LUCKNOW: Revered Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Sadiq on Sunday said that Muslims should give up their claim on the disputed land if the Supreme Court verdict goes against them.

“Muslims should peacefully accept the decision of Supreme Court of India even if its verdict goes against the community,” he said while addressing at a world peace and harmony conclave in Mumbai. Later, talking to TOI over phone, he said, “I would rather urge the community to give away the disputed land to the Hindus whose feelings are so deeply attached to the place.”

Clarifying his view, he said, “By giving away a piece of land, the community can win millions of hearts.” Citing wisdom from the Islamic literature, Maulana Sadiq added that one who knows who to give, receives the benevolence of the almighty. “If a person gives away a thing close to his/her heart, one receives a thousand times in return,” said Sadiq who is also the vice-president of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board.

His words assume importance in the wake of UP Shia Waqf Board‘s dramatic shift in stand before the Supreme Court in the 70-year-old Babri Masjid land dispute case. On August 9, the board reportedly told the apex court that the mosque may be constructed away from the disputed land.

The board, in its affidavit filed in the apex court, submitted that the mosque be relocated from the “most revered place of birth of Maryada Purushottam Sri Ram” to a nearby Muslim-dominated area to conclude the dispute over the 2.77 acres of land which houses a makeshift temple of Ram Lalla.

The move, it is being said, can put the age-old battle to an end. Kalbe Sadiq’s statement has furthered the hope. The road ahead, however, may not be easy. Zafaryab Jilani, convener of the Babri Masjid Action Committee, was puzzled by Maulana’s view.

Talking to TOI he said, “The AIMPLB, which is an umbrella organization of various Muslim bodies in the country, maintains its stand that land of a mosque cannot be given, gifted, donated or sold or exchanged. The same holds true for Babri Masjid as well. We all in the AIMPLB, including board’s vice-president Maulana Sadiq,are bound by that decision. I wonder how and why he said this. It appears to be his personal opinion.”