Allama Iqbal’s lines “mazhab nahi sikhata aapas mein bair rakhna” (religion does not teach us to bear ill-will among ourselves) still echo in the minds of those voicing for peace and unity. In tune with the same spirit, the members of the Muslim community in Uttar Pradesh’s Faizabad donated funds for the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
“Lord Ram is everybody's and Ram Temple belongs to everyone. We all Muslims in large numbers will assist in the construction of the temple,” Haji Saeed Ahmed, a member of the Muslim Rashtriya Manch, Ayodhya, told ANI.
Underlining that Lord Ram and his teachings are worth appreciation, Ahmed said: “whatever Babur and Mughals did in Ayodhya was not right”.
“Lord Ram belong to our Hindustan and we too belong to this nation. We belong to Lord Ram's dynasty. We are all one. We are not from Iraq, Iran or Turkey. Hindus are our brothers. Lord Ram is our ancestor and we have a deep respect for him, he is just like a prophet for us,” he added.
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Shabana Begum, another member of the Muslim community, said she wants an end to violence and the establishment of peace.
Ram Bhawan president Shakti Singh expressed his delight with the donation made by the Muslim community members through the 'Nidhi Samarpana Abhiyan’ - a fundraising drive being conducted for the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
“Muslim brothers of Faizabad have donated Rs 5,100 for the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya. They have also told us that even in the future they shall participate in the temple's construction,” he said, adding the initiative sets an example of peace and unity not only in the country but also in the world.
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Earlier on August 5 last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. He performed the 'Bhoomi Poojan' before laying the stone.
The Supreme Court had on November 9, 2019, brought the curtains down on the Ayodhya land dispute.
The verdict by a five-judge bench gave Hindus the 2.77 acres disputed land for construction of Ram Temple and ordered that Muslims be given a five-acre land at a prominent location to build a mosque in the holy city.