SOCIAL ISSUE & JAMAAT ACTIVITIES IN METRO REGION Arrest to Release of Innocent Youth

On 9th Aug 2012 Bangalore Police had arrested a few educated and respectful youth and accused them terrorists. After six months of custody at Parappana Agrahara Central Jail in Bangalore three of them were released in Feb 2013 and March 2013. The release was the result of continuous pursuance of case by APCR. Addressing a press conference in Bangalore Br. Muthiur Rahman said, I feel very relieved that my name has been cleared of all charges. It was only with the help of Allah, my family members, the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) and other well-wishers who helped me throughout that I am out today. Association for the Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) was formed under JIHS VISION 2016 bringing into its fold, social activists, advocates, and dedicated social workers. In parallel with APCR efforts, Jamaat had made a continuos endeavour by way of campaign bringing the leaders, Ulemas, masajid committees and various plaforms, building up the morale of muslim society, carrying out rallies, meeting Governors, official etc. On 16 Sep 2012, a delegation of Jamaat met the Fedration of Masajid, Bangalore East at Masjid- e- Umul Mohsineen, Indiranagar. The delegation was comprises of Dr. Belgami, Secretary Halqa, Karnatak, Moulana Waheddudin Khan, Member, Halqa Shoora and Coordinator, Rafi Ahmed, PR group, JIH-Bangalore Metro and S. Zafrul Hasan, Media group, JIH-Bangalore Metro, Sameer Sheik, APCR The Masajid Federation East Bangalore is one the biggest federation among 8 such federations in Bangalore Central region. This federation consists of more than 65 mosques covering areas from Ulsoor to Valathur, White field on east side and upto Madehalli on the northern side. Meeting was attended by around 18 members representing many mosques from each area. Dr. Belagami presented the background of present situation in the City and the State. He also presented the broad actions taken so far by Jamaat, Karnataka. He proposed programs and workshops for youth in their respective mosques and sought co-operation of the federation in building the confidence in the society particularly the youth.. Moulana Waheddudin shared his experience of his meeting with Muslims representatives and Ulemas in Karnataka. Sameeulah Pathan expressed his concerns on the lack of leadership among Muslim to provide a direction in critical situations. Moulana Shabbir Ahmed Nadvi suggested having a pressure group created to address the critical situations. The meeting concluded with commitments from the member that they would support the initiative of Jamaat and to conduct programs in Mosques within a period of 15 days. Subsequently, such programes were arranged in various mosques.

On 18 September 2012, united forum of Ulema, Scholars, Intellectuals and Representatives of various Muslim organisations in Karnataks met H.R. Bhardwaj, the Governor of Karnataka, on, which was in the wake of international furore caused by the mischievous film Innocence of Muslims defaming the Propthet Muhammad (may peace be upon him) a In the meeting, the forum also impressed upon the Governor on the situation of Karnataka and the arrest of Muslim youth by the Bangalore Police on the charges of Terrorism

The forum team members who met the Governor were: Moulana Mufti Mohammed Ashraf Ali Baqvi,Ameer-e- Shariath, Karnataka, Moulana Waheeduddin Khan Oomeri Madani, Coodinator, Action Committee, JIH- Karnataka, Moulana Qadeer Ahmed Adaul- Aamiri, Convener Moon Comittee, Karnataka, Moulana Syed Mustafa Rafaai Nadvi, Member All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Moulana Zaeem Raza Aabidi, Repersentitive Shia Imamia, Feroze Abdullah, Coodinator Action committee, Bangalore.

On 10 Sep 2012, Media relation and trust building efforts was initiated by SIO & Jamaat. As a part of this effort, a delegation of representatives of different Muslim organizations met the team of Kannada Daily Udayavani in their board room. The meeting was participated by Mr. Ravi Hegde, Group Editor and his team comprises Mr. Grish Babu, Special Correspondent and Mr. Vijar, City Reporter. The Muslim delegation comprises of: Jb. Akbar Ali, State President, Welfare Party of India, Br. Ashfaq Ahmed, then Zonal President, SIO, Karnataka, Br. Tahir Husein, State Convenor, Youth Wing, Br. S. Zafrul Hasan, Media Secretary, JIH, Bangalore Metro, Jb. Rafi Ahmed, PRO, JIH, Bangalore Central and Br. Sameer Sheik, Coordinator, APCR. Jb. Akbar Ali appreciated Udayavani for the coverage of interview of Jb. Abdul Azeem, MLC, in a positive manner. The delegation impressed upon the media team, the need of a constructive role in reporting and restraining from using inappropriate terminologies in reporting. It was also pointed that the accusation by police and the media hype spoils the normal living of accused when they are let out. They are not accommodated in the society the way they were earlier. Media shall support the innocents and cover the truth in the same manner as it was covered when they were accused. Editor expressed their limitation as they are dependent on the police versions for reporting and they do not get the second version from the society. He pointed out that generally in these type of scenario, the society recoils inside the shell and do not come forward to present the proper version. Often they have to approach a few political Muslim leaders, whom they know to obtain their version. He appreciated the delegations visit and encouraged to have more such visits. He assured his support in bridging the gap between societies.

On 10 Feb 2013, The Jammat-e-Islami Hind (JIH), Karnataka, had organized three kilometer long rally of men, women and children to highlight many issues including arrests of innocent Muslim youth. The rally was lead by Ameer JIH, Syed Jalaluddin Umri.

On the convergence of the rally at Khuddus Saheb Eidgah, a resolution was passed in a public meeting of 10,000 people gathering.

The resolution stated that The convention is pained and anguished by the unacceptable treatment meted out to Muslim youth under the garb of fighting terrorism. We demand fast track justice and fair treatment for these youth until the law reaches its logical conclusion. However in case they are proven innocent, these youth must be apologized to, must be compensated for and must be rehabilitated. The police officers who frame innocents must be punished equally strongly as terrorist themselves should be.

The sustainable efforts, maintaining pressure on the Government and building public opinion and supporting the APCR, The NGO started showing results.