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New Indian Express
18 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
RSS chief, clerics agree to start dialogue between Hindus and Muslims
NEW DELHI: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat met prominent Muslim clerics and scholars on Thursday, discussing a host of issues with them and agreeing on the need to start a dialogue between Hindus and Muslims, All India Imam Organisation chief Umer Ahmed Iliyasi said. The meeting that lasted for about three hours and a half was attended by 60 prominent imams, muftis and mohtamims (heads) of madrasas, Iliyasi said. The meeting was organised by the All India Imam Organisation at the Haryana Bhawan here. The RSS described the meeting as positive and said it was part of a continuous process of holding an extensive dialogue with all sections of the society with the objective of exploring how everyone can work together in the interest of the country. 'This is a continuous process of an extensive dialogue with all sections of the society. The main objective is how everyone can work together in the interest of the country. Today's discussion was also positive,' Sunil Ambekar, the head of the national publicity and media department of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh said. Bhagwat, who attended the meeting on an invitation from the All India Imam Organisation, was accompanied by senior RSS leaders, including Krishan Gopal and Indresh Kumar. 'A freewheeling discussion took place at the meeting on national issues. It was decided that there should be a dialogue between mandirs and masjids, imams and pujaris, gurukuls and madrasas,' Iliyasi said. Asked about the RSS chief's view on the decision, he said Bhagwat appreciated it. There was a consensus that the All India Imam Organisation and the RSS will take this forward together, he added. 'Dialogue is the only medium to resolve every issue. Dialogue resolves misunderstandings, ends hatred, establishes mutual coordination, builds mutual trust,' Iliyasi said.
Indian Express
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Muslim clerics, Mohan Bhagwat agree on interfaith dialogue at meet
Amid growing discontent among Muslims against the NDA government over Waqf Amendment Act and other issues, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat and other senior functionaries of the organisation met prominent Muslim clerics and scholars in New Delhi on Thursday. In the meeting, a host of 'national issues' were discussed and the two sides stressed upon the need to start a series of dialogue between representatives of Hindu and Muslim communities to clear the 'misunderstandings'. The All India Imam Organisation (AIIO) had organised the meeting titled — 'Samvaad' — at Haryana Bhawan. Along with Bhagwat, senior functionaries, including Krishna Gopal, Ramlal and Indresh Kumar, were present in the meeting. AIIO chief Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi said the meeting lasted for about three-and-a-half hours and was attended by 60 prominent imams, muftis and representatives of prominent Islamic seminaries like Deoband and Nadwa. The RSS described the discussion in the meeting as 'positive' and said it was part of a continuous process of holding an extensive dialogue with all the sections of society. 'The main objective is to explore how everyone can work together in the interest of the country. Today's discussion was also positive,' said Sunil Ambekar, the head of the national publicity and media department of the RSS. 'A detailed discussion on national issues took place at the meeting. It was decided that there should be a dialogue between mandirs and masjids, imams and pujaris, gurukuls and madrasas so that misconceptions and confusions about each other are removed and a positive atmosphere of harmony and brotherhood is developed,' Ilyasi told The Indian Express. He said it was discussed that everyone from across the castes, faiths and religions should have the sentiment of 'rashtra sarvopari' (nation is supreme) and contribute in nation building. Possible roles and responsibilities of imams and muftis in taking the nation forward were also discussed in the meeting, he said. Asked about the RSS chief's view on the decision, he said Bhagwat appreciated the idea of continuous dialogue to clear the misunderstandings and misconceptions. 'A consensus was reached to take this forward… Similar meetings will be held in different parts of the country. The schedule will be decided soon,' Ilyasi said. When asked about the 'national issues' discussed in the meeting, Ilyasi refused to share details. When asked if any 'concern' was expressed by the clerics on the contentious issues like new Waqf Act and survey of mosques, Ilyasi said, 'It was not a meeting about concerns but for building trust and a good atmosphere.'
