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Liberals have played the secularism game very well. They have managed to keep Hindus divided, self-alienated, and confused since Independence. While we Hindus have our own groups to listen to and debate in, there are a few voices from the Muslim community that also need to be heard. Why, you ask? These voices endorse harmony or at least peaceful coexistence. On the other hand, Liberals, believing it is their duty to ‘civilize’ Hindus, for which their first step is to perennially trap Hindus in shame and guilt, have ended up mainstreaming the most fanatical and regressive voices among Indian Muslims and Christians.
Let us agree: there are sane voices from the Muslim community that deserve to be heard instead of the radical clerics, politicians, and self-appointed community leaders that we see being platformed by liberal media. So, here’s a list of 10 Muslim voices that Indian liberals don’t want you to hear.
Sufi Mohd Kausar Hassan Majidi
Sufi Mohd Kausar Hassan Majidi[1], the president of the Sufi Khanqah Association, applauded the arrest of Mufti Salman Azhari for his involvement in inciting communal tension and promoting religious hatred. Majidi expressed deep concerns over Azhari’s actions, accusing him of following a pattern similar to Tablighi Jamaat and contributing to communal tensions between Hindus and Muslims. He further accused Azhari of involving in actions that aligned with the “Ghazwa-e-Hind project,” a matter consistently condemned by the Sufi Khanqah Association. Majidi emphasized the need for scrutiny of individuals supporting Pakistani terrorists in India and called for strict action against those promoting unrest in the country. His statements and the Sufi Khanqah Association’s advocacy for communal harmony emphasize the importance of cracking down on activities that damage communal harmony and denouncing individuals like Salman Azhari.
Chief Imam of the All India Imam Organisation, Umer Ahmed Ilyasi
Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi[2] received a fatwa following his attendance at the Ram Mandir Pran Prathishta ceremony. The fatwa declares him a ‘Kaafir’ with threats to his life. He responded, urging those who disagree with his actions to “go to Pakistan.” The Imam asserted that he went to Ayodhya for harmony and the nation, labeling the fatwa part of a conspiracy to generate hatred against him. He emphasized that India is not an Islamic nation, and he won’t apologize for spreading a message of love and brotherhood.
Khalid Baig and Amana Ansari
Hosts of a popular YouTube channel called India This Week, Khalid and Amana[3] are Muslims who also echo the nationalistic principles of our country. On their podcast, they discuss and analyse current affairs surrounding India from the perspective of ordinary Indians, which they say is their humble effort toward nation-building. They are those who break the typical “oppressed Muslim” narrative. Khalid’s Twitter account was suspended in 2022 for standing up to Islamists.
Arshia Malik
Arshia Malik[4] is a columnist and social commentator on Indian Muslim issues apart from speaking for the Kashmiris. She also frequently writes articles on grooming jihad and the topic of why Indian Muslims must dissent against the beheading threats – enough reason why the larger Hindu community must listen to people like her and why we must give space/platform to voices like hers. She also has written about how the Hindu liberal-Muslim alliance is a hindrance to Muslims themselves.
Arif Mohammed Khan
Arif Mohammad Khan[5] is often viewed as a Muslim reformer – he has taken progressive stances on the customs and practices of Muslims in India, such as opposing triple-talaq. Arif Mohammad Khan has often quoted the Quran and the Constitution while also taking a stand against minority appeasement. His alleged comments on madrasa education, which received flak from his community leaders, and his objection to young girls wearing the hijab also did not go down well with the community. It is also worth noting that Governor Khan recently visited the Sabarimala temple in Kerala.
Zeba Zoariah
Zeba[6] is a practicing advocate focusing on law, geopolitics, technology regulation, politics, policy, progressive Muslim perspectives, and women’s rights. As a columnist, she contributes articles covering various topics, including women’s rights, politics, and law. Zeba regularly addresses the victimhood complex that Muslims have perpetually placed themselves under.
Javed Beigh
Javed Beigh[7] is a Kashmiri Muslim youth who proudly represented Bharat at the 54th Session of the UNHRC in Geneva. As an Indian Kashmiri Muslim, Javed takes pride in Kashmir’s syncretic heritage, encompassing Hindu, Buddhist, and Sufi traditions. Additionally, he vocalizes concerns about the challenges faced by people in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) and Gilgit Baltistan living under the occupation of Pakistan.
Abdul Majeed Khan
Khan[8] is a committee member of a mosque in Fatehpur, UP, and it was he who narrated the truth of how radical Islamic clerics were brainwashing Muslim youth to carry out love jihad to trap Hindu girls.
Sultan Shahin
Sultan Shahin[9] serves as the editor of NewAgeIslam.com, a portal dedicated to reevaluating Islamic principles for the 21st century. The platform emphasizes the importance of neglected Ijtihad, seeks to inform the global Muslim community, encourages informed decision-making in the face of global challenges, and fosters open debate. Additionally, Sultan Shahin works on initiatives to safeguard youth from misguided ideologies while upholding spiritual traditions.
Other voices that should be given platforms instead of Owaisis, Madanis, Taqueer Razas, etc, include columnist and musician Omer Ghazi.[10]
These voices are proud to call themselves Indians and acknowledge their Hindu past. While we have listed down Muslim voices that need to be heard, it is pertinent to remember that we need not necessarily agree with them on all counts. These are people with whom we can engage in a civil dialogue and thus work together for the greater cause – the cause of Bharat. Harmony, a shared aspiration, is crucial for our country’s stability and future generations’ prosperity. It is worth acknowledging that the names listed above are well aware of Muslim society’s challenges. Simultaneously, it is crucial to recognize that hardliners within the community are advocating for the country’s partition and expressing intentions for Ghazwa-e-Hind, which can have disastrous consequences, particularly for Muslims. Engaging in such actions might result in the loss of all benefits, and it is crucial to recognize the potential negative impact on the Muslim community.
Citations
[1] https://www.opindia.com/2024/02/sufi-khanqah-association-mufti-salman-azhari-for-inciting-communal-tensions/
[2] https://www.opindia.com/2024/02/sufi-khanqah-association-mufti-salman-azhari-for-inciting-communal-tensions/
[3] https://www.youtube.com/@IndiaThisWeekByAmanaKhalid
[4] https://linktr.ee/ArshiaMalik
[5] https://www.deccanherald.com/opinion/the-importance-of-arif-mohammad-khan-1161023.html
[6] https://twitter.com/ZZoariah
[7] https://twitter.com/JavedBeigh
[8] https://hindupost.in/dharma-religion/you-will-get-both-money-and-enjoyment-mosque-teacher-taught-youth-to-trap-non-muslim-girls/