A total of 75 candidates and seven panels are contesting for 13 posts
Amar Ujala Bureau
New Delhi. The election of India Islamic Cultural Center (IICC) has taken an interesting turn. This time two women candidates have filed their nominations in the elections. Both these women are included in the panel of former Union Minister Salman Khurshid. While candidate Safia Begum has filed nomination for the post of Board of Trust, Shahana Begum has staked her claim for the post of executive member.
This time a total of 75 candidates are in the fray for 13 posts. This is the first time that so many candidates are contesting elections together. In such a situation, the candidature of these two women has made this election important. The candidates have intensified their campaigning. The IICC election is on Sunday. The IICC located on Lodhi Road is known all over the world. According to the center’s member Nazar Abbas, at present it had about four thousand members, but due to not paying the membership fee on time, two thousand of these members are deprived of voting. Whereas only about two thousand members are eligible to vote. Out of these, 210-215 members are Hindus, while some members are also from Christian and other religions. The candidates say that their aim is to make the center an influential voice of Indian Muslims.
There is a need to promote cultural and educational development
To win the election, the candidates are organizing meetings with voters in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra and other states and appealing for votes in their favour. The candidates say that it is important that the new office bearers who are elected give priority to protecting the fundamental objectives and goals of IICC by promoting an inclusive and progressive environment that promotes cultural, educational and social prosperity.
Will work for peace in the country: Talikoti
Elections are held every five years for the running of this centre. This time seven panels are contesting for 13 posts including the post of president and vice-president. Panels led by Sirajuddin Qureshi, Salman Khurshid, former IAS Afzal Amanullah, former IRS Abrar Ahmed, Asif Habib and Suhail Hindustani are in the fray. The current president industrialist Sirajuddin Qureshi has been winning the elections for four consecutive times, who is contesting the elections this time as a member of the Board of Trustees, while Dr. Majid Ahmed Talikoti is the candidate for the post of president from his panel. Talikoti, a well-known cancer surgeon from Karnataka, is pitted against senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Salman Khurshid. Talikoti says that after winning the elections, his aim is to bring peace among all religions.
