INDIA INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR 2010 CHENNAI

INDIA INTERNATIONAL LEATHER FAIR AT CHENNAI TRADE CENTRE


INAUGURATION : 31ST JANUARY 2010 - 6.00 P.M.

FAIR DATES : 31ST JANUARY 2010 - INAUGURATION ; 6.00 P.M.

1ST TO 3RD FEBRUARY 2010 : 10 A.M. TO 07 P.M.

ORGANISER : INDIA TRADE PROMOTION ORGANISATION

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ISLAMIC CONFERENCE FEATURING ZAKIR NAIK BEGINS AMIDST CONTROVERSY IN CHENNAI

Islamic conference featuring Zakir Naik begins amidst controversy in Chennai
Submitted by admin3 on 14 January 2010 - 9:02pm.
Indian Muslim
By V.M. Khaleelur Rahman for TwoCircles.net

Chennai: An Islamic conference and exhibition titled Peace – Vision of Islam 2010 was inaugurated in the evening on 13th January at Injambakkam, East Coast Road in Chennai leaving behind a controversy on some remarks of Dr Zakir Naik. Dr. Naik's speech and question and answer session on the subject "Religion in the Right Perspective" will be held on the last day 17th January.



Actually the Peace exhibition was to be held at Madrasa-e-Azam higher secondary school, Anna Salai, near Spencer Plaza, Chennai but due to some objections from some Muslims, a different site was arranged at Injambakkam. Though it is somewhat away from Chennai, the Vision of Islam 2010 is expected to be successful mainly because people are interested in taking part in such programmes. I asked a visitor if the distance is a problem, he said, "let us consider it as a good experience. It is Allah’s will and we should accept it.” The volunteers are also discharging their duties well and explaining the subjects of the displayed Quranic verses and Ahaadees in the proper perspective. I also saw some non Muslims taking keen interest in Islamic thoughts.



In the exhibition, there are beautiful big charts displaying the holy Quranic verses and Ahadees (sayings of Prophet Mohammed -sal-am) with their translations in Urdu, Tamil and English. Many Islamic book shops and stalls of different schools and colleges are also there from which one can have education details. People show interest in all these and try to understand Islam more and more. There are also food stalls selling different vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes at reasonable prices.

The holy Quran says “waatasimu bihablillahi jameeawn wala tafarraqu” – hold tight to the rope of God and be not divided among yourselves – but we do not seem to follow this. A Maulana pointed out to me in the exhibition that we should be patient ignoring what has happened and also consider such things as a blessing in disguise”. After all we are human beings. Even if Dr. Zakir Naik has committed any mistake, can’t it be pardoned for the sake of good works he and his associates are doing? Can there not be an end to the maslaki fights the community is indulging in different places? I am asking all including Dr. Zakir Naik as he is in controversy now. All will agree that most of the controversies have nothing to do with main Islamic principles and it is just small differences on political and other minor issues which divide and make us fight with one another issuing fatwas of kufr. Is it not ridiculous and shameful? We cannot and should not forget that unity is strength and division is defeat.

Dr. Zakir Naik draws large crowds everywhere including Chennai and other places in Tamil Nadu. Though some of his remarks were blown out of proportions which created some problems for him, my estimation after interviewing so many people is that the Muslim community particularly youngsters are impressed by the way Dr. Zakir Naik explains Islam and answers questions from the audience. Even today I saw school and college students rushing to the exhibition venue with all interest and enthusiasm.

We cannot deny the good service of Dr. Zakir Naik in making people belonging to different communities realise that God is the same for all even though we call Him in different names. Muslims, Hindus, Christians and others who listen to his speeches and read his books feel that the entire humanity is one as God is one even though they may be different in caste, colour, creed, language and religion. This Islamic principle of Vahdaniyyat(Monotheism) is liked by the people also because the old Tamil adage is that Onray kulam oruvanay devan – humanity is one and God is one.

