Muslim leaders meet Bombay archbishop, appeal for peace

A section of Muslim leaders met the archbishop of Bombay, cardinal Oswald Gracias, on Thursday to express regret for the attack on a church in Kashmir the day before.

“We are here to firstly thank him for condemning the tearing of the Koran to mark the 9/11 anniversary in New York,” said Maulana Abdul Jabbar Azmi, president, Ulema Federation of India. He was accompanied by Maulana Mehmood Daryabadi, general secretary, All-India Ulema Council, Dr Azimuddin Syed, president, Movement for Human Welfare, MA Khalid, secretary, All-India Milli Council; and Farid Batatawala, president, Muslim Front. Abraham Mathai from the state’s minority commission and Joseph Dias of the Catholic Social Forum were also present.

“I am thankful that my Muslim brothers have been proactive in condemning such acts. There are some people who are trying to poison the atmosphere of communal harmony and peace,” Gracias said. “It was nice of our Muslim brothers to come and condemn the attacks. I hope they (the attacks) remain as stray incidents and never happen again.”

Dariyabadi said: “The meeting was to ensure that a message is sent to all. All holy books are given by God and need to be respected.”

Dias said: “Attacks on churches have increased of late, and the police need to nip such acts of hatred in the bud.”
The Muslim leaders gifted the cardinal a copy of the
Koran.