A few days ago, a tragic and unfortunate incident occurred in Prabhas Patan, located in the Gir Somnath district. In an unjust act, the authorities used bulldozers to demolish the shrines, mosques, and graveyards of Auliya-e-Kiram, destroying centuries-old structures. This incident has deeply distressed not only the Muslim community of Prabhas Patan and Veraval but also Muslims across the country and all citizens who stand for justice.
On October 8, a delegation from Jamaat-e-Islami Hind visited Prabhas Patan to express solidarity with the affected Muslim community, to offer comfort, and to assure them of all possible support. The delegation included Dr. Engineer Mohammad Salim, Vice President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, who arrived from New Delhi, along with Mohammad Shafi Madni, National Secretary, Dr. Mohammad Salim Patiwala, President of JIH Gujarat, and Ikram Mirza, Secretary of APCR Gujarat.
Youth activist Bashir Gohil and Ghanchi Samaj President Yusuf Patel invited the leaders and organized a gathering at the Ghanchi Samaj Hall. Leaders and representatives from various Muslim organizations and Jamaats attended the meeting. Dr. Mohammad Salim Patiwala, President of JIH Gujarat, introduced the delegation and outlined the purpose of the meeting. He highlighted three key actions necessary in the face of such tragic events: the first is to pursue legal recourse, the second is to exert political pressure, and the third is to uplift and strengthen the morale of the community. “We are here for that purpose,” he said.
Following this, Mr. Afzal Bhai, an active leader of Samast Muslim Samaj, along with retired government officer Jahangir Sahib, provided a detailed account of the incident, describing the sequence of events on the day of the demolition. They explained how the authorities misled the leaders, placed them under house arrest, and carried out the operation by dispersing any resistance.
Mohammad Shafi Madni praised the leaders for their calm and wise handling of the situation, ensuring that the Muslim community remained composed and that peace was maintained between the Hindu and Muslim communities. He acknowledged the ongoing legal cases in the High Court and Supreme Court and offered guidance and support from the Jamaat. He also promised to present the matter to the Human Rights Commission at the highest level.
In his concluding remarks, Dr. Salim Engineer emphasized the unity of the Muslim Ummah, stating that when one part of the body suffers, the entire body feels the pain. He assured the community that they would not allow the agenda of the fascist system to succeed in dividing or discouraging Muslims. “We will continue to fight with full passion, determination, trust in Allah, and unity, while upholding Islamic ethics,” he said. Dr. Salim expressed admiration for the courage and resilience shown by the community in such difficult circumstances and assured them that Allah’s justice will prevail. He stressed that this is not just an issue for one or two organizations but a challenge for the entire nation, and that together they will stand strong in the face of this oppression.
The President of Ghanchi Samaj, Janab Yusuf Patel, and Ismail Bhai of the Auliya-e-Deen Committee expressed their gratitude to the participants, noting that the meeting had instilled a renewed sense of hope and enthusiasm in the Muslim community. After taking meals together, the delegation visited the demolished sites to assess the situation first hand.
