Reaching out: Modi praises Islam for emphasis on education
65
Reaching out to the Muslim world, avowed Hindu nationalist and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Islam for underscoring the importance of education, said a report published on The Times of India.
Addressing an audience during the launch of the book "Education of Muslims" by historian J S Rajput and India Islamic Culture Centre president Sirajuddin Qureshi, the Indian premier said: "The Quran mentions the word 'ilm' 800 times. It is among the most repeated words after Allah. This is the importance of knowledge in the religion."
The audience at the event consisted of the high commissioners of countries comprising the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) as well as diplomats of Muslim states such as Qatar, Bahrain, Egypt and Indonesia.
During the launch, Modi also conveyed good wishes to the guests for the month of Ramazan which is to start in a couple of days.
It may be mentioned that the Indian premier's outreach has been limited to meeting community members and religious clerics. The launch was the first meeting where Modi hosted envoys of Muslim countries.
In his address, Modi also emphasised the importance of keeping abreast of contemporary developments, saying, "no community or region can ignore modernity. If we do not embrace modernity, the world will move ahead and we will be left behind".
He also said that just as India had successfully battled polio, it could also share its knowledge with Pakistan to eradicate the crippling disease.
India moved out of the World Health Organisation's (WHO) list of polio endemic countries in 2011.
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (65) Closed
Jun 16, 2015 01:52pm
Love him or hate him, after a long time India has a real leader and not just a politician
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 01:55pm
Can we trust you Modi! I don't think so.
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 02:07pm
June 21 is UN world yoga day. All Muslim countries are unanimously supporting Yoga. Yoga is good for body and mind. Education will keep youngsters away from the evil of terrorism. Good Modi has highlighted importance of education.
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 02:08pm
@ Tariq Amir . Mate you are not expected to trust Modi if you are not Indian. Leave that for Indians to worry about. Modi was voted to be our PM as he was trusted by majority if not all Indians .
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 02:13pm
I think Modi has lost his Brains somewhere while taking Selfies. One day he Kills thousands of Muslims and very next day talks about how good Islam is. Make up your mind or Make a Cup of Tea!!
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 02:15pm
When he knew this is a truthful and the last of the religion, why don't he try to read more about it, might be a change of heart.
Many of the Islam haters has ultimately embraced it...after knowing the truth, after reading it and shunning the preconceived notions. God help us all in understanding the truth about it.
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 02:18pm
Not just education, it has laid utmost importance on social justice and equality of all human beings...beyond cast and creed.
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 02:29pm
Recent Bangladesh visit may changed Narendra Modi's perception of Islam !
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 02:36pm
India has 2nd population of Muslim so she has to need a preserve Islam values
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 02:41pm
Great man....
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 02:56pm
Modi felt the heat for his remarks now he started prasing Islam.
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 02:57pm
Reports say Americans saved millions of dollars by practicing Yoga. Nowhere in the history of United nations a resolution was passed unanimously by 172 member countries and supported by 30 plus Muslim nations .Many of his opponents tried to project him as as ' anti- Muslim' but, failed. Today, more and more Muslims in India supporting Modi, because they want only development and not appeasement.
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 03:14pm
@N.Sid Hindu's do not need to embrace any religion in order to practice it. You can find more Hindus than Muslims actually visit Haji Ali dargah and offer chadars in Mumbai. And more Hindus than Christians lit up candle at Mt. Merry church. There is no concept of believer and non believer in Hinduism. Even atheism is also part of Hinduism. Its a religion of mankind. One is free to interpret and practice it as per his/her understanding.
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 03:17pm
Confused personality. Sometimes he starts killing the Muslims and sometimes he wants to praise them.
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 03:19pm
@N.Sid That's right. There is no doubt that Islam is one of the best gifts from GOD. Unfortunately some of the Mullas and maulvis twist and give their own interpretations and inject poison in the minds of people to hate all others and promote terrorism. This has created Islamophobia world over.They are the enemies of Islam.If these are identified and shunned, why should anyone hate Islam? It is like any other religion to promote humanism in the world.
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 03:19pm
@Ayesha Did Modi ever criticise Islam?? Can a person who aspires to be secular India's PM afford to do it??
