By RINA,
New Delhi: Iran Cultural House in New Delhi in collaboration with Hajj Committee of India organized an international seminar on “Hajj: A Model of Global Unity.” Speakers from India and abroad highlighted the aspects of Hajj that strengthen the unity of Muslim Ummah.
In his presidential speech at the seminar, Iran ambassador in India Syed Nabizadeh expressed the hope, “Hajj is a model of global unity. The program shall prove fruitful for evolving unity among Muslims, ending their material and intangible problems and delivering Muslims suffering from imperialism.” Iranian Cultural Councilor, Dr. Karim Najafi told that the seminar was organized in India considering the large number of Hajj pilgrims from this country.
The seminar was part of the two-day World Hajj Conference (October 11-12) held at the Iran Embassy in New Delhi. Iranian ambassador Syed Nabizadeh chaired the 2–day conference. The Imam of Friday prayers in Tehran, Ayatullah Immi Kashani, was special invitee and guest of honour in the conference.
Addressing the opening session of the conference on October 11, Shia religious scholar and vice president of All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Maulana Kalbe Sadiq said, “Should we become Allah’s soldiers, no power in the world can defeat us.” He elaborated on sectarian fissures and lack of unity among Muslims across the globe.
“There are only two entities: Islam and infidelity. Next come sacrifice and exploitation”, Maulana Kalbe Sadiq continued, “Today, exploitation is rampant all over the world, on pretext of religion at places and on pretext of politics or business elsewhere. In a way, infidelity has engrossed all exploitation whereas Islam is an epitome of sacrifice.” He emphasized that various practices of Hajj indicate that we should rally around Allah only.
Informing that there are 56 Islamic countries in the world today, Maulana Sadiq questioned, “Is USA afraid of any of them other than a small country like Iran?” “This is the same fear that Pharaoh experienced in presence of Moses”, he said.
Endorsing that Hajj symbolizes unity, Maulana Rafiq Qasimi, secretary, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, said, “A single Imam leads all Muslims there and sectarian differences get dissolved.”
Mohtamim of Darul Uloom Deoband (Wakf) Maulana Mohammad Salim Qasimi said, “Hajj is an emblem of equality. This is the grand show of unity unparalleled in the history of the world. There is king of a country as well as the common folk and all seeking pardon from their Lord. All of them have the same identity there.” Imam of Shahi Fatehpuri Masjid Maulana Mufti Mukarram Ahmad also dwelt on the theme of unity and complained about problems faced by pilgrims.
Stressing that unity is a boon, Principal of Jamia Ahl-e-Bait Maulana Mohammad ‘Askari said, “We cannot realize human virtues without substantiating unity. The philosophy of Hajj and all its practices invite us to abolish discrimination.” He appealed to people to forebear difficulties faced during Hajj, saying, “Hajj is another name for sacrifice.”
Congratulating the Iranian Cultural House and Hajj Committee of India for organizing the World Hajj Conference, union minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah said in the concluding session on October 12, “Create unity. Allah will not only ease out your problems but open the doors of paradise.” He opined that creating unity is greatest responsibility of Ulema in present times. Translation of a book authored by historian Amir Ahmad Alvi by Prof. Mushirul Hasan under title of ‘Journey to the Holy Land’ was also released in this session.
Earlier, in the first session of the last day of conference, Maulana Shamimul Hasan said, “Hajj does not belong to any particular Shari’ah. It started with Hazrat Adam and continued till the last Apostle of Allah, Muhammad (S.A.W.) Allah’s Friend Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S.) populated the place of Hajj for sacrifice, so this is the place from where Muslim’s unity and concord can usher. ”
Other dignities who took part in the 2-day conference include union state minister for minorities’ affairs Salman Khursheed, ICCR vice chairman Syed Shahid Mehdi, Hujjatul Islam Mehmoodul Hasan, Khwaja Hasan Nizami, Mufti of Jamia Nizamia Hyderabad Syed Sadiq Muhyiddin and other prominent leaders, intellectuals and scholars besides those from Thailand, Bangladesh and other countries.
Acting chairman of Hajj Committee of India and member of legislative assembly, Hasan Ahmad read Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit’s message to the conference. Other important messages read in the conference included one from Saudi ambassador in New Delhi, Faisal Hasan Turad.