Islamic seminary Darul Uloom Deoband has condemned the decision of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to ban missionary movement ‘Tablighi Jamaat’ after denouncing it as a ‘gateway of terrorism’.
Darul Uloom Deoband represents the Wahabi Sunni sect of Islam, which came into existence in the Arabian peninsula in the 18th century under the colonial rule of Turkish Ottoman empire.
Recently, Saudi Arabia recently banned Tablighi Jamaat and Saudi Arabian Minister of Islamic Affairs made an announcement on social media calling the Sunni Islamic organisation as ‘one of the gateways of terrorism’ and that the Jamaat poses ‘a danger to society’. Subsequently, the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs directed the mosques to warn people against associating with them during the Friday sermon.
Chief Rector of Darul Uloom Deoband Maulana Abul Qasim Nomani asked Saudi Arabia to rethink its decision, saying otherwise a wrong message may be conveyed to Muslims. This is for the first time that the Islamic seminary of Deoband has openly condemned the Saudi government.
Prominent Muslim activist Zafar Sareshwala said, "I am surprised by the decision of Saudi Arabia as Tabligi Jamaat has always been an antidote to any extremist idea. The Jamaat maintained its disapproval of all modern Jihadi movements. Even the Taliban have spoken many times against Tablighi Jamaat. Saudi Arabia's description of the Tablighi Jamaat as a gateway of terrorism is unbelievable and unacceptable.”
Spokesman of Tabligi Jamaat of Hazrat Nizamuddin Markaz (Delhi), Sameeruddin Qasmi said, "It is a big allegation on the Tabligi Jamaat. It has no connection with terrorism. Tablighi Jamaat is the group that stops terrorism, condemns terrorism and disowns terrorism. We don't allow anyone to speak against any religion, community and country. We talk only for five pillars of Islam, none of our men have ever been found involved in any terrorist activities. The Saudi government might have been misled."
A member of one of the factions of the Tablighi Jamaat, Mohammad Miyan said, "Our Jamaats are working all over the world. Even in Saudi Arabia, Jamaat members are working to bring the Muslims on the right path as taught by the prophet. We will not comment over the decision of the Saudi government, but our Jamaats will continue to work in Saudi Arabia.”
Senior faculty in Darul Uloom Nadwa, Maulana Fakhrul Hasan Khan said, "Till now we have received the news of the ban only through the media. We will contact our people in Saudi Arabia before reaching any conclusion".
In March/April, 2020, the Tableegi Jamaat was in the centre of a controversy for holding a huge gathering in Delhi when nationwide lockdown was imposed to prevent the spread of coronavirus. In the nationwide crackdown, a large number of Jamatis, including many foreign nationals, were arrested and sent to jail.