Promising its allegiance to the Samajwadi Party and the Congress, the Shia Ulema-e-Hind on Thursday said the two parties have "struggled long" to help Muslims get their rights.

Shia Ulema-e-Hind general secretary and Shia Personal Law Board convenor Maulana Ali Hussain Kumi also criticized Muslim leaders for making a beeline for Chief Minister Mayawati.

In a statement, Kumi said only secular parties can ensure the welfare of Muslims and Congress and SP had struggled long to help Muslims, especially Shias, to get their rights.

Lashing out at the leaders for expressing faith in Mayawati, Kumi said they were the ones who had earlier expressed solidarity with SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav.

He appealed to Muslims to "expose these people and their actions which are guided by personal interests".

Kumi also said that at present, properties of Muslims and their religious places are not safe.

He said a meeting to deliberate on the problems faced by Muslims will be held here on July 20.