Kishanganj: Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind (JUH) chief Maulana Mahmood Madani has advocated for a global law criminalising any form of disrespect towards Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. He emphasised that such a measure is crucial to address the growing incidents of blasphemy, particularly on social media platforms, reports the Hindustan Times.
Speaking at the Ijlas-e-Aam (general meeting) here Sunday, Maulana Madani appealed to the international community to prioritise the protection of the Prophet’s ﷺ honour and ensure that violations are treated as criminal acts.
Maulana Madani voiced alarm over increasing attacks on mosques and madrasas in India. He criticised communal campaigns targeting these institutions and urged the Supreme Court to establish a constitutional bench to safeguard mosques under the Places of Worship (Special Protection) Act of 1991. Furthermore, he requested government support for the development of madrasas and an end to the negative propaganda against these Islamic educational institutions.
The JUH also passed a resolution opposing proposed amendments to the Waqf Act, asserting that these changes aim to seize Muslims’ properties. The resolution demanded the protection of Waqf properties and the community’s rights.
The gathering called on the public to refrain from spreading hatred on social media and urged authorities to take strict action against online incidents of hatred and blasphemy.
Maulana Madani appealed to the Muslim community to maintain patience and work within the constitutional framework to address challenges. “The challenges are significant, but solutions must be sought within the ambit of the Constitution and the law,” he said.
The event, attended by lakhs of people from Bihar and Bengal, saw participation from representatives of various schools of thought and political parties. Prominent figures, including Maulana Hakimuddin Qasmi, Maulana Mufti Affan Mansoorpuri, and Maulana Javed Iqbal, emphasised the need for national unity and communal harmony.
The Ulama expressed their anger over recent violence in Sambhal and the proposed amendments to the Waqf Act. They accused the government of attempting to weaken the community through these changes, declaring, “This will not be allowed.”
Additionally, Maulana Madani condemned provocative statements made by members of the ruling party during communal rallies in Seemanchal, warning that such rhetoric threatens national integrity.
Kishanganj General Secretary Maulana Mohd Khalid Anwar noted that the Ijlas aimed to address issues like protecting Waqf properties, promoting communal harmony, and clarifying misconceptions about Islamic teachings.
The meeting concluded with an appeal to stakeholders to recognise the positive contributions of madrasas in India and work collectively to strengthen national unity.