Uncertainty ends, Pak scholar to visit Karjan

Uncertainty ends, Pak scholar to visit Karjan

VADODARA: Pakistani Islamic scholar Tahirul Qadri will be visiting Karjan as scheduled. His visit was uncertain after the Karjan mamlatdar had cancelled the permission given to the organizers for the programme scheduled on February 25.

The Karjan mamlatdar had cancelled permission issued to Qadri, known for issuing a fatwa against terrorism, after a local Muslim outfit opposed the programme warning the administration that Qadri's programme could lead to a law and order problem. On Wednesday, the organizers and those who opposed the programme made representations before Vadodara district collector Vinod Rao.

"We are giving the organizers permission to organise the programme with the condition that there should be no law and order problem," Rao told TOI on Wednesday evening.

Qadri is an internationally recognized Islamic scholar who in 2010 had issued a 600-page 'fatwa' dismantling Al-Qaeda's violent ideology. Since then he has received many threats for his condemnation of terrorism by various outfits in Pakistan including Taliban.

At Karjan he is coming on invitation by Minhajul Quran International (MQI) India, a branch of the UK-based MQI headed by Qadri himself. At Karjan, the scholar, who subscribes to Sufi school of Islamic thought, will be delivering lecture against terrorism. He will also address functions at Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Bhuj and later Hyderabad, Ajmer, Mumbai, Raipur and Bengluru.

MQI (India) president Nadeali Saiyed, a Karjan-based businessmn, who has donated land for setting up MQI (India) headquarters, said they had approached the district collector seeking a review of the decision taken by Karjan mamlatdar.

"I don't see a reason why Qadri, who is opposing terrorism, should not be granted permission by the Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi government," Saiyed told media persons, alleging that Karjan-based Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat which had submitted a memorandum against the programme, was doing it for settling personal disputes.

"Qadri has been working for peace and unity and taken a strong stand against suicide bombings and terrorism," said Saiyed, adding that his lectures condemning terrorism in United Kingdom, United States and the World Economic Forum meet in Davos has spread the message of peace.

The Ministry of Railways has made special arrangements for the programme as the Vadodara railway division of Western Railways has decided to give temporary stoppage for trains passing Karjan for three days. Eight trains will halt at the Miyagam Karjan railway station for the followers who want to attend the function.

Source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/surat/Uncertainty-ends-Pak-scholar-to-visit-Karjan/articleshow/11996332.cms

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