Rigid, Fragmented Mentalities Mar Image of Islam

A special meeting of Forum for Intellectual Dialogue was held at Hotel Nawraz at Kochi on December 13, 2015.
Justice P.K. Shamsuddin was in the chair. He said Muslims are at least morally responsible for the exacerbation of Islamophobia. Their rigid and fragmented mentalities, their fighting among themselves as divided sects, their competition for showmanship, etc. are irritating. These Muslim groups are abetting the Zionist-imperialist agenda of increasing the Shia-Sunni clash. “In a verdict in 1993 as High Court Judge, I defeated the conservative venture of ousting Shamsiya Tariqa of Anthroth Island. This has, in effect, saved the impending clashes between different factions of Muslims in Lakshadweep,” he said.
Dr. N.M. Sherafuddin was the moderator. He said if we type ‘Theri’ (Malayalam word for obscenity) in the Google, you will get lots of speeches of various Muslim scholars! This type of inside fight mars the image of Islam.
Engineer V.S. Mytheen introduced the subject “unity in righteousness”, maintaining the ideological commitments of individual Muslim sects , one can still find areas of convergence, shared values that bind all of us. This should be the focal point where we can develop the fraternal relationship. We have to carve plans for sustainable development; this is a God-intended duty of Muslim community.
Dr. Husain Madavoor exhorted to broaden the mindset by discarding rigidity. Extremism is marring the Muslim image. We all should refrain from it.
V.K. Abdul Aziz, Jeddah, maintained that classical fiqh was developed in Muslim land where non-Muslims were virtually absent. This is not suitable for plural societies like India.
Muslim fraternity can be initiated by Muslim leaders who have common acceptability. By serving our non-Muslims brethren, we can open their mind.
V.P. Shamsuddin asked the audience to counter joint intellectual defence against ideological threats. Muslims can serve non-Muslims by allowing them our Masjid toilets, cemetery, etc.
Dalits should be given priorities in our Iftar meets, Maulavi Husain Badri said.  Joint conference on the liberatory mission of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) may be organised by all Muslim groups.