An Interfaith symposium on “The Role of Region in Maintaining Communal Harmony” was organised by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, AMU Area Aligarh in Aligarh on February 22. The symposium was chaired by Prof. Ejaz Ahmed Aslam, Secretary Jamaat-e-Islami Hind.
Dr. Safdar Sultan Islahi informed the audience that the symposium was part of the weeklong expedition on “Islam for All’ by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind from February 14 to 21. He emphasised that the people of this country should live in an atmosphere of brotherhood so that communal harmony may be established and the Jamaat is working in this field since its inception. He further stated that Islam is for all and it is not confined to the Muslims only. Similarly the Qur’ān is also for all. He stated that from Prophet Adam to Prophet Muhammad many messengers came in every part of the world and Prophethood came to an end with Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him); now it is the responsibility of Muslims to spread his message to the people.
Dr. A.K. Jain, Department of Law, D.S. College, Aligarh represented Jain religion. Prof. Ramesh Kumar, Head of the Department of Hindi, S.V. College, Aligarh represented the Hindu religion. Prof. Saud Alam Qasmi, Ex-Dean, Faculty of Theology, AMU Aligarh represented Islam. He said that police force will be insufficient to fight with political robbers and only fear of God can stop them from robbery. He further stated that Islam does not permit killing of innocent persons. Minorities should respect majority and majority should create a sense that minorities do not think they are being victimised.
Gyani Ranjeet Singh Bedhakak represented the Sikh religion and stated that Sufi Mian Meer had laid the foundation of Gurduwara Harmandir Sahib. Rev. Santosh Pandey, Priest of Church of Ascension, Aligarh, representing Christianity, said that a true good Samaritan is one who saves the lives of others.
Prof. Ejaz Ahmed Aslam, in his presidential speech, said that God wants us to reach Him and follow His commands by learning about Him through the teachings of his prophets.
He said that true religion is the key through which the lock of human heart can be opened. Further it is the guiding force to bring about harmony and order in human life. He quoted the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) who said that the whole creation is a single family and Allah is the Creator, Master and Protector of his family. He referred to the numerous problems India is facing like corruption, alcoholism, marginalisation of the poor, dishonouring of women, black money, etc. and said that if these problems are not addressed properly they will harm the social cohesion.