It was in Afghanistan itself that our elders established a government-in-exile to free India from British rule
New Delhi, While speaking to media representatives in the backdrop of the visit of Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister, Maulvi Amir Khan Muttaqi, the President of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, Maulana Arshad Madani, said that our connection with Afghanistan is not limited to scholarly and spiritual ties, it extends to deep civilizational and cultural bonds as well.
He added that Afghanistan also shares a special link with India’s freedom struggle. Today’s younger generation may not be aware of this fact, but history bears witness that during India’s independence movement, under the guidance of Shaikhul Hind Maulana Mahmood Hasan (ra), the head teacher of Darul Uloom Deoband, our freedom fighters established a government-in-exile in Afghanistan.
In that government, Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh was appointed as President, Maulana Barkatullah Bhopali served as Prime Minister, and Maulana Ubaidullah Sindhi (RA) as Foreign Minister.
Maulana Madani further said that the Afghan people also followed the path of our elders in liberating their homeland from foreign domination. We achieved independence after a long struggle against the British — the very empire about which it was said “the sun never sets on it.” Similarly, the Afghan people defeated great powers like Russia and the United States to secure their freedom. The common element between both struggles, he said, is that the Afghans too adopted the same strategy our elders used to free India.
It is noteworthy that this is the first visit by an Afghan delegation since 1991, led by Foreign Minister Maulvi Amir Khan Muttaqi. The delegation’s program also included a visit to Darul Uloom Deoband.
During his visit, Maulvi Amir Khan Muttaqi repeatedly expressed his deep respect and attachment to Darul Uloom, calling it his “academic and spiritual alma mater.” The reason, Maulana Madani explained, is that the Afghan Foreign Minister himself is a scholar of Islam who studied in a madrasa in Pakistan founded by Maulana Abdul Haq (ra) a student of Maulana Hussain Ahmad Madani (ra), a great freedom fighter.
Due to this special connection, upon arriving in Deoband, the Afghan Foreign Minister held a private meeting with Maulana Arshad Madani, the President of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind and the head teacher of Darul Uloom Deoband.
Answering questions from the media, Maulana Madani said that Darul Uloom Deoband is renowned worldwide, attracting students from across the globe including many from Afghanistan. Therefore, visitors from other countries, particularly Islamic nations, always wish to visit Darul Uloom when they come to India. The Afghan Foreign Minister’s visit, he added, is part of this tradition but it also carries scholarly, spiritual, cultural, and civilizational significance.
In response to another question, he said, “We are hopeful that this visit will further strengthen mutual relations between India and Afghanistan.” He noted that India’s Foreign Minister has announced the reopening of the Indian Embassy in Kabul, which will help enhance educational and trade relations between the two nations.
Maulana Madani also expressed hope that closer ties between India and Afghanistan would contribute to peace and stability in the entire region.
It is also noteworthy that a public gathering was scheduled during the visit, and a large crowd had come from afar to see and hear Maulvi Amir Khan Muttaqi. However, the delegation from Delhi, which included a team from India’s Ministry of External Affairs, shortened the visit citing security reasons, and the public gathering had to be canceled, causing great disappointment among the people.
The Afghan Foreign Minister appeared very pleased with his visit to Darul Uloom. He praised the warm welcome and hospitality he received and, while speaking to the media, expressed his heartfelt thanks to the Deoband scholars, all students, and the public for their reception.
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