Religious leaders leave stage after Muslim body chief's ‘Om-Allah’ remark

Maulana Syed Arshad Madani, the president of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind on Sunday stirred a controversy after he claimed that “Om and Allah are same”. There was no Shiv, no Brahma, but only one Om and Allah that was worshipped Om is called Allah by us, Ishwar by you, Khuda by Farsi-speaking people and God by English-speaking people.” Arshad Madani was reportedly speaking during the ongoing annual general session of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind at the Ramlila ground in Delhi. Addressing the session, Arshad Madani, ANI reported, also said, "Hindus and Muslims have been living in the country like brothers for around 1400 years, and we have never forcedly converted anyone into Islam." On Saturday, Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind president Maulana Mahmood Madani claimed that India is the "birthplace of Islam" and asserted that the country belongs to him as much as it does to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. Mahmood Madani's remarks came during his two speeches – one Friday evening and the other Saturday afternoon – during the annual general session of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind.