Vijayawada: A convention planned by Muslim Intellectuals Forum (MIF) in the city is creating much consternation within the community as a majority of the religious leaders are opposing the political agenda of organisers.
Religious leaders are finding fault with city legislator Jaleel Khan for trying to derive political mileage by organizing the April 2 meet with religious heads. Jaleel heads MIF. Following allegations on fund-raising for the event, Jamait-ul-Ulema Hind chief Sayed Mahmood Asad Madani is believed to have cancelled his visit to the city.
Ulemas from several districts told Madani not to attend the meeting charging Jaleel with organising the meeting only to earn a berth in Chandrababu Naidu's cabinet. The organisers are planning to felicitate CM Naidu at the meeting, which irked Muslim leaders from YSRCP and Congress.
"Unlike the Kapu reservation agitation where the organisers involved leaders from all political parties, MIF is working to serve the interests of Jaleel and not the community. We cannot be part of this meeting," said Muslim Development Society (MDS) leader Mohammed Muneer Ahmed. He explained that almost all the mosques that are part of Tablighi Jamaat have decided to stay away.
Social activist Habib-ur-Rehman found nothing wrong in taking government support to resolve issues concerning the community. "But MIF did not bother to consult all of us before planning the meeting," he said.
Meanwhile, Muslim United Front (MUF) leaders in Guntur are aggressively campaigning against the Vijayawada meeting. "Ignoring the lone MP from AP and Telangana Asaduddin Owaisi and legislators from the state itself shows the political agenda behind the meeting," criticised MUF leader Md Kaleem.
Veteran Congress leader Shaik Khajavali lashed out at the organisers for branding the Muslim convention as 'aatmeeya sammelanam' without involving the community leaders. However, MIF leader Farooq Shubli said that they have planned the meeting to exert pressure on the government to fight for reservations and other key issues.
A religious leader from Kondapalli, Altaf Raza Baba said that none of the imams and dargah chiefs has been invited.
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