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PEACE - VISION OF ISLAM- CONFERENCE SUCCESSFUL IN CHENNAI

PEACE - VISION OF ISLAM 2010 – CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION CONCLUDED WITH SUCCESS IN CHENNAI

BY V.M. KHALEELUR RAHMAN

Chennai: I visited the Peace – Vision of Islam 2010 – conference and exhibition all the five days from 13th to 17th January 2010 to make a right assessment as there was much controversy about it in Chennai. After the final day’s visit, the verse of the holy Quran which struck me was "Wamakaroo wamakarallah wallahu khairul maakireen" – (And they schemed and Allah countered their schemes by schemes of His own. Allah is the best of schemers). Yes man proposes and God disposes when it is too much. The large crowds witnessed on the first day were increasing day by day. It was really a pleasant surprise for me as it was not expected as the venue at Injambakkam where the conference was held is more than 50 km away from the Central railway station in Chennai. The interest shown by the Muslims and non Muslims alike proved that Dr. Zakir Naik - the international Islamic preacher - is the darling of the millions despite the vilification from a section of the community here this time. I must say that his glory as an orator and an Islamist seems to be on the increase.

Many speakers delivered their lecturers in English, Urdu and Tamil on different subjects explaining the Islamic points of view and people listened to them with all interest. Non Muslim brethren were also keen in understanding about Islam. The conference provided an excellent opportunity for the people to know more and more about the divine faith of Islam.

It is unfortunate that a section of Muslims including the two Qazis of Chennai opposed Dr. Zakir Naik and the Peace conference and lodged a complaint with the commissioner of police. Consequently the venue of the Peace conference and exhibition was shifted from Mount Road to Injambakkam. I do not want to go into details. I am giving below the translation of the report written by Mr. Saga and published under heading " A voice of fundamentalism in Tamil Nadu!" in a Tamil periodical "Nakkeeran" in its 20th January 2010 issue for the information of readers and their assessment of the troubled situation here involving none but only the Muslim community.

"The announcement of the Peace organisation that religious explanation meeting and exhibition will be held in Injambakkam has infuriated the Chief Qazi of Tamil Nadu and other scholars. The surprising news of the Islamic programme being not only criticised but also a complaint lodged to the Commissioner of Police against it made us talk with the people concerned.”

“The Chief Qazi Dr. Salahuddin says, "They have invited Dr. Zakir Hussain, ( yes this name is mentioned in the periodical ) a Maharashtrian as a chief speaker. He is opposed to Islam. He not only supports extremism but also says that Bin Laden's way is right and youngsters should follow him. He is also trying to project Prophet Mohammed (sal-am) whom Islamists respect as their life as an ordinary person. He also makes the venomous speech that Dargah worship should not be there. This has created a big turmoil in Tamil Nadu. We all - without any Shia and Sunni differences - oppose the conference and exhibition. We have also lodged a complaint with the Commission Mr. Rajendran. “

“Dr. Zakir Hussain who has created the turmoil is running Islamic Research Foundation in Mumbai. He is also expressing his views throughout the country. His activities have been banned in Uttar Pradesh. He has been conducting his activities in the name of religious explanation meetings in the Qaede Millat hall since the last four years. He also supports the people involved in incidents like Mumbai bomb blasts. It is dangerous. Hence the demand has been made in different states that severe action should be taken against Zakir Hussain.”

“Sunnat jamat united front General Secretary Melai Naser who conducted a sudden protest meeting to prevent the meeting in Injambakkam said in anger, " he invites non Muslims to his meetings and gives them wrong information about Islam. He also lowers the image of Imam Hussain - grand son of Prophet Mohammed (sal-am) and praises his enemy Najeed ( I am writing what has been written in the periodical). All this has angered Muslims. At the time when Muslims are opposing extremism strongly, Zakir supports it. Like this he is trying to degrade Muslims. We will not leave it."

The Peace organisers say, "Zakir Hussain is opposing the superstitious believes in Islam and only those who do not like this protest."

I do not want to say anything further except to comment that one can “understand” and assess the views of the three Muslims and the correspondent of the Tamil periodical from the above. I am not sure if the three Muslims said what has been reported, as even the name of Dr. Zakir Naik has not been given properly in the report under reference. Where do we Muslims stand?

The speech of Dr. Zakir Naik was excellent and people appreciated it very much. There was a mammoth crowd of about 50,000 people. Quite a large number of people were standing even outside the gate. They listened to his speech with keen interest and enthusiasm. The Islamic preacher kept the audience under his spell for more than an hour and answered questions from the audience. He stressed the need for equality and brotherhood among the people of different religions as God is after all the same one for all – no matter what is ones caste, colour, creed or religion.

No doubt the conference and exhibition was highly successful. All praise be to Allah.

