Lucknow, December 28, 2025: On the completion of 20 years of the All India Shia Personal Law Board, a national convention was organized at Bara Imambara. The convention began with the recitation of Surah Fatiha from the Holy Quran and verse 103 of Surah Al-Imran (“Hold firmly to the rope of Allah and do not divide among yourselves”).
The board’s national president, Maulana Sayem Mehdi, chaired the convention and thanked the attending Maulanas, Khatibs, intellectuals, and Anjuman members. Addressing the youth about the need for the board’s formation, he said that after India’s independence, a proposal came in 1972 to form a Muslim Personal Law Board including all sects. Late Dr. Kalbe Sadiq Sahib from the Shia sect and Maulana Tauqeer Raza from the Sunni sect were nominated.
Maulana Sayem Mehdi shared his memories, stating that at that time he was a lecturer at Mahatma Gandhi College in Raebareli. During a program, he met late Ali Mian Nadvi, who raised objections about the lack of Shia representation. Nadvi Sahib said Dr. Kalbe Sadiq was included, but later Maulana Tauqeer Raza formed a separate board and banned including Shias as members. This made it difficult to resolve Shia sect issues.
In Lucknow, Maulanas, Khatibs, and Anjumans deliberated and decided to form a separate Shia Personal Law Board. The proposal was presented to Khatibe Akbar late Maulana Mirza Mohammad Athar Sahib. After his approval, the board was formed, and he was elected as the first president. He strengthened the board in Lucknow, Delhi, Maharashtra, and West Bengal. He presented a modified Nikahnama according to Fiqh-e-Jafariya on issues like triple talaq.
After his demise on February 26, 2016, his younger brother late Maulana Ashfaq was made president. After his passing, Maulana Sayem Mehdi was elected president. This is the third convention under his chairmanship.
Board General Secretary Maulana Yasub Abbas addressed the community, referencing Sermon No. 46 of Nahj al-Balagha, where Imam Ali (A.S.) said: “The day people abandon the fight for their rights, injustice will begin against them.” Therefore, the fight for rights must continue, and demands must be placed before the government.
The following demands were made to the government through the convention:
1. Pressure Saudi government to reconstruct the mausoleum of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.)’s daughter Janabe Fatema Zahra (S.A.) (Jannat-ul-Baqi), which lies in ruins.
2. Enact strict laws against rising mob lynching in the country. Form a committee like the Sachar Committee to assess the social-economic status of the Shia community in India and provide separate reservations to enable employment and upliftment schemes.
3. Reconsider UCC.
4. Investigate corruption and illegal sale of valuable properties in Shia Waqf Boards across the country, especially Uttar Pradesh Shia Central Waqf Board; take strict action against culprits and enact special laws for maintenance.
5. Immediately address corruption in Lucknow Hussainabad Trust and the dilapidated condition of historical buildings.
6. The constitutional right for community’s daughters to wear hijab for education must be fully implemented without any hindrance.
A large number of Maulanas, Khatibs, intellectuals, and Anjuman members participated in the convention. Despite biting cold, people stayed late, reflecting the community’s unity and enthusiasm.
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