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NEW DELHI: More than 1,000 Muslim clerics in India have ratified a religious ruling condemning the self-styled Islamic State, calling the extremist group's actions "un-Islamic."
Religious leaders from hundreds of mosques, education institutions and civic groups across India have signed the edict, or fatwa, saying the actions of the Islamic State group went against the basic tenets of Islam.
The edict was issued by a leading Mumbai-based cleric, Mohammed Manzar Hasan Ashrafi Misbahi, and has been signed by the leaders of all the main mosques in India.
"The acts of the Islamic State are inhuman and un-Islamic," said Abdul Rehman Anjaria, a Muslim leader.
India's 172 million Muslims mostly follow a moderate version of the religion and have opposed the extreme practices of IS and Al Qaeda.
Also read: Hindu population in India drops below 80pc as Muslim ratio rises
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (122) Closed
Sep 09, 2015 01:33pm
Well done, excellent move by Indian Muslims.
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Sep 09, 2015 01:36pm
IS is un islamic every Muslim knows that.
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Sep 09, 2015 01:37pm
Indian Muslims are the most peaceful and patriotic people.
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Sep 09, 2015 01:40pm
Now Pakistan's Clerics should condemn the violence in the name of Islam.
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Sep 09, 2015 01:42pm
Indians Muslims are peace loving..there are no sectarian conflicts among them. Also environment for them is very conducive. Recently appointed Mumbai commissioner is also Muslim.
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Sep 09, 2015 01:45pm
Indian people (Hindu & Muslim) are more tolerant than any other country in the sub continent. Barring few incident most of the people are living peacefully.
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Sep 09, 2015 01:46pm
Time has come for all clerics of all countries to reject and condemn un Islamic and barbaric activities in the name of Islam. Terrorists of all shades are simply the enemies of Islam. Sooner it is realized, the better.
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Sep 09, 2015 01:47pm
So very happy that the Indian Muslims have spoken against the godless murderers who dare to call themselves Muslims
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Sep 09, 2015 01:50pm
We are proud of Indian Muslims.
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Sep 09, 2015 01:51pm
ISIS or those who affirm their ideology don't care these cleric fatwas as they had their own source and theology to support.
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Sep 09, 2015 01:54pm
Why then is the rest of the Muslim world silent about ISIL? Surely more should come forward to denounce ISIL.
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Sep 09, 2015 02:01pm
@Padmakar let me elaborate more yours view. Javed ahmed is appointed as Mumbai commissioner by Bjp shivsena coalition.
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Sep 09, 2015 02:06pm
All muslim countries should raise voice against IS.
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Sep 09, 2015 02:07pm
@Tariq Correct, but these fatwas help the young ones from refraining to chose the wring path.
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Sep 09, 2015 02:07pm
Whatever religion we have, most of our people, irrespective of religion are moderate.
We are just trying to fight poverty with education and inherit the culture of Hindustan.
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Sep 09, 2015 02:16pm
"India's 172 million Muslims mostly follow a moderate version of the religion and have opposed the extreme practices of IS and Al Qaeda."
Thank You Dawn for publishing this fact.
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Sep 09, 2015 02:28pm
Very Proud of my Bharatiya Muslim community...Great show of leadership by the clerics..
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Sep 09, 2015 02:32pm
Time for Pakistani muslims to follow in the footsteps of their Indian counterparts!!!
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Sep 09, 2015 03:05pm
Proud of Indian Muslims !!!
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Sep 09, 2015 03:17pm
@john kilcher . No, the Muslim world is not silent about IS. Both Iran (& Shias) and Sunni Arabs are fighting against it. I do hope that one day they will co-ordinate their efforts against the IS.
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Sep 09, 2015 03:33pm
This is why Indian Muslims are respected all over the world.
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Sep 09, 2015 03:43pm
It should not be Islamic State. It must also be called globally as Inhuman Savagery (IS). It is clearly the murder of words when we call it Islamic State because Islamic State literally means "A Peaceful Oasis".
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Sep 09, 2015 03:44pm
IS or ISIS is very dangerous and full of fanatics, they absolutely should not be called Muslims, they are terrorists who have no relegion and must be condemned. So good step by Muslim clerics.
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Sep 09, 2015 03:45pm
Yes you are absolutely right dear Indian brethren.
Do our clerics and mullahs in Pakistan have courage to declare the same?
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Sep 09, 2015 03:53pm
It's good to hear this and proud to be part of country where these Muslims live
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Sep 09, 2015 04:01pm
I would proudly say Indian Muslims are one of the most moderate thinking Muslims in the world. Much higher than the Muslims in the so called developed European nations.
