Who Is Maulana Mufti Salman Azhari, Who Was Arrested in a Hate Speech Case by Gujarat ATS?

Maulana Mufti Salman Azhari, a modern-day preacher, founded Jamia Riazul Jannah, Al-Aman Education & Welfare Trust, and Darul Aman.

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Maulana Mufti Salman Azhari, an Islamic preacher, was taken into custody by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in connection with a suspected hate speech case. The preacher was detained in Ghatkopar, Mumbai, and was placed under two days of transit remand at the agency's Ahmedabad office yesterday. Sections 353 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from the discharge of his duty), 332 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter a public servant from his duty), 333 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt to deter a public servant from his duty), 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint), 336 (act endangering life or personal safety of others), and relevant sections of the Maharashtra Police Act have all been brought against Azhari, according to the police.

Maulana Mufti Salman Azhari, a contemporary preacher with an unusual history, is the self-described Islamic research scholar and founder of Jamia Riazul Jannah, Al-Aman Education and Welfare Trust, and Darul Aman. Originating from Karnataka, he completed his studies at Al Azhar University in Cairo. The majority of Indian Muslims follow the Sunni Barelvi style of Islam, which he practices.

Mufti Salman Azhari was initially employed as an imam at the Panke Shah Baba Dargah in Ghatkopar. However, for the past four years, his talks acquired widespread attention on social media. His tenure as a full-time imam was limited to one mosque as a result of the national attention he received for his speeches.

Notably, Yati Narsinghanand, who was charged with hate speech, challenged Mufti Azhari, the lone Islamic speaker in India, to a discussion on Islam and the Quran at the Jama Masjid in Delhi.

Unlike traditional maulanas, however, Mufti Azhari's impact is derived not only from sermons delivered in mosques but also from social media. His remarks are frequently shared and debated because the majority of his audience consists of young people whose lives are greatly impacted by internet platforms.