AhlulBayt News Agency: The proposed conference in Deva Sharif to commemorate the demolition of the shrines in Jannat-ul-Baqee and to demand their reconstruction was cancelled due to government pressure and denial of official permission.
Religious organizations from the Muslim community and local citizens have described the move as a “repressive policy of the government and an attack on the freedom of religious expression.”
The conference was scheduled to be held on the occasion of 6th of April, marking the anniversary of the demolition of the historic shrines in Jannat-ul-Baqee, Saudi Arabia. Its objective was to peacefully express mourning, call for the reconstruction of the shrines, and raise awareness for the protection of Islamic heritage.
Organizers were informed at the last moment that administrative permission would not be granted. The police cited security reasons and labeled the program as “potentially communally sensitive,” while the organizers insisted the event was entirely peaceful and centered on religious sentiment.
Several Muslim organizations called this an example of the Indian government’s rigid approach and an attempt to suppress the religious freedom of Muslims: A prominent religious leader remarked.
"Every community has the right to raise their voice for their religious symbols. If one community is repeatedly silenced, it sends a dangerous message for democracy."
Locals and pilgrims in Deva Sharif expressed deep resentment over the decision. They pointed out that when other religious programs are allowed without obstruction, the repeated halting of Muslim events represents a clear case of “double standards.”
On April 6, 2025, in the spiritual atmosphere of Deva Sharif, a grand "Demolition of Jannat al-Baqee Conference" was to be held under the joint auspices of the Sufi Islamic Board and Al-Baqee Organization – Deva Sharif, at Dargah Hazrat Haji Waris Ali Shah (R.A.)
This historic conference was not only to be serve as a platform to protest the atrocities committed by the Saudi regime but also emerge as a powerful call for global peace, justice, and Islamic unity.
A large number of Sufi saints, Islamic scholars, journalists, social activists, and youth from across the country were expected to participate. A unified voice was to be raised against the painful incident in which the sacred mausoleums in Jannat al-Baqee in Saudi Arabia were demolished. This voice was intended to echo globally as a demand for the reconstruction and restoration of honor for those holy personalities.
Prominent Speakers and Distinguished Guests:
- Aftab-e-Shari'at Maulana Syed Kalbe Jawad Naqvi Sahab Qibla
- Hujjatul Islam Dr. Maulana Kalbe Rushaid Rizvi Sahab
- Mr. Saad Mahmood (Manager, Deva Museum Trust)
- Mr. Agha Ruhullah Mehdi (Member of Parliament, Kashmir)
- Hon’ble Hanifa Jan (Member of Parliament, Ladakh)
- Hon’ble Tanuj Punia (Member of Parliament, Barabanki)
- Mr. Syed Fazile Moein Chishti (Ajmer Sharif)
- Dr. Sufi Raj Jain (Founder, Soori Dharm Mandir)
- Mr. Arvind Singh Gop (Former Minister, Samajwadi Party)
- Dr. Abbas Raza Nayyar (Lucknow University)
- Dr. Shabbir Ali Warsi (President, Minhaj-ul-Sughla, India)
- Mr. Mansoor Khan (National President, Sufi Islamic Board)
- Mr. Syed Rizwan Mustafa (Journalist, Tehelka Today)
- Mr. Faisal Khan (President, Khudai Khidmatgar)
- Mr. Ali Abbas Naqvi (NDTV)
- Mr. Wafa Abbas (Chairman, Amber Foundation)
- Mr. Aman Abbas (Editor, Sahafat Urdu Daily)
- Maulana Kamran Haider (Hyderabad)
- Janab Farhat Abbas (Social Activist)
- Dr. Qudsi Rizvi (Author and Educator)
- Hujjatul Islam Maulana Syed Iftikhar Hussain Rizvi Inquilabi.
Main Objectives of the Conference:
- To raise global unity and voice against the destruction of the sacred mausoleums of the family of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in Jannat al-Baqi — especially the graves of Hazrat Fatima Zahra (S.A.), Imam Hasan (A.S.), Imam Zainul Abideen (A.S.), Imam Muhammad Baqir (A.S.), and Imam Jafar Sadiq (A.S.)
- To spread awareness regarding the reconstruction of the shrine of Hazrat Fatima Zahra, the grandmother of Hazrat Haji Waris Ali Shah (R.A.), located in Deva Sharif.
- To promote the values of Sufi tradition, spirituality, humanity, and Islamic brotherhood.
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