The lifespan of Muslims has been shortened in the country: Maulana Arshad Madani

After addressing the executive council meeting of Jamiat Ulema Uttarakhand, Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind President Maulana Arshad Madani told the media that the country's situation is extremely alarming at present.

According to the ongoing release, he claimed that the Constitution and democracy are being stifled, and minorities, particularly Muslims, are being targeted. Discrimination, injustice, and hatred have reached their peak. He said that today, those in power consider themselves above the law, and authoritarianism is becoming a part of their nature. The spirit of the Indian Constitution is being wounded, and democratic institutions are being weakened, pushing the country towards destruction, which could have severe consequences for the entire nation.

Maulana Madani said in a strong tone that bulldozers are no longer a symbol of justice but have become a tool of revenge, prejudice, and hatred. Demolishing people's homes, shops, and places of worship, bypassing the law and courts, is against the basic principles of the Constitution and leads to unrest and destruction. If governments start using bulldozers instead of courts to deliver justice, what will be the meaning of the rule of law and citizen rights?

The Supreme Court had said that bulldozing someone's house is a crime, not a punishment, and that the judiciary, not the government, will decide what is legal and illegal. Maulana Madani said that the madrasas and mosques being bulldozed today are the same institutions whose scholars issued the first fatwa for independence against British colonial rule in 1803, and later, the freedom fighters led the independence movement and sacrificed their lives for the country's freedom. Today, these institutions are being targeted due to prejudice and hatred.

Similarly, in recent years, the government's open support for extremists and the silence of law enforcement agencies have promoted hate politics, damaging the centuries-old values that are part of our country's civilization and tradition, which are based on the unity and love of people from different religions.

He said that the most regrettable thing is that Muslims are being asked to prove their patriotism and loyalty by those whose ancestors had apologized to and made amends with the British government, while Muslims and their leaders made sacrifices, suffered imprisonment, and gave their lives for the country's independence.

In view of these serious circumstances, on May 14 and 15, an important meeting of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind's working committee was held in New Delhi, where it was decided to launch a "Hindu-Muslim Unity Movement" (and a message of unity among other minorities and religions) through small and large programs at every level to promote mutual tolerance, respect for humanity, and coexistence.

Under this initiative, programs will be organized at every level, inviting key figures from all religions who not only share similar views but also have the ability and power to bring about positive change in society.

It was also decided that all programs under the "Hindu-Muslim Unity Movement" would be completely non-political, aiming to promote social harmony, religious tolerance, and brotherhood.

Maulana Madani said that the encouraging thing is that the majority of the country still believes in love, brotherhood, and coexistence. Unfortunately, the voices of love are being drowned out by the noise of hatred, but it is also true that the lights of love and goodness never fade. He said that Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind has always played a leading role in maintaining the country's integrity, promoting interfaith harmony, and opposing extremism, and will continue to support the voices of peace, love, and justice through its vast and respected platform.

The central committee of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind has also begun its struggle with a clear objective to make this movement successful and organized at the public level, consulting with district and local leaders. Meetings will be held in different states of India in the coming months, and preparations have started.

Maulana Madani finally said that although the country's situation is extremely discouraging and dangerous due to sectarianism and religious hatred, there is no need to lose hope. The encouraging thing is that, despite all the efforts to divide, the majority of the country is against sectarianism. We are a living nation, and living nations do not depend on circumstances; instead, they change the course of events through their actions.

This is our time of trial. We must not let go of our faith, patience, hope, and determination at any moment. Time is not always the same. Nations face trials, and Muslims have been living through such circumstances for 1,400 years and will continue to thrive until the end of time. Muslims should keep their spirits high; no one can extinguish this light. As long as there are people saying "Allah," the world will exist. This is our faith and belief that only Allah's rule will prevail forever.

At the end of the program, Maulana Madani took an oath from thousands of Muslims, promising that despite the difficult and trying circumstances, Muslims will adopt the path of patience, good morals, love, tolerance, and peace. He emphasized that Muslims should not respond to hatred with hatred but with their character, morals, and good behavior, as Islam is a religion of humanity, love, and brotherhood.

On the other hand, he appealed to Hindu brothers to strongly oppose those who promote hatred and divisive politics, as the country becomes stronger with mutual respect, love, and brotherhood, not with hatred and division.