Prominent Muslims form panel to fight for rights of community

New Delhi: Prominent Muslim figures from different walks of life have formed a 51-member National Monitoring Committee to pursue constitutional, legal and political remedies for issues affecting the rights of Indian Muslims, and to provide a coordinated response to matters concerning constitutional safeguards, civil rights, representation and other issues affecting the community.

The committee has been formed following the resolution adopted at the National Convention of Muslim Leaders and Intellectuals held on July 24, according to a press release by Indian Muslims for Civil Rights.

The announcement was made here at a press conference addressed by several prominent members of the Committee. which brings together individuals with experience in law, public life, politics, social work, religious institutions and civil rights, with the objective of pursuing issues through democratic and constitutional means.

The Committee will work towards identifying issues requiring intervention, examining available constitutional and legal remedies, engaging with relevant institutions and pursuing appropriate democratic and political avenues.

At its 24th meeting, the National Monitoring Committee decided to undertake visits to areas facing crisis and challenges, with the objective of building confidence among the Muslim community and directly engaging with local stakeholders. It was decided that the first such visit would be to Uttarakhand, given its proximity to Delhi and the issues facing the state.

Accordingly, a delegation visited Dehradun and held a series of meetings with civil society representatives as well as Muslim leadership from across Uttarakhand. The first meeting was held with prominent members of Uttarakhand’s civil society. The delegation discussed the prevailing situation in Uttarakhand and the concerns and issues affecting different sections of society. Senior Congress leader Gurdeep Sapal was also present at the meeting. A second meeting was held with representatives of Uttarakhand’s Muslim community, bringing together political, social and religious leadership. The delegation discussed the concerns facing the community and the broader situation in the state.

Speaking at the press conference, the members emphasized the need for collective engagement with institutions of the State and the wider democratic process to address concerns affecting the rights and interests of the community..

Mr Salman Khurshid in his remarks stated, “This movement has brought everyone together and this is a presentation from the Muslims of India, we are not here to beg, but to show tthat every citizen of this country has their own rights. We are here to show that we all have our rights despite the diversity we carry in various aspects of the country. The rights equate all of us. We also want to invite all people to join us and work with us matching shoulder to shoulder. We are here to contribute to a larger issue happening in India.”

Others prominent leaders who addressed the press conference included Maulana Attaur Rehmaan, Mohammad Adeeb, Justice Iqbal Ahmed Ansari, Syed Sadatullah Hussaini Maulana, Mohsin Ali Taqwi, Fuzail Ahmed Ayyubi and SQR Ilyas.
—India News Stream