Factional fighting among the two groups of the Jamiat Ulema e Hind, a body of Sunni Muslim clerics, is likely to intensify as Maulana Mahmood Madani, head of one of the factions, has convened a three-day conference of the organisation at Deoband in Saharanpur district from November 1.
The other faction is headed by Maulana Arshad Madani, who is the uncle of Maulana Mahmood Madani, a Rajya Sabha member of the Rashtriya Lok Dal. The organisation has been divided since the death of Maulana Asad Madani in 2006.
Maulana Matinul Haq Osama Kasmi, general secretary of the Jamiat, said Maulana Mahmood represents the real Jamiat as over 90% of the country?s clerics supported him.
Kasmi said that the first two days of the conference will see a meeting of members of the central working committee and office-bearers of state units. The meeting, called ?Ijtema?, will be followed by a day-long general body meeting where the Jamiat is hoping to host several lakh people from all over the country. Kasmi said over 10,000 clerics from India and several eminent clergymen from West Asian countries are also expected to participate.
On the table, at the meet…
* The Sachar Committee report, and Ranganath Mishra Commission report that suggested measures for uplift of minorities, and Liberhan Commission report on Babri Masjid demolition
* Reservation for Muslims in proportion to their population
* Measures to prevent communal violence and legislation to ensure adequate relief to those affected by it
* Terrorism and ?framing? of Muslim youths on false charges; their rehabilitation
* A resolution seeking a ban on ?unnatural sex? in light of the Delhi High Court judgment on homosexuality
* The Palestine question, the presence of US and NATO troops in Afghanistan, and the ?threat? posed to Iran by America