Iumsonline.net – June 23rd, 2008

 Doha

On Sunday, Jumada al-Akhira 18th 1429 A.H., the first symposium on “Muslim Minorities – Focusing on India” ended its activities by issuing a final statement where it outlined the conditions of minorities. It also issued a “cooperation covenant” between the scholars of India and the leaders of Islamic institutions there.     

The statement also discussed five aspects, including education, economics, media, reformation, and unity. Concerning education, the statement called for setting courses and workshops for training and development as well as reviewing and improving the programs of current universities and educational institutions. It also called for establishing schools and a university specifically for girls. 

Moreover, the statement called for establishing a university or universities to be focus on comparative thought between doctrines and dogmas. This point was discussed at length during the sessions where the attendees confirmed the importance of establishing a university that would override prevailing traditional sectarian schools. It seems that such university would be given ultimate priority for the Indian Muslim minority during the coming period, as cited by aljazeera.net.      

As far as media is concerned, the statement observed that efforts would be exerted for the establishment of a news agency for the purpose of covering the news of Muslim minorities. Moreover, newspapers and a satellite channel will be available in living languages as well as the official languages prevailing in their regions.

Furthermore, the statement affirmed the importance of establishing a Zakah fund, and that Muslims should convince the banks dealing with interest in India to open new branches that are interest-free. This is in addition to establishing banks for the poor, showing interest in endowments, and calling Arab and Islamic countries to establish a development fund for Muslim minorities.   

The statement also stated that each Muslim minority may establish an assembly of Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence) to link its scholars - with all their different thoughts and schools - as a reference for its members.

Cooperation Covenant

The Cooperation Covenant which was issued by the symposium – between the scholars of India and the leaders of Islamic institutions there – confirmed that everybody should exert great effort to establish unity between the Muslims of the Indian subcontinent. The Covenant adopted the method of moderation and commitment to the morals of difference between scholars, and this requires that none of them should defame, insult, or belittle the others.

Moreover, the Covenant stipulated that all means of violence and coercion in dealing with non-Muslims must be avoided, and that there should be a “balance between religious duties and the rights of citizenship within the framework of Islamic principles while considering the idea that a minority should be a beneficial and productive part of its society”.       

One of the most remarkable aspects of this Covenant, as stated by aljazeera.net, is the declaration to form a permanent committee under the name “Cooperation and Coordination Committee,” consisting of “the scholars and leaders of Islamic organizations in India”. This committee is to fulfill the points that were agreed-upon in the symposium.

It has been decided that this Covenant will - Allah willing – be circulated among other minorities so they can benefit from it, or commit themselves to it should they agree on its articles. 

Al-Qaradawi’s Commendation

In his speech during the final session, Dr. Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, chairman of the International Union for Muslim Scholars (IUMS), appreciated the achievement of the symposium and the Cooperation Covenant that was issued through it between India’s scholars and the leaders of Islamic institutions there. He also praised the resolutions and recommendations they agreed upon, remarking that the Covenant “honors scholars, because they have managed to overcome the tendency to dispute”.      

In order to remind our readers, the symposium organized by the Muslim Minorities Affairs Committee affiliated to IUMS, began its sessions the previous Friday and continued for three days, with the participation of representatives of Muslim minorities in India, Sri Lanka, and Russia.