‘Islam stands on justice and non-violence’ By Prof. Nejatullah Siddiqui
‘Islam stands on justice and non-violence’
--
Prof. Mohd. Nejatullah Siddiqui
During
the 17th Annual Meetings of the Governing Council (G.C.) and General Assembly (G.A.)
of the Institute of Objective Studies, New Delhi – 25 (which were held on 2nd
and 3rd August, 2003 respectively at its Headquarters) a lecture was organised
by the Institute, as per past practice, on 3rd August, 2003.
Last
year, on the occasion of 16th Annual Meeting of G.A. the lecture on “Vision of
India in 2020 and Placement of Muslims as a Community and the Role of IOS” was
delivered by Dr. Abu Saleh Shariff, an eminent economist.
This
year, the lecture on “Violence, Islam and Islamic Movement” was delivered by
Prof. Mohammad
Nejatullah Siddiqui, a noted economist, scholar and Shah Faisal Award winner.
Prof.
Siddiqui, speaking on the above topic, in the background of Islam and Islamic
Movement, said that Islam is based on piety, love, tolerance, forgiveness;
violence, subversion and hatred are alien to it. “Violence is an immoral
act which cannot be permitted in social life by a religion based on moral
principles,” he stressed, adding that the method of achieving any objective
should be only through mutual understanding and discussions not by resorting to
violence.
Explaining
the special circumstances or conditions under which recourse to arms is
permitted, Dr. Siddiqui said that these include defensive wars and punishment
for serious crimes like waging wars. Barring these conditions, violence in
any form, especially the one which may lead to death, is not permissible.
He
said that during the past two decades there have been many cases in different
parts of the world when Muslims have taken recourse to violence either against
their own governments or against foreign powers like USA, Russia, Britain,
France and other countries because of their overt or covert anti-Muslim or
anti-Islam policies. Their violent activities in countries like Indonesia,
the Philippines, Egypt, Africa etc, to harm Americans in which innocent human
lives were lost, are forbidden in Islam.
Expressing
his views regarding the attitude of Muslims in non-Muslim countries where
Muslims are targeted directly or indirectly when governments ignore the
cruelties meted out to them or when they themselves sponsor or encourage such
atrocities, as happened in Gujarat after the Godhra train-burning incident, he
propounded that Muslims have every right to defend themselves like other
citizens.
“Civil
laws of the respective country permit its citizens to defend the honour, lives
and properties of their family members even if the perpetrators of violence have
to be killed. Preemptive violence or killings as preventive measures are,
however, not permissible. Similarly, violence against innocent Hindus for
revenge is against Islamic teachings as well as a violation of the laws of the
country,” he said.
Dr.
Siddiqui regretted that in America and Europe an atmosphere has been created in
which Muslims and Islam are looked upon as dangerous. It will take quite
some time to remove such misunderstandings.
For
this purpose, firstly we have to bring about transparency in our words and deeds
so that their misunderstandings could be removed. Role of mosques and madrasas
should be clearly presented. Secondly, we should make our systems
democratic because Muslim countries and institutions are generally lacking in
democratic spirit. This is true to a great extent. If Muslims make
their political, religious and cultural activities democratic and transparent,
allow free expression of views and not only tolerate but also respect dissenting
views, it will become easy for others to properly understand Muslims.
Muslims
should develop contacts and friendly relations with other countrymen and try to
solve their problems like other people. The list of the problems of
Muslims is not exhaustive. Their problems too re generally the same as
those of all others such as poverty, illiteracy, proper accommodation, health,
insecurity etc., which most of the people of South Asia and Africa are facing.
“Muslims,
of course, are biggest sufferers but they should try to solve their problems
with the help and cooperation of their neighbours and compatriots. Instead
of confining themselves to their own narrow world, they should broaden their
outlook and treat the whole world as their native country and try to improve and
develop it so that the feeling of suspicion and distrust by others could be
removed,” he suggested.
