Malick Asghar Hashmi/Noida

Former IAS officer Afzal Amanullah has said that India Islamic Cultural Centre (IICC) will remain an Islamic Centre, and not become a “Muslim Centre.” People of all religions are already members of the Centre and Hindus or Pasmanda Muslims are equally eligible to join the club.

Afzal Amanullah is one of the influential Muslims contesting for the post of President of the IICC. In a special interview with Awaz-the Voice, he said that the India Islamic Cultural Centre has failed to showcase Indian Islam and to work towards expanding the Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb (Inclusive living). “It has failed on both counts.”

The election of the working committee of the India Islamic Cultural Center is scheduled for 11 August. Senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid, famous cancer specialist, Dr Majid Talikoti, and former bureaucrat, Abrar Ahmed and also in the race for its top position.

Speaking with Awaz-the Voice, Afzal Amanullah said that he has been a member of India Islamic Cultural Center since 2004, but could not work on improving the IICC because of his job.

A native of Buxar, Bihar, Afzal Amanullah settled in Delhi NCR  with his family. He said recently he came to know about the “mismanagement” at the IICC.

“I am told about the misappropriation of about Rs 300 crore. It has not hosted a single seminar during  20 years of its existence; the place is not used for networking. It’s just another place where people come to eat and drink.”

Afzal Amanullah said that he would like to devote all his time to improving the functioning of the IICC if he is elected. “I will work honestly to take the center forward with everyone's consent.”

He said he would discourage “dictatorship and bring in transparency to the level that every member will have access to the center’s accounts to check.

He announced that he would ensure that there is no discrimination between Hindu and Muslim members. “Everyone's opinion will be considered. India Islamic Cultural Center will not be allowed to become a Muslim center.”

He said that if he wins the election, he would like to set up a membership committee of the IICC to review the criterion for entry into the center. The fees of the membership which is Rs one lakh will also be revised.

He said that currently the membership of IICC is limited to Delhi and North India and that he would like to have members from the rest of the country. Also, in case he is elected, he would ensure that the IICC’s programmes are also organized in other parts of the country and not always in New Delhi.

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Afzal Amanullah claimed he is working on a special plan for the youth. He also talked about bringing a white paper on the income and expenditure of IICC. To know the full details of the conversation with Afzal Amanullah, click on the YouTube link given below: