http://www.library.wwu.edu/ref/subjguides/religions/specific/islam.htm
Encyclopaedia of the Holy Qur'ân
(Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA)
http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=1632
Islam and Environment
(By Jose Abraham of United Theological College, Bangalore, India)
http://www.wilsoncenter.org/topics/pubs/DUSS_muslims.pdf
(The Educational Profile of Muslim Women in India" in Muslim Education Quarterly)
http://www.sio-india.com/headquarters.php?pid=13&cat=3
(Selected Member’s Camp 2008 ended at New Delhi)
http://ikim.gov.my:8080/ikim/FullDisplayRetriever.jsp?0000011185
Institute of Islamic Understanding, Kualalampur, Malaysia
(Islam and the environment / edited by A. R. Agwan)
http://www.iosworld.org/ebk28c.htm
(Institute of Objective Studies, New Delhi, India)
http://books.google.com/books?id=miT_ySSiwacC&printsec=frontcover&dq=a.r.agwan
(Suha Taji-Farouki, Basheer M. Nafi)
http://imad.in/report1.pdf
1 Day Conference on Networking of NGOs of India
(All India Council of Muslim Economic Upliftment Ltd. (AICMEU), Mumbai, India)
http://www.radianceweekly.com/Human-Rights.php?content_id=1330&issue_id=86&issuedate=2007-12-02
Take Up the Cause of Justice: APCR, By A. R. Agwan
http://www.smbooks.in/servlet/iidispinfo?offset=0&text1=Encyclopaedia+Of+The+Holy+Quran+In+5+Vols&searchtype=Keyword
Encyclopaedia of the Holy Qur'ân
(S.M.Books, Delhi, India)
http://www.science-islam.net/article.php3?id_article=263&lang=en
The Environmental Concern of Islam, By Abdul Rashid Agwan
http://www.livingislam.org/k/idgg_e.html
The inner dimension of going green: articulating an Islamic deep-ecologyIslam & Science, Winter, 2007 by Adi Setia
http://fore.research.yale.edu/religion/islam/bibliography.html
Islam and Ecology Bibliography, Richard Foltz University of Florida
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/The+inner+dimension+of+going+green:+articulating+an+Islamic...-a0171623707
The inner dimension of going green: articulating an Islamic deep-ecology
http://www.vedamsbooks.com/no12384.htm
Islam and the Environment/Edited by A.R. Agwan
http://www.vedamsbooks.com/islam.htm
Encyclopaedia of the Holy Qur'an/edited by N.K. Singh and A.R. Agwan. Delhi, Global Vision, 2000, 5 Volumes
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Profile of The President UKT Mr. Abdul Rashid Agwan
Profile of the President of
Universal Knowledge Trust
Abdul Rashid Agwan
* Personal Information
* Place: Gangrar, District Chittorgarh, Rajasthan
* Date of Birth: 11 March 1954
* Educational Background
* M SC (Zoology), Udaipur University, 1975-77
* Junior Research Fellow of Council of Scientific & Industrial Research: 1977-1978
* Senior Research Fellow of Council of Scientific & Industrial Research: 1978-1979* PG Diploma in Hindi Jouranlsim, Rajasthan University, Jaipur: 1981
* Important Professional Activities
* Assistant Professor (Zoology), Vidhya Bhawan Rural Institute, Udaipur: 1979-1981
* Technical Manager, Rajasthan Paste Control, Jaipur: 1981-82
* Founder Director and Secretary General, Institute of Objective Studies: 1986-93
* Managing Director, Genuine Publications, New Delhi: 1988-1995
* President, Universal Peace Foundation: 1993-95
* Secretary, Students Islamic Trust: 1995-97
* Counseller of Islamic Development Bank, Jedddah, KSA (North Zone): 1997-2001
* Business and Social Work Consultant: 2001-till date
* Director, Centre for Advancement of Voluntary Efforts, New Delhi: 1993-Till Date
* Memberships & Other Responsibilities
* Member Udaipur Environment Group: 1977-1981
* Member Jamat-e-Islami Hind: 1985-2003
Shura Member of Jamat-e-Islami Hind (Delhi & Haryana): 1987-95
Member All India Council of Muslim Economic Uplfitment, Mumbai: 1991-95
Chairman, Crescent Charitable Trust, Aligarh: 1988-92
Trustee, Rajsthan Deeni Taalimi Trust, Jaipur: 1985-Till Date
Founder Member Institute of Objective Studies: 1986-Till Date
Honorary Member, Centre for Studies on Science, Aligarh: 1999-Till Date
Chairman, Milli Education Trust: 1988-Till Date
Executive Member and Honorary Trustee, Foundation for Social Care, Lucknow: 2004-Till Date Founder Trustee, Janseva Foundation, New Delhi: 2005-Till Date
Assistant General Secretary, All India Educational Movement, New Delhi: 2002-Till Date
o Honorary Trustee, Sufi Hameedudeen Farooqi Foundation, Rajasthan: 2007-Till Date
o Publicationso Around 70 papers and articles on environment, education, community development, etc in different journals and newspapers
o Member Editorial Board, Muslim Situation in India, Sterling Publishers, New Delhi: 1988
o Editor, Islam and the Environment, Genuine Publication and Media Pvt Ltd, New Delhi: 1991
Co-Editor, Encyclopedia of Holy Quran, Global Vision Publishers: 2004
o Editor, Contemporary Medical Issues and Islamic Jurisprudence, Islamic Fiqh Academy, New Delhi, 2001
* Contribution in Community Development Activitieso Running expert and consultancy organization Centre for Advancement of Voluntary Efforts, New Delhi: from 1993-Till Date, which enjoys associateship of around 200 Muslim organisationso Runs expert NGO Network: musmlimngos.como
Organised and enriched more than 50 workshops and seminars of relevant issueso Published the book “Empower Yourself’ for social workers, New Delhi: 2007
o Provide expert backup to several member organisations of All India Education Movement headed by Janab Saiyid Hamid, Chancellor of Hamdard University
Abdul Rashid Agwan
A-58/3, Shaheen Bagh,
Jamia Nagar, New Delhi-110025
Email: agwan@rediffmail.com
Website: http://www.universalknowledge.in/
http://www.caveservices.com/
Mobile: 9911526380
___________________________________________________________________
Moderator of Blog: Musab Rafiq Agwan
http://www.caveservices.com/ (For Website Designing & Development and NGO Consultancy)
Justice is the Cornerstone of Human Survival: Dr Shakil Ahmad
Justice is the Cornerstone of Human Survival: Dr Shakil Ahmad
The Association for Protection of Civil Rights organised a state-level training of human rights and legal aid workers in human rights activities and legal social workers at Islami Siksha-o-Gabesna Parishad, Sakharidah, District Howrah, West Bengal on April 26 and 27. Forty-five selected delegates from different places of West Bengal participated in the programme. Some other delegates also joined the camp. Earlier, the APCR organised such programmes in Western Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.
In his keynote address, Dr. Shakil Ahmad, Director (Training) of APCR, highlighted various dimensions, forms and causes of oppression obtained in the country. He discussed how the legislative system, policymakers and executive bodies of the country lead to sustenance of an oppressive system. He went on to assert that a struggle must emerge for ensuring rights to marginalised and deprived sections of the country such as women, Dalits, minorities, labourers, etc. Dr. Shakil suggested ways and means for consolidating people’s struggle, and made the point that without organising activities from the grassroots level upwards a movement for a viable legal aid system is not possible.
Speaking on “Responsibilities of Legal Social Workers Striving for Justice,” Mr. Abdul Rashid Agwan, a resource person from New Delhi, brought home various roles to be played by the attending enthusiasts towards their avowed contribution. He elaborated upon such responsibilities as generation of awareness, dissemination of information and motivation of victims in time of their need and for intervening in the particular cases and providing support for the lawyers in documentation and lag work. He also highlighted importance of documentation, coordination and team development as some other responsibilities of legal social workers. The speaker appealed to the participants to properly enhance their understanding of the challenges of the field and to meet the requirements of knowledge and activism for upholding the cause.
Advocate Anisur Rahman, a trustee-member of the APCR, coached the delegates on the theme “First Information Report (FIR)”. He informed that an FIR could be registered by the Office In-charge of a Police Station on information provided to him/her verbally, on telephone or by post and in some cases on the instruction of higher officers or the court. It should be lodged as early as possible because the delay would reduce its merit, he said. Advocate Anis was of the opinion that it is the responsibility of the citizens to cooperate with the police in the registration of an FIR. The speaker also briefed the audience on related Acts and consequences of a false FIR.
