MMU refutes news of the forcible conversion; ‘There was no forced marriage, some people trying to harm brotherhood’: S K Dal
Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema J&K (MMU) has refuted the claims appearing in some sections of media that two local Sikh girls had been forcibly converted to Islam for marriage.
According to a statement issued here, “a high level delegation of MMU headed by senior leader Agha Syed Hassan Al-Moswi Al-Safwi which included Molana Khursheed Qanoongo, Mufti Ghulam Rasool Samoon, Molana Syed Rehman Shams on the suggestion of incarcerated Mirwaiz, met with members of the local Sikh community as well as members of Shiromani Akali Dal to find out about the issue at hand, that had caused anguish among the local Sikh community , and to address it amicably.”
“Majlis-e-Ulema made it clear that Islam is a religion of peace, tolerance and harmony; and that there is absolutely no room for coercion or force in Islam . It has in fact given freedom of religion to every sane and mature person. But if anyone of his /her own free will wants to accept Islam, that is a matter of choice,” the statement reads. “The MMU delegation, while talking to the Sikh delegations said that such issues can be resolved mutually in a cordial atmosphere among members of both communities. However it added that we need to be wary and cautious as some outside elements deliberately want to undermine the centuries-old atmosphere of religious tolerance and harmony that exists in Kashmir; and create a rift among communities living here , which should not be allowed at all.”
“MMU delegates assured the Sikh community of Kashmir that Kashmiri Muslims share every grief and happiness with them, and according to Islamic teaching it is incumbent upon them to protect the minorities , the Majlis-e-Ulema said. The local Sikh community members thanked the members of MMU for their reassurance and outreach,” it further said.
Meanwhile, President of Shiromani Akali Dal, S Paramjit Singh on Tuesday said that some people have been trying to harm the brotherhood between Sikhs and Muslims in Jammu and Kashmir, adding that the society has to play a role in defeating such designs.
Addressing a press conference along with other members here, S Paramjit Singh as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) thanked the administration for supporting the minority community.
He said that they also met the members from Mirwaiz Umar Farooq group and some religious clerics as well, adding that they cannot forget the support extended by them.
“There was no forcible conversion or marriage, which is being spread by some people here. The brotherhood between Muslims and Sikhs has been there for the last 500 years. We won’t allow anyone to harm it,” he said
