Mahfuz Alam/Patna

Ram is the name of the great personality of India who always spoke the truth, and promoted justice and equality. The inauguration of the Ram temple at Ayodhya is an occasion when the world is looking towards India for voices of unity and reverence for its most enchanting figure.

This view was expressed by the Islamic thinker and scholar Maulana Anisur Rahman Qasmi. He is the National Vice President of the All India National Council Chairman of Abul Kalam Research Foundation and a Member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board. He has been the General Secretary of Imarat-e Sharia Bihar and Jharkhand, the largest organization of Muslims for many decades.

​Maulana Anisur Rahman Qasmi spoke in detail to Awaz-the Voice about Ram and Ram Mandir. He said that Islam has a special belief about different religions. It gives others full authority to follow their religion. The Quran has said this, he said.

Therefore, we see that during the lifetime of the Holy Prophet there was an area outside Madinah called Bani Najran, where Christians continued to rule after they agreed with the Holy Prophet and supported his government. "There are a few interesting clauses in the agreement. The first one was: that whatever religion a man belongs to, he will continue to follow it; even if it means he will make an idol of Maryam (Mother Mary) or Jesus Christ in his church.

The Holy Prophet wrote that the idols will not be broken. So, this is how Islam tolerates people. The same is the case with Ram Mandir. When the Ram temple is being built it is the object of faith of the Hindu people here. In such a case, Islam does not obstruct anything in this regard. The interruption was while the matter was being discussed in court."

​He said that the verdict of the Supreme Court on the Babri Masjid and Ram Janmabhoomi case clearly says that through historical accounts or excavation, it has been proven that there existed a temple at the place of the mosque once upon a time. The Supreme Court also said that those who broke the mosque committed a crime. But despite this, the Supreme Court, using its special powers, referred the Babri Masjid or waqf land to the temple trust, keeping the faith of Hindus in mind, and return ordered the government to transfer 5 acres of land to another temple.

Muslims again appealed to the court in this regard, but it was dismissed. After this, the Muslims and the All-India Muslim Personal Law Board declared that they had accepted the decision of the Supreme Court.

According to Maulana Anisur Rahman Qasmi, on the occasion of the inauguration of the Ram Mandir, a message must go out of India to the rest of the world. It should be: Our's is a big country and it has people of one of the largest followed religions - Hinduism.

"We appeal to the religious people among the Hindus that when the temple is inaugurated, the message of peace and tranquility should be conveyed by great religious people like Shankaracharya to all Indians. According to Maulana Anisur Rahman Qasmi, the main message of Hinduism is to consider the whole world as one family and Islam gives the same message. Islam also says that all humans are descendants of one Adam and Hinduism also says that all humans are descendants of one source of creation.

This is what needs to be told to the whole world at this time. The inauguration of Ram Mandir should send a message of the unity of humankind and jettisoning hatred and regimes of discrimination. The message that we want to establish brotherhood and fraternity should be should go out. He said that brotherhood and brotherhood means that we should not go against each other; never even think of causing harm to others or playing with their dignity or property. All these teachings are common to Hinduism, Islam, and all religions.

According to Maulana Anisur Rahman Qasmi, National Vice President of All India National Council, after Independence in 1947 and the Constitution coming into force in 1950, a few things became clear to all. The preamble of the Constitution says that all the people of this country will live in brotherhood, and secondly, they will establish justice based on brotherhood. Thirdly, they will establish peace, and fourthly, they will not look at anyone with a hatchet eye, that is, they will treat each other with equality.

He said that these four basic principles are what the world needs today. On the occasion of the inauguration of Ram Mandir, this message should be sent to the world that our country believes in peace and tranquility and makes every possible effort to promote national unity.

referring to political statements, he said these are trivia. "Some say that Ayodhya should not be made a seat of politics, but it's a place of peace, tranquility, brotherhood".

​Maulana Anisur Rahman Qasmi says that there are two things about Ram. First of all, the kind of history that should exist concerning Rama does not exist. The second thing is that the Ramayana of Tulsidas is different and the Ramayana of Balmikiji and his temples are different, but one thing is that Rama was a priest of truth, a supporter of truth, he didn't choose worldliness over righteousness.

Based on this great personality of Ram, Muslims including Dr. Allama Iqbal have praised Ram. Allama Iqbal called Ram the Imam of India. For the people living in India, he is an Imam in the true sense. Ram speaks the truth, he promotes brotherhood, is the priest of brotherhood, and gives equal status to all humans.

He asked Muslims to highlight these aspects of Ram's personality.

Everyone has to follow one's religion; our religion is different, but we respect Ram.

In the hearts of the Hindus, the honor and glory of Ram is obviously more than ours, because they worship him and express their devotion to him. Our religion is quite clear in this matter that it is not permissible for Muslims to speak ill of those whom they worship.

​According to Maulana Anisur Rahman Qasmi, on this occasion, I will say that Muslims should make every possible effort to promote mutual brotherhood. It should be a matter of respect and devotion to the people of this country. He said that in this country, temples and mosques are built every day.

He said that Muslims should not express any opposition to the Temple as the people of all religions have the right to build their places of worship, A huge Ram temple is also going to be built in East Champaran of Bihar, for which swathes of land have been acquired.

Maulana Anisur Rahman Qasmi says that when the Supreme Court ruled in favour of building a temple  at Ayodhya, the Muslims should have remained silent as they community had decided to abide by the verdict ofg the court. So the youth must not be misquided. Muslims should refrain from saying or doing anything that would ofend the Hindus about Ram janambhoomi. "Our religion does not allow us to say such things. Therefore, we appeal to all the youth of India to follow ther path of peace and brotherhood. Speak to each other to promote brotherhood and sisterhood."

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​He asked all the Indian youth to focus on education. "No matter what religion one belongs to, if a youth is equipped with education, positive thinking will develop in him. The secret of nation's development lies in education, therefore the promotion of peace and love, the effort to increase national unity, and the desire to acquire knowledge should be possessed by every citizen."