Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, at a press conference in the capital on 1 February, categorically said that the issue of corruption raised by AAP is no doubt a big national issue and has been appreciated by one and all. But at the same time, the organisation has asked the party to clarify its stand on minority issues to get support of the community. JIH is also trying to bring the Muslim community on one platform in order to make their voice more decisive and effective.
Mr. Ejaz Ahmed Aslam, Secretary of the organisation, while addressing the press meet, said that the upcoming Lok Sabha polls is very important in every respect and all efforts should be made to defeat communal forces. He added that every step should be followed to strengthen democratic values and to ensure that Constitutional rights of the minorities and weaker sections are not encroached upon. In this regard, the Jamaat feels that it is high time that all Muslim organisations moved forward to unite themselves in order to ensure safety and progress of the country and the community.
The other issue that was raised with equal concern was the apathy of the Uttar Pradesh government towards riot victims. The manner in which the situation was and is being handled reveals how insensitive a government can turn towards people who elect the government for their safety, security and well-being. Recently, a public meeting attended by important personalities of different communities with Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Hind in the chair yielded some positive result in confidence building measure and bridging lack of trust in the aftermath of the riots.
On the issue of Communal Violence Bill, JIH Ameer Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Omari told the media persons that no serious attempt has been made by the UPA government to get this Bill passed, because the party is aware that it will be opposed by the BJP. Maulana Omari, however, expressed hope in the coming session of Parliament there would be some sincere move by the Congress-led government as assured by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi during the recent inaugural programme of the National Wakf Development Corporation in the national capital. JIH Ameer, while replying to a question, said that Wakf Development Corporation is a feasible step if it gets implemented effectively to serve the purpose.
On the issue of lending support to AAP, JIH chief said that the issue of corruption raised by AAP is very important nationally because all parties are corrupt in one way or the other. But the issue of corruption is not an end in itself and the party has to clarify its stand on minority issues; then only the Muslims will think of supporting the new party. He also demanded that if AAP can demand SIT probe into the 1984 anti-Sikh riots then why not SIT probe into the Batla House fake encounter. He also felt that Congress MLA Asif Mohammad Khan, after raising the SIT probe with the AAP, should also ask his party as to why the Congress has dumped the issue in the cold storage.
The Jamaat has also expressed concern over the disturbing situations in Egypt, Syria, Bangladesh, Iraq, Afghanistan, Algeria and Tunis and has demanded that the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) should organise the Muslim countries to take concrete measures to stop bloodshed and facilitate to build a conducive atmosphere in order to restore peace in the region.