Ulema have a key role to play in fighting extremism: Ajit Doval
New Delhi (PTI): Ulema have a leading role in educating the people on the original tolerant and moderate principles of Islam and countering extremism with progressive ideas and thought, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval said Tuesday.
In his opening address at dialogue on the "Role of Ulema in fostering a culture of Interfaith Peace and Social Harmony in India and Indonesia", Doval said we need to work together to develop common narratives on deradicalisation.
A delegation of Ulema and representatives of other religions has come here with Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, Mohammad Mahfud MD.
The Ulema held a day-long dialogue with their Indian counterparts and other religious leaders at India Islamic Cultural Centre on varied topics.
In his opening address, Doval said, "Extremism and terrorism are against the very meaning of Islam because Islam means peace and well-being (Salamati/Asalaam)."
"In a democracy, there is no place for hate speech, prejudice, propaganda, demonization, violence, conflict and misuse of religion for narrow ends," he said.
Underlining that both India and Indonesia have been victims of terrorism and separatism, Doval said while the challenges have been overcome to a considerable extent, the phenomenon of cross-border and ISIS-inspired terrorism continue to pose a threat.
"Cooperation of the civil society is essential in countering the threat from ISIS-inspired individual terror cells and returnees from theatres like Syria and Afghanistan," he said.
He said the essence lies in disseminating our positive discourse far and wide and not merely reacting to the agenda set by inimical forces.
"State institutions also need to come together in detecting and identifying potential negative influencers and share information to counter their activities. In this, Ulemas, due to their deep connect with civil society, can play a vital role," he said.
He said the Ulema have a leading role in "educating the people on the original tolerant and moderate principles of Islam and countering radicalisation and extremism with progressive ideas and thought".
"Our youth should receive special attention towards this end. They are often the primary target of radicalisation, but if their energies are nurtured in the right direction, they can emerge as harbingers of change and building blocks of progress in any society," he said.
Doval said the Ulema must also be adept in the use of technology and use it to thwart propaganda and hate.
He said against the backdrop of tectonic shifts in the global order, India and Indonesia, given their rich history, diversity, shared traditions and increasing bilateralism, have the potential to enhance prospects of peace, regional cooperation and prosperity in Asia.
India and Indonesia are home to the world's largest Islamic populations, Indonesia is the world's largest Islamic country, and India is home to the third largest Muslim population in the world, he said.
"Countries like India and Indonesia, with their experience of multi faith harmony and coexistence, can send a joint message to the world to eschew violence and conflict. This will be a powerful symbol of the determination of two large countries (together we have 1.7 Billion of the world population) to preserve and promote the true values espoused by religion," he said.
Doval said that together we should strive to propagate the moderate virtues of Islam as a beacon of hope and cooperation for the entire world.
In his keynote address, visiting minister Mahfud MD, NSA's counterpart in Indonesia, said we have many times witnessed people who use their religion as a doctrine of absolute truth and are quick to blame others.
"We have to go out of this and improve. Religion, I think, should be a source of peace, not the reason for discord, conflict, or violence. Religion should be a unifying tool, not a divisive instrument," he said.
The minister said the world is facing difficult challenges, ranging from poverty, climate change, food insecurity, pandemic, corruption, unemployment, armed conflicts, income inequality, and human rights abuses.
"Where are religions when the world fights against all these common concerns?," he said.
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IndiGo Mumbai-Istanbul flight cancelled due to glitch, airline provides alternative aircraft
Mumbai, Dec 28: Domestic carrier IndiGo on Saturday said it has arranged an alternative aircraft to fly the stranded passengers after its Mumbai-Istanbul flight of December 28, scheduled to depart at 6.55 am, had to be cancelled due to a technical glitch.
The long delay prompted some of the passengers to vent their anger on social media. No food or even water was served and there was no representative from the airline willing to listen to their grievances, some passengers claimed.
The alternative aircraft will depart for Istanbul at 11 pm, the airline said in a statement.
"We regret that our flight 6E17, originally scheduled to operate from Mumbai to Istanbul, faced a delay due to technical issues. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts to rectify the issue and dispatch it to the destination, we eventually had to cancel the flight," IndiGo said in a statement.
"Mumbai to Istanbul journey suspended after 10 hours waiting by passengers. Information that there are around 100 passengers in this journey and the number of students is large. Kids are crying at the airport, no resolution from authorities," said a passenger in his post on X, also tagging Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol.
"There are 500 passengers who have been scammed by continuous delays and eventual cancellation. All passengers have not been served any food or water. There is no representative from indigo willing to listen to grievances," said another passenger in his post.
IndiGo, however, said its teams were "working hard" to provide support to the affected customers, keeping them informed and arranging accommodation, meal vouchers and full refunds.
#Indigo's Mumbai to Istanbul journey suspended after 10 hours waiting by passengers. Information that there are around 100 passengers in this journey and the number of students is large.
— Ajay Mane (@ajaymane2995) December 28, 2024
Kids are crying at the airport, no resolution from authorities.@IndiGo6E @mohol_murlidhar pic.twitter.com/wpiIW1dfXK