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 03:38pm
good
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 03:49pm
Not sure which Modi to believe. Modi the CM of Gujarat in 2000 where 2000 Muslims were killed on his watch or Modi the PM who has kept silent on Myanmar Buddhist atrocities against the Rohyngia Muslims or Modi the PM who is praising Islam in front of few ambassadors of the Gulf Arab countries or Modi the PM who berated Pakistan on his recent visit to Bangladesh.
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 03:49pm
Good statement PM Modi which is based on truth. Indian leaders would do well to their country and their citizenry by shunning the idea of nationalism. According to PEW Research Centre, Pakistan will overtake Indonesia as the world's largest Muslim country while India will be the country having majority of Muslim population than any other Muslim country including Pakistan by 2050 and 2070 respectively. Hence, Indian nationalist leaders should change their nationalist approach and treat its population in a just way which would be beneficial for the country's socio-economic development.
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 03:52pm
he has no idea about running his country. he will end up war with pakistan and what i can see he is the hitler for his country.
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 04:00pm
@M. Emad That's a wrong notion. Indian Muslims have achieved much more than any other Muslim country - in any field be it religious harmony or education
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 04:00pm
The difference between modi and other politicians is that he praises good things of Islam after winning elections. He refuse to wear skull cap before elections. He dont flatter people to attract votes.
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 04:05pm
@Sohraab There is nothing confusing about Mr. Modi's remarks. He had always been consistent. He had always been a Hindu Nationalist, only in the vein of Christian Republicans in US, not in the vein of Afghan Islamists. He had never said anything negative about Islam and had respected it within its own space.
The only people who get confused are those who read selective articles about him and don't have a context to understand the complexities of the riots that happened on his watch. They did not happen because of him. They happened despite him.
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 04:05pm
@Imran Please be informed that being nationalist does not mean being anti Muslim. Indian Muslims are also nationalists.
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 04:07pm
Pakistan was way ahead of india on polio eradication, but the save the children spy saga ruined pakistans progress. India can't teach anyone anything.
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 04:07pm
I can see Modi converting to Islam soon.
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 04:08pm
@Tariq Amir who cares if you trust him or not...We in India trust him to do good for the country
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 04:08pm
@nitin no after Indonesia , pakistan has 2nd largest muslim population.
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 04:10pm
He has done many good things and a few bad things. If he can put on the cap of a leader now and not that of representing a group of fanatics, he can change the region for the better. The West is saturated, its dawn for the East, led by China and India. The best thing is, form a team, get united at least in the economic sense. Your people will benefit and that would be your reward!!
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 04:16pm
Thats our PM wishing you all on your coming fasting month... Take it or leave it all upto u people... PM rocks...
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 04:17pm
@Ayesha What heat ru talking about here... Its a gesture from PM Modi... He does and give that to all people before the begining of their respective festivals...
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 04:20pm
@Ayesha Wrong !Modi appreciated the Importance of Education in Islam. Only if masses were more educated they would feel at peace & secure hence liberated from wrong Mullahs' grip
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 04:26pm
Something at last for communal harmony coming from Modi after realising damage being done to his vote bank by chest thumping in Banladesh, rhetorics of Hindu nationalism with latest yoga mudra, tall claims of technical inventions and discoveries made some eons ago.
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 04:28pm
Western countries can teach us more than india can.
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 04:38pm
You have no credibility for people especially muslims to take your statement seriously
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 04:43pm
@Imran Some one should read the history of Indo Pak Muslim rule had a great impact and contribution not only in Subcontinent but in Spain as well
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 04:47pm
two side of coin
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 05:09pm
If he meets Muslims, you say he is reaching out, if he does not you say he is ignoring. In simple words, he is doing his business and acting like a Prime Minister of Indians, not Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs.
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 05:11pm
@Tariq Amir Better you accept the reality. He is an elected leader by maximum people on this earth. He has gone through all political battles and proven him self as a leader of largest democracy of the world.
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 05:31pm
It's happen only In India
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 05:35pm
@ Zak I am not sure whether India can teach anyone anything but it is amply evident that Pakistan is not learning anything from anyone, not even from its own experiences and its own history.
And yes, there is a difference between Islam and Muslims, and I am sure most will agree that present day Muslims are not the true representation of Islam.
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 05:36pm
@Tariq Amir - Well, you might not but about half a billion Indians or more and most of the world does. So, does it matter ?
