Shias to demand reservation, subsidy for pilgrimage

SMumbai, Nov 25 (UNI) Shias will demand reservation in educational institutions and subsidy for pilgrimage to their shrines at a crucial meeting of the All India Shia Personal Law Board here tomorrow.

The agenda for the second annual meeting of the apex body of the community also lists ''ways and means to wipe out terrorism''.

The Board will also introduce a model 'Nikahnama', which they claim will ensure protection of women's rights.

Describing themselves as a minority within the Muslim minority, the Board said Shias were politically the most backward people in the country as they had no representation at the Centre and their presence in the State Assemblies was negligible.

It said special measure should be taken to ensure government jobs for the five-crore community members as any reservation for Muslims as such will not be enough.

Alleging that the property of Shia Waqfs were being ''looted'' throughout the country, the Board felt except for Uttar Pradesh and Bihar the community had negligible representation in Waqf Boards.

The Board said the Central Haj Committee does not provide facilities to Shia pilgrims at Mecca to perform Haj according to Shia ''fiqah'' (Islamic school of thought).

UNI SA OBB YA SP1050