yesterday (31.01.24), authorities in delhi demolished the 600-year-old akhoonji masjid without any prior warning. the mosque was surveyed in 2022 but no report was ever published.
suhail shaikh, the father of one of the students, muhammad hafizul shaikh, who was studying in the madrasa (the school which was part of the mosque compound) says that he does not know where his son has been taken and isn’t allowed to meet with him. he describes how he was harassed by authorities when he inquired about his son.
imam hafiz nasruddin, on behalf of the waqf board, describes the cold and foggy conditions in which the children and imams were forced to stand outside and describes the extent of destruction the bulldozers caused. not only were the masjid and madrasa destroyed, so were the qurans, the childrens’ belongings, their food, the cemetery and a shrine. authorities also confiscated all phones so nobody could be notified of what was happening.
the above videos are both in hindi but this article partially translates them into english, provides more testimonies and further describes the scenes.
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**Title: "The Transformation of Miguel"**
**Chapter 1: A Chance Encounter**
Miguel, a young Spaniard from a well-to-do family, had spent his life pursuing knowledge in the cloisters of academia. He had always been curious, seeking answers in books of philosophy and theology, but lately, nothing seemed to satisfy his thirst for understanding. The life he led, filled with Western studies and family traditions, felt incomplete to him, lacking the spiritual depth he yearned for within.
One day, while walking through the bustling streets of Córdoba, Miguel came across a bazaar full of colors and sounds he had never experienced before. There, among the stalls of spices and fabrics, he saw a sign that read: “Classes on the Quran and Islamic Philosophy.” Intrigued by the idea of learning about a culture and religion so foreign to his life, Miguel decided to attend one of these classes, driven by his insatiable curiosity.
**Chapter 2: The Arab Teacher**
The class was held in a small madrasa located in a quiet alley. Upon entering, Miguel was greeted by Ahmed, an Arab teacher with an imposing presence and an air of deep wisdom. Ahmed was known throughout Córdoba not only for his vast knowledge of the Quran but also for his ability to convey the essence of Islam with patience and clarity.
Miguel, with his expression of wonder and naivety, began attending the daily lessons. At first, he didn’t understand much about the Quranic verses or the Muslim customs that Ahmed taught with such passion. But little by little, Ahmed’s enthusiasm and devotion began to awaken in Miguel a genuine interest in understanding Islam beyond its stereotypes.
**Chapter 3: The First Steps in Islam**
Miguel was fascinated by the teachings of the Quran and the wisdom contained in its words. He marveled at how Ahmed explained the importance of inner peace, submission to Allah’s will, and brotherhood among believers. The teacher taught him about the Five Pillars of Islam: Shahada (the profession of faith), Salat (prayer), Zakat (charity), Sawm (fasting during Ramadan), and Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca). Each lesson drew him deeper into a state of awe and respect for this new way of life.
Miguel, naive in many aspects of Muslim life, would ask questions that seemed obvious to Ahmed. But the teacher, with infinite patience, always answered, not with mockery but with a sincere desire to share his faith. Gradually, Miguel began to participate in prayers, fast during Ramadan, and learn Quranic verses in Arabic, something he never would have imagined doing before.
**Chapter 4: The Growing Fascination**
As the months passed, Miguel felt increasingly drawn to Ahmed, not just because of his wisdom but also for his charisma and deep sense of inner peace. Ahmed spoke to him about the ways of the Prophet Muhammad, explaining how Islam was not just a religion but a way of life that embraced justice, compassion, and equality. Miguel felt he had finally found something that filled the void in his heart.
Ahmed also noticed something special in Miguel. He saw not just a student eager for knowledge but someone with the potential to be a great defender of the faith. He taught Miguel to recite the Quran, interpret its meanings, and live according to the principles of Islam. Each lesson was an open door to a new world, full of meaning and purpose.
**Chapter 5: A New Path**
One day, after an intense study session, Miguel approached Ahmed with a decision he had been contemplating for weeks. "I want to convert to Islam," he declared with determination. "I want to follow the path of Allah and be like you, someone who lives with purpose and inner peace."
Ahmed smiled with a mix of pride and affection. He knew that Miguel was ready to take this important step. He took him to the mosque, where Miguel recited the Shahada with tears in his eyes, surrounded by his new teacher and his new brothers in faith.
**Chapter 6: Leaving Everything Behind**
Miguel, now known as Jamal, decided to leave behind his previous life, his old beliefs, and his family, who never understood his fascination with Islam. He left everything for this new life, for his new brothers, and above all, for Ahmed, who had become more than a teacher to him. Ahmed was now his mentor, his spiritual guide, and the reflection of everything Jamal wanted to be.
Every day, Jamal learned more about Muslim customs. He helped those in need, participated in philosophical debates at the madrasa, and dedicated himself to memorizing the Quran. His transformation was complete; he was no longer the naive young man who had first entered the bazaar in Córdoba but a man with a mission: to live fully in Islam.
**Epilogue: A Devoted Disciple**
Jamal's story became a legend in Córdoba, an example of how faith and devotion can transform even the most skeptical of hearts. Under Ahmed's guidance, Jamal not only found a new purpose but also became a teacher in his own right, teaching others about the beauty of Islam, always with the memory of his own transformation in his heart.
And so, Ahmed's library remained a beacon of light and wisdom in Córdoba, a place where seekers of knowledge, regardless of their origin, could find the path to true peace and understanding.
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Hello, this is concerning [https://www.tumblr.com/hindulivesmatter/742021620037713920/your-people-bulldozed-3-mosques-and-a-madrasa-this?source=share] this post.
I do not know about the bulldozing of mosques and madrassas but police open-fired on Muslim protestors because they were not being peaceful. They stone-pelleted the force heavily. They were outright violent and the orders came to control the situation. This happened in Haldwani, btw.
Didn't want to say anything on that anon bc my words here are constantly being misinterpreted. From what I could gather while looking at the news:
The madrasa was built illegally and the people in control of the structure were unable to furnish documents proving it was built legally.
I saw photos of police officers after the ordeal, they were beat-up and bloody. There were also reports of policewomen's clothes being torn.
BJP has been absolutely ruthless in terms of demolishing buildings on illegal land. Both mosques and temples have been bulldozed. So this isn't only an "oh no BJP's targeting Muslims" situation.
The order for demolition was given by the high court.
Both Muslims and Hindus have been hurt and killed in the riot.
They don't want to get it. They just don't.
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Can you believe how far sanghiblr has gone? To them, open firing on an UNARMED crowd is a perfectly reasonable response to being stone pelted. "Orders came". Where do they think the orders come from?
This is about the Haldwani incident, where the police open fired on muslims who were protesting because an adjoining mosque and madrasa had been razed to the ground. The police killed 6 people.
I shouldn't be surprised but at times I'm just astounded by their cruelty and utter inhumanity. How do these people wake up, look at themselves in the mirror and go about their day?
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