Other States - Rajasthan   

‘Progress of Muslims linked to education’

JAIPUR: The destiny of India’s Muslim community is decisively linked with its ability to excel in education and produce professionals willing to work for marginalised sections. Muslims’ empowerment will help settle all complaints of prejudice, discrimination and persecution.

This was the consensus among participants in a conference on Muslims’ education organised by the American Federation of Muslims of Indian Origin (AFMI), which ended here on Sunday. The two-day conference identified difficulties on the education front and suggested strategies to confront them.

Haryana Governor A.R. Kidwai, addressing a technical session in the conference, said there were enormous opportunities for Muslims in the national life and the only way to benefit from them was through education. “In the present age of cut-throat competition, only those who equip themselves with modern education can progress.”

The Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities’ Educational Institutions, Justice M.S.A. Siddiqui, said a workable balance should be evolved between religious and temporal education to enable Muslim children to compete successfully with others. He said a new orientation to madrasa curriculum would serve the educational needs of children from poor families.

Commission’s Member Vasanthi Stanley pointed out that the extensive rights given by Islam to women could be affirmed by launching a special drive to promote their educational status.

Former Vice-Chancellor of Agra University Manzoor Ahmed said imparting basic education in Urdu medium would enable Muslim children to join the mainstream. Syed Zafar Mahmoood of Zakat Foundation of India said Muslim students should be encouraged to appear in competitive examinations.

Academician and educationists addressing the sessions on “Bridging gap between Muslims’ education and economy” and “Priorities in social investments and educational development” underlined the need for efficient management and proper orientation of Muslim institutions.

Two students from Kolkata -- Mohammed Arif Sheikh and Mohammed Nasir who secured 99.38 per cent marks in senior secondary examination this year – were given gold medals and gala awards on the occasion.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Mid-day meal helps better attendance
‘Progress of Muslims linked to education’
Staff at Ranthambore National Park complain of inadequate facilities, pay
Jaipur Neurologist awarded

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu