JEDDAH, 24 February 2006 — A delegation of educationists and religious scholars from India urged the expat community on Friday to come forward for the common good of Indian Muslims especially in field of education.
Addressing a seminar organized in Jeddah by AP Forum and other community organizations, Saiyid Hamid, chancellor of Hamdard University, Zafar Mahmud, adviser to the prime minister on educational affairs, Asrarul Haque Qasmi, Amanullah Khan and Mamoun Al-Azmy were unanimous that the main cause for the backwardness of the Indian Muslim community was the lack of education.
“Resources are there in the form of underused assets. They can be used for the educational purposes of the community,” said Mahmud, ostensibly referring to the Waqf properties.
He urged the well-off members of the community to donate wholeheartedly to orphanages, nursing homes, and educational institutions. “There has to be a concerted effort not only to read the verses of the Holy Qur’an but to understand their meaning as well,” Mahmud added.
Saiyid Hamid said acquiring knowledge was the key to attaining success in today’s highly competitive world.
“The US is afraid of the phenomenal rise of China and India in the field of education. But Indian Muslims have lagged behind. Their share of the Indian public sector stands only at 1.5 percent. It is time for a serious rethinking,” Saiyid Hamid said.
Asrarul Haq Qasmi, a respected religious scholar, said Muslim women need to be educated to carry forward the message and importance of education. He called upon Muslims from the south and west of the country to come to the help of the Muslims in the north.
“The situation is very pathetic in the north,” the maulana said while expressing his gratitude at the concern shown by the expat community in Saudi Arabia.
Nayeemullah Sharif, the president of the AP Forum, said: “The event will encourage us to continue our efforts in promoting the message of education.” Ziauddin Nayyar conducted the proceedings of the seminar.