Even as controversy over his remarks on religious conversions continue to rage, Hyderabad member of parliament and Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen President Asaduddin Owaisi justified his stand. Talking to media at party headquarters, Owaisi said that he never advocated forcible conversion or offering allurements like some Sangh Parivar outfits were doing.
Addressing a public meeting on the occasion of Eid-e-Miladunnabi (Prophet Mohammed’s birthday), Owaisi had said that every child was born Muslim but his parents convert him to other religions and faiths. In an apparent dig at the ‘Ghar Wapsi’ (Home Coming) program of Sangh Parivar outfits in different parts of the country to bring Muslims and Christians in Hindu fold, Owaisi said, “the real home coming will be when people of other religions embrace Islam”.
He criticised the Hindu organisation which were offering Rs5 lakh to Muslims and Rs2 lakh to Christians to convert to Hinduism. “A Muslim cannot leave his faith for the entire wealth of the world”, he added that silence of Prime Minister Narendar Modi on the issue was regrettable.
Owaisi said that he was inviting the people of other religion to accept Islam. “But we cannot give you money. However, I assure you of success in this world and hereafter”.
“What I said was not wrong. I have stated my religious faith. It is not against any other religion or community. I did not threaten or lured anybody to embrace Islam”, he told the reporters when asked about the controversy over his speech.
“It is our faith that Adam was the first human being and the messenger of God. All the people in this world are the children of Adam”, he said.He alleged that the BJP had outsourced the program of ‘Ghar Wapsi’ to the orgnaiations like Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal.
Owaisi stressed that there was no need for any new act to stop conversion because it will be against the constitution. “The fundamental rights enshrined in the constitution include freedom to practice and propagate a religion”, he said.He said the existing act on conversion was perfect and there was no need for one more act.
He said he has views and others had a right to disagree with him. “I am not asking for Islamic law in India”, he said. He was also critical of the media for creating a controversy by highlighting a minor part of his 90-minute speech. “I opposed linking terrorism to Islam, raised my voice against ISIS, and spoke of shedding my blood for preserving the unity and integrity of India. But the media reported only what I said on the issue of conversion”.
The meeting was also addressed by Haif Eshsan Iqbal Quadri, a prominent religious scholar from Sri lanka who urged Muslims to become true followers of the prophet.