Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind asks for 10 percent reservation for Muslims

Hyderabad, Nov 10 (ANI): The Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind on Sunday asked the centre for ten per cent reservation for Muslims in educational institutions and government jobs.

The two-day anti-terrorism Muslim conference was held in Hyderabad.

The conference also demanded a law to prevent communal violence in the country.

The ulema (clerics) said there is a big difference between 'terrorism' and 'jihad', and added that the "Islam does not allow killing of innocent persons".

This is the first time the Islamic scholars have come together to give their backing to the measure.

Earlier in May this year, religious school, the Darul Uloom Deoband, issued the fatwa.

Abdul Hameed Nomani, one of the organisers of the conference, which was attended by more than 6,000 Islamic scholars, said: "Some people are involved in terrorist activities in the name of Islam and some are defaming Islam by involvement in terrorist activities."

Other issues, which were discussed during the conference, were resolutions on terrorism, communal violence and reservation for Muslims.

The resolution by the Jamiat said, "Jihad is a constructive phenomenon and a fundamental right of human beings whereas terrorism is based on destruction. It is required to define 'jihad' and 'terrorism' in the right perspective, which stand poles apart. Terrorism is the biggest crime as per Quran."

The conference added that the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government had mentioned in its election manifesto and declared in its common minimum programme (CMP) that it would pass a bill for prevention of communal riots and compensation for victims.

"The recent spate of communal violence in Adilabad, Bhainsa (both in AP), Burhanpur (MP), Dhule, Malegaon (both in Maharashtra), Orissa and Karnataka has further accentuated its need. The government must come out with an effective law so that the life and property of innocent citizens be protected and the victims get justice," the resolution added.

It further called for speedy implementation of the recommendations of the Sachar Committee and Ranganath Commission to end discrimination under Article 341 of the Constitution and extend reservation to Muslims, Christians and Dalits and to ensure 10 per cent reservation for Muslims.

"It's necessary that all such recommendations be cleared by the Parliament and ensure speedy implementation," the resolution said.

"As per government records, Muslims constitute over 13 per cent of India's population, but their representation in various spheres is less than two per cent. It has resulted in their extreme poverty and socio-economic and educational backwardness. Muslims and Christian Dalits should be treated on a par with other Dalits by amending Article 341 of the Constitution," it said.

In the end it passed resolutions on the unity of Muslims, Dalits and other minorities and need for communal harmony.

For years, bomb attacks in India have mostly been blamed on Islamist militants. Even attacks on mosques were often blamed on Islamists seeking to spark communal tensions between India''s majority Hindus and minority Muslims.

Muslim leaders have accused authorities of conducting a witch hunt and reinforcing stereotypes about their community after dozens of Muslims were detained following a string of bomb attacks across the country this year.

Home to more than 140 million Muslims (the world''s third largest Islamic population), many Indian Muslims felt alienated after communal riots in Gujarat in 2002.

Muslims make up about 13 per cent of India''s population -- giving it the third largest Islamic population after Indonesia and Pakistan.At just under 60 per cent, the community's literacy rate is lower than the national average of 65 per cent. Only half of Muslim women can read and write.

As many as a quarter of Muslim children in the age group 6-14 have either never attended school or dropped out.

They are also poor - 31per cent of Muslims are below the country's poverty line, just slightly above the lowest castes and tribes. (ANI)