The Print
a day ago
- Politics
- The Print
RSS chief Bhagwat meets Muslim clerics. On agenda: how to foster ‘dialogue between Mandirs & Masjids'
All parties, the AIIO head said, decided that more such meetings would be held on a regular basis with the aim of clearing 'misunderstandings' that exist between the two communities. Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi told ThePrint that the meeting was organised by the All India Imam Organisation (AIIO) on its 50th anniversary at a time when the Sangh, too, is celebrating its centenary year as it completes 100 years in October. New Delhi: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat held a closed-door meeting with senior Muslim clerics, including the chief of All India Imam Organisation, Thursday with an aim to bridge 'misunderstandings' that exist between the two communities. 'It was proposed in the meeting that a dialogue should be initiated between Mandir and Masjid, Imams and Pujaris, and Gurukuls and Madarasa. We will take it forward now. The meeting focused on clearing misunderstandings, ending hate, and fostering trust through open discussion. Dialogue is the solution to every problem. Despite differences in worship or caste, our nation is supreme,' he said, terming the get-together a 'landmark meet'. The meeting at Haryana Bhawan in Delhi lasted nearly three hours and included top leaders of the Sangh, over 60 Muslim clerics, intellectuals, maulanas, and scholars. 'This is a continuous process of extensive dialogue with all sections of society. The main objective is how everyone can work together in the interest of the country. Today's discussion was positive,' RSS national publicity and media department head Sunil Ambekar told ThePrint. According to sources, the aim of the meeting was to discuss ways to strengthen communal harmony in the country. 'Sangh as an organisation works for all. We always focus on connecting with people. Bhagwat ji always meets people, and connects with intellectuals and people from all communities. This meeting too should be viewed that way,' a senior RSS functionary said. Ilyasi said that they had requested Bhagwat for a meeting. 'Open discussions happened on every topic. It is the start of a dialogue. Dialogue is the solution to every problem. Dialogue removes misunderstanding, ends hatred, and creates love and mutual trust,' he added. 'Today, for the first time, the RSS under Mohan Bhagwat ji met with 60 people and this dialogue happened. He also spoke openly. Talks dwelled on national topics; a lot of discussions happened, and I feel that this effort will continue further.' Another source pointed out that emphasis was laid on improving communal bonds within the society. 'Emphasis was laid on the fact that communal harmony needs to be strengthened, which is vital for the progress of the nation. At the same time, both sides agreed that there exist a lot of misconceptions and misunderstandings and that emphasis should be laid on removing them in a systematic manner,' the source said. On the other hand, Ilyasi said it was also decided that the discussion and dialogue should be visible at the ground level, and, hence, 'it has been decided that from temples, from mosques, from priests, from Imams, from gurukuls, from madrasas, this effort and dialogues will be taken forward'. Regarding the topics that came up for discussion, Ilyasi said all national issues were touched upon, especially those which are in the 'interest of the nation'. 'I feel this dialogue will continue ahead and it will keep going. For that, we all have to take it ahead on a big scale, that has been decided,' he added. This is not the first time that Bhagwat has met intellectuals from the Muslim community. In 2022, a group of Muslim intellectuals, including former Chief Election Commissioner and former Delhi Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung, had met Bhagwat. Soon after this, Bhagwat had visited a mosque in Delhi's Kasturba Gandhi Marg to meet Ilyasi at the All India Imam Organisation's office there. In 2019 too, Bhagwat met Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind head Maulana Syed Arshad Madani at the RSS office and had discussed several issues, including strengthening unity between Hindus and Muslims and also the incidents of mob lynching. 'There can be differences of mind, but there should not be differences of opinion. All of us (should be) together in the same way… Our nation is supreme, and this should always be kept in mind. Our castes may be different, the ways we pray may surely be different, our ways of worship may surely be different, our religions may surely be different, but first of all—we all live in India and we are all Indians,' Ilyasi said. (Edited by Tony Rai) Also Read: RSS chief Bhagwat draws the line at 75. India's politics stares at the Modi Exception
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Mohan Bhagwat meets Muslims religious leaders in Delhi to promote dialogue between communities
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat held a closed-door meeting with Muslim religious leaders in Delhi on Thursday (July 24, 2025). Organised by Ahmed Ilyasi, chief imam of the All India Imam Organisation (AIIO), the meeting saw the participation of around 60 Muslims clerics, chiefs of mosques and intellectuals from the minority community from across the country. The discussion lasted for over three hours at Delhi's Haryana Bhawan in which both Mr. Bhagwat and Muslim leaders exchanged thoughts and ideas to promote 'communal harmony' and 'end hatred'. Terming it as unique initiative, Mr. Ilyasi told The Hindu that more such meetings are expected to follow in the days to come. 'This meeting is unique as it happened in the year when the RSS is celebrating its 100th anniversary and the AIIO is entering its 50th year. Our discussion was focused on topics of communal harmony and national interest. Both sides agreed to the fact that dialogue is the only way to clear misunderstandings,' he said. Mr. Ilyasi, who had once termed Mr. Bhagwat as 'Rashtrapita', said that it was high time that communication channels were established between all the communities in India to end hatred. 'In the meeting, we have proposed that imams and clerics of mosques and priests of temples should initiate dialogue within their communities. The idea was welcomed by Mr. Bhagwat,' he added. The RSS chief has met a couple of Muslim delegations in the last few years, including a closed door meeting held with a delegation led by former Chief Election Commissioner S.Y. Quraishi in 2022. He also held a meeting with Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind head Maulana Syed Arshad Madani at the RSS office in 2019.
