New Delhi: Terrorism is not linked to any religion, it is individuals who get misguided, National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval said Tuesday while speaking at an event at the India Islamic Cultural Centre here.
Doval, along with Muslim World League secretary general and former Saudi minister Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa addressed prominent Muslim leaders, scholars and academics on interfaith dialogue, religious tolerance and radicalisation. The Muslim World League is a Mecca-based NGO that advocates moderate Islam.
Referring To Al-Issa, Doval said, “You have in the past, rejected any attempt to associate terrorism with any nationality, civilization, or religion. I think this is the absolutely right approach. Terrorism is not linked to any religion. It is the individuals who get misguided…”
The Muslim population in India, said Doval, is almost equal to the combined population of around 33 member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). He added that the Constitution guarantees equality and that no one in India is threatened because of one’s thoughts or ideas since the country has an infinite capacity to “absorb dissent”.
“India continues to play its role as a refuge for heterodox ideas with infinite capacity to absorb dissent. No religion is under any threat. As a proud civilizational state, India believes in promoting tolerance, dialogue and cooperation to deal with the challenges of our time,” Doval said. He added that it was “no coincidence that despite having around 200 million Muslims, the involvement of Indians in global terrorism has been incredibly low”.
India, he said, “faced numerous terrorist attacks, including the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which claimed 168 lives” and has been actively working to combat terrorism through various means, including strengthening its security apparatus, enacting new laws, and cooperating with other countries to prevent terrorist activities.
Held at a time of intense debate around the country over what shape a proposal for the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) would take, the event was attended by religious leaders, including leaders of other faiths, Members of Parliament (MPs), former bureaucrats and scholars, among others.
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‘India a great model for coexistence’
In his speech, Doval also commended Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa for his efforts to promote interfaith harmony, peace and coexistence, and contributing to a better understanding of Islam. Former Saudi minister Al-Issa, who is on a five-day visit to India, said the need of the hour is to establish communication between cultures.
“Diversity promotes good relationship between cultures. Unity in diversity is the way forward. Tolerance needs to become part of our lives. Muslim World League has alliances with different cultures of the world. I have many friends in the Hindu community. We wish to strengthen understanding between faiths. India, despite being a Hindu majority nation has a secular Constitution…We know the Muslim component is an important component. Indian Muslims are proud of being Indians,” he said.
India is a great model for coexistence for the entire world, he said, adding that “Indian wisdom has done a lot for humanity” and that “India is a great model for coexistence for the entire world”.
Doval, meanwhile, added that India — which he referred to as an “extremely responsible power” — went all out against terrorism in “national interest” when “the need for a hot pursuit against terrorist havens was felt”. Recollecting the attack on the Grand Mosque in Mecca in 1979, Doval said, “India has also been a victim of terrorism. In this war against terror, even in the face of great provocation, India has steadfastly upheld the rule of law, rights of its citizens and protection of human values and human rights.”
Emphasising the need to resolve conflicts or differences through dialogue and compromise, Doval said religion has become a beacon of light in the complex geopolitical situation.
“But, as our Prime Minister says, this is no more the age of war. Future battles for the good of humanity will have to be fought against hunger, poverty, ignorance and want. In today’s world, with complex geopolitical challenges confronting us, religion has to become a beacon of light for humanity to usher into an era of peace and harmony. Our differences will have to take a backseat if we wish to realize the true human potential and make this world a better place to live for our coming generations,” the National Security Adviser said.
On Al-Issa’s visit to India, Doval said it is an opportunity to deepen cooperation between our two countries and explore new avenues for partnership.
(Edited by Amrtansh Arora)
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