Kerala Muslims pledge to fight terrorism

{image-Kerala Muslims pledge_27092008.jpg news.oneindia.in}Kochi, Sep 27: More than 500,000 Muslims took an oath to eradicate the menace of terrorism and work for world peace at an annual prayer at Swalath Nagar in Malappuram district on Friday Sep 26.

The prayer was organised by Ma'dinu Saquafathil Islamiyya that runs a number of institutions, including schools, in Kerala. The prayers started from 9.30 pm on Friday night and went on till 3 00 am on Saturday, Sep 27 which was lead by Sayyid Ibrahimul Khaleelul Bukhari, the chairman of the society and a spiritual leader. Bukhari pledged that Muslims should respect other religions and should not associate with such activities that will become a threat to the nation.

The pledge reads: "In thought, word and deed, we pledge to uphold the sovereignty and integrity of our nation. As citizens of India, it is our duty to safeguard the loyalty of our motherland as part of our faith. We cherish with pride that we are citizens of India. We will not tolerate any harm to our fellow citizens and we will wholeheartedly resist, with all our might, any such evil attempts. We also will strive to ensure that not one innocent is punished even if a thousand criminals are let off, It is our duty as true citizens of the country and as Muslims to inform our fellow-citizens of this threat. In this holy night, we pledge we will do our duty in the great tradition of the noble souls of the nation".

The famous Swalath Nagar on the Palakkad-Malappuram route is the annual prayer and meeting place for lakhs of Muslims who come from major parts of India. It is said to be the largest congregation in the Muslim world, outside Mecca and Medina, during Ramzan. he annual meet takes place on the 27th night of the holy month of Ramadan every year. This year's Friday night was observed as the 'night of power' (Lailat-ul-Qadr).

The belief is, whoever prays the Night of Qadr with Eemaan (faith) and hoping for its reward, Allah the almighty will forgive him of all his previous sins.

ANI