By ANDALIB AKHTER /
Amid the reports of attacks on Muslims from different states, the top Ulema (Scholars) of Barelvi and Deobandi schools of Islam in India today came together pledging to protect the community in the crisis.
In a rare gesture the top scholar from Barelly school of Indian Muslim, Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan paid visit to the rival seminary Darul Uloom Deoband and discussed wide range of issues facing the community in the country with the scholars of Deoband.
Maulana Tauqeer Raza held extensive talks with the Vice chancellor of the Darul Uloom, Mufti Abul Qasim Nomani. Both Ulema discussed wide range of issue facing community in India.
They were particularly perturbed over arrest of ‘innocent’ Muslim youths in different parts of the country in the name of terrorism and the killing of Muslims in the name of beef and ‘Love Jehad’. They also expressed concern over the declining share of Muslim community in the national resources.
The unusual meeting came at time when many political parties are working overtime to exploit Indian Muslims in the name of Deobandi and Barelvi sects for their political gain.
“We might have some difference on religious issues, but we are united when our community face any trouble. We will not allow any body to take advantage of our trivial difference,” said Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan forcefully adding that “we are as Indian as anybody else and we will do everything to protect the unity and integrity of the country. At the same time, we will not allow any forces to malign and sideline this vast community”, he said.
Deoband VC Mufti Abul Qasim Nomani echoed Maulana Tauqeer Raza views and said ‘Darul Uloom is always work for the interest of community and the country’.