The United Force for Peace & Harmony, a social group of eminent persons from Muslim community residing in Gujarat, has taken a serious note of some provoking statements made by some elected representatives of Germany, who recently visited the Gujarat. According to members of the group, the remarks made by the German MPs on persecutions of Muslims in the state is totally unwarranted, unprovoked and unilateral statement and such utterance can widen the split between various religious community in the state.

The group has also written a letter to Ambassador of Germany in India stating how the observations made by the MPs amount to distortions of facts and how it can damage the communal harmony already prevailing in the state. While hailing the initiatives taken by the state government to maintain communal harmony, the group has also sought a clarification through media & urged the German Authority to prevent repetition of such incidents.

The letter states that The delegation alleged persecutions of Muslims in the state of Gujarat, without even meeting one single individual Muslim nor any representative of the various NGOs working towards rehabilitation of the victims of the 2002 riots. Their statement was myopic, inflammatory and derogatory in nature. Such statements and wild and imaginary allegations lead to widening of the split between various religious groups.

“The state government under the current regime had undertaken several steps to respect sentiments of Muslim including the various steps taken in providing logistic facilities for the Haj pilgrims flying directly from Ahmedabad. The other indicator of religious freedom in
number of theological institutions and places of worship, we would like to inform you that the per capita “Madrassa” (Theological Schools for Islam) are among the highest in Gujarat. It is only second to Uttar Pradesh. This indicates the freedom and support we receive for education from the state government as education falls under state domain as per Indian Constitution,” the letter adds.

The persons

Leading Muslims who addressed the press conference were Moulana Mohammad Ali Maniar eminent Businessman & Religious Scholar, Surat, Mr. Zafar Sareshwala CMD, Parsoli Corporation Ltd., Mr. Mufti Asadulla Qasmi Shariah Scholar, Darul-Ifta and Mr. Mustaqim Raja
Retired Suptd. Engineer P.W.D Gujarat

The cause was equally supported by Mufti Fareed Noted Shariah Scholar, Broach, Mr. Javed Desai Businessman, Ahmedabad, Mr. Sharif Memon Deep Builders, Ahmedabad, Mr. Mushtaq Putawala Leading Businessman, Ahmedabad, Mr. Muhammed Irfan Abdulgaffar Qazi Kosamba Marketing Manager, Xerox India Ltd.