support them. It is simply the issue that holds the key,” said Maulana Jawad.
Shias also observed the Alvida Juma as Quds Day in support of freedom to Qibla-e-Awwal (Masjid-e-Aqsa in Jerusalem) and solidarity to Palestine. They denounced Israel and USA for their imperialistic expressions. Large congregations were witnessed in nearly all the mosques to offer Alvida prayers. Sunnis offered prayers at historical Tilewali masjid where the namaz was led by Imam Shah Fazlur Rehman Waizi. He also appealed for eradicating corruption from the society.
During the Juma sermons, special appeals were also made to inculcate the habit of sharing among the community so that the poor Muslims could also celebrate Eid festival.