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Sep 09, 2015 04:03pm
ISIS are just plain terrorists using the religion as a shield. Every educated muslim knows this.
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Sep 09, 2015 04:07pm
I love muslims of my country..
They are my brothers
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Sep 09, 2015 04:21pm
Muslims of my country do not need a certificate of being a moderate or tolerate .They are Indians first n Muslims after that!
Rather in the name of Guru Kalam India should send volunteers to end the war there.
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Sep 09, 2015 04:21pm
Proud of our Muslim Brothers , now the global muslim ulema should coordinate and say in one voice.
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Sep 09, 2015 04:24pm
Islam is the religion of morality and ethics which deals the totality of peace and tranquilty of mind in the every institution of man
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Sep 09, 2015 04:25pm
Its good, welldone,
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Sep 09, 2015 04:34pm
Indian Muslim community should have a voice in IOC. such great Indian thinkers can brought peace in whole middle east nations fighting with militant .
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Sep 09, 2015 04:40pm
Yes indeed, its time for us Pakistanis to do the same!
IS is un-Islamic indeed, and absolutely inhumane!
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Sep 09, 2015 04:43pm
Courageous step. When other Muslims will dare to oppose openly?
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Sep 09, 2015 04:48pm
Sad. Indian muslims have to prove their loyalty towards Hindu India, just to remain in good books. Earlier Saif with phantom and now this
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Sep 09, 2015 04:56pm
There is an epic battle going on for the hearts and minds of the youth of the world. In today's globalised communication, borders are no bars for messaging. It is crucial that religious leaders speak out against this cancer on humanity. Kudos to India Islamic leaders!
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Sep 09, 2015 05:08pm
Well done. Thank you, only the Muslim of India has the vision and courage to condemn the group and their acts.
Not a single statement by our clergy.
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Sep 09, 2015 05:09pm
This is a good gesture from the Indian Muslims.
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Sep 09, 2015 05:10pm
@Padmakar, Pakistani clerics already done this earlier and some of them died soon after condemning these evil act of TTP or Al Qaida or IS
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Sep 09, 2015 05:23pm
@Brigade: Don't veiw everything in negativity. Indian Muslims are doing much better as a minority than any minorities in South Asia. Indian Muslims dominate the Bollywood and one of the richest man in India is Wipro's Hasham Premji, a Muslim.
That is just one example
Indians are proud of the achievements of the Indian Muslims.
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Sep 09, 2015 05:30pm
I give credit for this to India's education system.
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Sep 09, 2015 05:52pm
A very welcome move by the Indian Muslim community. This will really clear the air. We hope for a similar pronouncement from Pakistan.
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Sep 09, 2015 05:54pm
All the people of India,whatever religion they follow, share the same values given by a rich ancient culture of India. They haven't arrived here from Arabia and India is their motherland for thousands of years. So it is not a surprise for me that Muslims of our country have taken such a decision. There have been some clashes between Hindus and Muslims but then compare them with the size of our country.The relations between these communities are not so sour as are reported.
Our milkman is a Muslim and is like a member of family.These things are common in our society. Petty politicians are responsible for the communal problems as they take them to be 'vote banks'.
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Sep 09, 2015 06:02pm
Congrats Indians. This is Indian civil society's success. When will the world follow ??
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Sep 09, 2015 06:13pm
Indian Muslims are propagating the true meaning of Islam in the world. a religion of Peace. may other nation Muslim brothers learn from them.
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Sep 09, 2015 06:19pm
@Aman
Spot on. Nobody on the planet has done as much as the average Pakistani to counter the tide of extremism, and no country has sacrificed as much.
Furthermore, our minorities lead the way in dignity and tolerance - you won't find a Pakistani Hindu calling for "purification" of non-Hindus, and our Christians and Ahmedis need no evidence to show their contributions to the progress of Pakistan.
No doubt hindustani Muslims have their reasons to issue this fatwa, but until they show similar spirit against the extremist excesses in their own country, it's hard to take them seriously.
Hasan
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Sep 09, 2015 06:20pm
Indian muslim do not care for muslim ummah....they care only for national interest..
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Sep 09, 2015 06:34pm
I have a very elderly uncle who has been confined to bed for the past few years. He is an astute Brahmin. He has two young men who are his caregivers. Both boys are Muslim and the one doing night duty sleeps in his room. My uncle wakes him up every morning with the words - Afroze utho Namaz ka time ho gaya.
