Purpose of the Visit?

When Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari expressed his desire recently to come to India to pay a visit to Ajmer Dargah he had no political agenda in the mind. Had there been some politics therein, it would have been only to the extent that cordial relations between the two countries might develop. After initial hesitations, the Government of India agreed to this visit only on this ground. But when Pakistan President reached New Delhi in the morning of Arp 8 and was face to face with the Prime Minister of India, he had to face the havoc of Hafiz Sayeed. Zardari was ready for this only to the extent that before leaving for New Delhi he had sought advice from his officials as to what he would say if this question is raised. Therefore he said it required further discussion. On the other hand, Dr. Manmohan Singh, even unwillingly, wanted to put this question before him; this was his helplessness. Because he is the Prime Minister of the Congress government, which fears Sangh Parivar in this matter. And Sangh Parivar is the representative of the mentality which exerts influence on government policies. Knowledgeable persons know that whosoever is in the saddle at the Centre, it is this mentality that formulates basic policies.

Commentary of a Muslim analyst

It is a matter of somewhat satisfaction that certain independent analysts have seen the purpose of Zardari’s visit exactly in the same way as Zardari described it, viz. developing cordial relations. Saeed Naqvi, a renowned journalist of the English language, has explained it thus: ‘Pakistani President has given a Sufi message by paying a visit to Ajmer Dargah. Asif Ali Zardari’s trip to the dargah of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti must be applauded as this trip has taken place at a time when religious extremism is increasing in both the countries.’ But the gist of Mr. Naqvi’s commentary published in The Hindu (Apr 9) is the same as would please all anti-Islam forces and those who love to see disorder in rank of Muslim Ummah. The first thing is that even to such senior and well-aware journalists Hafiz Saeed and his group Al-Dawa is what the US administration, Government of India and international media try to make the world believe. Then, an attempt has been also made in this article to present Sufism, Khanquahism and Wahdat ul Wajood (oneness of Being) as “true” and “real” Islam by declaring the Islam based on the Qur’ān and Sunnah and the Seerah of the Holy Prophet as Salfism, Wahabism, Deobandism, extremism and narrow-minded.

America also wants this

And of course America wants this. After the 9/11 drama, the strategy it has devised to counter the Islamic faith includes, besides conspiracies and countless tactics, disenchanting the Muslim Ummah from Islam by promoting Sufism, Khanquahism and Wahdat ul Wajood. The American media has been out to promote this view continuously. In America itself institutions are being set up for this purpose. – Then, would it be quite wrong to say that our own men of letters and analysts are also influenced by the propaganda unconsciously, if not consciously? However it is expected of sincere analysts like Saeed Naqvi that in the situation when the Muslim Ummah is at face with great crisis they would bring the truth in the limelight after research and investigation. – And so far as Hafiz Saeed is concerned, as per our information he is a religious missionary and his group Al-Dawa is working for Dawah and Tableegh and service to humanity in Pakistan; he says that he has nothing to do even with Lashkar-e-Taiba. (Indian Express, Apr 6) He says he is quite disconnected with 6/11 and condemns this event.

Believing in propaganda doesn’t be hove Muslims

But, if armed jihad is included in the group of Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, it is the work of Pakistani Ulema to see to it if it really is then in what form, what is its probability in the eye of Shari’ah, (and) whether it is beyond the limitations of Shari’ah. A Muslim can never believe that a group working for Islamic cause can kill the innocent, children, women, elderly persons, the sick, weak and armless. In fact, this is a very deep conspiracy to defame Islam, Islamic injunctions and Islamic terminologies. We Indian Muslims have no direct relation with Pakistani politics and the events taking place over there. We are concerned only to the extent that under the pretext of opposing Pakistan and Pakistani groups efforts are being made to defame the entire Muslim Ummah and we Indian Muslims are also part of the Ummah. If American dispensation, Government of India or media declares an individual or group as terrorist, one may follow the suit to meet the requirements of false patriotism but our Iman (faith) and the real interest of our country do not permit us to do so without any investigation. Not as a Muslim journalist but as a senior and responsible one, Saeed Naqvi ought to analyse the events and developments.

13/04/12 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf