New Delhi [India]: The Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM) has initiated efforts to promote communal harmony and religious tolerance, emphasizing dialogue as a means to resolve disputes over religious sites in India.
In an official statement, the MRM called on Indian Muslims to respect RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat’s recent statements aimed at national welfare and to adopt a magnanimous approach for the nation’s progress.
Shahid Sayeed, National Convener and Media In-charge of MRM, stressed the importance of resolving disputes through dialogue. “Such an approach fosters unity, integrity, harmony, and reconciliation while eliminating enmity,” he said. The MRM urged out-of-court settlements for ongoing disputes, citing this as a hallmark of a civilized society.
The organization proposed that historical religious sites, including those in Kashi, Mathura, and Sambhal, be restored to the Hindu community. It also suggested that abandoned mosques or those unused for prayers should be handed over to the Muslim community for restoration and revival.
The MRM highlighted that Islamic principles discourage prayers at sites associated with idolatry or where historical evidence points to the demolition of other religious structures. “Such prayers are invalid according to Islamic teachings,” it stated, citing references from the Quran and Hadith.
A significant MRM program is scheduled in Lucknow on January 4, with prior discussions held in an online meeting attended by representatives from 70 locations across 20 states and 6 Union Territories. The meeting included prominent figures like Dr. Shahid Akhtar, Padma Shri Anwar Khan, and Syed Raza Hussain Rizvi.
Key Resolutions:
- Disputed sites should be handed over to the Hindu community based on historical evidence and excavations.
- Muslims should refrain from offering prayers at disputed sites or those built on demolished religious places.
- The government should restore disputed sites through constitutional measures, and court decisions should be accepted as final, following the example of the Ayodhya verdict.
The MRM also announced the ‘Connect with Roots’ campaign, emphasizing the shared ancestry and cultural heritage of Hindus and Muslims in India. The initiative seeks to foster unity by highlighting common traditions, languages, and histories.
Earlier, RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat stressed the importance of proper religious understanding to prevent atrocities in the name of faith. Addressing a gathering, he stated, “Improper and incomplete knowledge of religion leads to ‘Adharma.’ Unity and harmony must prevail over divisive issues.”
Through its ongoing efforts, the MRM aims to bridge gaps between communities, dispel misconceptions, and preserve India’s diverse cultural and historical heritage.