READERSHIP SURVEY

Readers' Voice
Browsers' Voice

MEDIA is a two-way street. Views, comments, criticism and opinion of readers, or for that matter, browsers, hold the key to making the interaction between the media and its audience organic. This feedback enriches the content and its packaging and allows the two sides to measure upto each other’s expectation. Readers cannot be taken for granted. Last January, while entering our 15th year of publication, we thought of calling upon the readers of Islamic Voice to know their likes and dislikes, their needs, and their expectations in an ever-changing world. It was also to gauge their response to the changes that have been brought about in content and get-up during the last one year. Response came cascading. There were bouquets and brickbats both. Yet they were all sincere in their own way, dropping hints of what they looked for. The distinct concern for keeping this modest magazine on track and exploring the ways to cater to wider tastes even within the decidedly narrow ambit of the journal was evident.
On another level, our website www.islamicvoice.com too was enticing browsers into making a clean breast of themselves, of the way they felt about us and the way they would like us promoting the cause. Here we present a mélange of readers’ and browsers’ opinion. Only a select few letters from diverse corners of the country and the world are being published. Since the responses were in a survey form, we have taken the liberty of presenting likes and dislikes of the readers in our own words based, of course, on the hard information they have chosen to part with. Needless to say that we remain committed to giving the readers the best we can gather within our limited resources and rededicate ourselves to the cause for which this monthly has been brought out.
Editor

Must improve your get-up. Bring out in magazine form. Readers’ articles should also be included.

Md. Feda Rasool, Shaheednagar, Orissa

Increase the number of pages and content on divine knowledge. I. V.’s next version should be in Tamil.

Ghulam Dastagir, Avadi, Chennai

I am your reader for 10 years. I would like you to report about the communal riots, role of police and onslaught of fascist forces. Your editorials can be rated as the best.

Mahaboob Suban, Hospet, Bellary

I read the whole of the magazine. Urdu version would benefit more people.

Z. A. Shaikh, Nashik Road

All in my family read I.V. There must be something for the students too.

F. Rahman, Kolkata

There should be more on Fiqh and its application in modern India. I extensively use I.V. clipping for reference.

Abdur Rahman, Surat

I read the magazine from start to end. It takes me 2-3 days. Introduce career guidance.

Zahoor Ahmed, Kota, Rajasthan

News and editorial are strong points of I.V. Assamese will be my preferred language in case you choose to bring it out in any other language.

Faridul Haque,Dhaligaon, Assam

Introduce career and employment. Language needs to be simpler. There should be more photographs.

Mohammad Amir, Naini, U.P.

You need to provide more focus on North India. I.V. in Urdu is a bigger necessity.

Iqbal H. Bokda, Panchmahal, Gujarat

Our Dialogue is the most enlightening column. Editorial and Why I embraced Islam and Insights come next. Fortnightly idea is welcome.

Anjum Parvin, Allahabad

Coverage is impressive. Biographies of important persons should be introduced.

Mehdi Hassan, Varanasi

Women, Children’s columns and Community Initiatives are the best. Provide more articles on socio-economic status, rights of widows, evils of divorce.

Dr. Masood Ahmed, Krishnagiri, T.N.

You should have columns on Islamic history, IT etc. Language could be a bit more sophisticated.

Habib, Amreli, Gujarat

I often give up reading Editorial because language does not appeal to me. Support will continue if it turns fortnightly.

C. K. Abdul Hameed, Vadakavika, Kerala

Introduce columns on computers, IT, business, personality development. Why call it a small monthly?

Aamina Kulsoom, Bangalore

Quran, Quran & Science, Insights and Hadith are the best columns. Plan a Gujarati edition.

Mustaali I. Masavi, Ahmedabad

Our dialogue is the best part of I.V. Provide answers raised by Hindu brethren about Islam in a special column.

Md. Ibrahim Mollah, Burla, Orissa

Visual content should not increase. News, children, women’s column are the best brought out sections.

Sultan Ahmed, Kolkata

Opinion and Viewpoint columns appeal to me most. Hardly any column escapes my attention.

Mudassar Ahmed, Davangere, Karnataka

More photographs are needed. Have columns on career, appointments and Sufism.

Kazi Jaleel Ahmed, Madanapalle, A.P.

Women, Children’s column and Why I embraced Islam are my favourites. News and editorial come next. Photographs can be increased on a selective basis.

Sajida G. M. Khan, Mumbai

Include biographies of previous prophets, sahabis, martyrs etc. I read the entire paper including advertisements.

M. I. Hidayathullah, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia

Focus on education in Muslim countries. It will be difficult to contribute for a fortnightly.

