The head of a prominent Muslim institution has welcomed Narendra Modi as the next prime minister of India and feels that the BJP leader will provide better administration and government and "take everybody with him".
Sirajuddin Qureshi, president of the India Islamic Cutural Centre, also feels that Modi after becoming prime minister will "not discriminate against any community".
"I am very positive about Modi's government. He will provide better administration, better government, and carry everybody with him.. I feel he will not discriminate against any community," Qureshi told IANS.
Qureshi said that the Muslim community, who comprise around 14 percent of India's 1.2 billion population, had been shortchanged by the Congress with "false promises"
With Modi coming to power, he said that Muslims "should not be fearful under the influence of threats about the BJP by other political parties".
According to Qureshi, the Muslims of Gujarat say they are better off than they were earlier and many have voted for Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party in the assembly and Lok Sabha polls.
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"In Gujarat, people of the community say are better off now.. They say they have almost forgotten about 2002. They openly said they have voted for Modi in the three elections since. They said they are getting the same benefits that others (Hindus) are getting. There is no discrimination.. they are treated equally," he said..
According to Qureshi, "Now that Modi is coming to the centre, at the highest position, he will be more careful, more nationalistic. He will be pro-everyone, without discriminating against any community."
He has three requests for the Modi-led government - "The community people should feel comfortable and feel secure in the country; they must be given proper attention, education, employment, healthcare, which are basic needs; and their living areas should be looked after. The infrastructure in Muslim mohallahs should be given full attention, education should be a priority."
He also said that the India Islamic Cultural Centre has invited Modi for a felicitation ceremony.