Over the last couple of days when the world was occupied with unifying efforts to fight the deadly Covid19 pandemic, sections of Indian media provided viewers a familiar scapegoat – the Indian Muslims – who are often stereotyped as a community being constantly at loggerheads with the citizenry and the State. Biased media channels were quick to resort to blaming the entire Muslim community for the spread of the disease in the country, thanks to an ill-timed Tablighi Jamaat gathering at its international headquarters in Delhi’s Nizamuddin. Unsurprisingly, the opprobrium was also marked by a sudden spike in WhatsApp forwards of videos with people wearing skullcaps licking spoons and performing Sufi breathing rituals, suggesting some sort of wild conspiracy on the part of the community to spread the virus. Some media channels were quick to formulate, hypothesize and provide loose definitions of a newly discovered form of Jihad i.e. ‘Corona Jihad ’ thereby vilifying the Islamic faith and its followers.
While the investigation on the culpability of the organizers of the Nizamuddin event is still ongoing, there is enough information to suggest that the meeting was held before any lockdown was in force, and the problem began when there was no way of getting people out once the curfew was announced. Be that as it may, there is little doubt that organizing a meet of such a scale when there is a global pandemic smacks of gross misjudgment, and definitely the organizers should be held accountable if laws or public orders were defied. Attendees who attempt to defy quarantine measures must be dealt with strictly. However, what is alarming is that the focus and narrative have now shifted from the unfortunate event at Nizamuddin to the Tablighi Jamaat itself.
For those not familiar with the Tablighi Jamaat, the organization was founded in 1926 in Mewat by scholar Maulana Mohammad Ilyas. The Jamaat’s main objective was to get Muslim youth to learn and practice pristine Islam shorn of external influences. This is achieved through individuals dedicating time for moral and spiritual upliftment secluded from the rest of the world for a brief period of time. There is no formal membership process. More senior and experienced participants typically travel from one mosque to other delivering talks on religious topics, inviting local youth to attend and then volunteer for a spiritual retreat for a fixed number of days to a mosque in a nearby town or village to present the message to their co-religionists. Contrary to ongoing Islamophobic rhetoric, the movement does not actively proselytize. The focus is rather on getting Muslims to learn the teachings and practices of Islam. This grassroots India-based movement has now grown to almost all countries with substantial Muslim populations. Its annual meets, or ‘ijtemas’ are among the largest Islamic congregations in the world after the annual Haj. One of the reasons for its popularity and wide network in the subcontinent and wordwide is the fact that it has eschewed the need for scholarly intervention, focusing on peer learning of fundamental beliefs and practice rather than high-falutin ideological debates. The Tablighi Jamaat also distinguishes itself from other Islamic movements through its strictly apolitical nature, with a focus on individual self-improvement rather than political mobilization. Hardships and difficulty in the world are expected to be face through ‘sabr’ (patience) and ‘dua’ (supplication), than through quest for political power or influence. In terms of ideology, it is very much based on mainstream Sunni Islamic principles derived from the Deobandi school.
So, why is all this background important in the current context? While biased media entities have expectedly brought out their Islamophobic paraphernalia out for full display, more neutral commentators have tried to paint the Tablighi Jamaat as a fringe group and have tried to distance it from 'mainstream Muslims'. While the intent is no doubt innocent, this is a trap we must not fall into. This narrative, unfortunately, is also gaining ground due to apathy some Muslims have for the group, accusing it of being “disconnected from the realities of the world”. Unlike other Muslim organizations and movements, the Tablighi Jamat, by virtue of its political indifference, does not boast of high-profile advocates and savvy spokespersons who can defend it in mainstream or social media. The use of adjectives such as 'outdated' and 'orthodox' by liberal columnists to describe the Jamaat feeds into the malignant attempt to change the narrative from the control of the spread of the pandemic due to the Nizamuddin gathering to 'raison d'etre' of the organization itself.
A large mainstream religious group like the Tablighi Jamaat with nearly a hundred-year history, normally considered to be peaceful, apolitical and minding its own business is now suddenly being villainized owing to unfortunate circumstances. Biased media reactions filled with disgust and hate seem to feed the Indian public conscience with a danngerous misconception - to be a nominal Muslim is okay but being a practicing one is not. For those committed to the truth and fighting the spread of Islamophobia, the temptation to throw the entire Tablighi Jamaat under the bus must be resisted.
The writer is a lawyer and research scholar at Qatar University. Her research interests include Islamic law and politics.
Comments
You can do nothing. Because your countdown has already started.
Any harsh step towards Hindus living in UAE may impose long-term hazard on Indian muslims... therefore think twice before taking any foolish action. Don't think RSS is just a group of robe wearing sadhus. Their reach is beyond your imagination. Jai Hind.
Terror attacks of RSS:-
1- 1999 killing of Graham Staines
2- 2002 Gujarat riots
3- 2007 Samjhauta Express bombings
4- 2007 Ajmer Dargah attack
5- 2008 Malegaon blasts
6- 2007 Mecca Masjid bombing
Saffron terror is a neologism used to describe acts of violence motivated by Hindu nationalism. The acts are allegedly perpetrated by members, or alleged members, of Hindu nationalist organizations close to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Abhinav Bharat.
RSS is an anti national, saffaron terrorist organisation. Many are convicted for bombings and killings in various part of India. They even do hate speech in public. As the majority of north indians are illiterate, they will fall for rss ideology. They will make believe these illiterate people. As the south indian people are literate, rss lacks ground support in southern states of india, where the economy is far better than rest of india.
RSS never do fund collections from any comapnies or sympathizers. Do you anything about RSS?
