In a bid to foster communal harmony and interfaith relations across India, the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) has launched a comprehensive initiative aimed at bringing together diverse religious communities. The organization recently held a two-day national coordinators meeting here at its headquarters to outline plans for promoting social justice, combating communalism, and strengthening democratic values throughout the country.

Addressing the meeting, JIH Vice President Prof. Mohammad Salim Engineer introduced the organization’s newly established Communal Harmony Department, highlighting its ambitious goals. “Our aim is to strive for the establishment of social justice in India and make concerted efforts to address social evils such as casteism, bigotry, immorality, and the deprivation of women’s rights,” Prof. Salim stated.

The department will operate at both central and state levels, focusing on maintaining peace and order while actively working to eliminate hatred, unrest, discrimination, and communal violence. Prof. Salim emphasized the importance of strengthening civil society networks to collaboratively promote peace, harmony, justice, and fairness across all segments of society.

A key component of this initiative is the formation of “Sadbhavna Manch” (Goodwill Forum) at local levels. This grassroots platform aims to create an atmosphere of love, harmony, and mutual cooperation in neighborhoods across India. “Sadbhavna Manch will serve as a medium for mutual dialogue and understanding, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds to address common concerns,” explained the JIH leader.

Prof.Salim clarified that the platform would remain strictly non-political and would not be used for religious propagation. Instead, it will focus on strengthening the fundamental values enshrined in the Indian Constitution: equality, justice, liberty, and fraternity.

To further support these efforts, according to the JIH V-P, the organisation has established the “Dharmik Jan Morcha” (Religious People’s Front) at central and state levels. “This interfaith coalition brings together religious leaders and scholars to promote communal harmony and address common social issues. Additionally, the Federation for Democratic and Communal Amity (FDCA) has been set up to advance democratic values and foster a value-based society in collaboration with various cultural entities across the country,” he added.

Speaking on the occasion, JIH Vice President Malik Moatasim Khan emphasized the universal importance of communal harmony, stating, “The concept of communal harmony is not limited to any particular region, community, or religion. It is a basic human need and an essential Islamic teaching.” Malik Moatasim Khan cited references from the Quran to underscore the significance of maintaining good relationships with all people, regardless of their background.

Highlighting India’s unique diversity, the JIH Vice President noted, “Our country has a dire need for communal harmony due to its vast plurality. India is home to numerous communities, faiths, castes, races, and languages, making it essential for us to work towards mutual understanding and cooperation.”

On this occasion, renowned Christian leader Dr. M.D. Thomas, Director of the Institute of Harmony and Peace Studies, delivered a thought-provoking address on the importance of interfaith dialogue. He challenged the notion that such dialogue could weaken one’s faith, asserting instead that it strengthens and expands one’s understanding of religion and humanity.

JIH National Secretary Mohammad Ahmad provided a detailed overview of the Sadbhavna Manch and Dharmik Jan Morcha initiatives, outlining their objectives, progress, and impact on society. He expressed optimism about the potential of these platforms to bridge divides and promote mutual understanding among diverse communities.

In an innovative approach to promoting communal harmony, JIH Assistant Secretary Waris Husain introduced the concept of “communally harmonized model localities.” These are envisioned as ideal neighborhoods where people of different faiths and communities coexist in complete harmony, maintaining strong mutual relations despite their diverse backgrounds.

“We have begun efforts to identify and develop such model localities across the country,” Waris Husain announced. “These communities will serve as beacons of hope and examples of how diverse groups can live together in peace and mutual respect. The concept of model-harmonized localities could provide tangible examples of peaceful coexistence and serve as inspiration for similar efforts across the country,” he added.