NEW DELHI : The All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat (AIMMM) commemorated its 60th foundation day with a landmark convention at the India Islamic Cultural Centre on Saturday, bringing together leaders, scholars, activists, journalists, and community representatives from across the country. The gathering revisited the organization’s historic role, addressed current challenges, and laid out strategies for the future, with a collective pledge to strengthen unity and uphold justice for Indian Muslims.
The convention opened with a recitation of the Holy Quran and a special message from Mirwaiz of Kashmir, Maulana Muhammad Umar Farooq, who could not attend in person due to prevailing circumstances in Kashmir. He expressed his willingness to engage with AIMMM in addressing the community’s pressing concerns.
In his presidential address, Dr. Zafarul-Islam Khan traced AIMMM’s journey since its inception in August 1964, founded amid communal riots and political uncertainty. “Our elders envisioned this platform to promote dialogue with the majority community and the government, while ensuring peace and safeguarding minority rights,” he said.
He also announced the republication of Mushawarat Documents, a two-volume compilation of resolutions, reports, and consultations from the first fifty years of AIMMM, along with a commemorative souvenir for researchers and activists.
Highlighting the organization’s revival in June 2024 after a period of internal disputes, Dr. Khan called for Muslim organizations to unite under a “Common Minimum Programme” to protect constitutional rights, ensure justice, and build bridges with wider society.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Hilal Ahmed of CSDS examined India’s political and economic transitions since liberalization, cautioning that welfare policies have shifted from rights-based entitlements to market-driven beneficiary schemes. He noted that Hindutva nationalism has replaced the secular–communal debate, leaving Muslims marginalized despite their population size.
Human rights activist Harsh Mander, recalling the anti-CAA protests as India’s largest Gandhian movement since Independence, urged communities to confront hate politics with solidarity. He also condemned the state’s treatment of Rohingya refugees and the propagation of a false “demographic conspiracy” narrative.
Dr. Saiyida Saiyidain Hameed, former member of the Planning Commission, presided over the inaugural session, highlighting the need for greater participation of women in Muslim community affairs. “It is essential for women to stand shoulder to shoulder in solving our collective issues,” she stressed.
Journalist Zia Us Salam exposed systemic media bias in portraying Muslims negatively while obscuring similar conduct by others. He underscored the urgent need for independent media platforms in English and Hindi to counter majoritarian narratives.
Policy analyst Jawed Alam Khan criticized the negligible 0.12% budget allocation for minorities despite their 20% share in the population, while APCR’s Nadeem Khan highlighted the targeting of Muslims through bulldozer demolitions, citing over 1,500 such cases in recent years.
Supreme Court advocate M.R. Shamshad raised concern over legislative moves aimed at weakening Waqf institutions, madrasas, and mosques, warning that such measures erode the community’s foundations. Former MP Mohammad Adeeb, in an impassioned address, urged Muslims to shed fear and disunity, emphasizing grassroots institution-building and recalling the courage of movements like Shaheen Bagh.
In the concluding session, chaired by Dr. Syed Zafar Mahmood, speakers emphasized Muslim representation in governance. “Don’t oppose the bureaucracy—become the bureaucracy,” Dr. Mahmood said, encouraging youth to pursue UPSC, state commissions, judiciary, and other administrative careers where policies are shaped and implemented.
The day-long convention, moderated by senior Urdu journalist and writer Masoom Moradabadi, was not only a commemoration but also a call for renewed action. Voices from diverse fields resonated with a common message: Indian Muslims must embrace unity, resilience, and proactive engagement to safeguard their constitutional rights and dignity.
As AIMMM steps into its seventh decade, it reaffirmed its commitment to advocacy, socio-economic empowerment, and inter-community dialogue—securing its role as a vital force in India’s democratic framework.
