Iran vote spoils Cong plans to woo Muslims

Urdu newspapers and Muslim intellectuals as well, after some recent overtures, are again anti-Congress. Zafral-ul Islam Khan, editor of Milli Gazzette, says Congress friendliness with Muslims is half-hearted. Siddique Hassan, assistant general secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, admits Iran is emotional issue for Muslims. 8220;Though it will be dominated by local problems soon,8217;8217; he said.

Congress is worried about a political fallout. Its resolution at the recent plenary listed what the Centre did for minority welfare, including empowerment of National Minority Educational Commission and National Minority Commission, the bill on communal violence and commitment to reverse the court order scrapping the minority status of AMU. The Centre is also considering to carve out proportionate share of development funds as per Muslim population in an area. The party expects the storm to end soon , particularly if consensus emerges on the Iran question avoiding India trouble of a

crucial vote.

Common Muslims were not very concerned with international politics unless provoked, said a Congress leader. UPCC president Salman Khurshid said, 8216;8216;The SP is trying to flare up emotions on the issue. Once it is resolved, people will forget it.8221;

Protest against stand in star constituencies

LUCKNOW: Now, protest against the India stand will move to Rae Bareli and Amethi. Dates of rallies are yet to be announced. Demonstrations will be organised by noted Shia cleric and All India Muslim Personal Law Board member Maulana Kalbe Jawwad, Jamaat-i-Islami and the state unit of the Muslim Majlis after Moharram. The choice of Rae Bareli and Amethi is significant as they are represented by Sonia Gandhi and her son, Rahul Gandhi, in Lok Sabha. 8212;Atiq Khan