Jeddah, Sep 28: A prominent Indian Muslim leader has called upon pilgrims who have come for Haj this year to pray for global peace and stability during the annual event, the largest gathering witnessed by humanity.
He emphasized the role of Haj in strengthening unity and solidarity among Muslims.
œAll pilgrims wear the same form of clothing and say the same prayers. They glorify God, seeks his pardon and blessings and rejuvenate their faith to lead a new life for the benefit of humanity.
He commended Saudi Arabia's leadership role in combating terror, stressing that the entire Muslim nation should stand by the Kingdom.
œSo-called Islamic State (IS) militants have adopted a new method to woo Muslim youth and lead them to destruction, he said while denouncing the group's heinous crimes.
Asked about reasons for growing extremism among Muslim societies, Abubacker Musliyar, who is an influential religious leader in Kerala, said oppressive policies and human rights violations being committed by governments have played a big role in making Muslim youth to follow extremist path.
œWe cannot justify terrorism and at the same time, governments should pay attention to this fact and take corrective measures to protect the rights of Muslims if they really want to eradicate terrorism from the world, he said while criticizing the international community's lukewarm attitude toward the Palestinians' legitimate rights.
œThere is not a single Islamic teaching that allows a believer to kill non-Muslims except for self-defense, Abubacker Musliyar said while condemning IS' killing of non-Muslims.
œIS militants will not benefit in this world and the hereafter because of their actions. They will be isolated and they will not able to present an ideal rule antagonizing the whole world. We have to educate Muslim youth about the negative impact of this group and its un-Islamic activities.
He denounced Hindu extremist groups' move to tarnish the image of Islam and Muslims by carrying out bombings and blaming them on Muslims. He insisted that the Indian government should carry out its duty in sealing loopholes that could be used by extremists as a pretext for terrorism.
Abubacker Musliyar urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take the initiative of implementing the Sachar Commission report to uplift Muslims.
œThe congress government, as well as the leftist and rightist parties, have so far failed to implement it, disappointing Muslims, he said, while emphasizing the role of Muslims in India's freedom fighting.
He said Islamic schools or madrassas across India have been playing an important role in preventing extremism among Muslims. œOur madrassas, mosques and Islamic lectures have played a big role in enlightening the Muslim community and preventing them from terrorism, he pointed out.
œI told the chief minister and home minister of Kerala during the Sheikh Zayed Peace Conference that we cannot expect peace and security by just having the Home Ministry. About 90 percent Muslims follow the country's law because of Islamic teachings they have acquired from madrasas and mosques. Our madrassas are centers of knowledge and culture that contribute to eliminating extremism and terrorism.
Abubacker Musliyar disclosed his organization's plan to hold a nationwide campaign to promote communal harmony and urged Prime Minister Modi to support the move.
œWe have conducted two programs in Kerala and intend to hold another in Karnataka from Oct. 25 to Nov. 2 with the participation of non-Muslims. Muslims want to live peacefully with other communities in accordance with the teachings of Islam, causing no harm to our non-Muslim friends, he added.
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