Bareilly, July 11: Maulana Shahabuddin, the head of the All India Muslim Jamaat (AIMJ), has raised concerns regarding the Uttarakhand government’s recent decision to end financial grants for madrasas. He criticized controversial comments made by Maulana Sajid Rashidi on women and addressed various issues including the Dhaka map controversy related to Jammu and Kashmir, and new guidelines on Vande Mataram and the national anthem.
In a conversation with a news agency, Maulana Shahabuddin stated that the Uttarakhand government is targeting madrasas, aiming to deprive the new generation of Muslims of Islamic education. He pointed out that the government had previously shut down 250 madrasas and dissolved the Madrasa Education Board, effectively cutting off financial support for these institutions. He expressed concern that the state government intends to keep Muslims away from learning Arabic, Persian, and Urdu, hindering their progress.
He also commented on the status of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK), asserting that it is an integral part of India and will soon be included within the country. He noted that the people of Jammu and Kashmir prefer peace and development, especially after the abrogation of Article 370, which has led to various developmental initiatives. Political leaders, including Dr. Farooq Abdullah and his son Omar Abdullah, have been advocating for statehood for Jammu and Kashmir, which they believe will accelerate development.
Regarding Rashidi’s remarks on women, Maulana Shahabuddin stated that Islam recognizes boys and girls as mature at the age of 14-15, implying that they are capable of making their own decisions. He condemned the notion that girls should be married off at this age to prevent potential assaults, calling it both incorrect and shameful.
He also addressed the new guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, making the singing of Vande Mataram and the national anthem mandatory in government offices. He clarified that this directive is not intended for public events, and there should be no pressure on those who choose not to sing.
Deependra Singh Chundawat is a Senior Sub-Editor at Udaipur Kiran, specializing in a wide range of technology topics including mobile phones, applications, gaming, PCs, and wearables. Along with covering the latest tech news, he also creates engaging web stories. Passionate about emerging technologies, he stays up to date with the newest trends and enjoys reading and writing about the latest mobile launches and digital innovations.