On the 21st of December, 2020, Umar Shariff met the Principal of the Sacred Hearts D.Ed Teachers Training College, Dr. Clarice in Bangalore, to deliver a talk during the occasion of the inter-religious convention. At that occasion, while they exchanged gifts, Dr. Clarice was gifted with the book ‘The Sealed Nectar’, the biography of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and Umar Shariff was gifted wit seasonal gifts.
At the discussion forum, Umar Shariff talked about the relevance of piety and righteousness in today’s society, to bridge the gaps between communities. He also appreciated the Christian community of India for having set innumerable institutions in the field of education and social welfare programs. He said that the pious people amongst every community work to help mankind. They don’t have any destructive mind.
As Christmas was approaching, Umar Shariff also shared his love for Jesus (may peace be upon him). He talked about the verses in the Qur’an that talked about Jesus and mankind. In the Qur’an, in Soorah 17, Aayath 70, Allah says that, “We have honoured the children of Adam”. So that means every man and woman is created with dignity and honour. And it is up to him or her to retain it by being righteous, or to lose it by engaging in evil actions.
In the Qur’an, Allah says in Soorah 19, Aayath 30 about what Jesus said to his people. “He said, ‘I’m the servant of God. He has given me the book. And made me a Prophet'”. Hence we Muslims believe in Jesus (peace be upon him) as one of the mightiest messengers of God. And we strive to do righteous deeds and worship God almighty to enter the kingdom of heaven by the permission of Allah.