Mansooruddin Faridi/New Delhi

The reported ban on Tablighi Jamaat by Saudi Arabia has evoked a strong reaction among the Indian Muslims; most have rejected the purported ban as unwarranted while some say the motive behind the move is not yet clear.

Muslims received the news as a shock while those who are well acquainted with the changing image of Saudi Arabia said it seems to be part of the Kingdom's image makeover plan. Some others say this decision seems to have been taken under Jewish influence. 

However, all the Muslims have said this move raises questions on the plans of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman (MBS), who is spearheading the liberalization of the Kingdom's economy and easing restrictions on its citizens.

However, all the ulema have expressed anger and disagreement at the alleged remarks attributed to the Kingdom that the Tablighi Jamaat is the 'door' to terrorism. All the Ulema rejected this suggestion outrightly. Many however argue that until there is a Royal decree on this, they wouldn't express their opinion.

The ban has evoked anger among the Muslims of the Indian subcontinent i.e., India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh They are not only angry at the ban but more at the organization of Islamic preachers calling the Tablighi Jamaat a "gateway to terrorism." It may be recalled that the Tablighi Jamaat had been raised in Nuh, Haryana as an organization of dedicated preachers of Islam.

Awaz-the Voice spoke to the leading scholars and imams of the country about the ban on Tabligh Jamaat. All of them did not approve of the ban.

Prominent Islamic scholar and Padma awardee Professor Akhtaru Al-

Wase says that it’s not clear that on what basis this decision was taken. 

Even if there is a fundamental disagreement between the Saudi government and the Tablighi Jamaat, the ban is not a cure. He said Tablighis never support violence or terrorism. The truth is that Saudi Arabia has been supporting such movements in the last few years. Why is there a sudden change?

Akhtar Al-Wase said that Saudi Arabia may want to prove itself as an enlightened or modern nation-State to the rest of the world. He said he has studied and analyzed Tablighi Jamaat and found that it’s an organization that doesn't dabble in politics. Jamaat is against participation in politics. " They don't discuss politics in their meetings,: Wase said.

Akhtar al-Wase said that Saudi Arabia has wrongly linked the Tabligh to terror while the reality is that Tablighi Jamaat is always opposed to the forces that indulge or support terrorism or violence.

Maulana Dr. Mufti Muhammad Mukarram Ahmed, Imam of Fatehpuri Masjid in the capital Delhi and eminent Islamic scholar, said that he is neither a supporter of Tablighi Jamaat nor an opponent since he is not aware of its activities. “I have nothing to do with it. I have read the news that blamed the Tablighi Jamaat against Sufis, Khanqahs, and Sunnah.

"Whatever it is, if I talk in this context, but now the news coming from Saudi Arabia is surprising everyone. What is happening there in the name of reform has alerted the common follower of Islam. Muslims are wondering as to what Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman is up to? Where will he take this holy land to?