22 July,2017 09:10 AM IST | Mumbai | Faisal Tandel
Community leaders take to the Friday prayers to appeal to everyone to avoid cow slaughter for Eid al-Adha, stating that Islam is a religion of peace and does not condone breaking the law
Qari Mohammed Abdulla addresses those gathered at the Jammat al Muslimeen Masjid in Chembur Naka for Friday prayers. Pics/Bipin Kokate
In the midst of all the tension over cow slaughtering across the nation, Muslim scholars in the city hope to avoid any beef with other communities and are now taking the message of peace and respect for all religions to those attending Friday prayers in mosques.
Qari Mohammed Abdulla
With just weeks to go before Eid al-Adha, also known as the 'sacrifice feast' or Bakr Eid, on September 2, the leaders are trying to reach as many people as possible through the Friday prayers, which are attended by huge masses.
"Islam is the religion of peace and safety. The Prophet himself said that hurting any person or any religious sentiment doesn't represent Islam," said Qari Mohammed Abdulla (43), while addressing those gathered at the Jamat ul Muslimeen Masjid in Chembur Naka on Friday.
"According to Sharia and Islam, cow is allowed for qurbani, but we live in a country where it is not allowed. Then why should we go against the law? Being an Indian, our only aim is to love the country and be loyal to the nation," added Abdulla, the treasurer of Jamiat Ulama, Govandi.
Speaking to mid-day, he explained that every Friday, before the prayers, they educated people on the different aspects of Islam. "Once people properly know the dos and don'ts of Islam, they will never break the rules," he said.
Not a new message
Abdulla said that as long as five decades ago, Maulana Syed Arshad Madani (the president of Jamiat Ulema-e-hind) had asked people to avoid such slaughtering. "Seeing the communal tension in the country, Madani sir had shared this view decades ago, as he wanted peace in the country and wished to maintained a brotherhood with other religions in the country. He had also passed a resolution on this in the Jamiat Ulema book," he added.
Yusuf Patel (54), general secretary of Jamat ul Muslimeen mosque and cemetery near Chembur Naka, said, "In 2004, we too started creating awareness about the issue through Friday speeches. Usually, as many as 700 people attend the prayers. Each person can spread the positive message to 10 others. This way, we can reach the masses."
During Bakri Eid last year, they also distributed over 100 plastic bags among the locals to ensure that no waste is left on the road or in public places after slaughtering.
Mischief-mongers
According to Patel, despite the community's attempts to keep the peace, a few fringe elements create nuisance by forwarding provocative messages on WhatsApp and social media to create communal tension. "Youngsters should avoid creating such nuisance. There is no basis to such messages and most of them are fake. We will approach the Cyber Cell to investigate who the culprits are," he added.
Suhail Khandwani, chief trustee of the Mahim and Haji Ali dargahs, said, "We must ensure that the sentiments of all religions are respected. We appeal to the people who are creating nuisance in the name of gau rakshaks, to maintain law and order in the city and not to break the law. The police will investigate and take strict action."
