Chennai: The Prince of Arcot, Nawab Mohammed Abdul Ali, recently expressed his appreciation for Prime Minister Modi’s speech at the centenary celebrations of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).
He said, “Your message was an emphatic reaffirmation of the inclusiveness and equalitarianism enshrined in our Constitution.”
“You also referred to your government’s commendable goal of taking the fruits of India’s progress to every citizen irrespective of caste, religion, gender, language or geographical location,” he added.
Inherent in this warm-hearted advice is your firm belief that Muslims are equal citizens of India and that the progress of our nation is not possible without their full participation. As a Muslim citizen of India, I thank you for reposing faith in my community at a time when it finds itself besieged by Islamophobia.
I have no doubt in my mind that those who indulge in hate-crimes against Muslims or any other community in the guise of upholding the culture of a particular religion do not represent that religion.
Your speech showed seriousness of your belief that India’s progress lies in the unity and integration of its diverse communities. I am more than willing to do my bit in this regard. By the grace of God, I am respected by my community and society in India, and therefore, I shall be greatly obliged if you could kindly allow me to lead a delegation of progressive Muslims and meet you to discuss how we can work together to realise your estimable objective of making India not just a haven of peace but also an economic superpower, he stated.