Shams-ud-din Rahi, Jammu, J&K

Once I start reading it I do not stop till it gets finished. The areas covered by I.V. are sufficient.

G. R. Ihsan, Minicoy Islands, Lakshadweep

Bring out Tamil version too. Frequency of one month and the current mix of contents is quite adequate.

Jaleel Ahmed, Kalpakkam, T.N.

Language is very simple. Highlight social work done by Muslim girls. Insights, Hadiths and Women and children’s columns are the best.

Ms. Aneeqa Ghani, Jogeshwari, Mumbai

Provide more information on industry, technology, developments etc in OIC countries. Quran and Why I embraced Islam are my favourite columns.

Rafik Latif Shaikh, Pune

Our Dialogue is the most enlightening column. Provide Islamic websites.

Mohammad Imran, J. C. Nagar, Bangalore

You need to do more publicity of the magazine in Assam. Assamese and Bengali people are highly cultured and interested in the stuff you provide. They buy magazines, do not borrow.

Md. Sayeedur Rahman, Silchar, Assam

There is need to promote dialogue between various groups within Islam. More photographs would be welcome.

K. K. Hasan, Ernakulam, Kerala

Urdu should be the next language in which you should bring out the I.V. You need to cover Kashmir.

Shafayat Ahmed Shah, Budgam, J&K

Language of editorial is tough. Community round up and Zakir Naik’s column are the best.

Kareem Khan, Reddynagar, A.P.

Insights, Women in Islam and Hadith are the best columns. My support will continue for a fortnightly.

Khan Farida Aslam, Pune

Telugu version would be desirable.

S. A. Sahriff, Vizianagaram, A.P.

I will oppose I.V. turning into a fortnightly. Comments will become lighter and purpose will be lost.

Alkaf, Randathani, Kerala

Language of editorial is high flown. Make it simpler. Add employment news too.

A. A. Bahadur, Krishna Nagar, A.P.

Real problems of Muslim youths, way of thinking, living styles, employment and matrimony must be focused.

Shamsa M. Bangalore

Bring out Kannada version. Job opportunities overseas must be added.

Shaukath Azim, Dharwad, Karnataka

Articles on overcoming economic misery, dowry evil, interest on investments must be taken up.

N. M. Yusuf Ali Khan, Golconda, Hyderabad

Bengali should be the preferred language for the next version. Write about Muslim Sufis, scientists.

M. T. Akbar, Kolkata

Include science and technology round up, articles on women by women, career guidance for youth, biographies of religious and social figures.

Dr. H. A. Khan, Mysore

Short write-ups about personal experiences about Islamic concepts will be welcome. Our Dialogue is by far the best column.

Dr. Abdus Sami, Provorim, Goa

News, women and children.s column are your strong points. Bring out I.V. in Sindhi and Gujarati. Career guidance should be added.

Md. Aijaz, Gorewali, Kutch, Gujarat

News, Insights, and Women and Children’s columns are the best. Our copy is read by the entire family and circulated among relatives.

Mrs. Anees Fazal, Secunderabad

Your language is just fine. You need to serialize Islamic history.

D.M.Pathan, Pune

Include contributions of Islam to world history. Photographs should be increased on a selective basis.

Dr. Abdus Salam, Shimoga

I.V. as a monthly is all right. Hadith, Quran, Our Dialogue are the best columns.

M. M. Khuraishi, Brahmavar, Karnataka

Editorial needs to be simpler. Turn it into a fortnightly. Suggested subscription Rs. 150.

S. Azmathulla, Bijapur, Karnataka

A column on media scan can be introduced. Malayalam can be chosen as a language for the second edition.

K. A. Razack, Amayur, Kerala

National and state level coverage of news must increase. Kannada can be considered for the next edition.

S. Abdul Khiyum, Bangalore

Islamic programmes on TV and radio can be added. I preserve the clippings of I.V.

J. Nawaz Ahmed, Bangalore

I read the children’s corner and Hadiths on a priority basis. They are the best. Bring out I.V. in Hindi too. True stories about Islam may be added.

Farhat Begum, Mehdipatnam, Hyderabad

Conduct Muslim world photo contest. Publish quiz contests in different forms.

Saleem Ulla, Kalasipalayam,Bangalore

Editorials are the best. Our support will continue if turned into a fortnightly.

Mr. & Mrs. Habib, Velachery, Chennai

Our Dialogue column is the best. Bring out in Malayalam. Cannot support if turned into a fortnightly.

Dr. M. Habeeb, Alappuzha, Kerala

Introduce business, penpals, self-help and Internet columns. Do not opt for fortnightly.

