...International Muslims Organisation...

Campaigns...

Convention of Ulema 9th December 1992 Barbari Mosque

A convention of Ulema was called, which was attended by the leading Ulema not only of the Ahle Sunnat wal Jamaat, but also of the Ahle Hadith, Deobandi and Shia schools of thought. This convention was held at the Station Parade Mosque in Willesden Green London. The Ulema discussed the position of the Indian government against Muslims generally. The history of atrocities and barbarity against Muslims throughout India was highlighted. India’s record on its treatment of Muslims in offering jobs, services and fairness in all community matters was discussed. The position of the Indian government in Kashmir was also analysed. It was reported to the Ulema that, the acts of the Indian government in Kashmir was a kin to genocide of the Kashmiri Muslims. Even though morale in the Indian army was very low but India has continued to insist upon the pursuance of its territorial claims in Kashmir. The treatment of the Indian government of all its minorities was discussed, especially the untouchables and the Sikh community. There has been a sense of current appeasement but this understanding is superficial and in fact the Indian government has taken a very robust and aggressive line of action, against the Sikhs separatist movement and the untouchables movement for equal civil rights. This has resulted in an arrogant Indian government. This is the same for whatever colour of the party it is that comes into power.


It was also discussed amongst the Ulema in the convention that there is a possibility that the Indian government may be collaborating with the Israeli government in its destruction of Barburi Mosque. It was deemed that the Israeli government had paid a lot of money and in fact assisted the Indian government in deliberating upon the strategy of the destruction of the Barbari Mosque. This would be a helpful exercise for the Israeli government because the reaction of the Muslims worldwide in condemning the destruction of the Barbari Mosque could be multiplied by 10 times, if for instance the Masjid Aqsa was ever destroyed by the Israeli government. Therefore if the response by the Muslim community was minimal, then even if multiplied by 10 times, the Israeli government would deem itself capable of handling the worldwide Muslim reaction after the destruction of Masjid Aqsa. However if the reaction to the Barbari Mosque was deemed to be robust then if that was multiplied by 10, then Israel would feel that its own essence would be threatened, if it dare to touch the raw nerve of the worldwide Muslim community.


In all these discussions the role of the Mosque in a Muslim community was discussed. It was suggested by Ulema that the Mosque today does not perform the role of a mosque as it was envisaged by the Holy Prophet p.b.u.h. It was envisaged that the mosque would be a centre of all social, cultural, political and economic activity of the Muslim community. The Mosque would be the home where all Muslim would gather to demarcate their future strategies. The mosque would be the ideal place for the interaction between families, races and people of different backgrounds. The mosque would be a melting pot whereby differences and divisions would be lined out. Clearly there needs to be a strategy adopted for the renewal of the original purpose of the foundation of the mosque.


It was decided by the Ulema to hold a mass demonstration starting from Hyde Park and ending at the Indian embassy. It was decided that speeches should be delivered by the key Ulema from different sects at the Hyde Park assembly point. There was some discussion about who should chair this session of the demonstration and it was unanimously decided that Hazrat Allama Pir Faizul Aqtab Siddiqi would be the representative of all the sects of Islam. The said function would be supervised by the four key leaders of the different sects as nominated in the previous convention. It was decided that a petition should be presented to the Indian High Commissioner, venting the anger and condemnation of the Muslim community in the U.K. for the Indian governments actions. The petition should contain a clear message that if the Indian continued to pursue its policy of annihilation of the Muslim communities feelings, and beliefs and holy places, then the Indian government will face economic and social consequences of isolation.


This demonstration did take place and was attended by the major sects of Islam and was one of the most successful demonstrations organised by the Muslim community in the U.K. It was the first time that the Muslim community had stood united and under the leadership of the International Muslims Organisation had presented a political front that sent shockwaves to not only the Indian government but all the other kafir governments. It was realised by those governments that by destroying and desecrating Muslim holy places they are creating towers of unity which they will never be able to destroy.


It was decided that there should be an establishment of a permanent institute by the name of Institute of South Asia Studies. This should be organised under the auspices of the International Muslims Organisation.