The acts of some misguided individuals is harming Islam’s real message of mercy, unity and peace, Indian Minister of State for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said here.
His remark at an event in Egypt on Saturday came after Paris was ravaged by a series of horrific attacks, killing at least 129 people across six locations, and injuring over 300 people. Islamic State terrorists took responsibility for the bloodbath.
In his address at 25th International Conference of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, which was attended by imams, religious leaders and scholars from 42 countries, Naqvi said terrorism and radicalism are the greatest enemies of humanity and Islam.
He said that terrorism has failed to establish its roots in India due to the country’s deep-rooted cultural unity and a vibrant democracy. He said it was now the duty of all, including that of Islamic world and Islamic scholars, to come forward and work towards removing the scourge of terrorism and radicalism.
Naqvi said that murder is strictly forbidden in Islam. “Prophet warned that he who kills anyone who has a covenant of peace will not go to paradise.”
He argued that in the seventh century, Islam was in the forefront of modernity, based on principles of social justice, economic equity, gender equality and democratization of polity.
Islam, in fact, has provided peace and stability to different regions of the world for centuries, he said.
Naqvi said that act of some misguided individuals is harming Islam’s real message of mercy, unity, peace and brotherhood. Coordination-communication among the society, religious leaders, government agencies and media is must to deal such elements.
He expressed confidence that the international conference will be helpful in removing misconceptions about Islam religion and in spreading its real message of peace and brotherhood.
IANS