Ram Mandir inauguration: Views from the other side

Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, chief cleric of All India Imam Organisation at the Ram Mandir consecration ceremony in Ayodhya.

Muslims who attended the Ram Mandir consecration ceremony in Ayodhya on January 22 assert that time has arrived to transcend differences and unite for the nation’s development.

Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, they said he has reached out to every community and sent a strong message that Ram Mandir belongs to the Rashtra (nation) and not Hindus alone.

Among the attendees were prominent clerics, who were personally invited by the members of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra (RJTK) to participate in the inauguration ceremony.

Read: Highlights of PM Modi’s address in Ayodhya 

Speaking to Moneycontrol, Dr Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, chief cleric of All India Imam Organisation said he was happy to receive the invitation and become part of the ceremony.

“Being a chief cleric, I have the leadership responsibility of 5.5 lakh mosques across the country. In the times of hatred, my duty is to spread the message of love and harmony,” said Ilyasi.

At Ayodhya, Ilaysi says, there was a gathering of saints who welcomed him and endorsed his decision of attending the “Pran Pratishtha” rituals led by Modi.

'Dialogue only way forward'

“I was told by many seers that I have raised the stature of Muslims by attending the ceremony. Religion unites people, and to reduce differences, dialogue is the only way forward,” the chief cleric remarked.

He said that people of the two communities have already “fought a lot” and this was the time to move on and work together towards nation-building.

Read more: Beyond boundaries: Devotees across India celebrate Ram Lalla’s pran pratishtha in Ayodhya

“Both the Hindu and the Muslim sides were litigants in Ayodhya Ram Mandir-Babri Masjid dispute case and when the final verdict came, it was respected and accepted. We have to coexist and fight against hatred,” Ilyasi added.

He said that the prime minister in his address has categorically made it clear that the country now has to lay the foundation of India of "next 1,000 years" to build a capable, grand and divine nation from this moment.

Speaking on many Hindutva organisations seeking excavation of mosques such as Shahi Masjid, Agra Fort and non-invasive ASI survey of Gyanvapi complex, the top cleric said that the All India Imam Organisation has scheduled meetings with the government and concerned organisation for a peaceful resolution.

Earlier on September 22, 2022, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat had met Ilyasi and visited a madrasa run by the All India Imam Organisation in the national capital.

“It was the first time, the RSS chief had visited a madarsa and a mosque. I had sent him an invitation and we had a detailed meeting at the mosque at central Delhi’s Kasturba Gandhi Marg. We discussed the issues being faced by Muslim community,” Ilyasi added.

Also read: Ram Mandir inauguration: Away from Ayodhya, AAP celebrates Ram in Delhi

Addressing a gathering of people after the consecration ceremony, the Prime Minister had said that there was a time when some people said that if the Ram temple is built, it will lead to unrest. Such people failed to understand the purity of India’s social sentiment.

“The construction of this temple of Ramlalla is also a symbol of peace, patience, harmony, and coordination in Indian society. Ram is not fire, Ram is energy. Ram is not a dispute; Ram is the solution. Ram is not only ours, Ram is for everyone. Ram is not just the present, Ram is eternal,” the prime minister said.

'Matter of pride'

Former chancellor of Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU), Firoz Bakht Ahmed was also among the attendees. He also praised Modi for his positive approach and "reaching out every community".

“Loving your own country is the basic pillar of Islam. Our religion teaches us to coexist, and refrain from hurting sentiments of any community. I was invited by the Prime Minister’s office and it’s a matter of pride to witness the grand event in Ayodhya,” he said.

He said that the consecration has set a new tone for the country as it has opened a new ambience of Hindu-Muslim phase of tolerance with the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, which means that the world is one family.

Firoz Bakht Ahmed with Lord Ram idol sculptor Arun Yogiraj at the consecration ceremony.

“Those who hold extremist views from both communities do not represent India. Narendra Modi is our prime minister, and he has spoken in the interest of Muslims. It is necessary to support him without any political bias,” Ahmed added.

Iqbal Ansari, a litigant in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case, was also among those who attended the consecration event. "This is the beginning of the Mandir... Whatever may have been the struggle, today has become the day of the people. Now, people should visit and see whatever there is in Ayodhya," news agency ANI quoted him as saying.

Meanwhile, IAS officer Shah Faesal and former student leader Shehla Rashid Shora also expressed their thoughts on X (formerly Twitter) about the consecration ceremony.

“As an Indian Muslim I'm proud to witness this inflection point in our civilizational journey. Values of the ideal man, Maryada Purshottam Shri Ram - righteousness, respect for relationships, resilience- are going to inform our collective resolve for a Viksit Bharat (22 January, 2024 - 15 August, 2047),” wrote Faesal.

Shehla Rashid praised Modi for his “words of unity and reconciliation.” She wrote, “This is not a moment just of triumph, but also of modesty/solemnity." ~ words of unity & reconciliation from PM @narendramodi at #RamMandirPranPrathistha deeply appreciated by all sections of society. Such composure after 11 days of fast, travel, events! Wish you good health sir (sic).”