A Panel discussion organised by AFMI and the Talent Promotion Trust brought together Corporate heads who discussed the potential of Muslims in emerging India.

‘Muslims need to introspect as to why their situation has hit the present nadir and should give up blaming others for their dismal educational standards, religious discrimination, gender bias and other issues plaguing them’, this was stated here by film star, Farooque Shaikh in a panel discussion where situation of the Muslim community was analysed. It was organised by the American Federation of Muslims of Indian Origin (AFMI) and Talent Promotion Trust, on January 7.

Sheikh, one of the panel members advised the Muslims to reflect, look within and realise that most of the problems they face can be traced back to the community itself. Talking about charity, Farooque said if the community had to be self-reliant, it had to extend charity till it “pinches.” The ritualistic zakat doled out by the rich towards the poor was not enough to elevate the pathetic living standards of Muslims. “People in the South are lucky that their social and economic conditions are somewhat better than Muslims in the North. Take a trip to the remote regions in the North and the living conditions of Muslims there are appalling”, he remarked. Quoting extensively from the Quran and the Hadith, he stressed that Muslims ought to pay more attention to the downtrodden sections. “Give away your best things in charity and not the spare things you have,” he further added.

Titled, “Emerging India and Development of Muslims”, the discussion had eminent speakers from different spheres dissecting the potential of Muslims in their new roles in the emerging economic situation in India. Sadaqath Peeran, Chairman, Al-Ameen Education Society said, if Muslims had to be equal partners in emerging India, they had to break the shackles of poverty and illiteracy. “English should be introduced in all Urdu schools, if we want to be equipped to face the challenges of this competitive world,” he said. Prof Rajeev Gowda of IIM, Bangalore said the time was right for the Muslim community to aspire for bigger challenges and roles in the society. One way of inculcating the spirit would be by identifying successful professionals from the community and take them as role models to youngsters. “Muslims have also had icons in the form of sportspersons, actors and music directors. Their success should also be able to motivate the coming generations”, he said. Gowda said Muslim entrepreneurs could perhaps enter fields such as transport, catering, hotel business, real estate, construction, auto-servicing, etc where the community already has a base.

Ghyasuddin Babukhan of United Economic Forum, Hyderabad presented an account of the work the Forum had taken up across the state. He said studies of nearly 9,000 students of the community are being funded in the State by channellising the charity of the community. He said future Andhra Pradesh could have a vibrant Muslim community with a wide base of professionals.

Maj. Gen. Shivle of Tata Literacy Foundation said the Foundation had developed a software to teach Urdu to kids with great facility. The audience had a 15-minute live display of the software on the screen. Parth Sarwate of Azim Premji Foundation and Paul Pandian of Tamilnadu-USA Foundation stressed on aligning the educational curriculum in Muslim schools with modern needs of the economy.

Srimathi Prasad, Director, America-India Foundation, said the new concept of Corporate Social Responsibility had brought about sea change in the way charity is invested in community upliftment.

The Panel discussion was preceded by a Students’ Conclave in which 40 students received scholarship cheques from Talent Promotion Trust.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Abdur Rahman Nakadar said, AFMI had been engaged in promoting development in key sectors of education and health. He said it had set up a hospital in Vadodara in Gujarat and felicitates over a 100 rankers every year. Nakadar said AFMI has been funding 22 schools in Faizabad district of Uttar Pradesh.

Speaking on the occasion, Maqbool Ahmed Siraj, secretary of the Talent Promotion Trust said the Muslim situation was very bleak all over the world. There was no encouragement and incentive for innovation and creativity in the Muslim world. The entire gross domestic product of the Muslim world was just half what France produces every year. He lamented that most Muslims confuse values with rituals.

New President of AFMI, Akram Syed said AFMI would give further impetus to educational development of Muslims. Nearly 600 students of various schools and beneficiaries of the scholarship programme attended the conclave. AFMI presented cheques to Dr. Sheikh Ali, Chairman of the Maulana Azad group of institutions for starting AFMI Junior College and Rabita Welfare Group of Women for their Rifaah Home for the Girl Child. Co-convener of the programme, Mohammad Kaleem-ullah proposed a vote of thanks.

Community Round-Up