New Delhi: Maulana Muhammad Saad Kandhlawi, head of the Tablighi Jamaat, has urged Muslims to revive the Prophet’s example of respect and compassion towards people of all faiths. Speaking at a large Tablighi congregation in Mewat, Haryana, in late October, he said prejudice against Muslims in India has grown partly because many Muslims have forgotten the value of mutual respect.
The event, which drew lakhs of attendees, was marked by peace and discipline. In his sermon, Maulana Saad said that Islam emphasizes respect for all, regardless of belief. “Muslims have forgotten how to respect their compatriots. That attitude of mutual respect is fading, though Islam teaches us to show deep respect towards our brothers and sisters of other faiths,” he said.
Addressing the issue of conversions, he clarified that Islam forbids coercion or deceit. “Islam teaches respect. It does not allow you to forcibly convert anyone, to threaten or tempt them into Islam. There is no compulsion in religion,” he said, adding that compulsion in Islam applies only to Muslims in the matter of prayer.
The congregation also reflected interfaith harmony, as local Hindus joined Muslim volunteers to help organize the event. They ran tea stalls and vegetarian food counters for visitors. The peaceful coordination between communities offered a rare display of unity and goodwill.
Observers described the Mewat event as a model of order and mutual respect, reinforcing the message that Islam stands for peace, coexistence, and respect for all citizens.
