Both Islam and Muslims have become hate targets in India: Arshad Madani
Lucknow: President of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Maulana Arshad Madani has expressed deep concern over India’s political and social conditions, saying that earlier only Muslims were targeted by communal forces, but in the past few years, because of the politics of hatred, both Muslims and Islam have come under attack.
According to Kashmir Media Service, addressing a Hindu-Muslim Unity Conference organised by Jamiat Ulama Uttar Pradesh, Madani said this politics of hatred has brought India to a crossroads where “no way forward is visible.”
“We will have to change this atmosphere, and for this, practical efforts will have to be made at every level. This change will not come until we bring together like-minded people of other religions and raise our voice against communalism and hatred,” he said.
Citing history, Madani recalled that the first voice against British rule came from Abdul Aziz Muhaddith Dehlavi of a Delhi madrasa, which led to the uprisings of 1832 and 1857.
“The voice which has been raised today from this conference against communalism and hatred can neither be suppressed by any power nor weakened,” he said. He clarified that Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind is a religious organisation with no connection to politics and said it has worked to build a bridge of love between Hindus and Muslims before and after Independence.
Madani also spoke on paper leaks ruining the future of students and on the controversy surrounding Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar University in Rampur, saying demolishing the entire building over building plan violations would ruin the careers of thousands of students.
Chief Guest Mahant Vishwambhar Nath Mishra of Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, Varanasi, and senior Supreme Court advocate Indira Jaising also addressed the conference and supported Madani’s campaign for unity.
Leaders of Buddhist, Christian and Sikh communities also addressed the gathering, saying the movement initiated by Maulana Madani is the need of the hour.
