Pics: Joshwa D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV/JD)
Mangaluru, Nov 28: Faiz Khan from Raipur, a strong believer in the protection of cows and full-time speaker on 'Gau Katha' (parables on cow), on Saturday November 28 said that there were misconceptions about beef consumption and that neither the Quran nor Prophet Mohammed encouraged it. He also said that all statements on the issue were political and meant for nothing but vote bank, with no connection to either Islam or Sanatan Dharma.
He was in the city to narrate 'Gau Katha' at Sanghaniketan. The programme was organized by Yuva Brigade.
Addressing a press meet prior to the programme, he introduced himself and said, Basically I am from Raipur in Chattisgarh. My parents were teachers. I completed my double MA in Hindi literature and political science and did my MPhil in political science. I later worked as guest lecturer in various colleges.
The novel 'Ek Gai ki Atmakatha' written by Girish Pankaj inspired me a lot. From three years I have been giving lectures on the importance of cow. I have already given 200 lectures with 25 'Gau Kathas. Out of these, 200 were organized by Muslim committees.
"I celebrate Eid and Bakrid by feeding fodder to the cows. There should be cow milk parties in various places. Muslim committees have already organized such parties in 80 places," he added.
"In my book 'Gai Aur Islam', I have tried to expose certain misconceptions. Nowhere in Islam is beef consumption compulsory. This needs to be understood. Even non-vegetarianism is not compulsory. A Muslim can also be a pure vegetarian.
"Prophet Mohammed used to eat meat of goat but not of cow. His favourite food was lauki (bottlegoard) and various fruits. There was no non-veg item in his list of favourite foods. He ate meat, but only as an option and not out of compulsion. Even in Mecca cows are not sacrficed on Bakrid," he said.
"Islam came to India through Moinuddin Chishti of Ajmer. Even in Ajmer Dargah only sweet rice is served. There is no cruelty in Islam, only compassion," he added.
He also said that in the Hadees (sayings and deeds of Prophet Mohammed), the Prophet said that the 'milk of cow is health, ghee is medicine and meat is disease.
"The statements which have been given on cow are all political. They have no connection with either Islam or the Sanatan Dharma. Those who make such statements only of vote bank. Yuva Brigade has done a good job in organizing this event," he said.
Stating that there was no intolerance in the country as claimed, he said, "Here in this programme, the main speaker is one wearing a skullcap, who does Namaz five times a day and fasts 30 days a year. Does this show intolerance? The statements on intolerance are all politically motivated.
"People have misconceptions about the Quran and the Vedas. This is because the British misinterpreted the Vedas and said cows were slaughtered during the Vedic period. This is false. They misintepreted the Vedas in order to rule India. In the Vedas there is a concept where cow is offered as a form of gift to a guest," he said.
"One should have discipline to follow the right path. When a youth is guided properly, he will go in the right path, but if he is misguided, there will be Naxals, ISIS or Hizbul Mujahideen," he added.
Commenting on the celebration of Tipu Jayanti, he said, "The present state government celebrated Tipu Sultan only for politicial benefit and not out of admiration for Tipu. We know that Tipu was a fanatic ruler but he too never encouraged cow slaughter.
"It was Robert Clive who started cow slaughter in 1716. At that time, Hyder Ali was ruling Mysore kingdom, and he issued a notice to chop off the hands of those who slaughter cows. Even Babar was against cow slaughter," he said.
"Holy cow is the root of India. Political parties cannot solve the issue of cow slaughter. It is a matter of 'dil' (heart) and not 'dal' (party)," he added.
He also alleged that multi-national companies were supporting cow slaughter for manufacture of leather and other goods.
"Let alone cow, even if eating chicken hurts your neighbour, it shoud be stopped. Gujarat has become a model state by banning liquor and beef, soon Bihar also will implement ban on liquor.
"If you want to make Muslims happy, do not give meat but give them education, especially to Muslim girls, and healthcare, and bring them to the mainstream. Alcohol and meat will not do any good to them," he said.
Talk
Delivering the talk on 'The cry of cow - A parable' later, he reiterated what he said before and elaborated on the importance of the cow in Indian culture.
"Indian culture is based on the cow. Even the invaders who conquered India did not indulge in cow slaughter. Cow is the only entity that unites Hindus and Muslims. The invader from Afghanistan Babar, who was also the founder of the Mughul empire, believed in the holiness of cow. He had told his son that until no cow was slaughtered in his kingdom, it would be safe and prosperous. Since ancient times, India was a country of prosperity and zero poverty only because of the cow," he said.
Hinting at celebraties who have spoken out on intolerance, he said, "During ancient times people had food and clothing because of cow. People today who promote cow slaughter have no clothes on screen. India has always been a tolerant country, but today people who say India is intolerant are the one who expose themselve on screen."
He further said, "Hinduism is a universal religion. When Swami Vivekananda went to Chicago to participate in the Parliament of the World's Religions, to humiliate him, Bhagavad Gita was placed below the holy books of all other religions. But Swami Vivekananda interpreted this in a unique way and said, as Bhagavad Gita was at the base, it is the base of all religions and therefore the base of the universe.
"Cow teaches us the best food habits which we need to practice in our lives. By consuming meat we become prone to many diseases, but by drinking cow's milk and practicing Indian food habits, one can llive a long, healthy life," he added.
Earlier in the programme, the members of Yuva Brigade welcomed him by symbolically placing a skullcap on his head.
Co-convenor of Yuva Brigade Satish Holla welcomed the gathering. Chakravarthi Sulibele of Jago Bharath, Yuva Brigade district convenor Naresh Shenoy and others were present.