RIYADH — Tamil Muslims here echoed in a single voice their concerns over the protection of religious personal laws of India, that have been followed through ages since independence. Tamil Nadu-based Muslim Social and Welfare Organizations here join forces in an unified single platform called "Tamil Nadu Islamic Federation" (TNIF) last week and held a seminar titled "Why Indian Muslims oppose Uniform Civil Code?" at Classic Restaurant Auditorium recently. The event started with the recitation of verses from Holy Qur'an by Salman followed by welcome address delivered by Jargees Ahmed of TMMK. Shahul Hameed, the coordinator of this federation, presided over the seminar. He briefed all on the current issues faced by Muslim community in India and highlighted the goals to be achieved by the newly formed "Tamil Nadu Islamic Federation" comprising of social welfare organizations like Indian Fraternity Forum (IFF), Indian Social Forum (ISF), Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam (TMMK), Qaide Millat Peravai (Council), Islamic Foundation Trust (IFT), Tafareg, Kalima Trust, United Tamil Front (UTF), Suvanam Toastmasters Club jointly with representatives from Muslim welfare associations of towns such as Parangipettai, Pathamadai, Mangalampettai, Muthupettai, Vadakarai, Melapalayam, Eruvaadi, Sangarapuram, Kayalpattinam, Adhirampattinam, Panakudi and Kottar. Shahul also stressed the importance to work jointly on the prime goals and to put aside any difference of opinion for the sake of the community. The special guest of the event Moulavi Nooh Althafi elucidated the term "Muttalaq" under the guidance of Qur'an and as preached by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) quoting Qur'anic verses and Hadhits. Moulavi Sharbudeen Althafi, preacher at Al-Batha, Riyadh Cooperative Office for Call and Guidance, explained in his lecture, "Why Indian Muslims oppose the uniform civil code," while bringing to light the hidden detrimental impact by fascist militants against Muslim society and corroborated this with examples that uniform civil code was sheer part of the fascist plan. He also spelled out clearly how Muslims should be prepared to face such issues. The others who spoke in this seminar were the vice president of Indian Social Forum (ISF) Riyadh Central Committee Dr. Mohammed Yousuf, the executive member of Indian Fraternity Forum (IFF) – Tamil Division Ramjudeen, regional secretary of TMMK Noor Mohammed, Nasser from Qaide Millat Peravai, president of Tafareg Ahmed Imthias, Moulavi Abdul Rahim of Kalima Organization, Jahir Hussain of Islamic Foundation Trust (IFT), Hyder Ali of United Tamil Front, (UFT), Fakrudeen Ibnu Hamdun of Parangipettai Islamic Association. The president of ISF of Tamil Nadu State in Riyadh, Sardar expressed vote of thanks while the event was anchored by Sheik Mohammed Shajahan, Secretary of Tafareg. The coordinator of this newly formed Tami lNadu Islamic Federation(TIF) Shahul Hameed read out the resolutions of this seminar, as follows: We, the non-resident Indians condemn through this seminar the anti-national elements yearning to abolish the law protecting Muslims' right to practice Shariah, undermining the very fundamental rights of Muslims against the Indian Constitution that was established to honor the noble cause of "Unity in Diversity" of Independent India. We also seek to stop immediately the central government's efforts to force uniform civil code by launching a false campaign dubbing Talaq, an improper method based on very few so-called Muslims' wrong practice who, out of ignorance, do not properly follow the Talaq method as guided by Islam and thus creating a new conceptualization against existing Shariah law leading to national rift. We welcome the boycott by All India Muslim Personal Law Board against the so-called survey circulated by Law Commission of India intent upon implementing uniform civil code, despite having no legal draft, ridiculing the very judicial system considered as one of the democratic pillars of India. We commit to the fundamental strong policies of Indian constitution that all kinds of freedom and privileges being practiced by each and every religion should be protected firmly and any cases, suits or obstacles in any forms against these rights should be totally eliminated.
