Central Committee of Muslim Majlis-e Mushawarat deliberates on national and international issues

New Delhi, 9 August 2008: The Markazi Majlis (Central Committee) of the All-India Muslim Majlis-e Mushawarat, the umbrella body of Indian Muslim organisations, met here today to deliberate on milli, national and international issues. The meeting, attended by Markazi Majlis members from various parts of the country, was held at the central office in New Delhi and was chaired by AIMMM President Dr Zafarul-Islam Khan.

The meeting offered condolences to the families of prominent leaders and friends of the community who passed away recently and prayed for their souls, especially GM Banatwala and Muhammad Ibrahim Ansari who both were members of AIMMM.

The Markazi Majlis decided to hold a national convention on Muslim issues on 15 November this year in Delhi.

The meeting demanded the central government to constitute a high level panel of retired judges, human rights activists, top lawyers and journalists to “to oversee the investigations into all terrorist acts” and added that security and intelligence agencies which rush to blame the community after each blast “have totally forfeited the confidence of the Muslim community.”

The meeting deplored the appeal of the central government against the Special Tribunal’s verdict lifting the ban on SIMI and said that this is against the precedent set by previous governments.

The Markazi Majlis also demanded a thorough probe into the activities of Hindutva outfits which have been caught in a number of terrorist acts in recent months. It demanded that the government must institute a permanent mechanism to monitor the activities of Hindutva outfits.

The Markazi Majlis hoped for an amicable solution to the current controversy in Jammu & Kashmir and condemned the blockade of the Valley of Kashmir and harassment of Muslims in Jammu by Hindutva agitators.

Here is the full text of the resolutions passed by the Markazi Majlis of AIMMM.

Text of AIMMM resolutions

MMM meeting – 9 August 08

1. Obituaries

ANWAR DEHLWI, a senior journalist, social worker and freedom fighter, died in Delhi on 9 June after a prolonged illness.

MOHAMMAD AHMADULLAH KHAN (MAU Khan), a famous architect from Delhi and Chairman of New Horizon School at Nizamuddin, New Delhi, who died in Delhi after a brief illness on 7 June.

PROF HAFEEZ BANARASI, a well-known senior Urdu poet, who died in Varanasi on 16 June at the age of 75 years.

GHULAM MUHAMMAD BANATWALA, president of the Indian Union Muslim League, considered by many as one of the most prominent national faces of Indian Muslims after Independence, who died at Mumbai on 25 June at the age of 74.

NIRMALA DESHPANDE, Gandhian leader, who died on 1 May 2008.

MAULANA SYED MOHAMMAD IJTIBA NADWI, a prominent Arabic scholar of the subcontinent, who died in Delhi on 20 June at the age of 76 years.

Maulana Anzar Shah Kashmiri, famous scholar of Hadith, who died on ?????

MAULANA ABDUL QAIYYUM RAHMANI, a freedom fighter, religious scholar, and exegetic writer died in a Lucknow hospital on 28 May

SYED FAZALLULAH, 78-years-old editor of the Tamil Nadu’s only Urdu daily Musalman established in 1927, who died on 26 April 2008 at Chennai.

SYED ARIF ALI NIZAMI, Sajjada Nashin of Dargah Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia, who died in Delhi on 10 May.

MOHTSHIM ABDUL GHANI, a member of AMU’s Court, member of Advisory Council of Nadwatul Ulama, Lucknow, and a member of All India Muslim Personal Law Board, who died at Bhatkal in Karnataka on 27 March.

ABDUL HALEEM, a former minister of UP, who died in Meerut on 8 February.

PARVANA RUDAULVI, prominent Urdu journalist, writer, poet, critic and translator, who died in Delhi on 12 April.

SYED IBRAHIM FIKRI, a freedom fighter, who died in Delhi on 8 April.

MOHAMMAD MAQBOOL DAR, former Union minister of state for home affairs in the erstwhile Dev Goda government, who died at the Shere-e Kashmir Research Institute in Srinagar on 17 April.

2. Bangalore and Ahmedabad blasts

The MMM deliberated on the recent terrorist bomb blasts in Bangalore and Ahmedabad. It offers sincere and heart-felt condolences to the families of the victims and expresses its sympathies to the injured who suffered at the hands of criminals whose aim is to create chaos and disaffection between various communities and to put brakes to the progress of the country.

At the same time, the MMM deplores the tendency of the security agencies which within hours of any such criminal incident, comes up with a ready-made list of culprits although past experience has demonstrated that such allegations could not be proved even months after the occurrence of these crimes as in the case of Jaipur blasts of last May. Such behaviour on the part of lazy security forces and the reporting of their claims by an unsuspecting, stenographic media vitiates the harmonious communal atmosphere and allows the real culprits to continue unhindered their criminal activities.

Further, the MMM asks the central government to put under scanner the activities of Hindutva terrorist groups which have been openly supported by the Shiv Sena supreme and his newspaper.

