By Kashif-ul-Huda, TwoCircles.net
Update: correct name is Munaf Zeena
Young, smart, and articulate Munaf Zeena is the president of Council of Indian Muslims-UK. He was born and brought up outside India, but still feels strong attachment to India and spends considerable time and energy for Indian Muslim causes.
He along with others started Council of Indian Muslims-UK (CIM-UK) in the aftermath of Gujarat genocide of 2002. Before that, he was active in getting relief in the wake of Gujarat earthquake that caused widespread destructions there.
Most of the diaspora organizations are headed by first generation people. Zeena, born in the UK, is a welcome change and a role model and inspiration for second and third generations of Indian Muslims growing outside India to help connect to the land of their forefathers. Born in Tanzania, Dr. Shakir Mukhi, former president of AFMI, is the other Indian Muslim diaspora leader who was born overseas.
Even though he is carrying multiple identities of Indian, British, and Muslim, Zeena sees no contradictions in these labels. He says he is English and he is a Muslim but equally proud of his Indian heritage and spends considerable time in working for the Muslims in India.
Even though he is not satisfied with the status of Muslims in India, he is pragmatist and not idealist. He sees that India is making rapid strides on its path to economic development. Indian Muslims cannot afford to miss this train of economic progress. His vision for Indian Muslims includes economic development, peaceful coexistence with other communities and ability to freely practice their faith.
As a Muslim living in the UK and active in community affairs there, Zeena feels a difference between Muslims coming from India and those from Pakistan. He thinks that Muslims from India are more secular and tolerant of people of other faiths.
Link:
http://www.coimuk.org/
Hear Munaf Zeena speak at IMC-USA’s chicago convention: