Indian Muslims rally against Terrorism
Islamic
seminary Dar-ul Uloom has issued a fatwa denouncing terrorism
and declaring it the “most inhuman crime”. “In its (Islam’s)
eyes... spreading mischief, rioting, breach of peace, bloodshed,
killing of innocent persons and plundering are the most inhuman
crimes,” reads the fatwa, which was endorsed by leaders of
several religions at an anti-terrorism conference in Delhi on
Saturday. The conference was organised by the Jamiat
Ulema-i-Hind.
(AP picture)
(Muslims
for Secular Democracy (MSD) is happy that Maulana Mehmood Asad
Madni, the Jamiatul-ulema-e-Hind’s general secretary and prime
mover behind the ongoing nationwide campaign against terrorism
thought it fit to engage with Javed Anand general secretary MSD
and his friend and communications expert Alyque Padamsee in
strategizing for the May 31 rally of the Jamiat in New Delhi.
The New Delhi-based Maulana Madni made three trips to Mumbai in
early May where, together with Alyque Padamsee and Javed Anand,
the key elements of the proposed rally were finalized: an
unambiguous Fatwa from Deoband, an ‘Oath of Allegiance’ to be
taken at the rally, the only two slogans to be used on all
placards and banners, design of the stage backdrop, the key
points of Maulana Madni’s own speech).
Reproduced below are
some of the reports, national and international, on the rally in
the print and electronic media. Two observations. One, the rally
did not get the media prominence it rightly deserved; to our
knowledge this was the first time anywhere in the Muslim world
that the clergy came out on the streets to condemn terrorism.
Two, the venue of the rally, the huge Ramlila Ground in New
Delhi, was packed to capacity. So, news reports saying that
“thousands” had assembled was a gross underestimate.
New Statesman, UK
http://www.newstatesman.com/religion/2008/06/terrorism-fatwa-india-islam
Fatwa against terrorism
Ziauddin
Sardar
Published 19 June 2008
"In Islam,
creating social discord or disorder, breach of peace, rioting,
bloodshed, pillage or plunder and killing of innocent persons
anywhere in the world are all considered most inhuman crimes."
The beginning of the end of the war of terror has started.
Mullahs in India have issued a fatwa unequivocally denouncing
terrorism. So far, the international media have failed to
notice, which is not surprising: the levers for changing Muslim
minds have been a mystery to governments and media alike. The
mullahs I speak of are not just any old mullahs: they are
Deobandi mullahs.
The name Deoband, a small town in Uttar Pradesh, India, conjures
awe and reverence in many Muslim minds. Established in 1866,
Darul Uloom ("house of knowledge") Deoband is a religious
seminary, second in importance only to al-Azhar in Cairo. The
scholars who established it led the 1857 revolt against the
British. Over the past century, the institution has played a
leading role in fighting all the "isms", from imperialism and
communism to neocolonialism. The Deoband brand is associated
with standing up to those who seek to oppress Islam.
This made Deoband attractive to all who sought to fight the west
for its real and imaginary persecution of Muslims. The "foreign
jihadis" fighting in Iraq claim to be inspired by Deobandi
teachings. Pakistani militant groups such as Jaish-e-Muhammad
and Harkat-e-Islam, accused of kidnapping and suicide bombings,
follow the Deobandi school of thought. The Taliban, from both
Afghanistan and Pakistan, were educated in Deobandi seminaries.
When aspiring terrorists go to Pakistan to study "Islam", they
go to Deobandi establishments. Here in Britain, the Deobandis
are the second-largest group of south Asian Muslims. They
control numerous mosques, some of which, allegedly, harbour
young militants.
What the Deobandi scholars say about terrorism resonates. And
this is what they say: "In Islam, creating social discord or
disorder, breach of peace, rioting, bloodshed, pillage or
plunder and killing of innocent persons anywhere in the world
are all considered most inhuman crimes." Those who use the Quran
or the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad to justify terrorism are
perpetuating a lie. The very purpose of Islam, the fatwa says,
is "to wipe out all kinds of terrorism and to spread the message
of global peace". Muslims should not co-operate with people who
spread the lie of terrorism; and those who do are "committing
sin or oppression".
A fatwa is the legal opinion of an individual scholar - and, as
such, it can be dismissed by other religious scholars. This
fatwa, however, is signed not just by Maulana Habibur Rahman,
the grand mufti of Deoband, but also by his three deputies. It
comes from an institution and not an individual. "In the
theological universe, it is the equivalent of a verdict of a
full constitutional bench of a Supreme Court," says
Javed Anand,
the Mumbai-based Muslim activist.
But the Deoband scholars went further. To announce the fatwa,
they organised a conference on "Anti-Terrorism and Global
Peace". Held on 31 May at the Ramlila Ground in Delhi, the
conference brought together all the main Muslim organisations,
such as Jamaat-e-Islami Hind and the All India Muslim Personal
Law Board. Virtually all the Muslim sects in India, including
Wahhabis, Sufis and Barelvis, were represented. Estimates of
those attending vary from 10,000 to 70,000. One thing is
certain: it was the greatest assembly of beards ever seen in
India.
