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Journalism of Courage
In a bid to address concerns among Muslims over the spread of “hatred and religious prejudice”, Mahmood Madani, president of the Jamiat-Ulama-i-Hind (Madani faction), has said the country is as much his home as it is of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.
He also called the country “the first homeland of Muslims” and “to say that Islam is a religion that came from outside is completely wrong and historically baseless”.
Addressing the annual general session of the JUH in New Delhi Friday, Madani said, “India is our country. As much as this country belongs to Narendra Modi and Mohan Bhagwat, this country belongs to Mahmood as well. Neither is Mahmood an inch ahead of them, nor are they an inch ahead of Mahmood.”
“This land is the birthplace of Islam and the first homeland of Muslims. Therefore, to say that Islam is a religion that came from outside is completely wrong and historically baseless. Islam is a religion of this country and it is also the oldest of all religions… I have no hesitation in saying that India is the best place for Hindi Muslims,” he said.
In its resolution, the JUH urged Muslim voters to get themselves registered and directed its district and state cells to actively monitor and aid registration, and create awareness among Muslims on the importance of voting.
“In any democratic society, it is important to recognise the power of the vote. There are instances where a government was formed and another government fell based on the movement of just one vote. We must realise the value of one vote and recognise that just one vote can make or break the balance of the entire electoral process,’’ it stated.
Maintaining that it does not support or oppose any political party, the JUH raised the issue of “government interference’’ in madrasas and said it should be stopped immediately. At the same time, it urged madrasas across the country to incorporate modern education in their syllabus apart from religious teachings.
Positioning itself against any proposal to bring in the Uniform Civil Code, it said this violates the rights of minorities in the country and safeguards provided in the Constitution.
Madani said, “Today, our country is reeling under the influence of hatred and religious prejudice. Instead of engaging the youth in constructive work, they are being used as tools of destruction.”
“In addition, the media has become the biggest ally of these forces to spread incitement and hatred. The campaign of senseless and baseless propaganda against Islam, Islamic civilization and culture, and especially against the Prophet of Islam, is in full force in spite of the country’s Supreme Court’s warnings. These elements are being encouraged and left free to indulge in unwanted hate propaganda,’’ he said.
The JUH passed a resolution against encouraging Islamic extremism in the name of jihad. Madani said, “The so-called organisations, which propagate extremism and violence in the name of jihad, and who are on the radar of different security agencies due to their activities, our youth and students should maintain distance from them and instead focus on their career and studies.’’
“Communalism does not match India’s great heritage of social harmony. Friendly and brotherly relations between different religions are a proud and enduring feature of our society. To destroy these relations is a national crime. Let us control the raging fire that is burning away the great identity built by the hard work of our past generations and build a nation where one can walk without fear. Today is the time to fight, protect principles and ideals,” he said.
