By Zaidul Haque, TwoCircles.net,
Kolkata: In the name of terrorism, propaganda against Madrasa has been going continuing for over three months that is creating a communal atmosphere in West Bengal. Ten Muslim organizations came together on November 20, Thursday to organize a rally protesting against communalism while at the same time condemning terrorism.
Protesters at the anti-terrorism rally were carrying placards reading `Terrorism is not the way of Islam’, `Madrasa makes good citizen’, `to love the country is part of faith (Iman)’. The rally began from Aliah University main campus around 12 noon and reached Esplanade East.
Anti terrorism rally organised by Muslim organisations in Kolkata on 20 November 2014
The rally was led by All Bengal Minority Youth Federation. Former Madrasa Students’ leader and Secretary of Minority Youth Federation Muhammad Kamruzzaman said that after Khagragarh (Burdwan) blast all leading newspapers are trying to present Madarsa as terror hub and maligning the image of madrasa continuously.
He added that if NIA finds that in any madrasa anti-national activities are going, that must be shut immediately.
He further said that in the name of terrorism all madrasa students are being branded as terrorism, although it’s a historical fact that madrasa has never been anti-national, but promoted nationalistic and patriotic feelings.
Girl students too participated in anti terrorism rally in large number .
Maulana Abdul Matin of All India Sunnatul Jamat said that instead of focusing the perpetrators and communal elements media is unfairly targeting clerics and madrasa students.
He also raised the issue of the madrasa student of Medinipur who was burnt by anti-social elements
Secretary of Bangiya Imam Parishad Hafiz Raisuddin Ahmed said that a section of communal political parties are trying to malign madrasa for petty political gains that will vitiate the communal atmosphere of the state.
Several girl students of Madrasa, including Jibantala girls Madrasa, Khadijatul Kubra madrsatul Banat, Satchura girls Madrasa also participated in the rally.
Several other religious leaders and civil rights activists also participated in the rally. Later on behalf of the 10 organizations, a delegation submitted a memorandum to the Governor of West Bengal Sri Keshari Nath Tripathi at Rajbhawan.