Aurangabad, Jan. 10:
Describing communalism as the most significant threat to India’s development, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) Vice-President, Professor Salim Engineer has called on all religious leaders to collaborate in promoting amity, brotherhood, mutual trust, and tolerance in India.
Speaking to interfaith leaders organized by Dharmik Jan Morcha and Sadbhavna Manch in the city, Prof. Salim Engineer emphasized the need to strengthen interfaith harmony to maintain unity in diversity in the country. Stating that making every possible effort for communal harmony is an urgent demand of the time, he said that strengthening interfaith harmony should be the priority of every citizen.
Voicing concern about the rise of hate speech, communal polarization, and targeted violence against religious minorities in India, the JIH Vice President said these trends were making minorities feel unsafe. Terming communalism as a major threat to India’s development and economic growth, he lamented that some vested interests were spreading hate and communalism against minorities through emotional slogans.
He said, “Unfortunately, many times the government and law enforcement machinery have failed to take immediate action to curb those increasing elements trying to undermine interfaith harmony in our country.”
Urging the government to take action to stop the spread of hate speech and to protect minorities from violence, he reminded the government of its prime responsibility to protect all citizens, regardless of their faith.
The JIH Vice President further said, “Since India’s independence over 75 years ago, we envisioned a multicultural, multi-religious, and multilingual republic based on the principles of equality, liberty, fraternity, and justice. Unity in diversity has always been our strength, which needs to be maintained by promoting interfaith harmony.”
Stating that Jamaat-e-Islami Hind is working to promote communal harmony by supporting individuals and organizations committed to peace, justice, and democracy, he added, “We feel that the Indian people can play an effective role in defeating hatemongers and the rising threat of fascism, as well as restoring the country’s democratic and constitutional values. We hope the future will be better with people’s efforts.”
Underlining India’s diversity with a rich history of religious tolerance, JIH Maharashtra state president Maulana Ilyas Falahi called on all citizens to work together to preserve this legacy. He recalled that during the freedom struggle, people of all faiths came together to fight for a common cause.
Dr. Rafiq Parnerkar, Regional Secretary of Sadbhavna Manch, said that compassion and kindness are the foundation of human society. He called on all people to follow the teachings of their respective faiths in promoting peace and harmony in society.
Interfaith leaders gathered in Aurangabad to promote communal amity and brotherhood among different communities. Other speakers at the conference included Maharaj Ram Pal, AtantBhoware of Samuddhan Manch, and Dr. Vinod Kumar of the Sant Nirankari Mandal.
All speakers agreed communal harmony is essential for a peaceful and prosperous India. They called on all citizens to work together to promote understanding and tolerance. A large number of people attended the conference.