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 05:38pm
@Ayesha It has got nothing to do with his remarks on terrorism or his actions on retaliation in Mtnammar. If those situations arise again he will not hesitate to take the same action again not just there but elsewhere also. His belief is Vasudhev Kutumabbakkam. Whole worl is a family. And that is what he practices.
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 05:40pm
My pakistani brothers n sisters ..how many of you have seen Modi killing muslims..??I dont think that he burnt train of hindu pilgrims to kill muslims..riots were between idiots ..Some idiots burn the innocent people alive..n some other idiots kill innocent people in the name of revenge..it was killing of humanity by BarbariansBarbarians..
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 05:50pm
@lafanga In 60's, India saw a deluge of refugees, nearly half a million, driven away by the military junta of Mianmar (Burma). Each one was given just 173 Kyat in lieu of their properties in Burma!. The refugees include people from all religions and substantial number of them were Muslims. They were given facilities to earn their livelihood. Even today one can see Burma Bazaar in Chennai.
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 05:50pm
No, Modi was not "trusted by the majority" of India.
Not even by a third.
participation was 66% out of which 31% voted for BJP.
Turning around, you might even say "at least two thirds of all Indians did not vote for and might even reject Modi"
As any other PM before, he is a mere, democratic consensus among India's population.
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 05:52pm
@khanm What is Indo Pak Muslim rule and what is its history?? The concept of Pakistan was coined only few decades back. But India as one of the oldest civilization on this earth definitely have a great history of Muslim rulers which might have an impact up to Spain.
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 05:54pm
A leader with two faces!
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 06:04pm
@Tariq Amir who cares as long as all religions respect him all over the world.
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 06:18pm
@Zak Relegious obsession is the disease that needs eradication.
Pakistanis worldwide suffer from this the most and maybe they need to read other Relegious books and better understand their own.
Also every individual is a soul so don't bother counting people belonging to a particular faith for comfort. You were born alone and you will die alone in between do something of value to humanity.
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 06:18pm
Interesting that Modi wants to give Pakistan advice on Polio eradication. Little known fact, but Dr. Hamid Jafri who is a Pakistani\American and he was the project Manager and it was his team that helped India in getting off the Polio list. For this he was awarded American Service award as well.
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 06:29pm
@Divya Tyagi ,
He personally maybe did not kill but he started anti-Muslim riots and all blame goes to him for that religious slaughter.
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 06:40pm
Why dont you learn from Russia how to hold plebiscite first.
The Indian Occupied Kashmiris are waiting.
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 06:53pm
A political gimmick.
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 06:57pm
@Imran you mean to say Muslims in India are not nationalist. Change your opinion quickly.
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 06:59pm
we can accept him or reject him but he is really a leader
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 07:01pm
@Ayesha he is talking about those Muslims who are indian citizens and this messages are not carried for u.....as he know headstrongs.........!!!!
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 07:12pm
Good jesture but I have some resevations because of his refusal to solve water and Kashmir issues.
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 07:13pm
@Sohraab Even Muslims are being killed by orderds of Muslim leaders be it Pakistan Saudi or Syria Whatever good is there in religion it has to be appreciated
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 07:18pm
In Bangladesh he spoke about Pakistan and here is spoke about Islam. Totally different topics. How are people getting confused about this
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 07:27pm
@Sohraab I think you need to make up your mind and do research on what Modi stands for rather than consuming news produced by presstitutes and news traders.
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 07:28pm
@raj just as you think you can meddle in our affairs, we can meddle in yours. modi is a deranged lunatic who is a threat to the region and the stability of pakistan. we need him removed from power and will do whatever we need to for that to happen. keep watching...
Recommend
0
Jun 16, 2015 11:27pm
@lafanga Modi is wishing his fellow Indians for Ramadan. Not Pakistani Muslims. Do not be confused. India's PM has a clear stance towards Pakistan which is governed by the foreign policy India. Any Govt., right or left do not have much say in foreign policy.
Recommend
0
Jun 17, 2015 04:13am
@Ridwan , yes, you are right. Western country can fill your bowl but don't teach you a thing.
Recommend
0
Jun 17, 2015 09:22am
@Zak
Ya, you are right the world is conspiring against pakistan else it would be the top country in every field. :)
Please grow up and look around.
Recommend
0