Advocate Shaidul Islam talked on “Arrest”. He said that Section 154 of Indian Penal Code deals with the matter, the knowledge of which would be essential for legal social workers. He went on to elaborate that police can arrest a person or persons at its own or on the order of the magistrate. Someone may be arrested by a civilian and later on handed over to police in cases of cognisable and/or non-cognisable offence on the basis of warrant issued by a court. The speaker gave details of rights and responsibilities of both the police and arrested persons at the time of arrest. He also mentioned the recent Supreme Court rulings regarding the rights of an arrested person.
Talking on “Case,” Mr. Anisur Rahman said that a case could be civil or criminal depending on the nature of alleged offence and accordingly courts could also be classified. He also gave an idea about various levels of judicial courts and tribunals. A trial court initiates judicial proceedings. He also briefly discussed the proceeding of a case in a court.
These talks were followed by short spells of questions and answers for further clarification.
On the second day of the camp, Mr Abdul Rashid Agwan oriented the delegates on “Documentation: What and How?” While highlighting importance of documentation for legal social work, he pinpointed various kinds of documents worthy of attention such as written statements, news clippings, photographs, electronic material, published material, etc. He also mentioned that a legal social worker must also have qualities to investigate the matter in field and if need be private detectives could be hired for substantiating the defence. In certain cases concerned persons should be attentive to generate needful documents such as for recording the time and nature of arrest or detention or in case of a missing kith and kin. He asserted that time is very crucial for procuring or generating documentary evidence and a legal social worker must always remember it. The talk was followed by questions and answers.
Some practical work was also undertaken under the supervision of Mr Agwan. For this purpose, an assessment of background knowledge of participants was recorded through a questionnaire. Moreover, trainees were given assignments to write note on any one of these topics: First Information Report, complaint to Superintendent of Police, application under Right to Information Act and complaint to a Human Rights Commission. Consequently, all registered delegates joined these practical assignments and later Mr Agwan presented a report on their performance.
A interesting session was graced by some leading human rights activists of West Bengal. The discussed “Violation of Human Rights: Observations & Experiences”. The views of learned speakers are summarised as under:
Sadique Hossain, General Secretary, Asian Front of Human Rights: On December 10, 1948, 192 countries signed an agreement on 30 subjects including Health, Education, Food, Rehabilitation, etc. as the basic human rights of people. They formed International Human Rights Commission for taking care of these rights. He spelled out the role and duties of human rights workers and social activists. He continued to highlight the necessity, procedure and area of jurisdiction of Lokadalat. All civil cases, bank recovery cases etc. are under the jurisdiction of the Lokadalat, he informed. He was of the opinion that there is need for deputing 100000 observers on Human Rights. He also expressed the expectations of A P J Abul Kalam (former President of India) that one crore families will be detached from political parties if they fail to establish justice in the country.
Saiful Haque, Social Activist and leading human rights activist of Kolkata: He spoke on the formation of International Human Rights Forum and its history. He also shed light on International Bills of Human Rights 1966 and its implementation in 1976. He informed that the first International Conference on Human Rights was held in Tehran in 1948. He discussed on the utility of Human Rights Education and its scope such as rights of refugees, problems of physically and mentally disabled persons, as discussed in Viena Conference 1993. He elaborated upon the persecution of Muslims by mentioning instances of 992 persons arrested from Motiabruz area of Kolkata in 1992 just after the demolition of Babri Mosque, custodial deaths in Cochbihar and migratory people of Mumbai.
Abdul Aziz, Vice-President of Jamaat-e-Islami West Bengal: He remarked that although the term ‘human rights’ is modern yet it is also the term of Islam. There are two parts of Islam, i.e. rights of Allah and rights of people. Relation between Iman and Amal-e-Saleha is a vital principle of Islam. He remarked that he has no place in Jannah who is non-activist on human rights.
Kazi Safiuddin Ahmad, Advocate, Kolkata High Court: He defined human rights as birth rights, including rights to life, expression, speech, assembly, education, health, etc. The Charter of Madinah is the foundation stone of democracy and secularism, he argued. He commented that the Union Government is taking no step on the reports of National Human Rights Commission and remarked that he had no confidence in any government because first of the government itself violates human rights through its repressive mechanism and system of administration.
Nasim Ali, Secretary, Jamat-e-Islami West Bengal: In the light of the Quran (Sura Nisa, 75) he said that our responsibility is to build political pressure to seek justice. He was of the opinion that both the state and national level Human Rights Commissions mostly remain inactive.
A full session was devoted to share experiences of human rights violations. First of all Dr Shakil Ahmad expressed his own experiences in leading a rightful struggle in bringing administration and police to terms for their failure in curbing communal frenzy in different parts of Gujarat in the wake of post-Gujarat 2002 situation. He said that it was the first organised initiative of the community in fighting against a discriminatory establishment. Dr. Shakil said that even a small team like that of theirs could bring wonderful results with commitment, concerted efforts and complete faith in Allah. He went on to give several instances of tactics of police and administration in hiding their tacit support to the miscreants and how the human rights activists of Gujarat exposed that nexus and made the judiciary to punish the culprits and their collaborators. His inspiring narration was followed by questions and answers. Then, various other participants also shared their own experiences of gross human rights violations in different parts of the state.
In the concluding session, feedback of participants regarding the training camp, its contents and arrangements was recorded. Then, Dr Shakeel Ahmad made the concluding remarks and appealed to the trainees to translate the lessons of the camp into practice. He reminded that the justice is the cornerstone of human progress and survival and the oppressed sections of society are looking forward to someone who could ensure justice in the country.
Mr. Rahmat Ali Khan advanced suggestions regarding the immediate task before the trainees and gave some guidelines for executing things in the field while delivering the last words of the event.
An organisational meeting of the APCR was also held with Mr. Rahmat Ali Khan in the chair wherein in-charges from different districts of West Bengal participated. After preliminary remarks of the chair, Dr. Shakil Ahmad spelt out the organisational needs of social legal work in West Bengal. He said that there is a need of forming an independent trust for the future work. The work desires formation of committees at state level, district level and P.S. level structure and it will involve education and legal measures. Thus formation of a state unit shall be our immediate task.
It was agreed to form the state committee of APCR comprising Anisur Rahman Advocate, Masiur Rahman (Convener), Rahmat Ali Khan, Nasir Ali, and Dr. Zafeer for the needful action.
www.universalknowledge.in
Moderator of Blog: Musab Rafiq Agwan
www.caveservices.com (For Website Designing & Development and NGO Consultancy)
Training and Orientation on HIV/AIDS
Seminar on Alleviation of AIDS
Foundation for Social Care organised a Seminar on “Role of Islam in the Alleviation of AIDS” at Ghalib Academy, Nizamuddin, New Delhi, on 23 March 2008 in collaboration with Universal Knowledge Trust. The chief guest of the programme was Professor Akhtarul Wasey, Dept. of Islamic Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia and General Secretary South Asia Inter-Religion Council on HIV/AIDS. President of the host organisation Maulana Zaheer Ahmad Siddiqui chaired the proceedings. Dr Shankar Chawdhary, senior consultant on HIV/AIDS, UNESCO and Mr Sudhir Bhatnagar, CEO, SARD were the guests of honour. Mr. Abdul Rashid Agwan, honorary trustee of the FSC convened the seminar, conducted by Mr. Juned Haris, senior lecturer, Dept. of Islamic Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia. Mufti Arshad Farooqi, secretary Markazi Jamiatul Ulema and Mr Mohammad Arif, coordinator, Umang Community Care Centre, Lucknow, also expressed their views. A large number of students of Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Hamdard, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi University and other educational institutions of the national capital participated. Certificates and prizes were given to the winners of ‘Quiz on AIDS’ held by the Foundation at different places and a book of Mr Abdul Rashid Agwan titled “Circumcision: A Natural Shield against AIDS” was also released on the occasion.
