Update

Scholars and religious leaders from different communities converged at an inter-religious conference focusing on Madrasas and the challenges of modern times.


An inter-religious conference was organised recently by the All India Anjuman-e-Madaris, Karnataka, at Darul Uloom Sayeediya, Bangalore. Scholars, leaders and eminent intellectuals from different communities participated, along with the public. The morning and afternoon session of the conference was presided over by Hazrath Moulana Syed Abdur Rahim Sayeed Rashadi, chairman, Anjuman-e-Madaris and Hazrath Moulana Dr. Idrees Habban Rahimi, president, Anjuman-e-Madaris, respectively. K. Rahman Khan, deputy chairman, Rajya Sabha stated in his speech that students of Madrasas should be educated according to the needs and requirements of the present day. “A section of our society with vested interests is creating doubts in the minds of people with false allegations that Madrasas breed terrorism. Responsible persons of Madrasas should sit together and think of ways to bring necessary changes in the Madrasas which would enable the students to face the challenges of the modern times,” he said.


Shri Shivano-bhava Chara-moorty Shivarudra Swamy of Beli Math who was one of the special guests said that the allegations that Madrasas breed terrorism are false. C.K. Jaffer Sharief, ex-railway minister said that Madrasas should not be afraid of the government because it is the responsibility of the governments to work for the welfare of all communities and not to harass them.


Venkat Narayana, Editor, Asha Kiran, Kannada Daily and Sridhar, Editor, Agni, weekly magazine also spoke. They said that no religion teaches terrorism and allegations of terrorism against Madrasas are the result of the acts of a few who exploit the sentiments of the public with the aim of dividing them on the basis of religion. They suggested that non-Muslims should be invited to Muslim religious institutions frequently. Moulana Waheeduddin Umri Madani, Naazim, Majlise Ulama Tahreek-e-Islami said that Madrasas are the forts of Islam.


Shaikul Hadith Hazrat Moulana Khaleel Ahmed, Jamia Nizamia, Hyderabad expressed his thoughts and said that linking terrorism with Madrasas is malicious.


Others who spoke on the occasion include Moulana Khadeer Ahmed Ada’al Aamri, member, Muslim Personal Law Board and Shri Shri Rajendra Swamy of Maruga Math, Chitradurga. Moulana Amjad Hussain Saheb Hafiz Karnataki, convenor Anjuman-e-Madaris, Karnataka presented the aims and objectives of Anjuman-e-Madaris.


(For more details, email at: sayeediya_arabic_college @yahoo.co.in)

Justice Ahmadi has called on the community to get empowered through the Constitution. He said that the Indian Constitution has given ample rights to minorities to get empowered. It is up to them to get educated and utilise their rights prudently for their upliftment. He said more than 100 countries have the Constitution with minorities rights for their respective communities. Ahmadi was delivering a lecture organised by Milli Council in the city last month. Dr. Abu Saleh Sharieff urged the Muslims to know more about government schemes particularly framed for minorities, and implement them.


Dr. Manzoor Alam, general secretary, All India Milli Council expressed concern over under- representation of Muslims in government and different committees. He said Muslims get their due representation only in Wakf and Haj related committees.


Moulana Hakeem Abdullah Mughaisi, president, All India Milli Council emphasised on empowering Muslim Ummah through Iman, Education, Economics and Unity. The All India Milli Council will be holding a convention in Delhi on July 24, 2006