Narendra Modi Effect: Muslim leaders corner Jama Masjid Shahi Imam Bukhari

New Delhi, Oct 31: Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid in New Delhi faced the wrath of

leaders across the country for his snub to Prime Minister

.

All Indian Muslim Personal Law Board member Kamal Farooqi on Friday, Oct 31 has been quoted as saying that Bukhari's act will give the entire Muslim community a bad name.

A media report quoted Farooqi who slammed the Shahi Imam of India's largest mosque and said it was not a "personal function". Showing their support to the PM, the Muslim leaders also claimed that Bukhari does not represent the entire community.

Bukhari earlier on Thursday created the controversy inviting Prime Minister of Pakistan -- Nawaz Sharif but he did not invite Modi for the ceremony which has been scheduled to be held on Nov 22. Bukhari's successor, his 19-year-old son Shaban will be anointed as the 'Nayab Shahi Imam' (Vice Imam) at the ceremony.

Bukhari planned for a mega event for the ceremony and invited several Indian and foreign political leaders, nearly 1,000 religious leaders from across the world, and others. While he invited Sharif, he chose to ignore PM Modi.

Despite facing criticism, Bukhari justified his act and claimed that Indian Muslims are yet to relate themselves with PM Modi over 2002 Gujarat riot incident.

A few Indian leaders, who received invitation from Bukhari for the ceremony, are --

• Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh
• Union Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan
• Congress president Sonia Gandhi
• Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi
• Samajwadi party chief Mulayam Singh
• Uttar Pradesh CMAkhilesh Yadav

OneIndia News