By Salman Sultan, TwoCircles.net,
Azamgarh (UP): Contrary to the general view among Muslim intellectuals about reservation for the community in education, Justice M.S.A. Siddiqui, chief of National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions, (NCMEI) opposed any such move.
“Muslim shouldn’t ask for reservation in education. Instead of getting dependent on reservation, the youths of the community need to try and work hard,” said Justice Siddiqui while addressing a gathering of students and faculty in Darul Musannefin Shibli Academy in Azamgarh on 18 February.
Justice Siddiqui at Shibli Academy
“Yes, the government needs to ensure that members of the community along with other citizens of India have access to a standard system of education which equips them for far better prospects of employment as compared to the present system where they are unable to find jobs because of sub standard quality of education,” added Mr. Siddiqui.
Mr. Siddiqui emphatically said that “Muslims shouldn’t be hopeless because there are many silver linings emerging from the community.”
Justice Siddiqui at the grave of founder
Justice Siddiqui also paid homage to the founder of the Academy, Allama Shibli Nomani. He keenly observed the memorabilia displayed in the Academy museum and was delighted to see newly printed Academy’s books.
The NCMEI Cheif admired the preservation of manuscripts and suggested microfilming of these precious collections. Dr. Shabistan Gaffar, chairperson, Committee on Girls Education, NCMEI, who accompanied Justice Siddiqui, showed keen interest in manuscripts and was inquisitive of Academy’s functioning.
Museum of Shibli Academy
Justice Siddiqui seeing manuscripts
Justice Siddiqui was given the ‘Friendship Award 2011’ jointly by Mirza Arif Beg, the manager Maulana Azad Inter College and Mr. Ajai Kumar Singh, president of ‘World Peace Society’.