Muslim delegation to meet PM today

A Muslim delegation led by Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid Syed Ahmed Bukhari will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at his residence tomorrow to discuss the fake encounters in Gujarat and the police firing at a crowd near the Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad. The delegation will request the PM to form a separate commission for police encounters.

8220;We will convey to the Prime Minister the sentiments of Muslims has been hurt by incidents like the police firing at Mecca Masjid and fake encounters in Gujarat. To prevent such incidents in the future, we want a commission,8221; Imam Bukhari said. Leaders of the Jamaat-e-Islami, the All India Muslim Majlis Musawwarat, Muslim Muttahida Mahaj and the United Democratic Front will accompany the Imam.

General Secretary of Jamait-e- Islami Ameed-u-Zzaman, who will also be part of the delegation, said: 8220;We are not saying that Muslims are not involved in any act of terrorism. But at the same time, it has also become a fashion to point fingers at Muslims whenever anything happens. This is alienating Muslims from the mainstream.8221;

Besides fake encounters and firings, the delegation will also ask the Prime Minister to take concrete actions for their upliftment on the recommendations of the Sachar Committee. 8220;The first thing the Government can do is to open schools in Muslim dominant areas,8221; Zzaman said.