"The ulema are influential among Muslims. Hence, they can shape opinions in the society over what needs to be done," said MRM Maharashtra co-convenor Irfan Ali Peerzade. He added that Muslim intellectuals and writers would also be involved in this effort.
In a bid to deepen its outreach among Muslims, the Sangh Parivar's sole niche organisation for the community is planning to hold meets for the ulema (religious leaders), women and intellectuals on de-addiction and prevention of communal riots among other themes. These programmes, which will be held after Ramzan by the Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM), will also focus on the need for skill development and higher education among Muslim youths to make them employable.
"The ulema are influential among Muslims. Hence, they can shape opinions in the society over what needs to be done," said MRM Maharashtra co-convenor Irfan Ali Peerzade. He added that Muslim intellectuals and writers would also be involved in this effort.
"These meetings will be based on themes of Dangamukta Bharat, Nashamukt Bharat, Berojgarimukt Bharat, and Bhayamukt Bharat," he added, stating that women would be roped in to curb addiction among youths and children. The programmes will happen in cities across Maharashtra.
The MRM was established in 2002 at the instance of then RSS chief KS Sudarshan; it was initially called Rashtravadi Muslim Andolan-Ek Nayi Raah and re-christened in 2005. The body has senior RSS functionary Indresh Kumar as its chief margadarshak (guide).
"Sometimes, riots are sparked off because of trivial incidents and rumours. Politicians take benefit of it. In such situations, the maulanas and religious figures can tell people that if they want to protest, they can do so peacefully... inter-faith dialogue is also important," said Peerzade, adding that this would ensure communal harmony.
He said they also planned to promote the need for skill development and higher education among the youths.
The MRM has also opened a counselling centre for Muslim women at Byculla to help victims of domestic violence and oral talaq. It had organised a rally against the proliferation of mephedrone and other drugs and is planning to rope in Muslim social and religious organisations in the effort.
After the state government's ban on slaughter of bulls, the MRM had launched a signature campaign to demand that those who have been rendered unemployed by the ban should be rehabilitated. While denying the poor access to cheap protein and sending jitters in the leather industry, MRM activists admitted that the proscription had also deepened the cleavages between Muslims and the BJP-Shiv Sena government.
Muslims form around 10.6% of Maharashtra's 11.23 crore population. However, only 2.2% of the community has completed education till graduation, with the figure for women even lower at 1.4%. According to the Rajinder Sachar committee report, the share of Muslims in government services is just 4.4%. The community also suffers from regressive social practices, like oral, triple talaq, and low literacy and work participation of women.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}