RECEPTION FOR PRIME MINISTER MR. NARENDRA MODI

INDIA ISLAMIC CULTURAL CENTRE PLANS RECEPTION FOR MODI

NEW DELHI: The head of the India Islamic Cultural Centre, an elite Muslim address in the Capital, plans to host PM-designate Narendra Modi at a “grand reception” and offer him “full support”. “We have already sent a letter. I sincerely hope we can host him. We have some positive feedback that he would accept our invitation,” the centre’s president Sirajuddin Qureishi told HT. This is the first time a prominent Muslim outside Gujarat has pledged “full support” for Modi. Qureishi had earlier backed a front of Muslims, called the Vajpayee Himaayat Committee, which worked to connect sections of the community with the then NDA government, headed by AB Vajpayee. Asked why he has decided to invite Modi, Qureishi said: “Muslims should deal with Modi not as a BJP leader now, but as the prime minister of this country. They should end all hostilities in the larger interests of this country, Qureishi said. “Modi has vowed that he would work for all 1.2 billion people of this country. Muslims should also put faith in him as the prime minister of our country” Qureishi said.

(Courtesy: Hindustan Times, 22 May 2014)