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ULEMA DISAPPROVE TAMIL NADU MARRIAGE LAW

Ulema disapprove Tamil Nadu marriage law
Submitted by admin on 15 January 2010 - 7:23pm.
Indian Muslim
By V.M. Khaleelur Rahman for TwoCircles.net

A high power joint meeting of different Muslim organisations such as the Jamaat-ul-Ulema, Jamiat-ul-Ulema, Jamaat-e-Islami and Jamiat Ahle Hadees was held on Thursday, 14th January 2010 in Vellore (Tamil Nadu) in which the newly enacted Registration of Marriages Act 2009 of Tamil Nadu was discussed in detail.

Maulana Waliullah saheb, founder and principal, Madrasa Madinul Uloom, Vaniyambadi presided and Maulana Ayub Rahmani saheb, Member of All India Muslim Personal Law Board, conducted the meeting in a very dignified manner.

Among the speakers were Maulana A.E.M. Abdur Rahman saheb, President, Jamaat-ul-Ulema, Maulana Ahmed Kabeer saheb, President, Tamil Nadu unit of the Jamiat-ul-ulema-e-Hind, Maulana Khaleelur Rahman Azami saheb, former Principal, Jamia Darus salam, Omerabad, Maulana Mufti Salahuddin saheb, Imam and Khateeb, Jama Masjid, Ambur, Janab Patel Mohammed Yousuf sahib,, Member Shoora committee, Jamat-e-Islami Hind, Thiru Gyanesekaran saheb, Congress M.L.A., Janab M. Abdur Rahman saheb, Muslim League M.P., and Janab Abdul Basith saheb, Muslim League M.L.A.

On the whole about 500 ulema, muthawallis and other representatives of different places like Ambur, Vaniyambadi, Vellore, Gudiyattam, Pernambut, Melvisharam, Ranipet, Omerabad and some press correspondents attended the meeting which started after Asr prayers in a big marriage hall at Vellore and lasted till 10.00 P.M. The organisers of the 21st December 2009 Melvisharam Meet who were mainly big industrialists were conspicuous by their absence for the reasons best known to them. Many people regretted it. Some said that they could not attend it due to their other compelling schedules. Allah knows better.

It was pointed out point-black in the meeting by different speakers that the Registration of Marriages Act 2009 is not only a burden on the people as many of its clauses are cumbersome and defective but also a direct intervention in the Muslim personal law and a ruse for introducing a uniform civil code. They argued that the stipulation that the couples should go to the office along with their parents to register the marriages is uncalled for and the clause that the application for registration of the marriages which can be made within three months will be rejected if it is found faulty is insulting beyond expression. Their contention is that if it is rejected on some pretext or other the couples will be in an awkward position which cannot be expressed in words even though their marriages would have already been solemnised according to the Islamic sharia by Qazis and entered in the registers available with the jamats in the mohalla masjids. When registrations of birth and death have been simplified now from the past troublesome procedures, why is it that the registration of marriages is not made simple by accepting a copy of the Nikah Nama from the Jamat? Many argued. Apart from these there is also no provision for entry of any unfortunate happenings like divorce or khula. According to them there are many lacunae like these in the act. It was also pointed out in the meeting that the All India Muslim Personal Law Board which has received a communication from the Central government about registration of marriages is to meet in the near future and take a decision on this vital issue.

Thiru Gyanesekaram sahib said in his speech that he had opposed the proposal for the compulsory registration of marriages in the Tamil Nadu assembly as people have to face difficulties on it. Janab Abdul Basith said that he had also opposed it and wanted the government to consult the community leaders on this issue.

The speeches of the ulema were thought provoking and listened to with pin drop silence by the audience. They made it clear that the Muslim community has been maintaining the marriage registers in their jamats for the past more than one hundred years. A Muslim living in a particular town cannot marry in any other place without getting a certificate of his or her marital status and other things from his local jamat. But it cannot be the case in the newly introduced registration of marriages act. There is possibility of this act being misused by unscrupulous people.

A resolution passed in the meeting requests the government to exempt the Muslim community from the compulsory registration of marriages Act 2009. Of course if the registration of marriages is made easier as in the cases of birth and death, the Muslim community will be happy to accept it and provide a copy of Nikah Nama (marriage certificate) through the masjids to the authorities concerned.

Some such meetings are in the offing in other districts also. There are reports that many masjid jamats in different parts of Tamil Nadu are also to submit memorandums signed by thousands of people to the government to exempt the Muslim community from this Act.
TwoCirlces.net talked to Maulana Waliullah saheb of Vaniyambadi on 15th January 2010.He said that the Act is a violation of the minority rights guaranteed in the Constitution of our country and a direct attempt to interfere in the Muslim personal law and hence their protest and appeal. He hopes that the DMK government will respect the sentiments of the Muslim community and do the needful. It is learnt that a state level conference is to be convened shortly for this purpose.

