'True Muslims can't sing Vande Mataram'

'True Muslims can't sing Vande Mataram'
[ 5 Sep, 2006 2107hrs ISTTIMES NEWS NETWORK

SURAT: "No Muslim can sing 'Vande Mataram' if he considers himself to be a true believer," said Maulana Mahmood Madani, general secretary of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, New Delhi, during his visit to the city on Tuesday. Madani also accused the Gujarat government of not providing support to Muslim educational trusts in the state.

Madani, who is also a member of the Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh, from the Rashtriya Lok Dal, was on a visit here to get an idea of flood and relief work done by Surat City Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind (SCJUH).

Madani said, "Any Muslim singing 'Vande Mataram' will not be considered a Muslim."

According to Madani, all madrasas and minority institutions will follow the instructions and will not participate in the singing. "Muslims don't have a problem if it is voluntary, but some political parties are insisting on making it compulsory, which is objectionable," said Madani. "Political parties are raising the issue and creating a controversy for vested interests", he added.

When asked about the low literacy rate among Muslims, particularly in the south Gujarat region and measures taken by Jamiat in this regard, Madani said, "Jamiat and its related organisations are trying to impart education among Muslims, but we are not getting help from the state government in Gujarat. I have received complaints from some minority educational trusts that the state government is not approving grants and expansion plans."

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1960124.cms