Muslim Opinion -Makers Defend "Vande" Resolution

Muslim Opinion makers and religious leaders on Tuesday 3rd November 2009 defended the Deoband resolution against singing of Vande Mataram, endorsing the position of religious seminary that doing so would conflict with Islamic tenet of monotheism. "The song violates the basic tenets of Islam as the religion does not allow its followers to worship anybody other than Allah" Muslim personal Law Board Member Kamal Faruqui said.

State of the Nation: Dress Indian, please

In just over 24 hours from now, India will be celebrating its independence day. All through this Independence Day week, CNN-IBN and Hindustan Times present a survey on how Indian society has changed since Independence. On Thursday, the topic of discussion was what Indians feel about a dress code.

No one dresses up in as many different shades as Indians do with jeans, skirts or kurta pyjamas, salwar suits and sarees and many other dresses a part of the wardrobe. But school and college authorities have often come down heavily against youngsters dressing up, a bit too casually.

The panel of experts included fashion designer Rina Dhaka, Principal of Mount Carmel School, New Delhi, VK Williams; Principal of Vaishnav College for Women, Chennai, Nirmala Prasad and Chairman, Delhi Minorities Commission, Kamal Farooqui.

CNN-IBN debate: Homosexuality vs Indian morality

The Delhi High Court has reinterpreted a 149-year old colonial law and held that a homosexual in India is no longer a criminal. In a historic judgement the court held that "Section 377 of the Indian penal Code insofar as it criminalises consensual sexual acts of adults in private violates personal freedom and liberty.

So does the attaining of legal sexual freedom by homosexuals mark progress and social reform in India, or is the court upholding values that the majority of Indians simply do not identify with?

CNN-IBN debates on issue on a special show Gay and Indian with renowned Indo-Canadian photographer, HIV positive and gay, Sunil Gupta, gay rights activist and lawyer Aditya Bandhopadhyay, actor Samir Soni, Editor, Manushi Madhu Kishwar, Delhi Catholic Archdiocese spokesperson Dominic Emmanuel and All India Muslim Personal Law Board member Kamal Faruqui.

All India Muslim Personal Law Board member Kamal Farooqui agreed with Madhu but added that sexual preferences should be kept inside the house.

“The judgement has been good as gays were treated as criminals and harassed. My Constitution does not allow it. My problem is exhibitionism. Privately you can do whatever you like. But don’t try to do it in public,” he added.

“Between the extremes lie millions of people and their rights are at stake here,” Gupta said while replying to the point that gay parades were more about exhibitionism.

CM launches 'Delhi Minorities Commission at your Doorstep'

Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit launched the Delhi Minorities Commission and organised its first outdoor session near Fatehpuri Masjid here. Known as the 'Delhi Minorities Commission at your Doorstep', the new initiative would help minorities get their problems solved on the spot. The people would feel encouraged to place their suggestions. The outdoor sessions of the commission would be regularly organised in minority-dominated localities. Addressing a gathering, Ms Dikshit said the commission would reach out to the people. Chairman of the commission Kamal Faruqui and members Pushpinder Singh and Arnold James besides Fatehpuri Masjid Imam were also present on the occasion.

The Chief Minister assured the members of the minority communities that her government would provide all possible opportunities, including education, to them. ''Urdu and Punjabi academies in Delhi will also work in tandem with the commission,'' she added. The Madrasas in Delhi would be able to impart modern education, including computer education, with the help of the government. Ms Dikshit underlined that the commission would work in the direction of developing competence and bring confidence among the monorities members in Delhi. She called upon the commission to chalk out an action plan for the coming six months. ''It is probably the first time in our country that a commission will be regularly organising outdoor sessions under its new initiative,'' she added. The Chief Minister said the commission has presented a vision document for effective working and planning so that the benefits should reach the minorities.

Debate: Are we in denial about reality shown on TV?

Did you ever have an affair with a married man? host Rajiv Khandelwal shoot the question to a teary contestant in the new reality show 'Sach Ka Saamna' while television's docile 'bahu'Shweta Tiwari shocks audiences by stripping to her bikini in 'Iss Jungle Se Mujhe Bachao'. Welcome to the new age reality shows which compete with each other for the "meanest" tag and where nothing is 'personal' anymore. The latest trend in reality TV is shows based on international formats and as the channels struggle to edge past in the war of TRPs, the new manta of success is "the more provocative, the better". TIMES NOWs Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami debates the issue of new age reality shows with Rajeev Khandelwal, anchor; Smriti Irani, actor and leader, BJP; Kamal Faruqui, Chairman, Delhi Minorities Commission; Bhavna Somaya, author and senior film journalist and Siddhartha Basu, CMD, Big Synergy.

India faith leaders: Anti-gay law must stay

NEW DELHI, India (CNN) — Religious groups in India have warned they will oppose any move to legalize homosexuality as the federal government prepares to hold talks on a law that classifies same-sex acts as crimes.

In his remarks, Kamal Faruqui of India’s Muslim Personal Law Board outlined what he said was Islam’s position on same-sex unions.

“Islam is totally against it. Islam does not allow any unnatural act. No Muslim in the world, let alone India, can ever support it,” Faruqui said.

India’s top Sikh administration echoed similar opposition.

“Homosexuality is unnatural,” said Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, general secretary of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, which administers historical Sikh shrines, mainly in Punjab state. “We oppose any proposal to give legitimacy to such acts,” Bhaur added.

Joint Press Release issued by various Muslim organisations regarding an inquiry ordered by Mr Kapil Sibal, Hon’ble HRD Minister

It is shocking that the Hon’ble HRD Minister has ordered an inquiry against Prof. P.K. Abdul Azis, the Vice Chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University in respect of certain allegations levelled by some vested interest groups who have their self interest and self aggrandisement agenda. They have been using the university as there private fiefdom deriving great financial benefit from the building construction and uniform contracts etc. If any VC comes in their way, they oppose him as they opposed the Ex-VC Mr M N Farooqui and forced Mr Nasim Ahmad, the then VC, to flee from the university. They are against the present VC because this VC gave the building contracts to the CPWD and uniform contracts to the Khadi Gramudog. They also terrorised the VC by instigating a group of unruly students accompanied by outside bad elements who burnt the VC residence to ashes.

Nobody interested in the affairs and the welfare of the AMU, including the Vice Chancellor, is scared of an inquiry as nothing cognizable is to be found out against the Vice Chancellor, but, an inquiry at this crucial juncture at the behest of some vested interest who are out to pressurize and blackmail the Vice Chancellor for their ulterior motives, will prove very detrimental to the AMU which has been put on the right track and a very congenial academic atmosphere is prevailing on the campus. The examinations are being conducted on time; sessions are going on as per schedule, for the first time in the history of the university, 75 per cent attendance of the students has been ensured and the students are busy in their studies with a complete sense of security etc. Such an inquiry, if carry forward, may embolden this vested group and demoralise the VC, apart from disturbing the peaceful atmosphere at the campus.

It is this vested group elements who abstain from the Executive Council meeting, make other members to abstain, create a quorum problem, and when the adjourned meeting is held, and the agenda is executed as per rule, they complain that the VC (Chairman) has transacted business without a quorum.

The notice issued with a supersonic haste by Mr Arjun Singh, former HRD Minister, to the VC is itself illegal. The unusual exercise of the power under section 13(2A) of the AMU Act, 1920 is regrettable in view of the peripheral nature of the allegations and the questionable integrity of the main architects of the complaint. Such move at the behest of the ministry is unprecedented in the history of the AMU. It has been reliably learnt that similar allegations had been made by certain members of the EC against the VC of the Allahabad University alleging therein that the said VC had spent crores of rupees in building construction without inviting tenders, but no inquiry was ordered by the then HRD Minister, nor such an inquiry was ordered in any other central university. In an inquiry envisaged under section 13(2A) of the Act, the role of the EC comes later, but in the instant case, the VC of the AMU was ordered to get the reply approved by the EC which was palpably illegal. The allegations are against the VC personally, but he was asked to get the reply to the show cause approved by the EC, some of whose members/complainants were out to frustrate the meeting held on 3.5.2009. However, the reply was approved by the EC.

