Indore, Sept 14: Praising the Dawoodi Bohra Muslim community for its contribution to the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the concept of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam', the world is one family, gives India an identity different from all other countries.
The prime minister was addressing over two lakh community members, who had gathered to attend Ashara Mubaraka, the commemoration of the martyrdom of Imam Husain, the grandsom of Prophet Mohammed at Indore’s Saifee Mosque. Syedna Aaliqadr Mufaddal Saifuddin, the current Da'i al-Mutlaq of the Dawoodi Bohras, and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan were present on the occasion.
'Ashara Mubaraka' is observed by Shia Muslims at the beginning of the Islamic year. It refers to a period of 10 days. The 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar marks the day when Imam Husain was martyred along with his family members and companions.
The PM, who began his religio-political sermon by calling the Dawoodi Bohras as his family, later reemphasised that he was treated as a family member by the Bohras in Gujarat.
"The Bohra sect is integral to peace in India and has contributed to our unity on diversity... Even when I was the Chief Minister of Gujarat, they supported me at every step of the way and I feel fortunate for that," Mr. Modi, said in a 33-minute address.
"Due to your contribution, many villages in Gujarat received drinking water. The community contributed to development in Gujarat," he said and praised the Bohras for their honesty in trade and business and remarked that they had set an example for others.
Recalling the sacrifice of Imam Husain, the PM said that the community has spread his pious message to the world. “Imam Husain sacrificed himself for the sake of peace and justice. He raised his voice against oppression and arrogance. This lesson of his is as relevant today as it was then,” he said.
The PM also underlined the achievements of his government including schemes such as Ayushman Yojana and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. “Ayushman Yojana has come as a saviour for about 50 crore poor people of the country. It will ensure free medical treatment worth Rs 5 lakhs in one year. The trial of this scheme is underway,” he said.
Mr Modi said that his government has successfully introduced policies such as GST, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code to encourage honest businessmen. Reaffirming his belief that India will continue on a forward march, the PM said that his government has been given the opportunity to take “New India” to the same heights where ancient India once was.
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