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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Swaminarayan Temple in Australia's Melbourne vandalised with 'racial slurs'
President of the Hindu Council of Australia, Victoria chapter, Makrand Bhagwat, expressed deep shock at the vandalism of the holy place ANI The Swaminarayan Temple in Melbourne's eastern suburb of Boronia was vandalised with hateful racial slurs, the Australia Today reported on Thursday. As per the report in the Australian news outlet, the Shree Swaminarayan Temple on Wadhurst Drive was vandalised with red-painted slurs demanding, "Go Home Brown C**t." It reported that the same slurs defaced two nearby Asian-run restaurants. President of the Hindu Council of Australia, Victoria chapter, Makrand Bhagwat, expressed deep shock at the vandalism of the holy place. "Our temple is meant to be a sanctuary of peace, devotion and unity," he said as reported by the Australian Today. Bhagwat in his remarks said that the temple, which hosts daily prayers, community meals and cultural festivals, draws congregants from across Melbourne's Indian diaspora. "To have it targeted in this way feels like an attack on our identity, our right to worship and freedom of religion." According to Australian news outlet, while Victoria's Premier Jacinta Allan is yet to publicly condemn the vandalism at the Temple, however, her office has sent a private message to the Temple management. In her statement Allan said as cited by The Australia Today, "The Shree Swaminarayan Temple is so much more than a place of worship - it's a place of warmth and community... What happened this week was hateful, racist and deeply disturbing. It wasn't just vandalism - it was a deliberate act of hate, designed to intimidate, isolate, and spread fear." Australia Today further mentioned her statement saying, "It was an attack on your right to feel safe and to belong, and on the values that bind us together. There's no place for it anywhere in Victoria. And it must be called out for what it is. Jackson Taylor raised this with me directly. He is a strong voice for your community, and I want you to know that we both stand with you. I'm advised that Victoria Police are taking this matter seriously, as they should. Soon, the Minister for Multicultural Affairs will visit the Shree Swaminarayan Temple to offer the support of our Government, and to listen to you and your community directly." The letter further said that "No community should ever have to endure something like this, but in speaking out, you've shown an enormous amount of strength and dignity... You carry with you the full support of our government. We stand beside you, with respect and unwavering support." The Australian daily reported that the Victoria Police had confirmed that the matter is under investigation-- four linked incidents in Boronia, including the temple and two restaurants. A Victoria Police spokesperson told the news outlet, "Police are investigating following reports of graffiti in Bayswater and Boronia on 21 July... There is absolutely no place at all in our society for hate-based and racist behaviour." "It is understood graffiti was spray-painted on the front of a healing centre on the Mountain Highway overnight. Shortly after, graffiti was discovered on a temple on Wadhurst Drive in Boronia about 9.30 am. Two further restaurants were located with graffiti on Boronia Road," the spokesperson said. "Investigators believe the incidents are linked. An investigation into the incident is underway." In wake of the attack, the Hindu community leaders have urged interfaith groups to maintain peace. "We want to show that love and solidarity triumph over hate," Vikrant Thakur said. Locals, including the City of Greater Knox's Multifaith Network, have pledged support. In a related case of racist attack, on Wednesay, a 23-year-old Indian man, Charanpreet Singh, was brutally assaulted and left unconscious on a street in Adelaide after a group of men allegedly hurled racist abuse and attacked him over a car parking dispute. Singh was allegedly told to "f--- off, Indian" before being punched repeatedly and left to die on the roadside, 9News reported. The incident took place on Saturday night (local time) near Kintore Avenue in the heart of the city. Singh, who was in his car, said a group of men approached him, hurled racial slurs and launched a vicious physical attack without any provocation. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
