Bangalore, Aug 28: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference president and Member of Parliament from Srinagar Dr Farooq Abdullah on Monday asked Muslims to remain united by following the teachings of the Holy Qur’an.
Speaking on the 31st Hussain Day event titled “Diversity in solidarity” in Bangalore, Dr Farooq lamented the “timidness” among the Muslims and attributed it to the distancing of the community from the teachings of the holy Quran.
“We are Muslims in name only and when we look at our conduct and beliefs, they are contrary to the teachings of Quran and Sunnah. Had our conduct been in consonance with the teachings of Quran, we would have been better off. It’s not; we are Muslims in name only. The day our conduct becomes in line with the teachings of Islam and gives up all the vices, there is no looking back. We will acquire a position of respect among the nations of the world,” he said.
Stressing on reading the holy Quran with understanding, Dr Farooq said that there was no end to the common problems faced by Muslims around the world until they follow the teachings of the Holy Quran in letter and spirit. “We should stop seeing ourselves in terms of Shia, Suni, Barelvis and Deobandi if at all we want an end to our common miseries. We have to hold fast, all together, by the rope of Allah and be not divided,” he said.
He called on striving for oneness by celebrating diversity and said that Muslims have not come are part and parcel of the cultural milieu of India. “The clouds of hatred will disappear one day, I pray to Almighty to let me see the day,” he said.
Referring to the efforts by Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah in bridging Shia-Sunni differences, he said, “It was Sheikh Sahib who took it upon himself to bridge the differences not just between the two sects but also between the four prominent Agha families back in 1938. Soon after his release from decades of incarceration, he directed me to lead the procession, which I did with utmost reverence for Imam Husain (AS).”
Waqf should refrain from unilateral decisions: NC
Jammu and Kashmir National Conference on Monday asked the J&K Waqf Board to refrain from unilateral decisions with regard to the appointment of Imams in Masjids.
Speaking to media at party headquarters here, the party’s General Secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar said, “Before implementing radical decisions which have a direct bearing on how our masjids operate, it would have been prudent for those at the helm to understand the complexities involved. Therefore it’s necessary to have religious scholars with expertise not only in religious domain but also in worldly affairs. It’s not possible to replace seasoned Molvis, preachers, and Mauzins with a simple decision.”
He added, “What is the point of taking such decisions when we are grappling with other important issues? It will therefore be better to withdraw this order and let the system work as has been the practice for decades now.”