RSS has strong base in UAE. I know many people who are working for RSS. Govt. is aware of this fact but a little bit tolerant because RSS respects local laws, rules & traditions. No harm to UAE integrity, law & order.
RSS Businessmen already in key position in gulf countries and hindus forms a substantial poulationin gulf countries will soon take over gulf countries and arab sheiks will ride camels..Jai hind
Mr. Kamath, remember one thing that each drop of water will make big ocean....we as muslims, small percentage in India, will do our level best to see these RSS supporters to perish....
UAE Indian expatriates take initiate and teach lesson for this companies. They hire only RSS trained persons and funding who against Muslims. So, every person should take initiate and there is many alternatives. \hani hani goodidare halla\".
Spread even around Emirati who understand."
People have power if they wish by not supporting RSS and boycotting those who fund them.
NO WORRY, Truth will prevail ,and evil will perish soon.
always do good to all
Sorry NMC me going to GMC or thumbay hospital in sha Allah if needed and UAE exchange me n my relatives are opting al ansari or al razouki exchange.They also give best draft rates. Sorry by funding or approaching rss thugs u r putting axe on ur own knees in shaAllah. May Allah perish you.
my dear rss friends dont come here you will have to eat beef with other your friends because all of your friends eat beef in cafeteriai in uae
Now y do u need rich gulf countries Muslims Money!!! No objection now?
There is no POWER nor MIGHT except with ALLAH....
Whatever ways ISLAM haters try to plan... Muslims know very well they will never succeed playing with the followers of Divine religion (ISLAM).
They did lot of deceptions & FOOLED many. But their Evil deeds were caught & exposed, but Most of the people are still sleeping to their deception.
Dear RSS Cadres...
LEARN ISLAM independently not from cheddis.. Dont fall trap to RSS defined islam which is deception to make you follow your leaders to HELL if U dont recognize the REAL TRUE GOD who created U, ME and all those existed.
Good luck for you new plans, which U will be able to deceive many of your Unthinking followers. and WE Muslims know, ALLAH is most merciful... and he can spare U & allow YOU to play this GAME. But YOU will never succeed to overcome or wipe ISLAM. Its a Challenge many ISLAM haters tried and LOST. RSS your fate will be the SAME. Dont play with the Divine religion ISLAM.
Dream only, RSS cannot do anything Dubai. Dubai is Islamic country.
RSS men and Sadwi's were involved in many bomb blast in India.
RSS was the main organization behind demolition of Babri Masjid
RSS was the main organization behind every riots in India
RSS was the main organization who organized Gujrat carnage and killed around 2000 innocent Indians.
RSS was the main organization which is organized riots in Muzafferabad and killed many muslims.
RSS was the main organization is funding it's goonda outfits like Bhajrang Dal , ABVP etc.
there are many many incidents we can make here about RSS which is dead against of Minorities in India.
So UAE Indians should ban it's funding hand from this gulf countries by banning their business places.
I swear I never ever go to RSS backed banks any more. I promise.
Can you all Promise??????
RSS and ISIS are same, they both got same idea of dividing people...dangerous for human kind....both are being taken care of by Zionists.....tooooooo dangerous.....
Earned name,fame and richness from Muslim countries and funding for the anti Muslim organisations. What a ungratefulness.
All knew about these tycoons.
ZEE aflan tv channel was the first step to enter Middle east to sympathize RSS through bollywood movies, Bhajan and RSS imposed hindu culture. Now they openly enter by strong hold business and money. They will ruin some if UAE not act immediately.
Mr.Nishan,RSS member cannot do the mosad work becouse RSS member's are waring chaddi.
but one thing they are using money from gulf country to killing innocent musslims also a bank giving all commison to RSS i came to know from one of hindu friend working here in kuwait.
So it means they need Funds from Muslims countries, how pathetic, How can you take money from Tycoon's who are beneficiaries of Muslims in Gulf countries and earned their money from this community, Please try some other source!!
All middle East countries should ban those companies which funding terror organisation RSS have link with it. In Saudi Arabia, also some companies funding RSS
Islamic state may take help from RSS since IS is creation of Israel.
Alarm for UAE authority and other Middle eastern countries.
Hope Indian expatriate and Human rights will take this issue up to UAE authority before too late.
R.S.S Outfit engaged several Terrorist activities against Muslims, hence Indian Muslims considered R.S.S is Terrorist Organization. The Muslim organizations around Gulf regions should come forward and chal out plant to finish /pull out R.S.S functionaries from Gulf region. Also Organizations must take necessary steps to educate Rulers, Government authorities and Gulf countries citizens about the hidden agenda of R.S.S and its ally with ISRAEL.
Israel using RSS cadres to spy Gulf countries since Mossad cannot enter GCC. It's decision by Israel and RSS acting accordingly.
RSS go at any level to disturb Middle East peace and killing Muslims.
Middle east authorities must act before too late.
Most of RSS cadres trained by Mossad and frequently visiting Israel through other passport.
BR Shetty is a great patriot and philanthropist.
CD is unleashing a series of articles to create :awareness\ against RSS. but no publicity is bad publicity. U cnnot do any harm to mighty RSS"
Would like to see if they can do a \path sanchalan\" in cheddies and swords on Dubai streets."
Whatever you do, you cannot move an inch without the almighty's permission. HE is the best planner.
In Dubai, everything is possible.
Preaching man made religion - what does benefit.
Compare how many people accepted Hinduism V/s how many Hindus accepted Islam and Christianity.
Analyze the truth.
Exert whatever your efforts, truth will not fail, God's religion has to reign.
I heard that the commissions paid to UAE exchange goes directly RSS account. please use Alrajhi bank to send your money...
Add new comment