Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (Maharashtra) launched the Sadbhavna Manch at an impressive programme in Azam Campus, Pune. The programme was presided over by the Vice President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Muhammad Salim Engineer.
Addressing the gathering, he said: “I wish to congratulate Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (Maharashtra) and our friends in Pune who have organised this programme. They have set a beautiful example by establishing the Sadbhavna Manch here and now this needs to be spread throughout the state. We have decided to establish around 1000 such Manch all over the country which will not only do the work of removing hate and distrust but also promote love and harmony. You can see the real India on the stage and in the audience and this needs to be replicated all over the nation.
“India is a religious country; our religious heads are highly respected and influential. However, some people have infiltrated religion and want to divide people and do politics. We will not allow that. Religion unites people. Anything which divides people and discriminates among them cannot be religion. That is because our Creator has made us one. God cannot discriminate. We have done that for our own selfish interests. We have to convey this truth to the people.
“Our Constitution gives us this right. We may have differences but we must have respect and tolerance. We must uphold constitutional values like brotherhood, equality and justice. We have made great strides in science and technology and we are proud of it. However, until we improve our morals, have strong ethics and good character, development will not be of much use. Our nation is confronted with many challenges but the biggest challenge is that of moral decline. Our governments do not understand this. We have to realise its importance and make them understand. Only when society starts giving importance to morality can we send better people to our legislatures and get people of high moral character in positions of power. Only then will the situation change.”
The Sadbhavna Manch was formed with the coming together of religious heads of different faiths from all over Maharashtra, who sat together on stage and also gave their perspective about Sadbhavna (mutual love and harmony). They included Haribhakta Parine Maharaj, Ramdas Maharaj Jadhav- Pandharpur, Satyapal Maharaj Shirsolikar, Dr. Vishwanath Karad, Justice Kolse Patil, Former Vice-Chancellor SN Pathan, Maulana Nizamuddin Fakhruddin, Bhaskararao Pere Patil, Ajayamaharaj Barskar, Dr Bhikkhuni Sumna, Gurugranthi Hashmatasingji Panjwani, Subhash Waare, Gangadhar Banbare, Advocate Sambhaji Barude, Tarachand Karamchandani, Neeraj Jain, Dr SR Pernarkar, etc.
The programme was organised under the supervision of Dr Rafiq Ahmed, Secretary, “Hindustani Samaj” JIH Maharashtra. Muawin Ameer-e-Halqua, JIH Maharashtra – Zameer Quadri also spoke on the occasion. The programme was convened by Azeemuddin of Pune.