Idea Transcript
July 2007
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Community Round-Up Misplaced Demand By Yogi Sikand
Guwahati: The controversial demand for an autonomous council exclusively for ‘minorities’ by an MLA of the religious minority community dominated Assam United Democratic Front (AUDF) has sent alarm bells ringing that communally harmonious Assam was being attempted to be pushed into another crisis.
The demand made by AUDF MLA from Dhubri in lower Assam, Rashul Haq, has provoked widespread protests from political parties - both ruling and Oppposition, students and social organisations decrying the demand as unconstitutional and not suitable for the social-religious fabric of the state.
Haq made the controversial demand talking to a local daily here this week. He said that an autonomous council was needed for the welfare of the “minorities” , among whom he has included the religious minorities and linguistic ones such as Bengali Hindus, Hindi-speaking and Nepali people in Lower Assam’s Dhubri, Barpeta, Goalpara and five Assembly constituencies of Darrang district.
Reacting to the MLA’s proposition, Congress-led state government spoekesman and Health Minister Dr Himanta Sarma said, the demand was not of Haq but of his party president Badruddin Ajmal and that “The Centre had been apprised of the AUDF’s statements.
Assuring the government would not allow the demand to be fulfilled, Sarma was confident that the Muslim community of the state would never support the MLA’s demand.
Senior Congress leader Mehdi Alam Choudhury said, “We don’t support the demand and oppose it as there is no provision under the constitution for an autonomous council for religion and language but only tribal autonomy under the sixth schedule.
1 Micro-Credit Operations Benefit Businesswomen Bangalore
The Lifeline Micro-Credit Foundation Trust which began its operations in the first week of April this year disbursed loans to the tune of Rs. 2.80 lakh among 65 persons during the two month. The Trust is targeting small business women and entrepreneurs for interest free loans to the extent of Rs. 5,000. Most of the women entrepreneurs who are benefiting from the scheme are engaged in making agarbatti (incense stick), artificial jewellery, stitching and trading of garments, making of pappads etc in Goripalya area of the City. The area has several moneylenders who charge interest as much as 20 per cent a month on the sums borrowed.
According to Trust’s area coordinator Tazaiyun Oomer, loan recovery is over 99 per cent.
The scheme envisages formation of groups by female borrowers engaged in economic activity. The group is made responsible for the servicing of loans of each individual in the group. The peer pressure infuses accountability and thereby the servicing efficiency.
The scheme operates out of a mosque in the area where social workers also run a modern school. The imam of a local mosque has been assigned the duty of the loan officer. The groups meet every Saturday and make transactions. All loans are issued through cheques.
Lifeline Micro-credit Founda-tion Trust was registered earlier this year with Ms. Husna Shariff as president. Other trustees include Messrs Feroze Abdullah, Ali Sharif, Maqbool Ahmed Siraj, Taha Mateen, Akmal Jan, Masood Abdul Qadir, Burhan, Ameen e Mudassar, Tahir Hussain, Kottapurath Shariff, Ms. Tahira and Tazaiyun Oomer.
Several groups from other localities of Bangalore have expressed interest in setting up such societies for helping entrepreneurs. The initial corpus of funds was raised through donations. The Trust has appealed for donations for the purpose in order to expand its activity to at least 1,000 entrepreneurs in the city before completion of a year of operations. Mor enquiries can be directed to: The Secretary, Lifeline Micro-credit Foundation Trust, Feroze Real Estate, 43-Diceknson road, Bangalore-560043. Ph: 51148904, 51510786.
1 Imarat Shariah Opposes Nitish Kumar's Liberal Liquor Policy Patna
Imarat Shariah has opposed the Nitish Kumar government’s new liberal liquor policy to generate more revenue, saying it was against Gandhian principles.
‘The Bihar government’s new liquor policy is totally against the preaching of Mahatma Gandhi, who was for total ban,’ said Maulana Syed Nizamuddin, the chief of Imarat Shariah.
Imarat Shariah enjoys a large following among Muslims in Bihar, Jharkhand and Orissa. Nizamuddin, who is also a general secretary of the Muslim Personal Law Board, said that sale of liquor at common places will take its toll on poor people, students and labourers. ‘More sale of liquor will result into increase of crime against women,’ he said.
