Controversial Tablighi Jamaat factions may be together for sympathizers after Markaz fiasco

New Delhi/Mumbai: The Tablighi Jamaat, which is at the centre of controversy for holding a large congregation in the heart of the city despite prohibitory orders due to coronavirus pandemic and which had split a few years ago into two factions, may come together, sources have said, adding that there is a strong possibility as sympathizers want this to happen.

But Zafar Sareshwaala, who has been associated with the Tablighi Jamaat for a long time has defended Markaz chief or Amir Maulana Mohammad Saad Kandhalvi saying, “organising congregation is an error of judgement and there is no malice or malicious intent.”

The Gujarat faction in the Jamaat had been powerful for their contribution in the activity of the Tablighi work and important personalities associated with it were Maulana Ahmed Lad of Surat and Ibrahim Dewla of Bharuch. The Chelia community has been in the forefront of Jamaat work in Gujarat and Mumbai.

Due to the work started in early 50s in the state by Maulana Yusuf, the Tablighi launched its overseas work led by prominent Gujaratis in Africa, Australia, Europe and the United States.

Both Maulana Lad and Yusuf Devla used to live at Nizamuddin Markaz but differences or minor skirmishes with Maulana Saad led to the split of the Jamaat which has presence in more than 150 countries.

The Shura faction, created after the split, has about 60 per cent hold in the Tablighi Jamaat with Maulana Tareeq Jameel of Pakistan is also with the faction.

Zafar Sareshwaala said, “there is no ideological difference between the two factions, and the personal problems were also not deeply rooted.”

He said he hopes that both the factions can come together in the crisis time, but added this is his personal opinion.

However, Lad who is more than 90 years old and Dewla who is around 82 years old could not be contacted.

While Saad faction has hold in UP, Telangana and other parts, the Gujaratis have hold in Mumbai and other places. While off shore London Centre is with the shura of Pakistan, Dewsbury centre is controlled by Maulana Saad. Likewise, Chicago is im control of Saad and African countries are with shura faction.

The Faiz-e-ilahi Mosque at Turkman Gate in Delhi’s Daryaganj is the centre of the Shura, which is now blocked after the lockdown was announced.

The Jamaat’s rise is mainly due to the contribution from Gujarat where the organisation has deep roots.

The Saad faction has also deep roots in Malaysia and Indonesia. So when Inamul Hasan became the chief of the Markaz and who was from outside the family, constituted shura to govern the system which included two persons from Pakistan and one from Bangladesh with Saad as part of the shura. But at the onset of 2015 when almost all the people died, Saad ideated that Amir should lead the Tablighi but many including Lad were votary of the shura and this led to the split of the Jamaat.

Also read: COVID-19 update: Odisha extends lockdown until April 30

Also watch: War against COVID-19: Assam Health Department signs 22 MoUs with private hospitals in Silchar