Shah Ahmad Noorani Siddiqi

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Allama Shah Ahmad Noorani Siddiqi also known as Noorani Mian (died 2004). He was an Islamic scholar of Barelvi school of thought, son of the legendary Sufi Saint Maulana Abdul Aleem Siddiqi, founder of Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan and leading co-founder of Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal.

His political career started during the Pakistan election of 1971. At that time, Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi's Jamaat-e-Islami was in forefront as an Islamic party against the socialist Pakistan Peoples Party headed by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Since Jamat-e-Islami was branded as a Wahhabi party, its depiction as the only Islamic force caused a stir among anti-Wahhabi groups like the Barelvies who believed they were in majority compared to the minority Wahhabies. Accordingly, Barelvi scholars formed Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan and the leadership was given to Noorani Mian. Under his leadership, his party won 7 seat, 3 more than Jamaat-e-Islami, enough to prove they were a bigger majority faith than Wahhabies. Mr. Bhutto was the elections for West Pakistan and after the breakup of East Pakistan, he became the prime minister of remaining Pakistan.

The newly elected prime minister Mr. Bhutto showed him a lot of respect. However Noorani Mian, along with other Islamic parties, clashed with him on many occasions. First it was about declaring Ahmadies (Qadiyanies) as non-Muslims. Second time he joined a coalition known as Pakistan National Alliance in the 1977 elections. He gave the slogan "Tehreek Nizam Mustafa" to the election campaign. The protests against the election results resulted in martial law. While other Islamic parties joined the military lead government, Noorani Mian joined Pakistan Peoples Party in its resistance.

Before his death in 2004, Noorani Mian was able to convince all Islamic Parties into forming a grand coalation called Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal.