The paths of these two stars have intersected on several occasions due to their association with the luxury brand Bulgari
entertainment6 hours ago
The newly elected Grand Mufti of India is "pained" by "deepening communal tensions" across his country and feels educating the generations is the only way to end divisions. Sheikh Aboobacker Ahmad from Kerala aims to transform the image of Indian Muslims by putting focus on education. The 80-year-old scholar, also known as Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliar, is the founder of Kozhikode-based Markaz, an Islamic University with presence in 23 states and four union territories.
Some Markaz schools in Kerala have 50 per cent non-Muslim students and he wishes to replicate this model in other states. Sheikh Aboobacker took charge as the Grand Mufti this February and holds the supreme authority to give fatwas in relation to Islamic religious matters in India. He aims to build consensus among muftis from across the country to work together for development of the community and forms opinion on issues like entry of women in mosques.
The leader of Muslims is averse to mixing politics and religion - a factor which will "destroy the secular fabric of India". In an interview ahead of his mega reception in Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Aboobacker noted there will be firm effort from his side to revive brotherhood among Indians.
What will be your role as the Grand Mufti and the changes you wish to initiate?
This is a big responsibility. Whenever there is any matter of national interest, I as the Grand Mufti, will bring together all muftis from across India and form a collective opinion. For example on an issue like triple talaq, there will be a discussion held among muftis. It wasn't done earlier as previous Grand Mufti (Akhtar Raza Khan) passed away last year. A Grand Mufti also gives fatwa, which has its own importance. In India, Muslims follow the Muslim Personal Law, Mahomedan Law and those laws for Sunnis and Shias. When any issue on Muslim community is in the parliament, a mufti's fatwa is needed as a guidance to take a decision. I will seek to unite the Muslim community and develop cordial relations with all other religious groups. I want to see Muslims playing greater role in nation building process.
What are the reasons for communal divisions in India and what are the solutions to this?
Lack of education is the root cause of all hatred and divisions. Politics and religion shouldn't be mixed as it will lead to bias in the community. But Muslims shouldn't remain aloof too. They should be part of all mainstream organisations. In election, it's wrong to have a Muslim candidate from Muslim majority constituency and a Hindu candidate from Hindu majority area. A Muslim should win from Hindu dominated area and vice versa to really make India secular. All citizens from diverse religions across India should live together just like you find in Kerala. Education holds key to peace and harmony in India.
What can Indian leadership learn from counterparts in the UAE?
The UAE is an Islamic country with more than 200 nationalities living together. The new Hindu temple is an example of inclusiveness, harmony and tolerance shown by the UAE leadership. Islam has always promoted the idea of love and peace. Islam always propagates the fact that faith and belief shouldn't be forcefully imposed on anyone but willfully accepted.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com
The paths of these two stars have intersected on several occasions due to their association with the luxury brand Bulgari
entertainment6 hours ago
The students' demands range from a ceasefire in Israel's war with Hamas to calls for universities to stop investing in Israeli enterprises
world7 hours ago
Despite Kohli's flowing form ahead of the T20 World Cup in June, pundits have raised concerns over his strike-rate
cricket7 hours ago
Saudi Arabia has begun to explore extracting lithium from sea water
business7 hours ago
Speaking after meeting Lebanese leaders, French foreign minister says there had been "a lot of progress" over the French proposals
mena7 hours ago
The three-shot winner from Japan says he is aiming to become a member of the PGA Tour in the future
sports7 hours ago
Big-hitting Nienaber falters at the finish to settle for secondwhile former Abu Dhabi resident David Horsey takes the third spot at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club
sports8 hours ago
The UAE is India's second-largest export destination after the US
economy8 hours ago