Thanks to Allah the Exalted that He once again bestowed upon the Muslim Ummah the blissful moments of Ramadhan and blessed it with the pleasures and festivities of Eid al-Fitr. On this occasion Iextend, from the core of my heart, Happy Eid Greetings to Indian Muslims and the entire Muslim Ummah the world over, and pray to Allah the Exalted to grant His acceptance to all our Ibadah in Ramadhan, forgive our shortcomings and give us strength to spend whatever moments of life left to our lot in His obedience and in pursuit of seeking His pleasure alone.
The Muslim Ummah today is faced with challenges of sorts at national and international levels. As for our own country, the condition of Muslims has not changed for the better. Educationally, financially and politically they stand quite disappointed; efforts are being made to affect their cultural identity; Islamic Shari’ah is mocked at and attacked in different ways; the Muslims are economically downtrodden and despite repeated demands are not allowed to enjoy the place they deserve in the political field in line with their ratio in population. Not only this, as imperialist powers would have it, highly educated Muslim youth have been thrown behind bars to suffer a life of trials and tribulations under concocted allegations of terrorism; efforts are made to link Islam with terrorism; educational institutions of the Ummah are not spared from interferences of objectionable policies of the Government; though the Government has announced certain schemes for the uplift of minorities yet they are not benefitting the Muslims. The members of the community generally avoid, and rightly so, availing themselves of some welfare schemes due to element of interest therein. There are many Bills under consideration of Parliament, in which due amendments are being evaded despite repeated pleas made by the Muslims as well as the general public.
It is a matter of pleasure that the Muslims have been facing these difficult circumstances with patience and fortitude, courage and valour, and have been keeping all their efforts within the Constitutional limits; they have not taken any unconstitutional means to get their problems solved. If they effect unity and uniformity in all these efforts, they can reap good results.
This is the Constitutional duty of the Government to see why such a large population of the country is faced with problems and difficulties even after 64 years of independence. The Government appointed committees themselves have acknowledged the educational, economic and political backwardness of Muslims. This is the obligation of the Government that it takes measures to deliver them from such circumstances so that they may play their role peacefully in the progress and development of the country.
Imperialist powers sometimes look losing the ground at the international level. Presently they are facing a serious economic crisis, and the countries they had targeted have posed problem to them; now they are trying to get out of those countries. But, calling the militarily weaker countries danger for world peace, imperialist powers are also devising ever newerschemes to keep their occupation of the latter’s financial resources. Our country is also in their grip; she should take sincere stock of it. Likewise, the foreign policy of our country should be subservient to the real interests of the country as well as her independence and sovereignty instead of being subservient to the likes and dislikes and the interests of imperialist powers.
In most of the Islamic States there were undemocratic and despotic governments. Fundamental rights were being violated; freedom of expression was curbed; a large part of the wealth of those countries was in the personal use of the ruling elite and was thus being exploited for their ease and comfort, pomp and show; poverty and ignorance was common. The ongoing democratic movements there naturally have got worldwide support but it is feared that imperialist powers might exploit this situation in their favour. In these countries democratic system should be established in the real sense and they should have the freedom of thought and action. It is expected that these countries will opt for the life-giving system of Islam for themselves and show the world the path of peace and ultimate success.
Here is something as a reminder for the Muslim Ummah as well. Islam has presented this Ummah as a group the members of which have faith in Allah the Exalted; their relation with Him is very strong; a concern for Akhirah (hereafter) is there in them; their life is adorned with piety and righteousness; they are bound to follow the commandments of Allah and His Messenger in all their affairs; they implement Islamic Shari’ah in their life; salient features like truthfulness, trustworthiness, modesty and chastity, keeping the promise, equity and justice; keeping from oppression; and helping the weak are found in them. It is a matter of fact that these features are seen in certain individuals of the Ummah but the Ummah as a whole is devoid of them; its identity is not with these salient features rather they are identified with the features quite contrary to them.
The fact that this Ummah is ‘Khair-e-Ummat’ should not be forgotten. It believes in Allah and His Messenger; it undertakes Dawah of the faith it professes; the purpose of its very existence is that it promote all that is good and remove all that is evil, as per teachings of Allah. All its efforts should be directed towards it. Islam is a system of life for the world; it is the religious duty of the Ummah to remove the misgivings about it and prove its truthfulness. In no case this duty can be ignored. The efforts of the Ummah in this respect are very limited; their circle should be widened. This should not be forgotten that Allah the Exalted wants the Ummah to be active in the way of Islam; it is on this basis that He has promised His help; the Ummah will not deserve His help without it.
In the end, I appeal to you to take a solemn pledge to continue with the same spirit after Eid al-Fitr the good deeds done and the endeavours made to attain piety and righteousness in the month of Ramadhan for the pleasure of Allah the Exalted, and also to continue the spirit of obedience to Allah, service to Islam and well-wishing of human beings notwithstanding the circumstances you are in.
I pray to Allah that He bless us with His help and succour and give us strength to be steadfast in His way and to act with courage and valour.