As per new reports, Tablighi Jamaat Chief Maulana Muhammad Saad didn’t pay heed to the advice of senior clerics and intellectuals of the community as he refused to cancel the congregation following the COVID-19 outbreak.
The Tablighi Jamaat congregation that was held between the 13th and 15th of March has accounted for more than 30 percent of all the cases that have been reported in the country as of now. With over 1,000 cases already confirmed and many under quarantine, there have been growing concerns over the untraced people.
Maulana Pushed the Jamaat into the Jaws of Pandemic
Prior to the event, senior clerics and intellectuals in the Muslim community had suggested the Chief of the Tablighi Jamaat against conducting the congregation. Despite that, it is believed that the stubborn attitude of Maulana Muhammad Saad Khandalwi has not jeopardized the lives of the attendees but also painted tainted pictures on the Muslim community.
The other faction of the Tablighi Jamaat, Shura-e-Jamaat, that has its headquarters in Delhi, canceled each event after the outbreak was reported in the country. A stubborn and possibly stupid Maulana continued with the Jamaat and preached unscientific things about the virus as it’s been heard in the viral audio.
Mohammad Alam, a veteran of the Tablighi Jamaat has come forward and revealed that the Maulana was aware of the coronavirus pandemic and continued his plans of having a markaz in the national capital. He further said that the Maulana has virtually pushed the Jamaat into the jaws of the pandemic. Another old member of the Jamaat, Liyaqat Ali Khan questioned the intent of the Maulana and posed questions at his hiding.
Indian National Congress leaders Meem Afzal and Zafar Sareshwala revealed to the media that several notices were sent to the Maulana regarding the cancellation of the event but he refused to budge to the suggestions of other Muslim leaders. Meanwhile, a close aid of the Maulana Saad, Maulana Harris had said that the Indian government is also responsible for letting foreign members of the Jamaat attend the congregation despite knowing the pandemic threat.
As the hunt for the Maulana Saad continues, day after day, the number of confirmed cases in link with the Jamaat is on the rise. In Uttar Pradesh, 50 percent of the total cases are linked to the Jamaat.