(VMK in TwoCircles.net)

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ISLAMIC CONFERENCE - PEACE -VISION OF ISLAM 2010 INAUGURATED IN CHENNAI

Islamic conference featuring Zakir Naik begins amidst controversy in Chennai
Submitted by admin3 on 14 January 2010 - 9:02pm.
Indian Muslim
By V.M. Khaleelur Rahman for TwoCircles.net

Chennai: An Islamic conference and exhibition titled Peace – Vision of Islam 2010 was inaugurated in the evening on 13th January at Injambakkam, East Coast Road in Chennai leaving behind a controversy on some remarks of Dr Zakir Naik. Dr. Naik's speech and question and answer session on the subject "Religion in the Right Perspective" will be held on the last day 17th January.

Actually the Peace exhibition was to be held at Madrasa-e-Azam higher secondary school, Anna Salai, near Spencer Plaza, Chennai but due to some objections from some Muslims, a different site was arranged at Injambakkam. Though it is somewhat away from Chennai, the Vision of Islam 2010 is expected to be successful mainly because people are interested in taking part in such programmes. I asked a visitor if the distance is a problem, he said, "let us consider it as a good experience. It is Allah’s will and we should accept it.” The volunteers are also discharging their duties well and explaining the subjects of the displayed Quranic verses and Ahaadees in the proper perspective. I also saw some non Muslims taking keen interest in Islamic thoughts.

In the exhibition, there are beautiful big charts displaying the holy Quranic verses and Ahadees (sayings of Prophet Mohammed -sal-am) with their translations in Urdu, Tamil and English. Many Islamic book shops and stalls of different schools and colleges are also there from which one can have education details. People show interest in all these and try to understand Islam more and more. There are also food stalls selling different vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes at reasonable prices.

The holy Quran says “waatasimu bihablillahi jameeawn wala tafarraqu” – hold tight to the rope of God and be not divided among yourselves – but we do not seem to follow this. A Maulana pointed out to me in the exhibition that we should be patient ignoring what has happened and also consider such things as a blessing in disguise”. After all we are human beings. Even if Dr. Zakir Naik has committed any mistake, can’t it be pardoned for the sake of good works he and his associates are doing? Can there not be an end to the maslaki fights the community is indulging in different places? I am asking all including Dr. Zakir Naik as he is in controversy now. All will agree that most of the controversies have nothing to do with main Islamic principles and it is just small differences on political and other minor issues which divide and make us fight with one another issuing fatwas of kufr. Is it not ridiculous and shameful? We cannot and should not forget that unity is strength and division is defeat.

Dr. Zakir Naik draws large crowds everywhere including Chennai and other places in Tamil Nadu. Though some of his remarks were blown out of proportions which created some problems for him, my estimation after interviewing so many people is that the Muslim community particularly youngsters are impressed by the way Dr. Zakir Naik explains Islam and answers questions from the audience. Even today I saw school and college students rushing to the exhibition venue with all interest and enthusiasm.

We cannot deny the good service of Dr. Zakir Naik in making people belonging to different communities realise that God is the same for all even though we call Him in different names. Muslims, Hindus, Christians and others who listen to his speeches and read his books feel that the entire humanity is one as God is one even though they may be different in caste, colour, creed, language and religion. This Islamic principle of Vahdaniyyat(Monotheism) is liked by the people also because the old Tamil adage is that Onray kulam oruvanay devan – humanity is one and God is one.

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PEACE - VISION OF ISLAM 2010

“ PEACE – VISION OF ISLAM ” IS BACK IN CHENNAI

PEACH 2010 – AN ISLAMIC CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION
13TH JANUARY TO 17TH JANUARY 2010
10 A.M. TO 10 P.M.

IIS SCHOOL CAMPUS, INJAMBAKKAM
(NEAR PRARTHANA DRIVE IN THEATRE) EAST COAST ROAD, CHENNAI (INDIA)
BUS NOS. M19H, PP19, C51, 588, 119

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A GLIMPSE OF THE RECOVERING LEATHER MARKET

A GLIMPSE OF THE RECOVERING LEATHER MARKET

V.M. KHALEELUR RAHMAN


A holiday mood prevails in the leather industry as far as export business is concerned perhaps more than ever before. It is learnt that overseas customers took more holidays this time for the merry Christmas and the happy New Year 2010 and celebrated it with all devotion, gaiety and happiness. However there were some activities in the domestic Indian leather market. It is hoped that the new year will open a new chapter bringing increased growth and export as the industry and the government are making all out efforts to bring back the situation to normalcy.

