Uttar Pradesh Government’s decision to scrap the holiday on Miladunnabi or birthday of Prophet Mohammed while continuing the holiday on the birthday of the Prophet’s son-in-law and fourth Caliph Hazrat Ali has evolved sharp reaction from Muslim community in Hyderabad.
While all the Muslims follow the Prophet, Hazrat Ali has a special significance for the Shia Muslims.
lashing out at Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi said that he was playing a dirty game to divide the Muslim community on sectarian lines. Talking to media in Hyderabad, Owaisi said the UP Government’s action was condemnable.
“The UP Government has declared a holiday on 13 Rajab as per Islamic calendar which was the birthday of Hazrat Ali and scrapped the holiday on 12 Rabialawwal, the birthday of prophet Hazrat Mohammed. What is the message the UP Government was trying to sendIJ” he wondered.
Owaisi said that Milad un Nabi was a very important day for the Muslims. “Muslims will not allow such attempts to divide them and face it with unity. This shows that that the BJP wants to weaken the Muslims,” he said
Owaisi demanded to know from the Union Minister for Minority Affairs Muqtar Abbas Naqvi whether he agrees with this decision of UP Government.
Meanwhile, two prominent Shia religious leaders of Hyderabad also condemned the move of UP Government. President of All India Shia Majlis Ulema wa Zakireen Moulana Syed Nisar Hussain Haider Aqa termed it as an attempt to create confusion among Muslims.
“We demand that the Government puts an end to this sinister attempt to create differences among Muslims who were united in their faith,” he said in a statement.
Secretary of Majlis-e-Ulemae Hind Syed Taqi Raza Abidi said that even the Shia Muslims of UP will not agree to this decision. a
“The real tribute to Hazrat Ali will be restoration of holiday on Eid e Milad. If the Government wants to declare a holiday on Hazrat Ali’s birthday then it should restore the holiday on Miladunnabi too.”