By Mohd. Ismail Khan, TwoCircles.net
Hyderabad: Major problems and controversies concerning Muslim community in India were discussed in the Islamic Summit organized by Markazi Majlis-e-Quadria (MQM) a Sufi organization here in Hyderabad.
Islamic Summit in Hyderabad on July 11, 2012. [Photo by Indian News Network]
The conference was attended by several Muslim scholars and intellectuals from around the country including National Woman’s Commission member Shamina Shafeeq, Assistant General Secretary of Muslim Personal Law Board Abdul Raheem Qureshi, former MP G. I. Sanadhi, Prof Akthar- ul-Wasey, Prof Ghulam Yahya Anjum, retired IAS officer Khaja Shahed Mohammed, writer Sadiya Dehlvi, Maulana Md Ateef Quadir Badayuni, Congress leader Md khaleequr ur Rahaman and senior advocate Shafeeq ur Rehman Mujhajeer. This summit was presided by All India Majlis-e-Itehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) President and MP Assaduddin Owaisi.
Three hour long discussion and debate covered Issues pertaining to the welfare of Indian Muslims, protection of Muslim heritage, anti-communal violence bill, Waqf bill amendments, proposal for the formation of Haj corporation for benefit of Hajis, issue of Haj subsidy, and protection of Khanqahs and madrasa’s was discussed in-depth during the conference.
Speaking on recently introduced communal violence bill senior advocate Shafeeq-ur-Muhajeer said aspirations of Muslim community is not being undertaken while drafting the bill. He said, “The bill had empowered the State rather than the general public, who are the real victims. And according to the bill, interim relief will be made available within a month, without any provisions for housing and feeding during that period. The Communal Violence Bill would be insignificant without incorporating the numerous changes identified by the community.” He also added “Muslims are a numerical minority; the community’s interests are not sufficiently being reflected in this legislation. The Communal Violence Bill imposes a fine of Rs. 1 lakh on those found guilty. This compensation is grossly insufficient for a victim.”
The summit stressed on the execution of effective anti-communal riots bill to prevent incidents like Gujarat riots in which many innocent Muslims lost their lives.
Abul Fateh Syed Bandagi Badesha Quadri, convener of the summit spoke on the Haj subsidy issue. He said “The annual Haj subsidy of Rs. 651 crore should be annulled and the amount shall be diverted for eradication of poverty among Muslims. The huge sum allotted annually for Haj pilgrims should be used by the government for educating, housing and training numerous poor Muslims who really need it.”
Akhtarul Wasey (right) making a point. Sadia Dehlvi sitting next to him. [Photo by Indian News Network]
Another hot topic discussed in this summit was modernization of Madrassa education. Member of the National Women’s Commission, Shamina Shafeeq spoke on this issue from a Muslim feminist approach.
She said “The syllabus of Islamic educational institutions like Madrasas, which are designed from a wholly male perspective, should be redesigned to include women. Girls and young women of Muslim community should be given an overall holistic education. Awareness for men in the community on women’s rights is needed and should be initiated from the individual family, and should also be carried at madrasa and mosque level.”
According to Mrs. Shafeeq, “Though Islam in reality speaks more of the women rights; but Muslim institutions never put to exercise or rather curbed by most men. To rectify the situation, there is a need to revamp the Madrasa syllabus which generally speaks about men.”
MIM president Mr. Assaduddin Owaisi concluded the summit by his observations on different issues. He pitched strongly for the implementation of Islamic banking in India, not only from the perspective of Muslim empowerment but for the economic growth of the whole nation. He said “Islamic banking is a commercial bank which gives interest-free loans and which is well practiced in several countries including European and other modern Islamic countries. If implemented here, it would increase the inflow of foreign investments and that would lead to country’s economic growth.”
Apart from Islamic banking, he also discussed issues regarding protection of Wakf properties and rights of caretaker of a waqf property. But in his discussion he strongly argued for reservation in favor of Muslims in employment and in education. He blasted political parties who claim to be secular that if they can’t provide reservation to Muslims then they should also forget their votes.
“Those parties hoping to get the Muslim votes would have to deliver on their promise of reservation. Those who neglect the welfare of Muslims can do so at their own peril. If they do so, parties hoping to lead governments can as well say goodbye to Muslim votes in 2014.” He said targeting central congress govt. indirectly.
He also said that reservation is now a necessity for Muslims as it is the only tool which can promote complete development for backward Muslims. Mr. Owaisi said, “Muslims continued to be an underdeveloped community despite 60 years of Independence, lagging behind in education, health and several other socioeconomic indices. Reservation for Muslims in education and employment is now a necessity and has proven to be useful in promoting social equity. Reservation has proved to be a success in Kerala and Karnataka, even in AP the Y S Rajashekar Reddy government implemented it and many economically backward Muslims from the community benefited from it.’’
Mr. Owaisi concluding the summit cautioned Muslim community that there are some anti-Muslim forces which want Muslim community to remain deprived and underprivileged and to counter this anti-Muslims elements whole Muslim community should get united.