Tablighi row: Entire Muslim community cannot be held responsible for one group’s ‘crime’, says Naqvi
PTINEW DELHI , APRIL 23, 2020 15:04 IST
UPDATED: APRIL 23, 2020 15:20 IST
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Union Minister for Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi. File
Union Minister for Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi. File | Photo Credit: PTI
Naqvi also expressed confidence that Muslims will abide by lockdown guidelines during the holy month of Ramzan.
The entire Muslim community cannot be held responsible for one group’s “crime”, Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said on Thursday while reacting to instances of Muslims being blamed for the spurt in COVID-19 cases after Tablighi Jamaat congregation here, and asserted that most of the minority community members have condemned the group’s action.
Also read: Coronavirus | Foreign attendees at Tablighi Jamaat congregation under ED lens
In an interview to PTI, Mr. Naqvi also expressed confidence that Muslims will abide by lockdown guidelines during the holy month of Ramzan.
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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reviews the facilities at SGPGI in Lucknow. File
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He said across the India, imams, Ulema and Muslim organizations have unanimously decided that during Ramzan (the Islamic holy month), Muslims will not congregate in mosques, religious places and perform all rituals like ‘Iftaar’ (breaking of fast) and ‘taraweeh’ (special prayers) at home keeping in mind social distancing norms.
Mr. Naqvi said he has spoken with state waqf board officials, social and religious leaders, imams on adherence to the lockdown and social distancing guidelines during the Ramzan month starting Friday or Saturday evening and they have begun creating awareness among the people.
Also read: Tablighi Jamaat has pockets of influence in North Karnataka
Asked about some people blaming Muslims for the spread of the pandemic after a large number of cases were found linked to the Tablighi Jamaat event at Nizamudddin in New Delhi, Mr. Naqvi said the whole community cannot be held responsible for the “crime” of one organisation or one person.
ALSO READ
With the relaxation in the coronavirus nationalwide lockdown norms including construction sector, workers seen at work near Anakapalle in Visakhapatnam on April 20, 2020.
Coronavirus | Speed of virus infections slows, doubling time rises in 18 States
“Whatever that organisation did, criminal negligence or crime...most Muslims have strongly reacted to it, condemned it and called for action against it. Entire community cannot be held responsible for one person or one organisation’s crime,” he asserted, adding that this has always been India’s culture.
Last week, the Union Health Ministry had said 29.8% of the total COVID-19 cases — 4,291 out of 14,378 COVID-19 infections — in the country were linked to the Tablighi Jamaat congregation in March at the group’s headquarters here following which some sections of the society severely criticised Muslims, and blamed them for the spread of the pandemic in the country.
Also read: Coronavirus | The story of India’s largest COVID-19 cluster
Mr. Naqvi’s comments also assume significance in view of the 57-member prominent international Mulim grouping, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), asking India to take “urgent steps” to protect the rights of its minority Muslim community and stop the incidents of “Islamophobia” in the country.
Hitting out at the OIC, the minister had said the country is “heaven for Muslims” and those trying to vitiate the atmosphere of prosperity cannot be friends of Indian Muslims.
ALSO READ
Coronavirus | India rejects Imran Khan’s allegations of discrimination against Muslims
Mr. Naqvi said those targeting Muslims are few isolated people who are trying to spread “misinformation” and “we should be united and isolate such elements”.
Also read: Coronavirus | Tablighi Jamaat centre chief faces culpable homicide case
On the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions during Ramzan, Mr. Naqvi said no Muslim wants to stay away from mosques during the holy month, but everyone has resolved to win this battle against coronavirus.
During this month, everyone should pray to God that not only India but also the entire world is freed from this COVID-19 pandemic, he said.
Asked whether Muslims have followed lockdown and social distancing guidelines till now, Mr. Naqvi said, “absolutely, the entire country is standing united in this fight against coronavirus.”
Also read: Tablighi Jamaat and COVID-19: The story so far
“When Prime Minister Narendra Modi had appealed to people with folded hands, he had appealed to 130 crore Indians, it was not based on caste or religion. And everybody responded to his appeal and acted on it,” he said.
People have faith that whatever Prime Minister Modi does is for the health and safety of the people, Mr. Naqvi said.
Asked about the role of the Opposition in the fight against COVID-19 and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi’s suggestions, Mr. Naqvi said,”some people have criticised, but that is their habit, we don’t take any offence to it.”
లవ్ అగర్వాల్ చెప్పినట్టు 29 శాతానికి మూలాలు మర్కజ్ లో వున్నాయి. మరి 71 శాతానికి మూలాలు ఎక్కడివీ? అది కూడ చెప్పేస్తే ఒక పని అయిపోతుంది.
14.2%
About 14.2% of the country's population or approx. 200 million people identify as adherents of Islam (2018 estimate). It makes India the country with the largest Muslim population outside Muslim-majority countries.
