Jamiat Ulema Hind takes out peace march to counter intolerance

New Delhi/Pune, Aug 14 (SURYAA): Prominent Muslim organisation Jamiat Ulema Hind (JUH) on Sunday took out a peace march "to counter the rising religious hate crimes and intolerance as well as to spread the message of peace and love".

JUH claimed that the march was taken out simultaneously in more than 800 cities and towns across India, including major cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Lucknow, Gauhati, Imphal, Bangalore, and Aurangabad.

In Delhi the march was led by JUH President Qari Mohammad Usman and in Pune, organisation's General Secretary and fomer Rajya Sabha MP Maulana Mahmood Madani led the march.

Addressing the gathering in Pune, Mahmood Madani said the pattern of hate crimes committed against Muslims and Dalits "with seeming impunity is deeply worrying".

"In this backdrop, Jamiat has taken the decision of organising peace march across the country as the message of love and brotherhood is the only way to eliminate darkness of hatred," he said.

Madani said the country is witnessing the hostile and aggressive political atmosphere which is "being fueled by some ruling party members with the tacit approval of authorities".

"This movement is to stir the conscience of the country and a call for standing united against the forces of evil which want to create divisions in the country on religious lines," he said.

Besides Maulana Madani, other faith leaders also addressed the peace rallies at different places of the country.