On the Pulwama Tragedy
The suicide attack on Thursday, 14 February 2019 against an Indian military convoy in Pulwama, Kashmir revived tensions between India and Pakistan. This attack claimed the lives of at least 41 Indian soldiers. Delhi is multiplying diplomatic initiatives to isolate its Pakistani neighbour, while preparing a military response.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently referred to what has become a national tragedy in the country. He declared on Sunday, 18 February 2019: “The fire that embraces your heart also embraces mine.” This statement was made to a crowd gathered for a political meeting, shortly after asserting that “the blood of India was boiling.”
Fury has seized social networks and several TV channels close to the government call for revenge. For the Indian Prime Minister, the moment is critical: never has an attack raised so much emotion in the country since the terrorist attack of Bombay (Mumbai) which had made 174 dead in November 2008. The moment is also crucial for its political future just weeks away from the scheduled elections in April and May.
The two countries recalled their respective ambassadors for consultations. Delhi accused Pakistan of harbouring and supporting the Islamist group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), which claimed responsibility for the 14 February 2019 attack, and to use it by proxy in its war against India. The Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said he was ready to cooperate with India on the bombing, but promised to “retaliate” if his country is attacked. The investigators still do not know if the 350kg of explosives contained in the car bomb came from Pakistan or not.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently referred to what has become a national tragedy in the country. He declared on Sunday, 18 February 2019: “The fire that embraces your heart also embraces mine.” This statement was made to a crowd gathered for a political meeting, shortly after asserting that “the blood of India was boiling.”
Fury has seized social networks and several TV channels close to the government call for revenge. For the Indian Prime Minister, the moment is critical: never has an attack raised so much emotion in the country since the terrorist attack of Bombay (Mumbai) which had made 174 dead in November 2008. The moment is also crucial for its political future just weeks away from the scheduled elections in April and May. The two countries recalled their respective ambassadors for consultations. Delhi accused Pakistan of harbouring and supporting the Islamist group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), which claimed responsibility for the 14 February 2019 attack, and to use it by proxy in its war against India. The Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said he was ready to cooperate with India on the bombing, but promised to “retaliate” if his country is attacked. The investigators still do not know if the 350kg of explosives contained in the car bomb came from Pakistan or not.
Kashmir Conflict and the Blame-games
What I have read and understood is that Pakistan and India have always had a dispute over Kashmir. So every incident that occurs on the territory of Kashmir occupied by India is blamed on the actions of Pakistan. So, as it seems, Pakistan has become a scapegoat for India’s mismanagement of Kashmir. My point is that India is targeting Pakistan. It is not really interested in resolving conflicts and wants to blame Pakistan for everything that happens in occupied Kashmir. The Indian government attributes everything that is happening in occupied Kashmir to external forces (and not to its own fault).
For me, the current conflict between the two countries could have been avoided if India had taken the time to collect all the evidence after the Pulwama attack. The Indian government would have been able to demonstrate to its people and the world that it was the work of a group of people at the border working with those who perpetrated the attack. And he could have also shown that they are not Pakistanis but indeed Indians. Moreover, one of the perpetrators of the attack had made a video before it was launched. From what I read and after having studied this case well, we can know who these people are. India claims to have no connection with them, but let the Indian government comes forward to prove it! We regret that after the attack, India preferred to act unthinkingly by sending two fighter jets into Pakistani territory. From what I learned, never before there was this kind of manifestation.
What I want - and what all those who love peace want - is that India and Pakistan find a compromise and live in peace, each respecting the rights and territories of others.
A government cannot be blamed for the madness and bad behaviour of an individual or a group of people. So, to avoid an Indo-Pakistani conflict, I wish them to restore a cordial relationship between them.
When you study both countries, you see that Pakistan and India are almost at the same level in terms of economic development. The two countries are also making great efforts to improve the infrastructure and quality of life of their inhabitants. This is the common point between these two countries. So, it is normal for existing conflicts to have a detrimental effect on progress.
When you study both countries, you see that Pakistan and India are almost at the same level in terms of economic development. The two countries are also making great efforts to improve the infrastructure and quality of life of their inhabitants. This is the common point between these two countries. So, it is normal for existing conflicts to have a detrimental effect on progress.
Personally, as the Khalifatullah of this era, I must judge the situation fairly. If the situation has arrived at this stage, it is because of the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. We cannot blame other people or other countries.
Pakistan's Turn to Bigotry and Terrorism
As for Pakistan, the Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan also has to understand the problem that exists in Pakistan. There must be freedom to choose one’s faith. Faith cannot be forced on someone, and everyone has the right to practice his faith in peace, tolerance and freedom. One should not have such lobbies as the Mullahs who create disorder in the country and declare other Muslim groups as non-Muslim.
