By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net,
Bhopal: The All India Imams Council, (AIIC), winding up its ongoing public awareness programs for Muslim reservation in different states during the month of November is holding “National Imams Convention for Muslim Reservation” on November 30 at Mavlenkar Hall in New Delhi.
Talking to this correspondent Maulana Usman Baig, president AIIC, said this convention will be attended by about 700 Masjid Imams representing 15 states. The focus is on four states which include Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and western Uttar Pradesh, he added.
“We are inviting ministers, Members of Parliament, leaders of secular political parties, scholars and community leaders to address this convention”, he said.
Maulana Baig pointed out that Justice Sachar Committee has identified Muslim backwardness and Justice Ranganath Misra Commission has prescribed 10 per cent reservation to all Muslims all over India. It was also offered in the election manifesto released by the Congress Party in 2009. But unfortunately it has not been materialized so far. So, as a part of the ongoing movement for Muslim reservation, the Imams Council has decided to play its role, he emphasized.
Explaining about AIIC the Maulana informed that Imams Council is a nation-wide platform of Muslim religious scholars (Ulema) and Masjid prayer leaders (Imam).
“Our aim is to bring Imam and Ulema to the forefront of social welfare and developmental activities. We have branches and activities in most of the Indian states. Our target is on Imams, who lead prayers in Masjids. We have been so far successful due to our access of Masjids and Mohallas in eradicating social evils like alcoholism, drug addiction and dowry system”, Maulana Baig revealed.
He said the speakers in the convention who have confirmed their participation include: Maulana Sayyad Mohammad Wali Rahmani, General Secretary of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, (AIMPLB); Maulana Sufiyan (Deoband); Mufti Mohammad Mukarram, Shahi Imam Fatahpuri Masjid, Delhi; Member of Parliament Maulana Asrar-ul-Huq; Maulana Yaseen Usmani, vice president All India Milli Council; Maulana Syed Ahmad Nizami, Sajjada Nasheen, Dargah Hazrat Nizammuddin Aulia (R), New Delhi; Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan; Dr. Zafarul Islam Khan, Editor Milli Gazette; ex-MP Shahabuddin; SQR Illyas, Editor Afkaar-e-Milli; Member of Parliament Oscar Fernandes; Mulayam Singh, president Samajwadi Party; Tahir Madani, general secretary Rashtriya Ulema Council.
Maulana Baig said that Vice President of India Hamid Ansari and Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman K. Rahman Khan have also been invited to put forth their views on Muslim reservation in the convention. However, no confirmations have been received yet from the two dignitaries, he informed. ([email protected])