PM Modi meets Muslim leaders, promises full support to community

New Delhi: A delegation of senior Muslim leaders called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday and apprised him of the community's various concerns, including the increasing radicalisation of youth and emerging threat of terrorism.

"While expressing apprehensions about the trend of increased radicalisation and emerging threat of terrorism, the leaders underlined the need for greater unity and collective efforts to meet the challenge," a government release said.

The leaders also brought to the notice of the PM issues relating to properties of Muslim shrines, mosques and madrassas.

The Muslim leaders further sought PM's help on several issues, especially on the education front and better facilities for Muslim youth.

Muslim leaders, on their part, pledged their community's cooperation to PM Modi and his government in meeting the objectives of ensuring speedy economic growth, promoting communal harmony and peace, and strengthening national security.

"The Prime Minister gave a patient hearing to the delegation and assured them of his full support in meeting grievances of all sections of the Muslim society," a PMO statement said.

The PM emphasised the need to empower Muslim youth to enable them to play a larger role in nation-building.

He specifically assured the leaders that he will look into their grievances on shrines, mosques and madrassas.

The Prime Minister further promised his complete assistance in ameliorating their social conditions and addressing their educational requirements.

Had a good meeting with leaders of the Muslim community. http://t.co/ehf7oAL36F pic.twitter.com/z8e8vqGMTJ — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 6, 2015

The delegation of Muslim leaders from across the country including Syed Sultan-Ul-Hasan Chishti Misbahi (Sajjada Nashin, Ajmer Sharif), Hazrat Ghulam Yasin Sahib (Shahar Kazi, Varanasi), Sheikh Wasim Ashrafi (Imam Tanzeem, Mumbai), Mohd Hamid (National President, Imam Tanzeem, Nagpur) and Allama Tasleem Raaza Sahib (Dargah Barelvi Sharif, UP).

Syed Abdul Rashid Ali (Syed Shahid Dargah Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh), Maulana Abu Bakr Basani (Nagori Sharif Dargah, Rajasthan), Syed Ali Akbar (Taajpura Sharif, Chennai) and Haji Abdul Hafiz Khan (Imam, Tanzeem Balaghat, MP) were also part of the delegation.

Ever since the Narendra Modi government came to power, there has been concern among minority communities over the government's pro-Hindutva agenda push.

An increase in cases of church attacks has not helped the image of the government either.

(With Agency inputs)

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