Community Round-Up

“100 Great Muslim Leaders of the 20th century”, a publication of the Institute of Objective Studies (IOS), was released by the former prime minister, V. P. Singh here recently. The book provides a journey into the entire Muslim world through the 100 years. It recounts saga of heroism and courage of conviction in the face of formidable challenges, which marked the lives of a selected 100 great Muslim men and women of the 20th century. While releasing the book, V. P. Singh said that people living in a plural society should learn to accommodate each other by accepting their distinctive identities. “Now that a lot of people were busy distorting history, it was necessary to present the distinct identities of different segments of our society. The book will remove misunderstandings about Muslims as a whole and create a better understanding”, he added. On the occasion, minister for railways, Laloo Prasad said the book would help create an understanding of the realities of the Muslim world in the 20th century. Dr Manzoor Alam, chairman of Institute of Objective Studies, stated that IOS would be formulating its research strategy and work towards a publication titled, “1000 Great Muslim Leaders of the last 1000 Years”. “Muslims, Dalits and other marginalised communities will continue to be the focus of our future research,” he said.

The Foun-dation stone was laid here on April 9, for the construction of ‘Apna Gaon’, a village for the children. The multi-modular village will house 200 children in 20 module homes with trained matrons taking care of inmates in each module. Mufti Ashraf Ali of Darul Uloom Sabeelur Rashad, Bangalore, unveiled the foundation plaque at the 17-acre site.


The ceremony coincided with the silver jubilee of the Millat Welfare Trust which began its activity in 1980 with the establishment of Apna Ghar children’s Home. It went on adding a string of institutions with Iqra Primary School coming in 1984, Millat English School and Millat Industrial Training Institute a year later and old aged home christened as “Buzurgaon ka Ghar’ coming up in 1989. Nearly 600 students are benefiting from these institutions. In 1996, ‘Apna Ashiana’ was set up at Bannerghatta Road in Bangalore where 36 children receive quality care. It is housed in a beautiful edifice dedicated to the memory of former editor of Urdu Daily Salar, Mr. Ibrahim Khaleelullah Khan and named as ‘Al-Khaleel’. Over 700 students have trained in varied skills at the Millat ITI in the last 22 years.


Speaking to Islamic Voice, Chairman of the Millat Welfare Trust, Prof. Abdus Salam Musheer said each of the 20 modules will be constructed at a cost of Rs. six lakh each. He has appealed to the philanthropists to come forward and take up the construction.


Union Minister of State for Urban Development, K. H. Muniyappa who has been elected Member of Lok Sabha from Kolar assured all help. Kolar MLA Srinivasa Gowda, Founder of Al-Ameen Movement, Dr. Mumtaz Ali Khan, MLC Naseer Ahmad, former MLA K. A. Nisar Ahmad, journalist Maqbool Ahmed Siraj, spoke on the occasion.

Jamia Darrussalam, Oomerabad is conducting the 24th Summer Islamic Camp 2006 from May 1st to 15th May 2006 at Jamia Darussalam Oomerabad for Muslim students studying in the higher secondary classes and college. The classes will be conducted in Tamil, Urdu and English comprising the Quran, Hadith, life of Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh), Islamic history and other Islamic etiquettes. For more details, contact: The Director, Summer Islamic Camp, Jamia Darussalam, Oomerabad-635808, Vellore Dt. (Tamil Nadu). Ph: 4171-258322.

The Foundation stone was laid here for Haj House on April 14 by Maharashtra Minister for Awqaf and Haj, Anis Ahmed. The government of Maharashtra has allotted a plot of land for the purpose near the Impressy Mill Compound. Ahmed said the Haj House would facilitate departure of pilgrims from Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and nearby areas of Madhya Pradesh.

Under the patronage of Maulana Syed Muhammad Rabey Hasani Nadvi, president, All India Muslim Personal Law Board and Maulana Riyazur Rahman Rashadi, founder and principal, Jamia-Uloom, Bangalore, the Moulana Abul Hasan Nadvi Islamic Academy, Bhatkal has brought out text books for the Muslim students of primary and high schools and colleges. These books cover the basic Islamic teachings. These have been compiled taking into account the psychology and mental level of the students. For more details, contact: Moulana Abul Hasan Nadvi Islamic Academy, Post box No 30, Bhatkal-581320. Ph: 8385-226381.

The government of Karnataka has sanctioned Rs. 10 lakh for setting up a minority chair in Karnatak University. The amount was issued by the Dharwar Deputy Commissioner on March 22. It may be recalled that Karnatak University vice chancellor, Dr. M. Khaja Peer had in a communication to the Minorities Department suggested creation of a chair on Study of Minorities in the University in October 2005 in order that issues, problems and grievances of the minorities in the State could be studied comprehensively and remedial measures could be formulated.

President, Mohammad Abdullah and General Secretary, Mohammed Atique of Marwar Muslim Educational and Welfare Society, Jodhpur (Rajasthan) receiving the first Maulana Abul Kalam Literacy Award-2004 for promoting education amongst educationally backward minorities, from Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee and Mrs Meira Kumar, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment on March 21, 2006.

Muhammad Khaleel, former editor of Urdu journal, Science ki Duniya was conferred with a national award for popularising science among children . Science ki Duniya is published by Science and Technology Communication Council and publishes magazines in several Indian languages. The award was presented by . Kiran Karnik, Chairman of NASSCOM. Khaleel has been earlier honoured with Ghalib Award, UP Urdu Academy Award, Vigyan Bhaskar Award and Delhi Urdu Academy Award.