The allegations of financial irregularities against the VC lose their significance altogether in view of the report of the Principal Accountant General (Civil Audit, UP) on behalf of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India which had categorically reported that there were no financial irregularities committed by the AMU.

The community leaders who had met the Hon’ble HRD Minister in this respect in the last month are aghast as the Hon’ble Minister had assured them that no inquiry is called for and that an amicable solution will be worked out.

If the present unproductive and uncalled for inquiry, which will do a great harm to the AMU particularly at a time when its branch is being opened in Murshidabad (West Bengal) is not stopped, the community leaders have decided to meet the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and the UPA Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi and apprise them about the futility of the said inquiry.

Delhi clerics to get computer training

Clerics belonging to minorities in Delhi will now be connected to community members through computer, with the Delhi Minority Commission planning to impart computer knowledge to them. The commission is in the process of chalking out a strategy to give the clerics hands on experience on the computers to make them more "accessible" to community members, its chairman Kamal Faruqui said. "We will organise a workshop soon to give them computer training. This will help them connect with the people of their area," Faruqui told PTI.
"If the religious heads of gurdawaras, churches and mosques are computer-friendly, the complaints can be solved or can be forwarded to us online," Faruqui said.
"Presently, the mode of complaints is postal or personal delivery, resulting in delay in their redressal. Computers will provide fast and better networking among local people and the commission," he said. There are about 2,000 Muslims clerics and 1,000 each religious leaders from Christian and Sikh communities who will be asked to join the classes.
Since the cash starved commission is unable to fund the installation of computers, the help of NGOs is being sought in the matter. The need for computer scheme was felt after the commission during its 'At your Doorstep' scheme to redress problems of minority community found that there was a huge communication gap between the people and the minority panel.

National Debate Over legalising Gay

Delhi High Court judgement legalising gay sex among consenting adults may help thegovt in finalising its stand on decriminalising the penal provision dealing with it but there was no indication as to what it proposes to do. The govt adopted a cautious approach and avoidedany direct reply on what its next move will be following ruling.Gay activists said that though the verdict legalising homosexuality was landmark, there was still a long road towards removing social prejudices. Buoyed by the news that Centre is considering repealing a controversial section of the penal law which criminalises homosexuality, members of the gay community held parades even as the idea did not go down well with religious leaders. Gay rights activists are excited about the news that govt is considering repealing section 377 of the IPC, paving the way for decriminalisation of homosexuality in the country.The activists, who formed an organisation 'Voices Against Section 377' to fight for gay rights, said the judgement will give a "new lease of life to 'Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT)' persons who have "all along suffered humiliation".Expressing reservation over the judgement legalising homosexuality, the Catholic Church in Kerala said this would 'open up' the society to 'sexual anarchy'. Father Dominic Immanuel, spokesperson of Catholic Church, strongly disapproving the decision, saying homosexual acts were unnatural and cannot be legalised.But experts feel that the Court ruling could come as a big relief to govt if it is intent on scrapping the 150-year-old provision in the IPC. However, considering the sensitivity of the issue in view of the opposition from religious groups and others, the govt may go slow or would prefer that the issue goes to the Supreme Court if some group approaches it.TIMES NOW's Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami debates the issue as to why gay sex is opposed with Kamal Faruqui, Chairman, Delhi Minorities Commission, Dr Dominic Emmanuel, Spokesperson & Director, Delhi Catholic ArchDiocese Communication, Anjali Gopalan, Founder and Executive Director NAZ Foundation and Tripti Tandon, Lawyer for Petitioners.

