Latest news with #MuttahidaMajlis-e-Ulama
The Hindu
13-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Kashmir-based Islamic bodies upset by Shia cleric Imran Ansari remarks, calls for boycott
The Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulama (MMU), comprising scholars and leaders from both Sunni and Shia sects, on Sunday (July 13, 2025) took exception to the remarks allegedly made by J&K Peoples Conference leader and Shia cleric Imran Raza Ansari against one of the companions of Prophet Muhammad. In a joint statement, the MMU, headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, said it was deeply anguished and strongly condemned deliberate provocations by Mr. Ansari. 'The MMU had refrained from naming the individual, hoping that he would reflect and correct his malicious intent. However, instead of rectifying, Mr. Ansari has now publicly resorted to openly abusing and disrespecting the revered companions of the Prophet,' it alleged. The MMU termed the reported remarks of Mr. Ansari 'absolutely unacceptable' and 'a direct attack on the foundations of Islamic unity, ethics, and mutual respect'. 'It will not be tolerated. The MMU strongly urges the authorities to initiate immediate legal action against Mr. Ansari for inciting communal disharmony and hurting the religious sentiments of the Muslim community,' the MMU said. All member scholars of the MMU, Sunni and Shia alike, have taken a unanimous decision to boycott Mr. Ansari until he publicly apologises and withdraws his statements. 'No platform, religious gathering, or public event associated with MMU or its constituents will host or endorse him till then,' the MMU added, while asking all to maintain unity and calm. Several Shia clerics, including Aga Syed Hassan Al Moosvi, Molvi Masroor Abbas Ansari, Aga Syed Mohammad Hadi Al Moosvi Hadi, have also distanced themselves from Mr. Ansari's statements. National Conference (NC) MP and Shia cleric Aga Syed Ruhullah also condemned Mr. Ansari for his remarks. 'Ayatullah Khamenie has issued a decree (fatwa) that it is forbidden (Haram) to insult Khulafa Rashideen or Sacred Tenets or Sanctities of Ahl al-Sunnah. If you (Mr. Ansari) are so much inspired by his leadership, stop doing what is forbidden. And stop using religion for your personal benefit,' MP Ansari said. Responding to the MMU statement, Mr. Ansari, in a statement, said, 'A video clip has recently circulated online, accompanied by claims that have spoken ill of the Sahabah. I want to state, plainly and without ambiguity, that this allegation is unfounded. The interpretation being pushed onto my words is not only inaccurate but also ignores the broader context and intent of what was said.' He said the path toward any meaningful unity within the Muslim Ummah 'must begin with mutual respect, not with provocation, distortion, or sectarian one-upmanship'. 'My focus has always been on building understanding where there is confusion and promoting unity where there is disarray. The video in question, while selectively edited and misrepresented, may have struck a nerve for some. I acknowledge that, but I reiterate: no disrespect was intended, and any claim to the contrary is baseless, and I was not aiming at disrespecting any Sahaba, nor did I intend to mention one,' Mr. Ansari said. He said a certain individual or the handful of Shia organisations, who are attempting to stifle voices of conviction in the name of unity, 'are not serving the Ummah but betraying Bibi Fatima'.
New Indian Express
13-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Amalgam of Muslim bodies in J&K calls for boycott of Shia leader Imran Ansari over his 'provocative statements'
SRINAGAR: Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulama (MMU), an amalgam of various religious bodies and scholars of both Sunni and Shia Muslims in Jammu and Kashmir, on Sunday called for legal action and community boycott of influential Shia leader and former minister Imran Reza Ansari for allegedly making 'provocative' statements. 'MMU wishes to place on record its deep anguish and strong condemnation of continued and deliberate provocations by Imran Ansari. Previously, the MMU had refrained from naming the individual hoping that he would correct his malicious intent. However, instead of rectifying, Ansari has now publicly resorted to openly abusing and disrespecting the revered companions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). 'This behaviour is absolutely unacceptable and a direct attack on the foundations of Islamic unity, ethics, and mutual respect and will not be tolerated,' said a spokesman of MMU. The MMU said Ansari's remarks are not a matter of 'difference of opinion, but a deliberate and malicious attempt to incite sectarian strife in Kashmir - an act that threatens the harmony and unity that generations of scholars and spiritual leaders have preserved through mutual respect, restraint and dialogue.' The spokesman said MMU notes that Shia scholars too are deeply disturbed by the provocative statement of Ansari and have unequivocally distanced themselves from his statements and affirmed that such speech has no place in the teachings of Islam.
Indian Express
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Shocking and chilling beyond belief' – Back in Jamia Masjid after a month, Mirwaiz condemns Pahalgam attack
Leading a one-minute silence for the victims of Pahalgam terror attack in Srinagar's Jamia Masjid, Kashmir's chief cleric and separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said the manner in which the carnage was carried out was 'shocking and chilling beyond belief'. Mirwaiz, who was allowed inside the grand mosque after a month, said while people of the Valley have 'opened their hearts and homes' for the outsiders, a large section of media has made Kashmiris in India vulnerable by its 'communal rhetoric of hate'. 'Sadly, during this time, we had to witness a terrifying incident which has left our hearts bleeding. The manner in which a carnage was carried out—more than two dozen people killed after ascertaining their identities and in front of their families—is shocking and chilling beyond belief,' Mirwaiz said in his Friday sermon at the Jamia Masjid. 'We strongly condemn it. Who better can understand the pain and grief of loss to the families of those affected than a people who have suffered it for decades and still continue to.' Mirwaiz led a one-minute silence in solidarity for the victims of Pahalgam attack before the Friday prayers. Twenty-five tourists and a local pony operator were killed in a terror attack at Baisaran meadow of south Kashmir Pahalgam tourist resort on Tuesday. While the killings generated massive outrage in the Valley, Mirwaiz led Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulama (MMU) — an amalgam of religious parties in the Valley — called for a shutdown in protest. Mirwaiz commended the locals for helping the tourists 'even at the risk of their own lives', for shutdown and 'spontaneous and silent protests and candlelight vigils'. He. however, criticised the media for making the Kashmiris, living in different parts of India, vulnerable. 'A large section of mainstream media, with its communal rhetoric of hate directed against Kashmiris, has made Kashmiris across India vulnerable, forcing hundreds to leave cities and towns, especially the students, causing great distress to their families and to all of us,' he said. 'I appeal to the concerned governments in different states of India to ensure the safety of our students and all other Kashmiris'. The Hurriyat leader also urged the government to 'allow' him to 'visit the injured in hospitals' and to the house of local pony operator Syed Adil Hussain at Hapatnar village of South Kashmir's Aishmuqam. Mirwaiz also paid tributes to Adil. While Mirwaiz was released after four years of house detention, the authorities are often preventing him from leading the Friday sermons at the historic Jamia Masjid. On Friday, he was allowed to return to the Jamia Masjid after a month.
