New Delhi: The All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat (AIMMM), a prominent organization within the Muslim community, is once again facing internal discord. On June 9, 2024, a faction calling itself “All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat (Registered)” convened meeting in New Delhi, claiming legitimacy and holding elections for leadership positions. This mirrors a similar split in 2003 when a parallel Mushawarat was formed under Maulana Mohammad Salim Qasmi.
AIMMM, established in 1964 during a period of heightened communal violence, has historically served as a unified platform for Muslim organizations. However, recent events have rekindled old divisions.
The “Registered” faction, backed by official documentation and executive committee support, held a meeting at New Horizon School. The gathering, presided over by former AIMMM president Dr. Zafrul Islam Khan, saw thirty-three members in attendance, with five participating online. Dr. Khan was unanimously elected as president for a two-year term. In his acceptance speech, Dr. Khan emphasized the need to revitalize AIMMM and criticized the previous leadership under Mr. Navaid Hamid for causing internal strife and passivity.
Reacting strongly, Adv Feroze Ahmad, the current president of AIMMM, accused Dr. Khan of attempting to create an illegal parallel organization. Ahmad claimed that the meeting was attended by only 11 out of 150 enrolled members and accused Dr. Khan of using fake addresses to legitimize his actions. Ahmad also presented a letter from Yousuf Habib, a member from Allahabad, who declined to support the parallel group’s meeting and reiterated the need for unity within AIMMM.
The discord centers around claims of legitimacy and historical precedent. Ahmad clarified that a previous split occurred in 2000 over the election of Syed Shahabuddin as president, leading to the formation of a registered splinter group in 2003 under Maulana Mohammad Salim Qasmi. This group later merged back into AIMMM in 2013.
The ongoing tensions highlight the challenges facing AIMMM as it navigates internal conflicts while trying to maintain its role as a leading platform for Muslim organizations in India.
The community now faces a critical juncture, needing consensus and unity rather than division and discord. The outcome of these internal disputes will significantly impact AIMMM’s ability to address the broader challenges facing the Muslim community in India.
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