Jammu, March 16 :Lashing out at those who had charged him of making ‘anti-Muslim’ statements, National Conference patron Farooq Abdullah on Sunday strategically chose a function organised by Hindu Shiv Sena to give a befitting reply.

Without mincing words, Abdullah said real ‘jehad’ is not killing innocents, but fighting against ignorance and social evils like dowry and female foeticide. He said he was advised by friends not to attend the Sena function.

But he surprised his friends and opponents by not only attending the function here but also making clear in his address that he listens only to his heart.

“I know there are some people who will try to malign me by saying I am supporting Shiv Sena and I am being anti-Muslim. But such people cannot succeed in dissuading me from my path and my firm faith in Indian secularism, where everybody is equal,” he said, adding that every citizen of this country is equal and this is not the case in our “neighbouring Islamic republic”.

He asserted that by attending a Sena function, he wanted to send a message that the real strength of this nation is its secularism and he cannot allow anybody to create wedges between people in the name of religion.

Accusing politicians of misusing religion for their own gains, he said few days ago his statements on militancy and Islam were distorted by PDP leaders. “The PDP leaders said I had said every Muslim is a terrorist. Ironically, I had commented on the image of Islam and why Muslims are being linked with terrorism worldwide,” he said and added that without realising the underlying unity of all religions, some people are using religion to divide people, instead of using it as a cohesive force for the common good of the entire humanity.

He advised Shiv Sena’s Jammu and Kashmir chief Krishen Manhas that he should not have used the term “Hindu Shiv Sena”, when it is open for all, irrespective of faith. He said Shiv Sena is just Shiv Sena and as there is no need to give it a further religious colour, which scares Muslims who might wish to join the organisation.

Ads By Google