Mumbai: In a passionate appeal made to Arshad Madani and Mahmood Madani - the uncle and nephew who are leading the two Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind factions, over 200 students of Darul Uloom Deoband and Markazul Ma'arif Education & Research Centre, Mumbai have asked them to shun their differences and unite in the midst of challenges facing the Muslims in India and abroad.
"In this critical hour and time of crisis, both at the national and global levels, Muslims of this country and especially we, the hundreds of the graduates of Darul Uloom Deoband, Markazul Ma'arif and similar institutions are looking with hope towards Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind", they wrote in a letter addressed to the senion leades of Muslims in India.
"We are constantly keeping our eyes on national and international incidents and media reports about Muslims in India and abroad. Under the influence of extreme anguish and restlessness, we humbly request you to unite Jamiat Ulama-e Hind, the premier Muslim organisation founded by the pioneering nationalist Islamic scholars of this country", they wrote.
"To us, only the unity of Jamiat can somehow ensure a stronger leadership and a louder voice for common Muslim masses in India to successfully fight for our identity and Indian unity", they added.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind split into two groups after the death of former president of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind Asad Madani because of the dispute between his brother Arshad Madani and son Mahmood Madani over the leadership of India's largest Muslim organisation.
Efforts for reconciliation between the two factions intensified after the two leaders few months before held a meeting in New Delhi. Sources said merger of the two factions was almost done in this meeting. Difference between the two however resurface and the proposed merger could not take place.
The passionate appeal made by the Darul Uloom Deoband scholars has rekindled the hope of merger of the two factions once again.
Written in the backdrop of rising intolerance in India and recent blasphemous comments made by Hindi Mahasabha leader Kamlesh Tiwari, the scholars also appealed the two leaders to launch a campaign against Hindutva extremists.
"We also urge you to immediately launch a countrywide campaign and protest against persons or organizations who abused and insulted our loved Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) from the united platform of the Jamiat Ulama-e Hind, and to demand from the government to take prompt and exemplary action against Kamlesh Tiwari of Hindu Mahasabha for his highly inflammable, provocative and blasphemous press statement against the Prophet of Mercy and Peace (peace be upon him)", they wrote in their letter.
"We rightly hope and pray to Allah, the Almighty, for the unity of Jamiat and regaining of the lost honour of Muslims in India. It is an urgent call, let's unite for the sake of Allah and His loved Messenger Mohammad (peace be upon him)", they added.