Lucknow: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President and Member of Parliament from Srinagar Dr. Farooq Abdullah said that maintaining fraternity in the country is the indispensable article of faith for Muslims.
This he said while addressing a conference titled “Human rights and our Constitution” hosted by Indian Muslims for civil rights in Lucknow.
He said that religious sectarianism and distancing from the teachings of the Quran and Hadith have destroyed the image of Muslims across the globe. “We have to bury hatred. Islam teaches tolerance and universal brotherhood. Maintaining fraternity is an indispensable part of Islamic teachings. Hate and intolerance is antithetical to the norms and values of Islam. India is not a patched-up thing but an indissoluble union of hearts between Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and adherents of other faiths.”
“We irrespective of our sects, faiths, and regional affiliations have to work against the demon of hatred, and disunity. Disunited we are worse than dead,” he said.
Expressing concern over the grim picture of the educational status of Muslims across the country, he said, “To acquire knowledge has been made compulsory by divine commandment in Islam. The purpose of education in Islam stresses on the physical and spiritual development of humankind. Therefore it’s imperative for Muslims to educate their children. Bemoaning the growing illiteracy in our community won’t help, the problem requires self-help as well.”