Training and Orientation Lectures
Under the Scholarship Programme of Foundation for Social Care, it has been resolved to highlight the pandemic of HIV/AIDS as the central theme of orientation activities of the year. Consequently, the monthly/quarterly meetings of the beneficiaries held during the quarter from January-March 2008, experts made the desired lecture for the benefit of the attending youths and students and their parents. Such lectures were delivered in these places: Delhi, Aligarh, Lucknow, Kolkata, Cuttack, Jaipur and Pune. Except at Lucknow Mr Abdul Rashid Agwan spoke on the theme. At Lucknow, Mr Mohammad Arrif, Coordinator of Umang Community Care Centre for people living with HIV/AIDS, Lucknow, trained the local students.
Quiz Competition on HIV/AIDS
A series of quiz competition on HIV/AIDS was organised by the Scholarship of the FSC at Delhi, Aligarh, Lucknow, Kolkata, Cuttack, Jaipur, Indore and Pune during the first qaurter of the current year. Successful participants were given certificates and prizes.
Resolutions of Seminar on AIDS
The participants of the above-mentioned "Seminar on Role of Islam in Alleviation of AIDS" unanimously passed a resolution based on the following points:
Muslims should sincerely follow Islamic Guidance in their social life based on strong family system, abstinence from permissiveness and adultery, regulated sexual behaviour, and the like.
The Muslim community leaders and NGOs should generate awareness about HIV/AIDS and its dangerous effects on human life within the community and should cooperate with civil society in the generation of a wider awareness in the country.
Indian Youth are appealed to abstain from all such means that play role in the spread of HIV/AIDS including fornication and extra-marital relations, unnatural sex, pornography, use of drugs and alcohol, etc.
The government and its relevant bodies are appealed to promote good moral life among all people of the country and prohibit those means that promote immoral behaviour in society.
UKT Scholarship Awardees List - 2007-08
UNIVERSAL KNOWLEDGE TRUST
PROFESSIONAL SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME: 2007-08
LIST OF AWARDEES
PROFESSIONAL SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME: 2007-08
LIST OF AWARDEES
Please on following link to view complete list of selected student
Gulf NRIs launch Indian Muslim Initiative
First General Meeting, Hamdard Convention Centre, New Delhi 19 March 2006
Press Reports
Gulf NRIs launch Indian Muslim Initiative
Under the theme "Working Together for the Development of Muslim Community in India," a group of NRIs living in Saudi Arabia organized a brainstorming session in Jeddah during 16-18 June on the ways and means of improving their community's situation in India.
About 25 participants from different cities of Saudi Arabia as well as some from India who were specially invited in appreciation of their good work for the community, deliberated during the three-day meet. The four key sectors identified during the workshop that needed special attention and hard work were educational development, economic upliftment, an effective presence in the media and improvement of the condition of Muslim women.
Participants of the workshop mostly belonged to NGOs working in these fields. As the long term goals (2020) of the Initiative, they decided to work to bring the Indian Muslims above poverty level, increase the ratio of their literacy to 80 percent, strive to secure an effective presence in the media and restore to Muslim women their due rights.
At the conclusion of the meet they agreed to meet again in New Delhi during the next three months inviting more persons from different parts of the country to devise a detailed strategy how to achieve their objectives through launching a new body to be called "Indian Muslim Initiative" (IMI). This will compose of people from different sects, organizations, fields and regions who agree with the objectives of the initiators and are prepared to join hands to achieve those objectives. The body is to be registered in India as an NGO.
The participants of the workshop took cognizance of the huge potential of NRIs and the PIOs who were serving in different countries and were keen to participate in any initiative that could lead to the betterment of their compatriots back home. It was further emphasized that the democratic and secular character of India together with a judiciary that was keen to oversee observance of the Constitution and laws in letter and spirit offered immense opportunities for all citizens to avail of resources, facilities and schemes offered by the country for the progress of those lagging behind.
Among the participants were educationists like Maulana Fazlur Raheem Mujaddidi of Jamiatul Hidayah (Jaipur), Maulana Salman Husaini of Nadwatul Ulama, media persons like Dr Zafarul-Islam Khan, editor of The Milli Gazette, and Maqbool Seraj, executive editor of Islamic Voice (Bangalore), community development activists like Dr Rahmatullah of All India Council for Muslim Economic Upliftment (AICMEU), Mr H Abdur Raqeeb of the Islamic Foundation Trust (Chennai), Dr Hasan Raza of Ranchi and Dr Taha Mateen of Bangalore. Prominent among local participants were M H Zulqarnain of the International Council for Islamic Information who acted as the moderator of the programme, Dr Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim of the University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, Dr Ausaf Ahmad and Dr Mansoor Durrani of IDB, Dr Ataat Khan and Engr Saeeduddin.
Hospitality for the meet came from individual NRIs as well as forums like Gulf NRI Forum and Indian Friends Circle of Riyadh. Technical support for designing the workshop was offered by a local NGO, the Future Research Institute (FRI).
MH Zulqarnain, Jeddah
Source: http://www.milligazette.com/Archives/2004/01-15Jul04-Print-Edition/011507200493.htm
VISION 2020
Muslim Indians in Saudi Arabia launched the Indian Muslim Initiative with special focus on educational development, economic upliftment, an effective presence in the media and improvement of the condition of Muslim women.
By Maqbool Ahmed Siraj
Jeddah: Nearly 25 social workers, academics, NRIs living in Saudi Arabia and representatives of voluntary organisations in India who gathered in Jeddah for a 3-day workshop, launched the ‘Indian Muslim Initiative’ for the development of Indian Muslims.
The representatives who deliberated on the theme “Working Together for the development of Muslim Community in India” at a brainstorming session in Jeddah on June 16-18, discussed the ways and means of improving their community’s situation in India. The four key sectors identified during the workshop that needed special attention and hard work were educational development, economic upliftment, an effective presence in the media and improvement of the condition of Muslim women.
Participants of the workshop mostly belonged to NGOs working in the these spheres. As the long term goals (2020) of the Initiative, they decided to work to bring the Indian Muslims above the poverty level, increase the ratio of their literacy to 80 per cent, make an effective presence in the media and restore to Muslim women their due rights.
At the conclusion of the meet, they agreed to meet in New Delhi during the next three months inviting more persons from different parts of the country to devise a detailed strategy on how to achieve their objectives through launching a new body to be called the Indian Muslim Initiative (IMI). This will compose of people from different sects, organisations, fields and regions who agree with the objectives of the initiators and are prepared to join hands to achieve those objectives. The body is to be registered in India as an NGO. The participants of the workshop took cognisance of the huge potential of NRIs and who were serving in different countries and were keen to participate in any initiative that could lead to the betterment of their compatriots back home. It was further emphasised that the democratic and secular character of India together with a judiciary that was keen to oversee observance of the Constitution in letter and spirit offered immense opportunities for all citizens to avail the resources, facilities and schemes offered by the government for the progress of those lagging behind.
Among the participants were educationists like Maulana Fazlur Raheem Mujaddidi of Jamiatul Hidayah Jaipur, Maulana Salman Husaini of Nadwatul Ulama, Lucknow, Dr Mansoor Durrani, of the Eastern Public School, Bhopal, media Persons like Dr. Zafrul Islam Khan, editor of ‘Milli Gazette’, New Delhi and Maqbool Ahmed Siraj, senior executive editor of ‘Islamic Voice’, Bangalore, community development activists like Dr Rahmatullah of All India Council for Muslim Economic Upliftment (AICMEU), Mumbai, Mr H. Abdur Raqeeb of the Islamic Foundation Trust, Chennai, Dr. Hasan Raza of Ranchi and Dr. Taha Mateen of Bangalore. Prominent among local participants were M. H. Zulqarnain of the International Council for Islamic Information who also acted as the moderator of the programme, Dr. Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim of the University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, Dr. Ausaf Ahmad and Dr. Mansoor Durrani of IDB, Dr. Ataat Khan and Engr Saeeduddin.
Technical support for designing the workshop was offered by a local NGO, the Future Research Institute (FRI), whose director, Dr A W Noorwali also helped in the presentations.
Source: http://www.islamicvoice.com/july.2004/jd.htm
IMI gets go ahead
By S. Ghori
New Delhi: Life is a continuous struggle even under unfavourable circumstances. This difficult art of life demands wisdom, untiring efforts and a strong will power. Since 1947 Indian Muslims are on the fast track of educational, economic, political and social decline and backwardness. Riots and wide-spread prejudices have further added to this sorry state of affairs. Conditions are definitely bad but should we allow this process of decline to continue because of our insensitivity and indifference or should we take some positive and constructive steps for improvement?
