Be it writing on social media, or appearing on television channels on public debates; the persons exercising their free speech rights have a duty to observe civility and courtesy, and not to fan hatred between different classes of people, nor spread bigotry among religious communities, especially so when they are leading politicians and spokespersons of a party ruling a country. When political elites fail to observe restraint and cross the red-lines in public discourse on people’s beliefs, or faith-related controversies; it invariably generates public resistance and political backlash, muddying the social relations- nationally and internationally.
Recently,
two leaders of the ruling BJP in India, Nupur Sharma and Naveen Jindal, indulged
in wanton anti-Muslim tirade, in public television and on social media. In
their visceral hatred of the Muslim community in the country, these ruling politicians
went to the extreme extend of attacking and vilifying the religion of Islam,
and insulting the sacred memory of the Holy Prophet (sa) and his family. Making
hurtful comments about the Holy Prophet’s life with his young wife Hazrat
Ayesha (ra), these thugs from the majority community in the land sought to humiliate
the minority community by insulting their religious beliefs. With the Muslims
in India holding angry public demonstrations against the culprits, and many Muslim majority-nations in unison calling out the Islamophobia on full
display in India, the episode involving the gross misconduct of its
spokespersons embarrassed not only the governing party but also caused deep humiliation for the country’s image and standing internationally. [Inset: People hold posters during a protest demanding the arrest of suspended Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokeswoman Nupur Sharma and expelled BJP leader Naveen Jindal. Credit: Reuters photo/ Deccan Herald/ PTI, June 10, 2022].
In a recent Interview with the Sahih Al Islam YouTube Channel, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius
shared his perspective on the larger issues raised by this episode. In his
message, apart from explaining the religious aspects at the heart of the present controversy, Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) underscores that inter-Faith debates should
maintain civility, and not promote hatred, enmity or bigotry among the people.
Pointing to the Qur’anic teachings on moderation, restraint, kindness and
compassion in social relations, Hazrat Saheb (aba) cautions the wider community of people- Muslims
as well as non-Muslims- to reflect upon own excesses of conduct and return to
propriety, decency and civility in discourses around religious issues. 'Hatred and evil needs to be countered through love and goodwill in the land', notes Hazrat Saheb (aba). Combating
evil in its various manifestations confronting the Muslim Ummah today entail the true believers to do intense soul-searching and to undergo a process of reform so as to firmly re-establish
themselves on sublime Islamic principles and devotional practices; they need to reclaim
the spirit of fraternity in faith and show unity of purpose and engage in patient striving in full
trust and submission to the Will of Allah, points out Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba).
To read the Full Text of the Interview, click here.