Photo & text by Kashif-ul-Huda, TwoCircles.net
The building of the India Islamic Cultural Center (IICC) takes your breath away. The beautiful dome, intricate calligraphy and delicate design in beautiful Persian tiles make you spellbound. The administration of IICC can be forgiven for taking 22 years to complete its construction.
Between Indira Gandhi laying the foundation stone of the Centre on August 24, 1984 and her daughter-in-law inaugurating it on June 12, 2006, it took many people and much money to see to its completion. It is a beautiful example of Muslim’s and the Indian government coming together to give shape to an institution.
With the objective to “promote understanding among the people of different religion and help the promotion of the cause of national integration,†IICC has quickly become an important institution.
Last year, it saw a bitter fight between businessman Sirajuddin Qureshi and present Minority Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid for the post of the president. Though Mr. Qureshi was able to win the election easily, the quarrel symbolizes the prestige of the institution.
Though it has become a hub of Muslim related activities like seminars, conferences, and meetings, the space allocated for namaz (prayers) seems to be an after-thought. You have to go down a flight of stairs to get to the place. Though there is a proper wuzu-khana the musalla (prayer place) is neatly tucked away from important parts of the building. It is out in the open with only a few rows with overhead covering. During winter the musalla moves in-doors in the basement. I did not see any place for women to offer prayers. There is no mihrab, dome or beautiful columns as is found in other masaajid of India. In short, the building does a wonderful job of hiding an important pillar of Islam.
Namaz at IICC [IICC photo]
So, a premier institution of Indian Muslims that have the backing of some of the biggest names of the community comes up short in the “Islamic†part of its name, let’s hope it holds up to the “Indian†tag.
IICC in daylight [Photo by s.prigge]
Link:
http://www.iiccentre.org/
IRREGULARITIES IN THE FUNCTIONING OF INDIA ISLAMIC CULTURAL CENTER IICC
ICC HAD TO BEAR FINANCIAL LOSS OF RUPEES ONE CRORE EIGHTY ONE LAC (181,00,000)
Chaudhry Zia-ul-Islam and Mr. Z.K. Faizan, (Advocate Supreme Court of
India), both member of India Islamic Cultural Centre (IICC) have
Complained to The Registrar of Societies , Delhi, against the
irregularities in the functioning of IICC, Specially those related to
“life Memberships”. On this complaint the Registrar of Societies,
Delhi have issued a notice to the India Islamic Cultural Centre (IICC)
to respond on the contents of complaint within 20 days. The complaint
consists of followings.
1. According to Rule 3 of the Memorandum of Association of IICC.
“Life membership should be given to person of high attainment in the
field of Education, science Culture or art or those who have an
academic or cultural interest.”
But Membership have also been given.
(i) To individuals not having any of above qualification.
(ii) In bulk total 1389(539 on 09.08.2004 and 850- in 2007-08 on
three dates)
(iii) To several member’s having same address.
There are great anomalies in the manner in which people have been
inducted as life member.
2. In the balance sheet of F.Y. 2007-08, Membership fee through
bulk Membership of 850/- person, Rs. 2,29,60,000/- should have been
received whereas only Rs. 48,20,00/- has been shown received thus
there is a deficit Rs. 1,81,40,000/- which remain un-accounted /
misappropriated and un-explained .
As per the minutes of AGM of IICC held on 30th April 2005 the
management of
IICC had declared.
“ As per procedure followed by IICC, the cheque/draff (of Membership
Fee) remains attached with the application form till the application
in scrutinized and accepted by the IICC the cheques along with
approved application are the handed over to then handed over to the
accounts section”.
Then there is no question of Membership Fee received in advance in
earlier years.
3. The president (now & then) during 19.01.2004 to 30.03.2004
period have donated Rs. 50, 00,000/- to the IICC
which he later on, converted into LOAN by making changes in the
records.
4. Some life members inducted in 2008 were unlawfully denied their
right to vote (in the election held in 2009) on the pretext of an
amendment which was never put to vote at any AGM of the IICC who is
the only competent body to amend the rules and regulations.
5. Increase in the life membership fee form Rs. 30,000/- to Rs.
50,000/- and introduction of annual subscription by board of trustees
is unauthorized as such amendment can only be made by members at
general body meeting.
On the above issues, initially the complainants have approached Delhi
High Court. Later they have withdrawn the writ from Delhi Court to
seek appropriate remedies under the Law and so they have approached
The Registrar of Societies, Delhi in this regard.
Now The matter has been taken up by the Registrar of Societies Delhi
And they have issued a notice to IICC Managing body to explain the
irregularities and has also been reported in various news papers