In the backdrop of the recent terrorist attacks in Egypt, Pakistan, Afghanistan and the radicalization of a bright young AMU scholar Mannan Wani, a meeting of Muslim scholars and other local intellectuals was held in Agra recently in which these radical activities were strongly condemned.

The participants demanded that radicalisation be curbed by all countries of the world, including the Islamic countries and the clerics, who hold a sway over the community and have the credentials to quote the Holy Quran, hadith, opinions of companions, Sunnah etc. should assist in this by denouncing violence perpetrated by ISIS and the outfits of its ilk.

Addressing the meeting, Bhartiya Muslim Vikas Parishad chairman Sami Aghai said that the initiatives on the part of the religious leaders could provide clear, categorical, comprehensive injections and out of the folds of Islam, dissuading the confused and impressionable young Muslims from embarking upon the path of radicalization, eventually leading to terrorism.

He said that although most Muslims oppose and condemn terrorism in unequivocal terms, terrorists continue to recourse to violence, indiscriminate killing of innocent people, targeting religious establishments and public places in the name of Jihad; through the distorted, twisted and confused interpretation of Islam, which is based on peaceful co-existence, tolerance and philanthropic philosophy.

Aghai said that the radicalisation of Muslim youth, like in the case of the young AMU scholar Mannan Wani, emanates two kinds of negative responses and destructive attitude i.e. damage to Islam/Muslim world and threat to humanity, besides being responsible for misplaced thinking among youth, alienating them from true Islam and turning them towards Atheism, posing thereby a serious danger to the Ummah.

UP Sarvdaleey Muslim Action Committee President Syed Irfan Salim said that the 'fatwas' by influential clerics could be used to explain the true meaning of Islam to these misguided youth, based on amity, faith, and spiritual excellence, collectively representing peace, safety, mercy, tolerance, forbearance, love, kindness, benevolence and humanity. All these specifications are also ratified through Quranic verses, Hadith, Prophetic traditions, and opinions of jurists. These Fatwas may inter-alia include guidelines for ratification by the Prophet and scriptures for the Muslim community.

Salim further said that Islam is a religion of peace, the sanctity of human life where the violent radicalization, terrorism, the act symbolizing the infidelity by radicals/terrorists are not condoned and such ignorant, jealous and maligned individuals are abhorred as they are destined to hell.

He said that Islam assures the guarantee and protection of life honor and property of non-Muslims. The killing of women, children, old, infirm, religious leaders, traders, diplomats and those who had surrendered is strictly prohibited in Islam as Islam is not merely a religion, but a complete code of life wherein rulers are required to eliminate/exterminate anti-nationals and radicals/terrorists as their acts are sinful and not considered Jihad under any circumstances. Salim said that the radicals who consider the killing of non-Muslims as lawful, are apostates and should be dealt with strictly.

Hindustani Biradari Secretary Ziauddin said that the policies, events, acts, and circumstances used by radicals/terrorists are evil in the eyes of Islam and even if it is a pious/convincing/good intention in the name of Islam, such an act is not pardonable as it is clearly said in the Holy Quran "Listen, sincere obedience and worship is only Allah's due. And those (disbelievers) who have taken (idols etc.) and give reasons would be judged by Allah"

He said that another verse in the Holy Quran says "Allah does not like mischief and violence," while another verse clearly says "When it is said to them: Do not spread disorder in the land, they say: It is we who reform. Beware (Truly) it is they who spread disorder but they do not have any sense (of it) at all."

Ziauddin said that Mannan Wani was a promising young Muslim youth who chose the wrong path as he was misled by some other Muslims who were themselves misguided. It is the responsibility of the clerics to provide the correct interpretation of Islam and issue guidelines through fatwas, so that no more Muslim youths take up the path of violence in the presumption that they are doing 'Allah's work', when in fact, what they are doing is sin in the eyes of Allah.