By Kashif-ul-Huda, TwoCircles.net,
Detroit: “Competition in India is growing so fast that you will lag behind if you are not able to perform to the highest level. You have to give your best,” said Dr. Ausaf Sayeed, the Consul General of India in Detroit on Sunday. Speaking to parents, he said we have to encourage competitive spirit amongst our children.
Dr. Sayeed who is Consul General of India at Chicago was speaking at a luncheon organized by Indian Muslim Relief & Charities (IMRC) on the sidelines of ISNA annual convention in Detroit. Established in 1981, IMRC is leading organization of Indian Muslims in the US involved in education, poverty, health, and relief work for Muslims in India.
Dr. Ausaf Sayeed at IMRC luncheon at ISNA convention
Speaking to a well-attended IMRC luncheon, Dr. Ausaf Sayeed talked about the importance of education for the progress and development of Indian Muslims. “Differences between Muslims & majority community become glaring in the field of education.” He said various over the last few years dropout rate of Muslims have falled down but more work needs to be done. “This is not just the work of the government but also organizations like IMRC have much to contribute to bridge this gap,” added Dr. Sayeed.
Dr. Sayeed said that only 30% of Muslim women are literate and this should be a call for introspection for all of us.
He also talked about the importance of ending the vicious cycle of poverty. “If a person comes out of poverty and involves in education then he can improve his economic well being,” he said.
Talking about his personal experience at UPSC, India’s civil services exam, he said that UPSC is unbiased but 3-4% success rate of Muslims is because not many Muslims appear for the examination. Dr. Sayeed said even after he was successful in clearing UPSC, no one from the Muslim community followed his example or took his help for preparing for UPSC exam. On the other hand students from non-Muslim community sought him out and took his help and few of them have become civil servants. “We don’t utilize all the opportunities available to us,” he rued.
He said that there are many minorities’ institutions are surrendering back their seats because they are unable to find minority students to fill those seats. 80% seats for minorities went back to the state by Maharashtra engineering colleges because we don’t have enough students who meet even the minimum criteria.
He criticized Muslim leadership for not taking up the real issues. “Education, poverty, and health are the core issues of Indian Muslims but unfortunately Indian Muslim leaders do not talk about real issues.”
IMRC annual luncheon is held every year on the sidelines of ISNA convention. Azhar Azeez, Vice President of ISNA and Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi, Chairman of Fiqh Council of North America also addressed the gathering.
Link:
http://www.imrcusa.org/