By Nurul Islam Laskar, MM,
KOZHIKODE,27 Dec 2014: 122 rank holder students from the Muslim community cutting across the country, from Jammu & Kashmir to Kerala and from Gujarat to Assam, received their gold, silver and bronze medals at the jam packed AFMI 23rd International Convention on Education & Gala Award Ceremony held at Tagore Centenary Hall in Kozhikode (Kerala) on Saturday. There were an overwhelming number of girl students among the medal winners which signalled the surge for education among Muslim girls of the day.
AFMI is a philanthropic charity formed by American Muslims of Indian Origin in the year 1989. AFMI strives to improve the socio-economic status of the underprivileged Indian Muslim minorities through education. Since it was founded, AFMI has remained steadfast in its mission to achieve 100 per cent literacy amongst Indian Muslims.
AFMI’s vision is to improve literacy and economic status of Muslims in India; help Muslims in India to contribute towards social, political and economic development of the country; strive to advance the cause of underprivileged masses in India in general, and Muslim masses in particular; promote exchange of technology and other resources to development entrepreneurial and leadership skills; and encourage excellence in Muslim youths both in North America and India to strengthen their unique identity.
The Annual Convention on Education and Gala Award Ceremony of AFMI is held in a different city of India every year. The last three Conventions were held in Hyderabad (2011), Ranchi (2012), and Guwahati (2013).
Following recitation from the Holy Quran, the welcome address was delivered by Dr Fazal Ghafoor, President, Muslim Education Society (MES). Dr A Raheman S Nakadar, Founder Trustee AFMI, delivered the presidential address. In his inaugural address, E Ahamed, former Union Minister and MP, said, “Kerala is the path breaker in the education of Muslim community in India is a fact that no one can refute.” In respect of women’s education and empowerment, Ahamed said that Kerala has emerged as the role model for the whole world.
Ravisha Shirin from Karnataka, who secured 100 per cent marks in her board examination, received the best performance medal from the hands of E Ahamed. All together 122 best performers among Muslim students of the country received their medals in this unique award presentation ceremony.
In the second half, two academic sessions were held, one on ‘Emerging trend in world education: resources’ and another on ‘Emerging trend in world education: methodologies.’
AFMI presented the ‘Sir Syed Award’ to Dr Fazal Ghafoor for his outstanding contribution to the cause of education among the Muslim community in the country.
What AFMI is doing for empowerment of Indian Muslims through education provides a road-map to those willing to raise the community from its present status of marginalization, despite the government’s apathetic attitude towards minorities.
In a country like India where minorities are often treated politically disadvantaged sections of the society, the non-governmental organizations can do a lot for the community as well as for the country at large. Kerala, acclaimed as the path-breaker in this domain, provides an ideal role model for the Muslims of other states also. The scholars like Prof Shaz (AMU)can contribute substantially towards the community’s empowerment by initiating educational projects instead of indulging in the muddy political gimmickry of the country.
but they wont get a change in government jobs nor colleges nor any jobs .. bcz they r not allowed
@Ankit, Muslims have strong believe and faith in Allah as far as destiny is concerned, you are born Indian but earning handsome income but not from India, who is providing this ? your skill ? your education ? or your cunniningness ? Likewise they have their own destiny may be there in Government in PMO office ! who knows ?
Fir Rong number laga Ankit.
Salam.
I have been reading reports about AFMI’s annual convention for quite some time. Never before I raised any questions. But this time i request AFMI to please let us know apart from distributing medals to ‘Bright students’ and organising seminars on education what else has been done for Muslims? Why can’t they work to bring weak and poor students to up to mark? in fact weak and poor students deserve more attention.
Has AFMI provided oe worked to provide gainful employment to marginalised Muslims? It would be worth knowing as to how many marginalised Muslims have got jobs through AFMI? Are there some technical institutions run or funded by this organisation?
Thanks.