A cross-section of people from diverse religious persuasions came together for a national cause to take a pledge to work for the unity of the country

Team Clarion

NEW DELHI – The Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind organised a ‘sadbhavna sansad’ at Madani Hall of the Jamiat’s national headquarter in Delhi. The event is part of a thousand sadbhavna sansads being held across the country under the aegis of the Jamiat chief Maulana Mahmood Asa’d Madani with an aim to eradicate religious hatred and Islamophobia from the country.
Leaders of different religious communities took part in the sansad to send out the message of unity and peace in the country. As a cross-section of people from diverse religious persuasions came together for a national cause and took a pledge to work for the unity of the country holding hands the venue became a manifestation of unity and diversity.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Baba Siddhji Maharaj, Sarvasanchalak Goushala, Noida, a prominent Hindu religious leader, highlighted the Hindu and Muslim traditions that together make the unique Indian society.
He said, “Both cultures are rooted in the land. If a person, be it a priest of a temple or imam of a mosque, talks of breaking the society, he is an antisocial element working against the nation.”
He said it a duty of every Indian to work for the unity and harmony of India, which he called as the land of our common ancestors.
In his opening remarks, Maulana Hakeemuddin Qasmi, general secretary of the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, pointed out that it’s the second phase of sadbhavna sansad. He said it has been a tradition and distinction of the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind to work for the greater good of the nation.
Describing India as a very beautiful country, he said its greatness lies in the fact that here people of all religions, ethnicity, and linguistic diversity have been living side by side for centuries in perfect harmony. They share a unique fraternal bond living in homes inter-connected with each other.
Against this backdrop, he said those who spread enmity in society would never succeed in their nefarious design. In this context, he narrated a historical incident where a non-Muslim, late Naveen Chand Ballabhai Bhatia, after the Gujarat Earthquake of 2001, donated his land to the Jamiat in the Kuch Bhuj region for the organisation’s welfare works.
Addressing the sansad, Maulana Azad University, Jodhpur president, Prof. Akhtarul Wasey, said, “As an Indian Muslim, I have to proclaim that I do not need any certificate from anyone. I am proud of India, my matrabhoomi (birthplace) and patrikbhoomi (ancestral land), the land where the message of the truth was first revealed to Prophet Adam (the first man).
He lauded the efforts of the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind to kindle a ray of hope for love and humanity in times of darkness.
Maulana Niaz Ahmad Farooqi, secretary of the Jamiat Ulama-i- Hind, said, “While it is true that religion teaches people to connect with each other, it is also a fact that today vested interest groups masquerading as custodians of religion are spreading hatred. It is, therefore, incumbent upon true religious leaders of all faiths to come together and expose such antisocial elements in one voice.”
In this context, he said RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has taken the right initiative and underscored the need to form a group of people of different religious denominations at the local level to resolve issues mutually and amicably.
Shri Harjot Singh Ji Maharaj from Haldwani, UP called on dharma gurus (religious preachers) to make a commitment to preserving the truth at all cost as he said falsehood today is hidden under the cloak of religion.
On the occasion, Maulana Javed Siddiqui Qasmi, convener of Jamiat sadbhauna manch, presented a ten-point sankalp patra (resolution).
1. we are ready and united for the service and protection of the country and society,
2. We will avoid conflict on the issue of politics and religion,
3.  Regardless of our affiliation with any religion or political party, we are all united to strengthen peace and unity in the country,
4) We will not use any insulting words against any religion and its personalities,
5. If the communal environment deteriorates, all of us, especially the joint committee of the area, will sit together and try to resolve the disputes arising from the situation,  
6. Regardless of religion and nationality, we will help the poor and underprivileged with an open heart,
7. We will organise sadbhavna events in our respective areas,
8. Set up sadbhavna camps at open places of cities and towns,
9. Take out sadbhavna yatras from time to time.
10. Will strengthen and stabilise the spirit of humanity among the people.
Among other prominent personalities who spoke on the occasion are Shri Sushil Khannaji Maharaj, National President Nasha Mukti Jagarta Abhiyan, Maulana Kokab Mujtaba, Principal of Aliya Jafaria Naugawan Sadat Amroha, Dr. Roderick Gulbir, International Human Rights activist, SP Roy, former Deputy Commissioner of Government of India, Amit Kumar IAS. , Ms. Elizabeth Pastor Church Mongolpuri, Shri Swami Arya Tapsaviji Maharaj Dharmaguru Arya Samaj Mandir Rohini, Smt. Dr. Sindhiaji Social Worker, Dr. Umesh Kumar Pasi National President of Indian Peace Mission, Shri Naveen Sharmaji Renowned Social activist, Smt. Nilu Kabirji Dr. Pervez Mian, former chairman of Delhi Haj Committee, Zakir Khan, chairman of Minorities Commission of Delhi, Rajesh Kashyap, secretary of Desh Saropari Vikas Society.
The programme was moderated by Maulana Mohammad Yasin Jahazi and poet Arif Dehlavi, who recited his poem on the occasion.