|
||||||||||
|
|
By Teesta Setalvad Thursday, 24 April 2008 http://www.siasat.com/english/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=261769&Itemid=59&cattitle=India
Kanpur, April 24 : Islam stood up against oppression, exploitation, injustice and inequality 1400 years ago; so to coin the term 'Islamic terrorism' today is a well planned conspiracy of communalists, said renowned social activist Teesta Setalvad in Kanpur. Addressing a conference on 'Truth of allegations of terrorism against Muslims' on 20th April, Setalvad said there is no clash between Islam and democracy. Islam has always been against violence and it has restored human rights and women's rights. Such a religion can not have any relation with terrorism. The slogan of 'Islamic terrorism' seems to have been coined by a communalist mind, she said. Speaking as the chief guest, Setalvad, who played a pivotal role in bringing some justice to the victims of Gujarat 2002 pogrom, said Muslims, Christians, Adivasis and Dalit classes need to struggle jointly by forming a front to secure their rights. Addressing the gathering, Member of Parliament Maulana Mahmood Madani said if minorities overcome their linguistic and class-based differences, communalism can never survive. Articulating his views, vice-president of Milli Council Maulana Yaseen Usmani said Islam completely negates negative thinking and extremism. He said Islam is a peace-loving religion and does not have even any remote relation with terrorism. Associating Islam with terrorism is an organized conspiracy of anti-Muslim forces. Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahalli, Dr. John Dayal and Ameer of Markazi Jamiat Ahle Hadees Asghar Ali Imam Mehdi also expressed their views in the convention. |
|||||||||
