Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Omari, Amir Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, has described as reflection of Islamic fraternity the concerns and anxiety of renowned Islamic institutions and personalities over Saudi Arabia declaring Ikhwan al-Muslimoon (Muslim Brotherhood) a terrorist group. Muslim Brotherhood is a world renowned movement of Egypt and Arab World which has etched a remarkable history of sacrifices for Islam. Eminent Islamic scholars and institutions in the world, particularly in the world’s No.2 Muslim-populated country India, have expressed their concern over the Saudi decision. The Jamaat President appealed to the Saudi government to review its decision to make it consonant with the larger interests of Islam and the Muslim Ummah.
In a statement on March 17, the Jamaat leader said the world is aware of the great role played by Ikhwan al-Muslimoon in breaking the chain of ideological and political slavery of imperialism. The movement endured the atrocities of dictators and brutal rulers who assumed power in Egypt. It made extraordinary sacrifices. It also made invaluable efforts to strengthen the relation of Arabs with Islam through its inspiring Islamic literature. Ikhwan al-Muslimoon came to power through the popular democratic electoral system and peaceful and legal means.
Setting an example of governance through President Mohamed Morsi, it promoted friendly and equal relations with both Muslim and non-Muslim countries. Chief of Egyptian army Abdul Fattah Al-Sisi, while showing ingratitude towards Ikhwan al-Muslimoon, captured power illegally. When people of the country had come out to protest against the military coup peacefully, Al-Sisi’s bulldozers ran over them resulting in the death of a number of innocent people.
It is sad that rather than snapping ties with brutal military junta and making all possible diplomatic and moral efforts to restore the just regime of Mohamed Morsi, the Saudi government, going against its own tradition of extending cooperation with all that is good, offered support to the brutal, undemocratic regime of Al-Sisi. This surprised Muslims and democracy-loving people all over the world. Now by declaring Ikhwan al-Muslimoon as a terror group, the Saudi government has put not only all the requirements of justice but also its own good traditions on the backburner. This change in the policy of Saudi government is beyond comprehension.
Reminding the Saudi King Abdullah ibn Abdul Aziz about the bright record of former Saudi rulers, Maulana Omari said that when former rulers of Egypt unleashed a reign of terror on leaders and members of Ikhwan al-Muslimoon, the then Saudi government played the role of ‘Ansaar’ and welcomed ‘Muhajir’ Ikhwan; it gave them shelter, offered them all respect and created opportunities for them to utilise their abilities. But very different attitude of today’s Saudi regime has surprised the world. The JIH chief reminded the Saudi King about his responsibility of love and brotherhood for the entire Muslim World. He said that the Saudi government should not provide any opportunity for anti-Islam imperialist and Zionist forces to laugh at us. He said that sticking to the earlier policy of Saudi government about Ikhwan al-Muslimoon will protect the larger interests of Islam and the Muslim Ummah. Maulana Omari expressed hope that the Saudi government will also use its good offices to effect change in the anti-Ikhwan stand of some other Muslim governments.