Ex-Indian minister seeks to unite Muslim parties

[sonz]

A former minister in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh wants to unite different Muslim political groups under a common banner, a move that could pose a threat to other political parties preparing for the upcoming elections, Daily India.com reported.

Former civil aviation minister, C.M. Ibrahim said that his aim is to bring together senior Muslim clerics and unite different Islamic groups.

He expressed his willingness to mediate between Shahi Imam Ahmed Bukhari of Delhi's Jama Masjid and Lucknow-based prominent Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Jawaad, who both set up their political outfits in Uttar Pradesh last month.

Bukhari formed an Uttar Pradesh United Democratic Front (UPUDF) shortly after Jawaad set up his People's Democratic Front. But the two failed to unite their groups under a common banner, mainly due to Bukhari’s reluctance to accept Jawaad as head of the organization.

“I am hopeful that both leaders will realize the need for unity. My aim is not limited to bringing just the two of them together, but to bring various Muslim organizations under a common banner”, Ibrahim told IANS.

Ibrahim also met senior members of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board. He plants to meet influential retired Muslim and Dalit bureaucrats to persuade them to join his proposed political outfit.

“My effort will also be to bring in Dalits and other oppressed classes under one banner,” he said.

[lavikor201]

Do Muslims hold signifigant political power in India?