New Delhi, Nov 8: Mufti Manzoor Zayee has called upon Indian Muslims, particularly the younger generation, to exercise caution in political activities, strengthen their educational and economic position and engage constructively with the government to address issues concerning the community.

In an exclusive interview with The Pillar India, conducted by Editor Khurshid Rabbani, Mufti Zayee discussed a wide range of political, social, religious and economic issues affecting Muslims, including protests, political representation, allegations of religious places being targeted, voter-list revision and the need for sustained dialogue with the country's leadership.
A major focus of the conversation was his appeal to Muslim youth to stay away from certain protests. He shared his perspective on the risks associated with particular forms of political mobilisation and emphasised the importance of responsible participation, restraint and constructive engagement.
Discussing the culture of protests and political movements, Mufti Zayee also addressed the use of abusive language, provocative slogans and confrontational methods, highlighting the importance of maintaining dignity and discipline while expressing grievances.
One of the central themes of the interview was the need for dialogue between Muslim representatives and the government. Mufti Zayee explained why engagement with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah was important for addressing community concerns and strengthening mutual understanding.
He also discussed Muslim representation in the BJP-led government and the scope for greater participation of the community in political and decision-making processes.
The conversation examined allegations concerning mosques, madrasas and dargahs being targeted in different parts of the country. The issue of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and concerns over alleged deletion of Muslim voters' names also figured prominently in the discussion.
Emphasising the need to improve the socio-economic position of Muslims, Mufti Zayee discussed the importance of education, employment, entrepreneurship and business development.
He stressed the need for the community to focus on creating economic opportunities, encouraging young people to acquire professional skills and developing a stronger presence in trade and business.
The discussion also explored the changing aspirations of Gen Z, the emergence of new youth leadership and the responsibility of the younger generation in shaping the future of the Muslim community.
Several sensitive religious and constitutional issues were also discussed during the interview, including the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), Shariah and the continuing debate surrounding the legal framework governing personal laws.
Mufti Zayee shared his views on Triple Talaq and its implications for Muslim society, alongside questions concerning religious identity, including the significance of beards and caps and the need to maintain social harmony.
The conversation further highlighted the importance of balancing religious identity, constitutional rights and peaceful coexistence in a diverse society.
In his broader message, Mufti Zayee emphasised education, economic independence, political awareness, peace and mutual respect as important priorities for the Muslim community.
He called for greater understanding of political developments and encouraged Muslims to strengthen their capabilities rather than allow social and political differences to become obstacles to progress.
The interview offers an extensive discussion on the challenges confronting Indian Muslims and the possible approaches towards addressing them through education, economic development, responsible political participation and constructive engagement with the government.
The conversation is available on The Pillar India and invites viewers to participate in the discussion by sharing their views and perspectives.