All India Muslim Jamaat National President, Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi, strongly condemned Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane for suggesting “virtual Qurbani” during Bakrid, emphasizing that Islam is a practical religion. The controversy arose after Rane’s comments on celebrating religious festivals and environmental considerations. Rane proposed celebrating Bakrid virtually by displaying a picture of a goat on a computer, sparking criticism from Maulana Barelvi.
The Maharashtra minister also reiterated his concerns about madrasas, labeling them as centers of radicalization rather than education. In response, Maulana Barelvi emphasized that Islam does not endorse the concept of “virtual sacrifice” and highlighted the practical nature of Islamic practices. He underscored that Qurbani, a traditional Islamic practice, holds significant importance and will continue in the future.
Maulana Barelvi criticized Rane’s remarks on madrasas, pointing out the minister’s lack of understanding about Islamic educational institutions and their historical contributions in India. He urged Rane to educate himself about Islamic history before making public statements. Maulana Barelvi emphasized that Islamic principles are rooted in practical implementation and religious values, dismissing the idea of “virtual sacrifice” as incompatible with Islamic teachings.