The gathering declared that jihad and terrorism have no
connection. The very idea of a terrorist glorying in violence
and describing himself as a jihadi was denounced as an
abomination. The conference saw terrorism as the greatest threat
facing Muslim societies today. Finally, all the mullahs present
signed an oath of allegiance: "We are bound by the fatwa of
Darul Uloom Deoband and undertake that we shall condemn
terrorism and spread Islam's message of global peace."
This fatwa, I suspect, will be much quoted in the coming years.
Its importance lies not just in what it says, but in who is
saying it. A fatwa, made binding through the oath of allegiance,
is in my opinion canny and unparalleled in history. Every mosque
in Britain, Deobandi or otherwise, should proudly display the
ruling. We should start a campaign to sign up to the oath of
allegiance - and proclaim from the rooftops that Islam has
within itself the will and resources to end the abomination of
violence. I will be happy to be the first to scribble my
signature.
The Times of India, The Economic Times
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India
/Deoband_first_A_fatwa_against_terror/articleshow/3089161.cms
(The Times
of India publicises itself as the largest circulation English
newspaper in the world. Its most probably true, considering its
editions from more than a dozen cities in India alone have a
circulation of a few million. The Economic Times is India’s
second largest circulation English newspaper.)
Deoband first: A fatwa against terror
1 Jun 2008, 0000 hrs
IST
,
TNN
NEW DELHI:
For the first time ever, Islamic seminary Darul-Uloom Deoband
issued a fatwa against terrorism on Saturday, stating Islam had
come to wipe out all kinds of terrorism and to spread the
message of global peace. The Darul-Uloom had denounced terrorism
for the first time in February, but had not issued a fatwa so
far.
(Watch
,
http://broadband.indiatimes.com/videoshow/3090022.cms)
Saturday’s fatwa, signed by Darul-Uloom’s grand mufti Habibur
Rehman, asserts that "Islam rejects all kinds of unjust
violence, breach of peace, bloodshed, murder and plunder and
does not allow it in any form".
Citing the "sinister campaign" to malign "Islamic faith...by
linking terrorism with Islam and distorting the meanings of
Quranic Verses and Prophet traditions", Mahmood Asad Madani,
leader of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, had wanted Deoband to spell out
the stand of Islam on world peace.
The fatwa, issued before a huge gathering of Muslims in Delhi’s
Ramlila Ground for the Anti-Terrorism and Global Peace
Conference, went on to say, "It is proved from clear guidelines
provided in the Holy Quran that allegations of terrorism against
a religion which preaches and guarantees world peace is nothing
but a lie. The religion of Islam has come to wipe out all kinds
of terrorism and to spread the message of global peace. Allah
knows the best."
The conference was addressed by Jamiat chief and Darul-Uloom’s
deputy rector Hazrat Maulana Qari Sayed Mohammed Usman.
He called the conference historic as Muslims of different sects
and ideologies — including Nadwatul Ulama Lucknow,
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind and All India Muslim Personal Law Board —
ratified the fatwa against terrorism.
The exclusively-male turnout that read an "oath of allegiance"
to the fatwa cheered most lustily as speakers attacked the US.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind leader Madani, an MP, stated that the fatwa
should be welcomed by the entire Islamic world.
"Killing of innocent people is not compatible with Islam. The
biggest challenge faced by us today is terrorism (which)
threatens to strike at the very root of the secular structure of
our society besides causing irreparable loss," stated Madani.
Notwithstanding the caveats like "unjust" and "innocent", which
may make it appear falling short of an unequivocal condemnation
of terrorism, the fatwa is viewed by many as a significant step
forward towards rallying the public opinion against terrorism.
Coming after the February 25 denunciation, it is seen as
reflective of the growing recognition on the part of clerics to
counter misgivings about interpretations of scriptures.
Deoband has lately been under intense focus because many of the
terrorist groups — from Taliban to Jaish and Harkat — are widely
perceived to be Deobandi in orientation.
However, it was when the deputy rector of Deoband, Usman, came
down heavily on "the dual policy of America" that the massive
crowds cheered the most. "Whenever Christian and American
interests are hurt in any part of the world, they take prompt
action to set things right even at the cost of human lives. They
maintain silence though when Muslims are the victims," he said,
further criticizing the US for its support to Israel.
According to Usman, Jamiat recently held a series of conferences
and meetings with madrassas in Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad,
Kanpur, Surat, Varanasi and Kolkata to carry forward the
anti-terror movement which was initiated at Deoband in February.
Usman said that many people, especially in the West, were
carrying out a propaganda that terrorism was synonymous with
jehad.
He said that while terrorism is destructive, jehad is
constructive. "Terrorism is the gravest crime as held by Quran
and Islam. We are not prepared to tolerate terrorism in any form
and we are ready to cooperate with all responsible people," he
said.