We understand that the leather market in Chennai is recovering fast from its slow tendency. There are good enquiries for various descriptions of tanned, crust and wetblue goat and sheep skins from different shoe, garment and leather goods manufacturers. But availability of tanned goat skins continues to be limited as arrivals are short since many tanners have given up doing this item due to unworkability of prices and payment delays.

In tanned goat skins stout Run/V grade was sold at around Rs. 40, 4/7 lining A/B/C at Rs. 30/26/21 respectively and Rejection at around Rs.18, all per sq.ft. but big quantities were not available in the market. Some sales were also reported in wet-blue and crust goat and sheep skins at different prices depending on size, quality and selection, but normal market is yet to be restored.

Even in Erode – a big centre for wetblue cow hides – business was patchy. Interest shown by shoe manufacturers was mostly for higher grades which were not easily available. Many tanners preferred to sell their higher and lower grades combined in this item.

In raw skins centres like Miraj, Solapur, Kanpur, Mumbai, Hubli, Dharwar, Bangalore, Channai etc. buying interest for raw hides and skins was somewhat better at buyers’ prices.

Export market for finished goat upper and lining leathers continues to be slow due to prevailing worldwide market conditions and New year holidays. Some contracts concluded in finished goat middle grade upper leathers were at around US$1.50 and lining leathers were at around US $1.10/1.00/0.90 per sq.ft for TR-1/TR-2/TR-3. However tanners and exporters are optimistic that the New Year 2010 will open a new chapter for increased and good volume of business as witnessed till about a year ago. Some of the export quotations were as follows:

F/C goat upper leather

Size : 3/5 or 4/7 sq.ft. per piece, Grade : ABC, Price : US$1.70, Grade : D, US$1.50 per sq.ft. C&F

F/C goat lining leather

Size : 4/7 sq.ft. per piece, Grade : TR1 / TR2 / TR3, Price : US$1.10 /1.00 /0.90 per sq.ft. C&F

S/C goat upper leather

Size : 3/5 or 4/7 sq.ft. per piece, Grade : ABC, Price : US$1.75, Grade : D, US$1.55 per sq.ft. C&F

S/C goat suede leather for garment

Size : 4/7 sq.ft. per piece, Grade : ABC, Price : US$1.80 per sq.ft. C&F

S/C goat lining leather

Size : 4/7 sq.ft. per piece, Grade : TR1 / TR2 / TR3 – Price : US$1.15 /1.05 / 0.95 per sq.ft. C&F

F/C sheep suede leather

Size : 4/7 sq.ft. per piece, Grade : All Suede, Price : US$2.00, Grade : D, US$1.70, Grade : Rejection

US$1.40 per sq.ft. C&F (VMK in Indian Leather, January 2010 issue)
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TWO IMPORTANT EVENTS IN FOCUS

India International Leather Fair 2010 and Buyer-Seller Meet to be held in Chennai and New York respectively during January/February 2010 are in focus now to the leather and leather products industry.


INDIA INTERNATIONAL LEATHER FAIR IN CHENNAI

As we are aware, the 25th India International Leather Fair (IILF) is to be held from 31st January 2009 to 3rd February 2010 at Chennai Trade Centre in Chennai. The report of the great interest being shown by the leather and leather products fraternity to participate in it gives an indication that they are prepared to beat the global recession fully and by all means. The Council for Leather Exports as the main co-sponsor of the fair is playing an important role in making it more useful. The B2B meeting scheduled for 1st February 2010 from 9.00 A.M. to 5.00 P.M. between Indian sellers/exporters and overseas buyers/importers for market tie-ups and joint ventures/collaborations will be an important and attractive event.

BUYER-SELLER MEET IN NEW YORK

A Buyer-Seller Meet is organised by the Council for Leather Exports, India at Gershwin Ballroom in New York on 18th and 19th January 2010 from 9.00 A.M. to 6 P.M. It is learnt that about 25 Indian exhibitors are to take part and display their fine and fashionable leather garments and goods/accessories in the Meet.
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