Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN Security Council Abdullah Husain Haroon’s remarks on Darul Uloom Deoband sparked off a controversy. SAAD BIN ZIA speaks to various Ulema to thwart off such misgivings about the most revered and Asia’s largest Islamic seminary.
The statement by Pakistan’s Permanent Representative in the UN Security Council (UNSC) Abdullah Husain Haroon implicating Darul Uloom Deoband for militant activities in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and other border areas has drawn severe criticism in India. Several leading graduates of Darul Uloom Deoband have termed this statement as utterly misleading and obnoxious. They have condemned Mr. Haroon for maligning the image of Darul Uloom.
It is to be noted that Mr. Haroon while addressing the UNSC’s session on terrorism on December 9 dragged Darul Uloom Deoband’s name in connection with the terrorist activities going on in Pakistan. This has caused widespread resentment not only in India but in Pakistan as well, particularly among those affiliated to Darul Uloom Deoband.
The Government of India has also registered a strong official protest against the Pakistani ambassador’s remark against the Darul Uloom Deoband. In a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs on December 16 the spokesman termed as “regrettable” the allegations made by Mr. Haroon. He said, “Statement by the Pakistani Permanent Representative is indeed regrettable. The Darul Uloom Deoband is one of our highly respected institutions of Islamic learning.”
President of Jamiatul Ulema Islam of Pakistan and leader of Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), Maulana Fazlur Rahman in an exclusive interview drew attention to a very important fact relating to Abdullah Husain Haroon. “The ancestors of Abdullah were supporters of the British whereas the Darul Uloom Deoband was established with chief purpose of opposing the British and freeing India from their clutches. I smack of a feeling of revenge in this statement of Mr. Haroon.” He wondered, “How come a person holding such a high office can make such irresponsible assertions. He seems totally unaware of diplomatic etiquette either. There is a complete lack of diplomatic communication.”
On the role of Darul Uloom Deoband in Indo-Pak relations, Maulana Fazlur Rahman asserted, “It (Darul Uloom, Deoband) is the only organisation that is playing a very active, positive and vital role in resurrecting the cordial relations between both the countries.” On his organisation’s efforts for peace Maulana Fazlur Rahman divulged, “It is well known all across the globe that we are totally committed to establishing peace. All of our efforts are directed towards this goal.”
Sharply reacting to this, Qari Osman Mansoorpuri, President Jamiatul Ulema Hind (M) and teacher at Darul Uloom Deoband outright rejected such uncalled for accusations about Darul Uloom and termed them as “white lies”. He posed an interesting question, “If any graduate of say Delhi University takes action according to the prevailing political situation in his/her home country what would you call it ”?
“Darul Uloom has time and again clarified its stance on the issue of terrorism and I declare it once again that it has no business with terrorism. We condemn it in all forms and manifestations,” he averred.
Maulana Abdul Khaliq, Naib Muhtamim (Assistant Rector) of Darul Uloom, Deoband dubbed the statement of Mr. Haroon “absolutely false”. According to him, “Haroon made such irresponsible remarks due to his sheer ignorance about Darul Uloom movement.” He urged the Pakistani government to “immediately recall Mr. Haroon from the UN and appoint someone who is well off with Darul Uloom.”
With respect to Darul Uloom’s alleged links with terrorism Maulana Abdul Khlaiq resounded, “There is no denying the fact that Darul Uloom has nothing to do with terrorism.”
Maulana Akhlaq Husain Qasmi also denied such blames on Darul Uloom Deoband. “No terrorism in Darul Uloom,” was his apt reply when contacted over the telephone. “Darul Uloom is based on the ideology of nationalism as proposed by Sheikhul Hind Maulana Mahmoodul Hasan.”
Referring to an Arabic quotation, Maulana Akhlaq Husain claimed, “Anyone who adheres to the fundamental principles can never be involved in such activities. It’s all rubbish.”