AISPLB Meeting: The meeting of India Shia Personal Law Board (AISPLB) was held in Lucknow on 19 December. Various serious issues of the country and the world were discussed in the AISPLB meeting. Among these, issues like disrespect of mosques in India, security of Waqf properties, Israel-Palestine war in the Middle East and political instability in Syria were prominent.
Deep concern was expressed in the meeting over the disrespect of mosques. “Mosques are not just places of worship, but are also symbols of our religion and culture. The disrespect done to them hurts our religious sentiments. In recent times, there have been incidents of targeting mosques. The cases have increased, which are a threat to the Ganga-Jamuni culture of the country. The administration should adopt a strict attitude towards such incidents and ensure the safety of mosques. Everyone has the freedom to take out a procession, but insult to any religious place will not be tolerated.”
What did the board chairman say?
Board Chairman Maulana Syam Mehdi said, “In the past decade, the trend of anti-social elements pelting stones at the walls of mosques, raising inflammatory slogans and derogatory comments, putting religious flags or symbols on mosques and giving inflammatory speeches in front of mosques by misusing loudspeakers has increased. The Chairman of the Board said that strict action should be taken against the organizations and radicals involved in such activities.
Board’s stance on Waqf properties
The board said, “Conservation of Waqf properties is a collective responsibility. It is the trust of our future generations, which we have to protect at all costs.” The Board also expressed deep displeasure over the action of the JPC on the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024. Maulana Yasoob Abbas said, “JPC should take the opinion of those organizations which are directly related to Waqf, and not those organizations which have nothing to do with it.”
Supreme Court intervention welcomed
The Board welcomed the recent decision of the Supreme Court on the survey of mosques. “This decision of the Supreme Court is an important step for the security of mosques and religious freedom. This will strengthen communal harmony and increase the confidence of the minority community.”
Concern expressed over the situation in the Middle East and Syria
The ongoing Israel-Palestine war in the Middle East and the political changes in Syria were also discussed in the board meeting. The board said that the genocide being carried out by Israel in Gaza should be stopped immediately. The government of terrorist organization Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS) has been formed in Syria. This government is led by Abu Mohammed al-Julani, who is a terrorist. “In such a situation, there is a serious threat to the lives and holy sites of minorities, especially the Shia community in Syria.” The board appealed to the United Nations and human rights organizations to ensure the safety of Syria’s holy sites such as the shrines of Hazrat Zainab and Hazrat Sakina and the Shia community there.
The board appealed to the administration to take the following steps for the safety of mosques
1. Special security arrangements should be made during religious processions.
2. Strict legal action should be taken against those who disrespect mosques.
3. A special monitoring system should be created for the security of Waqf properties.
It was said in the meeting that the government, judiciary and all sections of the society should together resolve these issues so that communal harmony is maintained in the country and human rights are respected at the global level.
