Madani urges Muslims to reach out to people of other faiths, promote harmony
At the Hindu-Muslim Ittehad Conference, Madani asked Muslims to reflect the true spirit of Islam by standing with their non-Muslim brethren in both joy and sorrow and by trying, to the best of their ability, to resolve their difficulties.
Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind president Maulana Arshad Madani on Saturday appealed to Muslims to help dispel misconceptions about their community and counter communalism by easing the hardships of their non-Muslim neighbours. Addressing the Hindu-Muslim Ittehad Conference, he urged Muslims to reach out to people of other faiths and convey Islam's message of love, affection and tolerance.
Madani called on the Muslim community to invite their non-Muslim brethren to local madrassas at least once a year to counter what he described as propaganda against Muslims. He said they should explain what is taught in madrassas and share the Muslim way of life, principles and beliefs so that misunderstandings can be removed.
Alleging a rise in communalism in the country, Madani said that while Muslims had suffered harm during the tenures of the Congress and other governments, Islam itself was never targeted then. “However, in the current time, not only are Muslims being targeted, but their religion, beliefs and principles are also coming under attack,” he said.
He asked Muslims to reflect the true spirit of Islam by standing with their non-Muslim brethren in both joy and sorrow and by trying, to the best of their ability, to resolve their difficulties. “The fire of hatred cannot be extinguished with more hatred,” he said, adding that it can only be “doused by the waters of love, affection and brotherhood”.
Madani also called upon every true Indian to foster an atmosphere of love and harmony to counter sectarianism. According to him, the atmosphere in the country can improve only if Muslims embrace the true spirit of Islam and convey a message of brotherhood through their character, lifestyle and actions. He added that if Islam had preached killing and oppression, it would not be the fastest-growing religion in the world.
Speaking to reporters later, Madani also commented on several current issues. Referring to the protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar over the paper leak, he said the matter should be resolved with a sympathetic approach as it concerns the future of lakhs of young people.
On the Rampur Development Authority’s order to demolish Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar University, he said the action was completely wrong. “I believe that Jauhar University should continue to exist; demolishing it is wrong,” he said. He added that if any formalities were missed or there were flaws in the university’s construction, the government could impose a fine, but the institution should not be razed because thousands of students study there and their futures are at stake.
On the Supreme Court’s proposal for mediation between Hindu and Muslim parties in the Varanasi Gyanvapi case, Madani said nothing can be done if both sides are unwilling to engage in dialogue.
The event was also addressed by Vishwambhar Nath Mishra, mahant of Varanasi’s Sankat Mochan Temple and a professor at IIT Varanasi, senior advocate Indira Jaising, and representatives of the Christian, Buddhist and Sikh communities. Madani’s remarks largely centred on promoting communal harmony, clearing misconceptions about Muslims, and highlighting issues affecting both community relations and the future of young people.