Bareilly, May 25 (IANS) All India Muslim Jamaat National President, Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi, on Monday strongly criticised Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane over his remarks suggesting “virtual Qurbani” during Bakrid, stating that Islam is a practical religion and accusing the minister of lacking knowledge about Islamic traditions and madrasas.

The controversy erupted after Rane, while addressing an event on Sunday, made remarks regarding the celebration of religious festivals and environmental concerns.

“In our Holi festival, it is said that Holi should be celebrated as per the environment, celebrate dry Holi… In the Diwali celebration, they say do not burst crackers… They should advise people to celebrate virtual Bakrid by putting a picture of a goat on the computer and virtually showing it being sacrificed,” Rane had said.

The Maharashtra minister also renewed his criticism of madrasas during the event and alleged that such institutions were centres of radicalisation rather than education.

“I have been saying this from day one, these madrasas are centres of terrorism… they do not provide any education,” Rane said.

Reacting sharply to the remarks, Maulana Barelvi told IANS that the concept of “virtual sacrifice” has no place in Islam and asserted that Islamic practices are based on practical implementation and religious principles.

“How can one teach Nitish Rane anything? How can anyone make them understand what Islam means? There is nothing like virtual in Islam; it only talks about the practical. Islam has its principles, which are followed by the followers of Islam,” he said.

The Muslim cleric further stressed that the tradition of Qurbani has been an integral part of Islamic practice and would continue in the future as well.

“Qurbani has always been performed and will always be performed in future,” he said.

Responding to Rane’s remarks on madrasas, Maulana Barelvi said the statements reflected ignorance about Islamic educational institutions and their historical role in India.

“Nitish Rane says that madrasas are the centre of terrorism. This shows that Nitish Rane is ignorant and he does not have any knowledge about Islam or madrasas. I would like to tell him that the freedom movement from 1857 to 1947 was fought by the Ulemas and people from madrasas,” he said.

The All India Muslim Jamaat president further advised the Maharashtra minister to study Islamic history before making such statements in public.

“Nitish Rane should first read about the history of Islam and then say such things,” he added.

–IANS

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