President Erdogan’s Strong Message to the People of His Country
The 7.7 and 7.6 magnitudes earthquakes that struck Türkiye, Syria and adjoining regions on February 6, which claimed more than 25,000 lives while injuring thousands of people, are the worst calamity of this century so far.
People were in chaos and screaming for help to save human lives. Some videos of the devastated buildings had gone viral on the social media where the people were helping the affected people while offering drinking water and food to them.
However, at this difficult time, the Government of India has done an excellent job while sending a rescue team to Türkiye to rescue the people who were stuck under the tonnes of debris. The swift action taken by the Indian Government should be applauded.
Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan came forward with a strong message to the people of his country in the Turkish language, the English translation of which is hereunder:
“After every dark night there is dawn. After every mourning there is spring. Here a great power replaces sorrow with light. The power that brought Yousuf out of prison and made him king of Egypt. The power that raised Moosa in Pharaoh’s (Firoun’s) palace and then made him its ruler. The power that answers the cries of the oppressed and gives success to the patient. Ask Allah for help, become His partner. There is no other way to rule. I do not know. Those who were the leaders and leaders of humanity, they were forced to leave their homes and cities, then the words of divine revelation will be released on your tongue. Do not be afraid, do not be weak, Allah is ours together.”
Syed Amjad Ali
Secunderabad
Telangana State
Appeal to Muslims
Muslims all over India are taking out processions to celebrate the birthday of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and on the death anniversary of Hazarat Imam Hussain (i.e. on 10th of Muharram).
Processions taken out in the name of religion invariably result in communal tensions. Instead of wasting lakhs of rupees on processions, the money can be spent in a constructive and beneficial manner by awarding scholarships to poor and deserving students to pursue their studies and to help the poor patients. Also, meetings and lectures can be organised to educate people on the true teachings of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and Islam. Shouting and screaming slogans and taking cut-outs of Muslim Holy Places around the city does nothing to benefit anybody and gives a very wrong and distorted impression of Islam. There is no place for religious processions in Islam. Further, idol worship is prohibited in Islam.
In view of these facts, I request my Muslim brethren in the larger interest of our dear nation to give up the idea of taking out processions. This will give them the respect and regard of all countrymen irrespective of religion.
Farooq AbdulgafarBawani
Rajkot, Gujarat, India
UCC is Neither Relevant Nor Beneficial
The All India Muslim Personal Law Board has again raised the UCC issue. It passed a resolution at its meeting in Lucknow on Sunday (5/2/2023). AIMPLB said that the implementation of UCC is “neither relevant nor beneficial” in a multi-religious, multi-cultural, and multi-lingual country like India. It is also said that it would deprive citizens of the privileges provided to them by personal laws and that is against the Spirit of the Constitution.
The AIMPLB is right to say that it should not be imposed on the minority communities. It is a complex issue that will involve other communities also who are at present following varied practices in civil matters. Consultations are needed before a uniform code is formulated.
Nazeer AhemedKazi
Prof Secab
Vijaypur (Karnataka)