Cleric asks Muslims to unite for development

Lucknow, Mar 15 (UNI) Noted Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Jawwad today lamented that lack of unity amongst maulanas (clerics) over the years had kept the community away from development.

Talking to reporters at a news conference here organised by All Indian United Muslim Morcha, the Maulana claimed that Muslim clerics were siding with various political parties.

''The division has cost the community dearly,'' he said adding a consensus should be evolved amongst Muslims to vote for one party, which promises their development in real sense. ''I believe votes should be cast on party lines so that the electorate is not divided.'' To a poser, he said if muslim clerics continue to remain divided then the community should unite on their own.

He said it was essential the 'ulemas' gathered on one platform to air their views on problems facing the community, including development and job opportunities.

Speaking on the occasion, Sunni cleric Ghazi-e-Millat Maulana Hashmi Mian said reservation should be given on lines of caste and not religion.

''India boasts of a secular constitution, even then Muslim backwards are denied reservation under Article 341. This should be removed...religion should not come in way of those, who actually need reservation,'' he noted.

UNI