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Sep 09, 2015 06:35pm
We need media to highlight more of this - there have been fatwas from all over the muslim world against AQ and IS fanatics.
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Sep 09, 2015 06:36pm
We need to hear something on similar lines from the grand mufti of Darul Ulum -Deoband. Also a similar fatwa from Mufti Bukhari of Jama Masjid -Delhi is overdue.
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Sep 09, 2015 06:37pm
@john kilcher . It has been done, but such news does get enough coverage or talked. Within few days even this news will be selectively forgotten.
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Sep 09, 2015 06:37pm
Times when you are Proud of your Nation. Great move.
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Sep 09, 2015 06:37pm
@Brigade What you have written is quite wrong. Who is killed in Syria, Iraq, Libya and other countries are muslims. So if Indian clerics have condemned this act of senseless killings it does not mean they have done so under pressure. No one is allowed to kil any human beings in the name of religion, colour, race or nationality.
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Sep 09, 2015 06:54pm
Love my brothers- Indian Muslims.
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Sep 09, 2015 06:57pm
Indian Muslims are the most patriotic. They will live and sacrifice for their motherland India. APJ Abdul Kalam - the best Muslim in the world gave mother India the missiles and space technology. Love all my Indian Muslim brothers.
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Sep 09, 2015 07:26pm
See my countryman!!!!!proud of them!!!
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Sep 09, 2015 07:50pm
Commendable public stance by the Muslim leaders in India ... let's take that message to grassroots now and take out the extremism
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Sep 09, 2015 07:55pm
@Hasan The less you talk about your dwindling minority population, the better. We know how the minorities are treated there and why their numbers are falling every day.
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Sep 09, 2015 08:02pm
where were these indian ullama ,and where were their fitwas , when muslim were killed in myamar , killed in kashmir , pelistian and afghanistan and all over the world also in their country gujrat .
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Sep 09, 2015 08:07pm
Well done Indian Muslims. Indian Muslims are a role model for tolerance and acceptance.
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Sep 09, 2015 08:18pm
A nice positive step in the right direction to denounce terrorism.
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Sep 09, 2015 08:25pm
Great. Indian Muslims know the freedom they are currently enjoying . They do know what IS could to do to them.
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Sep 09, 2015 08:39pm
This should come as no surprise. Indian muslims have always been a part of the mainstream, been tolerant and inclusive.
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Sep 09, 2015 08:39pm
Bravo, Muslims of India, you have done well by your own and unto your motherland and for humanity at large!
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Sep 09, 2015 08:57pm
We have waited for years for our ulema to say something regarding the TTP, now we are waiting for them to say something for the IS, but I guess we will have to wait for long ...
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Sep 09, 2015 08:57pm
IS is most supported on net by pakistani youth,thats the area of concern
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Sep 09, 2015 08:59pm
I love the Muslim brothers of my country India!!
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Sep 09, 2015 09:09pm
Kudos to Indian Muslim clerics. Important fatwa considering that some well educated Muslim youths in India too are getting enamored by the IS. By and large the Muslim community in India is peace loving, patriotic one.
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Sep 09, 2015 09:11pm
Its great to see Indian muslims stand up against the self-styled Islamic State butchers that has no respect for human or even any form of life -
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Sep 09, 2015 09:24pm
Why they took so much time for condemning ?? The world leaders have condemned since the ISIS acts have been surfaced ?
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Sep 09, 2015 09:38pm
Don't just condemn, fight them.
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Sep 09, 2015 09:43pm
I feel so ashamed being an Pakistani at least our Muslim brothers have a courage to say wrong is wrong here if you raise a voice you will ......correct you guessed it right.
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Sep 09, 2015 10:09pm
@raj singh They are not the right kind of Muslims if they don't care for other Muslims first.
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Sep 09, 2015 10:10pm
I feel some time Pakistani media is better guiding people than Indian Media.
Dawn you have proven that you are one of the good one. Thanks
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Sep 09, 2015 10:14pm
@Hasan What a beautiful country we have here Hasan. We are living the Pure dream.
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Sep 09, 2015 10:16pm
This is definitely a good gesture. I hope the readers understand that this message is not limited to India alone and not limited to Muslims but at the same time I wouldn't be worried if the govt suggested to speak out for the welfare of a community.
This message must also be expanded to anyone taking violence as a path anywhere in the world;
Peace
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Sep 09, 2015 10:17pm
First of all I am very proud of our Indian muslim religious leaders for taking this action to condemn ISIS. You have set an example in the world and shown the peaceful side of Islam. I scanned several major western news sites and there's not one word of this important development. I guess if it did not emerge in US or Europe its isn't important.