1 London Mayor Visits Saifee Ambulance Society Mumbai
The Lady Mayor of London, Mrs. Lesley Stuttard and Lady Sheriff of London, Mrs. Anne Regan recently visited Saifee Ambulance Society at Bhendi Bazaar on May 24. The visitors were accompanied by Dr. Rody Sale, Chairman, St. John Brigade. The guests visited all the four Saifee Ambulance wings run by the Dawoodi Bohra community. During their one-hour tour of Saifee Ambulance Society premises, both separately inaugurated a Sonongraphy and Biochemical machines respecti-vely.
They appreciated the philanthropic activities under-taken by Bohra community chief Dr. Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, according to a press release by Mr. Shabbir Bharmal, chief coordinator of the office of the community in Mumbai.
1 Hyderabad Trust Disburses 17,000 Scholarships Hyderabad
The Hyderabad Zakat and Charitable Trust disbursed Rs. 70 million by way of scholarship during 2006-07 in association with GBK Charitable Trust. A total of 17,000 students, including 2,300 orphans, benefited from the scheme.
The current newsletter from the Trust informs that 1,833 engineering students, 1,473 from the discipline of educational training, 1,044 doing Masters, 445 diploma, 303 Medicine, 150 Nursing, 133 Pharmacy courses, 36 Chartered Accountancy, nine Law, and six pursuing Management courses received scholarships during the year. Of the total beneficiaries, 1,315 students had scored 90 and above percent of marks and 3,411 were between 80-89 per cent slab. A total of 263 physically handicap-ped student were among the recipients.
The Trust also runs 70 schools in nine districts of Andhra Pradesh which together teach 1,2500 students. 179 of these students appeared for SSLC examination in March this year. The Trust distributed fitrah among 10,000 poor villagers last Ramazan. It contructed 22 houses for tsunami victims at Pudupattinam near Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu.
Ms. Surayya Sultana, a recipient of the Trust scholarship donated Rs. 15,000 from her first salary to the Trust. She was selected by the Infosys, Hyderabad.
The Hyderabad Zakat and Charitable Trust can be contacted at 1-8-353, Begumpet, Besides HUDA office, Secunderabad-500003, Ph. 040-27901426, 27907680,email:educate@ zakathyd.org, website: www.zakathyd.org
1 Muslim Status Report Hyderabad
Andhra Pradesh government has appointed P. S. Krishnan as Advisor to the Department of Backward Classes Welfare, for identifying socially and educationally backward classes among the Muslim community in the state.
According to a press release here, the State Commission for Backward Classes would hold public hearing of all classes among Muslims, who had requested for inclusion in the list of socially and economically backward classes. The commission had requested all persons to submit their views, opinions, suggestions on this matter.
1 AP Ordinance on Muslim quota Soon Hyderabad
With the announcement by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy that the government would bring about an ordinance giving five per cent reservation for Muslims in education and government employment, once again the spotlight has been turned on the controversial issue that has been hanging fire since 2004.
Meanwhile, pressure has been mounting on the Congress government to get around the issue and ensure that Muslim students do not miss out on the benefit for yet another year.
Congress government is now promising an ordinance as it has to fulfil its commitment made in the poll manifesto before the assembly elections.
1 Loans Under Government Schemes for Students Mumbai
The current academic year has seen shift in the strategy of Muslim social and welfare organisations in Mumbai who disburse education scholarship to the needy students.
This year these organizations instead of giving scholarship are asking needy students to apply to Maulana Azad Minority Financial Development Corporation for education loan. Loan amount ranging from Rs 5,000 to five lakh is granted under the scheme. Applicants should belong to Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist or Parsi communities.
The interest charge is just three percent per annum and it’s repayable in easy monthly installment six months after completion of the course. The state government set up the corporation in 2000 to extend financial assistance to youths of minority communities for self-employment.
Khaire Ummat Trust which used to disburse scholarship for higher education this year has stopper the education aid totally. Instead the trust is guiding the students in getting the loan from Maulana Azad Minority Financial Development Corporation.
Haroon Mozawala one of the Trustee of the Khaire Ummat Trust said “Our trust is educating the masses about the various government schemes for the minority students. Why waste scarce community resource if government has provision for the same.” He said. “To empower Muslims economically, it is necessary to ensure smooth flow of credit/ micro credit and Priority Sector Advances. Steps should be taken to specifically direct credit, create awareness of various credit schemes, and organize entrepreneurial development programmes”.
