2nd All India Muslim Educational Conference

2nd All India Muslim Educational Conference 

By TCN Special Correspondent 

Mr. Tariq Azam 

Azamgarh! All India Educational Movement organized its second two- day conference in Shibli Academy, Azamgarh. The inaugural session on 6th March was chaired by Mr.Tarique Azam, a resident of Azamgarh and presently residing in Malaysia. Mr. Azam, an lIT, Madras graduate, was the moving spirit behind holding this conference in Azamgarh. He is determined to revive the past glory of Azamgarh and gear it up to face the challenges of new millennium. 

The Conference started with the recitation and translation of verses from holy Quran by Mr. Qamar Abbasi. In his welcome address, Dr. Iftekhar Ahmad, Principal, Shibli National College, exhorted Muslims to move with modern times and laid emphasis on making Muslim institutions as centres of excellence. He congratulated Mr. Amanullah Khan (Chairman Central Organizing Committee) and Mr. Tarique Azam for selecting Azamgarh as the venue of this conference. Mr. Amanullah Khan gave detailed introduction of All India Educational Movement and its program of establishing information centre in various places and establishment of an educational fund. He praised the potential and literary tradition of Azamgarh and said that the purpose of holding this conference in Azamgarh is to let it become an educational hub. 

In his inaugural address, Mr. Tarique Azam, who incidentally was the lead Engineer for foundation and sub-structure design of world's tallest building (Malaysia), threw light on the mission of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan who sowed a seed which became a giant tree (Banyan). He lamented that though inspired by Sir Syed, Allama Shibli Nomani established National School (1883) in Azamgrh which indeed has become a towering tree in the form of Shibli National College but not many such tree like institutions could be established. He pointed out the shortcomings of Madarsa education in developing vocational skills in their students, so necessary to lead an honorable life. He criticized government's move to establish primary and secondary level institutions and termed this system as "total collapse". He also lamented the control of 20% population over 89% national economy and said that education is the only way by which poor and downtrodden people can come up in life and playa positive role in the world. He announced establishment of coaching and guidance centres in different parts of the district starting from the one in Shibli National College today. Mr. Rizwan Falahi, who has come from UK, emphasized imparting the kind of education which recognizes the supremacy of Almighty "Allah". 

Through example of Israel's former Prime Minister, Golda Meir, who imbibed the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (pbuhi), he explained the success and victories of Israel. Mauling Mustaqeem Ahsan Azmi, President Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind, Maharashtra, Maulana Mustaqeem Ahsan Azmi, President Jamiat Ulama-l-Hind, Maharashtra, emphasized the role of Madarsa education in a Muslim society and gave detailed account of Jamiat's legal defense of Muslim youths incarcerating in different j ails of the country. 

Professor Ram Puniyani, retired from IIT Bombay, in his keynote address as Chief Guest narrated the situation which led to partition of the country and pointed out the sinister hegemonic design of British as well as modem Capitalist forces in controlling the resources of the world. He gave a very good account of their "divide and rule" policy. He said that one kind of terrorism is born out of the "womb of injustice, poverty and persecution". The other kind is when people are brain washed in factories of extremist/fascist forces. He quoted Swami Vivekanand "Islam didn't spread through sword but the downtrodden suffering masses in India accepted Islam influenced by its philosophy of equity and brotherhood". He pointed the positive influence of reservation obtained by Dr. Ambedkar on the life of Dalits but said that 'Muslims were denied this opportunity. He also pointed out ghettoisation of Muslims through fear psychosis developed by way of engineered communal riots. He also laid emphasis on a United Charter of Human Rights for upholding the dignity of human beings. 

Mr. Abrar Ahmad Islahi (Rabta Alam Islami, Makkah, KSA) gave an account of British design of curricula aimed at subjugating the vanquished Muslims. Though Sir Syed Ahmad Khan tried to counter this sinister design of British by 'establishing a University but it could not spread as desired. He also emphasized on acquisition of all kind of knowledge and said that Muslims never differentiated between types of education and gave examples of philosophers like Ibne Sina, Razi etc. As per Mr. Islahi 1000/0 Muslims should be able to impart not only modern education but they may be able to perform all kinds of duties expected from a Muslim e.g. namaz-e-janaza etc. emphasized on acquisition of all kind of knowledge and said that Muslims never differentiated between types of education and gave examples of philosophers like Ibne Sina, Razi etc. As per Mr. Islahi 1000/0 Muslims should be able to impart not only modern education but they may be able to perform all kinds of duties expected from a Muslim e.g. namaz-e-janaza etc. 

Audience 

Mr. Javed (former minister, Maharashtra) exhorted Muslims to observe changing attitude of the world in the field of education and must transform accordingly. He opined inclusion of Muslims among OBC and said that this can be done by State Government. 

In his presidential remarks Professor Ishtiaq Ahmad Zilli said that it was Allama Shibli who gave importance to reform syllabus of Madarsa. He explained the importance of holding this educational conference in Azamgarh. 

Dr. Ahmad Safi Ansari, Manager, Ziauddin Khan Memorial School, Badharia (Azamgarh) conducted.