Shehzada Dr Abdeali Bhaisaheb participates in Humsaz Interfaith Conference in Indore April 2018
13 May 2018
It was a historic moment in Indore on Wednesday the 11th of April 2018 when prominent national religious leaders from all different communities raised their joined hands in unison to give a message of peace, harmony and understanding, and unity against the forces of division, hatred and violence.
In furtherance of His Holiness Syedna Taher Fakhruddin’s TUS ongoing and tireless efforts towards communal harmony (Taqreeb), Syedna’s brother Shehzada Dr. Abdeali Bhaisaheb Saifuddin accepted an invitation to address this august gathering.
Some of the luminaries present were, Acharya Dr. Lokesh Muni, Shri Bhayyuji Maharaj, Molana Mahmud Madani, Dr. Harban Singhji, Allama Syed Abdullah Tariq, Professor Syed Ali Mohammed Naqvi, Father Jose Prakash, and Dr. Uday Nirgunkar.
Shehzada Saheb delivered Syedna Fakhruddin’s message, saying that we have to make sure that this gathering today is looked back upon as a historic landmark by acting on the spirit and the words that are spoken here today.
He said that our Dais about 500 years ago, chose India as a base over Yemen, which was a Muslim country, for the freedoms and safety it accorded. In 1947, during partition and the accompanying upheaval and violence, Syedna Taher Saifuddin, the 51st Dai, was threatened to force him to leave India. Syedna at that time not only stayed put in India, but also advised his community to do so. When some of his well-wishers suggested to him that he send his family away, he replied that I will not, and what message would that send to the community. Providence has shown that these were landmark and right decisions, and the Dawoodi Bohra community has prospered in India.
Shehzada saheb then recited the Quranic verse, “cooperate for good and piety, do not scheme together in sinfulness and enmity.” He said that there is good and there is evil; people do good in the name of religion, social service, and political activism and people do evil by misusing these as justifications.
It is for us, he said, to come together to do good. Education, health and other human needs are not divided by any religious belief. We do social welfare and civil society work in our own communities. Why not join hands in worthy projects of education, food, healthcare, and other such causes.
When our interests as different communities are aligned, we will be one in practice, as we are in spirit, he said.
He recited the Quranic verse, “respond with that which is good, so that the person between whom and you there is enmity, will become a good friend.”
Many possible joint initiatives were discussed between Shehzada Saheb and some of the leaders which will inshaallah bear fruit in the near future.
Click here to view a selection of the media coverage of the conference.
