Indian Muslims, Ulema lead in terror condemnation

It was an extraordinary event. Thousands of Ulema decided to reach Hyderabad and endorse the fatwa against terrorism, which was earlier issued at the Deoband seminary this year.

Without any political support or any pressing need to say it, the Ulema went ahead and decided to hold the event. Though earlier in Delhi, Deoband, Kanpur, Kolkata and Bhopal, similar anti-terrorism conferences had been held in the last few months, the grand congregation was called again.

They planned, spent their own money and organised the mega conference. Called spiritual leaders of other communities from Sri Sri Ravi Shankar to Swami Agnivesh, and spoke in one clear voice. And said it loudly, 'Terrorism is un-Islamic' and cleared the myths about Jehad. Still, this is not the last such event.

Such strong voice of clergy has emerged from India. It again establishes Indian Ulama as one of the most progressive Muslim clergy in the Islamic world. It is the same clergy led by the Jamiat-e-Ulema that had fought against the British imperialist forces before independence--a struggle in which thousands of Muslim clergymen had laid their lives.

Once again the religious leadership has come forward to say it clearly that no religion should be linked with terrorism. In context of the arrest of Sadhvi Pragya Thakur and other Hindu militants including an Army official for Malegaon bomb blasts, the Ulama said that linking it to religion is absolutely wrong.

A special train named Sheikhul Hind Express had taken thousands of clerics from Deoband to Hyderabad for this national convention. Those who keep on repeating the charges that Muslims don't condemn terrorism enough, should now shut up. Of course, those who can't stand the sight of Muslims on this land will never be convinced.

Suggested reading: Chhamman Miyan's protest