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SouthAsiaNet Report
It was a great shock for the extremist Hindu organizations of India when Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, the organization of Islamic scholars of India, held an All-India Conference against terrorism on 25 February 2008 at Deoband (UP). It was a first gathering of its kind in the country in which the representatives of all Muslim schools of thought around the country participated to alarm the Muslims of terrible consequences of terrorism. The news was also surprising for Indian media because the Islamic scholars unite only for the cause of their religion and belief and if they unite on the issue of terrorism that is damaging the Muslims and Islam then they can make a good impact in internal political dynamics of India.
In this anti-terrorism conference the Muslim scholars not only condemned the religious terrorism but also advised the Muslims to play their role in unearthing and preventing this menace. They also called for the need of legal cover for those Muslims who have been put behind the bars under fake cases of terrorism. About 3,000 people have lost their lives to terrorism in India since 2002 and as many as 10,000, 90 per cent of whom are Muslims, are in prisons for allegedly being involved in terrorist activities.
The congregation also voiced its concern at what it perceived was a pattern of harassment of Muslims in the name of fighting terror. This is a fair and legitimate expectation. Harassment on account of religion should be matter of concern not just to the minority community but to all those who believe in civil liberties and human rights.
When Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind was arranging the anti-terrorism conference a rumor was propagated that the conference is being held on the cue of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The news was also circulated that Manmohan Singh will participate in the conference. This was not without any reason because the scholars who had good relations with the government recommended an invitation to Manmohan Singh but organizers did not agree on this suggestion. However, Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind remained impartial did not invite Prime Minister and nor any representative of Manmohan Singh participated in the conference. The conference was attended by over 10,000 Islamic clerics and scholars yet it lacked some factions due to one reason or other. Shia scholars said that they could not participate in the conference because they got invitation just two days before the event but they agreed upon the objective of the conference. Likewise the Barelvi Ulema did not participate in the conference but they had sent their messages to the organizers.
Many scholars stated terrorism against the religion and declared it against the spirit of Islam. They tried to convey the message to neighboring country [Pakistan] that is facing many problems due to the religious extremism. They declared religious extremism could undermine development and peace in any country. Maulana Arshad Madni, the organizer of the conference, said that the conference became successful according to the status of the Muslims in the world and they will arrange next conference in other parts of the country as well including Hyderabad, Lakhnau and Bombay. Maulana said a strong and long struggle was needed to encounter the terrorism as it had become deep rooted since its birth about 18 years back. He revealed a similar gathering was being organized in Lakhnau in next month in which Barelvi and Shia Ulema were also invited to make “joint and constant efforts” to “denounce terrorism.”
Although participation of scholars from all school of thoughts in this anti-terrorism conference was not ensured yet no one opposed the purpose of the conference and all the sects believe that the Muslim youth are facing great problem due to the terrorism and radicalization. On the other hand this conference will impede Hindu extremist groups’ efforts to put the blame of terrorism on Muslims.
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