Top Muslim cleric, guest at Ram Mandir event, seeks Centre's intervention after 'fatwa' and 'threats'

Umer Ahmed Ilyasi seen among other guests at the Ram Mandir consecration ceremony in Ayodhya.

After receiving ‘fatwa’ over attending Ram Mandir consecration ceremony in Ayodhya, Dr Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, chief Imam of All India Imam Organisation has written to Union home minister Amit Shah and Union home secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla seeking security.

Speaking to Moneycontrol, Ilyasi confirmed that the fatwa, or an Islamic edict, and a couple of videos allegedly threatening him were received on January 28, following which he has sought the Centre’s intervention.

Read: Ram Mandir inauguration: Views from the other side

“The fatwa doesn’t apply because India is not governed by the Shariah (Islamic) law. But I am afraid of the threats which I am receiving from January 22 after attending the Ram Mandir inauguration,” said Ilyasi.

In the fatwa, the top cleric has been criticised for choosing “consecration over religion” and not abiding by the Islamic rules. Ilaysi claimed that apart from, many clerics have also started a boycott campaign against him.

“I have been told to apologise and step down as chief of All India Imam Organisation. This kind of behaviour is hurtful as I attended the ceremony to spread the message of love and brotherhood,” Ilyasi told Moneycontrol.

He said that being the chief Imam, he is having the leadership responsibility of 5.5 lakh mosques across the country and the fatwa issued against him will create confusion among many people in the country.

“No one can be a good Muslim or a good Hindu, if we don’t believe in humanity. As I attended the ceremony, it has only sent a message of being together in the country which is democratic,” said Ilyasi

On January 22, the rituals of the concertation ceremony rituals in Ayodhya were led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the presence of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath and governor Anandiben Patel.

Built at an estimated cost of Rs 1,800 crore, the journey towards the construction of the Ram Mandir was first initiated more than 15 years ago when Ashok Singhal, the former Vishwa Hindu Parishad president spoke to Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Chief AM Naik about the temple construction in Ayodhya.

The foundation stone for the Ram Mandir was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 5, 2020.  The Ram Mandir construction was being monitored by a trust- the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which was created by the central government.