PTINEW DELHI , APRIL 23, 2020 15:04 IST
UPDATED: APRIL 23, 2020 15:20 IST
SHARE ARTICLE 0PRINTA A A
Union Minister for Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi. File
Union Minister for Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi. File | Photo Credit: PTI
Naqvi also expressed confidence that Muslims will abide by lockdown guidelines during the holy month of Ramzan.
The entire Muslim community cannot be held responsible for one group’s “crime”, Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said on Thursday while reacting to instances of Muslims being blamed for the spurt in COVID-19 cases after Tablighi Jamaat congregation here, and asserted that most of the minority community members have condemned the group’s action.
Also read: Coronavirus | Foreign attendees at Tablighi Jamaat congregation under ED lens
In an interview to PTI, Mr. Naqvi also expressed confidence that Muslims will abide by lockdown guidelines during the holy month of Ramzan.
ALSO READ
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reviews the facilities at SGPGI in Lucknow. File
COVID-19 | Lockdown needs stricter enforcement in 40 of 75 districts: UP govt’s note to DMs, SPs
He said across the India, imams, Ulema and Muslim organizations have unanimously decided that during Ramzan (the Islamic holy month), Muslims will not congregate in mosques, religious places and perform all rituals like ‘Iftaar’ (breaking of fast) and ‘taraweeh’ (special prayers) at home keeping in mind social distancing norms.
Mr. Naqvi said he has spoken with state waqf board officials, social and religious leaders, imams on adherence to the lockdown and social distancing guidelines during the Ramzan month starting Friday or Saturday evening and they have begun creating awareness among the people.
Also read: Tablighi Jamaat has pockets of influence in North Karnataka
Asked about some people blaming Muslims for the spread of the pandemic after a large number of cases were found linked to the Tablighi Jamaat event at Nizamudddin in New Delhi, Mr. Naqvi said the whole community cannot be held responsible for the “crime” of one organisation or one person.
ALSO READ
With the relaxation in the coronavirus nationalwide lockdown norms including construction sector, workers seen at work near Anakapalle in Visakhapatnam on April 20, 2020.
Coronavirus | Speed of virus infections slows, doubling time rises in 18 States
“Whatever that organisation did, criminal negligence or crime...most Muslims have strongly reacted to it, condemned it and called for action against it. Entire community cannot be held responsible for one person or one organisation’s crime,” he asserted, adding that this has always been India’s culture.
Last week, the Union Health Ministry had said 29.8% of the total COVID-19 cases — 4,291 out of 14,378 COVID-19 infections — in the country were linked to the Tablighi Jamaat congregation in March at the group’s headquarters here following which some sections of the society severely criticised Muslims, and blamed them for the spread of the pandemic in the country.
Also read: Coronavirus | The story of India’s largest COVID-19 cluster
Mr. Naqvi’s comments also assume significance in view of the 57-member prominent international Mulim grouping, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), asking India to take “urgent steps” to protect the rights of its minority Muslim community and stop the incidents of “Islamophobia” in the country.
Hitting out at the OIC, the minister had said the country is “heaven for Muslims” and those trying to vitiate the atmosphere of prosperity cannot be friends of Indian Muslims.
ALSO READ
Coronavirus | India rejects Imran Khan’s allegations of discrimination against Muslims
Mr. Naqvi said those targeting Muslims are few isolated people who are trying to spread “misinformation” and “we should be united and isolate such elements”.
Also read: Coronavirus | Tablighi Jamaat centre chief faces culpable homicide case
On the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions during Ramzan, Mr. Naqvi said no Muslim wants to stay away from mosques during the holy month, but everyone has resolved to win this battle against coronavirus.
During this month, everyone should pray to God that not only India but also the entire world is freed from this COVID-19 pandemic, he said.
Asked whether Muslims have followed lockdown and social distancing guidelines till now, Mr. Naqvi said, “absolutely, the entire country is standing united in this fight against coronavirus.”
Also read: Tablighi Jamaat and COVID-19: The story so far
“When Prime Minister Narendra Modi had appealed to people with folded hands, he had appealed to 130 crore Indians, it was not based on caste or religion. And everybody responded to his appeal and acted on it,” he said.
People have faith that whatever Prime Minister Modi does is for the health and safety of the people, Mr. Naqvi said.
Asked about the role of the Opposition in the fight against COVID-19 and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi’s suggestions, Mr. Naqvi said,”some people have criticised, but that is their habit, we don’t take any offence to it.”
లవ్ అగర్వాల్ చెప్పినట్టు 29 శాతానికి మూలాలు మర్కజ్ లో వున్నాయి. మరి 71 శాతానికి మూలాలు ఎక్కడివీ? అది కూడ చెప్పేస్తే ఒక పని అయిపోతుంది.
14.2%
About 14.2% of the country's population or approx. 200 million people identify as adherents of Islam (2018 estimate). It makes India the country with the largest Muslim population outside Muslim-majority countries.
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