Community Round-Up

Citing ‘’lack of authentic’’ data to tackle socio-economic backwardness of the Muslim community, a newly- appointed Prime Minister’s High Level Committee announced plans to prepare a Report on Social, Economic and Educational status of India’s largest minority.


The seven-member panel, chaired by former Delhi High Court Chief Justice, Rajindar Sachar, will spend the next 15 months pouring over available information, census and other reports, visiting Muslim neighbourhoods and meeting community leaders and officials handling uplift efforts.


“Muslims are the single largest minority,’’ Justice Sachar told journalists, adding that contentment of such a segment would in itself provide a major indicator. He was asked why attention was sought to be focused on one community and whether similar panels would go into the status of other communities.


“I have only to submit a report,’’ Justice Sachar said, adding that only the government could give answers to such questions.


The Committee comprises, Justice Rajindar Sachar, educationist Saiyid Hamid, sociologist T K Oommen, planner M A Basith, economist Rakesh Basant, academician Akhtar Majeed and economist Member Secretary, Abu Saleh Shariff.


In reply to questions, the Committee’s Member Secretary, Dr Shariff, Chief Economist at the National Council for Applied Economic Research, mentioned three factors which may have impelled the move. “These include preliminary indications of the dwindling middle class among Muslims, thinning Muslim presence in decision making forums and declining literacy rates in some sections of Muslim women,” Dr Shariff said.


The committee will document such information as: — in which states, regions, districts and blocks do Muslims of India mostly live, what are their asset base and income levels relative to other groups across various states and regions, what is the geographical pattern of their economic activity, what is the level of their socio-economic development in terms of such indicators as literacy and drop-out rates and maternal and infant mortality rates. Asked about possible abuse of data to target the community, Dr Shariff asserted that the state-of-the-art academic methodologies to be used in the process would not make such data vulnerable to abuse of the sort feared.

The Bombay High Court has clarified that there is no restriction on any lawyer wearing a headgear as prescribed by his religion. The clarification was given by the Registrar General of Bombay High Court, R C. Chavan when the issue was raised after an advocate complained to the High Court authorities that he was restrained by a Division Bench from arguing his matter as he was wearing a “namaaz cap”.


The Advocates Act specifies a dress code for lawyers. Registrar general R. C. Chavan had issued a clarification after advocate S.G.Kudle filed a complaint that a division bench of the high court had objected to his wearing a namaaz cap in court and had declined to hear his case. Lawyers agree that any restriction on wearing a namaaz cap is uncalled for. “Unless it causes an obstruction or disturbance in the smooth functioning of the administration of justice, namaaz caps should be allowed,” said senior criminal lawyer Majeed Memon.

The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) has opened a Pandora’s box, claiming that almost 19 districts in three border states of Assam, West Bengal and Bihar have recorded a “disproportionate” growth of Muslims over the past one decade. The Commission in a report also claimed that the 10 districts of Assam bordering Bangladesh have now substantive Muslim population as high as 51 per cent. The Commission had set up a four-member expert panel of eminent demographers led by Prof. Ashis Bose to analyze the 2001 census statistics of religious minorities including Muslims. The panel report is likely to provide a fuel to Sangh Parivar campaign demanding the exodus of Muslims from border areas. The Sangh organisations claim that in the North-East most of the Muslims have migrated from Bangladesh. The BJP president L. K. Advani has also warned that India was heading for a second-Partition and claimed that there has been a massive infiltration of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. The other finding of the Panel is that among the total number of 593 districts across the country, 49 districts account for Substantive Muslim Population (SMP) that is above 35 per cent. Uttar Pradesh has 10 such districts and these account for 39 per cent Muslim population. Five such districts in West Bengal have 45.9 per cent of population. Four SMP districts in Bihar have 44.3 per cent Muslim population. Kerala and Jammu and Kashmir have three and 10 SMP districts respectively.

