Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB/SP)
Udupi, Mar 5: The district Muslim Okkoota organized unity meet at Mahatma Gandhi open theatre ground, Beedinagudde here on Sunday, March 4. The objective of the meet was to empower Muslim community towards building a strong nation.
President of the Okkoota, Mohammed Yasin Malpe, who delivered keynote address, noted that the responsibility of building India into a strong nation based on the fundamentals of humanitarian values also rests on the Muslims. He called upon the community to get empowered and become actively involved with the welfare of the society. He described the event as historic for the Muslim community from the district as the meet has succeeded in bringing scholars and thinkers from different walks of life together on a single dais," he felt.
"People who have gathered here have proved that they are prepared to become united with the notion that India also belongs to them. This unity meet was conceived with the objective of saving India from the jaws of destruction, bring about development, and contribute towards building a strong nation based on human values. Being Muslims, we have added responsibility than others to lead India towards becoming a powerful nation," he added.
"This nation expects more from Muslim community. Mahatma Gandhiji stated that there is a need of administrator like Amar and Abubakkar towards making India a welfare nation (Rama Rajya). Circumstances have changed over a period of time. Now rape is being committed in broad day light almost everyday. The party that is currently ruling the country has been laying more emphasis on protecting the lives of the cattle rather than the people. The rulers ae taking away money from poor and backward classes and using the same to fill the coffers of Adanis, Ambani’s and Ajith. Through this, they are leading India towards bankruptcy. Therefore, it is important for all of us to transform ourselves into Amar and Abubakkar," he exhorted.
"Muslims too have taken part in freedom struggle. Now-a-days, we are being asked to prove our patriotism. There are parties which work to create communal conflicts through inflammatory speeches and motivating youth to work against Muslim community. in these days, labourers, poor and deprived classes including Dalits are facing difficult days. All are experiencing it now a days," he stated. Yasin also said that the current government is having prejudice against Muslims and that the hands of the rulers have been soaked in blood after the demolition of Babri Masjid and Gujarat assassinations. The present government is suppressing the moral strength of and creating internal conflicts between Muslim communities. It is taking away the freedom of expression of the media by imposing ban on television channels. There is a need to think over these things. If it is not done now, the future generation will not forgive us," he added..
He recollected that many Muslim leaders also had fought for and sacrificed their lives to get Independence along with other Hindu freedom fighters.
"So the three points one should keep in mind are not to get disheartened during difficult times, remaining united and being sincere, creative in work and repose trust in Allah. Help and work with other Muslim organizations in a harmonious manner. We should note that we should get united not to take any revenge or destroy someone, but to achieve welfare of human race. We are the servants of people sent by God, as quoted in Quran. A fighter should have these above qualities," said Yasin Malpe.
"It is important to explain to others what Islam stands for, to clear the notion that Muslims are terrorists and communalists who snatch away fundamental rights, motivate Love Jihad and rob women of their right to freedom. Let us fill our hearts with love for everyone," he urged.
He alleged that now the central government is trying to ammend the constitution that was drafted by B R Ambandkar. "Democracy of the nation is in danger. The judges of the Supreme Court are talking about it outside the court. Let our lives be dedicated to protect our constitution and democracy," he said.
"There is a need to empower Muslim community educationally, economically and politically. The minority community has been divided into splinter groups because of politics. We have no fresh demands to be fulfilled, but restoration of the existing rights which had been stolen from us. So we are begging for returning those rights (in the case of Babri Masjid). So political empowerment has become a necessity for Muslim community to become empowered in all other fields," said Yasin Malpe.
Maulana Abdullah Khazi rendered Kir-ath.
Ashfak Ahmad welcomed the gathering.
Azizuddin Azeez from Belagavi rendered Shayaris.
The guests of the event, Mualana Thaukhir Raza Khan, president, Ittihade Millar Council and Ahle Sunnat Val Jamat-Ath, M A Gafoor, president, Karnataka Minority development Commission, K Ashraf, former mayor Mangaluru and president of Dakshina Kannada Muslim organisations’ Okkoota, Hazi K S M Massod, president, Central Muslim Committee, Mangaluru, Hazi Abdullah Parkala, senior vice president, Udupi district Muslim Okkoota, Nisar Ahmed, district president, Popular Front of India Udupi, Habeeb Ali, Convenor of Muslim Politics Forum, Udupi district, K M Sharif of PFI, Hazrat Chisti Sayyed Zuinul Abidin, Divan, Quaza Moinuddin Chishti Dargah, Ajmer, Maulana Sajjad Nomani, chief, Thableeg Jama-ath and spokesperson of Muslim Personal Law Board, Sheikh R K, Saiyyed Saaduthulla Hussaini, national vice president, Jamaathe Islam-e-Hind, and Abdussalam Puthige, editor in chief, Varthabharati daily newspaper were present.