Iumsonline.net – June 6th, 2008

 Doha

IUMS Logo

Dr. Yusuf Al-Qaradwi, chairman of the International Union for Muslim Scholars (IUMS), opened a symposium on Muslim Minorities on June 6th 2008. This symposium was organized by the IUMS at the Ritz-Carlton, Doha.

Dr. Al-Qurrah Daghi, head of the Committee of the Issues of the Islamic World, including Muslim minorities, and member of the IUMS Executive Board, remarked that the symposium demonstrates the Muslim minorities’ current state of affairs with the intention of getting rid of any ideas or disagreements that may be causing them hardship.

In a press conference, Al-Qurra Daghi confirmed that the number of Muslim minorities is now approximately 450 million spread throughout most parts of the world.

The Symposium – Focusing on Muslim Minorities in India

He clarified that this symposium is not held for political purposes, adding that Muslim minorities in India will be used as a model to discuss these issues. He also remarked that the IUMS discusses a minority-related issue every year.     

Dr. Al-Qurrah Daghi added that the most serious issue facing Muslims in India nowadays is the extreme imbalance between the state of immobility or inactivity and the state of promotion and progress which is being witnessed on all levels of society in India. It is expected that India will become one of the best countries in the world in economic terms within the next few years.   

He went on to say that the continuation of conflict between India and Pakistan concerning Kashmir has already resulted in serious repercussions on the state of affair of Muslims in India. The Indian army, which consists of 1.3 million soldiers, contains 29,000 Muslims. Moreover, Muslims constitute only 4% of the security forces. This is not only because Muslims refrain from joining these two institutions, but also because this is part of the repercussions of this problem – Kashmir – which has existed since the separation took place.

The authorities of the state still doubt the patriotism of Indian Muslims and are concerned whether they have full loyalty to India, especially with the continuation of the ongoing troubles in the region of Jammu and Kashmir between India and Pakistan.   

Triangle of Challenge

Al-Qurrah Daghi clarified that the traditional challenge, which all Muslims - whether majorities or minorities – are still suffering from, is the triangle of ignorance, poverty, and disease. Statistics that were mentioned earlier show how this triangle is still affecting Muslims in the Indian subcontinent. In order to confront this challenge, we should recognize how serious it is and work on handling it correctly by formulating plans and preparing facilities before it is too late.   

Dr. Daghi thanked the Emir of Qatar as well as all officials in the two ministries of the Interior and Foreign Affairs for facilitating the arrival of the minorities’ representatives.

Sheikh Mustafa As-Sayrafi, member of the Committee of Issues that is affiliated to the IUMS, stated that the International Union for Muslim Scholars is interested in the affairs of minorities, pointing out that the number of Muslim minorities in India is equal to the population of a major country.         

He said that participants from India, Sri Lanka, Russia, Nepal, Bangladesh, some European countries, China, and Thailand will attend the symposium.

The symposium includes eight sessions, the first of which is to be opened by Dr. Yusuf Al-Qaradawi. The other seven sessions demonstrate the reality of Muslim communities, in addition to a workshop on the last day.