Naqvi seems to be making too much fuss over the use of the word “Allah Hafiz” by some and “Khuda Hafiz” by many. What is there in such coining of phrases. It means the same. To attribute its usage to the radical Wahhabis may be too much to show one’s opposition to that sect. I am not a Wahhabi nor do I approve of their teachings.
I am opposed to radicalisation of Islam and many readers would have read my scores of articles on the issue. The point here is, Urdu is not a religious language but wrongly associated with Muslims. There are many in the south among Muslim who do not know or understand Urdu at all. Say in Tamilnadu, here the majority speak Tamil and Urdu speakers form a miniscule minority.
The language of Urdu is dying in the south. What a Tamil Muslim would say in place of “Khuda Hafiz” or Allah Hafiz. He would say, as Rahman had said it while receiving Oscar Award, “Ellam Pugzum Iraivanikke” meaning all praise to Allah. So what is there in the languge. Naqvi is reading too much into it and making a mountain out of a molehill. This is not fair write up. I know we disapprove of some of the Wahhabi teachings that are fast spreading, particularly among the youth. It is the duty of parents to see that their wards are not influenced by such radical teachings.
It may be recalled that these radical elements were forming the extremist elements in the community. We much resist their attempts through concerted teaching of our children on the flip side of such extreme activities. We need to observe our religious practices as per the guidance of our Imams such as Hanafi, Maliki, Hambali and Shaafi. Religion is private and it should be confined as such. It has no bearing on the politics of the country.
We are Indians and we must all love our country. We must inculcate in our children the patriotic feelings. Never ever have any extra-territorial loyalties. We must be loyal to our country. Banish Pakistani mentality. Let us be united in our fight against extremism and terrorism. Let us all love our neighbours and Islam is the best religion in the world which teaches universal brotherhood.
It has been ordained in the Holy Quran for peaceful co-existeance with other religious groups. That is what has been said, “Lakum Deenukum Waliyadeen”. Let us not therefore fight over Khuda Hafiz and Allah Hafiz. Islam is universal and language has no bearing on its followers. Jai Hind.
