Ghulam Nabi Azad calls for preserving gentle Islam

Reuters India - Mumbai,India

Sunday, November 12, 2006

Ghulam Nabi Azad urged Muslims on Sunday to preserve the region's unique, gentle form of Islam, days after suspected Islamist militants launched an attack near a local mosque.

Five people, including four children, were killed and at least 55 worshippers, including Sufi cleric Abdul Rashid Dawoodi, who was to lead the Friday sermon and prayer, were wounded in the grenade attack in Tahab village of Pulwama district.

Authorities suspect the attack was another attempt by Islamist militants, fighting against Indian rule in the Himalayan region since 1989, to target the milder, Sufi form of Islam in the region.

"This treasure has to be preserved and enriched for generations to come," Chief Minister Azad said in a statement, referring to Sufiism.

"Some elements have brought a bad image to this great religion by letting loose violence for their vested interests," Azad said.

Militant groups, many of them with bases across the frontier in Pakistan or Pakistani Kashmir, have in the past tried to enforce a radical form of Islam, banning beauty parlours, cinemas and liquor shops, besides asking women to wear the veil.
But they have had little success in a region where people mostly follow Sufiism, a gentle, mystic tradition of Islam preached by Sufi saints.

Police said Friday's attack was carried out by a militant belonging to Hizbul Mujahideen, Kashmir's frontline rebel group. But Hizbul has denied any role.

The attack came days before foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan meet in New Delhi to resume peace talks suspended after the Mumbai train bombings. The talks are due to be held on Tuesday and Wednesday.

"Islamic scholars should propagate Islamic teachings in its true spirit, and clear doubts from the minds of other communities created by some misguided elements," Azad said.
"Enough is enough, we have to protect the future of the state and pull the society out of miseries, hardships, harassment and agony let loose by militants."

The anti-India revolt has so far killed more than 45,000 people, authorities say. But separatist groups put the toll at more than twice that number.

Indian authorities say violence is on the decline in Kashmir since India and Pakistan -- who have fought two wars over the scenic region and claim it in full -- launched a peace process in 2004.