Cong. takes lead to ease social tension
The Hindu
Situation following controversial ‘narcotic jihad’ remark by Pala bishop
The Congress on Sunday stepped up its efforts to ease the simmering social tension following the controversial ‘narcotic jihad’ remark by Pala Bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangatt, while the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, the influential Sunni scholars’ forum, declared that “there is no jihad in Islam for religious conversion.”
Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan and Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president K. Sudhakaran had been holding talks with various leaders of the two minority communities for the past few days. On Sunday, they met Samastha president Syed Jiffri Muthukoya Thangal, Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen leaders T.P. Abdullakoya Madani and Hussain Madavoor, Sunni leader Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar, and Kozhikode Bishop Varghese Chakkalakkal.
The event will run daily from 10 a.m. to 8.30 p.m., offering a variety of activities. Visitors can enjoy dance and music performances, hands-on art experiences, film screenings, and exhibitions from 10.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. These will feature folk cuisines, leather puppets, philately, textiles, and handicrafts.