[pix: Discussion during the IMI meeting presided by Maulana Salman Husaini. To his left is convenor Zafarul-Islam Khan]
In the second meeting of the Indian Muslim Initiative (IMI) which was held in New Delhi on 3 October, delegates decided that we should rise above the prevailing circumstances and work to change our destiny. Efforts were made many times at different places and at different times during the past few decades to bring about a change but these were mainly political and demand-based moves which resulted in no worthwhile results probably because not much efforts were made to change the conditions ourselves. Therefore now we should unitedly try to take positive steps to change and improve our conditions. Instead of inviting senior leaders of traditional organisations, it was considered appropriate to invite representatives of the younger generation and leaders of NGOs who are more dynamic and open-minded in today's world.
Non-resident Indian Muslims in Gulf countries had convened the first meeting of the IMI at Jeddah during 16-18 June this year, for which they had invited selected delegates from India. The first brainstorming meeting identified four fields for improving the lot of Indian Muslims. These were education, economy, Muslim women and media. It was decided that instead of making demands on the government, a 15-year plan should be drawn up for the development and stability of Muslims in these four key fields and practical steps should be taken in stages. It was also decided that persons selected for drawing up such plans and for their implementation should be experienced, sincere and free from sectarian, regional or any other prejudices so that they could sincerely work for the overall interests of the community. For this purpose it was decided to form a broad-based organisation and persons supporting such programmes should execute the plans without ulterior motives. This organisation will, therefore, represent various shades of people, opinion and associations who will work together irrespective of their ideological and organisational affiliations. In Jeddah conference, this movement was called "Indian Muslim Initiative", though the proper name of the organisation has not yet been finally decided.
In this second meeting of IMI, the decisions and resolutions of the Jeddah conference were confirmed and rules and regulations, a proper name, identification of the problems related to the above four fields, formation of sub-committees for planning and execution, provision of resources were discussed. It was agreed in this meeting that there should be complete transparency in all IMI activities, abiding by national laws, long-term planning and proper methodology for the selection of sincere and devoted people to execute programmes.
Delegates agreed that instead of irrelevant and unnecessary discussion, practical steps should be taken at the earliest for the implementation of the plan to raise the economic conditions of the community to such a level that no Muslim in cities or in villages should need Zakat. It was also decided to form working committees without wasting any further time.
Muslims are the country's biggest minority and their progress and welfare will play an important role in the progress and development of India as a whole. Delegates fully agreed on the IMI’s resolve in its vision statement "to serve India and humanity".
A number of proposals were discussed for the solution of the economic problems of Muslims, women issue, and for the social and educational problems of the community. Practical suggestions were made for Muslims' meaningful and large-scale participation in the field of media such as TV, radio, newspapers, Internet etc.
Some delegates expressed doubts whether the movement will progressively move forward democratically in a transparent way and will become effective in the practical field because of interference by some people as seen in Muslim organisations. The meeting appointed a 5-member committee to advise on the formation of a democratic and dynamic structure of the organisation and to take practical steps to get it registered at the earliest.
Will Indian Muslims be able to come forward to put these concepts and plans into practice? It was decided in this meeting to hold workshops in important cities of the country for this purpose so as to familiarise the community with the philosophy and objectives of the movement and motivate them to take part in its practical implementation. MG editor, Dr Zafarul-Islam Khan was asked to continue as the protem convener of the organisation until its registration. He has been authorised to formulate the basic structure of this organisation with the help of the 5-member committee of which he is a member.
In the Jeddah meeting about 35 local and foreign delegates had participated. In the second meeting three delegates came especially from Jeddah to participate in the meeting which was attended among others by Maulana Salman Husaini Nadwi, Maulana Zeeshan Hidayati, Maualna Ataur Rahman Qasmi, MH Zulqarnain, Hafiz Rashid Chaudhury, Dr Ataat Khan, M. Iqbal Yousuf, M. Abdur Raqeeb, Dr M. Faisal, Dr Hasan Raza, Dr Rahmatullah Abdul Ahad, MA Siraj, Amanullah Khan, Maulana Mujtaba Farooq, Sayyid Saadatullah Husaini, Abdus Salam Puthige, Dr Taha Mateen, Navaid Hamid, Abdur Rashid Agwan, Dr Zaki Kirmani, Dr M. Rafeeq Sarkhwas, Mushtaq Ahmad Alig and Uzma Naheed.
http://www.milligazette.com/Archives/2004/16-31Oct04-Print-Edition/163110200402.htm
* India - IMI gets go ahead
(Tuesday 22 February 2005 8:33:13 pm by S. Ghori)
New Delhi: Life is a continuous struggle even under unfavourable circumstances. This difficult art of life demands wisdom, untiring efforts and a strong will power. Since 1947 Indian Muslims are on the fast track of educational, economic, political and social decline and backwardness. Riots and wide-spread prejudices have further added to this sorry state of affairs. Conditions are definitely bad but should we allow this process of decline to continue because of our insensitivity and indifference or should we take some positive and constructive steps for improvement?
In the second meeting of the Indian Muslim Initiative (IMI) which was held in New Delhi on 3 October, delegates decided that we should rise above the prevailing circumstances and work to change our destiny. Efforts were made many times at different places and at different times during the past few decades to bring about a change but these were mainly political and demand-based moves which resulted in no worthwhile results probably because not much efforts were made to change the conditions ourselves. Therefore now we should unitedly try to take positive steps to change and improve our conditions. Instead of inviting senior leaders of traditional organisations, it was considered appropriate to invite representatives of the younger generation and leaders of NGOs who are more dynamic and open-minded in today's world.
Non-resident Indian Muslims in Gulf countries had convened the first meeting of the IMI at Jeddah during 16-18 June this year, for which they had invited selected delegates from India. The first brainstorming meeting identified four fields for improving the lot of Indian Muslims. These were education, economy, Muslim women and media. It was decided that instead of making demands on the government, a 15-year plan should be drawn up for the development and stability of Muslims in these four key fields and practical steps should be taken in stages. It was also decided that persons selected for drawing up such plans and for their implementation should be experienced, sincere and free from sectarian, regional or any other prejudices so that they could sincerely work for the overall interests of the community. For this purpose it was decided to form a broad-based organisation and persons supporting such programmes should execute the plans without ulterior motives. This organisation will, therefore, represent various shades of people, opinion and associations who will work together irrespective of their ideological and organisational affiliations. In Jeddah conference, this movement was called "Indian Muslim Initiative", though the proper name of the organisation has not yet been finally decided.
In this second meeting of IMI, the decisions and resolutions of the Jeddah conference were confirmed and rules and regulations, a proper name, identification of the problems related to the above four fields, formation of sub-committees for planning and execution, provision of resources were discussed. It was agreed in this meeting that there should be complete transparency in all IMI activities, abiding by national laws, long-term planning and proper methodology for the selection of sincere and devoted people to execute programmes.
Delegates agreed that instead of irrelevant and unnecessary discussion, practical steps should be taken at the earliest for the implementation of the plan to raise the economic conditions of the community to such a level that no Muslim in cities or in villages should need Zakat. It was also decided to form working committees without wasting any further time.
Muslims are the country's biggest minority and their progress and welfare will play an important role in the progress and development of India as a whole. Delegates fully agreed on the IMI’s resolve in its vision statement "to serve India and humanity".
A number of proposals were discussed for the solution of the economic problems of Muslims, women issue, and for the social and educational problems of the community. Practical suggestions were made for Muslims' meaningful and large-scale participation in the field of media such as TV, radio, newspapers, Internet etc.
Some delegates expressed doubts whether the movement will progressively move forward democratically in a transparent way and will become effective in the practical field because of interference by some people as seen in Muslim organisations. The meeting appointed a 5-member committee to advise on the formation of a democratic and dynamic structure of the organisation and to take practical steps to get it registered at the earliest.
Will Indian Muslims be able to come forward to put these concepts and plans into practice? It was decided in this meeting to hold workshops in important cities of the country for this purpose so as to familiarise the community with the philosophy and objectives of the movement and motivate them to take part in its practical implementation. MG editor, Dr Zafarul-Islam Khan was asked to continue as the protem convener of the organisation until its registration. He has been authorised to formulate the basic structure of this organisation with the help of the 5-member committee of which he is a member.
