New Delhi, November 29 (IANS). Chairman of the moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, during his speech at Jama Masjid in Srinagar, openly expressed his views on the current situation of Muslims in the country.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said, “The incidents and situations happening in India for some time are very worrying. In the Sambhal area of Uttar Pradesh, the Shahi Masjid is more than 500 years old. When the court ordered a survey of the mosque, the Muslims protested and during this protest bullets were fired, in which five Muslims were martyred. This incident was so recent that two days ago the court also ordered a survey of the historical Dargah of Ajmer Sharif, the Dargah of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti. “Earlier, orders for survey were also given regarding Gyanvapi Masjid and Babri Masjid.”
He said, “These incidents show a very worrying scenario. When a person complains in the court and then the court orders a survey of those religious places, the question arises that in which direction is all this going? There is a growing concern among Muslims that there is some conspiracy going on through which efforts are being made to weaken religious places. Especially those religious places which have been a symbol of reverence and faith for Muslims for hundreds of years.”
He said that the Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti is connected not only with the Muslims of India but with the Muslims of the entire world. This Dargah is more than 800 years old and has great religious importance. It is difficult to understand on what basis a court can order a survey of these historical sites. Is this a judicial process or is its purpose something else?”
He said that fear and panic are increasing among Muslims whether all this is part of a conspiracy to destroy their religious and cultural heritage. If we talk about the Constitution of India and its secularism, is this step not a violation of the fundamental principles enshrined in the Constitution? Is there no place for Muslims in India? Is India not a secular nation, where all religions are respected?
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said that there is an atmosphere of anxiety and panic among Muslims regarding the Waqf Amendment Bill presented in the Parliament. Muslims of Jammu and Kashmir have also expressed their concern on this issue. He has appealed to the government to listen to his voice and not take any decision in haste, because this is not just a political issue, but a sensitive issue related to the faith and belief of Muslims.
He said, “Muslims are feeling that their beliefs and religious rights are being attacked through these incidents and decisions. Such decisions are not only increasing the feeling of panic and insecurity in the hearts of Muslims, but can also affect the social and religious fabric of the country. If there is any disturbance in this situation, then it will be the responsibility of the government, because the government is responsible for taking such decisions.”
He said that a peaceful and sensible approach should be adopted to resolve this issue, so that every citizen gets the right to dignity, security and equality.
–IANS
SHK/AKJ
