Interview: AFMI President, Akram N. Syed

Bangalore born Akram N. Syed has been elected the new President of the American Federation of Muslims from India (AFMI). The young, debonair Akram was a product of Quwathul Islam High School and later graduated from Islamia Institute of Technology (IIT). He migrated to the United States in 1989 to acquire an MS degree from the Methodist University. Deeply conscious of Muslim problems back in his motherland, Akram is committed to push the programme for supporting modern education among Muslims on a wide scale. He also headed the Islamic Association of Collin County for two terms during which the community built its mosque. The 3000 strong Muslim community contributed $ 5 million for the mosque.

On another level, Akram has been instrumental in bringing about fruitful business and industrial tie-ups between Indian nationals and foreign investors through The Indus Enterprise (TiE).

Akram is a founding charter member of TiE-Dallas and a member of the board of Directors. TiE has in excess of 43 chapters across nine countries of the world. TiE initially got started in Silicon Valley, and Akram brought it to Dallas, Texas. Today, the state of Texas has three chapters, one each in Houston, Austin and Dallas. The Dallas chapter alone has been responsible for creating wealth to the tune of one billion dollars by setting up several business enterprises in India of whom Alpine Network, Bangalore; IpMobile and Exodus Communication of Kanwal Rekhi are notable companies.

Maqbool Ahmed Siraj spoke to Akram Syed while he was in Bangalore where he is setting up his own software company, Ontronics.

How do you see AFMI’s achievements so far?

AFMI came into being almost 15 years ago. I think for a group which is not based in India and yet focused towards Indian Muslims, a lot of good work has taken place. I would like to highlight the student award programmes for toppers at 10th and 12th standard level as a prime motivational tool which has been received very well by all factions of Indian Muslims. Second, AFMI’s thought leadership is another example which comes to my mind. Campaigns such as ‘Literacy for All Indian Muslims’ was a goal which we all should work towards. AFMI introduced this way back in 1996, and being an optimist, Inshallah there will be a day when every Indian including Indian Muslim will be literate.

There are areas we should have emphasised more, the awareness is increasing. Today there are NGOs which are working very hard and we would like to partner with them, for example we have in excess of 29 primary schools in Uttar Pradesh’s Faizabad district. More are in pipeline.

What areas it would take up in future on a priority basis?

I would say three Es: education, entrepreneurship and equity. We are working on some good programmes which will be announced shortly. We will be focusing on Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Assam where the bulk of illiteracy exists among Muslims. We intend to enhance quality and standard of Urdu medium schools.

Have you any plans to engage in advocacy on political issues such as reservation for Muslims in India, enhancement of Muslim representation in security forces and police force of the country?
The issues you listed are activities best suited for nationals resident in India and AFMI is a North American based NGO working towards the educational uplift of Muslims and underprivileged people in India. We feel every Indian should come out of the vicious cycle of illiteracy and poverty to make his/her decision of what is good for them. We propose to set up an All India Muslim Education Board at the forthcoming AFMI convention on Sept. 17-18, 2005 at Dallas.

There is a view here that Muslims insist on exclusivism and therefore do not benefit from facilities common to all?

My observation is yes, unfortunately exclusivity and isolation is a global phenomenon faced by Muslims in every country where they form a minority. There are reasons one can debate, but we as Muslims need to set our priorities right. I will give you an example of the USA where the concept of Islamic full-time schools is on the rise, and every community, after building the Mosque is looking at an independent private Islamic school. To me it is like reinventing the wheel and wasting our precious resources on duplication. I agree there are moral and character issues in public schools, but that is something we as parents, community and society have to address rather than going in isolation and missing out on the common benefits and amenities provided to tax paying and law abiding citizens in civilised societies all over the world.

However, I can understand Muslim groups starting institutions exclusively to provide access, representation and opportunity in countries like India. But I disapprove of duplication and isolation which will not get us anywhere. Exclusivity is a not a two way street, one tends to gets biased, opinionated and prejudiced in isolation, the result is intolerance, ignorance and irrationality.
Akram Syed, President & CEO. 850 N. Dorothy Dr. Ste. 510, Richardson, TX 75081. Work :1-972-788-5400 ex 230 Fax :1-972-788-5440 akrams@ontronics.com