By TCN Special Correspondent,
Lucknow: Reservation to Shia Muslims and political asylum to the community victimised by international terrorism will be discussed during the two-day annual meet of the All India Shia Personal Law Board (AISPLB) from March 12-13 in Lucknow. The meet is expected to be attended by over 250 Shia clerics and scholars from 18 states of the country.
“Our foremost demand is separate reservation for the Shias in government and other sectors. The community is poorly represented even among the Muslims. Separate reservation for them is essential for alleviating their status,” said Maulana Yasoob Abbas, the organiser of the meet and general secretary, AISPLB. Abbas stated that the board has given several memorandums in this regard and has raised the issue before UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi.
The meet is also likely to demand the Indian government to grant political asylum to Shia Muslims who are victims of international terrorism. “Shias are being massacred in Pakistan, Afghanistan and several other countries. They are innocent and are made target for being Shia in religious discrimination. The Indian government should come forward and give political asylum to them,” said Maulana Yasoob Abbas. He claimed that such a provision has been made by the Canadian government.
Founded in 2005 the AISPLB is being run on the lines of All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB). Presently it is headed by Maulana Athar Mirza who is also the father of Maulana Yasoob Abbas.