Counter oppression with wisdom: Muslim elders

Pahadi Shareef: Muslim leaders on Saturday said that all religious groups have the right to enjoy the fruits of Independent India. Condemning the increase in attacks against Muslims, they emphasised that Muslims should not feel dejected and that they should tackle the problem with wisdom.

In a public meeting organised in Pahadi Shareef, vice president of All India Muslim Personal Law Board and national president of Jamat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Umri said that Muslim community is the second largest in the country and has been living there for centuries. No one can question their patriotism towards the mother land, he said, and added that Muslims should reflect their identity by following the religion and the teachings of Quran tooth and nail, so that the fellow countrymen can understand the true nature of Islam. 

Referring to the growing incidents of sexual violence against women, he said that Islam does not encourage oppression and does not tolerate violence against women. Pointing out to the ranking of India in this category, he expressed concern and said that everyone should be ashamed of such incidents. “It is the responsibility of every Muslim to counter violence against women and the weaker sections of the society,” he noted. 

While condemning the communal elements that are targeting Muslims to polarise votes, vice president of Majlis Tameer-e-Millat Ziauddin Nayyar said that the Muslims should not feel dejected and should counter any kind of conspiracy with their wisdom. He said that attempts were being made to change the constitution to befit communal agenda of some groups, and that it will not be tolerated. 

President of All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mashawarat (AIMMM) Navaid Hamid said that Indian constitution is strong enough to face any conspiracies hatched to paint the nation in saffron colour. He said all religious groups would still share the fruits of independence even though several governments changed.  Maulana Asghar Imam Mehdi Salafi, president Jamiat-e-Ahle Hadees, Maulana Mufti Azeemuddin, JIH Greater Hyderabad president, Hafez Rashaduddin and others participated in the meeting.