Meeting with Modi: Muslim delegates shocked as Centre twists story

April 18, 2016

New Delhi, Apr 18: A government press release, dated April 13, announcing that “eminent Muslim citizens” had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to congratulate him on “his recent successful visit to Saudi Arabia”, has provoked strong reactions from some members of the delegation, who have disputed the public relations spin given to the interaction.

modi

Expressing unhappiness at the manner in which the note put out by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) was worded, journalist Qurban Ali said, “We were invited to discuss the trust deficit between the Muslim community and the government, and what could be done to end this.”

Editor of Nai Duniya and former MP Shahid Siddiqui, who was also present on the occasion, also confirmed this: “I was told that we would discuss the economic and educational backwardness of Muslims … I made concrete suggestions for the community's uplift and pointed out that the benefits of many government schemes for minorities are not reaching them.”

Only a few persons, including Dr. M.J. Khan, who led the delegation, and Shia cleric Kalbe Jawad from Lucknow, expressed their appreciation of the measures taken by Mr. Modi to improve relations with the Muslim world, members of the delegation said.

The PIB note says: “They [the delegation members] said people in West Asia, Central Asia and North Africa, especially the youth, are extremely impressed with the development agenda of Shri Narendra Modi, and want good relations with India.”

West Asia expert Qamar Agha said he spoke both on the positive impact of the Prime Minister's West Asia policy as well as on the need to focus on education for Muslims and post-education skilling programmes: “I said we need to open schools in Muslim-dominated areas which children of all communities can attend.”

Rajnath initiative

Dr. Khan, who was originally general secretary of the Uttar Pradesh-based Peace Party, had joined the BJP in end-2013. Today, he says, he is not, strictly speaking, with the BJP and prefers to be described as the National Convenor of Indian Muslims Research and Coordination Centre, but remains close to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. Wednesday's meeting took place on the suggestion of Mr. Singh.

Boosting ties

“I led the delegation,” Dr. Khan said, “after discussions with the Home Minister. At the meeting with the Prime Minister, we spoke of strengthening relations with the Muslim world as that would improve Hindu-Muslim relations at home. We expressed our elation at his being conferred Saudi Arabia's highest civilian honour, the King Abdulaziz Sash.”

But he stressed that the delegation also used the occasion to bring to the Prime Minister's notice many concerns of the Muslim community, relating both to secular and religious matters, that are part of a seven-point formula that was earlier given to Mr. Singh.

The issues raised included the ongoing controversy over retaining the Aligarh Muslim University's minority character and the need for a review committee to look at cases of innocent Muslim youths, who have been jailed on false charges.

The Prime Minister, several delegation members said, was forthcoming on welfare issues relating to Muslims, but was silent on controversial matters such as AMU.

Seeks representation

Kalbe Jawad also urged the Prime Minister to visit Iran, a Shia nation, to “balance” his visit to Saudi Arabia. The PM said he would be going to that country soon. The Maulana also stressed that Shias should be better represented in government bodies and communities.

Kalbe Jawad's meeting with the Prime Minister comes days after the passport office in Lucknow directed him to surrender his passport as two criminal cases are pending against him. He has been accused of “rioting with deadly weapon, undermining public order, and deterring public servant from discharging duties among others.”

Comments

shaji
 - 
Wednesday, 20 Apr 2016

It is a shame to name sake muslims (munafiqs) who trust Modi and BJP who have no agenda other than cheating muslims. the so called pro bjp muslims are being paid for telling in favoer of mOdi and bjp. Shame on you hypocrites. Go to hell. May Allah punish you in this world and also in the life after death unless you repent.

Rikaz
 - 
Monday, 18 Apr 2016

Don't be surprised lying is not new for Modi, he has started from 15 Lakhs rupees for each household...did anyone get this amount....gasoline price is sky rocketing even though crude price came down to 30 USD...promised during election he will reduce it....did you see it happening....

KhasaiKhaane
 - 
Monday, 18 Apr 2016

When Muslim leaders become hypocrites, visiting a murderer PM seeking his assistance, you people deserve such disgrace. Just wait and watch, there is more humiliation for you muslim leaders if you continue to do this. #MoNa has failed to deliver Ache din to his own people, and you guyz are expecting wonders for you?

Kushwant Bhat
 - 
Monday, 18 Apr 2016

Now you Buffoons understand what is what you thought Running dog having have some madness to unite all in Hindustan that's why these dogs started running last 60 odd years!!!!! you fools not yet understand, what's inside in his and his followers heart completely wrong thinking, now Master Khan sabb understand what is it inside, any Way \Every Dog has its own Day\" maharajas do not dream Modianna and his cheals have their own agenda you feel where it stand.
Jai hoo Hindustan.
Jai hoo bharath matha."

SK
 - 
Monday, 18 Apr 2016

It is good that Kalbe Jawed is asked to surrender his passport, as he is always speaking about shias and not for Muslims..... Such Moulanas should be booted /kicked out.....

ali
 - 
Monday, 18 Apr 2016

Modi visited K.S.A as an representative of Ambani not as an P.M of India.

Chaiwala chai dene keliye gaya tha. Desh keliye nahin.

Abdullah
 - 
Monday, 18 Apr 2016

Lie and cheating is in their blood.

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News Network
April 29,2020

Newsroom, Apr 29: Abdul Rahman Al Sudais, the imam of the Grand Mosque in Makkah has hinted that Muslims will be allowed to perform prayers again at the holiest mosque after a few days. 

Al Sudais, who is also the president of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, predicted this while answering a question from a reporter about the possibility of having worshippers gather again at the mosque.

He said that soon people will be allowed to return to the mosque for prayers and for circumambulation around the holy Kaaba.

The authorities care about people more than anything else, he said. "All Muslims should pray to Allah to help us through this pandemic. People must be careful and take necessary precautions to protect themselves and others," he added.

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News Network
April 12,2020

New Delhi, Apr 12: Ramping up efforts to "stamp out" coronavirus cases in the state, Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Isaac has said that not only lockdown but intense testing of people and tracing of their contacts are also equally important in the fight against the outbreak.

Kerala, which was the first state in the country to report a coronavirus infection in late January, has also prepared a time table for coming out of the lockdown and there would be district-specific strategies to tackle the situation while the number of cases are on the decline.

In efforts to curb spreading of coronavirus infections, the country is under a 21-day lockdown till April 14 and many states have sought an extension amid rising number of cases. Kerala has proposed extending the lockdown and gradual phasing out after proper assessment.

"Lockdown should go on till we stamp out entire infections. Now, it is not enough to have lockdown. Equally important is that we should have intense testing, tracing and isolating (of people with coronavirus infections)," he said in a telephonic interview.

The government is closely monitoring the situation and there would be region-specific or district-specific strategies in place to tackle the outbreak, he said.

Against the backdrop of the lockdown that has also disrupted economic activities, Isaac said an exit strategy is being prepared and restrictions are being relaxed in certain segments, including agriculture.

Coronavirus India update: State-wise total number of confirmed cases, deaths on April 12

"The number of patients is coming down (in the state). We hope that in the coming days, the decline will be much more faster," he said during the interview late Friday.

On Saturday, the Kerala government said there were a total of 373 confirmed cases of coronavirus infections and 228 patients were under treatment in various hospitals in the state.

Keeping the trend in the last few days, the number of people under observation has come down to 1,23,490. So far, 14,613 samples from people with symptoms were sent for testing and the results of 12,818 samples have come negative, the government said in a statement on Saturday.

Indicating that there would be a calibrated exit from the lockdown, Isaac said the withdrawal would depend on three main factors, including the count of cases and the percentage of people who are under observation.

While emphasising that people must also be fed during the lockdown period, Isaac also said a time table is being prepared by the state to come out of the lockdown.

Even as strict measures are being implemented to deal with the current situation, the state is also preparing for a possible third wave of coronavirus cases.

Three students, who had returned from the Chinese city of Wuhan, were tested positive. They were also the first such cases, to be reported in January-February period, and have recovered. Wuhan was the epicentre of coronavirus infections before it spread to other countries.

Later, there was a second wave of infections in Kerala.

According to the minister, the possibility of a third wave has also been considered for the exit strategy.

"A lot of Malayalees are expected to come back from outside the state. We will welcome them... before that, we want to stamp out all Covid cases in Kerala. Flatten the curve completely so that when these people from outside, they will be quarantined, they will be tested and only then they will be able to integrate with the rest of the community," he said.

The Kerala government's measures, including extensive testing and efforts to trace people who came in contact with coronavirus-infected persons, have helped in curbing spreading of infections.

The state's public healthcare system has also been appreciated in various quarters.

"People are health conscious. There is a demand for quality healthcare services and the response to this demand has been strengthening of the public healthcare system. We have a robust public healthcare system," the minister emphasised.

On April 9, Isaac tweeted about low level of coronavirus spreading in the state.

"International norm for Covid spread is 2.6 per 1 Covid patient. Total number of primary Covid infected who arrived in Kerala from abroad is 254. The secondary spread has been limited to 91. The international mortality rate is 5.75. With just 2 deaths, rate in Kerala is 0.58," he had tweeted.

Death toll due to the coronavirus increased to 273 and the number of cases to 8,356 in the country on Sunday.

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News Network
March 12,2020

Bhopal, Mar 12: Madhya Pradesh Congress on Thursday alleged that two of its ministers who had gone to Bengaluru to meet the rebel party legislators were assaulted.

"Two of our ministers Jitu Patwari and Lakhan Singh had gone to Bengaluru. They were assaulted, we have info that our ministers have been arrested," Madhya Pradesh Congress leader said during a press conference.

Congress further warned that if the police don't take action, the party will take it to the court.

Some of the rebel MLAs had said in a video on Wednesday that they were in Bengaluru out of their own will.

The rebel MLAs have been staying in Bengaluru over the past few days.

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