The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Soul of Islam

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Saturday, Jun 14, 2008
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Soul of Islam

The article “War’ for the soul of Islam in India” (June 11) is an interesting analysis of the cross-currents of thought among the Islamic clergy and the role of the Darul Uloom Deoband in opposing jihadists. Terrorism has been let loose on innocent citizens by misguided champions of Islam. It is unfortunate that the jihadists who, the article says, have the backing of only the polar fringes of Islam in India, succeed in carrying out dastardly bomb blasts and massacre innocent people. Unless stringent laws like POTA are re-enacted and the intelligence set-up is streamlined, the Islamists will continue to carry out terrorist attacks. Stronger action to counter their violence is the need of the hour.

N. Hariharan,

Coimbatore

* * *

All recent terrorist strikes were perpetrated by jihadis who claim to be motivated by Islam. The need of the hour is not fatwas or proclamations distancing oneself from terrorism but a more concerted and dedicated effort to prevent acts of terror being carried out in the name of jihad. It looks like seminaries are only keen on keeping themselves away rather than actually striking at the root of the evil.

Amit Arora,

Mumbai

* * *

No religion wants to use terror as its means to achieve its ends. Unfortunately, Muslims have been accused of tolerating terror for the simple reason that some of them have fallen prey to the tactics of some extremists in their community. The Deoband declaration denouncing terror has surely marked a good beginning in the fight against terrorism.

P. Senthil Saravana Durai,

Vazhavallan

* * *

This refers to the letter that says there is nothing like radicalism in the Salafi viewpoint (June 12). All extremist groups derive justification from the teachings of the Salafi sect. Groups such as the Lashkar-e-Taiba and the Jaish-e-Mohammed are the products of the Salafi philosophy. They are opposed to the modern way of life. The followers of the Salafi sect propagated hatred against the people belonging to other communities by calling them infidels. They even justified acts like throwing acid on the face of unveiled Muslim women in Kashmir.

Sufism, propagated by saints like Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chisti, Qutubuddin Bhaktiyar Kaki, and Nizamuddin Awaliya, is committed to peace, equality, and religious tolerance.

Shaik Fariduddin Bazi,

Gurgaon

* * *

Contrary to what many people believe, the Salafi sect, also called the Ahle Hadeeth, does not invite people to terrorism.

Saad Yunus Sait,

Chennai

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