500,000 Keralite Muslims to take oath against terrorism Thiruvananthapuram: When terror masterminds are being rounded up in parts of the country, at least 500,000 members of the community will assemble in the Muslim heartland of Malappuram on Friday night for the annual special prayer, including a congregational pledge against terrorism this time. This Friday night, the 27th eve of Ramzan, will be an extended day as Ma'dinu Ssaquafathil Islamiyya lays out a grand Ifthar feast and chairman Sayed Ibrahim Khaleel Bukhari, leads the prayers from 9.30pm to 3am, capping it with the pledge against terrorism and for world peace.
The pledge reads: "In thought, word and deed, we pledge to uphold the sovereignty and integrity of our nation. As citizens of India, our loyalty and the love of the motherland are part of our Faith. We cherish with pride that we are citizens of this country just as we are Muslims. We will not tolerate any harm to our fellow citizens and we will wholeheartedly resist, with all our might, any such evil attempts. We also will strive to ensure that not one innocent is punished even if a thousand criminals are let off". Bukhari said special emphasis would be given to the three vital aspects of a Muslim's commitment to other individuals, family and society. "Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) has laid out in unequivocal terms a Muslim's responsibilities to not only his family, but to other individuals and society. There is absolutely no place for terrorism in Islam," he said. The Swalat Nagar, the prayer venue, is 12km from Calicut airport. Apart from the main grounds, 12 more sites have been set up to accommodate the faithful, with seven venues restricted to women. The night's prayers would be webcast live to special centres set up in Chennai, Bangalore, Delhi and a few places in the Gulf. As a culmination of the monthly Swalath prayer meetings organized by Ma'dinu Ssaquafathil Islamiyya, the congregation is billed the largest in the Muslim world, outside Mecca and Medina, during Ramzan. The annual meet takes place on the 27th night of the holy month of Ramadan every year. This Friday night is reckoned to be the Night of Power (Lailat-ul-Qadr). The belief is, "Whoever prays the Night of Qadr with Eemaan (faith) and hoping for its reward, Allah will forgive him all his previous sins." The pledge echoes the historic farewell speech of Prophet Mohammed at his Hajjathul Widah. The session begins on Friday afternoon with an Ihthikaf Jalza to be followed by a mass Ifthar (fast-breaking). Apart from the prayers, a special namaz called Awwabeen will be performed in the Sufi tradition. The late-evening prayers would reach a crescendo when the crowds sway in spiritual ecstasy, chanting "there is no god but God" a thousand times. With trembling hands raised skywards and tears swelling in their eyes, the crowds seek forgiveness and mercy of Allah. 26/09/2008 --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "newsline" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/newsline?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
