Gulf Forum invites Muslim Leaders for Umrah and talks

By Javid Hassan

A prominent NRI has invited leaders of the Muslim community and Urdu journalists from Hyderabad to come to Makkah for Umrah at his expense and also attend a meeting aimed at reconciling differences between the two groups and unify their ranks for a common cause.

In a message sent to HNN through Tanzeem Hum Hindustani (THH), Ahmed Ziauddin, president of Riyadh-based NRIs’ Gulf Forum, has said they are ready to bear all expenses for travel and accommodation if they could meet in the holy city of Makkah after performing Umrah. The proposed meeting could help iron out all their differences that are being exploited by certain vested interests, with the general elections round the corner.

Makkah, seat of the holy Kabaa, to which Muslims from around the world turn five times a day for prayers, has always served as a platform for promoting unity among them. “Makkah Declaration” best sums up the role of this holy city when it comes to reconciling differences among Muslims at the international level under the umbrella of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC). The Forum has chosen an appropriate venue for launching its initiative in this direction.

Ziauddin, who also hails from Hyderabad, said that in case the Muslim leaders find it inconvenient to visit Makkah, he was prepared to come down to their city in the interest of the Ummah. “The important thing is to get together in a spirit of unity and reconciliation for resolving all outstanding differences that are doing a great harm to the cause of Muslim unity,” said the Forum chief, who holds a senior managerial position in Riyadh-based Saudi Hollandi Bank.

Invitations have been extended to Mohammed Quaiser, president, THH and also Osmania University Old Boys’ NRIs’ Association in Riyadh, Asaduddin Owaisi, president, Majlis Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen, Zahid Ali Khan, Editor, Siasat, Zaheeruddin Ali Khan, Maulana Khaled Saifullah Rahmani, Maulana Mufti Mohammed, Maulana Naimullah Khan, Amir, Tableeghi Jamaat, Mufti Khaleel Ahmed Shaikh of Jamia Nizamia, Abid Ali Khan, Maulana Khubool Pasha Qadri and Maulana Abdul Aziz, Ameer, Jamaat-e-Islami, among others.

Knowledgeable sources point out that some vested interests have been exploiting the Urdu media to create rift among Muslims, so that they could exploit them for their own ulterior motive. Such a situation could harm the interests of the Muslim community at a time when general elections are scheduled to be held all over India between April 8 and May 15, according to the country's election commissioner. The need of the hour is to weed out such elements that are said to be stoking, instead of dousing, the flames of mutual hatred and bickering within the community.

Another crucial factor that dictates the need for a united front is elections in the Telangana region, where political alliances are being forged by various parties in the electoral fray. With the Congress and the Muslim United Front yet to make up their mind, their state of indecision is playing into the hands of their opponents.

Ziauddin said NRIs from Hyderabad based in the Gulf states, the US and Canada are concerned over the deteriorating situation facing Hyderabad Muslims that could play into the hands of their opponents during the upcoming elections. Cementing their rank and file should, therefore, be of paramount importance at this critical juncture. “Otherwise, Muslims may have to pay a heavy price,” he has warned.