A Muslim Mahapanchayat claiming the support of 80 percent of the community in the country has asked Muslims to reject the Wahabi school of thought and come back to Sufism.

The All India Ulama and Mashaikh Board (AIUMB) asked the Indian Muslims to embrace Sufism which is inclusive as compared to Wahabism, an ideology which propagates hatred.

“In India, 80 percent of Muslims are Sunni Muslims. The Wahabis are in minority but they have got hold of all the important institutions in the country including the Wakf Board and Muslim Personal Law Board. This started just after independence and continues today. We will not tolerate this,” said Syed Mohammed Ashraf Kachochavi, general secretary of AIUMB at the gathering in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh on Sunday.

Coming down heavily on the Wahabi sect, Kachochavi added said that the teachingS in Deoband and other madrassas across the country have their roots in Wahabism which is actually an extremist ideology. “We are not saying that Wahabism preaches terrorism.  But you will find that the roots of all the Muslims terrorists can be traced to Wahabism," said he.

Babar Ashraf, secretary, AIUMB said, “For generations, Muslims as well as people of other religions around have been visiting dargahs. This is totally within the limits of Islam. But Wahabism says that it is prohibited. This is an insult to all those who visit shrines,” said Sayed Shahid Miyan, in- charge, Ajmer Sharif dargah.

The Board also presented a memorandum demanding the passage of Wakf amendment bill and the formation of a dargah (sufi shrine) act and central madrasa board.

“The selling of Wakf properties across the countries is an open secret. It is happening because Wahabis are sitting in the Wakf board,” said Babar Ashraf, secretary, AIUMB.