Muslims in Kerala take pledge against terrorism

By ASHRAF PADANNA | ARAB NEWS

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, India: Hundreds of thousands of Muslims took the pledge against terrorism at the end of the marathon prayers on Lailat Al-Qadr, the night of power, overnight Monday.

Believers started pouring into Swalath Nagar in Malappuram district well before the breaking of fast at a mass iftar after which the prayers began. The annual event was organized by Ma’dinu Ssaquafathil Islamiyya, which runs a group of religious and educational institutions. “We, the servants of Allah and followers of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), affirm in good faith that we will strive for the virtue and well being of our family, friends, teachers and the entire humanity. We will be in the forefront of giving a helping hand to the poor and the oppressed,” devotees repeated the pledge administered by Sayyid Ibrahimul Khaleelul Bukhari, chairman of Ma’din.

Apart from the main venue, people were accommodated in other 10 grounds, spread across 10 km on either sides of the highway. Of these, five were reserved for women and all were linked with closed-circuit TVs.

“We have assembled here upholding forbearance and abstention from everything that Allah has forbidden, to rededicate ourselves in the service of humanity and to lead a life afresh devoid of sins and transgressions,” read the pledge The believers gathered from far-flung places in India and abroad reaffirmed that usurping the rights of fellow-beings is a grave offence to humanity and that the Muslims would continue to honor the dignity of others.

The organizers said more than half million people had been gathering at the venue for the past three years. The size of the gathering is estimated by the number of food packets distributed to the guests.

“And we praise God for blessing us with an Islamic life. Even when we take pride in being a Muslim, we respect and honor all other faiths and their followers. We will keep a continuous vigil against forces that work to destroy the oneness of humanity,” the pledge said.

It said the Muslims are duty-bound to protect India’s integrity, wealth, values and legacy. “We once again reaffirm that we will uphold and safeguard the integrity and unity of the country, and will distance ourselves from all actions and moves that may jeopardize the nation.”

Reiterating that terrorism, extremism, subversive attempts, factionalism and discrimination on the basis of religion, community, caste, politics and language are sure to destabilize India they took the solemn oath to reach out to others with the message of peace.

In his inaugural address, Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliar, general secretary of the All India Jamiyyathul Ulema, said Islamic scholars and leaders always upheld the message of harmonious coexistence of different faiths in the country.

A.K. Abdul Hameed, Central Haj Committee member, welcomed the gathering following which Sayed Ali Bafaqi Thangal led the initial prayer. Sayed Abdurahman Bukhari Thangal, president of the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, presided over the congregation. Sayed Mohammed Ba-Alavi, Quran scholar from Yemen, who led Tharaveeh prayers earlier, was the chief guest.

The congregation stayed up throughout the night chanting prayers for peace and salvation. It reached a crescendo as the gathering said “there is no God but Allah” a thousand times in unison anticipating that the night greater than a thousand nights in sanctity and rewards from Allah falls on 27th night of Ramadan.

The mass prayers were telecast live by television channels while special video-screening were held at centers in Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai and Delhi in India and major cities in the Middle East. Several people abroad joined the congregation utilizing the online video streaming, live telecast and screening facilities, making it truly global.

Ma’din started organizing the annual prayer meet with a view to spreading peace and communal harmony in a small way 24 years back and the number started swelling year after year.

Comments

FAISAL

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Sayyid Ibrahimul Khaleelul Bukhari, Isnt it the same the guy who was arrested in Saudi Arabia for unislamic and superstitious activities and jailed for seven days??

RASHEED

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@FAISAL, This group is well known for its unislamic and superstitious activities. SHIRK is a role model of their services.

ATIK

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This good news that go unnoticed in all negative news about Muslims. Where are those who make comments asking Muslims to protest when other religion's people are killed or their place of worship is destroyed. Those demands are quite illogical to say the least actually. How can a Muslim protest when someone is trying to destroy them in response and treat their blood a cheap waste. Hope they remove their hatred towards Muslims like terrorists who invokes Islam remove their hatred of other people. Only difference I see is that one uses physical violence and other bombards us with emotional pain and destruction with their comments.

ALAWI FRANCIS

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The pledge is made to Allah, God and not to politicians, religious leaders, etc. It is made to Allah and Allah expects us to keep our pledge no matter what. It is the same as when one puts his hand on the Holy Book and swears that he is telling the truth and nothing but the truth. We do not have to make vows, but if we choose to make them then we must keep them. Allah also obligates himself to the same law, and GOD never breaks his promise, he gives in his word. There is not one law for Allah and one law for mankind. Terrorism make so many people's lives miserable, benefits nobody, not even the terrorists. Maybe the terrorists sleep better after killing people, I don't know.

NISHAD

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a real wonder
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