Dialogue can resolve disputes over places of worship: Muslim Rashtriya Manch
“Muslim Rashtriya Manch’s Step Towards Unity and Harmony”
New Delhi The Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM) has initiated a historic step to promote communal harmony and religious tolerance in Indian society. The organization has appealed to Indian Muslims to respect the statement made by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat for the welfare of 142 crore Indians and to demonstrate a magnanimous approach towards taking India on the path of progress.
Shahid Sayeed, National Convener and Media In-charge of the MRM, emphasized that while courts are paramount, disputes over religious sites should ideally be resolved through dialogue. This approach fosters unity, integrity, harmony, brotherhood, and reconciliation, eliminating enmity. The MRM calls for an “out-of-court settlement” wherever legal disputes are ongoing, as this is a hallmark of any civilized society.
A Major Decision by the MRM:
The National Convener Council of the MRM announced that disputes over sites like Kashi, Mathura and Sambhal should be resolved through dialogue, restoring historical places of worship to the Hindu community. At the same time, the MRM proposed that abandoned mosques, or those where prayers are no longer conducted, be handed over to the Muslim community to restore and revive them.
Idolatry is Forbidden in Islam:
The MRM clarified that idolatry is not permissible in Islam. Any mosque where broken idols are found, or locations with historical, social, or direct evidence of being temples, are impure for prayers according to Islamic principles. Such prayers are invalid. Citing Quranic and Hadith references, the MRM stated that constructing mosques on forcibly occupied land contradicts Islamic teachings.
Support from Muslim Organizations:
A major MRM program is scheduled in Lucknow on January 4. Before this, an online meeting was held to discuss the agenda, attended by representatives from 70 locations across 20 states and 6 Union Territories. The meeting was presided over by the MRM and included participation from several small and large Muslim organizations, intellectuals and leaders.
Groups such as the Women Intellectuals Group, Sufi Shah Malang Organization, Youth Education and Madrasa Institute, World Peace Council, Bharat First, Hindustan First Hindustani Best, Cow Service Committee, Environmental and Public Life Protection Institute, Jamiat Himayat-ul-Islam, Kashmiri Protection Organization and Kashmir Sewa Sangh were represented. The national conveners, state conveners, and co-conveners of the MRM supported the resolutions and proposed handing over disputed worship sites to the Hindu community as per Islamic teachings.
Participants in the Meeting:
The meeting, led by National Convener Mohammed Afzal, included prominent figures such as Dr. Shahid Akhtar, Padma Shri Anwar Khan, Girish Juyal, Virag Pachpor, Syed Raza Hussain Rizvi, Dr. Shalini Ali, Abu Bakr Naqvi, S.K. Muddeen, Shahid Sayeed, Habib Choudhary, Irfan Ali Peerzada, Shiraz Qureshi, Maulana Irfan Kachochavi, Ilyas Ahmed, Faiz Khan, Imran Choudhary, Bilal ur Rahman, Hafiz Sabrin, Thakur Raja Rais, Tahir Shah, Reshma Hussain, Asif Ali, Imran Hussain, Mansoor Alam, Tahir Hussain, Mohammed Naim, Mohammed Hasan Noori, Abdul Naim Silwat, Abdur Rahman, Abdul Rauf, Abid Sheikh, Tanveer Abbas, Nusrat Jahan, Amir Khan, Kallu Ansari, Anjum Ansari, Chandni Bano, Meer Nazir, Naseeb Choudhary, Ali Zafar, and Tasneem Patel, among over 200 participants.
Prominent Statements:
Mohammed Afzal: “Our goal is to bring harmony to society. For India to progress, collective unity and development are essential. This call reinforces communal harmony and religious tolerance. Our motto is brotherhood.”
Abu Bakr Naqvi: “Our aim is to respect each other’s religions. This initiative symbolizes the dedication of Indian Muslims to the nation’s progress. We must balance religious principles with social responsibilities for the nation’s welfare.”
Syed Raza Hussain Rizvi: “Our society must advance while staying connected to its roots. The MRM’s initiative will help preserve Indian culture and rebuild trust among communities.”
Irfan Kachochavi: “We are committed to truth and unity. This initiative promotes goodwill and brotherhood in society. Recognizing historical truths brings us closer to Indian unity.”
Shiraz Qureshi: “The MRM’s efforts are a strong step towards a prosperous and peaceful India. We emphasize that no religious site should be forcibly occupied. This will eradicate hatred and strengthen humanity.”
Future Direction:
The MRM has outlined a robust plan to further its mission of promoting the true teachings of Islam and preserving India’s cultural heritage. This initiative aims to dispel misconceptions and enhance mutual understanding within the Indian society, benefiting both the Muslim community and the broader nation.
Cultural Heritage Conservation:
The MRM is actively working to conserve India’s civilization and culture, focusing on the revival of historical monuments, artistic traditions, and literary heritage. These efforts are seen as vital for maintaining the richness and diversity of Indian society.
Initiative in Meeting on Sensitive Issues:
- Disputed sites should be handed over to the Hindu community based on historical evidence, traditional and direct proofs, and findings from excavations.
- Muslims should be encouraged to follow Islamic principles and refrain from offering prayers at sites that are disputed or built by demolishing other religious places.
- The government should be urged to restore disputed sites through constitutional measures.
- If dialogue or negotiations with the government fail to resolve the issue, court decisions should be considered supreme, as was seen in the Ayodhya case, where the verdict was widely accepted.
- In Islam, a mosque can only be constructed on undisputed land that has been donated (waqf) by an individual or organization.
- Waqf implies that the land is fully dedicated to Allah’s worship and must be free from disputes, illegal occupation, or unlawful actions.
- The significance of waqf land for a mosque is rooted in Islamic teachings, which mandate that places of worship be established on pure and just grounds.
- If the land is disputed or forcibly acquired, the mosque built on it would not be considered legitimate according to Islamic beliefs.
- A mosque is referred to as the “House of Allah” in Islam, and it is every Muslim’s responsibility to ensure that it is established in a sacred and just manner.
“Connect with Roots” Campaign:
Thakur Raja Rais stated, “Through the ‘Connect with Roots’ (Aao Jadon Se Judein) campaign, the MRM seeks to highlight that India’s Hindus and Muslims share common ancestors, traditions, and civilizations. This initiative promotes communal harmony and shared cultural heritage, emphasizing that, despite religious differences, Indian soil unites us with a shared history and tradition. Our ancestors, clans, traditions, and language remain collectively Indian.”
