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Religious heads, scholars chant message of unity

Religious heads and scholars, irrespective of faith, on Monday gave a clarion call for peace and unity with human values and nationalism being the only binding force.

Speaking at the inter-religion intellectual meet on peace, harmony and national integration organised by Rights Awareness and Knowledge Society (RANKS) here, Khazi Shaikuna Twaka Ahmed Musliyar of Mangaluru termed the patronage enjoyed by Islam community during the reign of erstwhile Hindu kingdoms in the undivided Canara then as the best example of religious tolerance. It is also recorded by Moroccan traveller Ibn Battuta who was in awe of thousands of muslims living in peace during the rule of a Hindu king, he said.

Musliyar said several Hindu kings were benevolent and granted land for mosques. One of the oldest mosques that dates back to over 1,000 years and was rechristened Zeenat Baksh by erstwhile ruler of Mysuru Tipu Sultan exists still in Mangaluru, he added.

Musliyar gave a call for the muslims to take the onus of spreading peace in the society.

Unselfishness

Udupi Putthige Mutt seer Sri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji said true to its name, Mangaluru is auspicious. It is the abode of all religions, spreading the message of peace and unselfishness, he added. 

Peace propagates unselfishness and war stems from selfishness. When compared to other countries, India always vouches for truce without war. But it is only when the other countries indulge in war (against India), the country replies in a fitting manner, he said. 

Indians all

Chief Imam from Delhi Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi said, “The significance of India as a land of multi-culture and languages should be maintained in the right spirit. Any differences should be restricted to four walls of the house. Outside, everybody is an Indian.” 

What Mother said...

Parish priest Valerian D’Souza, who spoke on behalf of Bishop Aloysius Paul D’Souza (who could not make it to the programme due to some unavoidable circumstances of Mangaluru diocese), reminded the gathering of the first impression of Mangaluru in the mind of none other than Mother Teresa during her visit to the city. 

“Nobody should feel that there is none to care and love for,” these were the words uttered by Mother on being witness to the fabric of culture in the coast, he said.

Govt blamed

Ullal Dargah Committee president Abdul Rasheed blamed disturbances in the society to some of the decisions of the government without taking people into consideration. 

While a majority of people prefer to live in peace and harmony, it is only due to a few people, untoward incidents are reported in the society, he said.

Being human

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Indresh Kumar, who is also associated with Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM), said, ‘Human values and nationalism should be the only binding force.” 

Referring to various identities adopted by people either by caste, language, culture or tradition, Kumar said, “Being human should be the universal identity.” 

DGP (retd), Kerala, M N Krishnamurthy also the president of RANKS explained the cause of the plenum, that assumes significance given the eerie environment in coastal city. Drawing an analogy between Kasargod and Mangaluru, he said, “the former is an extension of the latter.”