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10 Times Muslim Leaders Stood Against Religious Extremism (2016-2024)

January 3, 2025
The Commune

Amid rising concerns over Islamic fundamentalism, prominent Muslim leaders across regions have consistently condemned radical ideologies, terrorism, and the misuse of religion.

In a media interview on 1 January 2025, Himachal Pradesh’s prominent Islamic scholar, SNA Gilani, spoke out against the growing influence of radical Muslims in the region. He stated, “Radical Muslims coming from outside are spreading terror in Himachal Pradesh. Rioters are converting Hindu women to Islam and taking them out of the state. The many army stations near Dharampur, including Army Station Headquarters Kasauli, Army Station Dhiksai, Spatu, and Solan, are all under threat from the Dharampur Jamia Mosque.“

This statement is part of a broader pattern observed over the years. Here, we highlight 10 significant incidents where Muslim leaders and scholars condemned and opposed the rise of Islamic fundamentalist activities between 2016 and 2024.

#1 1. SNA Gilani Condemns Radical Muslims in Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh’s renowned Islamic scholar, S.N.A. Gilani, spoke out against the growing influence of radical Muslims in the region during a media interview on 31 December 2024. He expressed concerns over the terror spread by external radical Muslims, accusing them of converting Hindu women to Islam and forcibly taking them out of the state.

Gilani also highlighted the threat posed to several army stations around Dharampur, including Army Station Headquarters Kasauli, Dhiksai, Spatu, and Solan, all of which are under threat from the Dharampur Jamia Mosque.

#2 Mohsin Raza Criticizes Fatwa Against Celebrating New Year

On 30 December 2024, Islamic scholar and leader Mohsin Raza condemned a fatwa issued by Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi, president of All India Muslim Jamaat, urging Muslims not to celebrate the New Year. Raza criticized the fatwa as an expression of fundamentalist thinking, emphasizing that such actions are damaging to unity. He called for people to distance themselves from such extremists, urging the country’s agencies to keep a watch on individuals who undermine national harmony and integrity.

#3 Maulana Shahabuddin Rizvi Condemns Attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh

During a meeting organized by Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind in Kishanganj, Bihar, on 9 December 2024, Maulana Shahabuddin Rizvi condemned the recent attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, calling them anti-Islamic. In the meeting, Maulana Mahmood Syed Asad Madni also voiced his disapproval of the violent incidents, urging that such attacks on minorities must be stopped. Rizvi’s remarks reflected a broader sentiment within the Muslim community in India, urging for peaceful coexistence and respect for minority rights.

#4 Sheikh Asim Al-Hakim Condemns Islamic Fundamentalist Activities

Sheikh Asim al-Hakim, a prominent Saudi Islamic scholar, addressed an event on 19 October 2024, where he condemned the use of mosques as centers for planning violence. Al-Hakim stated that “in Islam, mosques have become a place to plan and launch wars against non-Muslims,” highlighting the misuse of religious spaces for extremist activities.

His remarks focused on the dangers of radical ideologies infiltrating Islamic institutions and the negative impact it has on both the Muslim community and the broader world.

#5 Maulana Yasoob Abbas Condemns Terrorist Attack on Shia Muslims in Pakistan

In the wake of a terrorist attack that killed 100 Shia Muslims in Khurram, Pakistan, Maulana Yasoob Abbas, General Secretary of the All India Shia Personal Law Board, condemned the violence during a press conference on 21 November 2024. Abbas described the incident as an attack on humanity, urging global condemnation of terrorism. He also criticized the support for terrorism from Saudi Arabian petro dollars, calling terrorists the “biggest enemies of humanity” who disguise their violence under the banner of Islam.

#6 Javed Ahmed Ghamidi Criticizes Madrasa Education and Islamic Rule

Pakistani scholar Javed Ahmed Ghamidi shared his views on the roots of terrorism during a media interview on 3 September 2024. He stated that the source of terrorism lies in the education provided by madrasas and certain Muslim scholars, which advocates extreme ideologies.

Ghamidi further expressed controversial beliefs, such as the death penalty for those who leave Islam, asserting that only Muslims have the right to rule the world. He condemned nationalist governments as un-Islamic and advocated for a global Islamic rule, suggesting that once in power, Muslims should overthrow non-Muslim governments.

#7 Arif Mohammad Khan Questions Sharia Law and Madrasas

In the wake of the murder of tailor Kanhaiyalal in Udaipur, former Kerala Governor and Islamic scholar Arif Mohammad Khan criticized Islamic fundamentalism during an interview on 4 July 2022. He raised concerns about the role of madrasas in promoting extremist views and questioned the implementation of Sharia law. Referring to the slogan “Sar Tan Se Juda,” Khan stated that those advocating for Sharia should move to countries where it is already in practice, implying that radical interpretations of Islam should not be forced upon societies that do not share them.

#8 Dr. Wafa Sultan Criticizes Islamic Fundamentalist Extremism

Arab-American psychiatrist and Islamic scholar Dr. Wafa Sultan criticized the misuse of Islam for extremist purposes during a public event in America on 15 July 2024.

She accused radical Islamists of using Islam not as a religion, but as a weapon of terror. Dr. Sultan emphasized that these extremists spread fear, overthrow governments, and force conversions to Islam. She warned that millions of Muslims worldwide are ready to die for the cause, highlighting the global threat posed by Islamic fundamentalist ideologies.

#9 Taslima Nasreen Condemns Terrorism and the Misrepresentation of Islam

After a terrorist attack in Bangladesh, Bangladeshi-origin writer Taslima Nasreen took to Twitter (now X) on 4 July 2016, to express her frustration with the narrative that Islam is a peace-loving religion. Nasreen stated, “In the name of humanity, stop saying that Islam is a peace-loving religion.” She also criticized the involvement of youth from affluent, educated families in the Dhaka attack, challenging the common assumption that poverty breeds terrorism. She declared, “Bangladesh has become a hub of global terrorists,” highlighting the growing extremism within the country.

#10 Muhammad Ali Defends Nupur Sharma Amid Blasphemy Controversy

Amid widespread terrorist activities in Pakistan following Nupur Sharma’s controversial comments about Prophet Mohammad, Pakistani Maulana Engineer Muhammad Ali voiced his support for Sharma. During an interview on 16 June 2022, Ali explained that Muslim panelists had provoked Sharma, and in retaliation, she made her comment about the Prophet. He condemned the violent threats against Sharma, stating that those calling for her death should first address the Muslim leader, Tasleem Rahmani, who had made provocative remarks about another religion in a live TV programme.

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