Bhatkal, March 18: There should be no such thing as majority and minority in a society. Even the majority is actually a cluster of minorities such as cultural minorities, lingual minorities and so on. Each and every citizen of the country should be considered as a fellow human being and deserves to be respected, said Moulana Rabey Hasan Nadvi, Chairman, All India Muslim Personal Law Board.
He was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of Jamia Islamia Bhatkal's 50th anniversary celebrations in Bhatkal on Sunday.
Addressing the gathering, Moulana said that India has always been a country of mixed cultures and where harmony and coexistence has been exemplary. The difference in cultures should not become a reason for disharmony. "If a person from north India comes down to the south and finds that the food habits and lifestyle here are not as per his taste, will he pick up a fight with the locals for this petty reason? No. He will adjust and respect the varied cultures that the land has. Similarly, difference in our religious beliefs and cultures should not become reasons for unrest. There has to be harmony, love and co-existence", Moulana Rabey said.
Recalling Moulana Abul Hasan Ali Nadvi's words, Moulana Rabey said that today the world has become selfish and this selfishness has made its way into the language and cultural sphere too. He recalled an incident where Moulana Alimiyan, although weak and old, had got up from his seat in a train when a person in his compartment had thrown a banana skin on the platform and went all the way down to put it aside. "On the occasion, Moulana had told that person that all you had to do was dispose it off in the right place and think about people who walk on the platform", Moulana Rabey said, stating that selfishness and not thinking about others must vanish from the society.
He also said that wars and fights are not solutions to any dispute or problem. "In a fight, irrespective of who wins or loses, both parties bear a loss. So fights are not the solution. Harmony is", he said.
Shri Shri Shri Brahamanand Saraswati Swamiji, Dharmasthala Devara Gudde, Shri Gurudeva Mathadesha
in his address said that the Quran is a great book that has seen no changes being made to it in spite of so many years passing by. Presenting before the gathering the gist of Islam and Hindu philosophies, he said that both religions call on their followers to worship one God. "The path of Kama and Krodha is the path of Iblees", he said, adding that the world today is busy with the "me, myself, and mine" thinking. Enlightening the gathering on how God protects his faithful servants, he narrated the incident of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and Hazrath Aboobakkar Siddiq (ra) who took shelter in a cave having learnt that the Meccan forces were after them. "God saved them through a spider's web. Although Aboobakkar (ra) was worried, the Prophet (pbuh) consoled him and said that God was with them and He showed that he was indeed with them", Swamiji said.
When there is an accident, and there is a need of blood, they dont ask whether a Brahmin blood is required or some other blood is required, they only ask A positive, B positive or other blood groups, he said. God is one. The routes of reaching God are different but the goal is one, so why fight? he said. The Prophet (pbuh) also did meditation and so is the case with saints like us. If there is an XYZ fault, why should the entire community be blamed, he said.
Sri Sri Prasannath Swamiji, Adi Chunchanagiri, said that Madrasas and Gurukuls have always been a centre of learning in India. "I read the Quran and the Bible and when I compare it with the Hindu scriptures, I only found that God is one and saints call him by various names. See the lives of the Prophet (pbuh), Shri Krishn and Jesus (pbuh)... they were either shepherds or spent lives with cows. Feelings and beliefs are more important than one's profession", he said. Swamijia added that to have harmony in society teh concept of 'We' should dominate and 'I' should reduce. "People have left Dharma and Moksha and held on to Artha and Kaama", he said. Swamiji also remarked that the Muslims prayer of salah, the ramadan fasting which teaches one about the pain and suffering of the poor and hungry, the teaching of the Prophet (pbuh) that pay a labourer before his sweat dries up..these are beautiful teachings of Islam. We have to learn from it and embrace all the good things", he said.
Vishweshwara Hegde Kageri, State Education Minister, in his address said that Muslims have a misconception that BJP is against them. "We belive in Save Jano Sukhino Bhavantu. The government of Karnataka has shelled out crores of rupees for the minorities. The Hajj Bhavan which remained a mere concept for the past 16 years, our Government has decided to make it a reality and has spent Rs 40 crore for the same. The Government has been working towards providing hostel, residential schools, more seats for minority students etc. Our leadership, be it Atal Bihari Vajpayeeji, Narendra Modi, Yeddyurappa or Sadananda Gowda, we have never tolerated injustice", he said.
An exhibition on Navayath culture and Islamic teachings was inaugurated by Moulana Rabey Hasan nadvi earlier in the day.
More seminars, conferences and programmes would be held as part of the six-day 50th anniversary celebrations.
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