Dawah Challenges

Muslim Murasu, November 2011

The objective of Dawah is to convert Hindus into Muslims. Government is functioning under the aegis of Hindu community. ‘Religion conversion’ phrase makes it narrowed and invites troubles. Police and courts will ambush. A mask becomes necessary. ‘Invitation’ comes handy and offers protection.
No one from Hindu community wants to convert. Particularly oppressed sections of Hindu society have been benefactors from various government schemes. No one is willing to sacrifice monetary benefits, employment opportunities, education and hostel allowances and loan waiving.
Eighty years back, some people in Nellai and surrounding region undertook the mission of religious conversion. The governments that followed at the Centre and State have taken special care to uplift oppressed and backward classes in education and economy. Religion conversion has become unnecessary.
Those who are born as Hindus like to live as Hindus. Strong reasons are required to embrace Islam. People from Chettiar, Brahmin, Mudaliar, Devar, Vanniyar communities do not enter Islam. Dawah movements can candidly publish a white paper.
It is sufficient to say ‘La ilaha Illallah’. A Hindu will become Muslim. And then one can follow exemplary character of the Prophet. This will impart spirituality.
But there are no experts among Muslim clergy who can elucidate ‘Kalima’. They are delivering homilies based on anecdotes, some incidents and rituals. A Kalima mission that can be applicable to entire Tamil community has not blossomed.
First eleven years were spent emphasizing relation between God and man. Prophet’s method was totally renounced and ignored in Tamilnadu. Muslim themselves don’t know Kalima meaning. How can they enforce this on Hindus.
Saudi currency has helped Dawah domain flourish for thirty years. Hired cadres cannot preach Kalima. Those who have occupied positions for fifty years in mosques, madrasas and religious centres have not brought a single person into the fold of Islam. This is the ground reality.
Dawah department is an imported department in Tamilnadu. Dawah is imported concept. Muslim community should, in the first place, strive to get the hang of Kalima. Later they can impose Islam on others.