Srinagar, May 8: Jamiat Ahl-e-hadith (JAH) has formally appointed Ghulam Rasool Malik as its new president.
The decision was taken at the JAH’s Majlis-e-Shura (Grand Council) meeting at its headquarters at Barbarshah here on Sunday.
425 members of the Shura, who had poured from across Jammu and Kashmir, unanimously decided that Malik should continue as the JAH president. It was also decided that the new elections will be held only after the slain JAH president Moulana Showkat Shah’s term ends.
 Malik was the JAH vice-president for six years before becoming the acting JAH president after Moulana’s assassination.
 The decision on Malik has also come after the JAH held a Majli-e-Mushawarat on April 24 wherein it decided that the Shura would decide on the post of the president.
 Malik has been associated with JAH for the past 40 years and has served in various capacities in the organization. He is well well-versed with the organizational structure and is a known orator.
 Taking to Greater Kashmir, Malik said he would take forward the mission of Moulana Shokwat. “My priority would be to establish the Trans-world Muslim University,” he said.
 He said: “We would also reshuffle the organizational structure by strengthening the JAH at the community and Mohalla levels. We would also take suggestions from district and Tehsil level members on this. We also intend to modify and increase the facilities at our Diagnostic Centre.”
 The JAH, Malik said, believes that the Kashmir issue can be solved amicably by a tripartite dialogue.
 The JAH also said the investigation into the killing of Moulana Showkat Shah was in its final stage
 “We would unveil the culprits of Moulana Showkat. For that JAH would utilize its all resources,” Malik said. “The All Party Committee is working and the day is near when the culprits would be exposed. In fact it’s in the final stage. We are also keeping an eye on the government which is investigating the case. We would not allow interest or pressure groups to make influence on the case.”
 Moulana Showkat was assassinated in a low intensity Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast outside a Masjid at Maisuma here on April 8. Later, police claimed to have arrested three persons allegedly involved in the killing and said they would expose the “larger conspiracy” surrounding the assassination. Police has also arrested four persons for investigation purposes into the case.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 8 May 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 8 May 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 9 May 2011 00:00:00 IST