{"id":5805,"date":"2025-09-24T11:16:27","date_gmt":"2025-09-24T05:46:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/?p=5805"},"modified":"2025-09-24T11:19:03","modified_gmt":"2025-09-24T05:49:03","slug":"i-love-muhammad-i-love-india-a-call-for-faith-unity-and-constitutional-freedom-syed-ashraf","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/?p=5805","title":{"rendered":"\u201cI Love Muhammad, I Love India\u201d: A Call for Faith, Unity, and Constitutional Freedom,&#8221; Syed Ashraf"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 data-start=\"105\" data-end=\"226\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Syed Ashraf Launches \u201cI Love Muhammad, I Love India\u201d Campaign, Calls for Religious Harmony and Constitutional Rights<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3 data-start=\"228\" data-end=\"282\">Campaign Seeks to Celebrate Faith and Patriotism<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"283\" data-end=\"648\"><strong>Bengaluru:<\/strong> Former Political Secretary to the ex-Prime Minister, <strong data-start=\"347\" data-end=\"362\">Syed Ashraf<\/strong>, has announced the launch of a new initiative titled <em data-start=\"416\" data-end=\"450\">\u201cI Love Muhammad, I Love India.\u201d<\/em> The campaign, he said, aims to combine a deep spiritual reverence for Prophet Muhammad with a profound love for the nation, reflecting the belief that faith and patriotism can coexist peacefully.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"650\" data-end=\"946\">\u201cWe love Muhammad, and we love India. Our faith teaches us peace, respect, and compassion for all. Yet, when we express this devotion, it is questioned. Why should invoking the names of Allah or Muhammad create problems when people of other faiths freely call upon their deities?\u201d Ashraf asked.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"948\" data-end=\"997\">Religious Freedom and Constitutional Rights<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"998\" data-end=\"1241\">Ashraf underscored that the <strong data-start=\"1026\" data-end=\"1143\">Indian Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to practice their religion without fear or discrimination.<\/strong> He questioned why Muslims often face FIRs, arrests, or objections for expressing their beliefs.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1243\" data-end=\"1506\">\u201cOur actions do not impose on anyone. They are part of our faith, and they are protected under the Constitution. The Prime Minister himself represents all communities. Then why do some in power ignore his inclusive message and instead create division?\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Karnataka Group to Launch &quot;I Love Muhammad I Love India&quot; Campaign #muhammad\ufdfa #Islam #India\" width=\"1170\" height=\"658\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/lVarzZS4NLU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"1508\" data-end=\"1546\">Kanpur Controversy Sparks Debate<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1547\" data-end=\"1868\">The announcement comes in the wake of a controversy during the <em data-start=\"1610\" data-end=\"1643\">Barawafat (Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi)<\/em> procession in <strong data-start=\"1658\" data-end=\"1678\">Rawatpur, Kanpur<\/strong>, on September 4. A group had displayed an <em data-start=\"1721\" data-end=\"1740\">\u201cI Love Muhammad\u201d<\/em> banner along the route, prompting objections from local Hindu groups who alleged that a \u201cnew tradition\u201d was being introduced.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1870\" data-end=\"2136\">Police intervened, citing rules against introducing new customs in religious processions. DCP Dinesh Tripathi clarified that no FIR was filed for the banner itself; cases were registered against 24 people for altering traditional arrangements and damaging posters.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2138\" data-end=\"2315\">The issue gained national attention when <strong data-start=\"2179\" data-end=\"2211\">AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi<\/strong> stated on social media that saying <em data-start=\"2247\" data-end=\"2266\">\u201cI Love Muhammad\u201d<\/em> is not a crime, criticizing the police action.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"2317\" data-end=\"2359\">Peaceful Protest and Community Unity<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"2360\" data-end=\"2602\">Ashraf emphasized that Muslims in India have responded peacefully to derogatory remarks or restrictions. \u201cWhen we protest, it is not to harm others. It is to defend the honor of our Prophet and to uphold our constitutional rights,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2604\" data-end=\"2862\">He, however, criticized the silence of many Muslim leaders. \u201cThe continued silence of our MLAs, MPs, and ministers weakens the community. It is their responsibility to raise issues with the government and protect the dignity of their people,\u201d Ashraf noted.