Author: Rajeev Khanna
Publication: The Asian
Age
Date: December 23, 2000
Taking a hard line on
the temple issue, the Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid, Maulana Syed Ahmad Bukhari,
has threatened to approach the Arab nations to impose economic sanctions
against India if "the temple is constructed under the supervision of the
present government" at the spot where the Babri Masjid stood.
The Shahi Imam told The
Asian Age: "If any attempt is made to construct a temple at the site under
the government's supervision, I will be compelled to make an appeal from
the platform of the Organisation of Islamic Conference to impose hard sanctions
against the government," he said.
"I will be forced to
tell them that the foreign exchange which they are handing over to the
government is being used against the Muslims residing in the country,"
he added.
Earlier, while addressing
a large congregation before the Jumatul Vida namaz, the Shahi Imam said
the day an attempt is made to build the temple on the Babri Masjid site
it will prove to be the last nail in the coffin of communal harmony and
unity in India.
"If the demolition of
the masjid is the exposure of 'national sentiment' we consider such sentiments
a 'national curse," the Shahi Imam said.
Referring to Kashmir,
the Shahi Imam said if the Centre is honest about its efforts to restore
peace in the region, it should agree to an independent probe into the "atrocities"
there during the past 11 years and release Kashmiri youth in jails.
He also advocated initiation
of unconditional negotiation with all parties concerned, including Pakistan.
The leader also questioned
that how there could be peace in Kashmir without the support of the Muslims
of the rest of the country. "While trying to have peace in Kashmir,
they are spreading hatred in the rest of India over the temple issue,"
he said.
In his address on Friday,
the Shain Imam called upon all the secular parties to prove their sincerity
in protecting secularism by parting ways with communal forces and getting
united.
According to him, secular
parties are responsible for the rise of communals forces.
They have to come forward
to save the democracy and the Constitution with their power of politics
and leadership, he said.
Meanwhile, condemning
Israeli "brutalities" in Palestine, the Shahi Imam said it has become necessary
for Muslims throughout the world to show solidarity with the Palestinians
in their struggle for the liberation of Aqsa mosque from Israel.
