Darsgah-Jihad-O-Shahadat (literally The Centre for Jihad and Martyrdom) [1] is an Islamist group based in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad, with branches in the state of Kerala. [2] The group claims to have trained about 50,000 people in self-defence techniques at its training camps in Hazrat Ujale Shah Idgah grounds at Saidabad and Purani Haveli. [3] [4]
The training camps were closed in 2013 after the death of Shaik Mahboob Ali and restarted in 2017. [5] Some of the former members of this group are accused of joining al-Qaeda and its affiliates and of involvement in multiple terror attacks across India.
Founded on 4 December 1983 by Shaikh Mahboob Ali (d. 2011), the incumbent president of the group is Mohammed Abdul Majid. [3] DJS is known to organise a rally on the anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition on 6 December and the weekly Ijtema (religious preaching sessions) every Saturday at its headquarter in Moghalpura. [6]
The group is described as an Islamist vigilante group and claims on its website of "protecting the life and properties of [the] Muslim community," "preserving the honour and chastity of women," and "Islamic supremacy is our goal." [7]
In 10 November 2012, police arrested eleven DJS activists including Majid for violence in Old City area of Hyderabad in connection with incidents of stone pelting and assault of policemen. [8]
On 14 May 2017 Mohammed Abdul Majid was booked by the police for making provocative speeches during a martial arts training camp for Muslim youths. [5]
Darsgah-Jihad-O-Shahadat (literally The Centre for Jihad and Martyrdom) [1] is an Islamist group based in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad, with branches in the state of Kerala. [2] The group claims to have trained about 50,000 people in self-defence techniques at its training camps in Hazrat Ujale Shah Idgah grounds at Saidabad and Purani Haveli. [3] [4]
The training camps were closed in 2013 after the death of Shaik Mahboob Ali and restarted in 2017. [5] Some of the former members of this group are accused of joining al-Qaeda and its affiliates and of involvement in multiple terror attacks across India.
Founded on 4 December 1983 by Shaikh Mahboob Ali (d. 2011), the incumbent president of the group is Mohammed Abdul Majid. [3] DJS is known to organise a rally on the anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition on 6 December and the weekly Ijtema (religious preaching sessions) every Saturday at its headquarter in Moghalpura. [6]
The group is described as an Islamist vigilante group and claims on its website of "protecting the life and properties of [the] Muslim community," "preserving the honour and chastity of women," and "Islamic supremacy is our goal." [7]
In 10 November 2012, police arrested eleven DJS activists including Majid for violence in Old City area of Hyderabad in connection with incidents of stone pelting and assault of policemen. [8]
On 14 May 2017 Mohammed Abdul Majid was booked by the police for making provocative speeches during a martial arts training camp for Muslim youths. [5]