AP Abdul Hakeem Azhari
Kerala based Muslim cleric and state general secretary of SYS (Sunni Youth Organisation) came up with a strange statement that Rohingya Muslims were facing retribution and persecution for abandoning Namaz when they were burned alive. He made this controversial statement while he was addressing the students of Najath Higher Secondary School, Peruvallur, Malappuram, Kerala, as part of the inauguration of 'Mission 21'. A video of his controversial speech made on February 19th is viral on social media, which has attracted a wide range of criticism.
When a student asked why leaders and exponents of Islam turn a blind eye towards the atrocities and oppression faced by the Rohingyan and Palestine Muslims even though photo-video graphic evidence crops every day, Azhari replied and said that they were persecuted for not performing prayers (Namaz). He further added that Gujrath Muslims were persecuted for the same reason, thus it was Allah's decision to appoint Narendra Modi and Amit Shah as rulers of Gujrat to punish such non-performing Muslims.
He also said that everything that comes up in photos and videos needs not be true. And if it is true that someone is being beaten or put their houses to arson, it is because Muslims of those places were not following edicts of Islam. He also said that Prophet Muhammed once thought about burning houses of people who left their prayers.
Azhari further said that abandoning prayer is a crime. It is the ruler's duty to ensure that his subjects do their daily prayers, and if they are not, he should punish them. If the Muslims of Gujarat cease their prayers, their ruler has to punish them by beating or arson. The almighty will ensure that by appointing apt rulers at such places.
He opined that people are suffering because of a lack of faith and prayers. Organisations like Samastha Kerala Jamiat-ul-Ulema are working for strengthening that by conducting various programs, including religious speeches and Namaz classes, he added.
Kanthapuram faction headed by his father AP Abubakar is believed to be close to Modi and BJP since the Modi government has assumed power at the centre.