Interaction with Islamic Scholar Syed Babar Ashraf

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Mr. Syed Babar Ashraf, noted Islamic scholar and National Secretary, All India Ulama & Mashaikh Board interacted with the VIF faculty on July 23, 2014.

In his address, Ashraf traced the history of Wahabism and its growing presence in India. He said the developments in Syria and Iraq reflected the tyrant face of Wahabism.

He said the people of Egypt realised that Wahabism was an attack on Islam and thereby overthrew the Muslim Brotherhood regime. He gave full marks to the world renowned Al Azhar Islamic University for preserving the Sufi tradition of Islam intact in Egypt.

Asserting that Wahabism was a danger not only to the values of Islam but also the entire humanity, Babar Ashraf praised the Government and people of Chechnya for eliminating Wahabism from the country’s soil. He also expressed serious concern over attempts by Wahabi elements in India to destroy its centuries old Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb (composite culture) and take over mosques and other Islamic institutions such as the Waqf Board. The noted Muslim leader urged the Government to take urgent remedial steps to check the threat to national unity and security posed by pro-Wahabi elements and seminaries.

Referring to the developments in Iraq and Syria, C D Sahay, Distinguished Fellow, expressed concern over how they will impact terrorism the world over. Lt Gen (Retd) R K Sawhney, Distinguished Fellow, VIF thanked Ashraf for his informative presentation.