Muslims must collectively spread the message of unity

Addressing 10000-strong Friday congregation, Abdulhussain Kashmiri said when he participated in the congregation prayers at Jamia Masjid Khulfai Rashidden Ompora last Friday, the Friday prayer leader had so beautifully articulated that the proximity of scholars can inspire people to come closer.

“Six-seven decades ago the strong proximity between then head of Shia Hauza Ilmiya and Grand Ayatollah, Hazrat Ayatollah Burujardi and Sunni Grand Mufti and head of Egypt’s prestigious Al-Azhar university, Allama Sheikh Mahmoud al-Shaltout had delivered lot of fruits and benefits.

“Allama al-Shaltout gave his edict, asserting that practicing the religion like Shias is valid just like that of Sunnis.

“The historic verdict not only raised to the ground the wall that had been erected between Shias and Sunnis, but it also motivated Islamic scholars of both schools of thought to come closer.

“Allama al-Shaltout’s declaration that he had issued some edicts according to the Shia school of thought resolved many a misunderstanding and misconception.”

Abdulhussain Kashmiri said that Shia scholars are always engaged in promoting the unity and solidarity among Muslims.

“Last year, when a Kuwaiti cleric tried to harm the Muslim unity and proximity, Shia scholars in Saudi Arab wrote to leader of the Islamic Revolution and Grand Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei, urging him to aware them about this problem. In his reply, Imam Khamenei issued a fatwa:

‘Insulting any symbol adored by Sunnis is forbidden’,” Abdulhussain said.

Stating that Sunni scholars have to play a greater role in this regard, Abdulhussain Kashmiri said that if any self-styled Sunni scholar is trying to create a wedge between Shias and Sunnis then the authentic Sunni scholars should apprise their Grand Muftis about this to expose the evil and save the gullible people.

“We all know there is an extremist group among Muslims who describes Shias and Sunnis as polytheists and disbelievers. Despite that, Shia scholars do not permit to rise against them,” he said. “In his edict, Ayatollah Waheed Khurasani has made Shias duty-bound to behave well and respectfully with all those who say shahadatein (Islamic declaration statement) even if they call them (Shias) kafir (disbeliever).”

The chief editor of Taghrib Friday edition said that if we start counting the Muslims who work for the promotion of Muslim unity, it is most likely that they will outnumber those who create dissention among the ranks of the followers of Prophet Mohammad (SAWW).

Abdulhussain Kashmiri said that Dr Khalid Bin Ali al-Ghamdi, prayer leader at the Holy Mosque in Makkah, who recently arrived in the historic city of Lucknow at the invitation of Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulema, while addressing a congregation at Nadwa mosque, urged the Muslims to focus on positive aspects and ignore the negative aspects.

“This, certainly, is the constructive and appropriate message,” he said, adding that one of the prominent Shia scholars in India, Maulana Kalbe Jawad has reportedly invited Dr Khalid al-Ghamdi to lead a congregational prayer at Shia Jamia Masjid Lucknow.

“All of us present in Jamia Masjid Beerwa expect the hosts of Dr al-Ghamdi at Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulema to reciprocate the invitation and ensure a congregational prayer under the leader of Imam Kaba at Shia Jamia Masjid Lucknow to open a new chapter in Shia-Sunni relations,” Abdulhussain Kashmiri said.

He expressed gratitude on his own behalf and on behalf World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought to

the people present on the occasion for keenly listening and appreciating to the message of Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought.

“I do hope and pray that we practically follow the Quran and Sunnah so that peace and tranquility prevails throughout the world,” he said.

Pertinently, a weekly tabloid – Taqrib Friday Special - published in four languages (English, Arabic, Persian, Urdu) focusing on Muslim unity and proximity, was released by Mirwaiz central Kashmir and Jamia Masjid Beerwa’s Friday prayer leader, Maulana Syed Abdul Lateef, senior Hurriyat Conference leader, Zaffar Akbar Bhat, and TNA Bureau chief, Abdulhussain Kashmiri. The copies of the weekly were distributed among the people.

Speaking on the occasion, Mirwaiz Syed Abdul Lateef said, “Imperial powers are trying to tear apart the unity among Muslims. It is our utmost responsibility to practically fight against the nefarious designs of our enemies. I am always ready to cooperate with Taghrib in this regard.”

Mirwaiz said that Israel is hell-bent on creating dissention among Muslims to continue its hegemony.

“Anyone who creates confusion and dissention among Muslims is consciously or unconsciously serving the purpose of Israel,” he said.

Stressing the need for unity and proximity among Muslims, Mirwaiz Syed Abdul Lateef said Muslims all over the world must unite and, keeping all the differences aside, emerge as a united force and become the representatives of Islam.

Applauding the efforts of World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought, he said, “I pray to God to give us the strength to live with unity, and increase the flame of love in our hearts.”
Stating that only those nations in

the world thrive which are united, Mirwaiz urged Muslims to collectively spread the message of unity.

“I request the prominent persons among Muslims to promote unity and develop tolerance. Stick to the principles and fundamentals of religion and avoid emphasizing differences. If we do that we can emerge as a powerful nation in the world,” Mirwaiz said.

Speaking on the occasion, senior leader of Hurriyat Conference, Zafar Akbar Bhat, also underlined the importance of unity among Muslims.

He castigated government of India and government of Jammu and Kashmir for planning the visit of Salman Rushdie to Kashmir.

“We will not let this happen, come what may,” he said.

Terming it the handiwork of the government and agencies to create divide a divide between Shias and Sinnis in Kashmir, Bhat said, “We condemn any attempt to divide Shias and Sunnis. If government fails to change its mind, we will take to streets to protest the dangerous move."

The senior separatist leader also supported Ayatollah Khomeini’s historic edict against Salman Rushdie.

Earlier, upon reaching Beerwa, Abdulhussain Kashmiri along with TNA Kashmir Bureau chief, Syed Ali Safvi, Taghrib online reporter, Aga Syed Ahmed Moosvi, correspondents of Alalam TV and Al-Wahdat TV straight drove to the residence of Mirwaiz Syed Abdul Lateef to express sympathy with the Mirwaiz on the recent death of his mother.

In his condolence message, Abdulhussain Kashmiri prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul and courage and strength to the bereaved family, especially to Mirwaiz Syed Abdul Lateef, to bear this irreparable loss.

Pertinently, Abdulhussain Moosvi Kashmiri, along with his followers and TNA Kashmir bureau staff, had offered congregational prayers at Jamia Masjid Khulfai Rashideen Ompora in district Budgam last Friday.