CHENNAI: Pro-Islamic groups in Tamil Nadu have warned that Wahabism and preaching of ISIS fundamentals have been gaining ground in Tamil Nadu through a section of mosques.
In a recent communiqué to state police and also in their recent congratulatory message to Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa last week, Ahlus Sunnath Wal Jamaths Federation (ASWJF) belonging to Sufi persuasion, a peaceful majority among Muslims along with Tamil Nadu Waqf’s protection council has alleged that extremist Wahabis and Deobandis have infiltrated into managing committees of a few Chennai-based Dargahs and Masjids and are promoting ideologies of 34 banned organisations.
“The shrines, graves, Madrasas, Khanwahs and masjids constructed by followers of saints are under threat and these structures are embodiment of Hindu- Muslim unity,” said Syed Ali Akbar, organiser, Ahlus Sunnath Wal Jamaths Federation.
Recalling last year’s incident, where two youngsters were deported to Chennai from Turkey after the foreign police found them giving suspicious statements during interrogation expressing wish to join ISIS, a police officer said, “Since the Shirk Eradication conference conducted early this year in Trichy, the divide between the TN Muslims is widening, and we are watching the activities of both the pro-extremist groups and hardcore Hindutva promoters to ensure peace, the officer said.
