Need to scrap differences within community to flourish: Wali Rahmani says in Mangaluru
Mangaluru: The Highland Islamic Forum (HIF) organised an event titled "Aspire to Inspire for Better Life" at the Town Hall here on Wednesday. The programme aimed to motivate and guide individuals towards leading a meaningful and improved life.
Prominent personalities Moulana Huzaifa Vastanvi, CEO of Jamia Akkalkuwa, and Wali Rahmani, Founder of Umeed Global School, graced the event as distinguished guests.
The programme commenced with a recitation of verses from the Holy Quran by Aahil SM, setting a spiritual tone for the gathering. This was followed by Rizwan Pandeshwar, who delivered an introduction and provided an insightful overview of HIF India and its mission.
Moulana Huzaifa Vastanvi spoke about human existence through the teachings of the Quran, explaining that it encompasses two forms: physical and spiritual. He emphasized that spiritual existence is of greater importance, as it defines the purpose of life and our connection with the divine.
He shed light on the Quran's guidance regarding human existence and the reason for being sent to earth. He highlighted that the Quran is not merely a religious text but a complete way of life, offering solutions to many modern-day challenges, including widespread issues like depression, anxiety, and stress, which have gripped a large portion of the population.
He further pointed out that education alone cannot address the problems faced by humanity. Instead, he stressed the need for a balance between education and spirituality, urging people to hold firmly to their faith in Allah. He called upon social organisations to work towards fostering this balance to create a more harmonious society.
Moulana Vastanvi also addressed misconceptions about Islam, stating that it is not just an alternative solution but the ultimate solution to the problems of the world. He underlined that the principles of Islam are universal and not confined to Muslims alone, offering guidance and remedies for people across the globe.
Wali Rahmani, Founder of Umeed Global School, addressed the audience with a compelling speech on the qualities of great leaders, drawing inspiration from Islamic history and the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and Hazrat Umar (RA). He urged Muslims to seek these qualities in their leaders, emphasizing the need for integrity, justice, and inclusivity in leadership.
Rahmani referenced Mahatma Gandhi's recognition of Hazrat Umar's exemplary rule, noting that Gandhi listed him as the top ruler in his book Harijan. He pointed out that a key trait of a great leader is their reluctance to seek power. To illustrate this, he recounted the instance when Hazrat Abubakar (RA) chose Hazrat Umar (RA) as his successor, a decision that deeply moved and humbled Umar.
He encouraged individuals to aspire to be leaders who embody these values whenever they are elected or appointed to any position of responsibility. Highlighting the inclusivity of Hazrat Umar’s governance, Rahmani noted how he maintained harmony and fairness across all communities and religions during his rule, setting an example for leaders today.
Rahmani also called upon people and organisations to foster unity within the community. He stressed the importance of working with pure intentions and refraining from judging others based on personal faith practices. He urged the Muslim community to avoid complacency, reminding them of the continuous effort needed to work towards the betterment of society and their own progress.
Wali Rahmani also shared his inspiring journey of establishing Umeed Academy, which he started with just three orphaned children. Today, the academy has grown into a global institution, nurturing the futures of 350 students from diverse backgrounds.
He credited the success of Umeed Academy entirely to Allah’s blessings, emphasizing the importance of pure intentions, hard work, and sacrifices. Rahmani reflected on the challenges he faced, particularly the sacrifices he made during his youth, which he dedicated to building the institution.
These addresses were followed by questions and answers session wherein the speakers took questions from audience and answered their queries.
Adil Pandeshwar, HIF President was present on stage during the event.
The event concluded with Shaaz Yusuf Rasheed presenting vote of thanks to the attendees.
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SC orders release of prisoner after 25 years, recognises him as a minor at time of offence
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday (January 8) ordered the release of a prisoner who had been incarcerated for nearly 25 years after determining he was a juvenile at the time of the offence in 1994.
A bench comprising Justice MM Sundresh and Justice Aravind Kumar found that the appellant, Om Prakash, was only 14 years old when the offence occurred.
Om Prakash, initially sentenced to death for murder, had raised the plea of juvenility during the sentencing stage. However, the trial court dismissed his claim, citing his statement under s. 313 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and the fact that he held a bank account. The High Court upheld this judgment, and the Supreme Court dismissed his appeal, affirming the death sentence.
Later, Om Prakash filed a curative petition before the Supreme Court, presenting a school certificate indicating his minor status at the time of the offence. The State of Uttarakhand also certified his age as 14 years at the time. Despite this, the curative petition was dismissed.
In 2012, his mercy petition to the President resulted in the commutation of his death sentence to life imprisonment, with a condition that he would remain incarcerated until he turned 60. Subsequently, an ossification test confirmed his age as 14 at the time of the crime. He also obtained information under the RTI Act showing that minors could open bank accounts. In 2019, he challenged the Presidential order in the High Court of Uttarakhand, which dismissed his plea, citing the limited scope of judicial review over Presidential orders. He then appealed this judgment in the Supreme Court.
During the proceedings, the Supreme Court sought updated instructions from the State regarding its earlier admission in the curative petition about his juvenility. The State reaffirmed that he was a minor at the time of the offence.
The Court observed that injustice had been inflicted at every stage due to the failure of the judiciary to address the appellant's juvenility plea. Justice Sundresh, authoring the judgment, stated that the reliance on Om Prakash's statement under s. 313 of CrPC was erroneous, particularly when the statement itself suggested he was only 14 years old at the time of the crime.
The Court criticised the High Court for ignoring s. 9(2) of the Juvenile Justice Act 2015, which permits juvenility claims to be raised at any stage. It also noted that the appellant had suffered prolonged incarceration due to judicial errors, depriving him of the opportunity to reintegrate into society.
Ordering his immediate release, the Court clarified that its judgment was not a review of the 2012 Presidential order but the application of the 2015 Act to a deserving individual. It directed the Uttarakhand State Legal Services Authority to facilitate his rehabilitation and reintegration, including access to welfare schemes for livelihood, shelter, and sustenance under Article 21 of the Constitution. The State was also instructed to assist him in availing these schemes.
Senior Advocate Dr S. Muralidhar represented the appellant, with legal assistance provided by Project 39A of National Law University Delhi. ASG KM Nataraj appeared for the State.
