By IINA,
New Delhi : Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, one of the leading Muslim organizations, along with several other Muslim outfits owing allegiance to different sects and ideologies in India, issued a “fatwa” against terrorism at the Anti-Terrorism Global Peace Conference at Ramlila Grounds here yesterday. The “fatwa,” sought by Member of Parliament and Jamiat leader Mahmood Asad Madani and issued on the letterhead of Darul Uloom Deoband, one of the leading Islamic religious institutions in the world, read: “Islam is a religion of peace and security. In its eyes, on any part over the surface of the earth spreading mischief, rioting, breach of peace, bloodshed, killing of innocent persons and plundering are the most inhuman crimes.”
Delegates from various Islamic sects, numbering around 10,000, were administered a Quranic pledge to “stay away from terror” by the rector of Darul Uloom seminary Maulana Marghoobur Rahman at the peace conference.” What has been promised, must be accomplished,” Maulana Marghoobur Rahman said, quoting from the Quran, after “formalizing” Darul’s anti-terror declaration issued on February 25 into a globally applicable fatwa. With this, Darul Uloom, led by Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind, has officially issued the world’s first fatwa against terror. The fatwa, signed by Darul chief Riyasat Ali Bijnori, has been endorsed by all Muslim sects in India, especially the Barelvi, Khankahi and Sufis.
The fatwa assumes significance because of the Deoband (UP)-based Darul’s wide influence across the Muslim world. After the Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Darul is the most important centre of Islamic theology. Aiming to ward off constant allegations of terror links, the seminary took two decisive steps that could have far-reaching effects in the Muslim world. It not only declared terror activities anti-Islam but also involved top clerics in defining terrorism in the light of the Quran and Shariah.
Welcoming the fatwa, Madani said: “Terrorism has emerged as the most serious challenge faced by our nation in recent times. It threatens to strike at the very root of secular structure of our society besides causing irreparable loss in terms of human lives and property. The conference today has provided the opportunity for the entire Islamic community to come on a single platform and raise its voice against terrorism.”
The conference, organized as part of a series of such public meetings across the country, adopted a seven-point declaration condemning the propaganda that “regards terrorism as synonymous with Jehad.”
“There is a world of difference between terrorism and Jehad. Jehad is constructive and terrorism is destructive. Jehad is for the establishment of peace…terrorism is the gravest crime as held by Quran and Islam,” the declaration said. Addressing the huge gathering, Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind President Hazrat Maulana Qari Sayed Mohammad Usman said: “We appeal to the government of India and international community that if they are sincere about rooting out the menace of terrorism they must strive to establish justice and fair play in society. The implementation of the Sachar Committee Report will help eradicate injustice and deprivation. The Government should take immediate action for its implementation.”
Social activist Swami Agnivesh said: “It is wrong to attribute the wrongdoings of a few individuals to the whole community. I would not mince words to say that the United States is the terrorist number one. To defame the Holy Koran and Islam is the worst form of terrorism.
Islam stands for peace and brotherhood and there cannot be a bigger lie than saying that Muslims are terrorists. Who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi? Were their assassins Muslims?” he asked.