In the Jeddah meeting about 35 local and foreign delegates had participated. In the second meeting three delegates came especially from Jeddah to participate in the meeting which was attended among others by Maulana Salman Husaini Nadwi, Maulana Zeeshan Hidayati, Maualna Ataur Rahman Qasmi, MH Zulqarnain, Hafiz Rashid Chaudhury, Dr Ataat Khan, M. Iqbal Yousuf, M. Abdur Raqeeb, Dr M. Faisal, Dr Hasan Raza, Dr Rahmatullah Abdul Ahad, MA Siraj, Amanullah Khan, Maulana Mujtaba Farooq, Sayyid Saadatullah Husaini, Abdus Salam Puthige, Dr Taha Mateen, Navaid Hamid, Abdur Rashid Agwan, Dr Zaki Kirmani, Dr M. Rafeeq Sarkhwas, Mushtaq Ahmad Alig and Uzma Naheed.«
Source:
http://www.milligazette.com/Archives/2004/16-31Oct04-Print-Edition/163110200402.htm
Source of the above report: http://conflict-religion.boker.tv/conflicts/islam/india_imi_gets_go_ahead?eZSESSIDnews=4e9b2bf90665cf511270ba01d0b607e6
UKT Scholarship Details
Universal Knowledge Trust
Scholarships for Muslim students in Certificate, Diploma and PG Diploma Courses only.
Chairman: Abdul Rashid Agwan
A-58/3, Shaheen Bagh, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi-110025,
Mob: 9911526380, http://universalknowledge.in/
Take Up the Cause of Justice: APCR
Take Up the Cause of Justice: APCR
By: ABDUL RASHID AGWAN
Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) organised a two-day Training Programme for paralegal social workers at Lucknow on November 10 and11. Around 40 human rights activists from different parts of Uttar Pradesh participated in the programme.
At the outset Dr Shakeel Ahmad, Secretary of Islami Relief Committee-Gujarat and Project Director APCR, spelled out objectives and structure of the programme.
He said Muslims have not only failed to be vanguards of human rights but also become oppressed themselves to a great extent. And for alleviating the situation they should take up the cause of justice in an organised, professional and effective way.
Dr Shakeel remarked that several human rights groups are presently active in India but Muslim participation in this regard is almost negligible and even those who evince enthusiasm in this particular field, lack proper training and desired knowledge. The APCR has planned to fill this gap by organising a series of training activities in different parts of the country in a phased manner.
Prof. M. Rafat, Member Central Advisory Council Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, in his keynote address, pointed out that Islam is a universal religion and it underlines equality of mankind as an essential feature of civil society and demands that all human beings should be treated with justice and due respect. He emphasised the need for cooperation of Muslims with the cross-section of society in establishing peace and justice not only as their religious obligation but also as their human responsibility.
According to the learned speaker, in spite of the fact that India complies to the UN Charter of Human Rights and it is governed by one of the best constitutions of the world, it has several repressive laws and policies which actually go against minorities, scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, labours, farmers, women, children and other precarious sections of Indian society.
He advised that such laws and policies should be opposed at the formulation level itself and mass awareness should be generated for their repealing even if proclaimed. He said that the best way of fighting oppressive tendencies is to expose them before common people by acquiring comprehensive information on the actual violation of human rights along with substantial proofs. He commented that the judicial system in the country has become dearer whereas Indian prisons are still managed with draconian laws, making delivery of justice slow and cumbersome. Dr Rafat emphasised that paralegal workers should compile right information regarding human rights violation and bring it to the notice of higher authorities, media and all concerned.
Mr Mohammad Sulaiman, President Indian National League, Kanpur, quoted several cases of human rights violation and suggested that there should be Muslim activist groups in all major cities and troubled regions for taking care of injustice and discrimination against Muslims. He lamented that values of good governance are evaporating fast and those who are supposed to be the vanguards of civil rights are violating them in a shameless and fearless manner. He opined that Muslims should rise to the occasion and take suitable measures for redressing the situation.
Mr Abdul Rashid Agwan, President Universal Knowledge Trust, New Delhi, talked on “Role and Responsibilities of Paralegal Workers” and pointed out that paralegals must take up the cause as vanguards of justice, peace workers, crisis managers at the time of conflict and rioting, neighbourhood legal advisors for common people, legal counsellors, compilers of data and documents, linkmen between police and sufferers, campaigners of civil rights, coordinators among human rights groups in a given area/locality and the like. Those who are interested to take up paralegal work as their prime profession or passion must develop enough knowledge and understanding regarding Indian judicial system and functioning of law enforcement agencies, norms and procedures of government machinery, perspectives of human rights activists, etc, he said.
His talk was followed by interaction among participants. Mr Agwan also led a workshop on Documentation for Paralegal Work.
In an interesting session, Dr Shakeel Ahmad shared his personal experiences of dealing with widespread human rights violation in Gujarat during and after Gujarat riots. He mentioned that during riotous situation, the police not only collaborate with miscreants but also remove dead bodies from the actual spots to dub innocent people as attackers on police or to destroy them permanently. The experience of Gujarat shows that by stressing on due legal remedies and effective and professional handling of cases a lot of innocent people or their survivors could be helped to a great extent, not only in the dispensation of justice but also in ensuring due compensation to the victims.
agwan@rediffmail.com
Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) organised a two-day Training Programme for paralegal social workers at Lucknow on November 10 and11. Around 40 human rights activists from different parts of Uttar Pradesh participated in the programme.
At the outset Dr Shakeel Ahmad, Secretary of Islami Relief Committee-Gujarat and Project Director APCR, spelled out objectives and structure of the programme.
He said Muslims have not only failed to be vanguards of human rights but also become oppressed themselves to a great extent. And for alleviating the situation they should take up the cause of justice in an organised, professional and effective way.
Dr Shakeel remarked that several human rights groups are presently active in India but Muslim participation in this regard is almost negligible and even those who evince enthusiasm in this particular field, lack proper training and desired knowledge. The APCR has planned to fill this gap by organising a series of training activities in different parts of the country in a phased manner.
Prof. M. Rafat, Member Central Advisory Council Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, in his keynote address, pointed out that Islam is a universal religion and it underlines equality of mankind as an essential feature of civil society and demands that all human beings should be treated with justice and due respect. He emphasised the need for cooperation of Muslims with the cross-section of society in establishing peace and justice not only as their religious obligation but also as their human responsibility.
According to the learned speaker, in spite of the fact that India complies to the UN Charter of Human Rights and it is governed by one of the best constitutions of the world, it has several repressive laws and policies which actually go against minorities, scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, labours, farmers, women, children and other precarious sections of Indian society.
He advised that such laws and policies should be opposed at the formulation level itself and mass awareness should be generated for their repealing even if proclaimed. He said that the best way of fighting oppressive tendencies is to expose them before common people by acquiring comprehensive information on the actual violation of human rights along with substantial proofs. He commented that the judicial system in the country has become dearer whereas Indian prisons are still managed with draconian laws, making delivery of justice slow and cumbersome. Dr Rafat emphasised that paralegal workers should compile right information regarding human rights violation and bring it to the notice of higher authorities, media and all concerned.
Mr Mohammad Sulaiman, President Indian National League, Kanpur, quoted several cases of human rights violation and suggested that there should be Muslim activist groups in all major cities and troubled regions for taking care of injustice and discrimination against Muslims. He lamented that values of good governance are evaporating fast and those who are supposed to be the vanguards of civil rights are violating them in a shameless and fearless manner. He opined that Muslims should rise to the occasion and take suitable measures for redressing the situation.
Mr Abdul Rashid Agwan, President Universal Knowledge Trust, New Delhi, talked on “Role and Responsibilities of Paralegal Workers” and pointed out that paralegals must take up the cause as vanguards of justice, peace workers, crisis managers at the time of conflict and rioting, neighbourhood legal advisors for common people, legal counsellors, compilers of data and documents, linkmen between police and sufferers, campaigners of civil rights, coordinators among human rights groups in a given area/locality and the like. Those who are interested to take up paralegal work as their prime profession or passion must develop enough knowledge and understanding regarding Indian judicial system and functioning of law enforcement agencies, norms and procedures of government machinery, perspectives of human rights activists, etc, he said.
His talk was followed by interaction among participants. Mr Agwan also led a workshop on Documentation for Paralegal Work.
