Maulana Mahmud Madani, a Muslim leader from Deo Band seminary, addressed members of ARSIPSO, with Shri G.C. Saxena, its President, in the chair, on 11th October, 2008 at India International Centre, New Delhi. Maulana Mahmud Madani confined his talk to ‘how to appreciate acts of terror by Muslim youth in the present day context and how to deal with the problem’.

To begin with, he explained that according to Deoband School of Thought, Jihad can be waged by only by a Muslim country (not Muslim-dominated one). Secondly, it can be ordered by a country and not by an individual. He informed that his grand father and father had opposed partition of India in the name of religion.

He drew attention to the fact that in February, 2008, he had gathered around 10,000 Muslim theologians at Deoband and a resolution condemning violence by the terrorists was adopted there. It was followed by a series of rallies of the Ulemas with public at which oath was taken, giving vent to feelings of Muslims against terrorism. A fatwa was also got issued from Deoband on which signatures of Muftis from all over are being taken.

On how to stop Muslims from joining/supporting terrorism, the Maulana elaborated that in India Muslims are either living in Muslim-dominated areas (30%) or non-Muslim-dominated areas (70%). Mind-sets of the two are different. The 30%-types have the mind set of the Muslim League. The rest are different.

Muslims have problems, is a fact. However, do others not have problems? If their rights do not become available to them through constitutional means then only they should think of other means.

Why terrorism? Who are terrorists? Outsiders, or home grown? Those being caught have become means to provoke others, which is dangerous. Role of media is very important in this. For example, immediately after the Jamia Nagar encounter, one section of Muslims thought that intelligence agencies were getting such encounters done so that Muslims could be prevented from getting jobs. Such propaganda is mostly in the Muslim dominated areas. The Sahara group of papers (Urdu) has been spreading this idea. Government is aware of it; however, no action is being taken against the newspaper and the persons behind it. Unless action is taken, the problem cannot be solved.

Who were the persons behind the serial blasts of 1992 and 1993? - They were underworld people. Underworld is successful due to support from certain people in Government/politics. Dawood has links in Azamgarh. One should look for the terrorists among the mafia. Mafia’s influence on such media and segment must be scanned. As a short term measure, this network should be broken/eliminated. And in this long term also, this effort should be relentlessly pursued.

How are minds of young men poisoned? How to stop it?

On religious extremism, thought process of Jamaat-e-Islami is that Islamic state must be created everywhere. It is “our duty”. Deobandis thinking is different. One should appreciate that in most Muslim countries there has been an upsurge against their rulers’ point of view: because the rulers were imposed. In India the situation is different. The system of Government is democratic and the society is pluralistic. Deoband would like to establish peaceful atmosphere as the Government is not imposed.

In the U.K. opinions of Muslims coming from India and Arabia are different. In the UK’ inter-community programmes opinions of Muslims coming from India are given prominence.

In India different sects of Muslims were brought together for dialogue on terrorism. There is a misperception regarding linkage between Deobandis and Taliban. Some historical facts have been misrepresented in this regard. There is no connection between the thinking of the two. Power which has propped up Taliban has to be reckoned with.

Answering a question regarding how-to deal with apparently growing influence of the “30% segment” and problems faced by police when it mistakenly picks up wrong persons, the Maulana pointed out that terrorism is confined to only a few hundred. And it will have to include local Muslims to be able to get their help.

Why educated people are getting attracted to terrorism?
Maulana Mahmud Madani pointed out that almost all such terrorists are emerging from Muslim-dominated areas. They are being targeted and a few of them converted as followers. Gradually they become addicted. Some of the converts are frustrated due to various reasons. Media should address all – Muslims, Hindus and others.

Finally, he said that Indian version of Islam is the most acceptable/will be the most acceptable all over the world because Muslims in India are part of a pluralistic society. Educated Muslims’ state of mind is towards acquiring State power. Orthodox Muslims are maintaining a distance between religion and politics.

The views and facts stated above are entirely the responsibility of the author and do not reflect the views of this Association in any manner.