Eminent Shia Cleric Supports Jan Lokpal Bill During Friday Prayers

Faisal Fareed
Daijiworld Media Network - Lucknow

Lucknow, Aug 26: Anna Hazare’s Jan Lokpal Bill got a fillip when Imam-e-Juma Maulana Kalbe Jawwad appealed to Muslims for extending support to the movement during his sermon on Alvida Juma prayers at Lucknow on Friday. Muslims accord special sancity to the last Friday during the holy month of Ramadan and huge congregation are seen to offer namaz.

“It is a  historic movement in the history of the country. Muslims should support the cause of the campaign, if not the parties endorsing it. What ever the intention of those associated with the campaign is? The cause is important. We should support it,” said Maulana Jawad in his speech before the Alvida prayers at Asafi masjid on Friday.

Maulana Jawwad holds considerable influence among Shia Muslims. He is also a member of All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB). The appeal has far reaching consequences as earlier Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid, New Delhi Imam Ahmed Bukhari has given a call for boycotting Anna's anti graft stir. However, Muslims in Lucknow gave little heed to Bukhari's call and a large number of Muslims thronged Jhulelal Park where the protestors are observing hunger strike in support of Anna's movement. They even organised Iftar at the venue and offered namaz. Already the President of All India Muslim Women Personal Law Board (AIMWPLB) Shaista Amber has supported the Jan Lokpal Bill and reached the Jhulelal Park along with burqa clad women and held special prayers. Hoardings by Muslim community supporting Anna Hazare have already come up in the Muslim dominated old city of Lucknow. On Thursday Muslim youths also organised a motorcycle rally supporting the cause.

On the current developments concerning the activist's demand for passing Jan Lokpal Bill, Maulana Jawad said that the Bill once passed would take all the corrupt politicians to task. “The provisions of the bill is like a noose for all the politicians, so they are putting hurdles in the way,” he added. On the perceptions that parties like RSS and BJP are behind the campaign, Maulana Jawad said that this would have a bad impact if at all the perception was true. He however praised Anna Hazare for taking the country by storm. “Even if some political outfits are associated with it for their vested interests we do not support them. It is simply the issue that holds the key,” said Maulana Jawad.

Elsewhere, large congregations were witnessed in nearly all the mosques to offer Alvida prayers. Sunnis offered prayers at historical Tilewali masjid where the namaz was led by Imam Shah Fazlur Rehman Waizi. He also appealed for eradicating corruption from the society.

Special appeals were also made to inculcate the habit of sharing among the community so that the poor Muslims could also celebrate the Eid festival.