Swami Ramdev promotes yoga at Deoband gathering, Islamic World News, NewAgeIslam.com

Islamic World News

Swami Ramdev promotes yoga at Deoband gathering

Deoband (Uttar Pradesh), Nov 3 (IANS) Renowned yoga guru Swami Ramdev Tuesday sought to promote his method of keeping fit and dispel misconceptions about it at the gathering of clerics and followers at the historic Islamic seminary here.

Ramdev was the first non-Muslim cleric to address the annual convention of Islamic seminaries under the auspices of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind at the seminary, known for its influence over bulk of the Sunni Muslims across the country.

Emphasising the need for promoting communal harmony, he contended that the unity between Hindus and Muslims was the strength of the nation. ‘It was high time people realized that ‘Ishwar’ and ‘Allah’ were two names of one and the only god,’ he said.

Stressing the need to promote yoga, Ramdev sought to dispel misconceptions about the activity.

‘Yoga is not related to any religion nor is there any underlying idea behind it to promote any religion,’ he said, stressing it was a physical exercise to keep body and mind fit.

He also gave a demonstration of his most popular ‘pranayam’ exercises – ‘kapal-bhati’ and ‘anulom-vilom’.

Home Minister P.Chidambaram, Minister of State for Communications Sachin Pilot, All India Muslim Personal Law Board’s senior vice president Maulana Kalbe Sadiq and social activist Swami Agnivesh also addressed the gathering.

Swami Agnivesh too drew much applause when he talked about banning liquor as well as urging Muslims not to recite Vande Mataram.

http://newageislam.com/swami-ramdev-promotes-yoga-at-deoband-gathering/islamic-world-news/d/2055

Vande Mataram Controversy and Fatwa of Darul Uloom, Deoband, Current affairs, NewAgeIslam.com

Current affairs

Vande Mataram Controversy and Fatwa of Darul Uloom, Deoband

A Frank analysis of the Fatwa over the controversial song composed by Bankimchandra Chattyopaddhay

by Maulana Nadeemul Wajidi

Translated from Urdu by Raihan Nezami

Darul Ifta of Darul Uloom, Deoband was established to respond to all kinds of scholarly and spiritual questions sent to the organization from within the country and abroad. The issues are resolved in the light of Quran-e-Kareem and Sunnah. The Deobandi fatwa over the song Vande Mataram which raised a huge controversy recently in Marakpur in Deoband had been delivered 12 years ago by the Muftiyan. It is quite tragic that an old controversy is raised again; supposedly any anti-social elements who might have obtained the fatwa and issued it to press as any journalist would gladly like to publish a controversial fatwa issued by Darul Uloom, Deoband against Vande Mataram.

A particular section of the country considers singing of this song the sign of patriotism. The citizens who do not sing this song are considered traitors. After this fatwa was published recently in a Hindi daily in Meerut, the anti-national elements got an opportunity to attack the patriotism of Muslims as well as the status of Darul Uloom, Deoband.

A communal leader of Hindu Gujjar community of Marakpur in Deoband conducted a panchayat in the premises of Inter college and decided to organize a demonstration in Saharanpur district against the so-called anti-national attitude of Darul Uloom, Deoband and burn an effigy of the concerning organization on the 25th of Aug 2009. On that day, about 70 (seventy) people only from a village of 80 (eighty) houses gathered to demonstrate at the pre-announced site whereas their number was expected to be in thousands. It shows the majority of the Hindus are still peaceful-minded who believe in secularism and solidarity of the country. This malicious attempt was made by the supporters of the communal parties only, who keep trying to destroy inter-communal harmony by their anti-social activities. The demonstrators could only shout anti-Muslim slogans, but failed to burn the effigies as the Muslims had taken a hard stand. The district administration, too, was quite alert and sought to avert any untoward occurrence. The unholy mission was foiled but this left a few questions behind.

http://newageislam.com/vande-mataram-controversy-and-fatwa-of-darul-uloom,-deoband/current-affairs/d/1784

Indian Muslims endorse fatwa against terrorism: Media welcomes Jamiat Ulema ‘Seizing the initiative in these troubled times’

Indian Muslims endorse fatwa against terrorism: Media welcomes Jamiat Ulema ‘Seizing the initiative in these troubled times’

Declaration of intent

Editorial in The Indian Express

Nov 11, 2008

“Jihad is a constructive phenomenon and a fundamental right of human beings whereas terrorism is based on destruction”, said the statement. For instance, scholars of the Deoband movement have pointed out politics is a matter of pragmatic response for them, and that they function best in secular regimes that allow them the autonomy to prescribe “correct practice”. So like the Darul Uloom’s similar statement in May, the Hyderabad fatwa is another encouraging demonstration of the tugs within the ulema. In the nervous dysfunctional environment following terrorist attacks, this fatwa fits in with the impulse of protecting their flock as well as underlining religion’s bedrock of shared peace.

http://www.newageislam.com/indian-muslims-endorse-fatwa-against-terrorism--media-welcomes-jamiat-ulema-%E2%80%98seizing-the-initiative-in-these-troubled-times%E2%80%99/radical-islamism-and-jihad/d/969

Chapter 7: Tableeghi Jamaat as seen in their own camp by their own people by Maulana Arshadul Qadri

Chapter 7: Tableeghi Jamaat as seen in their own camp by their own people by Maulana Arshadul Qadri

By Maulana Arshadul Qadri

Remember that Molwi Abdur Rahim Shah of Deoband was not the only Aalim to criticise the ulterior motives of the Jamaat. His views were shared by the other leading Ulema of the Deobandi School of Thought. Molwi Noor Mohammad Chandini goes on to say: "I saw that Moulana had made a great impression on the audience. Subsequent speakers also elaborated and supported the views of Moulana Shah Abdul Rahim. The audience was so impressed that no one walked out."

http://www.newageislam.com/chapter-7---tableeghi-jamaat-as-seen-in-their-own-camp-by-their-own-people-by-maulana-arshadul-qadri--/books-and-documents/d/930