New Delhi, September 15: Prominent leaders of India’s large Muslim community have vehemently and unequivocally condemned the desecration of churches in Punjab and Kashmir.
In a written statement signed among others by All India Muslim Majlis-e Mushawarat President Syed Shahabuddin, Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Asaduddin Owaisi and Milli Gazette Editor Zafarul Islam Khan, they said: “Desecration of any sacred scripture or vilification of any religious personality or attack on any religious place, anywhere in the world… is a despicable and uncivilized act.”
Referring to the attacks on Christian properties and institutions in some places in Kashmir and in Maler Kotla in the Indian state of Punjab, they said: “Islam specifically prohibits such acts and behavior. We urge the authorities concerned to take stern legal action against the culprits.”
The Muslim leaders appealed to their co-religionists in India and elsewhere to exercise maximum restraint.
“Whatever the provocation, Muslims should limit their disapproval and protest against such incidents to peaceful demonstrations, press statements and memoranda to the authorities concerned.”
-Agencies