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The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) on Wednesday termed the 'orchestrated campaign against madrassas as part and parcel of the sangh parivar's agenda to defame Muslims'.
"Vested interests want to bring madrassas into disrepute. This motivated campaign is actually aimed at arousing ill-will and hatred among Hindus towards Muslims. Unsubstantiated and false charges are being leveled against madrassas," AIMPLB secretary Maulana Mohammed Abdul Rahim Qureishi said.
He recalled that the madrassas had played an important role in the Independence movement when the ulemas (heads of the madrassas) stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and other leaders.
"Madrassas not only impart religious instruction but also shape moral character. Hence, the incidence of crime among those who attend madrassas is negligible and their alleged involvement in terrorist activities is a figment of an ill-intentioned imagination," he said.
Referring to Union Minister of State for Home Ch Vidyasagar Rao's statement that some madrassas were being misused by anti-national elements and terrorists, Quraishi challenged the government to come out with the proof.
Indian Muslims had nothing to do with jihadi (holy war) outfits and nor do they harbour ISI agents, he said.
The forthcoming three-day 16th session of the AIMPLB in Hyderabad from June 21 would consider measures to counter this campaign, Qureishi said.
It would also discuss the anti-Muslim disturbances in Gujarat, particularly the demolition of over 200 mosques and dargahs (memorials) by Hindu fundamentalists, he said.
After the inauguration on June 21, the delegates would elect a new president and 30 members to the executive committee and general body of the AIMPLB.
The president's election was necessitated due to the demise of incumbent Maulana Mujahidul Islam Qasmi on April 4 this year.
Among other things, the session would discuss a host of issues relating to Indian Muslims and the Shariah (Muslim personal laws), Qureishi said.
The session would also review the evidence presented on behalf of Muslims before the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court in the title suit relating to the Babri masjid dispute.
A recent judgment of the Aurangabad bench of the Bombay high court and other cases pertaining to certain aspects of divorce and their relevance to Muslim personal laws would also come up for discussion, he said.
Another relevant issue would be the implication of the Andhra Pradesh Compulsory Registration of Marriage Bill on the community, he said.
The AIMPLB would try to find out means to create general awareness about the Shariah and encourage Muslims to follow them in letter and spirit, he said.
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