Anna supporters hold Roza Iftar in Lucknow

Anna supporters hold Roza Iftar in Lucknow

Activists of India Against Corruption (IAC) Wednesday organized a ‘roza iftar (ritual breaking of Ramzan fast)’ for Muslims thronging the Jhule Lal Park here where 11 Anna followers are on a fast in solidarity with Anna Hazare whose hunger strike for a strong anti-Lokpal bill continued for the ninth day.

The iftar was attended by over 50 Muslims who have been regulars at the protest venue over the past several days. They were led by Maulana Athar Ali Naqvi from Darul Uloom Nadwa-tul-Ulema, widely recognised as among India’s leading Islamic seminaries.

This comes close on the heels of whole-hearted support to the Anna movement by All India Muslim Women Personal Board, whose president Shaista Amber led a delegation of nearly 100 women earlier during the day to offer prayers for Anna Hazare’s health.

Amber was also critical of Delhi Jama Masjid’s Shahi Imam Ahmed Bukhari, who had sought to term Anna’s campaign as ‘communal’. Several Muslim supporters of Hazare also flayed Bukhari for his comments.