In a significant decision, the Central government has approved 50 per cent reservation for Muslims in Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) in 36 courses, maintaining its identity as a religious minority institution. While taking the decision, the government cited Section 2(1) of AMU (Amendment) Act, 1981 and the provision of Section 5(C) of the Act empowering the University “to ensure the educational and cultural advancement of the Muslims of India.” An order issued by the Ministry of HRD said that the government treated the AMU as a “religious minority institution established and administered under Article 30(1) of the Constitution of India.” The decision will allow the University to hold competitive examinations on an all India basis and provide quota of 50 per cent to Muslim students. The AMU Executive Council sought the government’s permission to reserve 50 per cent seats for Muslims in various courses to check “in-breeding”. The courses to be covered under the quota system include MD/MS, Master of Computer Science and Application, M Tech, MBA, M.Ed, MBBS/BDS and PG Diplomas.

Aleem of Five Star Motors in Bangalore rides the mini bike which he has built. The bike has no gears and can be carried like any other baggage. With fuel capacity of two litres and a mileage of 30 kmph, Aleem claims this is the smallest bike in the country, and, perhaps in the world.

(Photo courtesy-Deccan Herald)

Dr. Asfia Anvari, Dental Surgeon, based in Bangalore has set up an All Women Dental Clinic called as Nisaa Dental Clinic. Appreciating the fact that women feel comfortable approaching a woman doctor, led her to take this initiative. Dr Anvari who has been practising dentistry for over 12 years feels that a doctor’s duty goes beyond just attaending to the patients. She says that selfless social service is a very important part of their profession. She is one of the very few dental surgeons to be a Fellow of the Royal Society of Health, London. Anvari provides free dental check-up and dental extraction camps for the poor and needy including the handicapped, mentally retarded and the aged.


Dr Anvari can be reached at: 080-26668221 Mob: 9243443348 Email: dentalnisaa@yahoo.co.in

Ayesha Fatima became the source of inspiration for all Muslim students. She has made history by being the first Muslim girl to obtain the State first rank in Andhra Pradesh in the Intermediate exams. Her subjects were Maths, Physics and Chemistry and she scored a whopping 984 marks out of 1000. Talking about her extraordinary achievement she said “ one has to have faith in God, plus lot of hard work and dedication and it pays!”

Syed Abdul Kadir from Adirampattinam, a coastal town in Tanjore has developed a website for Tamilnadu Muslims. Muslims from Tamilnadu across the world can now access www.palammag.com. News and views can be posted on to this website by those interested.

Former cricketer Mohammed Azharuddin, former minister R.Roshan Baig, journalist Ayesha Khanum, Bal Bhavan Chairperson Mukhtharunissa, Oncologist Dr P.S.Prabhakaran, Cardiologist F. Sadruddin Shariff and 19 others were conferred with the Hazrath Tipu Sultan Shahid Award for their contribution to society. Jointly organised by Karnataka Muslim Muttahida Tahreek (KMMT) and Mayar-E-Gulistan (MEG) news agency, Parliamentarian, Late, Ibrahim Sulaiman Sait was bestowed with the LifeTime Achievement Award. A memorandum was submitted by MEG publisher Mukhtar Ahmed to Labour and Haj Minister Tanveer Sait to name the Devanahalli International Airport coming up in Bangalore, in memory of Tipu Sultan.

Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahmad has informed that a total of 1,37,000 Indian pilgrims would perform Haj this year. Of them, 82,000 would come through the Haj Committee and the rest through Private Tour Operators (PTOs).


Ahmad who recently returned from Saudi Arabia after signing an agreement with Saudi Haj Minister, Fouad Al-Farsy said the performance of the private tour operators would be monitored after they were registered with the External Affairs Ministry. He said only those PTOs registered with the ministry would be eligible for Group Haj visas.


He also said that the number of pilgrims coming through private tour operators will go up from 45,000 last year to 55,000 this year.

Haamid Baaqri, the popular Urdu poet from Bangalore launched his website www.haamidbaaqri.com. This is the first website of an Urdu poet. His 32nd audio album - “Chalna Mujhe Aata Hai” was also released on this occasion.

