Addressing Jamaat-e-Islami Hind’s weekly program, Prof. Wani advocates for enhanced legal and community measures to safeguard mosques.

New Delhi: Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) held its weekly program at its headquarters in New Delhi on Saturday, featuring a distinguished guest speaker, Professor M. Afzal Wani, who delivered an insightful talk on the ‘Safeguarding Mosques and Protection of Places of Worship Act, 1991.’ The program delved deep into the challenges, duties, and potentials of the Muslim community for the protection of religious institutions and understanding the modern legal system.

Professor M. Afzal Wani, a distinguished academician, Pro Vice Chancellor of IILM University and legal expert, while introducing the topic said that what helps resolve societal issues cannot be based on any single source but rather derives from the collective understanding of the people with respect to the inspirations which crop up in every human mind. There has to be unity and a recognition of the leaders who can channel those inspirations into success. “A good leader recognizes these emotions as they arise and feels them, then grasps them, and then builds consensus to go forward under them,” he commented.

Historical Context and Legal Framework

The professor gave a short background on the Protection of Places of Worship Act, 1991, and how it came into being due to political reasons. He said that the Act was important but more of a political creation than a genuine solution. He further said that exceptions to the law exist, as was witnessed in the Babri Masjid case, which makes it hard to enforce.

Responsibility of the Muslim Community

Wani shifted his focus to the Muslim community, emphasizing the importance of intellectual engagement and recognizing the community’s potential. He lamented that historically the community had not prepared itself and, likewise, such institutional support was lacking to help the community fully avail itself of legal protections. “Safeguarding the mosques and all places of worship is the responsibility not just of the State but of every citizen,” he said, as he urged the community to be proactive in ensuring the safeguard of their religious heritage.

Role of Mosques

He spoke at great length about the centrality of mosques in the Muslim community, referred to them as backbones, and called them the main springing institution for multifaceted religion. Indeed, he said, attacks against mosques were the first target in conflict and thus called for vigilance in the safeguarding of these sacred places.

Challenges and Intellectual Responsibility:

He said one of the main challenges before the community was to pay more attention toward education and intellectual growth within Muslim community. “We haven’t done much to promote thought or establish institutions for it. Future intellectuals will need these qualities,” he said. He also called for serious scholarship to explore how Islamic jurisprudence has influenced modern legal systems worldwide.

Call to Action

Prof. Wani concluded his address with the following action pointers:

1. Results-Oriented: The legal institutions in the community should achieve concrete results with direct actions, which shall enhance the possibilities of their impact on the community.

2. Raise Awareness: One of the main roles of the community should be to make the society aware about the Protection of Places of Worship Act, 1991, it can be done by the means of seminars and discussion and media.

3. Recognize Potential: Community must be able to harness resources not only by the means of conversion of knowledge and literacy but also by the means of social participation and cultural mechanisms.

4. Empowering Mosques: Mosques should not merely be a place of worship. Instead, it has to be like the community center. It has to be the central point for religious and social affairs. This can be achieved through events, support services, and community ties.

5. Forging Partnerships: There needs to be good relations with the surrounding communities and thus work together for a better future and mutual success.

6. Document History: The community should keep proper and correct records of mosques and their history to make future generations understand and protect the places. This will also help to make strong legal counter if any dispute arises.

7. Strong Faith: A strong bonding with Allah, and good knowledge about Islam are necessary for the community’s success.

This was followed by an interactive session wherein participants raised their concerns and sought clarity on points. He emphasized that the problems of the community needed to be addressed collectively; however, most importantly, he laid emphasis on education and intellectual growth.