New Delhi

“India is our country and the best country for Hindi-Muslims.”

“As much as this country belongs to Narendra Modi and Mohan Bhagwat, equally, this country belongs to Mahmood. Neither Mahmood is one inch ahead of them nor are they one inch ahead of Mahmood.”

These remarks were made by Maulana Mahmood Madani, Chief of the Jamiat-e-Ulama Hind, the biggest organization of Muslims in India that had historically spurned the two-nation theory and the idea of Pakistan as a separate homeland for Muslims.

Madani was addressing the three-day convention of his organization in Delhi.

He said, “This land is the first homeland of Muslims.” He asserted that calling Islam a religion that came to India from the outside is “wrong and baseless.” 

The delegates at the convention of the Jamiat-eUlama Hind in Delhi

The organization’s three-day convention in Delhi which started on Friday is being attended by more than one lakh people including 1500 religious scholars from all over India.

The plenary which begins on Saturday will discuss the Uniform Civil Code, religious freedom, Muslim personal law, and the autonomy of madrassas. A proposal to provide reservations for socio-economically backward Muslims is also expected to be placed before the convention.

On day one Maulana Kajimuddin Qasmi said Muslim youth and students are currently being targeted by the anti-national elements; they are trying to frustrate, provoke and instigate them. He cautioned the youth against falling into their trap and losing patience.

Maulana Arshad Madani, who heads another faction of the Jamiat-e-Ulama-e Hind but was present in this Organisation’s convention, said that the present situation of the country was of concern for the Muslims. “We should not panic because we have to fight it only by following the Constitution.”

Maulana Badruddin Ajmal, an MP from Assam, said Indian Muslims must follow the Constitution.

Maulana Hakimuddin Qasmi, general secretary of the JUH said elements who misuse and misinterpret Jihad in the name of Islam in order to spread terrorism and violence are suspect in the eyes of national security agencies.

A scene from the jamiat-e-Ulama Hind convention in Delhi

He asked the youth to openly disagree with such people and keep a distance from them. He said the youth need to be careful with one mistake can ruin their life.

On day one of the convention several resolutions were passed. These raised concern over the rising incidents of Islamophobia, hatred, and incitement against Muslims and alleged the government was ignoring these cases.

Citing the reports of international organizations, civil societies of the country, and the Supreme Court, he said that despite warnings, the people in power were not acting to stop these incidents. Instead, it alleged, BJP leaders, MLAs, and MPs were also indulging in hate crimes.

In such a situation, Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind wants to draw the attention of the present government of the country keeping in view the sovereignty of the country and maintaining its positive image.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind demanded a separate law to specifically punish those who incite violence against minorities.

Jamiat said that it wants to draw the attention of the government towards Other important resolutions passed by the Jamiat on Friday including voter registration and effective measures to ensure large participation in elections. The steps proposed by the Jamiat include strict action against elements and media that spread hatred.

Another resolution demanded the activation of the National Foundation for Communal Harmony and the National Integral Council for 

conducting joint meetings and conferences of top religious communities to promote harmony and unity.

Jamiat leaders also expressed concern over the bad image of Muslims in society and he said it was the creation of media.

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One of the leaders said organized efforts are being made to tarnish the image of Islamic teachings and Muslims and media and social media are being used to impose them on the minds of the people.