A call to Muslim Youth :Uphold the true Spirit of the Holy Quran

1. The True DNA of Quran: Compassion, Love, Truth, Tolerance and Justice

Islam was not established as a political movement but a morality revolution—a revelation that represented truth, justice, tolerance, compassion, love and service to humankind. The Prophet Muhammad (SA) taught us the virtues of dignity for all, respect for the neighbor, women’s rights, equity in business, and love for even the stranger. It was this glorious message that captured the hearts of millions of individuals on this planet.

The core DNA of the Holy Quran and thus Islam is very human-oriented: truth-driven, value driven, inclusive, empathetic, sharing, and peace-generating. It developed inner peace and the desire for world peace. Concepts like brotherhood, charity, tolerance and justice were not rituals but were a part of everyday responsibilities. Islam is fundamentally a spiritual atlas to uplift the individual and improve the society.

2. The Drift from Revelation to Radicalism

But in the modern age, this original vision was unjustifiably politicized and distorted. Extremist groups, political opportunists, and fanatical orthodox clergy usurped the spirit of Islam. And what transpired? The external push shifted from the philosophy of love, kindness, and living together to an image infused with terrorism, sectarianism, and ruthless barbarity. Events such as 9/11, the emergence of ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and numerous other terrorist organizations has shed a vision on Islam that the Prophet (SA) could never have imagined. Such demonized organizations, most often funded by nefarious political agendas and foreign governments, exploit religion as a pretext for violence and oppression. This pseudo-Islam has poisoned minds, dismantled states, and brought about an existential crisis for Muslims themselves. This is not Islam. This is a betrayal.

3. Terrorism- the Pakistan Factor

One of the most perilous expressions of this political Islam is the terrorist network radiating from Pakistan, including its intelligence agency, ISI. From madrasas to proxy wars, Pakistan has facilitated decades of Islamic radicalization in South Asia and around the world. The recent incident at Pahalgam, in which innocent lives were brutally extinguished, is a harsh reminder of how religion can be politicized and used as a tool of terror. The holiness of Islam is sullied every time a bomb explodes in its name.

4. Islam Today: Intolerance, Turmoil , Terrorism and Tensions

As of 2024, Muslims constitute around 2 billion people globally—about 25% of the world population. In India alone, Muslims are around 20 crore (200 million), making it the second largest Muslim population in the world. But the rise in terrorism associated with Islamic extremists has had deep consequences:

· Global Islamophobia is rising.

· Visa rejections for Muslims from conflict-prone regions have increased.

· Surveillance and distrust have become common for Muslim travelers, students, and

workers.

This isn’t due to the religion itself—but due to what some have made it appear to be.

5. India: A Fertile Soil for Islamic Growth and Prosperity

Ironically, there isn’t any other nation that offers the type of religious liberty and democratic space for Muslims like India, even though it is a Hindu dominated nation (79.8 percentage). Indian Constitution has included religious rights, cultural freedom, and freedom of religion and practice to propagate it. Since the past decade, the Indian government has launched a series of inclusive initiatives that have worked towards giving strength to the minorities, particularlywomen:

Triple Talaq Ban (2019) – Ended instant divorce, protecting rights.

Nari Roshni – Leadership training for 1.2L minority women.

Seekho aur Kamao – 5L+ women skilled for jobs.

USTTAD – 30K artisans trained in traditional crafts.

PM Jan Vikas Karyakram – 80% infra projects in minority areas benefit women.

Hunan Hat – ₹3,000cr+ sales for women artisans.

Haj Subsidy Funds – Redirected to educate girls.

India has also witnessed a rise in Muslim women entrepreneurs, researchers, professionals, and community leaders. But this phenomenon is typically marred by political mis-propaganda that stereotypically labels all as anti-Muslim.

6. Created Threat: Political Islam and Clergy-Driven Narratives

The greatest threat to Islam today comes from within—where the faith is politicized and

manipulated by hard-line, intolerant clergy who turn belief into a weapon for their own purposes. These players offer a narrow, tribal, and indignant Islam—a faith that alienates the young, excludes women, and demonizes other religions. In the guise of protection, they are eroding Islam’s moral capital. Islam belongs neither to mullahs nor politicians. It belongs to humankind.

7. Youth Call: Preserve the Purity of the Quran

The future of Islam lies with its youth. It’s time to take Islam back—forward, not backward, towards safety, security and harmony of mankind.

· Let Muslim youth become ambassadors of peace, not pawns in propaganda.

· Let them understand the Quran with insight and context, not just literal interpretation.

· Let them excel in education, business, arts, science, and open dialogue The Prophet (SA) was a reformer, a listener, and a unifier. Let’s follow his example.

8. Quran: The Quintessence of Human Integrity

Islam is not a weapon of war. It is a way of life based on Quran: The Quintessence of Human Integrity. Islam is not an ethnic or geography-centric religion. It was intended to free the soul, not trap the world. Let us reclaim Islam from those who reduced it to conflict and aggression. Let us present it to the world as a universal force for good—rooted in truth, compassion, justice, tolerance, and harmony —a source of healing and a solution to humanity’s deepest challenge. India has offered Islam the freedom, space, and opportunity to grow and thrive. Let the Muslim youth of India respond—not with resentment, but with healing; not with anger, but with contribution to peace and progress

9. Preserve Essence of the Holy Quran

Ask not how the world sees Islam—ask what kind of Islam we have shown them.

Our Prophet would build bridges, not walls.

· The Quran is a book of justice, mercy, and dignity, not fear and conquest.

· The future of Islam will be decided in schools, neighborhoods, and hearts—but not on

battlefields.

· Let Islam go back to the world, not as a slogan, but as a solution.

· Let Islam be a religion for mankind, embracing all