In an interesting session, Dr Shakeel Ahmad shared his personal experiences of dealing with widespread human rights violation in Gujarat during and after Gujarat riots. He mentioned that during riotous situation, the police not only collaborate with miscreants but also remove dead bodies from the actual spots to dub innocent people as attackers on police or to destroy them permanently. The experience of Gujarat shows that by stressing on due legal remedies and effective and professional handling of cases a lot of innocent people or their survivors could be helped to a great extent, not only in the dispensation of justice but also in ensuring due compensation to the victims.
agwan@rediffmail.com
___________________________________________________________________
Moderator of Blog: Musab Rafiq Agwan
www.caveservices.com (For Website Designing & Development and NGO Consultancy)
Universal Knowledge Trust (UKT) Scholarship
UKT SCHOLARSHIPS
FELLOWSHIP PROFESSIONAL COURSES: Scholarships and fellowships of the UKT intend both intellectual and economic development of deprived sections.Fellowships can be availed on identified areas of contribution. Students and research fellows not receiving any financial assistance from other sources may contact for our areas of interest. Professional Scholarship Programme of the UKT currently targets development of desired skills and abilities among youth enabling them in acquiring an early economic stability. A slew of diploma and PG diploma courses are critically supported. Aspirants can apply in the prescribed form every year by September end. Priority in selection will be given to the candidates hailing from educationally backward and economically poor families. Selection is done for one year however better performance on the part of beneficiaries may be rewarded by renewal of scholarship in the ensuing year.
APCR Three-Day Legal Workers Training Camp of M P & Chhatisgarh 11-13 April 2008
APCR Three-Day Legal Workers Training Camp of M P & Chhatisgarh 11-13 April 2008
Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), in continuation of its nation-wide series of training programmes, organised a two-day training programme for the legal social workers of Madhya Pradesh and Chhatisgarh states in collaboration with the corresponding zone of Jamat-e-Islami Hind on 11-13 April 2008 at its Headquarters in Bhopal. Twenty-six registered and some other delegates participated in the programme from different parts of the state. The participants included four women activists.
The programme commenced with the welcome remarks of the camp organiser Mr Anwar Safi. Mutual introduction of the participants preceded the keynote address of Dr Shakeel Ahmad, Director (training) of the APCR, who came all way from Ahmadabad to grace the occasion. In his inspiring deliberation, the learned speaker systematically analysed the historical factors, which led to existence and sustenance of oppressive tendencies quite peculiar to the Indian subcontinent. He was of the opinion that not only Muslims but almost all weaker sections of the country are presently suffering from ill-effects of those historical ingredients of tyranny, inequality and discrimination. He went on to state that in spite of the fact that India espouses a good constitution, its legislative trends, legal system, executive and judiciary are affected badly with corruption and unhealthy undercurrents, which more than often deny justice to a common man. Despite various schemes for legal aid systems by the government and civil society there is still no mass awareness and movement in the offing, which could alter the situation, Dr Shakeel explained. According him, that makes the case for establishing an organisation like APCR by some activists.
The president of Jamat-e-Islami MP and Chhatisgarh Mr Abdul Ahad delivered the presidential remarks of the inaugural session and encouraged the participants to come forward against the ongoing oppression and discrimination of weaker groups such as women, minorities, Dalits, and other marginalized groups.
The inaugural session was followed by one working session before lunch in which a Delhi-based expert Mr Abdul Rashid Agwan spoke on the given topic "Responsibilities of Legal Social Workers in Establishing Justice". He reminded the delegates that Islam has justice as its core value, as substantiated by the verse of Sura Hadid, which states that one prime reason for the rise of divine prophets on the earth is to establish justice among people. He further remarked that legal social work is a specialised work, which requires certain qualities from human rights activists. According to him, for any organised effort leading to fighting injustice and oppressive forces in the country, a battery of well-trained workers is required in each nook and corner of the country. The expert speaker mentioned generation of awareness, dissemination of information, motivation of victims, training of workers and developing them into a team, intervention in referred cases, paralegal support to legal experts, coordination with people, human rights organisations, media and the APCR and compilation and preservation of documents are some of the key responsibilities of the legal social workers.
In the afternoon session, a local advocate and board member of the APCR, Sajid Hossain delivered a talk on "Documentation: What and How". He enlightened the participants on the importance and delicacies of documents as evidence in the legal proceedings. He gave several examples by which he tried to bring home the fact how a simple document could change the whole course of a case. This lecture was followed by an informative presentation on "Right To Information" by Mr Abdul Rashid Agwan who discussed in detail about the Right To Information Act, 2005 and its various provisions, which empower a common man to watch and influence the course of functioning of government. Then, Mr Anwar Safi the Secretary (Social Service) of Jamat-e-Islami's host zone provided valuable information while speaking on the functioning and objectives of human rights commissions.
In the evening session, legal experts oriented the trainees on the pertaining provisions, procedures and details of First Information Report, Arrest and Case. The deliberations were followed by questions and answers. These topics enriched the knowledge and information of participants regarding legal matters that may arise as the cases of human rights violations.
The first session of the second day was engrossed with sharing of experiences among the participants who took keen interest in describing their experiences. In fact the participants had to be requested to deliberate in short for lack of time to accommodate their enthusiasm. The second part of the morning session dealt with some practical work under the supervision of Mr Abdul Rashid Agwan. First of all a questionnaire was circulated among the trainees in order to assess their background knowledge, interests and exposure in the field of human rights activities. Another assignment involved writing an FIR, complaint to Superintendent of Police, application under the RTI Act and complaint to Human Rights Commission. A report was presented by the examiner Mr Abdul Rashid Agwan on the background knowledge of the participants and their skill to write documents seeking justice and remedy to human rights violation. Names of the best respondents were announced for prizes.
In the afternoon session leading Muslim dignitaries of Bhopal joined the training programmes deliberated upon heir own experiences of human rights violations in the state. They include Qazi Azizur Rahman, president all India Masjlis Tameer-e-Millat, Maulana Masi Alam, member Muslim Personal Law Board and Mr. InamurRahman of SIO.
Mr Abdul Rashid Agwan and Dr Shakeel Ahmad addressed a well attended public meeting that was organised by Shahadat-e-Haq Trust on "What is Terrorism?" held at 9 PM in the compound of famous Moti Masjid of Bhopal.
In the first session of the last day Dr Shakeel Ahmad shared his experiences in fighting for justice in Gujarat. He recalled the post-Godhra events and felt sad on the total collapse of administration and law enforcement agencies at that time. The learned speaker gave details how the campaign for legal remedies on the atrocities inflicted by the police and administration took birth entailing the first case in the country where the nexus of police and administration with miscreants was exposed and in some select cases the culprits could be brought to the dock and got punished.
In the concluding session, the participants presented their views regarding the topics, their treatment by experts and arrangements of the training programme and their feedback was also recorded in the Evaluation Form. This part of the session was followed by concluding remarks of Dr Shakeel Ahmad and the last words of Mr. Abdul Ahad. During the training programme, a meeting of concerned delegates was also held for planning the future wok of the APCR in the region.
An organisational meeting of APCR was also held wherein following decisions were taken.
A state level organisation on the patterns of APCR will be got registered in the state. Mr Anwar Safi will be the interim in-charge till the organisation comes up.
Informal units at 15 places were formed and their respective convenors were appointed. They were provided with books on the subjects in Hindi and Urdu and were assigned the task of reading the same and doing related practical works.
Further informal units will be formed in four zones of the state for which convenors were appointed.
APCR holds training Programme of Para-legal Social Workers
By Abdul Rashid Agwan
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh: Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) organised a two-day Training Programme of Paralegal Social Workers at Lucknow on 10-11 November 2007, participated by around 40 human rights activists from different parts of Uttar Pradesh. The Western UP Zone of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind hosted the programme in the Conference Hall of its office at Darul Islam in the Molvi Ganj area of the city. The main purpose of the programme was to train Muslim activists to effectively play their role in the protection of civil rights and it was the first event of its kind in the proposed series of similar programmes in different parts of the country.
