Ayodhya verdict: Muslim groups say SC's decision should be respected

Several office bearers of top Muslim organisations, clerics and intellectuals from the community held a meeting on Saturday over the Ayodhya case, and asserted that the Supreme Court verdict should be respected by all. In the closed-door meeting convened by Navaid Hamid, president of the All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat, the participants resolved to maintain peace and harmony at all cost after the verdict in the Ayodhya case. Among those who were present included Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind president Arshad Madani, former National Commission for Minorities chairperson Wajahat Habibullah, former MP Shahid Siddiqui, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind president Sadatullah Hussaini and parliamentarians Dr Jawed and Imran Hasan.

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In a resolution passed at the meeting, the participants resolved that the impact and consequences of the Supreme Court's decision in the Ram Janmabhoom-Babri Masjid title suit should be taken positively in the context of the overall progress and development of the country. "We appeal to all countrymen to face the situation with patience and endurance. We urge all to avoid any kind of provocation and incitement and also stick to peace and optimism whatever be the circumstances," the resolution said.

READ: Ayodhya verdict: AIMPB asks Muslims to repose faith in Constitution

A day earlier, All India Muslim Personal Law Board Maulana Khalid Rasheed Firangi Mahali on Friday said imams should advise Muslims to repose faith in the Constitution and judiciary and maintain communal harmony. In a statement here Maulana Khalid said, "As media reports suggest the Supreme Court's judgement on Ayodhya is going to come soon. You are aware of the fact that the Ayodhya case is the biggest and most sensitive case of independent India. The entire country and global community is looking towards the judgement. Hence, it is the responsibility of every citizen to honour the judgement of the court and maintain peace." "My appeal is to every imam of various mosques to make an appeal that Muslims need not feel afraid, but they should repose faith in country's Constitution and judiciary, and whatever the judgement comes, we should honour it," he added.

Supreme Court reserves verdict

The Supreme Court on October 16, reserved the verdict in the contentious and politically-sensitive Ram Janmabhoomi- Babri Masjid land dispute case. The bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, and comprising of SC judges Justices S.A. Bopde, D.Y. Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan, S. Abdul Nazeer reserved the verdict. The final verdict is likely to be pronounced on November 16, ahead of the retirement of CJI Ranjan Gogoi. 

READ: Ayodhya case:Verdict reserved; 5 judges to sit in chambers on Thursday

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