Let’s begin today’s editorial with a past memory of a good friend. This friend once, nearly six years ago, had to move to Goa in the course of his duties. Before he exited for this coastal destination famous for tourists, he googled about the presence of Muslim population. Google search engine showed a small percentage of Muslims in Goa. Our acquaintance, however, later on mentioned that he found Muslims in every nook and corner of Goa. Muslims are present everywhere in the world and the sub-continent. So are Sikhs, Christians and others. They survive in peace and brotherhood and spread the message of universal unity and alliance. Islam spreads the same message. It gives respect to all religious beliefs.Islam came to India in the sixth and seventh centuries. The Arabian seafarers were the first who spread this religion in India. The first three mosques were established by them in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Gujrat. The bequest of the Muslim rulers is unerasable. The Delhi Sultanate and The Mughal Empire have ruled over South-Asia, Bengal, Deccan and many other parts of this Asian fragment. With the result, today, India is home to over 180 Million Muslims spread across the length and breadth of this country. Leaving aside the Muslim nations of the world, India has the largest population of Muslims among all non-muslim nations. Here, around 16 percent population is Muslim.Having said that, we believe that one aspect needs to be brought to the forefront. Muslims who came to India and settled here have given remarkable contributions in all respects. History stands testifier that visionaries like Akbar, Aurangzeb and Shah Jahan erected masterpieces of architecture. Taj Mahal, Jamia Masjid, Gol Gumbaz and Red Fort are such buildings that India is renowned for. It is very unfortunate, however, that their disposition is being debased. The art and the architecture introduced by us here is still matchless.
“In surkh gulabon mein mera lahu hai shamil…”
Mein kaise chaman chod du maali tere darr se…”
We all have to live here. We all must broaden our vision and uphold the principles of peace and harmony. Inspite of building more and more places of worship; let’s build a home in the hearts of people. And that is our message today.
When it came to sacrifice for the honour of the country, Muslims like Khan Abdul Gaffar, Ashfaqullah, Abdul Kalam Azad and many more offered their sacrifices. The freedom movement of India would never forget the selfless services of these brave heroes. Likewise, in the field of politics and science, we have been second to none. The names of the Missile Man of India Dr A.P.J Abdul Kalam, the political player Zakir Hussain and many other Muslims are promiment. They have made their mark in their respective areas. India is basically a democratic and seculer state. Here, ideally, Hindus must live in brotherhood with Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Jains, Bhudhists and all other religions. It is a complete system. Its parts must work in coherence and harmony. A discord in one component affects all other parts. The sooner we understand this, the better it is. Islam is a religious belief that gives space to all kinds of people—non-muslims, the black, the white, the men and the women. We disseminate the message of peace, communion, fraternity, mutual respect and tolerance. Our core value system is like that. It’s for us to understand that sowing the seeds of animosity and intolerance is not going to take us anywhere. It’s going to deteriorate all of us. We all have to live here. We all must broaden our vision and uphold the principles of peace and harmony. Inspite of building more and more places of worship; let’s build a home in the hearts of people. And that is our message today.
