Andhra Pradesh Shia Ulema Board president Maulana Syed Abbas Bakhari on Tuesday said while Muslims were a minority in the country, Shias were a micro minority in Andhra Pradesh with most privileges enjoyed by the Sunnis.
He told media that the State board was formed at the Gurunanak Colony in Vijayawada to take care of the interests of the Shias in the 13 districts. “Muslims are enjoying four per cent reservation in the country and we demand another four per cent for Shias.”
He said in several Muslim fora like the Haj Committee, Wakf Board, Urdu Academy, Minority Corporation and the Minority Finance Corporation only Sunnis had been occupying the crucial posts. “Shias are not considered,” he claimed.
Mr. Abbas felt that on issues concerning the Muslims, the Shias were sidelined and their feelings were not considered. “Even in the nominated posts only Sunnis, who form the majority segment, are given the priority.” Shia leaders Maulana Mirza Rashid Hussain, Maulana Jaffarul Hasan, Maulana Mirza Ibrahim Ali, Mohammad Syed Takhi Zayadhi and Mirza Hussain took part in the meeting.
