Cleric asks Muslims to protect Hindu shrines

Varanasi, July 2 (UNI) A prominent Muslim cleric today called upon his community to take the responsiblity of protecting Hindu shrines across the country.

Earlier, Shahi Imam of Lucknow's Tile Wali Masjid Syed Shah Fazlur Rehman Nadwi called upon Shankaracharya of Jyotish and Sharda Dwarikapeeth Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati at Kedar Ghat here.

The Imam said preserving the sacred ethos of secularism should become the duty of religious leaders and not the politicos, ''who use it to garner votes.'' He said in pursuance to fostering secularism, Muslims should be entrusted by their religious leaders to protect Hindu shrines.

''Similarly, Hindus should also take a vow to protect Muslim places of worship,'' he observed.

The Muslim cleric, who is here to participate in Ganga Mukti Maha Sammelan being organised on Tuesday, also addressed a news conference with Uttaranchal minister and national president of All India Ganga Gai Himalaya Bachao Abhiyan Samiti Maulana Masood Madani.

The two leaders called upon the Muslims to join their Hindu brethern in the battle to keep Ganga clean and free from any restrctions like Tehri Dam.

Maulana Madani alleged the Tehri dam had blocked the flow of Ganga to Hardwar and Rishikesh, and even threatened to resign from the government, if the work on the Dam was not stopped.

''Ganga is equally sacred to both Hindus and Muslims. Hence, any attempt to either restrict its natural flow or pollute the river will not be tolerated,'' he warned.

The Maulana called upon the Muslims to shun the practice of cow slaughter and instead use the products obtained through cow milk.

''The Samiti will donate 10 cows to every big madarsa and five to small and medium seminaries for nourishing the students,'' he informed.

The Uttaranchal minister also said Muslims and Hindus along with other communities should launch a movement to save the Himalayas, which were being denuded of green cover.

Gradual depletion of greenery from the Himalyas will create environmental imbalance, as can be seen by the erratic monsoon activity, he added.

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