Ayodhya verdict: Muslim clerics appeal for calm

Lucknow - As the nation braced itself for upcoming judicial verdict on contentious Ayodhya title suits, Muslim clerics today appealed to all communities to exercise restraint irrespective of which way the judgement goes.

Every religion preaches peace and harmony and these should be maintained at all cost, they told a seminar "Ayodhya Verdict: Need for Patience and Harmony in Society" here.

Maulana Kalbe Jawwad, a Shia cleric and a member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, said patience would be on test on September 24 when the verdict would be pronounced. "Patience is the quality of humans and people should behave like humans on September 24," he said.

"The verdict will not be an opportunity to express happiness or sorrow as this will not be the last judgement in the case," Jawwad said. He asked people not to fall prey to designs of "kursi bhakts" (politicians) who would use the opportunity to vitiate the atmosphere.

Khalid Rasheed Firagimahli, Niab Imam of Idgah and member of the AIMPLB, said "regrettable" incidents like Gujarat riots and demolition of mosque on December six, 1992 should not be repeated. "The judgement will be pronounced on Friday and we should all pray for peace and communal harmony," he said.

There should be no expression of happiness or sorrow which might ignite passions, the Muslim leader said.

Talking to reporters in Saharanpur, Shia cleric and vice president of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board Maulana Kalbe Sadiq asked the people to respect the verdict of the court on the Ayodhya title suit. He said the people should not play into the hands of the vested interests.
(PTI),Sep 22, 2010