AMN / Aligarh
SEVERAL religious leaders who believe in interfaith came down heavily on those spreading communal hatred and hostility in the society.
At an interfaith conference was held by the Islamic Information Centre at the exhibition ground in Aligarh, UP, on the title of ‘Religion does not teach enmity with each other’, interfaith leaders have rejected the growing communal hatred, hostility and hate speeches in the country.
Attended by various leaders and representatives of different religions, conference reminded that people of all faiths worked together to nurture and beautify the country and they jointly fought for its freedom
Addressing the gathering, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) Vice President Prof. Salim Engineer asserted that one who commits violence in the name of faith is an enemy of his own religion. Pointing out that religion is not the root cause of hatred and violence in the society as all faiths teach against hatred, oppression and violence, Prof. Salim termed the supremacist mentality and the misuse of religion for political gains as its main 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.” Emphasising on sharing joys and sorrows with each other, he urged people to establish direct and one-to-one relationships instead of 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 can be no peace without justice in a society.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Rajeev Prachandiya, editor of ‘Jai Kalyan Shri’ (Aligarh edition) said, “the title of the conference 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 the society.
Hare Krishna Bhakti Kendra’s Shri Deepak Sharma has stated that all human beings are the children 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 and they jointly fought for its freedom. Therefore, he urged, it is the responsibility of all the people to take out the society from the prevailing hateful and hostile atmosphere.
At the end of the programme, Islamic books were gifted to interfaith leaders.