Al Haqeeqa
Dr. Umar Ahmed Ilyasi, head of All India Imam Organization
New Delhi
Dr. Umair Ahmed Ilyasi, head of All India Imam Organization, who was the only Muslim religious leader to attend the opening of Shri Ram Janambhoomi Mandir at Ayodhya on January 22, said his he was happy to see no responsible Muslim organisation or leader spoke against his action, and it signals their tacit support for his efforts.
Dr. Ilyasi, who was the only Muslim religious leader to attend the opening of Shri Ram Janambhoomi Mandir at Ayodhya on January 22, said his visit broke many a myth and misgivings in society paving the way for peace and end of an era of hatred.
Dr. Umair Ahmed Ilyasi said this in an interview with Atir Khan, Editor-in-Chief of Awaz-The Voice. he dismissed trolls on social media as “opinions of people who have the right to express themselves.”
He said when he received from theRam Janambhoomi shilaniyas Trust. he was clear in his mond that it’s a national responsibility for him.
“I participated in the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple in national interest. I wanted this occasion to be an end of hate; and that a positive message should come out from Ayodhya. I believe my efforts went off well. I received love; everyone showed respect for me. My presence served as a positive gesture and message from Muslims.”
Sharing his experiences of the grand ceremony, Ilyasi said he saw the rise of a new India.
“I saw and experienced an India that is free from hatred and enmity. There was no hatred in the Ram temple; there was no politics; everyone came with devotion, so everyone’s eyes shone with positivity.”
Speaking of his experiences of being the only Muslim religious leader in the company of Seers and Gurus, Dr Ilyasi said there was “respect for each other and that he represented the culture of India at the ceremony.”
“I was seated along with Shankaracharyas and other Hindu religious gurus. Everyone was happy to see me. Perhaps no one would have thought that I would participate in the consecration.”
Maulana Umair Ilyasi said that what he saw was a picture of changing India. “Today’s India is the new India. Today’s India is the best. I went there with the message of love.”
“We all stood in a queue. This is the beauty of India. Of course, our methods of worship, and beliefs may be different, but our biggest religion is humanity and let’s all maintain it.”
He said as an Imam (religious leader) of all Indians he felt his responsibility to represent Muslims there.
“We live in India and therefore we should make India stronger. My message is to end hatred. In response to a question, he said, in the part “a lot of conspiracies were hatched, enmity happened, a lot of politics was unleashed in which a lot of people were killed.”
Now we all have to together strengthen India. “Let us all work together towards a united India.”
He said the ceremony at Ayodhya and participation by leaders of various faiths reflected India’s culture of diversity. “Ram Janmabhoomi Trust invited me to this program. I feel that I have got the opportunity to represent all the Muslims of India on behalf of all Muslims.”
ALSO READ: Soldiering is not about picking a gun and firing: Syed Ata Hasnain
Dr Ilyasi said that he was conscious of this 500-year old dispute and its repurcussion on society and therefoer he wished to play his role on behalf of the Indian Muslims to close this chapter and hence decided to participate.“Let me tell you that when I was entering the enclosure, everyone around was visibly happy to see him – the only Muslims around.”
