By RINA,
New Delhi: The statement by Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Abdullah Husain Haroon implicating Darul Uloom Deoband in Saharanpur of India for militant activities in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and other border areas has drawn severe criticism in India and Pakistan.
Several leading graduates of Darul Uloom Deoband have termed this statement as utterly misleading and obnoxious. They have condemned Haroon for maligning the image of Darul Uloom. It is to be noted that Abdullah Husain Haroon while addressing the UN Security Council’s session on terrorism on December 9 dragged Darul Uloom Deoband’s name as the prime perpetuator of terrorist activities going on in Pakistan. This has caused widespread resentment not only in India but in Pakistan as well particularly among those affiliated to Darul Uloom Deoband.
President of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam of Pakistan and leader of Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), Maulana Fazlur Rahman in an exclusive interview to Rabita Islamic News Agency (RINA) drew attention to a very important fact relating to Abdullah Hussain Haroon. “The ancestors of Abdullah were supporters of the Britishers whereas the Darul Uloom Deoband was established with chief purpose of opposing the Britishers and freeing India from their clutches. His statement smacks of a feeling of revenge. He wondered: “How come a person holding such a high office can make such irresponsible assertions. He seems totally unaware of diplomatic etiquettes either. There is a complete lack diplomatic communication.”
On the role of Darul Uloom Deoband in Indo-Pak relations, Maulan Fazlur Rahman asserted: “It (Darul Uloom Deoband) is the only organisation that is playing a very active, positive and vital role in resurrecting the cordial relations between the two countries.”
On his organisation’s efforts for peace Maualana Fazlur Rahman said: “It is well known all across the globe that we are totally committed to establishing peace. All of our efforts are directed towards this goal.”
Sharply reacting to Pakistan official’s statement Qari Usman Masoorpuri, President of Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind and teacher at Darul Uloom Deoband outright rejected such uncalled for accusations about Darul Uloom and termed them as “white lies.” He posed an interesting question: “If any graduate of say Delhi University takes action according to the prevailing political situation in his/her home country what would be that called as?” “Darul Uloom has time and again clarified its stance on the issue of terrorism and I declare it again that it has no business with terrorism. We condemn it in all forms and manifestations,” he said.
Maulana Abdul Khaliq, Naib Muhtamim (Assistant Rector) of Darul Uloom Deoband dubbed the statement of Haroon as “absolutely false.” According to him, “Haroon made such irresponsible remarks due to his sheer ignorance about Darul Uloom movement.” He urged the Pakistani government to “immediately recall Haroon from the UN and appoint someone who is well off with Darul Uloom.” With respect to Darul Uloom’s alleged links with terrorism Maulana Abdul Khlaiq resounded, “There is no denying the fact that Darul Uloom has nothing to do with terrorism.”
Maulana Muzzammil Ul Haq Husaini Qasmi, Working General Secretary of the Delhi based Old Boy’s Association of Darul Uloom Tanzeem Abna-e-Qadeem (TAQ), described these allegations as completely “baseless”. Talking to RINA Maulana Muzzammil observed, “Darul Uloom Deoband has always been the beacon of peace and amity. Darul Uloom is never bothered about what’s happening in other countries. He said that an emergency meeting of TAQ would be called to take a tough notice of these allegations. Maulana Muzzammil revealed that at a convention convened by Shahi Imam of the historic Jama Masjid of Delhi, “one of the Pakistani delegates disclosed that none of the madrasas in India is involved in terrorist activities. He, however, admitted that some of the madrasas in Pakistan do have such tendencies.”
Maulana Akhlaq Husain Qasmi denied such blames on Darul Uloom Deoband. “No terrorism in Darul Uloom”, was his apt reply when contacted over the telephone. “Darul Uloom is based on the ideology of nationalism as proposed by Sheikhul Hind Maulana Mahmoodul Hasan,” he said.