There is no compulsion in Islam, says JIH chief

Some of the prominent guests included Maulana Arshad Madni of Jamiate Ulema e Hind, Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan of Ittehad e Millat Council, Yahya Bukhari, Swami Agnivesh, Navaid Hamid, Father M.D. Thomas, Siraj Qureshi and many others.

Addressing the gathering Maulana Umari said that:‘We know that our country India has been the abode of various religions since time immemorial. Perhaps no other country is as diverse as ours in terms of religion, language and culture.

Friends we know that a large part of our history, we have lived together inspite  of our differences in religious outlook,  we have been talking to each other sorting out our differences  and on the whole we have been living peacefully. Even today a large part of our population believes in equal rights for all the citizens and our constitution has also adopted the same position that all citizens are equal irrespective of religion, economic status and any other factors. But this principled position that all citizens are equal irrespective of religion, economic status and any other factors is strongly being attacked by various quarters. This trend is very dangerous as it postulates that minorities are unreliable and that they are not an asset but rather they are a burden for the nation. And to be specific Muslims are often the target and any terrorist activity that takes place in the country is invariably blamed on Muslims without any proof, without any evidence and without any proper investigation. This is a violation of the human rights given to people duly acknowledged by our constitution. Friends we must realize that such a large segment of our population especially the minorities, if you keep them dissatisfied then this country cannot progress in any part of life. You know that minor issues are being magnified and baseless allegations against Muslims and minorities and some people are taking the law in their own hands. On the whole the government is silent and is not responding and not fulfilling its responsibilities .

As far as Islam is concerned, its position is very clear. Islam wants mischief and disorder to be eliminated from this earth. Spreading this kind of mischief, disorder and disruption is not the characteristic of believers rather it is the characteristic of the hypocrites who do not really believe but only pretend to do so. Islam says clearly that it is the hypocrites who spread disruption on the earth while Islam stands for the reformation of the human society.  It states very clearly that there is no compulsion in religion. Religion is a matter of heart and conscience and hence compulsion has no role in it but one must state the truth and tell ones positon very clearly and leave it to the people to accept or reject it. 

It is doing its best to present Islam as guidance to all the people of this country in all walks of life. Friends I greet you again on the happy occasion of Eid and confess that the prevailing circumstances have compelled me to talk about the current challenges facing our country. We must share each other in happiness and I pray to the Almighty that our get together may prove beneficial for us, our country and humanity’’.

Issued by Media dept.

Jamaat -e-Islami Hind,