“Indian Muslims Proud Of Their Nationality”

Muslims in India are proud of their nationality and the country, with all its diversity, is a great model for co-existence, said Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Muslim World League secretary general, on Tuesday.

Al-Issa, who is on a visit to India, addressing an event said India, with all its diversity, is a great model for co-existence, “not only in  mere words but also on the ground.”

In his address in Arabic, that was translated live at the event, he said, “The Indian Muslims contribute a lot to humanity. The Indian Muslims are an important part of Indian society. They are proud of their nationality and they are proud of their Constitution.”

The event was organised by the Khusro Foundation and the India Islamic Cultural Centre. Al-Issa said, “We know that India is a Hindu majority country even though the Constitution is a secular one which is an umbrella for the different sects that are united under this one nation.” He added that there is a true sense of optimism in India between communities, and that diversity is a great way to protect Constitution and stability.

Al-Issa said Islam is not only about tolerance but about forgiving others and that his organisation is working across the world to promote religious awareness.

Al-Issa is also expected to call on President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior Islamic religious leaders and religious leaders of different faiths, during his visit to India.

A statement by the Muslim World League said Al-Issa will also attend several events of the Islamic community and also those organised by various Indian communities to discuss many topics of common interest, to promote fraternal and friendly dialogue and to enhance understanding and cooperation. Al-Issa is in India at the invitation of the government of India.

Ajit Doval, the National Security Advisor, also spoke at the event. He said the involvement of Indian citizens in global terrorism has been “incredibly low” and it is not a coincidence that despite there being around 200 million Muslims, so few have been ‘radicalised’. Doval also noted that cultures and religions have co-existed in harmony in India for centuries. India has been a melting pot of cultures and religions, he added.

The Muslim World League consists of members from all Islamic countries and sects. It is an international NGO headquartered in Mecca.

It aims to provide humanitarian aid, present Islam and its tolerant principles, extend bridges of dialogue and cooperation with all, follow the path of centrism and moderation, engage in positive openness to all cultures and civilizations and ward off movements calling for extremism, violence and exclusion.