On February 16, Niyaz Khan, an IAS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre has set the eyeballs rolling when he stated that Islam is an “Arab religion” and that all Indians were once Hindus. Khan, who is known for his intellectual approach to social issues, took to X to state that “Islam is the religion of Arabia,” and that all Indians were originally Hindus before the advent of foreign religions.
https://twitter.com/saifasa/status/1890991798446645581?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
In his post, Khan stated: “Islam is an Arab religion. Everyone here was once Hindu. People were converted from Hinduism to Islam. Therefore, even if religions are different, the blood remains the same. All have been part of the same culture. Those Muslims who consider Arabs as their ideal should reconsider. First, recognise Hindus as your brothers, and only then look towards Arabia.” His statement sent ripples through social media, attracting responses from individuals and organisations across the political and ideological spectrum.
While speaking to the media, Khan further explained his stance, asserting that Islam was an Arab religion that arrived in India from Saudi Arabia, but the cultural and spiritual roots of the country remained grounded in Sanatan Dharma. He elaborated by comparing India’s experience with that of other countries, such as Indonesia and Malaysia, where people adopted new faiths through external influence but retained their genetic and cultural connections to their ancestral heritage. He stated that the cultural foundation of India was undeniably Hindu, despite the spread of other religions in the region.
Islam is the religion of Arabia.
All the people here were Hindus who were converted to Muslims.
: Madhya Pradesh cadre IAS officer Niaz Khan
"Islam is the religion of Arabia, here everyone was Hindu.
People were converted from Hindus to Muslims."
"Muslims who idolise Arabs… pic.twitter.com/tlXF5y1425
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) February 17, 2025
Khan also highlighted the genetic studies that show the shared ancestry of Hindus and Muslims in India. According to Khan, these studies provide irrefutable evidence that both communities are genetically linked. He said that some Muslims in India, however, have grown to prioritise Arab culture, something that he believes detracts from the Indian identity. In his post, he criticised those who revere Arab culture above their Indian roots, urging them to reconsider their stance and first recognise their Hindu brothers before looking towards Arabia.
One of the key points of contention in Khan’s statement is his suggestion that Muslim Indians reconsider idolising Arabs, urging them to focus more on local role models and scholars rather than foreign figures. This has been interpreted by many as an attempt to undermine the significance of Arab culture and history, which has played a crucial role in shaping Islamic identity worldwide. Critics argue that Khan’s call for Muslim Indians to prioritise their Indian identity over their religious or cultural connections to the Arab world could fuel sectarian divisions and stoke communal tensions.
Speaking to media, Khan defended his post, stating that it was not politically motivated, but rather an attempt to remind the nation of its shared cultural roots. He stressed that India has always been a predominantly Hindu nation, and while foreign rulers brought different religions to the country, the majority of the population is of Indian origin. “Only 1-2 percent of people might have settled here from Arabia, otherwise mostly people are of Indian-origin,” Khan said. He went on to reiterate his belief that all communities in India should coexist peacefully, based on their shared heritage, without the spread of hatred or division.
Khan also took the opportunity to stress the importance of harmony, urging his fellow citizens not to let religion divide them. “I believe that hatred should not spread in the country, everyone lives with love and peace,” he added, emphasising that the nation’s strength lies in its unity and shared history.
The IAS officer further explained his viewpoint, stating that his message was grounded in the belief that, “everyone here was a part of Sanatan Dharma,” and that conversions over time have led to the religious diversity present in India today. “If anyone examines my genes in the laboratory, it will not match with Arab countries, it will match with India,” Khan remarked, highlighting his belief in the deep-rooted connection between all Indians, regardless of their religion. “It is taught everywhere that foreign invaders came and conversions took place. Everyone originated from Hindu Dharma, I have said this in my tweet.”
Khan’s comments also included a call to action for Muslim Indians to focus on local scholars and thinkers as role models, rather than figures from foreign lands. This, he argued, would help foster a stronger sense of national identity and promote unity among the various communities in India.
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