(The above
report was also published by the sister publication The
Economic Times,
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/PoliticsNation/Deoband_
first_A_fatwa_against_terror/rssarticleshow/3089426.cms.
The
Hindustan Times
(Has a
circulation of well over 300,000 in the nation’s capital alone).
http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=7eb3aacb-4c2c-4b22-b88a-c87971dd192d
Darul’s global fatwa on terror
Zia Haq , Hindustan Times
New Delhi,
June 01, 2008
Islamists
from various sects, numbering around 10,000 (gross
underestimate. PTI, the conservative national news agency no.
one in India said 70,000), were on Saturday administered a
Quranic pledge to "stay away from terror" by the rector of
influential Darul Uloom seminary Maulana Marghoobur Rahman at a
peace conference in the Capital.
"What has
been promised, must be accomplished," Rehman said, quoting from
the Quran, after "formalising" Darul's anti-terror declaration
issued on February 25 into a globally applicable fatwa.
With this,
Darul Uloom, led by Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind, has officially issued
the world's first fatwa against terror. The fatwa, signed by
Darul chief Riyasat Ali Bijnori, has been endorsed by all Muslim
sects in India, especially the Barelvi, Khankahi and Sufis. In
February, HT was the first to report about Darul's intention of
coming out with an anti-terror fatwa.
"This fatwa
had become necessary to save Islam and stop Islam from being
targeted as a religion that propagates terror," Jamiat leader
Mahmood Madni said.
The fatwa
assumes significance because of the Deoband (UP)-based Darul's
wide influence across the Muslim world. After the Al-Azhar
University in Cairo, Darul is the most important centre of
Islamic theology.
Aiming to
ward off constant allegations of terror links, the seminary took
two decisive steps that could have far-reaching effects in the
Muslim world. It not only declared terror activities anti-Islam
but also involved top clerics in defining terrorism in the light
of the Quran and Shariah.
Madni said
clerics from Darul had "analysed terror activities in Islamic
light" and arrived at this definition of terrorism: "Any action
that targets innocents, whether by an individual or by any
government or by a private organisation anywhere in the world
constitutes, according to Islam, an act of terrorism."
Saturday's
anti-terror conference, held at New Delhi's Ram Lila grounds,
was attended by leaders from various faiths.
Yahoo.com
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080601/india_nm/india338483
Darool-Uloom Deoband issues fatwa against terrorism
By Bappa
Majumdar
Sun Jun 1,
4:10 AM ET
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - A radical Muslim seminary in
India,
said to have inspired the
Taliban,
has issued a "fatwa", or edict, against terrorism in a meeting
attended by thousands of clerics and students.
The Darool-Uloom Deoband, a 150 year-old institute controlling
thousands of smaller Islamic seminaries in India vowed to wipe
out terrorism late on Saturday in New Delhi, an ageing rector
said.
"Islam rejects all kinds of unjust violence,
breach of peace,
bloodshed, murder and plunder and does not allow it in any
form," Habibur Rehman, a senior rector said.
Teachings of the Deoband school and its strict interpretation of
Islamic law, have spread to many countries, including
Britain
and
Afghanistan.
The Darool-Uloom Deoband, a 150 year-old institute controlling
thousands of smaller Islamic seminaries in India vowed to wipe
out terrorism late on Saturday in New Delhi, an ageing rector
said.
"Islam rejects all kinds of unjust violence,
breach of peace,
bloodshed, murder and plunder and does not allow it in any
form," Habibur Rehman, a senior rector said.
Teachings of the Deoband school and its strict interpretation of
Islamic law, have spread to many countries, including
Britain
and
Afghanistan.
The Darool-Uloom Deoband, a 150 year-old institute controlling
thousands of smaller Islamic seminaries in India vowed to wipe
out terrorism late on Saturday in New Delhi, an ageing rector
said.
"Islam rejects all kinds of unjust violence,
breach of peace,
bloodshed, murder and plunder and does not allow it in any
form," Habibur Rehman, a senior rector said.
Teachings of the Deoband school and its strict interpretation of
Islamic law, have spread to many countries, including
Britain
and
Afghanistan.
NDTV
(Among the 3 major English news channels in India)
Muslims issue fatwa against terrorism
NDTV Correspondent
Sunday, June 1, 2008 (New Delhi)
Around 15,000 Muslims from all over India gathered at Delhi's
famous Ramlila Grounds to fight against global terrorism.
Not just ordinary Muslims but religious leaders, scholars and
many different Muslim organisations joined in to take a pledge
that they will work together to fight terrorists .
Since 9/11 there have been numerous statements, fatwas issued
and seminars held against terrorism coming out of the US, UK,
Spain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan and other countries. But
never a mass rally, that too organized and led by clerics. A
fatwa against terrorism was issued by Darul Uloom, Deoband.
''Terrorism is a scourge which must be wiped off from this
planet. That is why Darul Uloom and Deoband have issued a
fatwa against terrorism,'' said Maulana Mahmoud Madani,
President, Jamiat-e-Ulema Hind.
