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Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech at the first World Sufi Forum praised Islam for its message of peace and harmony, and asserted that none of Allah's 99 names stands for violence and said that terrorism and religion should be delinked. Narendra Modi was welcomed with the chant of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' at the forum convened by the All India Ulama and Mashaikh Board, to discuss the role of Sufism in countering rising global terror. Spiritual leaders, scholars, academicians and theologists from across the world are attending the event. Here are the top 10 points to note in PM Narendra Modi address at the event:
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1. PM Narendra Modi: This is an extraordinary event of great importance to the world, at a critical time for humanity. At a time when the dark shadow of violence is becoming longer, you are the noor, or the light of hope. When young laughter is silenced by guns on the streets, you are the voice that heals." (PTI)
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2. PM Narendra Modi: "The fight against terrorism is not a confrontation against any religion. It cannot be. It is a struggle between the values of humanism and the forces of inhumanity. It is not a conflict to be fought only through military, intelligence or diplomatic means.” (PTI)
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3. PM Narendra Modi: "It is a battle that must be won through the strength of our values and the real message of religions. As I have said before, we must reject any link between terrorism and religion. Those who spread terror in the name of religion are anti-religious". (PTI)
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4. PM Narendra Modi: When we think of the 99 names of Allah, none stand for force and violence, and that the first two names denote compassionate and merciful. Allah is Rahman and Raheem."(PTI)
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5. PM Narendra Modi: "When the spiritual love of Sufism, not the violent force of terrorism, flows across the border, this region will be the paradise on earth that Amir Khusrau spoke about… Terrorism divides and destroys us. Indeed, when terrorism and extremism have become the most destructive force of our times, the message of Sufism has global relevance." (PTI)
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6. PM Narendra Modi: In oblique reference to Pakistan, Modi said, "There are forces and groups that are instruments of state policy and design. There are others recruited to the cause in misguided belief."
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7. PM Narendra Modi: "Terrorism uses diverse motivations and causes, none of which can be justified. Terrorists distort a religion whose cause they profess to support. They kill and destroy more in their own land and among their own people than they do elsewhere. And, they are putting entire regions to peril and making the world more insecure and violent." (PTI)
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8. PM Narendra Modi: "We need just not constitutional provisions or legal safeguards, but also social values to build an inclusive and peaceful society, in which everyone belongs, secure about his rights and confident of her future. And, these values are important to preserve and nurture diversity in our societies. Diversity is a basic reality of Nature and source of richness of a society; and, it should not be a cause of discord.” (PTI)
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9. PM Narendra Modi: "Like the strings of sitar that each produces a note, but come together to create a beautiful melody. This is the spirit of India. This is the strength of our nation. All our people, Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Jains, Buddhists, the micro-minority of Parsis, believers, non-believers, are an integral part of India." (PTI)
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10. PM Narendra Modi: "At the dawn of Independence some chose to go away and, I believe, it also had to do with colonial politics of that time.” PM underlined that leaders like Maulana Azad, and spiritual leaders such as Maulana Hussain Madani, and millions and millions of ordinary citizens rejected the idea of division on the basis of religion. (PTI)
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