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Sep 09, 2015 10:19pm
What Muslims everywhere need the power to think for themselves....we don't want "controlled" religious beliefs....
The implication is we are just producing clones....one after the other.
We need creative, imaginative thinkers in all walks of life.....who make a contribution to the world.
Our Clerics should take a back seat....
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Sep 09, 2015 10:25pm
Let me ask in Islamic point of view, in spite i believe that ISIS is the wrong doer but any cleric can give the Fatwa without see the Ground reality and not present their and just on the Media basis ?
Another Question regarding the Hindu whether the Hindu cleric can do the same against the SHEWE SENA ?
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Sep 09, 2015 10:27pm
Unfortunately religious leaders of so called Islamic countries are not raising voice. This is the reason terrorism is thriving in Islamic countries.
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Sep 09, 2015 10:40pm
What Muslims need to understand is IS /Daesh or similar organizations are Symptoms not the Cause.
WE need to address the Cause. Such edicts achieve nothing....like giving a very sick person some pain killer.
Makes you feel good but does not change the reality.
Wake up and start thinking!
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Sep 09, 2015 10:49pm
@idrees There are many Liberal clerics who are against any wrong doings of Shiv Sena and BJP .
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Sep 09, 2015 11:00pm
Muslims living in India consider themselves Indians first, Muslims afterwards.
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Sep 09, 2015 11:00pm
@john kilcher;
'Why then is the rest of the Muslim world silent about ISIL?'
They are not silent at all. Pakistan, Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Syria are all actively engaged against ISIL (more properly IS). Iran, Iraq and Syria have been fighting against IS when they were Good Terrorists fighting to topple Bashar Al-Assad. IS did not become Bad Terrorists till the West lost hope of toppling Bashar Al-Assad and IS lost it's way and threatened monarchies and the Kurds.
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Sep 09, 2015 11:13pm
Well done Indian Muslims! It's high the people of sub-continent dissociated/distanced from Middle Eastern feuds and tribal wars. Pakistan has lost three decades by being entangled /involved in their petty power play and politics.Keep strict vigil on Madrassas where their cannon fodder is created.
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Sep 09, 2015 11:19pm
@Tariq
Bone head, these clerics are worried about their kids getting influenced by ISIS idealogy and trying to join that movement.
They are not trying to convince ISIS that they are wrong.
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Sep 09, 2015 11:24pm
While we all rightly abhor and condemn the IS, we must also pay attention to the fact that Al Qaida and its new avatar the IS have arisen due to meddling of western powers in the affairs of Afghanistan and Iraq. It will now take at least the next 5-10 years for this monster to be crushed. Its unlike anything the world has ever seen before, and its not going away easy !
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Sep 09, 2015 11:25pm
Call the ISIL un-Islamic and their all acts against basics of Islamic teachings...say whatever but the fact remains that it came into existence with the support and funding of an Islamic country !! This tells all about that specific country's intentions and agenda which is solely to create hatred between various sects and make them fight with each other. This agenda is according to wishes of Israel and all anti-Islamic vested interests.
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Sep 09, 2015 11:45pm
I wonder why not Saudi clerics issue fatwa? We all Muslims knew ISIS is un Islamic.
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Sep 10, 2015 12:12am
Why can't we condemn them in Pakistan?.
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Sep 10, 2015 12:13am
Wow! Hats off to India
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Sep 10, 2015 12:18am
@Einstein Babar I am not so sure if every muslim knows that. There are lots of muslim supporters of IS and those who are fighting for it.
Plus also those supporters who find excuses for IS
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Sep 10, 2015 12:26am
@Hamid Ali Very true, many will defend the principles, such as the one of right hand possessions, but condemn ISIS' practice of it. Thing is, you can not have the practice without the principle.
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Sep 10, 2015 01:01am
@vijay
Premji comes from a Parsi family, and they follow Zoroastrianism. Just FYI......
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Sep 10, 2015 01:56am
That's my Indian brothers.../
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Sep 10, 2015 01:56am
Can we have a simillar gathering in Pakistan to condemn talbans and ISIS.
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Sep 10, 2015 02:10am
Pakistani and Indian Muslim clerics mostly have consensus in larger view. They keep religion above nationalism and this is my answer to all Indian friends commenting here. Check the schools like dar ul uloom tablighi jamaats and Shia communities. They all have consensus where religion is concerned. We all follow the same book so leave it to Muslim community. Don't judge Muslims by boundaries...
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Sep 10, 2015 02:32am
Finally an edict that makes sense. Well done.