Perhaps measures like this will stop people from branding
communities and also try and end communal vote bank politics.
The Hindu
(The most
influential newspaper in South India. Published from Chennai
(Madras) and several other cities).
http://www.hindu.com/2008/06/01/stories/2008060159940800.htm
Jamiat fatwa against terrorism
Staff
Reporter
“It has
emerged the most serious challenge faced by our nation in recent
times”
Aye to peace,
nay to terror:
Members of Darul Uloom Deoband and Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind during an
Anti-Terrorism Global Peace Conference in New Delhi on Saturday.
NEW DELHI:
Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, one of the leading Islamic organisations,
along with several other Muslim outfits owing allegiance to
different sects and ideologies, issued a “fatwa” against
terrorism at the Anti-Terrorism Global Peace Conference at
Ramlila Grounds here on Saturday.
The “fatwa,”
sought by Member of Parliament and Jamiat leader Mahmood Asad
Madani and issued on the letterhead of Darul Uloom Deoband,
read: “Islam is a religion of peace and security. In its eyes,
on any part over the surface of the earth spreading mischief,
rioting, breach of peace, bloodshed, killing of innocent persons
and plundering are the most inhuman crimes.”
Welcoming the
fatwa, Mr. Madani said: “Terrorism has emerged as the most
serious challenge faced by our nation in recent times. It
threatens to strike at the very root of secular structure of our
society besides causing irreparable loss in terms of human lives
and property. The conference today has provided the opportunity
for the entire Islamic community to come on a single platform
and raise its voice against terrorism.”
The
conference, organised as part of a series of such public
meetings across the country, adopted a seven-point declaration
condemning the propaganda that “regards terrorism as synonymous
with jehad.”
“There is a
world of difference between terrorism and jehad. Jehad
is constructive and terrorism is destructive. Jehad is
for the establishment of peace…terrorism is the gravest crime as
held by Koran and Islam,” the declaration said.
Addressing
the huge gathering, Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind president Hazrat Maulana
Qari Sayed Mohammad Usman said: “We appeal to the Government of
India and international community that if they are sincere about
rooting out the menace of terrorism they must strive to
establish justice and fair play in society. The implementation
of the Sachar Committee Report will help eradicate injustice and
deprivation. The Government should take immediate action for its
implementation.”
Social
activist Swami Agnivesh said: “It is wrong to attribute the
wrongdoings of a few individuals to the whole community. I would
not mince words to say that the United States is the terrorist
number one. To defame the Holy Koran and Islam is the worst form
of terrorism. Islam stands for peace and brotherhood and there
cannot be a bigger lie than saying that Muslims are terrorists.
Who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Ministers
Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi? Were their assassins Muslims?”
he asked.
Press Trust
of India
(India’s no.
1 news aganecy)
http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1167802
Islamic body
issues fatwa against terrorism
PTI (Press Trust of India)
Saturday, May 31, 2008 21:52 IST
NEW DELHI:
Thousands of Muslims gathered here on Saturday to denounce
terrorism, with leading Islamic seminary Darul Uloom issuing a
fatwa declaring it as the "most inhuman crime".
"In its (Islam)
eyes, on any part over the surface of the earth spreading
mischief, rioting, breach of peace, bloodshed, killing of
innocent persons and plundering are the most inhuman crime,"
read the fatwa, issued here at an Anti-Terrorism Conference.
The conference,
organised by Jamiat-Ulma-I-Hind, saw the participation of
clerics, scholars and religious leaders of Hindus, Muslims and
Sikhs besides 70,000 people from across the country.
Reading out the
fatwa, Deoband's cleric Riyasat Ali Bijnouri, quoted Holy Koran
as saying: "Do not mischief on the earth after it has been set
in order."
"Islam loves
peace. Islam rejects all kinds of unjust violence... and does
not allow it in any form," the fatwa said.
The fatwa
further read: "the religion of Islam has come to wipe out all
kinds of terrorism and to spread the message of global peace."
The conference,
however, expressed deep concern and agony on the present global
condition in which most of the nations are adopting an adverse
attitude towards Muslims.
"It is a matter
of greater concern that the internal and external policies of a
country are getting heavily influenced by these forces," MP and
Jamiat leader Maulana Mahmood Asad Madani said.
The gathering
also condemned attempts to implicate Muslims and particularly
religious institutions for terrorist facts.
"The disease
(terrorism) has been diagnosed in a wrong way. Whenever there is
any incident of terrorism, every possible attempt is made to
link it to Muslims and particularly who have studied in madrasas
and some religious institutions. This is totally wrong," Madani
said.
The fatwa came
against the backdrop of a declaration adopted by Darul Uloom in
February this year which termed terrorism as "un-Islamic" and
against the Islamic principle of "peace".
Madani, who read
out the eight point declaration of the today's conference, said:
"Jehad is constructive and terrorism is destructive."
