Home News The Nizamuddin Tablighi Markaz comes under criticism

The Nizamuddin Tablighi Markaz comes under criticism

by Salaamedia

Written by Zahid Jadwat | Edited by Mohammed Arai 

Last week, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 21-day lockdown for India’s 1.3 billion people.

With just four hours’ notice, the government instructed everyone to remain in their homes, banned public events, closed schools and colleges, and shut commercial and industrial outlets across the country.

The Tablighi Markaz based in Nizamuddin in the city of Delhi has come under criticism for apparently allowing congregations to continue amidst the coronavirus pandemic and during the lockdown.

A widespread backlash in India and abroad has laid the blame for the spread of the coronavirus Covid-19 at the door of the Nizamuddin Markaz, claims which they deny.

“There were some amongst them who were not taking this matter seriously [and] taking this as another conspiracy against Muslims,” said Umar Shariff who is a Comparative Religious Scholar based in India.

Shariff was speaking in an exclusive interview with Salaamedia’s Azhar Vadi on The Alternative View.

Shariff told Salaamedia that the Tablighi Jamaat is not “technically and legally” at fault because the lockdown had left international visitors stranded at the Nizamuddin Markaz.

“The Police and government were aware of what was happening at the Markaz, and immediately after the lockdown, a lot of people left the Markaz [but] the bulk of them had to be kept there because they did not have vehicles to leave and were stranded,” said Umar Shariff.

A statement issued by the Nizamuddin Markaz confirmed that many were stranded due to the unavailability of transport, and a government order for people to remain wherever they were.

The statement reads: “Due to sudden cancellation of rail services across the country on 21 March 2020, a large group of visitors who had to depart by way of railways got stuck in the Markaz premises. Under such compelling circumstances, there was no option for Markaz Nizamuddin but to accommodate the stranded visitors with prescribed medical precautions until such time that the situation becomes conducive for their movement or arrangements are made by the authorities.”

Referring to the Markaz’s decision to continue with planned events until the last moment, Shariff said: “Tablighi Jamaat is not at fault, but what I feel is that they should have avoided such a program at a time when the whole world is showing concern [for the coronavirus].”

The statement by Nizamuddin Markaz maintains that the institute has been in compliance with the law throughout the time.

“During this entire episode, Markaz Nizamuddin never violated any provision of law, and always tried to act with compassion and reason towards the visitors who came to Delhi from different states. It did not let them violate the medical guidelines by thronging or roaming on streets,” reads another part of the statement.

It further adds: “Throughout its 100-year existence, Markaz Nizamuddin has an unblemished history of cooperating with authorities and always upholding the rule of law in letter and spirit. In the present challenge of Covid-19, Markaz stands with the law enforcement authorities, and shall remain forthcoming in complying with all the guidelines issued by them.”

Listen to the full discussion here:

Featured image from Google via NewsClick. 

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