Shias to highlight 'plight' at Mumbai session

Lucknow, Nov 24 (UNI) All India Shia Personal Law Board (AISPLB) today said it would highlight the plight of the community at the 2nd Annual Session of the Board to be held at Mumbai on Sunday.

AISPLB media spokesperson Ali Meesam Husain told UNI today, prominent Shia ulemas, orators and intellectuals are taking party in the session to discuss vital issues concerning the sect.

The Board has demanded a national policy for nearly five crore Shias spread all over the country.

''Shias are minority within the Muslim community and their condition is pathetic. Politically, they are the most backward people in India with no representative at the centre, while in state assemblies their presence is negligible,'' he claimed.

Mr Husain said at the time of nomination in government agencies, Shias are ignored.

''Shia Waqf boards exist only in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. In other states, either Shia representation is nil in Muslim Waqf boards, while there is just one representative,'' he lamented.

Meanwhile, to solve marriage-related problems, the Board has introduced a model 'nikahnama' in which special care has been taken for women's rights.

''Certain rights have been provided to women, which existed in Islam for the last 1400 yrs, but not properly presented,'' the Shia leader added.

''We will also discuss Shias' religious, educational, economic and organisational matters among other issues.'' Mr Husain asserted the Indian Shia community has nothing to do with terrorism. ''Ways and means to wipe out terrorism would also be discussed in the session.'' UNI VS PA RAI1857