India Tomorrow
NEW DELHI–Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) Vice President Prof. Mohammad Salim Engineer and religious leaders of several other faiths condemned and spoke out against the growing communal hatred, hostility, and hate speeches at an interfaith event at Aligarh, about 200 km from here.
The event was organized by the Islamic Information Centre at the exhibition ground in Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh on the theme of “Religion does not teach enmity with each other.” Leaders and representatives of different religions attended it.
Addressing the gathering, JIH Vice President asserted that one who committed violence in the name of faith was an enemy of his own religion.
Pointing out that religion was not the root cause of hatred and violence in the society as all faiths taught against hatred, oppression, and violence, Prof. Salim termed the supremacist mentality and the misuse of religion for political gains as its primary reason.
He said, “some people and groups think of themselves as superior and see others as inferior. However, Islam considers all human beings as a family of God. At all times and everywhere in the world, Prophets and Messengers came from God with a message to establish peace and justice on earth.”
Emphasizing sharing joys and sorrows with each other, he urged people to establish direct and one-to-one relationships instead of through social media.
Underlining that nothing should be imposed on anyone and everyone should be free to seek truth while no religion should be used to commit violence and atrocity, Prof. Salim reminded the people that there could be no peace without justice in a society.
Speaking on occasion, Dr. Rajeev Prachandiya, editor of ‘Jai Kalyan Shri’ (Aligarh edition) said, “The conference’s title is not just a slogan, but it is an idea. No religion endorses mutual fighting and hatred.”
Advocating social equality and justice, Giani Prabhajot Singh Ji of Gurdwara Masoodabad, Aligarh, said, “There is no caste or community, and everyone will depart back to their Lord as they came from their mother’s womb.”
Buddhist Society of India’s Shri Jai Singh Suman said that Gautam Buddha always talked about equality and love while Buddhism tried to eradicate untouchability from society.
Hare Krishna Bhakti Kendra’s Shri Deepak Sharma stated that all human beings were creatures of the same God, according to the teachings of Sanatan Dharma.
Reverend Lawrence Das of the Church of the Ascension, Aligarh, said, “If we have love, peace, and humbleness in our hearts for others, then mutual enmity and hatred cannot arise among us.”
Delivering the concluding speech, JIH UP West President Ahmed Aziz Khan said, “As the man is becoming more developed and educated today, he is committing more shameful acts, which are defaming humanity. God has made man a vicegerent on earth. However, he is committing heinous crimes like murdering girls in the wombs, even before their birth.”
He cautioned, “If a man does not bow down to his Creator in this era of revolutionary development, then he cannot be useful for human society.”
In his inaugural address, Mr. Junaid Siddiqi reminded that people of all faiths worked together to nurture and beautify the country. They jointly fought for its freedom from the clutches of the British. He said that it was the responsibility of all to take society out of the prevailing hateful and hostile atmosphere.
Organizers gifted Islamic books to interfaith leaders at the end of the programme.
