Jamaat-e-Islami Hind always did struggle for uniting and integrating the whole Muslim community, rising itself above the minor issues. Jamaat-e-Islami Hind has a bright history and Saudi Arabia’s scholars and imams of Al-Harmain (Holy Mosques of Makkah and Medina) and our Kingdom view its activities as very valuable. These words were expressed by Imam of Masjid-Al-Haram in Makkah, Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais in response to a warm welcome extended by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind at its headquarters in the capital on March 26.
Imam Al-Sudais, who was on a three-day visit to India, said, during his reception at the JIH headquarters, “The bases of unity and consensus in our Deen (Islam) are deeper and vaster as compared to differences, so we should raise the whole community above the minor issues to make real unity among them on these bases of Deen.”
Lauding the Dawah (preaching and propagating) activities of the Jamaat, Imam Al-Sudais said, “Spreading the message of Islam among non-Muslims through sayings and deeds has always been very important in any period, so while performing this duty we should also give answers to modern challenges in the light of Islam.”
While welcoming Imam of Al-Haram, Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Umari, President of Jamaat said, “Muslims around the world have too much affection for Makkah and Medina, reasons are known, but Indian Muslims are ahead of all in this matter. And Imam’s visit is an honour for us and we wholeheartedly welcome the Honourable Imam.”
In his welcome speech presented in chaste Arabic Maulana Umari gave a brief introduction of Jamaat’s activities. He also presented a memento to the Honourable Imam.
Important dignitaries, including scholars and Ulema of Delhi, especially from Jamia Nagar attended the welcome ceremony.
Apart from Maulana Umari, other leaders of Jamaat, including Vice Presidents – Prof. K. A. Siddique Hassan and Mr. Mohammed Jafar, Secretary-General Mr. Nusrat Ali, Secretaries – Mr. Syed Ghulam Akbar, Mr. Iqbal Mulla, Mr. Ejaz Ahmed Aslam, Members of Central Advisory Council – Dr. S.Q. R. Ilyas and Mr. H. Abdur Raqeeb, President of Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO) Mr. Mohammed Azharuddin and others were present.
Foundation Stone of SIO’s Student Centre Laid
After the welcome ceremony at the JIH headquarters, Imam Al-Sudais laid the foundation stone of ‘Students Islamic Centre’ at the headquarters of Students Islamic Organisation of India in Jamia Nagar, New Delhi and addressed the students and youths of SIO.
Imam Al-Sudais was greeted and welcomed by an overwhelming gathering of intellectuals, scholars, Ulema, students and other dignitaries from across the country that gathered to witness the historic event.
Addressing the audience, after laying the Foundation Stone, Imam Al-Sudais expressed gratitude and joy and said that SIO’s role is indeed of great importance in the service of the Indian society. He further expressed that the student community is a vital source of development and progress of the world. He appreciated the activities of SIO and congratulated it for the service of student community in the form of Students Islamic Centre.
Mohd. Azharuddin, President SIO introduced the organisation and welcomed His Excellency to the student gathering. The foundation stone was laid in the presence of Mohd. Azharuddin, President SIO; Maulana Syed Jalalluddin Umari, President JIH; Abdul Aziz Swaleh, Secretary Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Prof. Siddique Hasan, Vice-President, JIH; Mohammed. Jafar, Vice-President, JIH; P.M. Salih, Secretary General SIO; Saukath Ali, Secretary SIO, Sharique Ansar, Secretary SIO; Shaikh Shoaib, Secretary SIO and other invitees.