Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, Apr 9: Gujarat BJP Minority Morcha state president and head of Gujarat Haj committee M K Chishty on Thursday April 9 said that terrorist acts are against Islam, and that Prophet Mohammed himself had said that terror mongers cannot be called Muslims.
Addressing the media at Circuit House here, he said, "I got an opportunity visit Ullal Dargah as part of the Uroos. This place is a symbol of Hindu-Muslim unity and humanity, and conveys the message of patriotism.
"Yesterday there was a peace conference in Ullal where many religious leaders were present and burning issues of the world like terrorism and riots were discussed, along with how to solve them, and what religion says on this. Leaders placed their views and I also gave my Sufi views," he said.
"I happy that I belong to Sufism. There has not been a single terrorist from Sufi community in the entire world, because Sufi saints preached humanity and unity as the message given by Prophet Mohammed.
"1,400 years ago, Prophet Mohammed clearly spoke about Islam in Quran and Hadees but some pervert people corrupted Islam and misled, misread and misinterpreted. Hence today people are worried about terrorism and there is discussion about Islam and terrorism. Prophet Mohammed cleary said in the Hadees that terror mongers are not Muslims. When the founder of Islam himself said this, there can be no question of linking Islam with terrorism," he said.
"A person cannot be Muslim just by name. To be a real Muslim you need to follow the Quran and the Hadees. In the Quran, it is also said that one who saves an innocent saves the entire humanity, and one who kills an innocent kills the entire humanity. In acts of suicide bombing or terrorism, everyone include innocents die. It is against Islam. Islam never supports such acts," he asserted.
"Prophet Mohammed also said that when a child or girl brings weapon in war field, do not kill them. A few decades ago, a few extremists emerged who tried and changed the language of Islam. Our mission is how we unite humans and how we can promote peace, tolerance, and humanity and also how to face these extremists and negative energies," Chishty added.
To a question on how stereotype notions have grown about Islam, he said, "During the second World War British promoted division of countries like Iran and Iraq, and later Wahabis or extremists emerged. Even Hillary Clinton said in a video that to break the Russian powers, they created Mujahideen. It is not just Muslims who are responsible for terorrism but also those who promoted this for weatlh, position and oil."
Asked to comment on the 'maut ka saudagar' remark by Congress against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chishty said, "In Gujarat history, when Congress and Janata Dal were ruling before BJP, there used to be communal riots every year, but this came under control during Modi's administraton, and there were no riots or curfews and even terrori activities came down.
"Modi's idea is that development is not possible without peace. Peace is maintained when the state is free from terrorism and riots. So our neighbouring country (Pakistan) wants these riots to happen here and they cannot tolerate India becoming a supreme power. They (Pakistan) are promoting this. In Sachar Committee report it was stated that only two percent Muslims are there in Gujarat but actually it is 9 percent. Among the total Muslim population of Gujarat, 9 percent are in government jobs, and 10.5 percent in the police department. Literacy rate among Muslims in Gujarat is 75 percent as against 56 percent in India. Gujarat Muslims are living in peace and harmony, and Modi has played an active role in this," he said.
On the issue of Ghar Wapsi he said, "BJP has nothing to do with Ghar Wapsi or love Jihad. Even BJP leaders are concerned about this. Whenever any leader of the party has made comments on these issues, the BJP has issued notices to them. These issues are not BJP's agenda."
To a question on increase in attacks on minorities in the country, he said, "In a family everyone is not equal. Modi is taking strict action on this issue. Even in Gujarat he controlled Hindu extremists. When Togadia went out of track, Modi opposed him, and whenever there has been a threat to nation, he has spoken out."
To a question on allegations of misappropriation of funds by activist Teesta Setalvad, he said all evidences backing the claims are available, including bank account details and shopping slips.
BJP district spokesperson Sathish Prabhu and Rahim Uchil were present.