The chief Imam of Makkah is expected to join a mega Muslim conclave in India this month aimed at clearing misunderstandings about Islam and boosting communal harmony. The Delhi-based Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadees Hind is organising the three-day seminar in Pakud district of Jharkhand from March 13. Around one million people are expected to participate. Participants would include around 150 religious scholars from India and eight other countries. Invites have been sent to Hindu and Christian leaders as well. âThe world has grave misunderstandings about Islam. We need to send out the real message of Holy Quran to people,â said Asgar Ali Mahdi Salfi, general secretary of the organisation.
I'll question my understanding of Islam when they hold a similar gathering in Mecca, not before... | Salfi blamed the media for a great deal of the wrong notions about Islam. He said even a large section of Muslims in the country was not aware of the teachings of the Holy Quran. âThey read the Quran every day but do not understand its real meaning.â He felt this was mostly because of the poor understanding of Arabic terms used in the holy book. âTo be a good citizen you need to be a God-fearing, religious man,â Salfi said. âApart from religious issues, we plan to deliberate on the major issues facing mankind today.â
Like how to define terrorism so it doesn't involve turbans... | According to Salfi, his organisation helps provide education to poor people and tribals in Pakud. âWe have chosen Pakud district for our seminar due to its backwardness and the Muslim majority population there,â said Salfi. âThrough our discussions we plan to raise awareness about the state of that region and work for helping the people there.â The Pakud conference would be Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadees Hindâs 28th all-India conference, being organised after 10 years. |