The programme was addressed by Dr Shakeel Ahmad, the Secretary of Islamic Relief Committee, Ahmadabad; Mr Mohammad Sulaiman, President of Indian National League, Kanpur; Dr M. Rafat, Shura Member of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, New Delhi; Mr Abdul Rashid Agwan, President of Universal Knowledge Trust, New Delhi, Mr Mohammad Ahmad, Ameer, Western UP Zone of the Jamaat, Lucknow; Mr Mohammad Khalid, and others. Apart from orientation lectures, a group discussion was held and assignments were given to impart practical training in the field of human rights and civil liberties. Delegates will receive certificates for their active participation in the programme.
At the outset Dr Shakeel Ahmad spelled out objectives and structure of the programme in the capacity of Project Director of APCR. While speaking in the Inaugural Session, he said that not only Muslims have failed to be vanguards of human rights but they have also become oppressed themselves to a great extent and for alleviating the situation they should take up the cause of justice in an organised, professional and effective way. Dr Shakeel remarked that several human rights groups are presently active in India but Muslim participation in this regard is almost negligible and even those who evince enthusiasm in this particular field, lack proper training and desired knowledge. The APCR had planned to fill this gape by organising a series of training activities in different parts of the country in a phased manner, he went on to say.
The programme was addressed by Dr Shakeel Ahmad, the Secretary of Islamic Relief Committee, Ahmadabad; Mr Mohammad Sulaiman, President of Indian National League, Kanpur; Dr M. Rafat, Shura Member of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, New Delhi; Mr Abdul Rashid Agwan, President of Universal Knowledge Trust, New Delhi, Mr Mohammad Ahmad, Ameer, Western UP Zone of the Jamaat, Lucknow; Mr Mohammad Khalid, and others. Apart from orientation lectures, a group discussion was held and assignments were given to impart practical training in the field of human rights and civil liberties. Delegates will receive certificates for their active participation in the programme.
At the outset Dr Shakeel Ahmad spelled out objectives and structure of the programme in the capacity of Project Director of APCR. While speaking in the Inaugural Session, he said that not only Muslims have failed to be vanguards of human rights but they have also become oppressed themselves to a great extent and for alleviating the situation they should take up the cause of justice in an organised, professional and effective way. Dr Shakeel remarked that several human rights groups are presently active in India but Muslim participation in this regard is almost negligible and even those who evince enthusiasm in this particular field, lack proper training and desired knowledge. The APCR had planned to fill this gape by organising a series of training activities in different parts of the country in a phased manner, he went on to say.
Dealing With Terrorism
Shri Shivraj Patil
Minister of Home Affairs
Government of India
New Delhi
Honourable Shri Sivraj ji Patil
I have viewed your exclusive interview on Voice of India in the evening of 27 September 2008 regarding terrorism. I am highly impressed of your presentation and concern for alleviating the problem of terrorism. Since I had some concrete suggestions for solving the problem of terrorism, I wrote a note for publication of the same in newspapers. However, after hearing you on the said channel I could not prevent myself to send it directly to you and all others who could value the envisaged steps for controlling the contiguous spread of terrorism. The attached note “Dealing with Terrorism” represents my sincerest thinking on the issue and I hope it would contribute in the emerging debate on terrorism and in making our beloved country terror free.
With sincere regards
Abdul Rashid Agwan
A58/3, Shaheen Bagh, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi-110025, Mobile: 9911526380
President, Universal Knowledge Trust
Member, Association for Protection of Civil Rights
Member, Forum for Peace and Unity
Member, All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat
Founder Member and former Secretary General, Institute of Objective Studies
Former Member, Jamat-e-Islami Hind (1985-2003)
Date: 11/10/2008
CC:
* Smt Pratibha Patil, President of India
* Mrs Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson UPA
* Dr Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India
* All Ministers of Central Cabinet
* Chief Justice of India
* Chairman, National Human Rights Commission
* Chairman, National Minorities Commission
* Members, National Integration Council
* President, PUCL
* President, PUDR
* Newspapers
* Heads of Political Parties and Social Organisations
Dealing with Terrorism
Minister of Home Affairs
Government of India
New Delhi
Honourable Shri Sivraj ji Patil
I have viewed your exclusive interview on Voice of India in the evening of 27 September 2008 regarding terrorism. I am highly impressed of your presentation and concern for alleviating the problem of terrorism. Since I had some concrete suggestions for solving the problem of terrorism, I wrote a note for publication of the same in newspapers. However, after hearing you on the said channel I could not prevent myself to send it directly to you and all others who could value the envisaged steps for controlling the contiguous spread of terrorism. The attached note “Dealing with Terrorism” represents my sincerest thinking on the issue and I hope it would contribute in the emerging debate on terrorism and in making our beloved country terror free.
With sincere regards
Abdul Rashid Agwan
A58/3, Shaheen Bagh, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi-110025, Mobile: 9911526380
President, Universal Knowledge Trust
Member, Association for Protection of Civil Rights
Member, Forum for Peace and Unity
Member, All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat
Founder Member and former Secretary General, Institute of Objective Studies
Former Member, Jamat-e-Islami Hind (1985-2003)
Date: 11/10/2008
CC:
* Smt Pratibha Patil, President of India
* Mrs Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson UPA
* Dr Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India
* All Ministers of Central Cabinet
* Chief Justice of India
* Chairman, National Human Rights Commission
* Chairman, National Minorities Commission
* Members, National Integration Council
* President, PUCL
* President, PUDR
* Newspapers
* Heads of Political Parties and Social Organisations
Dealing with Terrorism
Terror trail is taking toll of human lives city after city. It is now affecting the entire country and becoming almost an indomitable threat to human lives, communal relations, economic progress and even political stability of the country. This calls for civil society, administration, media and law enforcement system to come up with some tangible solution. The heavy reliance over the already rejected and brazenly misused ‘harsh laws’ as panacea would hardly serve any purpose as illustrated by the fact that there were more such incidents and loss of lives when such acts were in operation. This requires seeing the problem holistically and formulating some time bound strategy for its effective control.
It is a widely acknowledged fact that terrorism is not just a law and order problem. It is a social problem as well having roots in the sense of deprivation, discrimination and injustice. It is a political problem created by the ambiguity of mainstream parties and ‘interest-based’ radical hate groups and strengthened by vote bank politics amidst aggressive persuasion of cultural nationalism. It is a development issue since the unemployment and marginalisation of some sections provide breeding nurseries for it. It is a legal problem since it is leading to human rights violation on both the sides; from those who are perpetuating it and from those who are made responsible for tackling it. It is an international problem because various kinds of conspiracies are feeding it. Therefore, the problem demands some wise thinking on the part of all those who vehemently wish for its early solution.
The first and foremost step in this regard could be the ‘bounding of terrorism’. It means containing flare up of the problem to as smaller a magnitude as possible. This would require isolation of hardliners from the rest of society. It does not mean preventing those who are working or have been working on surface within general framework of the country but to narrow down the reach and influence of hardliners by giving as much space as possible for open debate on issues and perspectives raised by people showing dissatisfaction on the system and its establishment. Banning of law-abiding organisations in the name of their imagined sympathy with hardliners would be counterproductive. This has been proved true in case of Students Islamic Movement of India. Before ban it was perusing its objectives, may be radically, but within the legal framework. Some of its posters and slogans had definitely antagonised a large section of the country including Muslims and such stray cases were legally dealt with. But, when SIMI was unnecessarily banned under the global hype of ‘war on terrorism’ just after 9/11 tragedy; some of its hardliners or for that matter even others got the opportunity of misusing its name, influence and cadre to some extent for subversive end in spite the larger group seeking legal remedy for lifting of the ban and otherwise remaining inactive. However, the said misuse is yet to be proved beyond doubt and the matter is yet under investigation and sub judice in various courts. Unfortunately, just after the ban a large number of its cadre were arrested on the blame of being member of an outlawed organisation and not on any substantial activity which could attract provisions of the ban. Moreover, the ban has been extended over a large spell of time without any progress in the apex court as awaited by the banned outfit. This seeming ‘denial of justice’ has further confused the situation and provided some ill-intended people to take advantage of the meddled water. Therefore, what is required is to bound and pinpoint the act of perversion on the alleged part of the smaller faction and reduce its influence and reach by giving space to the larger group, which is fighting legal battle in the supreme Court, to rejoin the national mainstream. This is possible even without banning the organisation and dealing with subversive activities in the sternest manner under the existing laws. Further extension of ban on SIMI would demoralise its law-abiding faction and would complicate the present rise of terrorism. Therefore, it is in the interest of the nation to narrow down the problem. Unfortunately, some sections of Indian polity seems hardly interested in resolving the problem rather they are pressurising the government to continue the ban on SIMI and extend it further to some more Muslim organisations, which are otherwise working within the constitutional framework. Although the other side of hardliners may not appreciate some of their views, but that is the hazard, nature and necessity of democracy.
