In the aftermath of the terror attack in Paris two influential Islamic seminaries which have a substantial following in the Indian subcontinent, came out rather very strongly against the terrorist group which calls itself Islamic State. The two institutions, Darul Uloom Deoband and the Dargah-e-Aala-Hazrat in Bareilly, which are two prominent Sunni sects in India, condemned the terror attack as “murder of humanity”.
The Bareilly based Madrasas decided to mobilize Islamic scholars across the country, to issue a joint Fatwa against IS, and also run a signature campaign among the general Muslims. The Deoband based seminary which generally keeps a low profile, also decided to create awareness against IS through its fatwa against terrorism.
Though the condemnation of the terrorist group by the two Sunni sect seminaries was nothing new but after every terror attack increasing pressure is felt by general Muslims and minority religious institutions to condemn the terrorist groups and be seen as repeatedly declaring their opposition to “Islamist” terror.
“There should not be any doubt about our condemnation of this group which calls itself IS in strongest possible terms. And there should also be no doubt that this group has nothing to do with Islam because Islam never teaches killing innocent people,” said Maulana Qasim Nomani who heads Darul-uloom-Deoband.
Arguing that IS was anything but Islamic, Maulana Nomani said that a large number of victims of IS are Muslims.
“This terror group has killed far more Muslims than Christians, westerners or any other religious community. So, it is anything but Islamic. It is a terror group with political ambitions,” added Mr. Nomani while reiterating that Deoband wanted to reemphasize and create awareness about the fatwa it issued against terror as early as 2008.
The reputed Islamic seminary had even before 2008 on several occasions, denounced terror but for the first time in 2008 it issued a fatwa saying that Islam had come to wipe out all kinds of terror and to spread the message of global peace.
The Dargah-e-Aala Hazrat, the Bareilly based headquarter of Bareilly sect will mobilize Islamic clerics and Muftis across the country to issue a joint fatwa against IS and terrorism. The move by the sect comes especially on the occasion of death anniversary of its founder Maulana Ahmad Raza Khan which it plans to observe on December 6-8.
Maulana Subhan Raza Khan who heads the shrine told The Hindu on phone that Muslims were not only shocked but also embarrassed by the attack because “after every attack Muslims are asked questions about Islam and terrorism.”
“We strongly declare that IS is a terrorist organization which has nothing to do with Islam. And we will mobilize Islamic scholars and clerics who would be attending the death anniversary of our founder. We will get them to sign the fatwa against IS and will issue it on the last day of the Urs,” he added.
The annual Urs (death anniversary ritual) sees big participation from religious scholars from world over and also common Muslims. The Dargah expects to use this opportunity to send a strong message against IS.
