It is noon. The surroundings of Sadarpatty mosque is filled with the fragrance of ittar, Jannat-ul Firdoush (aroma). Hundreds of Muslim youths bow down and offer namaz of jumma (special prayers on Friday) for the peaceful conduct of polls and the Assam’s all-round development.
This is a message of aman aur tarraki (peace and development) from the mosques of the state ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
Haffijur Rahman, imam (priest) of the mosque, told The Telegraph, “Inshallah (God willing), we offered prayer for the peaceful conduct of polls. We should vote for a candidate who will ensure peace, prosperity, safety and security and all-round development of Assam and its people irrespective of gender, caste, creed or religion. More prayers will be held in all other mosques across the state over the peaceful conduct of polls.
Muslims play an important role in the electoral process of Assam, comprising a significant 34.22 per cent of the total population. A majority of the population in nine of 33 districts follow Islam.
Assam has 14 parliamentary seats and will witness polls in three phases.
Parvej Hussain, a first-time voter, said: “Assam is the land of Ajan Fakir and Vaishnav saint Srimanta Xankardeb. We have been living together here with peace and brotherhood for centuries. We want a government that works honestly for the nation’s happiness and development.”
Miraj Hussain, another first-time voter, said, “Islam teaches tolerance and peace.” Firdaush Ahmed, another young voter, said, “Where there is peace, there is prosperity and we all want to contribute to Assam’s development.”
“Terrorists are not following Islam. Killing people and dropping bombs are against Islam. But people have realised that all Muslims are not terrorists,” he added.
Muhammad Ali, a teacher here in Dibrugarh madarsa, said, “The Muslim youths of Assam are wise. They want to develop themselves economically and socially. So they pray for aman aur bhaichara (peace and brotherhood).”
According to the 2011 census, the population of Assam is 3.11 crore, of which 1.06 crore are Muslims.
Muslims first came to Assam in the early 13th century when Muhammad Bin Bakhtiyar Khilji led an army to eastern India in 1205.