Naushad Hazari, Buxi Bazar, Cuttack

Even if the Islamic Voice is turned into a weekly, I will be happy.

S. A. Samad, Nandyal, A.P.

Conduct opinion polls on Muslim/Islamic issues. Introduce lessons in Arabic learning.

Dr. S. Z. Anwar, Pune

Your languague is just right. I frequently download article for circulation. $5 can be paid for access.

Mohammad Aslam, Westcliff-on-sea, Essex, UK

Small access fee can be paid. You should come out with Hindi version too.

Rizal Fuadi Mohammad, Cimanggis-ciputat, Indonesia

Attempt simpler language. Provide advts. for job opportunities. Access fee can be paid.

Khalid Ahmed, Audugodi, Bangalore

Publish articles on family problems faced by Muslim women, matrimonial issues, etc.

Prof. Nikhat Siddiqui, Aliganj, Lucknow

It would help if the Our Dialogue section is archived as one big database so that we need not search for every issue’s features. Small access fee is quite justified.

Ishrath Humairah, Hyderabad

Of late I.V. has started venturing ideas like why can’t Muslim have name Seeta etc. The South Indian dogma is also seen in plethora of ‘this’. Will I.V. ever come out of it. Language is substandard.

M. Sanjar Afaque, Balpur, Maharashtra

Create e-mail column to communicate. Provide cover stories. Produce Tamil version too. $ 5 access fee will be okay.

Md. Hidayathullah, Dubai

It is a very well laid out website. Kudos for your Children’s corner. You need to put a page on your staff members, the group behind the effort etc. $ 5 will be no problem for access.

Mohammad Hafeez, Woodlands, Texas

Provide anecdotes from Prophet’s life. Your news columns are the best. You deserve a small access fee.

Kausar Fathima Karim, Houston, Texas

Add job opportunities, career guidance, sports etc. Hindi version is also needed.

Alim Ahmed, Jeddah, KSA

Make it a fortnightly magazine. Ask international columnists to write for I.V. Access fee may be charged.

Shareef, Singapore

News columns are informative. $ 5 access fee is okay.

Nursyarifah, Jogjakarta, Indonesia

Have columns on Islamic science. Also integrate moral philosophy with science. More photographs are needed.

Afzal Mohammad, IIT, Kharagpur

Simpler language is needed. Comment on Western media propaganda about Jehad.

Ahmed Sadiq, Kuala Lumpur

You can connect Muslims worldwide by writing about current lifestyles, experiences of Muslims worldwide, not only in India, to create a sense of Ummah community. Attempt to enhance a pragmatic and rational image of Islam and Muslims. Create a wider audience even among non-Muslims. Find ways to communicate and connect thousands of Muslim centers and mosques. Small access fee is agreeable.

Sofia Shums, Flushings, New York

Language should be simpler. Urdu version should also be brought out.

Fazl R. Khan, Ottawa, Canada

Insights, Prophet’s Medicine, Matrimonial and Readers’ Comments are the best pages. Write about Muslim students organization.

Maqsood Ahmed Punekar, Liverpool, UK

More international news is required. Hadith and Dr. Naik’s columns are most appealing.

Shazi Hashmi, Framingham, Massachusetts

Kannada should be the language for the next edition of I.V. $ 5 access fee will be okay.

Mohammad Ataur Rahman, Madison, Wisconsin.

We need more of socio-economic information about Indian Muslims. Access fee can be charged.

M. Tahir Qureshi, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia

I.V. should provide latest information on exploitation and sufferings of Muslims.

Syed Shabeer, Jayanagar, Bangalore

I have been an avid reader of I.V. for a decade. May Allah give you further strength.

Deen Mohammad, Leh, J&K

I would need more information on sports and Islamic conferences throughout the world. $5 access fee would not be difficult.

Dr. Mohiuddin Mohammad, Riffa, Bahrain

Human relationships are breaking without reasons. I.V. should provide more insight on improving these relationships such as between spouses, siblings etc.

Syeda Lubna Abdul Khuddus, Atlanta, Georgia

I.V. should provide more information on Tabligh.

Hussain Chowdhury, Imphal, Manipur

I.V. has always inspired us to do more of social service. Urdu website will be desirable.

Dr. Javed Rasheed, Kurnool, A.P.

More information on North India, comparative religion, Ijtihad, and Dawah training and principles and web links to Muslim organizations should be provided.

Dr. Qaisar Amanullah, New Delhi

You could have a Tamil version on the web too. Start a question and answers section.

Shaukath Ali, Boston