'Homosexuality goes against the human race'

In a landmark judgement, a Delhi High Court bench has termed consensual sex between adults of the same sex legal.

The judges said, 'Section 377 of IPC which criminalises consensual sexual acts among adults in private is violative of Articles 14, 21 and 15 of the Constitution."

Both supporters and lobbies that oppose it think the judgment is path-breaking. Several Hindu, Muslim and Christian lobbies have strongly opposed it.

The judgment has challenged even the people known for their modern, forward or liberal thinking to take a stand. Kamal Farooqui, chairman of the Minority Commission of New Delhi andmember of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, is known as a modern Muslim. Farooqui is also a distinguished community leader who has done commendable work in giving computer education to poor Muslim children.

Excerpts of a conversation Farooqui had with rediff.com's Sheela Bhatt gives a clear idea that inspite of the HC judgment, gay activists will have to fight a long battle.

You are known as a liberal Muslim. Why don't you see the sexual emotions of hundreds and thousands of people around us? If your son or daughter would have been gay how would you have addressed the topic?

If my daughter or son would have been such, I would have definitely counsel them. I would have explained them this is unnatural and inhuman. Because this will ultimately lead to the destruction of the human race. This (legal right to have sex with the same sex) cannot come under the definition of 'freedom'. All kinds of freedom�have some moral context or ethics. We have to follow those ethics.

This is an age-old debate. There are many people who have gone through counseling. It doesn't help. It has been proved that some people can have certain sexual preferences. Many experts claim that it's just a case of biology. So why not allow them to have legal status to their sexuality?
We should certainly allow them to be a part of our society with counseling saying that they should not get into this kind of immoral acts. For some it may not be immoral but we are Indians, we consider it unnatural. This act is against the human race.

Why are you brining in religion when the issue is about human rights?
I have not uttered a word about religion, so far. I am talking straight. I am talking about the survival of the human race. I am talking about reproduction theory. I am talking of natural process of evolution. Tell me from where reproduction will come? If this is the ideal situation they are talking about, then, where will the world go?

Oh, you are going too far. Those people who are normal from your point of view they will carry on with reproduction.
That means, even, you believe these people are abnormal.

I don't think gay people are abnormal. But to carry on conversation I am using these popular terms.
On the contrary, we consider them 'normal human beings'. If some deficiency is left in them we take it into consideration and ask them to change. People do have deficiences. We keep them as a part of society. We give them extra care and help. We hug them and counsel them. But, how can we allow them to have immoral acts just because they have a certain deficiency?

But you or me cannot fix what is moral or immoral. We have the Indian Constitution for that.
The Constitution has given a civilised outline for our lives. I won't be allowed to roam around and do whatever I want. I am 101 percent against homosexuality. It is against mankind and the human race.

Why are you just not understanding the liberal view?
I am listening to you. I am trying to make you understand. If I will bring religion into our debate you may call me a fundamentalist. I am talking to you as a human. I am giving you a human point of view. This (gay sex) is not a natural act at all.

In Indian history there are innumerable mentions of homosexuals. Samlingk is a common Hindi word.
But, in our society it never got approval. Don't dub me a fundamentalist but I will quote one thing. In the holy Koran there is a reference to homosexuality where they have been criticised for bringing a bad name to society and they were punished.

If the Supreme Court upholds the high court verdict what will you do?
We will not accept it. Our society won't accept it. Even if we (Muslims) are left alone we will never accept it.

You are breaking the hearts of gay people.
We are not breaking their hearts. We are considering them as a creation of the merciful Allah! We think it is our duty to help them. We should protect them, we should not discriminate against them. We should give them extra protection.

If some gay people read your views, they will term you as a conservative.
Who is asking for certificates from anybody? I will speak according to my moral values, my religious values. I won't change my views according to you or as per their demands.

