Jamiat-e-Ulema Hind chief asks Muslims to avoid violent protests

MUMBAI: The president of leading Islamic organizaton Jamiat-e-Ulema Hind (JuH), Hazrat Maulana Arshad Madni, has said that the Muslim community should refrain from public and violent protest against blasphemy or objectionable portrayal of the Prophet Mohammad.

The remark comes against the backdrop of the deadly attack on the office of French weekly Charlie Hebdo in Paris.

"Turning violent or venting anger in public would only harm the secular image of the community," Madni said at a conference on national integration here last night, a release said.

He also expressed displeasure over the stereotyping of the community.

He also asked Muslims to celebrate events like Republic Day and Independence Day with patriotic fervour and enthusiasm.

"Communal forces are trying to distort the record of service rendered by our elders towards achievement and consolidation of Independence. These forces keep accusing us of being terrorists, separatists, oppressors and aggressors. But Jamiat-e-Ulema Hind will not let their nefarious designs succeed," he said.

Islam preaches helping people of all the communities, promoting goodwill and feeling of brotherhood with neighbours, looking after the downtrodden, aged and widows and performing good deeds. Jamiat-e-Ulema-Maharashtra is actively invovled in pursuing these ideals, he said.

Religious leaders from other communities also addressed the gathering.