Moderate Muslims reject Wahhabism
Resolution was also passed to fight terrorism and resist violent ideologies which gave birth to organisations like ISIS and Al Qaeda
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2015-08-24 05:48 GMT
Chennai: In a bid to save Islam from getting painted with the extremist brush, moderate Muslims spoke out against Wahhabism, terming it the greatest threat to Islam. A resolution was also passed to fight terrorism and resist violent ideologies which gave birth to organisations like ISIS and Al Qaeda.
The one-day conference ‘Muslims united against terror’, arguably a first of its kind, unanimously disowned Wahabi ideology that is giving rise to radical interpretations of Islam. The conference organised by Ahle Sunnath Wal Jamaath’s Federation, which was attended by around 100 Muslim scholars, clerics and non-Muslim speakers, made a conscious attempt to draw clear divide between Islam and terrorism.
“Islam has nothing to do with terrorism. A true Muslim never hurts others, especially the innocent, women and children. Islam as a religion holds no responsibility over acts of extremism.
The radical elements are present in every religion, but unfortunately it’s Islam that is defamed and all Muslims are being branded terrorists. Not every attack is carried out by a Muslim radical. Who assassinated former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi? Terrorists don't have any religion because no religion preaches violence. Islam denotes peace”, said A.P.
Aboobacker Ahmed, secretary general of the All India Sunni Jamiyyathul Ulama and founder and chancellor of Jamia Markazus Saquafathis Sunniya, Kozhikode. Sheikh Abdullah Jamali, president, Sunnath Jamath Periyakkam, was more direct, calling terrorist an enemy of Allah. Quoting Quran, he said the terrorists who wage war against Allah deserve to be crucified.
He appealed to the police and establishment not to generalise Muslim community. He took on Wahhabism saying, “We reject their radical and violent interpretation of Quran read without understanding the spirit of love and unity which binds all men of all faiths together.”
The conference attributed the rise in patronage to Wahabi ideology to illiteracy and unemployment. It called upon the government to take pro-active measures in improving the living standards and creating employment opportunities for Muslim youth to stop them from falling prey to extremist groups.