‘Madrasa our identity, will not let it be erased’, why did Maulana Arshad Madni say such a thing?

‘Madrasas are not our world, religion, these are our identity and we will not let our identity be erased.’ These things were said by Maulana Arshad Madani, president of Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind, during his address at the ‘All India Madrasa Suraksha Sammelan’ held at the town’s Sarai Mir of Azamgarh at night. He said that this is not a general conference, but in the present situation, there is an important opportunity to decide serious churning and further strategy to ensure the protection of madrasas. Let us know why Maulana Arshad Madani has said these things.

The purpose of madrasas is not just to teach and write- Arshad Madani

Maulana Arshad Madani has said that these madrasas are not just the centers of education. Their purpose is not only to teach and write, but also preparing the thinking and training of new breeds to serve the country and the community. He said that today the madrasas who are being forced to stop illegally, are the same madrasas from where the first voice was raised against the slavery of the British. Referring to history, he said that when the whole of India went to the British occupied in 1803, then Hazrat Shah Abdul Aziz Mohammedis Dehalvi, a famous religious and spiritual celebrity from Delhi, announced on a broken mat from Madrasa Rahimia that the country has become a slave, hence it is a religious duty to struggle for freedom from slavery. After this announcement, his madrasa was destroyed and mountains of oppression and sites were demolished on him.

32,000 ulama was martyred in Delhi- Arshad Madani

Maulana Madani said that the revolution of 1857, which the British called “Gadar”, as a result of which 32,000 ulama was martyred only in Delhi. This country became independent after one hundred and fifty years of sacrifices of our elders. Darul Uloom Deoband was also established with the same objective that new sons should be prepared for the independence of the country from there. He regretted that today people unaware of history are calling the same madrasas a base of terrorism, it is also alleged that there is a training of fundamentalism there. He said that action against madrasas and mosques from Uttar Pradesh to Uttarakhand, Assam and Haryana is being taken on the basis of religion. He questioned why this discrimination and injustice in a democratic and secular country? Whereas the Constitution has given equal rights and opportunities to all citizens.

Attempt to create hate gap- Arshad Madani

Maulana Madani clarified that all this is being done under a particular ideology to create hatred between the majority and minorities, and the majority can be raised against the minorities. This is a well-planned conspiracy to gain power. He further said that it is a secular country, and unjust to any one community cannot be done on the foundation of religion here. But today’s truth is that openly a particular community is being targeted on its religious grounds and an attempt is being made to realize that its civil rights have been abolished. Maulana Madni said that whatever the situation may be, we do not have to be disappointed. Rather, these situations will have to be faced with fresh, honesty and Azam. Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind has tried for peace, brotherhood and unity in the country before and after independence and has fought against all injustice and persecution, and will continue to do it with full force.

Our fight is not with the public- Arshad Madani

Maulana Madani said that our fight is with the government, not the public. Madaris-e-Islamia is our lifeline, and now under a conspiracy, we are preparing to cut this lifeline. Maulana Madni said that the recent action being taken against madrasas, saying illegal, is also contempt of orders of the Supreme Court. Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind has once again started its legal struggle against this conspiracy, because the safety of madrasas is actually protecting religion. We will continue legal and democratic struggle to protect democracy, supremacy of the constitution and madrasas. He encouraged the responsibilities of madrasas and said that Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind is with you and will provide you all kinds of help and legal aid. He also informed that Jamiat Ulama Uttar Pradesh has set up an architect panel which will help in the needs related to the construction of mosques and madrasas, passing the map, and the documentary solution of the land. Jamiat’s legal panel is already active in hundreds of cases till the High Court and Supreme Court.

Advice to check before construction of madrasas and mosques

Maulana Madani advised that before the construction of madrasas and mosques, it should be ensured that the land on which it is being constructed is valid and completely safe, and better is that the land is the name of the madrasa/mosque. He said that there is no need to be afraid of the current situation, but will have to face them through legal and democratic conflicts. Allah should be our help. The conference was organized by Provincial Jamiat Ulama Uttar Pradesh and the special thing was that it was responsible for all (ideologies) of madrasas. From this perspective, it was an example of a historical “Masalki Itihad” (religious unity). This historic conference was chaired by Maulana Ashhad Rashidi, the provincial president of Jamiat Ulama Uttar Pradesh and the operation was conducted by Naib Sadar Mufti Ashfaq Azmi of Jamiat Uttar Pradesh. The conference was also addressed by State President Maulana Ashhad Rashidi and Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind National General Secretary Mufti Syed Masum Saqib, Maulana Qab Rashidi, the legal in-charge of Uttar Pradesh Jamiat.