Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind

Jamiat Seminar

34th General Session Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind

Presided by: Hzt. Maulana Mahmood As'ad Madani Sahab,

President Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind

10-11-12 May 2023 at Ramlila Ground, New Delhi

Presidential Address

Urdu

English

Resolution Passed

Urdu

Hindi

English

DECLARATION

A Message to the Nation and the Muslim Community

Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind considers religious hatred and sectarianism as biggest threat to the integrity of the country. It does not match our long-standing heritage and ethos. Friendly and brotherly relations between different religions have been the proud and enduring hallmark of the Indian society. Any plan to create a rift in these relations should be considered a national crime.

We urge all fair-minded organisations and nation-friendly individuals to unite and fight the extremist and divisive forces at the political and social level, and make every effort to fulfil the demands of brotherhood, mutual tolerance and coexistence and justice in the country.

We would like to forewarn the Muslim youth and student organisations that they are the direct target of the internal and external enemies of our country, every tactic is being used to psychologically frustrate, incite and mislead them, but they should not despair, nor should they give up patience. The so-called organizations, which propagate extremist and violent tendencies in the name of Jihad are not entitled to our cooperation and support in terms of the country's interest or the religion of Islam. They are using ‘Jihad’ in a completely falsified narrative. Sacrifice, loyalty and patriotism to the nation are our national and religious duties, our religion and our country comes first, this is our slogan, to give our life to the motherland and die for its honour, is what our elders have taught us.

Justice is the greatest standard for any civilised society. The first duty of every ruler is to provide equal and fair justice to his subjects. The Supreme Court and other courts of the country are the guardians and strength of India's largest democracy, but for some time, there is a general impression that the courts are working under the pressure of the state. This situation is not acceptable at all. If the judiciary is not free, then the country also is not free.

India is a beautiful country with a diverse and pluralist society, one of its main features is the freedom granted to people following different religious thoughts, and ceremonies to live their own lives and follow their ideology. Gandhiji and other leaders like him made tireless efforts to save these unique features of the Indian society. In this regard, the efforts of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind and its leaders are also parts of the golden history of India's past and present. The thought and philosophy of composite nationalism and Hindu-Muslim unity is the legacy left by our elders.

Against this, the current aggressive communalism being promoted in the name of Islam, Hinduism and Christianity does not match the soil and ethos of this country. We want to make it clear, that we do not have any religious or ethnic enmity with RSS and the BJP, but our difference is based on the ideology.

To us, Hindu, Muslims, Christians, Sikh, Budhists, Jains are equal citizens of India, we do not make any distinction between human beings and do not recognise racial superiority. We welcome the recent statements of the RSS SarSangh Sanchalak encouraging mutual harmony and national unity. According to Islamic teachings, a hand extended for friendship should be held firmly and strengthened. Therefore, we warmly invite him and his followers to forget mutual hatred and enmity and embrace each other and make our beloved motherland the most developed, ideal, coexisting and peaceful superpower in the world.

Islam teaches equality and racial non-discrimination, but despite this, the existence of pasmanda communities amongst Muslims is a ground reality. No doubt that there has been discrimination and bias of marginalised communities, which is religiously and morally wrong and also reprehensible from the humane approach.

We take this opportunity to say that we are ashamed of the abuses that have been committed in the name of caste, and to remove it we pledge to reform the Muslim community, and would make every possible effort to establish equality among Muslims on economic, social and educational fronts.

We congratulate the government of India for its recent statement to uplift the backward communities and hope that practical steps will be taken soon for the welfare and progress of the backward communities irrespective of their religious affiliations.

Recent Economic woes, inflation and unemployment are the biggest challenges for our country. Looking at the current rate of poverty and unemployment, our claims of development seem to be false and hollow. Till the time, we are able to provide livelihood to all sections of the country, we can’t claim to be a developed nation. The country can also never develop by ignoring the economic and educational backwardness of the minorities and especially the Muslims.

We appeal to the Muslims of India that they should enforce in practice the code prescribed by the Islamic Shari'ah: they should focus on ridding the Muslim society of evils like the exclusion of women in inheritance matters, violation of Islamic injunctions regarding divorce and non-maintenance to the wife, and injustice to women in society in general. There is a dire need for Muslims to conduct a mass movement across the country and take necessary steps for reforms, so that there is no room for anyone to interfere in the Muslim Personal Law.