Srinagar, August 30: Seeking to put a lid on the controversy over his reported remarks, Farooq Abdullah today clarified that he had never questioned the belief of Muslims that the holy Quran was revealed to Prophet Mohammad.
“I wish to categorically reassert that I had at no point of time made any reference to the holy Qur’an being revealed to anybody other than Prophet Mohammad,” Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy said in a statement here.
Abdullah, also the NC chief, was quoted in a media report of having made statements contrary to Muslim faith.
Abdullah’s reported remarks led to protests in some parts of Kashmir yesterday with hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani calling on Islamic scholars to issue an edict on the matter.
On a recent visit to Gujarat, Abdullah said “I had an occasion to make a speech in which I highlighted the essential unity of all Indians and also categorically emphasised that no religion preaches hatred (Mazhab nahin sikhata apas mein bair rakhna).”
The NC president said he had also mentioned that Ramadhan is the holiest month as the holy Qur’an was revealed to Prophet Mohammad during this month.
“I have seen a number of press reports where my secular and humanistic remarks have been hopelessly distorted. I had never claimed that the Holy Qur’an was revealed to anyone other than the Prophet Mohammad. I am dismayed at this inaccurate reporting more so when the comments being reported upon sought to emphasise harmony between religions and equality of mankind,” Abdullah said.
He said all citizens should “remember the essential oneness of man and equality of all religions.”
-PTI