By TCN News,
New Delhi: In an unprecedented development in the 180 million-strong Indian Muslim community, the two factions of the apex body of Indian Muslims, the All India Muslim Majlis-e Mushawarat, merged together today and the decision was announced in a joint press conference here at the Mushawarat central office.
The organisation had split in 2000 with a faction headed by Syed Shahabuddin and the other headed by Maulana Muhammad Salim Qasmi. Efforts were made over the years to unite the two factions of the most important Indian Muslim organisation. These efforts succeeded only during the last few days.
[Photo Courtesy: milligazette.com]
Dr Zafarul-Islam Khan, the current President of the organisation, announced that from today Maulana Salim Qasmi will be the chairman of the Supreme Guidance Council of the Mushawarat, which is the highest post in the organisation and was kept vacant for the Maulana when and if his faction merges with the other faction.
In an earlier meeting early in the day of the faction headed by Maulana Salim Qasimi, that faction was dissolved and a unanimous decision was taken to merge into the larger group. Later leaders of the two factions held a joint press conference to declare the merger. The press conference was attended by Maulana Muhammad Salim Qasmi, Syed Shahabuddin Maulana, Maulana Ahmad Ali Qasmi, Mufti Ataur Rahman Qasmi, Maulana Junaid Ahmad Banarsi, Dr Zafarul-Islam Khan and Ejaz Ahmad Aslam.
President of Mushawarat Dr Zafarul-Islam Khan hailed the merger as a great event in the life of the Muslim community since Independence. He said Mushawarat was established fifty years ago while the community faced a grim situation and umpteen challenges and the community is facing similar challenges today. Hence, this unity and merger of the two factions of the largest organisation is a gift of Allah and it provides us with an opportunity to fight for our rights and face the challenges in a more concerted way.
Maulana Muahmmad Salim Qasmi, one of the most respected Muslim clerics in India, said that this is an extraordinary day in our lives. We yearned for unity for years and we knew that both sides felt its need. He said we hope this organisation, established by our fathers, will now be able to function the way they planned it. It is now for the new generation to carry forward the burden. He said the real unity is that of action and sentiments. Now you should lay down a programme and work for its implementation and you will see the divine help for your efforts. Moreover, you will enjoy the support of the whole community and the country. He said we lack material power today but we can still achieve a lot through unity. He hoped that this unity will be beneficial for the whole community.
Maulana Junaid Ahmad Banarsi said that today is a day which will go down into history. There is disunity in every household but wise people overcome it. He said people used to ask us why you don’t get united and today we have defeated the Satan who separated us.
Maulana Ataur Rahman Qasmi said this step is a great leap for the community. He said I have seen tears in the eyes of Syed Shahabuddin and Maulana Muhammad Ali Qasmi as both yearned for unity which has today taken place.
Syed Shahabuddin said a great achievement has been made today. He gave the credit for this historic step to Maulana Muhammad Salim Qasmi, Maulana Ahmad Ali Qasmi and Maulana Ataur Rahman Qasmi. He also said that Mushawarat has decided to hold the golden jubilee of the organisation next year and he invited all who had ever been associated with Mushawarat to take part in it.
The following statement was issued on the occasion:
Declaration of merger of Mushawarat groups
The All India Muslim Majlis-e Mushawarat has been known over its fifty-years of existence for its outstanding character and services to the Muslim community. Unfortunately, this organisation had split into two groups 13 years ago. This split was a cause of pain and anxiety for both groups of Mushawarat because it had affected its mission and efficacy. After a lot of deliberations, leaders of both the Mushawarats decided to merge the two groups into one because unity and agreement are the sources of power and divine blessing and because through unity alone Mushawarat can regain its past glory. Therefore, the two groups of Mushawarat have decided to unite and they pray to Allah the Almighty to safeguard this platform of the Millat so that it may selflessly serve the Millat and the nation, and succeed in its original aim and mission.
Today, on 27 October 2013, the blessed day and fortunate time has arrived when the leaders of the two groups of Mushawarat declare unity and pledge to work side by side for the cause of the Millat. We pay to Allah ta’ala to make this effort a success and bless it.
Maulana Muhammad Salim Qasmi
Syed Shahabuddin
Maulana Ahmad Ali Qasmi
Maulana Junaid Ahmad Banarsi
Kamal Faruqi
Dr Anwarul Islam
Hafiz Muhammad Asim Qasmi
Mufti Ataur Rahman Qasmi
Dr Zafarul-Islam Khan
Muhammad Jaafar
Maulan Aqeelul Gharavi
Hafiz Rashid Chowdhary
Ahmad Rasheed Shervani
Ejaz Ahmad Aslam
Muhammad Sulaiman
Dr Arshi Khan