The strategy of communal polarization will not work in Karnataka. Rather, I hope this does not happen’

Amir-e-Shariat Maulana Sagir Ahmed Rashdi of Karnataka has taken the initiative to control the noise level. azaan (call for prayer) from mosques in the last two years. among Hindutva groups. in the midst of launching an aggressive campaign against azaan In Karnataka recently, and raising several other issues targeting the Muslim community, he has called for communal harmony and peace. Hindu Caught with senior cleric.

Excerpts from an interview:

Campaigning against the use of loudspeakers azaan from mosques. Now, the Karnataka government has intervened and issued guidelines. You have been trying to persuade the mosques to reduce the noise level for the last two years. What has been your experience?

azani Built on loudspeakers for centuries. It’s only for three minutes, and no one has had a problem. But recently, there has been an attempt to create prejudice against the community, which is why it has been converted into such an issue.

Two years ago some people took objection azaan in Saraipalya, and went to court for it. Then I found out about the allowed noise levels. I called an engineer and asked if we could develop a device to reduce the noise levels from the mosfets to make sure they don’t go beyond the permissible levels. Such a device was designed, and also shown to the police. The price of the device is only ₹ 1,200. I requested all the mosques to install that device. Some did, some didn’t. We neither want to break the law nor want to cause inconvenience to anyone.

When Hindutva Organizations Recently Set Deadline to Stop azaanThe police ensured our safety. Who are these groups setting the time limit? We welcome the intervention of the State Government which has brought in the licensing regime. The Supreme Court has ordered a ban on the use of loudspeakers from 10 pm to 6 am, which will only create a problem for 5 am. azaan, We will not violate the order of the Supreme Court. We will soon have a meeting to find a way out.

many aspects of daily life of Muslims, from hijab to halal and azaan,

The ruling government wants to turn India into a ‘Hindu Rashtra (Nation)’. Not only Muslims, Christians, Dalits, Adivasis are also being threatened. Many in the Muslim community have become wary, apprehensive about what the next campaign might turn out to be and what its impact will be.

Attempts have been made to provoke the community on Ramnavami and recently in front of mosques azaan, Some of us have been appealing to our youth to be patient and not respond to any provocation. We want peace and harmony in this country.

I am asking the community to believe in Allah and persevere as you have a right to live as a citizen of this country. Hindu, Dalit, Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist… We all have equal rights as every other person in this country. All we are appealing to all is to let us live here in peace, as we have been for so many years.

We have reached out to the government, and the chief minister has assured us. The police is cooperating with us on its behalf.

Political analysts believe that the recent communal campaigns are part of a polarizing strategy for the upcoming assembly elections. How do you see this panning out?

As we get closer to the election, these things happen. In Uttar Pradesh, they brought bulldozers and targeted the community. He won the election there. The situation in Uttar Pradesh and North India is different from Karnataka. We have lived here for centuries in great peace and harmony. I don’t think the strategy of communal polarization will work in Karnataka. Rather, I hope that does not happen.

These campaigns are mostly promoted by television media. There is a lot of lies and hate speech against the community on television. Recently, there have also been FIRs against television anchors for hate speech against the community. Sometimes this is the root cause of unrest. I also appeal to them to exercise restraint.