By Mohd Mudassir Alam for TwoCircles.net,
On Thursday (June 20, 2013) the civil society came together at All India Muslim Majlis-E-Mushawarat under a platform to discuss the condition of Muslims in a symposium organized by Delhi based non-government society Human Chain. Named as the “The Role of Civil Society in promoting Education”, the symposium was attended by Sirajuddin Qureshi, President India Islamic Cultural Centre, New Delhi as Chief Guest. Other notable speakers were Padmashree Prof Akhtarul Wasey, Director Zakir Hussain Institute of Islamic Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, Mahbubul Hoque, Founder and Chancellor, University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya and Prof Asif Ramiz Daudi, Jubail Industrial College, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
All the guest speakers and participants shared their views and the ways to empower them in all ways. Mohammad Aslam, President Human Chain in his speech presented a detailed statistics about the dismal condition of education among Muslims especially women. An Engineer by profession Aslam said, be it the national literacy percentage or state level literacy, representation in bureaucracy, share in politics, Muslims are far behind in comparison to other communities in India. The facts and stats presented by Aslam were eye-opening and compelled all to think about the issue sincerely. Minnat Rahmani, Secretary Human Chain while expressing his view on the topic insisted that we need people like Qureshi to bring changes in the status of Muslims.
Sirajuddin Qureshi, the Chairman and Managing Director at Hind Industries shared the experiences from his life including the role played in social activities. After accepting the proposal of mentorship of Human Chain happily, Qureshi assured all possible support for the society.
A B.A L.L.B from University of Delhi, Qureshi said that social activism has always remained important for him. With an aim to add value to Delhi’s rich culture and tradition I had gone ahead with the idea of establishing India Islamic Cultural Centre (IICC) in 1980s. Although establishment of IICC was not an easy job but thanks to my dedicated approach and well-wishers this became a reality. Today alongwith serving as a good venue for seminars, conferences and other related social, cultural programmes, IICC is standing as a masterpiece of architecture. IICC is running various short-term courses, certificate courses, coaching and guidance programmes all round the year. I am dreaming to open a university in India, hope this would be a reality soon, added Qureshi.
Prof Akhtarul Wasey, a renowned name in the field of education poured in life the symposium by sharing the instances from his life. The Padamshree award winner insisted on the need of taking positive action in the field of education. “If we can use the resources of government like schools, colleges and institutions properly, I am sure the literacy rate and education status would surely improve,” mentioned Wasey. Appreciating the efforts of Human Chain in past one year, Wasey said hardy non-government societies work in a focused area and with specific goal. Human Chain is an exception since it has it specified area of work “Seemanchal”, which badly needs attention from all for all-round development.
Often referred to as “Modern Sir Syed”, Mahbubul Hoque specially visited Delhi from Assam to participate in the symposium. In his keynote address Mahbubul Haque share the story of his journey from Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Aligarh as a student of MCA in early 2000s to the Chancellor of a University of Science and Technology. Hoque said, if with a personal computer I can open groups of institutions including CBSE affiliated schools, I am sure at least 50 percent of the participants in the symposium can open a school. He had also invited the audience to visit the north-eastern state of Assam where his institutions are flourishing with support of all sections.
The guest of honour Prof Asif Ramiz Daudi accepted the responsibility of “President Human Chain – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Chapter. Daudi said he is keenly following the activities of Human Chain for past a couple of months. “I am very much impressed with the modus operandi and dedication of society members. I will give my best to extend the chain of Human Chain to Gulf countries,” said Daudi. An AMU Alumni Daudi lauded the mission and vision of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and emphasized that if we deeply study them and work accordingly big change could be observed in the regions like Seemanchal and other parts of country, added Daudi.
Manzar Imam, a Delhi based freelance journalist hailing from Purnia had given a detailed explanation about the topic especially the meaning of “Civil Society”. Imam said, I am seeing a spark of a “Civil Society” in members of Human Chain, which has the potential to bring changes. Organising symposium and conferences on key issues like “Education” is the role of civil society and Human Chain is doing this wonderfully. Abid Anwar, a journalist with UNI too shared his views on the need of action from civil society in the field of education.
During the symposium the society handed over “Dazzling Star Certificates” to four of the members for outstanding performances namely Mujahid Akhtar Naaz, Tarique Sufyan, Salam Anwar and Abid Anwar. Nasim Haider, Ghulam Tarique, Shah Firoz, Mokarram Zia, Dilshad Alam, Mansoor Alam, Ghaznafar Elahi, Sarwar Alam, Mudassir Nazar, Shah Azam, Dilshad Ghani, Mubashshir Hussain participated in the symposium along with many others.
(Mohd Mudassir Alam is a Delhi based Journalist)