By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net,
Bhopal: Stage is all set for the two-day 24th International Convention on Education and Gala Award Programme of AFMI, (American Federation of Muslims of Indian Origin), which is scheduled here for December 26-27, 2015 in the central Indian state capital Bhopal, the city of lakes, Masjids and Mandirs.
Addressing a joint Press conference here on Friday Dr. A. S. Nakadar (Detroit USA), the Founding Trustee, & AFMI Trustee Ali Qureshi (Albuquerque-NM-USA) said about 120 meritorious Muslim students from all over the country, who passed out with flying colours in their Board examinations of 10th and 12th will be felicitated in the convention. These students will be honoured with gold, silver and bronze medals along with Certificates of Excellence and scholarships.
![IMG_20151225_120408050[1]](https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1465/23680846040_16182b1551_z.jpg)
AFMI Trustee Ali Qureshi (Albuquerque-NM-USA) talking to newsmen at the Press Conference
The AFMI office-bearers and their families from the US and Canada have landed in Bhopal for the programme. The function is being held here under the aegis of Association of Indian Muslims, (AIM), Bhopal Chapter, in the walled city at Four Seasons Lawn, Ahmadabad Palace, he added.
Dr. Nakadar informed that on the first day Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will be the chief guest of the inaugural function which shall be presided over by Padma Shri Dr. Mehmood-ur-Rahman, IAS (retd). The Chancellor of Maulana Azad National Urdu University, (MANUU), Zafar Sareshwala will be the guest of honour on the occasion.
The second day inaugural function will be presided over by Prof. Akhtar-ul- Wasey, National Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities, New Delhi. There will be three academic sessions, two on the first day and one on the second and last day of the international convention.
He revealed that among the meritorious students Saima Rasheed, the topper of Punjab Higher Secondary Board, with 100 per cent marks will be the cynosure of all eyes at the felicitation programme.
It may be mentioned here that AFMI, a philanthropic charity organization, was founded in 1989 by a group of similar-minded Muslim Americans under the leadership of Dr. A.S. Nakadar. From its inception the goal of the organization has been to improve the socio-economic status of underprivileged Indian Muslim minorities through education. To further their goal of 100 per cent literacy, AFMI has engaged in a number of projects, such as rehabilitation of Muslim educational institutions, establishing schools, vocational guidance for specialized courses, scholarships to deserving and needy students, establishment of centres of excellence, and educational motivation through recognition.