A cleric and senior functionary of the Jamiat Ulema has raised a religious storm by stating that Lord Shiva was the first 'paigambar' (Prophet) of the Muslims, and that all Muslims are also the children of Shiva and Parvati. The statement – made in Ayodhya – has expectedly set off a huge controversy with Islamic clerics getting furious over this alleged "bigotry". Many Hindu saints have, however, welcomed the statement, only adding fuel to the fire.

"Like all citizens of China are called Chinese, and those living in Japan, Japanese, all those living in Hindustan are recognised as Hindus all over the world," says the cleric Mufti Muhammad Ilyas. He carries his rather simplistic logic further, saying: "Muslims are also the children of Shiva and Parvati. We are "sanatani" like Hindus."

Wily nily, the Maulana has only toed the line taken by the saffron brigade, voiced in so many words recently by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. The statement, beamed on TV channels all through the day, has come as a virtual bolt from the blue for Islamic clerics, already screaming blue murder.

"This is totally ridiculous," nonagenarian Hashim Ansari, the oldest party in the ongoing Ayodhya shrine dispute, almost bursts out before the media. "Clerics like him read the Quran but don't understand or follow it at all," he said. "In any case, Muslims don't regard the Jamiat as 'ulema'," he asserted.

Mufti Mukarram Ahmed, Imam of Fatehpuri Masjid, also rejected Iliyas's statements. "What he has said, is totally wrong and unacceptable. It's nowhere written in our holy book. This could be his political statement," Mukarram said. "We rever only the 'nabis' (Prophets) mentioned in the Quran," he added.

Vice-president of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board and much-respected Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Sadiq said, "This Maulana should first learn the basics of both Hinduism and Islam. Clerics should not make such irresponsible statments about religion."

On the other hand, prominent Hindu priests of Ayodhya have welcomed the statement. "What the Maulana has said is backed by facts. It's recorded in our scriptures and mythology," says Mahant Janmejaya Sharan. "Maulana Iliyas is right. This should be welcomed by Muslims, too. It will bring us together like brothers," says Mahant Satyendra Das, chief priest of the disputed Ram temple in Ayodhya.

Maulana Iliyas was in Ayodhya on Thursday as part of a delegation of the Jamiat Ulema to urge saints to participate in a conference on communal harmony on February 27 in Balrampur (east UP). Reportedly, the conference could also consider a motion on the subject of Hindus and Muslims being the children of the same set of parents.