Another Islamic group denounces terrorism

MUMBAI:Four days after the Jamiatul Ulema-e-Hind reiterated the famous Deoband fatwaagainst terrorism at a massive meet in Hyderabad on Sunday, another Muslimreligious group in Mumbai is bracing up to denounce terrorism. Subai Jamiat AhleHadees, the regional wing of Ahle Hadees school of Islamic thought which claimsto have over 3 crore followers across the country, has launched a virtual jihadagainst terrorism."Islam is the very anti-thesis of terrorism. Thereligion came to this world to finish `fasad fil arz' (terror on the earth). TheQuran very clearly says that killing of an innocent is akin to killing entirehumanity and to save an innocent's life is like saving mankind,'' said MaulanaAbdus Salaam Salafi, president, Jamiat Ahle Hadees(Maharashtra).Maulana Salafi also said thatthough their group hasalways endorsed the anti-terrorism campaigns started by ulema belonging to otherschools of thought, the Jamiat Ahle Hadees has now realised that a lot moreneeded to be done to weed out this evil. He also said that a massiveanti-terrorism conference would be held at Haj House, near CST, on Thursdayafternoon.When asked if they were vocal also because of the allegedinvolvement of some Hindutva hardliners in the recent terror acts, MaualanaSalafi said terrorism should not been seen from the prism of any religion. Hewarned the Muslims and others against the dangers of defaming Hinduism for theacts of a few misguided Hindus. "Most Hindus are secular just as most Muslimswant to live a peaceful life in this country,'' he said.Dwelling onthe idea of jihad as prescribed in Islam, Zaid Patel, head of the Jamita AhleHadees-run Islamic Information Centre (IIC), said the bigger jihad is one whichis fought against the evils within. "Killing innocents in the name of Islamcannot be called jihad. The Quran prescribes the most severe punishment to thosewho spread terror through mass murder,'' Patel said. He added that jihad cannotbe declared by self-appointed warriors of Islam. It can be declared only by theruler or an emir in an Islamic state. It can be declared by a religious head ifhe enjoys the support of Muslim masses as a group of ulema (clerics) hadlaunched against the British imperialism during India's freedomstruggle.The Jamiat Ahle Hadees also tried to come clean on thecharges that some of its members might have been radicalised. "Countless ulemagave their lives for the country's freedom. How can followers of the martyrsdestabilise the country's peace?'' asked Maulana Salafi.mohammed.wajihuddin@timesgroup.com