The declaration
called on the state agencies to rise above all prejudices and
discharge their duties impartially for maintaining peace, law
and order.
"Muslims of this
nation desire to see India strong independent, peaceful and
developed," it said.
"The
administrative machinery should be asked to conduct impartial
investigation in activities disturbing public peace in the
country and to punish only those found guilty," it said.
Deoband's senior
most cleric Maulana Marghoob-ur Rehman, in his presidential
address, said: "Islam never desires bloodshed. It loves peace."
"Terrorism has
become a challenge for us. We have to fight it together," he
said.
Prominent Hindu
leader Swami Agnivesh, who was also present, said: "There is a
conspiracy to malign the image of Islam and its followers. Islam
is a religion of peace. Those people who are real terrorists are
blaming innocent people for such heinous act."
"First it was
Afghanistan, then Iraq and now they are looking at Iran. They
want to create unrest across the globe," he said, attacking the
US and its allies and their policies.
(The same
report pasted on among others,
http://www.aol.in/news/story/2008053112289022000002/index.html,
and
http://news.indiainfo.com/2008/05/31/0805312232_islam-ld_terrorism.html)
The
Asian Age
(A
multi-edition newspaper with a modest circulation)
http://www.asianage.com/presentation/leftnavigation/news/india/darul’s-fatwa-against-terrorism.aspx
Darul’s fatwa against terrorism
BY PARUL CHANDRA
NEW DELHI
May 31: Barely three moths after issuing a declaration
condemning all forms of terrorism and violence, the influential
leading Islamic seminary Darul Uloom in Deoband on Saturday
issued a "fatwa" denouncing terrorism. It stated that in Islam’s
view, "spreading mischief, rioting, breach of peace, bloodshed,
killing of innocent persons and plundering are the most inhuman
crimes." The "fatwa" came during an anti-terror conference
organised by the Jamiat-Ulema-E-Hind and Darul Uloom at the
city’s sprawling Ramlila Grounds on Saturday evening.
The "fatwa" is not without significance given that the Deoband
seminary enjoys the reputation of belonging to a radical school
of thought as far as Islam is concerned. The Taliban as also
others professing to follow the "jehadi" brand of Islam have
often claimed to follow the teachings and views propagated by
the Darul Uloom. But of late, the Darul Uloom seems to be trying
to distance itself from this brand of Islam, the most recent
instance being the anti-terror conference it had held in
February wherein all forms of terrorism was condemned.
In Saturday’s conference, leaders from other religious
communities as also hundreds of Muslim clerics too participated.
The "fatwa" was read out by Deoband cleric Riyasat Ali Bijnori
who read out a quote from the Holy Koran which says: "Do not
mischief on the earth after it has been set in order." As for
the fatwa, it said "Islam loves peace, Islam rejects all kinds
of unjust violence....and does not allow it in any form." The
fatwa moreover said that "the religion of Islam has come to wipe
out all kinds of terrorism and to spread the message of global
peace".
The chief rector of Darul Uloom, Maulana Marghoob-ur Rahman
while delivering the presidential address said that Islam does
not seek bloodshed and that it loves peace. Further, he said
that terrorism has become a challenge that needs to be tackled
together. Jamiat-Ulema-E-Hind leader Mahmood Madani, also a
member of Parliament, drew attention to the fact that whnever an
act of terrorism occurs, attempts are made to implicate Muslims.
The
Statesman
(One of the
leading dailies published from Kolkota (Calcutta)
http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=2&theme=&usrsess=1&id=206242
Clerics issue fatwa against terrorism
NEW DELHI, May 31: Condemning the misuse of the word “Jehad” for
terrorist acts, Muslim clerics of major organisations today
issued a “fatwa” against terrorism calling it an anti-Islam act
and against fundamental rights of human beings.
Addressing a massive rally against terrorism, the clerics today
urged people not to attribute the act of some individuals to the
entire community. “To attribute terrorism to the Holy Quran is
the worst form of terrorism,” the clerics said.
The rally was organised by over a dozen minority organisations
and re-affirmed its support to the declaration adopted by the
anti-terrorism conference held at Deoband by the Dar-ul-Uloom in
February this year. SNS
Khabrain.com
http://www.khabrein.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14574&Itemid=88
Thousands of Muslims gather to denounce terrorism
By Syed Ubaidur Rahman
Darul Uloom, Deoband issues
anti-terrorism fatwa
New Delhi, June 1: Thousands of Muslims from across north India
gathered in historic Ram Lila ground here Saturday to denounce
terrorism. They came in droves despite bad weather and light
showers. It could have deterred many enthusiasts on any given
day, but not today as they all gathered with a purpose and
determination to thwart the menace of terrorism.
Jamiat Ulama-i- Hind that is spearheading the anti-terrorism
campaign that has so badly maligned the community in the country
had given a call and thousands of Muslims, a large number of
them clerics from different madrasas with Darul Uloom, Deoband
affiliation responded by gathering at Ram Lila ground.
