The Students Islamic Organization of India's (SIO) president has called upon the student community to come forward and work together to solve the pressing global problems instead of withdrawing to their individual worlds. "We have to change ourselves to change the world," Mohammed Azharuddin told young men and women in campuses around the world.
Speaking to Arab News, he said SIO was seeking a just world order based on justice, peace and equality. "Today we see the globalization of trade, poverty and vulgarity, and not the globalization of peace and justice. SIO is working to establish a just world order for the welfare and well-being of the whole humanity."
Azharuddin, who was in the Kingdom recently to perform Umrah, said belief in God should be given prime importance to change the present global situation.
"We have to strengthen our faith in the Almighty, the creator of universe, and follow His teachings to know the right objective and direction of life."
While in Jeddah, the SIO chief met with Dr. Umer Chapra, a research adviser at the Islamic Research and Training Institute, an affiliate of Islamic Development Bank. He commended IDB's scholarship program benefiting thousands of Muslim students in India and elsewhere in the world. He urged IDB to expand the scope of its scholarship program for Indian students, including those studying for competitive exams of the Public Service Commission. "This is an important area of education and I hope IDB would consider it."
He spoke about SIO's endeavors to influence India's national educational agenda, which according to him is heading toward privatization, commercialization and communalization.
"The education system has become pro-market. It does not fulfill the actual needs of the country " he added.
SIO has been working to solve educational issues at state and all-India levels.
"We staged a sit-in protest at the UGC office demanding quick announcement of results that were postponed for many reasons. Consequently, the results were declared and fees were returned to students who were qualified for earlier exams. This way we tackle genuine student issues."
Azharuddin, who is studying for Ph.D at Nagpur University, said thousands of non-Muslims have joined the organization to support its various academic and humanitarian activities. "We want non-Muslims as active members, not as passive listeners or supporters. We want them to be on the forefront."
SIO has focused on cultural activism this time to promote healthy entertainment programs. "There is a space for morally-sound edutainment programs, and we want to create an alternative entertainment environment in our campuses."
SIO will organize a massive student festival on Oct. 17-19 in Goa, a cultural center and one of the world's best tourism destinations. State-level cultural contest winners will compete with one another for top positions in the Goa event. There will be contests in drama, cartoon, animation, painting, song, debate and elocution.
Azharuddin urged Muslim countries to make use of their God-given resources for the progress of the Ummah. "The Muslim world is blessed with one-third of total natural resources and one-fifth of world population. We should use our resources for productive purposes. Civil issues such as unemployment and corruption must be addressed at utmost importance. We should promote democratic systems whereby people would have say in the country's affairs. We should also set a good example to others."
Change yourselves to change the world: SIO chief