1 Threat of Demolition to Masjid Haji Fakhruddin, Azad Market, Delhi
The Anjuman Wakil-i-Qaum Punjabian in Delhi has reported that Masjid Haji Fakhruddin is a famous and old Masjid of Delhi which is situated at Pul Bangash, Azad Market, one of the main arterial roads of Delhi connected to Rani Jhansi Road from DCM Chowk. Along this road, there is also a proposed Flatted Factory Complex. Purearth Mall and Purearth Appartments. This ultra Modern Complex is going to be developed and promoted by DCM. Naturally, it will generate extra vehicular traffic of all kinds. In order to ease out the traffic and traffic requirements in the coming years, it has been proposed to construct a Grade Separator at Rani Jhansi Road starting from Filmistan to St.Stephen’s Hospital on Boulevered Road. The alignment plan of Grade Separator along Rani Jhansi Road has principally been approved by tilt-Technical Committee of DDA. The said Masjid Haji Fakhruddin is affected by this proposed Grade Separator or Six Lane Flyover. It has been confirmed by the Executive Engineer 18 vide his letter no.D/60/EEXVIII/2007-2008 dt.21-052007 that the structure of the Masjid Haji Fakhruddin is being acquired with other properties through LAC(N).
The Place of Worship (Special Provisions) Act 1991 provides status quo and protection to all religious premises which were built before 15 August 1947. This misfortune shall be contrary to the protection provided by law and abusive to the Fundamental Rights and clearly is in violation of Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991. The proposed planning of the Government definitely will hurt the sentiments of the minority community, which may cause resentment and breach of peace in area.
1 Two women sentenced to five years RI for role in '93 blasts
Mumbai: Two of the three women convicts were sentenced in the ongoing delivery of judgment in the Mumbai serial blasts trial. One of them was linked with concealing the weapon allegedly taken by actor Sanjay Dutt.
Special judge P. D. Kode sentenced Mubina Bhivandiwala under section 3 (3) of the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (aiding and abetting a terrorist act) to five years rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 25, 000.
Special court also sentenced Zaibunissa Qazi to five years RI and a fine of Rs.1 lakh under section 3 (3) and section 6 of TADA. She was found guilty of keeping AK-56 rifle at her place after being instructed by Anees Ibrahim, brother of Dawood Ibrahim.
Zaibunissa had applied for probation under the Probation of Offenders Act. However, it is not applicable to those convicted under TADA. Accepting her plea for leniency, he remarked that though the weapons were kept at her place, she did not possess them.
1 Press Release
Urdu teachers day was celebrated to felicitate Mr. Syed Mohammed Ismail, Vice Principal (Retd.), Govt. Muslim Teacher Training Institute, Chennai. The function was held in the Durbar Hall, Raj Bhavan, Chennai on 16.6.07 at 5 p.m. His Excellency Shri Surjit Singh Barnala, Governor of Tamilnadu was the Chief Guest. His Highness Prince of Arcot Nawab Mohammed Abdul Ali Azimjah was the Guest ot Honour. Several Educationist, Philanthropist, Poets, Scholars, Headmasters and Teachers Participated in large numbers.
The Governor in his presiding address gave a vivid picture of Urdu Language, and the role played by Urdu in freedom struggle. He asked the teachers present there to work hard and guide the future citizens of this country to the rightpath. He also spoke about the contribution of Mr. Syed Mohammed Ismail towards Urdu Language and its education. The Governor presented Mr. Syed Mohammed Ismail a Silver Plaque for his exemplary service for Urdu language and education./Earlier the Prince of Arcot discussed the various problems faced by Urdu teachers and Urdu schools. He urged the Government to address the needs of Urdu community. He lattded Mr. Syed Md. Ismail for his tireless work and service for Urdu. He further said that Urdu unites the nation, it spreads love and affection among the country men. He asked the teachers to promote communal harmony through Urdu language. In his acceptance speech Mr. Syed Mohammed Ismail thanked all for their affection and said as a teacher and admirer of Urdu he has done his duty. He advised his past and present students to do justice to their profession and language./ Mr. Mukhtar Badri, poet in his introduction put forth the problems of Urdu teachers and schools, he also spoke about the excellent work done by Mr. Syed Mohammed Ismail.
Govt. Muslim Teacher Training Institute Alumni organized this evening, President Md. Shanawaz and Secretary J. Fareed Ahmed Welcomed all.
1 Bangalore Visit Recently a group of Budhists under the banner of Universal Responsibility of Dalailama visited Bangalore for inter religious dialogue. During the visit the delegation visited Masjid-e-noor at Dickenson Road, Bangalore
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