Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee to attend meeting of state’s imams, muezzins

Imams, and muezzins (persons who give azan – call to people for prayers in a mosque), across West Bengal will congregate in Kolkata’s Netaji Indoor Stadium on Monday (August 21), with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expected to attend the meeting.

“The conference concerns issues of imams, muezzins, and of the community. The problems from the districts will also come to the forefront. The chief minister will also attend,” Maulana Md Shafique, president, All India Imam-Muazzin Social and Welfare Organisation, told Deccan Herald.

The conference also intends to delve into issues concerning Muslims. “The present situation of the country is a significant issue. Besides, we will bring our issues to the notice of the chief minister,” Shafique said.

On Wednesday, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee pledged Rs 60 lakh to Mohammedan Sporting Club, while participating in a programme of the club. “Over Rs 7.5 crores had been dedicated to the Mohammedan Sporting Club alone. Similar contributions had been made to East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, and the IFA-affiliated clubs…,” a tweet from Trinamool’s official handle mentioned.

The said conference will bring the chief minister face-to-face with a section of opinion-makers in the community. While a by-election, earlier this year, had the Trinamool taking the loser's seat, the party has done well in the recent panchayat polls, which also stood out for bloodshed and violence.

The minority votes that once offered the Left a strong base, have kept the Trinamool – as the successive results have shown – strong in regional politics. While the Trinamool has repeatedly stated that its welfare efforts cover all sections of the society, its political opponents – primarily the BJP – have maintained that the party practises politics of “appeasement”.

Mohammad Yahiya, president, Bengal Imam Association, said that the honorarium offered to imams (and muezzins) should be increased. Besides, there are other issues, concerning imams, that have remained unresolved.

On being asked if there’s “disappointment” among the community, as being perceived in political circles, Yahiya said, “We are really disappointed. But we have not shifted away. Under the given situation, we are definitely supporting her.”

Several imam-organisations are expected to be represented at the venue, which has a capacity of over 12,000 seats. There’s a section, however, that’s not keen about the meeting, a source adds.

Earlier this month, Suvendu Adhikari, BJP leader, in a post, had claimed that the Trinamool had been shocked after losing the by-election. “I urge the respected imam sahibs to kindly bring up the issue of unemployment in the conference,” he had stated. “Kindly ask the ruling party leaders, who hold important positions in the WB govt; what measures have the state govt taken to bring back these people,” he had mentioned.