Srinagar, Feb 1: Grand Mufti Bashiruddin has taken a strong exception to the recent statement of Hurriyat Conference (G) Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani about Sharia Court and a few civil society activists.     
 “A statement published in Greater Kashmir ‘Geelani  scorns  Sharia court’  followed  by a series of sensational stories in  print media compel me  to rebut and  refute these allegations made by some unknown  individuals of the so-called  civil society. I am not surprised by what is being published by some reporters of the Indian media because of their prejudice and proclivities. What is unfortunate and intriguing is that such statements are coming from some members of the community which professes Islam as their faith,” Publicity Secretary of Grand Mufti quoted him as having said in a statement.  
 “This matter is not a political one nor of personal aggrandizement or publicity, but   purely a matter of Islamic faith. It was agonizing to note that some of our boys and girls  were being converted  to Christianity by unethical  allurements and  immoral inducements . I personally believe that this is a more important   matter than any other public issue related to our community. Everyone has a right to criticize any individual  or his actions but one cannot do so if such criticism encourages  blasphemy and irreverent references to the  holy Prophet  (PBUH ),” the statement said.
 “Persons involved in converting Muslim boys and girls to Christianity by illegal and unethical means were expelled from the state in order to maintain amity and fraternal relations between communities and to avoid bad blood and unwarranted confrontation  between them,” it said. 
 “It needs to be made clear that there is no ban on the functioning of missionary schools which have contributed a lot to the spread of education in the state. It is only the wrong doers who have been identified for action. However, we have to guard against the possibility of such mischievous elements succeeding in disturbing communal peace and harmony in the state. The need of hour is to constantly monitor their conduct and activities. It is therefore the duty of the people and the state Government to ensure that such mischievous elements are not allowed to indulge in nefarious activities anywhere in the state,” it said.
 “I take this opportunity to urge all those who disagree with the expulsion of wrong doers for their misdeeds to suggest what else could be done in the circumstances of the case, keeping in view the larger interests of the faith, peace and order in the state and the requirements of communal harmony,” the statement added.
 “Needless to say that Mufti Azam’s stand on issues related to Kashmir dispute,  violation of  human rights and the like matters does in no way undermine or underestimate the sacrifices  made by the people   especially the youth over the years .   His stand needs no endorsement by any individual, political party or the state administration,” it said.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 1 Feb 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 1 Feb 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 2 Feb 2012 00:00:00 IST