Srinagar: The Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulama (MMU), an umbrella body of leading Islamic organisations in Jammu and Kashmir, on Sunday condemned the repeated and deliberate provocations by Imran Raza Ansari for disrespecting the revered companions of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
In a statement MMU said that, Following its earlier appeal for responsible conduct and unity among Muslims, the Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulama (MMU) comprising scholars and leaders from all Islamic schools of thought, both Sunni and Shia wishes to place on record its deep anguish and strong condemnation of the continued and deliberate provocations by Mr Imran Raza Ansari.
In its previous statement, the Majlis had refrained from naming the individual, hoping that he would reflect and correct his malicious intent. However, instead of rectifying, Mr Ansari has now publicly resorted to openly abusing and disrespecting the revered Companions of the Prophet ﷺ. This behaviour is absolutely unacceptable and a direct attack on the foundations of Islamic unity, ethics, and mutual respect and will not be tolerated, it reads.
The MMU makes it clear that this is not a matter of difference of opinion, but a deliberate and malicious attempt to incite sectarian strife in Kashmir an act that threatens the harmony and unity that generations of scholars and spiritual leaders have preserved through mutual respect, restraint and dialogue.
Importantly, the Majlis notes that Shia scholars too are deeply disturbed by these provocations. Respected Shia clerics including Aga Syed Hassan Al Moosvi, Molvi Masroor Abbas Ansari, Aga Syed Mohammad Hadi Al Moosvi Hadi and others have unequivocally distanced themselves from Mr Imran Ansari’s statements and affirmed that such speech has no place in the teachings of Islam or the traditions of the Ahl al-Bayt.
Given the gravity of the situation and the potential for unrest, the MMU strongly urges the authorities to initiate immediate legal action against Imran Raza Ansari for inciting communal disharmony and hurting the religious sentiments of the Muslim community.
Furthermore, all member scholars of the MMU Sunni and Shia alike have taken a unanimous decision to boycott Mr Imran Ansari until he publicly apologises and withdraws his statements. No platform, religious gathering, or public event associated with MMU or its constituents will host or endorse him till then. Also, a crucial meeting of MMU members will be called in this regard, it reads.
The Majlis also appeals to the public to remain calm and not fall into the trap of provocation. Our strength lies in our unity, and we must not allow those with hidden agendas acting at the behest of unknown forces to divide us. May Allah Almighty guide us all to protect the sanctity of our faith, the honour of the Sahaba and the Ahl al-Bayt, and the unity of the Ummah, statement reads.
