Beware! ISIS fundamentalists gaining popularity in Tamil Nadu

Chennai: Pro Islamic groups in Tamil Nadu have warned that Wahabism and preaching of ISIS fundamentalists have been gaining ground in Tamil Nadu through a section of mosques.

In a recent communiqué to state police and also in their recent congratulatory message to Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa last week, Ahlus Sunnath Wal Jamaths Federation (ASWJF) belonging to Sufi persuasion, a peaceful majority among Muslims along with Tamil Nadu Waqfs protection council has alleged that extremist Wahabis and Deobandis have infiltrated into managing committees of a few Chennai-based Dargahs and Masjids and are promoting  ideologies of 34 banned organizations.

“The shrines, graves, Madrasas, Khanwahs and masjids constructed by pious followers (Murideen) of saints are under threat and these structures are embodiment of Hindu- Muslim unity”, Syed Ali Akbar, organiser, Ahlus Sunnath Wal Jamaths Federation told DC.

To start with, CBSE schools, hospitals and colleges should be constructed in  Waqf property to benefit society. The state should step in and prevent misuse of Waqf board administration by Deobandis, Wahabis who are now taking over operations of Sunni shrines like Kancheepuram Dargah, Juma Masjid, Walajah and Syedani Masjid at Triplicane and Mount Road Dargah, he said.

According to Shoukath Ali, legal advisor, ASWJF, the federation has estimated the value of the Waqf property in the State at around Rs 14500 crores and property worth Rs 4,500 crores are under encroachment. There was friendship between a majority of Muslims and Hindu community in Tamil Nadu.

For instance, the Nagoor Dargah Santhanakoodu (sandal paste used for Nagoor Dargah chariot is supplied by Hindu devouts) as a traditional practice and Mount road dargah and Veenadu Dargah in Nellore attract Hindus in large numbers, but the growing ideology by the vested interests are making attempts to demolish such shrines and this will alleviate indigenous beliefs of Muslims and Hindus in Tamil Nadu,  he added.

Recalling the last year incident, where two youngsters were deported to Chennai from Turkey after the foreign police found them giving suspicious statements during interrogation expressing their wish to join the banned ISIS, an informed police officer said, “Since the Shirk Eradication conference conducted early this year in Trichy, the divide between the Tamil Nadu Muslims is widening, and we are constantly watching the activities of both the pro extremist groups and the hardcore Hindutva promoters to ensure that the State continues to be peaceful”,  the officer said.

It may be noted that a similar divide broke out between Muslims after a sect in 2011 conducted Namase Janasa for Osama Bin Laden in Chennai.