We do not have the right to judge the faith of a person. This privilege belongs only to Allah (Almighty God). Since 1974, they have passed laws to declare that Ahmadi Muslims are not Muslims. They went beyond the limits of the Shariah by establishing a law that is to the detriment of free will and they dared to judge other Muslims when they have for years and years cried out loud and clear that they are Muslims, and that they firmly believe in the Islamic Shahada: Laa Ilaha Illallah Muhammadur Rassullullah.
Pakistan was formed with the active participation of Ahmadi Muslims, and after the creation of Pakistan, many despicable and anti-Islamic treatments were perpetrated against them. And they found themselves deprived of their rights to practice Islam, and to live their lives in peace. Allah is neither blind nor deaf. He certainly hears the tears and supplications of His sincere servants, whether Sunni or Ahmadi, or any other Muslim group.
If Pakistan does not enjoy peace today it is because of the injustices it perpetrated against its own people, especially against the Ahmadi Muslims and the Muslim minorities of the other groups of Islam. Everyone has a place in this world. If anyone exceeds the limits of the permissible in Islam, it is Allah who will punish him, it is not for man to do it [especially in respect to faith], because man did not receive from Allah the permission to judge the faith of people.
If Pakistan does not enjoy peace today it is because of the injustices it perpetrated against its own people, especially against the Ahmadi Muslims and the Muslim minorities of the other groups of Islam. Everyone has a place in this world. If anyone exceeds the limits of the permissible in Islam, it is Allah who will punish him, it is not for man to do it [especially in respect to faith], because man did not receive from Allah the permission to judge the faith of people.
If your people are at peace, and if Allah is pleased with you, then Allah will open the door of salvation for you, and grant you an extraordinary peace, and then Allah’s decision in favour of unity and harmony will be finalized between you and India and the rest of the world.
Treat your inhabitants well, do your politics well and do not meddle in people’s faith because you are not an Islamic state. If you were really an Islamic state as you state, you would have ruled the country as our beloved prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) had ruled Arabia without forcing anyone to accept Islam (the true faith). His politics were real politics. His governance over the country (Arabia) was a true governance. Everyone had the right to practice his faith.
Sectarian Bigotry and Terror Has Consequences for Muslims everywhere
Now, unfortunately, it is against your brothers, sisters and Muslim children that you are fighting. It’s certainly not fair! Allah does not approve of a land where injustice reigns. So, wake up before it’s too late for you! Modi wants to make India a totally Hindu country. How would you feel if our Muslim brothers and sisters had to suffer the worst repercussions because of their faith? Do you see today: Our Islam is qualified as terrorism! Keep in mind what our brothers, sisters and children of Palestine, or even the Royingya Muslims of today have had to suffer. These are just a few examples. There are many more!
O Muslims! Wake up ! It is time for us to come together for the sake of Allah and the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Pull yourself together and give up all non-Islamic practices. Practice justice, and you will find Allah with you. He will support you in all your lawful actions. When you face an injustice, it is He who comes to your rescue, but you must be very sincere in Islam. ISLAM is our religion, and it is Islam that gives us real life. Reform yourself before it’s too late. Otherwise, there will be bloodshed and wars, and loss of life in large numbers. Secure your lives in Allah, in your trust in Him, and in being just, loyal, and sincere to your Muslim brothers and sisters. Do not judge their faith.
O Muslims! Wake up ! It is time for us to come together for the sake of Allah and the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Pull yourself together and give up all non-Islamic practices. Practice justice, and you will find Allah with you. He will support you in all your lawful actions. When you face an injustice, it is He who comes to your rescue, but you must be very sincere in Islam. ISLAM is our religion, and it is Islam that gives us real life. Reform yourself before it’s too late. Otherwise, there will be bloodshed and wars, and loss of life in large numbers. Secure your lives in Allah, in your trust in Him, and in being just, loyal, and sincere to your Muslim brothers and sisters. Do not judge their faith.
Stand up for Tolerance, Justice and Humanity
And be good and kind, be kind to people of other faiths too, because kindness and mercy are part of humanity with which God has created us. So, have mercy on others so that Allah may have mercy on you! Fight terrorism and help others fight it, because terrorism knows neither faith nor law! It destroys everything in its path.
May Allah help us to rebuild Islam, an Islam that is right at all levels, an Islam where life is good. A tolerant Islam that is close to our heart forever. Insha-Allah, Ameen. May Allah help us fight all forms of terrorism, and protect the honour and name of Islam against false and virulent accusations. Insha-Allah, Ameen.
---Extracts from the Friday Sermon of 15 March 2019~ 07 Rajab 1440 AH delivered by Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hadhrat Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (atba) of Mauritius.
---Extracts from the Friday Sermon of 15 March 2019~ 07 Rajab 1440 AH delivered by Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hadhrat Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (atba) of Mauritius.