The MMM also asks the central government to probe the role of the Navi Mumbai-based American national, a former American soldier, from whose computer the so-called “Indian Mujahidin” email was sent. This dubious character should not be allowed to leave the country before an exhaustive probe is completed. If he is allowed to leave our shores, it will be a shameful replay of the NDA government’s release of the foreign detainees in the Purulia arms drop.

The MMM also notes that although Modi government in Gujarat did not resort this time to initiate and direct violence against Muslims, it has nevertheless started large-scale harassment of Muslims across Gujarat as it has arrested over 400 Muslim youths in the wake of the Ahmedabad blasts amid efforts to somehow pin the blame on Muslims.

3. Demand for an independent panel to supervise Terrorism probes

The Muslim community has lost all trust in the neutrality and fair play of the government agencies probing terrorism-related incidents. Therefore, the MMM asks the central government to form a high powered neutral panel of retired judges, human rights activists, top lawyers and journalists to oversee the investigations into all terrorist acts. Such a neutral panel is needed to restore the Muslim community’s faith in the investigations by security and intelligence agencies which, due to their consistently one-sided probes after each such criminal act, have totally forfeited the confidence of the Muslim community.

The MMM also asks the central government to keep a sharp eye on the dubious activities of foreign intelligence agencies like Mossad and FBI which are operating freely in our country. The central government should immediately close down the offices of all such foreign intelligence agencies as their presence on our soil is not in the interest of the peace and security of the country.

4. Hindutva terrorism

The MMM observes that of late a number of arrests of Hindutva activists working for various organisations and in a number of regions like Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra have been made. Some of these have confessed to have planted earlier explosives. During the first hour after the Jaipur blasts a rickshaw-puller named “Vijay” confessed on TV cameras that he was responsible for some blasts and he named a woman in the vicinity who had paid him for the same, but no serious probe has been made in these incidents. The central and state governments should create permanent mechanisms to observe and probe the activities of Hindutva extremist outfits like VHP, Bajrang Dal, ABVP, Durga Vahini, Shiv Sena, Hindu Jagran Samiti etc.

It is high time the authorities probed all possible culprits behind violence in India, especially those who benefit politically from the same, and only then the true picture will emerge and the real culprits will be punished.

5. Tribunal Verdict on SIMI

The MMM welcomes the verdict issued by the Special Tribunal set up by the Union Government to look into the re-imposition of the ban for the fourth time last February. Since the government had no tangible evidences to prove its case, the learned judge refused to accept the official rhetoric as proof and quashed the ban order. The MMM observed that from day one, the ban was a means in the hands of the anti-Muslim fascist forces in this country who dream to put the whole Muslim community on the defensive and who have very much succeeded in their designs by continuously harping on the myth that the community somehow supports and harbours terrorists. This claim, repeated ad nauseum by an unquestioning stenographic media, is in its totality a lie and a concoction of the fascist forces who want to reduce the minorities to the status of second class citizens and who themselves have been found to indulge in terrorist activities.

The MMM observes that despite the advent of the UPA rule, thanks to the penetration of saffron elements in the central home ministry, security forces and the Congress party itself, the propaganda against the community continued unabated and the ban on SIMI was renewed twice by the UPA government although, apart from unsubstantiated claims, there was no tangible proof that the organisation indulged in terrorist activities.

The MMM observes that instead of feeling ashamed and tendering an apology to the Muslim community, the central government was quick to appeal to the Supreme Court and obtain an interim order from it to continue the ban on SIMI. The same apex court has been sitting on three SIMI appeals against previous tribunals’ verdicts starting from 2002. The MMM expresses its displeasure over this appeal as it was immoral and went against the precedent in such cases where the governments of the day honoured the verdicts of such tribunals.

The MMM further observes that it is possible that a few individuals, who at some point of time may have belonged to SIMI, did indulge in unlawful activities and if that was the case such individuals alone should be tried according to the law as it is applicable to all citizens of India. To punish a whole organisation and a whole community on cooked-up and flimsy charges is a miscarriage of justice and a serious misuse of the legal process which in turn undermines the authority of the State and lowers its dignity in the eyes of the people.

6. Welfare schemes for minorities

The MMM observes that the whole exercise of welfare schemes announced under the Prime Minister’s new 15-point programme and in the wake of the Sachar Panel report, remains mostly on paper and most of the meagre amounts allocated are being returned unspent to the treasury. The problem lies in the cumbersome procedures and tedious forms to be filled by applicants in record time as only a few days and weeks are allowed for filing applications which are to be supported by umpteen documents which are costly or at times impossible to obtain for residents of small towns and villages where the majority of such applicants live.

7. Riots and violence against minorities and weaker sections

The MMM is pained that violence and riots continue on almost on daily basis initiated by Hindutva forces against the Muslim and Christian minorities. Pigs’ heads are being thrown into mosques, wild claims are being made here and there that Muslims slaughtered cows and before any investigation and tests are done, minority houses are burnt and people are attacked and made to flee their homes. Churches and Christian community establishments are being attacked in various parts of the country almost every day. Atrocities against Dalits also continue unabated even in Uttar Pradesh which is ruled at present by a Dalit party. Dalits are beaten up, paraded naked, and are forced to leave villages as in Gujarat recently. All this takes place while authorities make no effort to nab the criminals and bring them to justice and protect the victims. The MMM asks the authorities to wake up and apply the law in letter and spirit before things go out of control.