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Sep 10, 2015 02:38am
Well now we have this edict from the Muslim scholars in India. And on the Ground a coalition of muslim countries is bombing ISIS positions every day. Same goes wherever there is ISIS/ISIL/Daesh savagery. The coalition is led by the US, Saudia, Gulf countries etc. So also Pak is already waging a tough war in the North.
. The question then who are supplying these militant cadres with weaponry, cash, buying their spurious oil etc and the paradox remains the same. That ISIS etc are destroying the very Unity of the Muslim
Ummah. So much for the western media calling it religious..
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Sep 10, 2015 02:43am
@Tariq the point is to educate the indian muslim masses..but educating your muslims aint exactly a priority is it?
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Sep 10, 2015 04:07am
Waiting to read Pakistan clerics do the same at least as a start
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Sep 10, 2015 04:18am
very nice india. we should learn from you.
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Sep 10, 2015 04:57am
Very well done action. I do not understand from where IS and Al Qaida brought the version of Islam? A Muslim even having the very basic knowledge of Islam understand that IS and Al Qaida are wrong in their acts. How come these so called educated could harm so much to Islam and Muslims? It is the collective responsibility of all Muslim Scholars to guide the humanity to the Divine path.
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Sep 10, 2015 05:19am
@Bharatiya Oz I am extremely proud of our muslims of India.Jay Hind.
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Sep 10, 2015 05:24am
@Imran Soomro Unfortunately they have hijacked islam. You must restore it to its proper perspective standing.
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Sep 10, 2015 06:27am
I really salute this kind of spirit of Islam.If Muslims will present such kind of high moral standards of humanity...definitely all the misconceptions about them will end from our hearts.we want an egalitarian society full of love and happiness and equal rights to minorities.Respects....
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Sep 10, 2015 06:53am
@idrees Then you should see who is against Indian government against the meat ban in Mumbai (Maharashtra), it is Shiv Sena. This is the beauty of India where anyone can express his/her opinion.
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Sep 10, 2015 07:01am
Terror can not be a part of any religion. What Indian Muslims have done today, all peaceful Muslims will do tomorrow.
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Sep 10, 2015 07:33am
Despite a big muslim population in India, rarely anyone joins isis.
It show that Indian muslims are moderate and will not support such or any barbaric organisation and ready to contribute in progress of rising India.
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Sep 10, 2015 07:37am
Good job by Indian Muslims. Good human values are good with or without any religion...
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Sep 10, 2015 07:40am
No doubt, Dawn is the best in the world and way above from any of the Indian news pappers. Fair and frank.
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Sep 10, 2015 08:35am
Thus spoke the 'Silent Majority'.
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Sep 10, 2015 08:48am
I do not realy love or hate Indian Muslims, Christains , Sikhs Buddhists, Hindus or atheists.
They are mostly just people like other Indians who want get on in life and better themselves.
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Sep 10, 2015 09:02am
@Tariq "ISIS or those who affirm their ideology don't care these cleric fatwas as they had their own source and theology to support."
Yes but it reduces likelihood of an Indian Muslim joining ISIS.
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Sep 10, 2015 09:15am
Very refreshing to read. Look forward to similar and on-going headlines within Pakistan. The barbarism of IS can only be defeated by others from within Islam. More power to Muslims of good faith and tolerance.
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Sep 10, 2015 09:27am
@idrees there is no concept of fatwa among Hindus nor do Hindu priests do equivalent of khutbas.
But the ordinary Indian civil soviet you, media and judiciary definitely speaks up and takes actions if they take some wrong stand. Val Thackeray was convicted of hate speech and denied the right to vote for 6 years - the most basic right of a citizen.
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Sep 10, 2015 09:31am
@HARMONY-1 "Premji comes from a Parsi family, and they follow Zoroastrianism. Just FYI"
Sorry you are mis-informed. Azim Premji is a Muslim. Yes we do have many industry leaders who are Parsi eg Tatas, Godrej and Wadia but Premjinis unquestionably a Muslim
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Sep 10, 2015 12:41pm
Has anyone done any research on who created ISIS...It will spin many heads... and many Muslim scholars.....the question is... maligning Islam... who is the winner and who is the looser....
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Sep 10, 2015 04:00pm
I'm proud of you my brothers
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Sep 11, 2015 03:27pm
@JA is that why you have banned meat eating for them???
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Sep 11, 2015 03:29pm
@raja hindustani which moderate you talking about?? Do you even know what moderate means? Why dont you vote for moderate politicians who are not war mongers? Get your own house in order before even commenting about religion!
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