K. Rahman Khan - Pleas for re-launching the Aligarh movement for the empowerment of the Muslims

Mr. K. Rahman Khan, Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha made a strong plea for re-launching the Aligarh movement for the empowerment of the Muslims. The movement needs to be launched with vigour in the backdrop of the Sachar Committee report, he said while inaugurating a two-day national seminar on ‘Minority Education in India: Issues of Access, Equity and Inclusion’ at Kennedy Auditorium organized by the Centre for Promotion of Educational and Cultural Advancement of Muslims of India, Aligarh Muslim University.

He urged the minority community to take new initiatives to address the vital issue of their educational backwardness. Muslims should not repeat the mistake of always seeking help from different quarters and crave for sympathy. They have to stick to the principle of self help if they want to change their destiny.

He also urged the Muslims to draw an agenda for the next ten years to attain self-reliance in education and serve the country through education. Muslims should plan to establish at least one University in each state in the next ten years. They should also plan towards achieving excellence in our educational institutions.

He also suggested establishing a large network of secondary schools of excellence in addition to the Government schools, i.e., at least one school for every 10,000 families. We should plan and establish skill development centers, polytechnics and technical institutions all over the country.

Mr. Khan pointed out that the Muslim community in India is not helpless. We have the resources, we have the abilities and expertise, what we lack is unity. The Muslim Community is a vibrant community and hardworking and contributing significantly for the country’s GDP growth and its contribution to GDP saving is around 10% of the total GDP savings of the country, which will be around 33 billion USD.

Salient Findings of the Scahar Committee - Social Conditions of Muslims

• A community-specific factor for low educational achievement is that muslims do not see education as necessarily translating into formal employment.
• The Muslim population shows an increasingly better sex ratio compared with other socio-religious communities.
• Infant and childhood mortality among Muslims is slightly lower than the average.
• There has been a large decline in fertility in all religious groups including Muslims.
  

Salient Findings of the Sachar Committee - Muslim Education

• The literacy rate among Muslims was 59.1% which was below the national average of 64.8%
• The mean years of schooling (MYS) is lower compared to average MYS for all children.
• 25% of Muslims children in the age of 6-14 year age group have either never attended school of have dropped out.
• Th majority of Muslims girls and boys fail in their matriculation examination or drop out before that.
• less than 4% of Muslims are graduates or diploma holders compared to about 7% of the population aged 20 years and above.
• There is strong desire and enthusiasm for education among Muslim women and girls across the board.
• Schools beyond primary level are few in Muslim localities. Exclusive schools for girls are fewer.
• Lack of hostel facilities is a limiting factor, especially for girls.
• Muslims parents are not averse to modern or mainstream education and to sending their children to affordable Government schools. They do not necessarily prefer to send children to madarsas. However, the access to government schools for Muslim children is limited.
  

Confederation of Muslim Educational Institutions of India (CMEII)

CMEII established in 2005, is committed to sustainable improvement of educational conditions of minority communities. It is a manifestation of the log-felt need for a coherent approach to address the problems of educational backwardness of deprived sections of the society. CMEII caters to serve as a common platform to address the problems faced by minority educational institutions. The aims and objectives of CEMII are summarized below:

1. Arranging and forming partnership for knowledge industry.
2. Act as a legal interface on behalf of member organisations and do legal intervention wherever and whenever necessary.
3. Facilitating FDI for qualitative promotion of knowledge industry at affordable cost.
4. Establish linkage with organizations in the field of minority education both in India and abroad.
5. Build partnership with the objective of development of educational aspects of members of CEMII.
6. Forge alliance with civil society groups to ensure the rights of members of CEMII are protected and promoted.
7. Assist in experience sharing in the field of education (Knowledge Industry) and encourage collaboration.
8. Empower people's representatives and opinion makes to present the views to obtain the rights of minority educational institutions.
9. Provide a common platform for Information, Education and Communication programs (IEC) and Advocacy for members.
10. Coordinate the efforts for achieving the rights of minority groups in the field of education and promotion backward integration with mainstream in the field of education.
11. Work to ensure transparency of government policies and programs for minority educational institutions.