The occasion also saw Darul Uloom, Deoband the most revered
Islamic seminary in the country and South Asia issuing a fatwa
against terrorism. It said that Islam was against terrorism and
it came to wipe out terrorism. The fatwa was signed by grand
Darul Uloom, Deoband Mufti, Maulana Habibur Rahman.
It was a historic conference in the sense that it brought
together Muslims from different walks of life including
different Muslim organizations on a single stage. Though it was
a Jamiat show in full but the invitations sent out and ads
issued had Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Muslim Personal law Board and
other Muslim organizations as sponsors of the conference.
Mahmood Madani, the de facto head of the Jamiat said while
speaking on the occasion that killing of innocent people is not
compatible with Islam. The biggest challenge faced by us today
is terrorism that threatens to strike at the very root of the
secular structure of our society.
Qari Usman, the deputy rector of Darul Uloom and president of
Jamiat said while speaking on the occasion that terroism is a
scourge which must be wiped off from this planet. He said that
this was the reason that Darul Uloom Deoband has come out openly
against it.
The historic fatwa was read out by Mufti Riyasat Ali who read
out a quote from the Holy Quran which says: "Do not mischief on
the earth after it has been set in order."
Maulana Marghoobur Rahman, the rector of the historical seminary
in Deoband said that Islam is the religion of peace,
tranquility, brotherhood, tolerance, love and equality. Muslims
of India and especially Ulama of madrasas have always played,
and are playing, a very important role in developing the dear
motherland, in establishing national integration, peace and
tolerance.
The maulana added that Islam denounces all forms of bloodshed
and killings and added that terrorism has become a challenge
that needs to be tackled together.
The conference also denounced the illegal detention of Muslim
youth in fake cases.
Several speakers said that Muslims for long have been a target
of communal forces who during riots killed innocent Muslims and
destroyed their businesses and houses, but now under
anti-terrorism laws Muslim youth are being booked in fictitious
cases. They demanded that this should come to an end.
http://rtv.rtrlondon.co.uk/index.html
INDIA
MOD-DATE:
05/31/08 19:29:31
SUBCONFINAL -
MAY31-INDIA-MUSLIM CONFERENCE
SUBCONFINAL:
STORY SU619
MUSLIM
CONFERENCE, NEW DELHI, INDIA
MAY31, 2008
SOURCE:ANI
Influential Islamic body Darul Uloom Deoband issues a fatwa
against terrorism in a conference in New Delhi.
NEW DELHI
(MAY 31, 2008) (ANI-ACCESS ALL)
1.WIDE OF
MUSLIM CLERICS AND AUDIENCE IN THE CONFERENCE
2.AUDIENCE
3.MUALANA
MAHMOOD MADNI, GENERAL SECRETARY, JAMIAT ULMEA-I-HIND,
ADDRESSING
THE
CONFERENCE
4.SIKH AND
OTHER RELIGIOUS LEADERS SITTING
5.PARTICIPANTS TAKING PLEDGE
6.AUDIENCE
7.(SOUNDBITE) (Urdu) MUALANA MAHMOOD MADNI, GENERAL
SECRETARY, JAMIAT
ULMEA-I-HIND,
SAYING:
"We condemn
and oppose terrorism at every possible way. Today Darul
Uloom Deoband
from this platform of Jamiat Ulmea-I-Hind has issued a fatwa and
we also pledged that we would wipe out every kind of terrorism
and we will never bow to it (terrorism)."
8.WIDE OF THE
CONFERENCE
STORY:
Influential Islamic body Darul Uloom Deoband issued a fatwa
against terrorism in a conference in New Delhi.
The seminar
to denounce terrorism was organised by Jamiat Ulmea-I-Hind.
Besides other
religious leaders, tens of thousands of clerics, students
from across
the nation attended the conference on Friday (May 31), and
agreed to take a tough stand against acts of terrorism.
"We condemn
and oppose terrorism at every possible way. Today Darul
Uloom Deoband
from this platform of Jamiat Ulmea-I-Hind has issued a fatwa and
we also pledged that we would wipe out every kind of terrorism
and we will never bow to it (terrorism)," said Maulana Mahmood
Madni, general secretary of Jamiat Ulmea-I-Hind.
Thousands of
smaller Islamic seminaries, or madrasas, are affiliated to the
Deoband school in India alone, and Indian security services say
some have provided recruits for radical Islamist groups in India
and neighbouring Pakistan.
Its
teachings, and its strict interpretation of Islamic law, have
spread to many other countries, including Britain and
Afghanistan, where they are said to have inspired the Taliban.
Indian
Muslims were implicated in bomb attacks on packed commuter
trains in Mumbai in 2006 and in a failed attack in Britain last
year.
The
conference defined terrorism as any action targeting innocent
people, whether committed by an individual, an institution or a
government.
Muslims make
up about 13 percent of India's officially secular but
predominantly
Hindu population -- giving it the third largest Islamic
population
after Indonesia and Pakistan.
