Eye on 2019, Shia Waqf Board chief floats political outfit

LUCKNOW: With an eye on Lok Sabha polls, controversial chairman of UP Shia Central Waqf Board Waseem Rizvi floated a Shia political party on Monday to assert a separate political identity for this sect of the Muslim community.

“Shias are among the most backward and marginalised section of the Muslim community. They form 20% of the total Muslim population but have never been given representation in government or their share in welfare schemes,” said Rizvi at a press conference in New Delhi. He said the purpose behind launching ‘Indian Shia Awami League’ (ISAL) was to assert Shia identity, “demand our pound of flesh” and differentiate ourselves from the Sunnis.

“For almost all political parties Muslims means only Sunnis and they have largely catered only to them. Shias are a minority within this minority community. Unfortunately, when there are riots in the country because of Sunni extremism, we also get targeted due to our Muslim identity,” he said justifying his decision to float the separate outfit.

The waqf board chairman said so far he had appointed party presidents in 16 states and 45 district presidents and would contest elections only in these states. In Lucknow, Rizvi’s hometown, Shias have largely voted for the BJP. The Shia Board chief openly supports construction of Ram Temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya. In fact, his rivalry with prominent Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Jawad is an open secret.

› Shias are among the most backward and marginalised section of the Muslim community. They form 20% of the total Muslim population but have never been given representation in government or their share in welfare schemes WASEEM RIZVI , Shia Board chief