Hijab row: Religious heads of all faith call for peace and harmony

Bengaluru, 20 Feb 2022 [Fik/News Sources]: Amid the ongoing hijab row in Karnataka, leaders of all faiths – Hindu seers, Muslim clerics, and representatives of the church – came together on Saturday calling for peace and harmony in the State.

The religious leaders, who addressed a press conference after a joint meeting in Bengaluru, said it is essential for all to keep calm and maintain peace till the court gives it final order.

Shivamurthy Sharanaru, seer of Muruga Mutt in Chitradurga, Moulana Maqsood Imran, chief Imam of Jamia Masjid in K.R. Market, Bengaluru, and Vivian Moris, who represented the Archbishop of Bengaluru, among others, participated in the meeting.

“The court’s interim order is applicable only for educational institutions where College Development Committees (CDCs) have made uniform wearing compulsory. The Government should ensure this is followed,” the leaders said in a joint statement.

Asserting that education is most important for students, Shivamurthy Sharanaru called upon people to refrain from indulging in activities that can create communal disharmony on campuses.

Moulana Maqsood, who pointed out that Karnataka has always followed a custom where people from all communities live in peace and harmony, said: “It is our responsibility to take this legacy forward. As the matter of whether hijab should be allowed inside schools is being heard by the court, it should not be discussed any further.”

Moulana Shabeer Ahmed Nadvi, president of Naasih Foundation, said the decision to wear a hijab or not is an individual decision. “However, we appeal to students to maintain peace and concentrate on studies. Classes should be held online for those who are particular about not attending classes without hijab. All political parties should try to resolve this issue at the ground level,” he said.

Fr. Vivian Moris said the issue was affecting the image of the country. He said: “As the External Affairs Ministry has said, this issue is an internal affair and we do not want other countries to intervene. We have the capacity to handle and manage the issue internally.”

All the leaders said it is important for people to wait for the court’s final order to come.