Dialogue key to unity, say RSS and Muslim clerics after Delhi meeting

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat met with 60 prominent Muslim clerics and scholars in New Delhi on Thursday in a meeting organised by the All India Imam Organisation. Held at Haryana Bhawan, the three-and-a-half-hour discussion focused on promoting dialogue between Hindus and Muslims.

New Delhi: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat met prominent Muslim clerics and scholars on Thursday, discussing a host of issues with them and agreeing on the need to start a dialogue between Hindus and Muslims, All India Imam Organisation chief Umer Ahmed Iliyasi said.

The meeting that lasted for about three hours and a half was attended by 60 prominent imams, muftis and mohtamims (heads) of madrasas, Iliyasi told PTI.

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The meeting was organised by the All India Imam Organisation at the Haryana Bhawan here.

The RSS described the meeting as “positive” and said it was part of a “continuous process” of holding an extensive dialogue with all sections of the society with the objective of exploring how everyone can work together in the interest of the country.

“This is a continuous process of an extensive dialogue with all sections of the society. The main objective is how everyone can work together in the interest of the country. Today’s discussion was also positive,” Sunil Ambekar, the head of the national publicity and media department of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), told PTI.

Bhagwat, who attended the meeting on an invitation from the All India Imam Organisation, was accompanied by senior RSS leaders, including Krishan Gopal and Indresh Kumar.

“A freewheeling discussion took place at the meeting on national issues. It was decided that there should be a dialogue between mandirs and masjids, imams and pujaris, gurukuls and madrasas,” Iliyasi told PTI after the meeting.

Asked about the RSS chief’s view on the decision, he said Bhagwat appreciated it.

There was a consensus that the All India Imam Organisation and the RSS will take this forward together, he added.

“Dialogue is the only medium to resolve every issue. Dialogue resolves misunderstandings, ends hatred, establishes mutual coordination, builds mutual trust,” Iliyasi said.

He said a “good coordination” can be established through temples and mosques to take the dialogue to the ground.

“People believe in the things that come from temples and mosques because of their influence. When imams give their statements during the Friday prayers, they will discuss it. Mohtamims will discuss it in madrasas,” Iliyasi added.