The second step in this regard could be to start a process of dialogue and national debate on issues overwhelming the Muslim community at large. Some issues are constantly boggling Muslim minds such as discrimination in the development process as authenticated by Sachar Committee Report, early judicial remedy on Babri Masjid issue, execution on recommendations of various commissions, framing of cases against rioters of Maliana, Mumbai, Gujarat and other riots and their early judicial proceedings and the like. A reasonable treatment of these issues would reassure the failing faith of larger number of Muslims, particularly its youths, on the Indian democracy and it would cut through the supply line of terrorism. This process of dialogue could be even extended to those who are bent on subversive activities in vengeance. The nation has resolved or eased out similar problems of Chambal dacoits, militancy in Punjab, J&K and North East and the like through this wise process. Now, president of Afghanistan Hamid Karjai is calling Mulla Omar back to his country. Then, why not it is tried in case of the present spurt of terrorism? After all, extremes on both the ends could never resolve an issue; rather they aggravate it further, leaving moderation as the only choice for the civil society. This is necessitated in the wake of heavy loss of precious and innocent lives, detention and arrest of several innocents along with some alleged ones, emerging communal tension, deteriorating international image of the country and as an imperative for peaceful coexistence.
The third step could be the enactment of suitable law as a deterrent. Many have argued about promulgation of a stern law as sure solution against terrorism; however, people of the country would like to see how it would not be misused as its earlier versions? Country is already ashamed of over 31,000 police atrocities a year. The demand for police reform is over due. Corruption has marred law enforcement system making it a tool of injustice rather than the otherwise. Muslims had faced overriding discrimination under TADA and POTA. So this is a valid question how the envisaged enactment is going to ensure the rule of law. A number of legislations in the country such as on dowry, girl infanticide, drug abuse, etc. have been proven futile in the absence of pubic awareness. Therefore, what is required is to create mass opinion against all sorts of hate groups and deal with the problem of terrorism under the existing laws. Even if some drastic laws are envisaged in the wake of rising violence in the country it should also include mob terror or communal disturbance under its preview. The impartial and just role of the state in controlling violence and hate campaign will not entail until both kinds of violence are clubbed under one law; otherwise it will be difficult to dispel the feeling that there is connivance to one brand of violence and imparting blame on its mere byproduct and reactionary outcome.
The country is passing through a very critical period and requires scrupulous and dispassionate approach for assuaging terrorism rather than making it evermore aggravated. If things are not taken judiciously than the whole nation may fall into a dark period of communal frenzy, chaos and civil war. It is a time to act and act reasonably.
Abdul Rashid Agwan
http://www.universalknowledge.in/
It is a widely acknowledged fact that terrorism is not just a law and order problem. It is a social problem as well having roots in the sense of deprivation, discrimination and injustice. It is a political problem created by the ambiguity of mainstream parties and ‘interest-based’ radical hate groups and strengthened by vote bank politics amidst aggressive persuasion of cultural nationalism. It is a development issue since the unemployment and marginalisation of some sections provide breeding nurseries for it. It is a legal problem since it is leading to human rights violation on both the sides; from those who are perpetuating it and from those who are made responsible for tackling it. It is an international problem because various kinds of conspiracies are feeding it. Therefore, the problem demands some wise thinking on the part of all those who vehemently wish for its early solution.
The first and foremost step in this regard could be the ‘bounding of terrorism’. It means containing flare up of the problem to as smaller a magnitude as possible. This would require isolation of hardliners from the rest of society. It does not mean preventing those who are working or have been working on surface within general framework of the country but to narrow down the reach and influence of hardliners by giving as much space as possible for open debate on issues and perspectives raised by people showing dissatisfaction on the system and its establishment. Banning of law-abiding organisations in the name of their imagined sympathy with hardliners would be counterproductive. This has been proved true in case of Students Islamic Movement of India. Before ban it was perusing its objectives, may be radically, but within the legal framework. Some of its posters and slogans had definitely antagonised a large section of the country including Muslims and such stray cases were legally dealt with. But, when SIMI was unnecessarily banned under the global hype of ‘war on terrorism’ just after 9/11 tragedy; some of its hardliners or for that matter even others got the opportunity of misusing its name, influence and cadre to some extent for subversive end in spite the larger group seeking legal remedy for lifting of the ban and otherwise remaining inactive. However, the said misuse is yet to be proved beyond doubt and the matter is yet under investigation and sub judice in various courts. Unfortunately, just after the ban a large number of its cadre were arrested on the blame of being member of an outlawed organisation and not on any substantial activity which could attract provisions of the ban. Moreover, the ban has been extended over a large spell of time without any progress in the apex court as awaited by the banned outfit. This seeming ‘denial of justice’ has further confused the situation and provided some ill-intended people to take advantage of the meddled water. Therefore, what is required is to bound and pinpoint the act of perversion on the alleged part of the smaller faction and reduce its influence and reach by giving space to the larger group, which is fighting legal battle in the supreme Court, to rejoin the national mainstream. This is possible even without banning the organisation and dealing with subversive activities in the sternest manner under the existing laws. Further extension of ban on SIMI would demoralise its law-abiding faction and would complicate the present rise of terrorism. Therefore, it is in the interest of the nation to narrow down the problem. Unfortunately, some sections of Indian polity seems hardly interested in resolving the problem rather they are pressurising the government to continue the ban on SIMI and extend it further to some more Muslim organisations, which are otherwise working within the constitutional framework. Although the other side of hardliners may not appreciate some of their views, but that is the hazard, nature and necessity of democracy.
The second step in this regard could be to start a process of dialogue and national debate on issues overwhelming the Muslim community at large. Some issues are constantly boggling Muslim minds such as discrimination in the development process as authenticated by Sachar Committee Report, early judicial remedy on Babri Masjid issue, execution on recommendations of various commissions, framing of cases against rioters of Maliana, Mumbai, Gujarat and other riots and their early judicial proceedings and the like. A reasonable treatment of these issues would reassure the failing faith of larger number of Muslims, particularly its youths, on the Indian democracy and it would cut through the supply line of terrorism. This process of dialogue could be even extended to those who are bent on subversive activities in vengeance. The nation has resolved or eased out similar problems of Chambal dacoits, militancy in Punjab, J&K and North East and the like through this wise process. Now, president of Afghanistan Hamid Karjai is calling Mulla Omar back to his country. Then, why not it is tried in case of the present spurt of terrorism? After all, extremes on both the ends could never resolve an issue; rather they aggravate it further, leaving moderation as the only choice for the civil society. This is necessitated in the wake of heavy loss of precious and innocent lives, detention and arrest of several innocents along with some alleged ones, emerging communal tension, deteriorating international image of the country and as an imperative for peaceful coexistence.
The third step could be the enactment of suitable law as a deterrent. Many have argued about promulgation of a stern law as sure solution against terrorism; however, people of the country would like to see how it would not be misused as its earlier versions? Country is already ashamed of over 31,000 police atrocities a year. The demand for police reform is over due. Corruption has marred law enforcement system making it a tool of injustice rather than the otherwise. Muslims had faced overriding discrimination under TADA and POTA. So this is a valid question how the envisaged enactment is going to ensure the rule of law. A number of legislations in the country such as on dowry, girl infanticide, drug abuse, etc. have been proven futile in the absence of pubic awareness. Therefore, what is required is to create mass opinion against all sorts of hate groups and deal with the problem of terrorism under the existing laws. Even if some drastic laws are envisaged in the wake of rising violence in the country it should also include mob terror or communal disturbance under its preview. The impartial and just role of the state in controlling violence and hate campaign will not entail until both kinds of violence are clubbed under one law; otherwise it will be difficult to dispel the feeling that there is connivance to one brand of violence and imparting blame on its mere byproduct and reactionary outcome.
The country is passing through a very critical period and requires scrupulous and dispassionate approach for assuaging terrorism rather than making it evermore aggravated. If things are not taken judiciously than the whole nation may fall into a dark period of communal frenzy, chaos and civil war. It is a time to act and act reasonably.
Abdul Rashid Agwan
http://www.universalknowledge.in/
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
