09-04-2006, 07:03 AM
`Islam does not preach terrorism'
Special Correspondent
Education, hard work can end poverty of Muslims
AWARENESS CALL: Shakeel Ahmed (left), Union Minister of State for Communications & IT at the Deeni Talimi rally in Hyderabad on Sunday. At right is Md. Ali Shabbir, Minister for I&PR. â Photo: G. Krishnaswamy
HYDERABAD: In an indirect reference to the United States and the BJP, Union Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology, Shakeel Ahmed, described them as the international and domestic enemies of Muslims respectively.
He told a rally at the Quli Qutub Shah Stadium in the old city here on Sunday that the country, which wanted to control the oil economy, and those who played vote bank politics with religion were the real enemies of Muslims. Mr. Ahmed was addressing the golden jubilee celebrations of the Markazi Anjuman-e-Qadria, which is involved in `deeni talim' (religious and moral education) through its "madrasas" and schools under formal education.
Procession organised
Hundreds of schoolchildren in the old city run by minority institutions participated in a procession from Mecca Masjid to the stadium. Tableaux highlighting the significance of Islamic education were put on display.
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Mr. Ahmed regretted that Islam was identified with terrorists though the religion was involved in addressing sensitive issues confronting humanity. Islam did not preach terrorism. He said education and hard work alone were the solutions to the poverty of Muslims.</b>
Information and Public Relations Minister Mohd. Ali Shabbir criticised the anti-secular forces for branding "madrasas" as breeding places of terrorism.