New Delhi

Maulana  Mahmood Madani, general secretary, Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind( M), believes that votes should not be sought in the name of religion; women must be given their rights. Besides, Muslims, he says must focus on education for net 20 years. He speaks extensively in many other issues to Mansooruddin Faridi, Edior, Awaz the Voice, Urdu. Excerpts from the second and the last part of the interview:

The perception is that Indian Muslims are more loyal towards the Ummat (Muslim nations) than their country. What is your opinion?

Before I speak on this may I ask a question. You may not reply to it. Have you named the community living in this country that you call Muslim, as Ummat? Do they belong to India or they are outside of it? If a man raises his voice against an atrocity or injustice meted out to his community, why should he be told that he is not talking about the country? I ask them: what is a country? Is country the land or the people? If country is name of the land for them then I have nothing to say. If the country is the name of humans, then I consider all humans equal. It will also say that if there is any injustice or atrocity against any non-Muslim, we (Muslims) should raise our voice against that too. If we don’t do that, we are not being just.

About 'aggressive nationalism', I believe it’s not only happening in our country, it’s all over the world. It's also happening in Pakistan. This trend has some advantages as well. Arab scholar Ibn Khaldun had written that without aggressive nationalism, nation building can’t be done.

It’s advantage of this is that people start thinking about the country and its people. In this process they become honest. The harm is caused when you use nationalism to isolate some and you become owner of that (doctrine). This can never help a nation.

What coms first – religion or nation. This question has come up many times before me. I have no answer; I ask them which one should I keep and which one should I give up. Recently, the (RSS) Sangh chief said one thing that Gandhiji used to say: my nationalism has come from my religion. I also swear that my nationalism also came from my religion. Since my religion has given me nationalism, how can I put it on the backburner? It’s the religion that that gives me the courage to die for my country. This feeling doesn’t come from the sermons or arguments of any organisational chief, it comes from religion. I heard it from the Sangh chief and am not aware of the context in which Gandhiji said this. But the question is, if I don’t place such a religion on top of my priorities, where do keep it? How can my giving respect to my religion be a problem for others?

Muslim youth are being drawn into polarisation that ultimateltyharms the Muslims. What is your message for the youth?

The Muslims living in this country have a dual responsibility - to save humanity and the country. If we (Indians) keep hitting at each other – throwing bricks in reply to stones - then we are offering ourselves as weapons to our enemies. It serves their purpose. They (India’s enemies) have a plan; they have prepared a blank sketch and we should not be filling it with colours. The Youth have to protect yourself from their deception.

Muslim countries are working on empoweing women. What should be done in India to boost the position of the women?

Of course, if we deprive half of our community - our daughter, sisters, mothers, wife - of their legitimate rights, we are inflicting a self-injury.

There is an urgent need to give legitimate rights to women, which, I know, are being denied to them. The society has to confer these rights on its own. Government-made laws can only give protection; it’s the society that has to come forward and givto give rights and encouragement.

A society that cannot give rights is as good as dead. If you cannot give rights to your mother, sister and making them second class (citizens). In that case nature will make you second class, one day.

Narendra Modi said Muslims should have quran in one hand and computer in the other..Wht is your opinion?

I will not comment on this idea of the Prime Minister for it will be misconstrued and given a political slant. I believe that Quran should be in our hearts; the Quran must be believed. The Quran does not prevent us from holding computers in one hand or both hands.

Muslims should focus on education the most. Let me repeat my word that, education, education and education should be the only agenda of the Muslims for the next 20 years. Let’s not focus on anything else. Motivation is also important. The education should become a mission, for boys and girls.

Participation of Muslims in Indian politics is dwindling. What is your take?

This is a difficult question. It requires a long answer and time.I will surely speak on it some other time. Now is not the right time to speak on this.

What do you have to say about attacks on Hindu temples in Pakistan?

No attack should be allowed on any place of worship be it a temple or mosque. if there are Muslims in any part of the world and there is an attack on someone's prayer places or worshipers, then it’s a great misfortune. Muslims should raise their voice against this. But if such incidents happen in our country, then it should also be criticized at all levels.