INDIA
A cleric and senior functionary of the Jamiat Ulema has raised a religious storm by stating that Lord Shiva was the first 'paigambar' (Prophet) of the Muslims, and that all Muslims are also the children of Shiva and Parvati. The statement – made in Ayodhya – has expectedly set off a huge controversy with Islamic clerics getting furious over this alleged "bigotry". Many Hindu saints have, however, welcomed the statement, only adding fuel to the fire.
A cleric and senior functionary of the Jamiat Ulema has raised a religious storm by stating that Lord Shiva was the first 'paigambar' (Prophet) of the Muslims, and that all Muslims are also the children of Shiva and Parvati. The statement – made in Ayodhya – has expectedly set off a huge controversy with Islamic clerics getting furious over this alleged "bigotry". Many Hindu saints have, however, welcomed the statement, only adding fuel to the fire.
"Like all citizens of China are called Chinese, and those living in Japan, Japanese, all those living in Hindustan are recognised as Hindus all over the world," says the cleric Mufti Muhammad Ilyas. He carries his rather simplistic logic further, saying: "Muslims are also the children of Shiva and Parvati. We are "sanatani" like Hindus."
Wily nily, the Maulana has only toed the line taken by the saffron brigade, voiced in so many words recently by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. The statement, beamed on TV channels all through the day, has come as a virtual bolt from the blue for Islamic clerics, already screaming blue murder.
"This is totally ridiculous," nonagenarian Hashim Ansari, the oldest party in the ongoing Ayodhya shrine dispute, almost bursts out before the media. "Clerics like him read the Quran but don't understand or follow it at all," he said. "In any case, Muslims don't regard the Jamiat as 'ulema'," he asserted.
Mufti Mukarram Ahmed, Imam of Fatehpuri Masjid, also rejected Iliyas's statements. "What he has said, is totally wrong and unacceptable. It's nowhere written in our holy book. This could be his political statement," Mukarram said. "We rever only the 'nabis' (Prophets) mentioned in the Quran," he added.
Vice-president of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board and much-respected Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Sadiq said, "This Maulana should first learn the basics of both Hinduism and Islam. Clerics should not make such irresponsible statments about religion."
On the other hand, prominent Hindu priests of Ayodhya have welcomed the statement. "What the Maulana has said is backed by facts. It's recorded in our scriptures and mythology," says Mahant Janmejaya Sharan. "Maulana Iliyas is right. This should be welcomed by Muslims, too. It will bring us together like brothers," says Mahant Satyendra Das, chief priest of the disputed Ram temple in Ayodhya.
Maulana Iliyas was in Ayodhya on Thursday as part of a delegation of the Jamiat Ulema to urge saints to participate in a conference on communal harmony on February 27 in Balrampur (east UP). Reportedly, the conference could also consider a motion on the subject of Hindus and Muslims being the children of the same set of parents.
'Never going to...': Wipro chairman Rishad Premji says THIS big thing about work-life balance
Sarfaraz Khan's bizarre fielding leaves Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant in splits, watch viral video
BIG move by Gautam Adani: Adani Group to invest Rs 2953844250000 to set up...
Meet richest footballer of 2024, not Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, his net worth is…
Rs 200, Rs 500 in air! Guests climbs JCB to shower Rs 20 lakh at UP wedding procession, WATCH here
Pat Cummins's sarcastic reply to which Indian player can slot into Australia team, says...
Good news for Vaishno Devi pilgrims! New, high-tech service soon, cheaper than helicopter; details
'With Pakistan, the main issue...': India’s Ambassador at United Nations makes BIG statement
MoS Railways' big update on Kashmir to Delhi Vande Bharat Express, says PM Modi will...
How did Navsari's Dastur family get Tata surname? Know story behind Ratan Tata's family name
Upset over Donald Trump's win? You can move to THIS village offering USD 1 homes to Americans
Did Kriti Sanon just confirm her relationship with Kabir Bahia? Actress’ new post has fans convinced
Delhi air pollution: Government orders 50% of its employees to work from home
Shillong Teer Results TODAY November 20, 2024 Live Updates: Check lucky winning numbers
Delhi air pollution: Toxic smog chokes Delhi-NCR; AQI at 422
FPI inflows to bounce back India expected to attract USD 20-25 billion in FY25 Bank of Baroda
When AR Rahman talked about making adjustments after marrying Saira Banu: ‘I lost my…’
Bank Holiday November 2024: All banks to remain closed in THIS state today here's why
Bypolls 2024: 15 seats across Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Kerala, Uttarakhand to vote today
Donald Trump attends launch of Elon Musk owned SpaceX’s Starship rocket in Texas
IAS officer's wife who 'eloped' with a gangster returns home; what happens next is bone-chilling
BGT: Jasprit Bumrah eyes Kapil Dev's elite record during India vs Australia Test series
Jharkhand Assembly Election 2024: Final phase of voting today, NDA, INDIA to fight for 38 seats
AR Rahman breaks silence on his separation from wife Saira Banu: 'Even the throne of God might...'
Meet India’s youngest female IAS officer, who cracked UPSC exam by self-study at 22, secured AIR...
'Kya baat hai': RJ Lucky mimics celebrities' voices to sing 'Mere Dhola 3.0', internet reacts, WATCH
India withdraws from Blind T20 World Cup in Pakistan due to...
‘Aiyyashi ka adda…’: Salman Khan’s farmhouse doesn’t belong to him but…
India beat Japan 2-0, to face China in final of Women's Asian Champions Trophy hockey
A gamble with radiation: The uncalculated risks of prolonged spaceflight
Roger Federer pens emotional tribute to Rafael Nadal ahead of his retirement
Dead man's eye goes missing at Patna hospital, doctors allege 'rats ate it off'
FIR against stand-up comic Yash Rathi for using derogatory words in his show at IIT Bhilai
How Zeenat Aman was instrumental in making Mithun Chakraborty a Bollywood hero to watch out for
Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh lease a new Mumbai apartment; monthly rent is whopping Rs...
Who is Mojtaba Khamenei, likely to take over as Iran's Supreme Leader?
Day before Maharashtra voting, BJP’s Vinod Tawde accused of distributing cash, poll body files case
When will ICC Champions Trophy 2025 schedule be announced? Know latest update here
BIG update on gold loans, RBI to soon bring this option to reduce lending gaps, it is...
Effective E-Commerce Promotion Strategies to Drive More Sales Revenue
Meet Shivraj, Aishwarya Rai's bodyguard, who earns more than CEOs, his whopping salary is...
Mahesh Babu subtly backs Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan amid feud with Dhanush; here's how
Vladimir Putin to visit India says Russian government's spokesperson, official dates to be...
Vladimir Putin's BIG decision on nuclear weapons, threatens to use nukes against West if...
Virat Kohli’s bat being sold in Australia for THIS whopping price, watch video here
Apple quietly discontinues this popular iPhone accessory, once considered necessity, it is…
Air pollution: Delhi govt seeks centre's nod for artificial rain amid 500 AQI
Meet man, college dropout, youngest Indian on Hurun rich list at 21, his business is...
Cutting costs, boosting control: Viharika Bhimanapati's AI-powered ad-tech revolution
Viral video shows group of men stealing spotlight at wedding with their crazy dance moves
Moon Moon Sen's husband, Riya Sen and Raima Sen's father, Bharat Dev Varma, passes away in Kolkata