Concluding his speech, Dr. Siddiqui said that the path of violence will not solve Muslim problems. By shunning violence and revenge, they will be able to take concrete steps in the fields of education and training, economic progress, health and other fields.
on
Recent Supreme Court Observations regarding the Uniform Civil Code
By
Mr. Anup G. Chaudhary
A
lecture on the Recent Supreme Court
Observations regarding the Uniform Civil Code was organised by the Institute
Of Objective Studies (IOS) at its Headquarters (New Delhi) on August 09,2003 at
4:30 p.m. Mr. Anoop G. Chaudhari, Sr. Advocate, Supreme Court of India delivered
his lecture on the topic.
Before
the start of the lecture Mr. Mushtaq Ahmad, Advocate introduced Mr. Anoop G.
Choudhary to the audience highlighting his association with various
organisations. This was followed by a brief introduction of the IOS by Prof. Z.
A. Nizami mentioning the working of IOS in the various fields of research and
study highlighting the social and economic problems relating to the minorities
specially the Muslims of the country. He informed that the IOS has until now
worked on some 128 different aspects and themes concerning Islam. The
much-awaited book on ‘100 Great Muslims’ is almost complete and that will be
out on stands by this Dec 2003 he informed. It is for this magnificent working
besides many that IOS was selected as the Roster Group with the Social And
Economic Council of the United Nations. Under its various Chapters spread across
the country the IOS has conducted a number of seminars and conferences
highlighting various social and economic problems concerning Muslims.
In
his lecture Mr. Anoop G. Chaudhari Sr. Adv. Supreme Court of India regretted the
recent observations made by the Hon’ble Judge on the uniform civil code. He
observed that this remark was totally uncalled for even if it was pious and was
made with some noble intentions. The problem it can create is that these words
will be deliberately twisted, misinterpreted and will create far greater
problems than the problem of the Common Civil Code itself. He advocated a
moratorium i.e. status quo on this issue which is necessary. Change might
disturb things so sometimes status quo is the best policy. He condemned the
negative role of the fundamentalist organisations, which are bent upon spreading
hatred and propagating vivacious lies. The issue of polygamy, Shah Bano,
Maintenance of Widows and this Common Civil Code is raked every now and then, to
emotional heights and garner votes. Personal law is a Hadith
i.e. a religious directive and article 25 ensures religious rights of all
citizens. The constitution allows us to propagate, follow and practice any
religion of our choice he reiterated. Regarding marriage Advocate Chaudhari
informed that as per Shariah law
Muslim marriage is a contract as compared to the Hindu marriage, which is a
sacrament. Breach of contract definitely invokes damages that must be adhered
to. Similarly the question of Talaq has
to be addressed by the Muslim community themselves. It is an intra community
problem and intra community bonds should be used to solve this delicate issue.
He mentioned that even in Hindus, tribals have different laws known as customary
laws. And customary laws are also sometimes referred to as personal laws.
Article 14 promises equality before the law. So the Common Civil Code is an
option and force should never be applied to enforce it. Mr. Chaudhari welcomed
the recent Supreme Court judgement by which it severely reprimanded the state
government of Gujarat regarding its handling of the riot related cases and
ordered it to provide security to the witnesses to avoid intimidation. He
praised the decision of the court in which it decided to oversee the cases
related to the riots directly.
He
further added that Legal pluralism is the need of the hour, as we are a
pluralistic society. This is the greatness of the nation. He regretted that
these fundamentalists hardly constitute 1-2% of the total Hindu population other
wise Hindu is such a society which lights candles for Mother Mary and lays chaddars
at the Mazars of the Muslim Pirs.
He blamed the media for highlighting these negative people constantly. There are
far greater problems than this of the common civil code. A controversy is being
raked out from an observation that does not even merit a debate he regretted. In
the end he thanked the IOS for taking the matter seriously and hoped that the
IOS will continue to serve the interests of the minorities rigorously and
painstakingly as ever.