First journey from Mangaluru on July 21: Minister Zameer Ahmed
Hajj pilgrimage -2018
Bengaluru, June 21: The first flight of the Hajj pilgrims leaving from the state in 2018 would leave for Madina from Mangaluru airport on July 21, said Minority Development, Hajj and Wakf Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan.
After holding a meeting with the officials at the State Hajj Committee office here on Thursday, the Minister said that total three flights would fly to Madina from Mangaluru airport. Apart from Mangaluru, the pilgrims would also fly from Bengaluru airport in 15 flights from August 1 to 15. The journey would be officially inaugurated at Hajj Bhavan in Tirumenahalli in the city on July 31. Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy would inaugurate the flight journey, while Union Minister for Minority Affairs, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Opposition Leader in the Rajya Sabha Gulam Nabi Azad and other national leaders would be presented, he said.
Total 540 pilgrims of Gulbarga region would leave for Madina through Hyderabad airport from August 1 and pilgrims from Belagavi region would leave from Goa airport from July 26 to 28, he said.
This time, total 18,000 persons applied for Hajj pilgrimage from the state. But total 6624 persons allotted from the state by the central government were selected through lottery and reservation, he said.
Food Ministers meeting
The Central government has convened a meeting of the Food Ministers of all states in New Delhi on July 29 and 30. He would also participate in the meeting. At this time, he would also discuss with Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj on getting additional quota for Hajj pilgrims from the state, he said.
Additional fee is being collected from the Hajj pilgrims from the state and it might cause additional burden on them. He would discuss the issue with the Union Minister and Indian Hajj Committee, the Minister said.
As the State Haj Committee building is old one, the office would be shifted to the newly built Hajj Bhavan after the completion of the process of Hajj pilgrimage. After demolishing the old structure, he would discuss with the senior leaders of the community on constructing the new building, he said.
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AIMPLB warns of protests, legal battle over Waqf Amendment Bill
Bengaluru: The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) on Monday addressed a press conference following the conclusion of its national convention in Bengaluru. The Board raised concerns over several pressing national and international issues, including the Waqf Amendment Bill, the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), and recent controversies surrounding places of worship in the country. The Board also spoke about the ongoing conflict in Gaza, terming it a "genocide."
Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas, spokesperson for the AIMPLB, strongly opposed the proposed Waqf Amendment Bill, warning the government of protests and legal challenges if the bill is passed without thorough consultation with all stakeholders.
"Waqf properties are donated specifically for the benefit of the Muslim community and for charitable purposes. These properties cannot and should not be altered or interfered with by the government," he said. Ilyas emphasized the historical and legal sanctity of Waqf properties, stating that any changes to the law without proper discussion would be unacceptable to the community.
The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) was another critical issue discussed during the convention. Ilyas reiterated the Board's long-standing opposition to the UCC, stating that it threatens the pluralistic nature of Indian society.
"The UCC will disrupt the very fabric of this country. India thrives on its diversity, and a uniform code disregards this essential characteristic," he said. He explained that the Indian legal framework already accommodates individuals who choose not to follow their personal laws.
Ilyas also criticized the UCC implemented by the Uttarakhand government, calling it unconstitutional. "How can it be called a 'Uniform Civil Code' when it is applied only in one state?" he questioned. The AIMPLB plans to challenge the Uttarakhand UCC in the Nainital High Court through a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) soon.
The Board also addressed growing tensions surrounding places of worship, particularly the rising claims that some mosques were originally temples. Ilyas pointed out that such disputes are in violation of the Places of Worship Act, 1992, which mandates that the status of religious sites shall remain as they were in 1947.
"The Supreme Court, in its verdict on the Babri Masjid case, clearly stated that no further disputes of this nature should arise. Yet, we see new cases being brought up regularly," he said.
Citing a recent incident in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, where police action against protesters left two dead, Ilyas condemned the violence. "This incident was tragic and could have been avoided. It is deeply condemnable," he added.
The AIMPLB also expressed solidarity with the people of Palestine, highlighting the ongoing crisis in Gaza. Ilyas termed the situation a "genocide," pointing to the reported deaths of over 45,000 people in the last year.
"This is not a war; it is a genocide. The international community must take urgent steps to address the issue," he said. The Board called for a two-state solution as a pathway to peace and justice in the region.
The press conference was attended by several senior AIMPLB officials, including the Board’s president, Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani. The officials emphasized the need for unity among stakeholders and the Muslim community to address the challenges highlighted during the convention.
The AIMPLB pledged to continue its advocacy through protests, legal actions, and public engagement to safeguard the rights of the community and uphold the constitutional values of the country.
