The Governing Council meeting of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind commenced today at its headquarters in New Delhi, drawing nearly 1,500 members and esteemed figures from across the country. Presided over by Maulana Mahmood Asad Madani, President of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, the gathering tackled critical issues facing the community and the nation.
The first session featured in-depth discussions on escalating hate campaigns and Islamophobia in India, the ongoing genocide by the Israeli government in Palestine, and other pressing concerns. Several resolutions were approved, with upcoming sessions set to address various political and social issues, including negative propaganda against Islamic Madrasas and the imposition of non-Islamic practices on Muslim children in schools.
In his presidential address, Maulana Madani emphasized that the country cannot thrive on hatred, but rather on love and unity. He condemned the rising incidents of mob lynching and propaganda against the Muslim community, calling it detrimental to the nation’s fabric and international reputation. He highlighted concerning rhetoric from responsible individuals targeting the Muslim community with statements like “they produce more children” and “infiltrators,” calling it against the national interest to target such a significant part of the population.
Maulana Madani urged the youth to remain vigilant against misleading forces, warning that vested interests might exploit their emotions to spread despair and hopelessness. He advised them to reject short-term temptations and focus on long-term goals, striving to make their presence felt in educational institutions, art spaces, and sports fields. He stressed the importance of participating in government recruitments and establishing training centers to facilitate this, highlighting that working within the system is more effective than seeking change from outside.
Maulana Madani also called for increased dialogue and mutual understanding with all communities to dispel misconceptions, asserting that hatred can only be countered with love. He reiterated the need for separate legislation against Islamophobia, urging the government to implement a concrete and effective plan to curb hate speech and hate crimes.
Maulana Mufti Abu Qasim Nomani, rector of Darul Uloom Deoband, noted the community’s challenges post-independence, emphasizing the current threat to faith and beliefs. He condemned efforts to lead the younger generation away from faith and praised the leadership of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind under Maulana Madani.
Maulana Muhammad Salman Bajnauri, Vice President of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, highlighted the atrocities committed by Israelis against Palestinians, expressing deep sympathy for the oppressed Palestinians. Mufti Syed Muhammad Salman Mansoorpuri emphasized the importance of religious education in safeguarding children’s faith.
The meeting, conducted by Jamiat’s General Secretary Maulana Hakeemuddin Qasmi and Mufti Muhammad Afan Mansoorpuri, also saw resolutions condemning Islamophobia and incitement against Muslims. These resolutions called for an end to efforts to isolate minorities and demanded international accountability for the genocide in Palestine.
