Leaders of various Muslim organisations presented the immediate development needs and concerns of the community at a State-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan here on Saturday.
The meeting, which lasted nearly two hours, sought the government’s intervention for educational empowerment of the minority communities in northern Kerala and a better rehabilitation strategy, including job reservation, for Gulf returnees.
Settlement of disputes on Wakf properties and the restrictions introduced by the Union government on the functioning of orphanages were placed before the Chief Minister.
An opportunity was given to the leaders of each organisation to express their demands and suggestions at the meeting, hosted by the Kerala State Minorities Finance Development Corporation.
Minister for Wakf and Haj K.T. Jaleel told the media that it was part of the LDF’s policy to discuss the development priorities with leaders of all prominent organisations directly in the wake of the government completing two years in power.
Purpose of meet
“The basic purpose of the meeting was to fortify communal harmony in the State as the country was going through a challenging situation,” he said.
Dr. Jaleel said the leaders expressed their views and demands on the settlement of Wakf property disputes and the need to protect traditional orphanages.
N. Ali Abdulla, State general secretary of the Sunni Yuvajana Sanghom, who participated in the meeting, said one of the main demands placed before the Chief Minister was related to the opening of more Civil Services training centres in Malabar.
“Also, we sought a better rehabilitation package for the Gulf returnees.”
Representatives of the Sunni and Mujahid factions were among those who attended the meeting. On Sunday, the Chief Minister would hold a meeting with leaders of Christian organisations in Kochi.