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"2864\" data-end=\"2906\">Appeal for Leadership and Protection<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"2907\" data-end=\"3210\">Ashraf called on Muslim legislators and influential figures close to the chief minister to step forward. \u201cThey have the power to intervene and provide protection, yet they remain silent. This silence allows communal discord to grow. We need leaders who will stand up for justice and harmony,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3212\" data-end=\"3384\">With the campaign, Ashraf expressed hope for a future where <strong data-start=\"3272\" data-end=\"3318\">faith and national pride walk hand in hand<\/strong>, fostering peace, unity, and mutual respect across communities.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"136\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Key Quotes<\/span><\/h2>\n<ol data-start=\"138\" data-end=\"1169\">\n<li data-start=\"138\" data-end=\"306\">\n<p data-start=\"141\" data-end=\"306\"><em data-start=\"141\" data-end=\"290\">\u201cWe love Muhammad, and we love India. Our faith teaches peace and compassion, and our Constitution gives us the right to practice it with dignity.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Syed Ashraf<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"308\" data-end=\"492\">\n<p data-start=\"311\" data-end=\"492\"><em data-start=\"311\" data-end=\"476\">\u201cInvoking the name of Allah or Muhammad should never be seen as a threat. It is an expression of love, just as people of other faiths freely invoke their deities.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Syed Ashraf<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"494\" data-end=\"655\">\n<p data-start=\"497\" data-end=\"655\"><em data-start=\"497\" data-end=\"639\">\u201cThe Prime Minister represents every Indian, every religion. Then why do some leaders in power defy his inclusive message and sow division?\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Syed Ashraf<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"657\" data-end=\"826\">\n<p data-start=\"660\" data-end=\"826\"><em data-start=\"660\" data-end=\"810\">\u201cWhen Muslims protest, it is not to harm others. It is to defend the honor of our Prophet and to uphold the constitutional rights of every citizen.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Syed Ashraf<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"828\" data-end=\"1000\">\n<p data-start=\"831\" data-end=\"1000\"><em data-start=\"831\" data-end=\"984\">\u201cSilence from our leaders is not neutrality; it is abandonment. Muslim representatives must raise their voices to protect the dignity of their people.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Syed Ashraf<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1002\" data-end=\"1169\">\n<p data-start=\"1005\" data-end=\"1169\"><em data-start=\"1005\" data-end=\"1153\">\u201cFaith and patriotism are not at odds. To love the Prophet is to love humanity, and to love India is to uphold peace, unity, and respect for all.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Syed Ashraf<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n<p id=\"pvc_stats_5805\" class=\"pvc_stats total_only  \" data-element-id=\"5805\" style=\"\"><i class=\"pvc-stats-icon medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" version=\"1.0\" viewBox=\"0 0 502 315\" preserveAspectRatio=\"xMidYMid meet\"><g transform=\"translate(0,332) scale(0.1,-0.1)\" fill=\"\" stroke=\"none\"><path d=\"M2394 3279 l-29 -30 -3 -207 c-2 -182 0 -211 15 -242 39 -76 157 -76 196 0 15 31 17 60 15 243 l-3 209 -33 29 c-26 23 -41 29 -80 29 -41 0 -53 -5 -78 -31z\"\/><path d=\"M3085 3251 c-45 -19 -58 -50 -96 -229 -47 -217 -49 -260 -13 -295 52 -53 146 -42 177 20 16 31 87 366 87 410 0 70 -86 122 -155 94z\"\/><path d=\"M1751 3234 c-13 -9 -29 -31 -37 -50 -12 -29 -10 -49 21 -204 19 -94 39 -189 45 -210 14 -50 54 -80 110 -80 34 0 48 6 76 34 21 21 34 44 34 59 0 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[&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5806,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[66],"tags":[74,1287,1325,1324],"class_list":["post-5805","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-karnataka","tag-karnataka","tag-muhammad","tag-prophet-of-islam","tag-seyd-ashraf"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5805","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5805"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5805\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5809,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5805\/revisions\/5809"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5806"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5805"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5805"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5805"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}