Date:06/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/06/stories/2008120661241200.htm

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Muslim organisations to scale down celebrations

Special Correspondent

Muslims urged to refrain from sacrificing cows on Bakrid to avoid hurting Hindu sentiments
We are with the government in tackling terrorism: Shahi Imam of Fatehpuri mosque

NEW DELHI: A number of Muslim organisations across the country have condemned the “beastly” terror attacks in Mumbai and appealed to the community to scale down Eid-ul-Azha celebrations on December 9.

In a statement, the Coordination Committee of Indian Muslims (CCIM) sought a “high-level, transparent, unbiased and truthful inquiry” into the Mumbai attacks. It urged the authorities, civil society groups and media to work together to expose the real perpetrators of these “unprecedented” attacks.

“Leaving the real culprits behind the curtains of suspicion will only help terrorists fortify their activities and increase the feeling of insecurity among the people,” it said.

The CCIM member-organisations include the All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat, Jamiat-e-Ulama-e-Hind, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Jamiat-Ahl-e-Hadees and the All India Milli Council.

Leading Islamic seminary Dar-ul-Uloom and the All India Organisation of Imams of Mosques (AIOIM) have appealed to Muslims in the country to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha in a simple manner.

In a booklet detailing the concept of ‘qurbani’ or sacrifice on the occasion of Bakrid, brought out by Deoband-based Dar-ul-Uloom, the seminary has advised Muslims to refrain from sacrificing cows to avoid hurting the sentiments of the Hindus.

The AIOIM asked imams around the country to pray for the victims of the Mumbai attacks, during Eid prayers.

Anis Suhrawardy, spokesperson of Jamiat-e-Ulama-e-Hind, said that terrorism was not related to any religion and both the communities had suffered in such attacks, be it Mumbai or Malegaon.

“Both the communities have to find a way to tackle such an unprecedented situation when you have terrorists coming through sea route and creating mayhem and terror in Mumbai. Every citizen is an Indian first and Hindu, Muslim or Sikh later. In this attack, all Indians have suffered and entire nation has been hurt. We have to also review our security and intelligence set up and tighten it further so that all citizens feel safe…,” Mr. Suhrawardy said.

Mufti Mohammad Mukarram Ahmed, Shahi Imam of Fatehpuri mosque in the walled city, appealed to all Muslims to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha with simplicity.

“We are with all those families who have suffered in this terror strike. We are praying for peace and harmony,” the Shahi Imam, widely respected in the community, told The Hindu on Friday.

He reiterated that neither the holy Koran nor the Prophet favoured use of violence against foe or friend. “Terrorism has no place in Islam or any other religion. We are with the government in its efforts to tackle this menace, our full cooperation will be available to it,” the Shahi Imam said.

The All-India Babri Masjid Re-building Committee said the organisation would not hold any demonstration or dharna on Saturday, the 16th anniversary of the demolition of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya.