All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat commemorates its 60-year journey

NEW DELHI: The All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat (AIMMM) celebrated its 60th anniversary with a landmark convention at the India Islamic Cultural Centre here recently, bringing together prominent leaders, scholars, activists, mediamen and general public to reflect on the community’s past struggles, present challenges, and future strategies.

The event, attended by delegates from across the country, underscored the urgent need for unity, proactive engagement and institutional resilience to safeguard the rights of Indian Muslims. The convention commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by a message from Mirwaiz of Kashmir Maulana Muhammad Umar Farooq, the influential Kashmiri leader, who was unable to attend due to the ongoing situation in Kashmir.

His message expressed his desire to join the AIMMM in addressing community issues and joining the AIMMM platform. Dr. Zafarul-Islam Khan, President of AIMMM, traced the organization’s journey, recalling its founding in August 1964 amid communal violence and political turmoil. “After independence, Muslims faced riots in Jabalpur, Raurkela and Jamshedpur, leading to fear and uncertainty,” he said.

“Our elders established the Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat to foster dialogue with the majority community and the government, ensuring peace and safeguarding minority rights,” said Khan. He also announced the republication of “Mushawarat Documents”—a two-volume compilation of reports, resolutions and consultations covering the organization’s first fifty years. It was originally released during the Golden Jubilee in August 2014 but its publication was delayed due to certain issues.

Publication of these documents, along with a commemorative souvenir reviewing our history, will serve as a vital resource for researchers and activists, he said. The AIMMM’s revival in June 2024, after years of internal disputes (2018–2024), has reinvigorated its mission. Dr. Khan emphasized the need for Muslim organizations to unite under a Common Minimum Program to defend constitutional rights, ensure justice, and build bridges with the wider society.

Prof. Hilal Ahmed of CSDS delivered a keynote address, analyzing India’s political and economic shifts since liberalization. He warned that welfare policies have moved away from rights-based welfare entitlements to market-driven “beneficiary” and charity schemes, exacerbating Muslim marginalization. “Hindutva nationalism has replaced secular-communal debates, sidelining Muslims despite their 200 million-plus population,” he noted.

Speaking on this occasion, Human rights activist Harsh Mander condemned the false narrative of a “demographic conspiracy” against Muslims and highlighted State actions like the detention and expulsion of Rohingya refugees. Recalling the anti-CAA protests as India’s largest Gandhian movement since Independence, he urged communities to resist hate politics with solidarity.

In her address at the inaugural session, Dr. Saiyida Saiyidain Hameed, a former member of the Planning Commission, said: “Although the number of women in this programme is limited, I am pleased that you have honored me with the privilege of presiding over this event.” She also emphasized the importance of women standing shoulder to shoulder in solving Muslim issues.

In his address on this occasion, senior journalist Zia Us Salam exposed media bias in shaming and criminalizing Muslims while obscuring the religious identity of similar offenders of other communities. “We need independent media outlets in English and Hindi to counter majoritarian narratives,” he asserted. Policy analyst Jawed Alam Khan criticized the meagre (0.12%) budget allocation for minorities (20 percent of the population) and the discontinuation of crucial scholarship and other welfare schemes.

On the other hand, Nadeem Khan of APCR highlighted the weaponization of bulldozer demolitions, saying that over 1,500 cases targeting marginalized groups, predominantly Muslims, have been filed in recent years. Supreme Court senior lawyer M.R. Shamshad warned against legislative attempts to weaken Waqf institutions, madrasas, and mosques. “These are systematic efforts to erode the community’s foundations,” he said.

Former MP Mohammad Adeeb, in an impassioned speech, urged Muslims to overcome fear and disunity. “We cannot wait for saviours; we must rebuild our institutions with courage, as seen in movements like Shaheen Bagh,” he declared. The concluding session, chaired by Dr. Syed Zafar Mahmood, stressed the importance of Muslim representation in governance. “Don’t oppose the bureaucracy—become the bureaucracy,” he urged, encouraging youth to pursue not only UPSC but also state commissions, judiciary, and district-level administrative roles because policies are made and implemented by the bureaucracy.

The convention served as more than a commemoration—it was a call for action. Voices from diverse fields—scholars, activists, journalists and legal experts—echoed a unified message: Indian Muslims must embrace unity, resilience, and proactive engagement to secure their constitutional rights and dignity.

As the AIMMM enters its seventh decade, the convention reaffirmed its commitment to advocacy, socio-economic empowerment, and inter-community dialogue, ensuring that the organisation remains a vital force in India’s democratic fabric. The event was moderated by the senior Urdu journalist and writer Masoom Moradabadi, who congratulated Dr. Khan on the success of the convention.