Africa and India:
Quran 9:5
But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practice regular charity, then open the way for them: for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.
According to scholar Lamin Sanneh, there were two groups of Muslims responsible for conversion in Africa: 1) TRANSMITTERS, the foreign Muslim traders, visitors, and missionaries, who tried to spread Islam via preaching (Jihad al-Qwal) and the 2) RECIPIENTS, who were converts. According to Sanneh the “recipients were far more important in the spread of Islam than the transmitters” (Lamin Sanneh, p, 13). The eclectic and open nature of traditional African religious thought was by no means evasive and syncretistic and it fostered the preservation and indeed propagation of Arab-Islam without prejudice to its value system. Nonetheless, as the Jihad al-qwal (preaching of the tongue) was ineffective in large scale conversion, the next thing was Jihad bi[l-sayf or the Jihad of the sword. (Azumah, John Alembillah, p, 62).
Mr Shurawardy said,
“Bloodshed and disorder are not necessary evil in themselves, if resorted to for a noble cause. Among Muslims today, no cause is dearer or nobler than Pakistan.” There was a meeting of the leaders of the Muslim League in downtown Calcutta, and they decide to launch what was called a DIRECT ACTION DAY, in which the call was given to annihilate as many Hindus as possible and to violate Hindu women.
(Sinha and Dasgupta, p, 63).
“In this Holy month of Ramadan, Mecca was conquered from the infields and in this month again a Jihad (Crusade) for the establishment of Pakistan has been declared. It has been directed by the All-India Muslim League Council at is Bombay session that Jumam, the 18th Ramadan 1365, Jhinujri, i.e., the 1ht August 1946, will be observed as a day for All India Hartal. Let the blind see, the deaf hear and the dumb speak out that the Muslims are living nation and will not rest till freedom is achieved” (English translation of the Urdu Pamphlet issues by Calcutta District Muslim League Secretary, S. M. Usman, translated and re printed in Sinha and Dasgupta,).
“Muslims, unite under the Banner of the League. Let this circular be explained to Muslims in every Mosque on Friday (16th August 1946) and everybody be directed to assemble at the foot of Ochterlony Monument in their tens and thousands at 3 PM on that date. The assemblage by its vastness and grandeur must proclaim to the world at large that the Muslims are awake that they are brave people and they are determined to secure their freedom.”
“Brethen of Islam, let it be remembered that in this holy month of Ramadan, the holy Koran revealed itself and Ummat Mohammad appeared as the Prophet. In this month, the Kafir’s (non believes) were annihilated in the great battle of Badr and Mecca was wrested from their hands. The holy Koran was freed from the hands of the infields, and the foundation of Islam was laid. It is by the grace of God that All India Muslim League has selected this very month during which the holy Koran reveled itself. Mecca was conquered and the battle of Badr was won, for a crusade for the establishment of Pakistan and has resolved that 16th of August should be observed as an All India Hartal Day (day of non work). This will be Direct Action Day and will be signal for the beginning of All India fight for the establishment of Pakistan. …”
Explain the importance of the two resolutions of the All-India Muslim League Council which were adopted at its Bombay session on the 29th July, so that men and women, the aged and the young, adult and children all may make themselves ready for the supreme sacrifice to be offered in a crusade for the attainment of Pakistan. Let them exhibit by their action that they are ready to sacrifice themselves like the great martyrs Serajoddoulla (sic), Syed Ahmed Barelavi, Tipu Sultan and that they are all prepared to be annihilated rather than be slaves of the British and Hindus, and they will not rest until India is freed from British domination and the Brahmin-Bania group” (leaflet widely circulated by Muslim League organization a few days before 16th August, 1946, reprinted in Sinha and DasGupta, p, 767).
References
1. Azumah, J.A. (2018). The Legacy of Arab Islam in Africa. Oneworld, London.
2. Sinha, D.C. & Dasgupta, A. (2011). 1946: The Great Calcutta and Noakhali Killing.
3. Lamin Sanneh (1997). The Crown and the Turban. Westview, Oxford.