8. Civil Service

The MMM registers its pleasure that there is an steady increase in the number of Muslims passing civil service exams and that even a madrasa graduate and a girl from Urdu-medium background have made it to the IAS cadre this year. Muslim youths should learn hard work and should compete in all walks of human endeavour in order to take their rightful place under the Sun.

9. Violence in Jammu and blockade of the Valley

The MMM is pained that a certain political party has found it expedient to exploit the current problems in the state of Jammu & Kashmir in the wake of the cancellation of the controversial gift of forest land to a religious board in the Valley of Kashmir. Agitation is being orchestrated by the workers of that certain party resulting in the condemnable blockade of the Valley of Kashmir as well as pressure on the Muslim community in Jammu region itself so much so that some Muslims from Jammu have started moving out anticipating more trouble and violence. The MMM believes that a way-out should be found to satisfy both the Muslim and Hindu communities in the state of J&K while taking into account the fears of the Kashmiri Muslims that such moves are an attempt to change the demography of the state.

10. Mishra Panel

The MMM feels that the undue delay in tabling the Mishra Panel report in Parliament betrays ill-intentions on part of the current rulers. In view of the findings of the Sachar Report it is imperative that reservation is offered to the deserving sections of the Muslim community and this is what Mishra recommendations are all about. Any delay means that the report will be shelved until after the next general elections which in turn means that the recommendations may never see the light of the day. The UPA government is honour-bound to accept the recommendations of the Mishra panel and start the reservation process without wasting more time.

11. Opposition to Registration of marriages

Opposition has been voiced from sections of the Muslim community to the idea of compulsory registration of marriages. The MMM feels that this is a positive and beneficial step, especially for women, and a way should be found to accept this idea. One way may be to accept the Nikah registers and the certificates of marriage called “nikahnama” issued by qazis as an acceptable form of registration.

12. Nuclear deal

An attempt has been made to communalise the nuclear deal with the US. The MMM is of the firm belief that the deal is not a Muslim or communal issue. Rather, it is a national issue which concerns all citizens including the Muslims. At the same time, it is the considered opinion of the MMM that this deal is not in the interests of the country, that it is a camouflage for an strategic alliance between India and the US in which our country will be the small partner and will have to toe the American foreign policy as is clear from the Hyde Act. It is evident that a majority of Indians and our representatives in Parliament did not favour this deal. To circumvent this, the government of the day resorted to worst kind of arms-twisting and open horse-trading which has robbed it of moral right to continue or to conclude the deal.

13. Islamic finance course in AMU

The MMM is pleased to note that Aligarh Muslim University has taken the initiative to introduce a new course in Islamic finance. This step is in keeping with the requirements of our times when Islamic finance is increasingly getting acceptance in many parts of the world and that day is not far when our country too will fall in line and officially allow Islamic finance products. While the government takes it time, Islamic finance products should be launched in India within the existing laws. In order to cater to this growing market at home and abroad, a new breed of financial experts will be required and the new initiative by the AMU will help here.

14. American and Israeli threats to attack Iran

The MMM condemns the Bush administration’s continued threats to attack Iran despite the totsl collapse of its similar schemes in Iraq. MMM notes that in this, Bush administration is egged by Israel which itself is an illegal nuclear state. Unlike Iran, Israel has not signed the NPT and already has a stockpile of hundreds of nuclear devices. It is time Israel, which has threatened its neighbours of nuclear attacks on more than one occasion, is demilitarised in order to rid the Middle East of a permanent war-like condition and to solve the Palestinian issue for ever.

15. Gaza blockade and Fateh-Hamas clashes

The MMM is alarmed that the international community has failed to break the inhuman blockade Israel continues to force on the Gaza Strip. Despite a tenuous ceasefire at the moment, Israel continues its blockade and still allows in only a fraction of Gaza’s essential needs to pass through its barriers to reach the impoverished strip. This blockade is a war crime as Gaza remains an occupied territory blocked from all sides by Israel. MMM demands that West has to recognise the results of the free and fair elections in Palestine. West’s refusal to honour its own principles in Palestine is at the root of the current problems in that part of the world.

MMM is further pained that of late clashes have taken place between Hamas and Fateh forces in Gaza. Such internecine warfare must stop as it serves only Israel, the common enemy of the Palestinian people.

16. Dialogue of faiths, nations and civilisations

The MMM welcomes the dialogue process started by Saudi Arabia with the active support of the Custodian of the Two Holy Sanctuaries King Abdullah ibn Abdul Aziz. The dialogue is a right step for the Muslim Ummah in these times as it will ease tensions between nations, civilisations and faiths and will help them arrive at a common ground (kalimatin sawaa) as ordained by the Holy Qur’an.

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Issued by the Central Office

ALL INDIA MUSLIM MAJLIS-E-MUSHAWARAT
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