United Nations and Minority Rights

United Nations, a global representative to States, aims to promote Human Rights and Fundamental freedoms for all and eliminate discrimination based on race, sex, language and religions. It acknowledges that promotion of the rights of ethnic, religious and linguistic Minorities, within a democratic framework based on the rule of law are essential for the development of any society, to promote this objective the UN has promulgated various instruments such as:

• Declaration on the Rights of persons belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities
  On December 18,1992 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Declaration on the Rights of Minorities. The declaration instructs states to protect the identity of national, ethnic, cultural, religious and linguistic minorities within their respective territories and to encourage promotion of that identity by adopting appropriate legislative and other measures.
• The universal Declaration of Human Rights.
  It stated that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
• The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
  By virtue of that all peoples have the right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.
• The Declaration on the Elimination of All forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief.
  It stated that every citizen has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This right includes freedom to have a religion or whatever belief of his choice, either individually or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and teaching.
• The convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
  It stated that genocide, whether committed in time of peace or in time of war, is a crime under international law which they undertake to prevent and to punish.

Government's Positive Initiatives towards the Educational Backwardness of Muslims

The present dispensation is sympathetic towards our cause and certain very bold steps have been taken in the right direction. For example:

1. Creation of National commission for Minority Educational Institutions.
2. Setting up of a High Power Committee on Muslim Affairs by the Prime Minister.
3. Appointment if a Commission to decide about the reservation on the basis of social and economic backwardness of the minorities.
4. 20,000 merit-cum-means based scholarships for minority students.
5. Institution building through Maulana Azad Education Foundation whose corpus has recently been increased to Rs. 200 crore.
6. Creation of a separate ministry exclusively for Minorities.
7. Promotion of Computer literacy amongst the Urdu knowing population through NCPUL.

In addition to the above, the government has taken various other steps that can be used by us in furthering our goals.For example:

1. Sarva Skiksha Abhiyan (whic has been allocated Rs. 10,041 crore in the present budget as against Rs. 7156 crore in the previous budget)
2. Mid-day Meal Scheme, which can be used through the widespread network of Madrasas.
3. Allocated expenditure on education has been increased by 31.5% in the current budget, up to Rs. 24,115 crore.
4. Additionally, there are more than 250 schemes in the Central Government, which can directly benefit minorities.

Suggestions - To Remove Educational Backwardness of Muslims

1. Establish atleast one quality residential school, one graduation college and an ITI in each of the 120 Muslims Dominated districts.
2. Establish a minimum 10 medical, dental and other professional colleges in the next five years.
3. Make Aligarh Muslim University as the Centre of Excellence.
4. Link the Madarsas to Edusat so that open School facility and Distance Education can be used for higher learning.
5. Create more deemed Universities.
6. Strengthen the hands of Hamdard Study Centres to increase its wings so that we could give more Civil Servants to the country.
7. We must synergies with colleges in Southern India and set up similar institution in the rest of the country.The networking of all these institutions is the need of the hour. Indian Islamic Cultural Centre and organizations like Confederation of Muslim Educational Institutions of India (CMEII) are destined to play a positive role in this direction.
8. Above all We must have faith in ourselves.

Educational Backwardness of Muslims - Positive approach needed

Even after 59 years of Independence Indian Muslim remain educationally the most backward community in India a fact clearly demonstrated by the religion based census conducted recently in February - march 2001 by the office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India, Delhi under the Census of India Act, 1948. It is important that the community, its leaders and various political outfits in the country analyze this date and formulate a long term strategy with "Vision and Mission" for the future. As a first step, let us carry out an objective SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Threats) analysis of the current situation.

Our strength is in our numbers, our population that is spread evenly across the country.We are skilled especially in arts and crafts. Our strength lies in the democratic set up of the country, the rights guaranteed to us by the constitution and an independent judiciary that is there to protect these rights. Above all our strength lies in our belief in oneness.