New Delhi

Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind President Maulana Mahmood Madani asked the young Muslims not to fall for the propaganda of the vested interests that “their ancestors made a wrong choice (of living in India) and instead work hard for self-improvement and becoming part of the System."

Madani was addressing some 100-odd top members of his organization at the annual meeting of the Jamiat’s National Governing Body in Delhi.

He said the youth must never fall into the trap of nefarious elements who “want Muslims to live in a state of perpetual hopelessness and despair and be cautious against those offering to make them rich overnight and fall for their misleading slogans.”

"The youth should never fall into the trap of those who want to hijack their genuine feelings of hurt and anger.”

Madani said Muslims can’t improve their conditions in India unless they prepare to “make sacrifices for the long-term gains as they must plan in a way that the third generation gets the benefit of their hard work.”

Members of the Governing Body of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind

Madani also asked the Muslims not to work with a feeling of revenge as it would only engander mayusi (despair).

Referring to the “difficult situation for Muslims due to hate campaign against them in last four years,' Madani said, “hate can't to countered with hate; it will only help the hatemongers.”

He said there is a dire need for Muslims to seek a serious dialogue with like-minded Indians of all religions and faiths and also with those who have strong disagreements with Muslims on several issues.

“We have to talk about the issues on which there are misconceptions about Muslims, Islam, places of worship, and manner of worship. We should also seek a dialogue with those who don’t like us or who know nothing about us.”

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“It will be easier to fight hatred through dialogue,” he said.