Anand, a 23 year old boy met with a serious road accident in Bangalore and was brought to Manipal Hospital. Unconscious. He is currently in the Neuro-surgery ICU after having undergone neuro-surgical operations. With grievous head injury and facial injuries, he even required a Tracheostomy. We soon realised that Anand’s family cannot support this expensive treatment as he hails from a very poor economic background and earns a paltry sum as a daily wage worker. He also is the sole bread winner for his family. The expenses for the ICU treatment and medicines will be very huge. He can recover from the injury and lead an independent life with adequate financial support for the treatment. We appeal to well wishers, philanthropists, organizations and individuals to extend a helping hand with their funds which will help save Anand and help him lead a normal life.


You can send in your donations through cheques or DD to Manipal Hospital-Patient-Anand, Hospital No-586759. (Please mention this on your cheques). Address: Dept of Neurosurgery, Manipal Hospital, Airport Road, Bangalore-560017 Ph:25266646,25268901 Extn-3267


From
Dr.N.K.Venkataramana
Director, Mnaipal Institute for Neurological Disorders

Opp. to RTO Complex (Rahman Khan Road) Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore – 22
Recognised by Govt. of Karnataka, Approved by AICTE (New Delhi)


Under the management of
CENTRAL MUSLIM ASSOCIATION OF KARNATAKA


Admissions open to the following courses for the year 2005 - 06.

1. Electronics & Communications
2. Computer Science and Engineering


Eligibility : Pass in SSLC or Equivalent Examination with 40% marks in Science & Maths for General
Merit and 35% for S.C. and S.T. Candidates.


Note: Qualified and Experienced teaching staff and well equipped Laboratory.


Hostel Facility available. No Donation. Only Government approved fee. Limited Seats Available first come first serve basis.


Application can be had from the office of the Principal on all working days between 10.30 A.M. to 3.00 P.M. Ph.: 23374274


MAQBOOL AHMED DR. ZAHEERUDDIN AHMED
PRESIDENT GENERAL SECRETARY

Approved by Govt. of India, Ministry of External Affairs (HajCell) & Ministry of Hajj. Saudi Arabia
Member of All India Haj, Umra, Tour Organiser’s Association, Mumbai & Karnataka State Haj Organiser’s Association, Bangalore


Trin Trin : (off) : 22211379 – 22124008 (Res) : 22270769 Mobile : 9448484844, 9880088786.
Head Office : No. 43, 2nd Floor, K.G.N. Complex, N.R. Road, Bangalore – 560 002.
Regd. Office : No. 15/1, 3rd Cross, Lakkasandra, Opp. Govt. Kannada School, Bangalore – 30.
Branch : A. Salam Jewellers, # 64/4, Karthik Complex, Near Janatha Bazaar, Ashoka Road,
Mysore – 1. Ph : 2422824 (R) : 2451226


Assalamu-Alaikum-O-Rahmathullahi-O-Barakatahu


By the grace of Almighty Allah, Al-Syed Tours Intl. Organised by Alhaj Syed Mushtaq Ahmed who have good experience in organising Haj Pilgrimage from many years, are proud to announce that Hajis who have accompanied us are fully satisfied with our arrangements and efficient services at Holy Makkah & Madina Munawwara, with proper execution of commitment.


* Insha Allah Al-Syed will provide A/C accommodation in Makkah at “HILTON MAKKAH TOWER” & in Madinah at AL-ANSAR HOTEL very near to Haram Shariff with facilities like : Fridge, Telephone, Washing Machine to enable Pilgrims to offer their Prayers & Ibadath with Convenience and no worries. * Accommodation available on exclusive basis for two person in a room with cots / or four person or six persons in a room. * Service of doctor available for pilgrims. * Famous knowledgeable Islamic Scholar (Alim) will accompany us with whose experience guidance, pilgrims can perform correct rituals of Hajj. * Convenient A/C buses are provided to visit Holy Places in & around Makkah & Madina. * Special care will be provided for Diabetic Patients with diet and Medical assistance. * Experienced South Indian cooks to serve homely, tasty and delicious food. * We provide free assistance in arranging passport.


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