2002: Indian Muslim Statements, The Milli Gazette

2002: Indian Muslim Statements
For Latest Indian Muslim Statements click here
Indian Muslim Statements during 2001 click here
Archive of Indian Muslim Statements click here

ALL INDIA MUSLIM FORUM

ONSLAUGHT ON THE SANCTITY OF THE HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN THROUGH THE SACRILEGIOUS PRACTICES OF THE POLITICALIZED IFTAR PARTIES

Lucknow, November 7, 2002:

1. SANCTITY OF THE MONTH OF RAMADAN ( FASTING)

The month of Ramadan (fasting) is the most sacred for Muslim community and even for non-Muslims 'Roza' (fast) is a very highly respected Islamic religious institution. It has gained universal reverence because of its fundamental objects which include not only the purification of soul but also the realization of thirst and hunger so as to develop a feeling of empathy with the people belonging to the lowest social strata. On the social front, it is meant to promote the deeper bonds of fraternity and egalitarian ethos and, therefore, to achieve these purposes, every Muslim observing the fast is encouraged, through the promises of divine rewards, to arrange or host the Iftar (breaking the fast) of others. However, in keeping with this underlying spirit, Islam has also laid down certain basic mandatory directives regarding the observance of fast, its iftar and the legitimacy of means with which it is to be arranged.

2. DESECRATION OF THE SANCTITY OF THE HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN THROUGH THE SACRILEGIOUS PRACTICES OF POLITICALIZED IFTAR PARTIES

The All India Muslim Forum feels deeply anguished and outraged that this one of the most sacred religious institutions of Islam has now gradually been turned into a major political gimmick by unscrupulous politicians and their Muslim stooges through which they make reprehensible endeavour to trap the Muslim community into their respective electoral folds. As such, the spectacle of grand Iftar parties by the politicians of all hues in the full blaze of cameras throughout the month of Ramdhan, and the media showing bearded and non-bearded Muslims devouring eatables is the most offensive sight to the religious dignity and sensibilities of the entire Muslim community. Such vulgar display of Iftar parties is not only totally un-Islamic but also a deliberate insult to Muslims' faith. It is for this reason that Muslim Forum considers the politicians hosting these Iftar parties as political villains and Muslims participating in them as political vultures.

3. ALL INDIA MUSLIM FORUM'S AGITATIONAL PROGRAMME

All India Muslim Forum makes a fervent appeal to all Politicians to stop desecrating the piety of Ramdhan for their mean political purposes. It also calls upon the Muslim Bodies like All India Muslim Personal Law Board, All India Milli Council , Jamate Islami Hind and other high-ranking Ulema to clarify the religious position about such politicalized Iftar parties. Besides, Muslim Forum volunteers will be holding token peaceful protests outside the premises where such Iftar parties are held. The Forum has further decided that if the politicians fail to desist from these un-Islamic practices, it will launch a full-fledged agitation in this regard from the next month of Ramadan.

[Dr MK Sherwani]
President, ALL INDIA MUSLIM FORUM
C – 177,Sector,J, Aliganj , Lucknow – U.P.
Phone : 363062-362071, 329727 email: sherwanimk@yahoo.com q

_________________________________________________________