Dr. Parvez Hayat at IICC President election: The election for the prestigious India Islamic Cultural Center (IICC) in Delhi is scheduled for August 11. Activities have intensified around this event. Several contenders are trying their luck in the field, with everyone vying for voters’ attention. The candidates for the position of President include former Union Minister Salman Khurshid, renowned bureaucrat and former Secretary to the Government of India Afzal Amanullah, Asif Habib, Abrar Ahmed, and Dr. Majid Talikoti, each with their respective panels. The election is held every five years for a total of thirteen positions, including President (1), Vice-President (1), Board of Trustees (7), and Executive Members (4). The life members of IICC are its voters. There are over four thousand life members residing in India and abroad, but due to some technical reasons, only 2054 members are eligible to vote this time. This year’s election has become quite interesting. Siraj Qureshi, who has been the President for the last twenty years, is unable to run this time due to his age, which is over 75 years. According to IICC MOA, the maximum age limit for the President and Vice-President is set at 75 years.
Candidates from different panels are campaigning in various regions of Delhi as well as in Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Patna, Lucknow, and Aligarh to attract voters. Current trends suggest that voters are in the mood for change.
Dr. Parvez Hayat at IICC President election
Former IPS officer and longstanding member of IICC, Dr. Parvez Hayat, is very active in this election. According to him, voters seem to be saying “enough is enough” to the old team this time. Speaking at a gathering in Delhi, Dr. Parvez Hayat mentioned that voters want to elect candidates with great understanding this time. Based on current trends, two panels are leading the race: Salman Khurshid’s panel and Team Afzal Amanullah. According to Dr. Parvez, Salman Khurshid is a prominent Supreme Court Advocate who does not have time to devote to IICC. This is why he lost the 2009 IICC election. Another major minus point for him this time is his age, which is over 72 years. Voters do not want to vote for a mid-term election. Salman Khurshid has also failed to convince voters about what he did for the country and society as Minister of Minority Affairs, Law Minister, and Foreign Minister. Dr. Parvez questions what good he will do as the President of IICC if he couldn’t make significant contributions while holding such important positions.
Former IPS officer Dr. Parvez Hayat believes that Afzal Amanullah was a sharp and dynamic IAS officer. He made several notable contributions while serving as Home Secretary of Bihar, holding various positions in the central government, and as Consul General in Saudi Arabia. The people of Bihar remember him for permanently curbing communal riots by constructing boundary walls around religious sites. In Saudi Arabia, thanks to his efforts, the recurring incidents of fire during Hajj have been permanently controlled. These are just a few of the many significant achievements of Mr. Amanullah that the public remembers. Mr. Afzal Amanullah is highly educated, qualified, experienced, and extremely honest. More importantly, he has ample time to dedicate to IICC. The IICC, which has become a hub of politics, needs a full-time President and a competent team to improve it.
Social activist for women’s rights, Syeda Qudsia Fatima, said that it is due to Afzal Amanullah’s efforts that Muslim women can now go on Hajj without a male relative. Previously, Muslim women were only allowed to go on Hajj with a male relative. Ms. Qudsia emphasized that Mr. Amanullah’s vision transcends caste, community, region, and gender. IICC needs a leader like him. The members’ decision will only be known on August 12.
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