By RINA International Service
Jaipur: Secret of Indian Muslims’ progress lies in education. In this age of globalization, when entire world has shrunk in the form of a village and there is a race of competition and contest in each and every field, education is the only means by obtaining which a person not only becomes able to achieve progress but also to play an important role in turning his beloved country into a developed nation. These views were expressed by speakers today, December 29, 2007, in XVI International Educational Conference and Gala Award Function held under auspices of American Federation of Muslims of Indian Origin (AFMI) at Markaz Jamiatul Hidaya, a Muslim institution imparting religious and contemporary education, situated in the heart of Jaipur,the capital city of the Indian state of Rajasthan.
On this occasion, union minister for steel, chemicals and fertilizers Ram Vilas Paswan, governor of Haryana Dr. A. R. Kidwai, governor of Gujarat Naval Kishore Sharma, governor of Rajasthan Shailender Kumar Singh, AFMI trustee Dr. A. S. Nakedar, AFMI president Dr. Shakir Mukhi, director of Jami’atul Hidaya Maulana Fazlur Rahman and others addressed the gathering on the above theme.
Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan said the real reason behind Muslims’backwardness is dearth of opportunities for them, as it has also been revealed in Sachar Committee Report. Expressing the importance of studies in social evaluation, he said we shall not be able to solve our basic problems without these studies. The minister claimed that one of major reasons behind our backwardness is discrimination, on account of which the backward section of this country, especially Muslims and Dalits, have lagged far behind and are still unable to incorporate themselves in national stream. He said categorically that backward classes shall have to fight for their cause jointly in order to remove their backwardness because it does not seem possible here to solve this problem by raising voices individually as the communal forces, who have mastered the policy of ‘divide and rule’, are active even today. We will have to be aware of them and align with secular and social justice seeking forces in order to take the country ahead. He also stressed that in five year plans of the government, separate funds should be allocated for eradicating backwardness among minorities, especially Muslims. The said minister declared in the Conference that Dalit-Muslim Minorities Conference shall be held in New York on July 4-6, 2008, where attempts will be made to deliberate on basic problems confronting minorities and the ways to solve them.
Governor of Haryana Dr. A. R. Kidwai said that in present times, there is dire need of religious and contemporary educational institutions on the pattern of Jamiatul Hidaya through which we will become able to not only propagate education but also make the citizens of this country, especially Muslims, well educated. Referring to AFMI, he said I have extreme respect for their zeal for welfare of the people of their country, India. Shedding light on the country’s freedom, he said this was the vision of the first prime minister of independent India,Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, and its first education minister Maulana Abul Kalam Azad that we should erect new India. For this purpose, they established institutions like Energy Commission, Space Center, IITs, ATR, medical colleges and University Grants Commission for higher education and entire world is witnessing their results today. He expressed his hope that once again, history will turn side and we shall undertake outstanding tasks in all fields through which our county as well as our community shall be highlighted.
Dr. Nakedar remembered Maulana Azad for playing extremely significant role in the field of education. AFMI president Dr. Shakir Mukhi told that their federation was established in 1989 with the purpose of attracting Muslims towards education besides bringing them at par with other communities. Attaching his hopes with the new generation, Muslim young men themselves are playing an important role in pushing the efforts like ours ahead. Andhra Pradesh voluntary organization ‘Foundation for Economic and Educational Development’ was presented with an award on this occasion for their outstanding performance in the field of education in India. Gold, silver and bronze medals were also presented 6to I-, II- and III-rankers in the field of education in various Indian states.
Link:
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