Karnataka - Mangalore   

Do not identify terrorism with religion: Khader

MANGALORE: U.T. Khader, MLA, has said that there is a difference between suspects and criminals and the suspects should not be harassed by prolonged investigation. However, if the crime is proved and if the kind of crime warrants, the culprit can be sentenced to death. The increasing harassment of innocent Muslim-suspects is a cause for concern, he said.

He was speaking at a public conference against terrorism held at Nehru Maidan here on Saturday. It was organised by Markazu Saquafathi Sunniyya, Calicut, in association with Sayyed Madani Darga Committee of Ullal.

Former Minister C.M. Ibrahim said that the media should avoid associating terrorists with their religion. “Just name them as terrorists,” he said.

Recalling the contributions of Muslim kings such as Tippu Sultan to country’s freedom struggle, Mr. Ibrahim said that Muslims had always loved this country. The war in Kashmir was not a war of the Muslims. The need for organising this conference in Mangalore was intense because there was a spate of communal violence here in recent times, he said.

President of Muslim Central Committee of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts K.S. Mohammed Masood said that there was no correlation between terror attacks and religion.

Citing the recent attacks in Palestine and Iraq, he asked: “If Islam is associated with terrorism why were the innocent Pakistanis killed in Pakistan? Caps and beards are no symbols of a terrorist.”

The conference, inaugurated by Taajul Ulma Assayyeed Abdrurrehman Al Bukhari, was presided over by president of Sayyed Madani Darga Committee U.K. Monu Kanachur. Monthly magazine, “Hoodota” was re-launched at the conference and three compact discs of songs and lectures on religion and violence were released.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

These children have solutions on offer
Appeal to Chief Minister
Month-long anti-terrorism drive from January 12
Bonanza of cultural programmes awaits people
Standards of education in government schools will be brought on a par with private ones: Kageri
Do not identify terrorism with religion: Khader

Copyright © 2009, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu