In an Unprecedented Move, Muslim Mushawarat Groups Merged

In an unprecedented development in the 180 million-strong Indian Muslim community, the two factions of the apex body of Indian Muslims, the All India Muslim Majlis-e Mushawarat, merged together recently and the decision was announced in a joint press conference here at the Mushawarat central office. The organisation had split in 2000 with a faction headed by Syed Shahabuddin and the other headed by Maulana Muhammad Salim Qasmi. Efforts were made over the years to unite the two factions of the most important Indian Muslim organisation. These efforts succeeded only during the last few days. Dr Zafarul-Islam Khan, the current President of the organisation,  announced that henceforth Maulana Salim Qasmi will be the chairman of the Supreme Guidance Council of the Mushawarat, which is the highest post in the organisation and was kept vacant for the Maulana when and if his faction merges with the other faction.

In an earlier meeting early on the same day of the merger, the faction headed by Maulana Salim Qasimi was dissolved and a unanimous decision was taken to merge into the larger group. Later leaders of the two factions held a joint press conference to declare the merger. The press conference was attended by Maulana Muhammad Salim Qasmi, Syed Shahabuddin Maulana, Maulana Ahmad Ali Qasmi, Mufti Ataur Rahman Qasmi, Maulana Junaid Ahmad Banarsi, Dr Zafarul-Islam Khan and Ejaz Ahmad Aslam.

President of Musahwarat, Dr Zafarul-Islam Khan, hailed the merger as a great event in the life of the Muslim community since Independence. He said Mushawarat was established fifty years ago while the community faced a grim situation and umpteen challenges and the community is facing similar challenges today. Hence, this unity and merger of the two factions of the largest organisation is a gift of Allah and it provides us with an opportunity to fight for our rights and face the challenges in a more concerted way.

Syed Shahabuddin said a great achievement has been achieved with this merger. He gave the credit for this historic step to Maulana Muhammad Salim Qasmi, Maulana Ahmad Ali Qasmi and Maulana Ataur Rahman Qasmi. He also said that Mushawarat has decided to hold the golden jubilee of the organisation next year and he invited all who had ever been associated with Mushawarat to take part in it.

Declaration of merger of Mushawarat groups

The following statement was issued on the occasion:

“The All India Muslim Majlis-e Mushawarat has been known over its fifty-years of existence for its outstanding character and services to the Muslim community.  Unfortunately, this organisation had split into two groups 13 years ago. This split was a cause of pain and anxiety for both groups of Mushawarat because it had affected its mission and efficacy. After a lot of deliberations, leaders of both the Mushawarats decided to merge the two groups into one because unity and agreement are the sources of power and divine blessing and because through unity alone Mushawarat can regain its past glory. Therefore, the two groups of Mushawarat have decided to unite and they pray to Allah the Almighty to safeguard this platform of the Millat so that it may selflessly serve the Millat and the nation, and succeed in its original aim and mission.”

“Today, on 27 October 2013, the blessed day and fortunate time has arrived when the leaders of the two groups of Mushawarat declare unity and pledge to work side by side for the cause of the Millat. We pay to Allah ta’ala to make this effort a success and bless it.”

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