Independent,
UK
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/muslim-seminary-issues-fatwa-against-terrorism-838162.html
Muslim seminary issues fatwa
against terrorism
By Andrew Buncombe in Delhi
Monday, 2 June 2008
A
Muslim Indian seminary which is said to have inspired the
Taliban has issued a fatwa against terrorism, insisting that
Islam is a religion of peace.
Senior clerics from the 150-year-old Darul Uloom Deoband issued
the edict saying they wished to wipe out terrorism. "Islam
rejects all kinds of unjust violence, breach of peace,
bloodshed, murder and plunder and does not allow it in any
form," said the rector, Habibur Rehman, to the cheers of
thousands of students. Many held placards saying "Islam means
peace", while others chanted.
"The religion of Islam has come to wipe out all kinds of
terrorism and to spread the message of global peace," Mr Rehman
added.
The Deoband institute was established in the aftermath of the
1857 uprising against British rule, an uprising that was
brutally suppressed by the imperial forces. Highly influential,
it controls thousands of smaller seminaries and madrassas around
the world, from Britain to Afghanistan.
Of Britain's 1,400 mosques, about 600 are run by Deobandi-affiliated
clerics. Seventeen of the UK's 26 Islamic seminaries follow
Deobandi teachings, which produce about 80 per cent of all
domestically trained Muslim clerics.
Analysts say the move to speak out against terrorism would be
welcomed by the overwhelming majority of India's 140 million
Muslim population, many of whom believe the image of their
religion has been tarnished by the actions of a small number of
people.
"It is an awakening among Muslim groups to the dangers that face
them as a fallout of terrorism and suspected association of
terrorism with Muslims," Pran Chopra, an analyst, told Reuters
after the fatwa was issued this weekend. "The response by the
Muslim population [to acts of violence] has been worth noticing
and the fatwa is a very welcome development."
The seminary was founded by Maulana Muhammad Qasim Nanautawi,
who ordered that it should use modern teaching methods, unlike
similar institutions at the time. He also decided that it should
teach in Urdu rather than English and remain outside of
political debate. Despite this decision, the seminary opposed
the division of India and supported the creation of a united
country for Muslims and Hindus.
The Dawn (Pakistan)
http://www.dawn.com/2008/06/02/top12.htm
Deoband’s fatwa against terrorism
June 2, 2008
NEW DELHI,
June 1: One of the largest Indian seminaries, which is said to
have inspired the Taliban, has issued a fatwa against terrorism
at a conference attended by thousands of clerics and students.
The Darul Uloom Deoband, a 150-year-old institute controlling
thousands of smaller madressahs in the country, vowed to wipe
out terrorism late on Saturday in New Delhi, an elderly rector
said.
“Islam rejects all kinds of unjust violence, breach of peace,
bloodshed, murder and plunder and does not allow it in any
form,” Habibur Rehman, a senior rector said.
Teachings of the Deoband school and its strict interpretation of
Islamic law have spread to many countries, including Britain and
Afghanistan.
Thousands of clerics and students, wearing white caps and
flowing spotless tunics, cheered as Maulana Rehman read out a
statement: “The religion of Islam has come to wipe out all kinds
of terrorism and to spread the message of global peace.”
Senior clerics chanted slogans against terrorism, and many held
placards that said “Islam means peace” and “terrorism is an
enemy – finish it”.
Leaders asked those gathered to pledge and fight terror in all
forms, witnesses said.
Analysts described the conference as a significant step towards
addressing terrorism and bringing relief to India’s 140 million
Muslims, who feel the acts of some individuals were tarnishing
the image of the community as a whole.
“It is an awakening among them (Muslim groups) to the dangers
that face them as a fallout of terrorism and suspected
association of terrorism with Muslims,” Pran Chopra, a political
analyst said.
Indian Muslims have been implicated in bomb attacks in 2006 and
a failed attack in Britain last year.
Last month, a group calling themselves ‘Indian Mujahideen’
claimed responsibility for a blast that killed 65 people in
Rajasthan state.
The same group also criticised Muslim organisations in an email
sent to various media houses last month.
Analysts say such threats were not making any impact as more and
more religious groups were openly denouncing terrorism.
“The response by the Muslim population...has been worth noticing
and the fatwa is a very welcome development,” Chopra said.
Muslims make up about 13 per cent of India’s officially secular
but predominantly Hindu population – giving it the third largest
Muslim population after Indonesia and Pakistan.
Religious leaders from different faiths voiced their support for
the Deoband school’s stand on terrorism on Sunday.
— Reuters
theamericanmuslim.org
http://www.theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/
the_deoband_anti_terror_fatwa_but_who_is_listening/
The Deoband Anti Terror Fatwa: But Who Is
Listening?
