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New Delhi, Nov 23 (IANS) All India Imam Organization (AIIO) chief Omar Ahmed Ilyasi on Sunday said it is wrong to compare Indian Muslims with their European counterparts as India has always given ‘respect’ to Muslims.
Responding to Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind (JUH) president Maulana Arshad Madani’s remarks, Ilyasi said, “The comparison between the Muslims of India and the Muslims of America and Britain is completely wrong. The way he compared Indian Muslims with the Muslims of England and America is absolutely wrong. Indian Muslims cannot be compared that way. India has always given respect to Muslims. Our country has had Muslim Presidents, Governors, Chief Ministers in the past. And has even been Chief Justice.”
Earlier, Madani had said that Muslims can become mayors in major western cities like New York and London but they are prevented from achieving top academic posts in India.
AIIO chief Ilyasi said any amount of condemnation is not enough, adding that the way Madani has spoken has created the possibility of fear and unrest in the country.
Ilyasi said, “Madani should immediately withdraw his statement. He should hold a press conference and correct what he said.”
Ilyasi further said that opportunities for Muslims have expanded in recent years, especially after Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power; The largest number of Muslim candidates have been selected in civil services.
AIIO chief Ilyasi said, “Madani’s statement ignores these facts and misleads the people.”
The controversy began when Maulana Arshad Madani claimed that Muslims in India are “systematically deprived” of leadership roles in higher education, especially vice-chancellor positions in universities.
He argued that if a Muslim was appointed as Vice-Chancellor, he would have to face the same consequences as SP leader Azam Khan, alleging that “the system will eventually send him to jail.”
Madani argued that if a Muslim was appointed as Vice-Chancellor, he would have to face the same consequences as SP leader Azam Khan had to face, alleging that “the system will eventually send him to jail.”
Referring to Al-Falah University, Madani accused discrimination and said that the government has worked to prevent Muslims from progressing since independence.
“Muslims are not incompetent, but their self-confidence has been deliberately broken,” Madani said.
–IANS
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