What Prominent Muslim Leaders And Islamic Organisations Said About CAA

On 11 March 2024, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) notified the rules for implementation of Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

Here is how prominent Islamic organisations and Muslim leaders of India reacted to the event.

All India Muslim Jamaat (AIMJ)

The AIMJ has come out in support of CAA. Its president Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Bareilvi said that CAA will not have any negative impact on the status of Indian Muslims.

“It has been observed that there have been protests in the previous years; these were the result of miscommunications. Certain political figures sowed mistrust among Muslims… All Indian Muslims ought to embrace the CAA,” Bareilvi said.

He also highlighted the delay in notifying the rules and said that it could have been done earlier.

All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB)

AIMPLB, the body representing Muslims’ interest in personal law, decided to reserve its reactions. The CAA notification is currently being studied by the legal committee of AIMPLB. Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali of AIMPLB appealed to people of community to maintain peace.

“We have come to know that this notification has been issued and my appeal to all the community members is that we all should maintain peace and our legal committee will study the full notification and then any statement can be given,” said Farangi Mahali.

All India Shia Muslim Personal Law Board (AISMPLB)

Maulana Mohammad Mirza Yasoob Abbas, Islamic cleric and speaker of AISMPLB said that there is no need to panic on notification. He also appealed to the government to take everyone in confidence before bringing any law.

“All India Shia Muslim Personal Law Board’s legal team will examine the notification to understand the nuances. We also request the government to take everyone in confidence before bringing in any law,” said Abbas.

Uttar Pradesh Haj Committee (UPHC)

Mohsin Raza, the chairperson of Uttar Pradesh Haj Committee said that CAA won’t take away anyone’s citizenship.

“This law will help to make someone your own. This law will help those people who have been persecuted for years and are insulted in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan,” said Raza.

Asaduddin Owaisi

All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi said that CAA is anti-Muslim and that it will relegate Indian Muslims to second class citizens.

"You understand the chronology — first election season will arrive then CAA rules will come. Our objections to CAA remain the same. CAA is divisive & based on Godse’s thought that wanted to reduce Muslims to second-class citizens," wrote Owaisi on X.

He further demanded to include every asylum seeker under the fold of CAA. Referring to RSS, he remarked, “Jab dekho tab kagaj maangte rehte hain (Whenever I see them, they keep asking for papers.”)

Waris Pathan

AIMIM spokesperson Waris Pathan accused the government of politicising and polarising the issue. "Understand the chronology. Look at the timing. Dates are going to be announced, 2024 Lok Sabha elections are going to take place and the government suddenly thinks of notifying it," said Pathan.

Pathan termed CAA as unconstitutional and said that it differentiates on the basis of religion.

E T Mohammed Basheer

E T Mohammed Basheer, Member of Parliament (MP) from Ponnani in Kerala and organising general secretary of Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) termed it unconstitutional. He cited the Constitution's equality before the law principle to substantiate his argument.

“Alarming as the Centre notifies CAA rules amid IUML's ongoing Supreme Court battle. The party will soon decide on future actions, including approaching the Apex Court to stay the notification. IUML remains resolute in opposing this unconstitutional law based on religion.#CAA” wrote Basheer on X (formerly Twitter)

All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF)

Ashraful Hussain, AIUDF 's member of legislative assembly (MLA), accused Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of being greedy for Bangladeshi Hindu votes. Hussain said that his party favours citizenship for anyone coming to Assam before 25 March 1971, and doesn’t discriminate on the basis of community or religion.

”They have done it only to win this election and also to fulfil BJP’s Hindutva agenda by polarising the Hindu votes,” said Hussain.