JEDDAH, 4 January 2006 — Haj is an affirmation of universal human brotherhood. It is the duty of Muslims to respect all human beings regardless of their religion or race, says Hamza Moulavi Farooqui, a prominent Indian Islamic scholar and imam of the Palayam Mosque in Kerala.

“All human beings are one and the same as they are the children of Adam and Eve,” the imam said quoting a verse from the Holy Qur’an. “The Qur’an says God has honored the children of Adam and this means all human beings, not only Muslims,” he pointed out.

Farooqui, who is in the Kingdom leading the pilgrims of Kerala Haj Group, emphasized the importance given by Islam to human rights. “In Islam human rights are as precious as its sacred places such as Arafat and Makkah and times such as the days of Haj.”

He said Haj was an annual celebration of human rights as Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) declared the principles of human rights in his last sermon during his farewell pilgrimage.

In his sermon the Prophet said: “O people, your blood and your property and your honor are sacrosanct, until you meet your Lord, even as this day and this month are sacrosanct.”

The Prophet made human rights a part of worship, he added.

Farooqui has been the imam of Palayam Mosque for the last seven years. The seat of the Kerala government, Palayam hosts places of worship for Hindus, Muslims and Christians which stand shoulder to shoulder in a unique illustration of communal harmony.

In this interview with Arab News, Farooqui called upon Muslims to change their attitudes toward other communities in order to change the present world opinion of them. He also believes the ongoing campaign of destructive forces will not last long, adding that it will be followed by a new era of peace and stability.

He urged Muslims to project the humaneness of Islam in order to counter the smear campaign that links Islam with terrorism. “We have to tell the world that we honor all human beings and protect their rights, which is part and parcel of our religion,” he said.

Farooqui said the Haj of a Muslim would not be complete until he strove to accomplish what the Prophet spoke of in his last sermon. “Haj, which brings together Muslims from different parts of the world, emphasizes the important position of human being which has been ignored by the materialistic world.”

Islam does not prevent a believer from doing good and justice to people in other communities, he said.

“Allah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against you on account of religion nor drove you out of your homes. Verily, Allah loves those who deal with equity,” says the Qur’an (60:8).

He said people in other communities should also enjoy the benefits of Muslims following their religion. Farooqui explained how a Hindu family expressed their allegiance to an ordinary Muslim when the latter helped them solve some of their complex family problems.

He said the increasing number of people embracing Islam in the US and Europe after 9/11 and the strident anti-Islamic campaigns proved that Islam is the true divine religion and the panacea for human problems.

“Islam is now the most talked-about and fastest-growing religion in the world,” he pointed out.