Posted Jun 12, 2008
By Salil Kader
May 31, 2008 was an important
day for all those opposed to acts of terrorism being carried out
around the world which are wrongly attributed to Islam and its
teachings. On a hot Saturday afternoon New Delhi ‘s historic Ram
Lila maidan witnessed a huge turnout (between 10,000-15,000) of
Muslims at a peace-conference organised under the aegis of
Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind and Darul Uloom, Deoband. This meeting was
supported by other important organisations including All India
Muslim Personal Law Board and the Nadwatul Ulama, Lucknow, and
leaders of different faiths and sects.
The aim of this anti-terrorism
and peace conference was summed up by Darul-Uloom’s deputy
rector Hazrat Maulana Qari Sayed Mohammed Usman: “Terrorism is
the gravest crime as held by Quran and Islam. We are not
prepared to tolerate terrorism in any form and we are ready to
cooperate with all responsible people.” The highlight of this
meet however was a fatwa sought by the Jamiat leader and Member
of Parliament, Maulana Mahmood Asad Madani and issued by the
Darul Uloom, Deoband. This fatwa was against all forms of
terrorism.
The fatwa clearly stated,
“Islam is a religion of peace and security. In its eyes, on any
part over the surface of the earth spreading mischief, rioting,
breach of peace, bloodshed, killing of innocent persons and
plundering are the most inhuman crimes.”
This conference and the fatwa
issued are of great importance for more reasons than one.
Deoband, arguably one of the most important Islamic centres of
learning in the world after the Al Azhar University at Cairo,
has been in the news for all the wrong reasons in the recent
past. This is so because Deoband has been widely believed to be
the motivating ideology behind many recognised terrorist groups
like the Taliban, the Jaish-e-Mohammed and the Harkat
ul-Mujahideen.
Interestingly, what many
commentators and analysts researching the phenomenon of
‘Islamist terrorism’ failed to highlight was the fact that the
world-renowned seminary never endorsed the Taliban or the brand
of Islam that they tried to impose upon the hapless Afghans. The
Princeton University Professor Muhammad Qasim Zaman records in
his book ‘The Ulama in Contemporary Islam’ (Princeton University
Press, New Jersey, 2002) that “the Deobandi ulama were never
unanimously euphoric about the Talibans in terms of intellectual
activity, too, there is a great gulf between the Deobandi
Taliban and Deobandi scholars like Taqi Uthmani.” (p.139-40).
This public denouncement of
terrorism as anti-Islamic, coming soon after the February 2008
Deoband conference where a similar stand was taken sans the
fatwa, also answers a question raised often from various
quarters: ‘Why don’t Muslims condemn terrorism or do Muslims
ever condemn terrorism?’ Though this question has been answered
effectively several times at different fora, it somehow keeps
coming back for revalidation. Probably those asking such
questions never wait to listen to the answers and quickly
pronounce the whole Muslim community guilty of not condemning
acts of violence being carried out in the name of Islam.
The fact that various Muslim
organisations came under one umbrella and unequivocally
condemned terrorism as anti-Islamic was covered as front-page
news in various Urdu dailies of India. But did the English
language media do the same? The answer is NO. I took a look at
some leading English dailies on the 1st of June 2008. Sample
this. The Hindustan Times (Delhi edition) carried the
news item on the 31st May conference on page 8. The Hindu
(Hyderabad edition) carried it on page 10. The Sunday Times
of India (Delhi edition) has a small column reporting the
same on its front page. The other editions (Mumbai and
Hyderabad) have it again on pages 7 or 8. This was the first
time that an institution of Darul Uloom, Deoband’s importance,
facilitated a rally of the size that assembled at the Ram Lila
maidan, with the sole objective of denouncing and condemning
terrorism in the name of Islam.
Sadly it was cricket’s Indian
Premier League that hogged front-page newsprint and not the
path-breaking declaration, which was of utmost national and
international importance. In my opinion, more than the patrons
of the Urdu dailies, it was the readership of these English
dailies that needed to be informed of the stand taken by
thousands of Muslims that day at the Ram Lila maidan. Because
more often than not it is this section of the society, which
asks the questions like, ‘We know Islam doesn’t support
terrorism, but why don’t Muslims openly condemn these dastardly
acts?’ Muslims do condemn every act of terror in their
individual or collective capacities. But who is listening? When
the unified voice of over 10,000 Muslims got relegated to a few
column spaces somewhere in the corner of our major English
dailies, how do you think the voices of the common man in
Lucknow, Ahmedabad or Hyderabad would reach different corners of
the country?
The Deoband fatwa might do
little to change the mindset of groups indulging in terrorist
activities. Nonetheless, the fatwa might prove to be crucial in
guiding scores of youngsters as it, in a way, gives a directive
against taking the path of violence to achieve one’s goals.
The fatwa will also go a long way in clearing fallacies about
Islam in the minds of those influenced by the propaganda being
carried out against the faith. The Deoband fatwa, in that sense,
bridges a major gap and could prove to be a guiding star for the
generations to come.
(The author teaches History at
the Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad, India)
(Note by Javed Anand: The Delhi edition of Sunday Times of
India reported the news in 5 columns on page 1).
