Aug 12, 2018
The Uttar Pradesh unit of Shia Central Waqf Board has issued an order making it mandatory for all its affiliated madrasas, schools and colleges to hoist the national flag, sing the national anthem as well as chant the slogan ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ during the Independence Day programmes to be held on Waqf properties. The order, issued on Saturday by UP unit chief Wasim Rizvi, also stated that strict action will be taken against institutes who violate the directive.
As per reports, Rizvi justified the move by saying that Islam does not prohibit Muslims from chanting the slogan ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ as it is emblematic of India’s victory over others. Speaking to ANI, Rizvi said, “Shia Waqf Board has issued an order that on August 15, it is necessary to raise slogans of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai” after the national anthem in the all programmes to be held on the properties of Waqf Board.”
Rizvi also said that “bigots and clerics” in the community had taken “advantage of illiteracy” among Muslims and had “taught children to disrespect the nation”, India Today reported. Speaking to the news portal, Rizvi said, “We are not going to tolerate this. Independence Day is a matter of pride for us and we want it to be celebrated in all the educational institutions.”
Meanwhile, Sunni cleric Maulana Sufiyan Nizami said that no one should “teach” patriotism to the community, the news portal reported. In response to the board’s directive, Nizami told India Today, “We already hoist the country’s flag and recite national anthem every year on Independence Day and Republic Day. I think no one should teach us patriotism like this. This is not right.”
Shia cleric Saif Abbas also held a similar opinion to that of cleric Nizami and said that while hoisting the tri-colour and reciting national anthem should be done to show love for the country, no one should be forced to do it, the news portal reported.
Source : TimesNowNews
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