Srinagar:  Hitting out at BJP-led government, National Conference (NC) President Dr Farooq Abdullah said the rise of intolerance in the country has severely affected minorities.

“The current dispensation in Delhi is hell bent on destroying the secular and liberal visage of India,” he alleged while addressing various gatherings at Syed Hamid Pura Nawabazar and Boulevard.

Mr Abdullah said that Islam is all about love, peace, and compassion. “The name of Islam is enough to impress upon us the importance of peace as the word denotes same,” adding that the Prophet Muhammad is the prophet of mercy for all the worlds.

“The blessed life of Holy Messenger of Islam is characterized by fortitude, patience, empathy, forgiveness and moderation,” he said.

Dr Abdullah, who represents the Srinagar parliamentary constituency, said that it was high time for Muslims to imbue the teachings of Islam in their daily lives. “It is high time that Muslims across the world realize that getting swayed by sectarian strife will only ruin them,” he said.

Dr Abdullah while recounting the achievements of Islamic civilization and culture said, “The Islamic achievements in medieval medicine were ground breaking, the advent of Islam gave impetus to many discoveries in many fields ranging from architecture to geography.”

He said that the need of the hour is to draw inspiration from the achievements of Islam of which peace and brotherhood has always been an essential ingredient.