A Rejoinder to Mr. Arif Mohammed Khan, a former Indian Union Minister

The article “Sending A Wrong Message” (The Times of India, September 30) by Mr. Arif Mohammed Khan, a former union minister, is a bundle of distortions and it can only be described as an appeasement to the Sangh parivar for political and other reasons. This is the election time! He has levelled wrong and unbelievable charges against the pious Deobandi Ulema perhaps because they opposed his stand during the Shah Bano case controversy strongly with the result that he had to lose his ministerial berth. The Deobandi Ulema are not involved in any religious conversional disputes. They are not against the holy Qur’an to distort its teachings as he has mentioned. The fact is that they respect the humanity and give importance to the human values as enshrined in the holy Qur’an and ahaadees.
It is well known that Deobandi Ulema belong to that great patriotic and loyal citizens who took part in the freedom struggle of our country and suffered a lot. They were opposed to the two-nation theory. They are not only teaching the Islamic theology and other subjects, but also practically going to the rescue of the poor and helpless wards by taking them under their care, imparting good education and making them worthy citizens of this country. The kind of service they render is unmatched. Neither the government nor any modern educational institution renders such free education with care and shelter to the poor and helpless students. Nobody can deny the fact that the Deobandi graduates are strong in Urdu, Hindi and Arabic languages. They are respectable personalities. People salute them, embrace them, and seek their “dua”. It is these religious schools which have given dignity and status to the helpless people.
It is very unfortunate that Mr. Arif has blamed them instead of respecting and honouring them for their humanitarian and dedicated services. There are thousands of good hearts belonging to all communities who can understand the great services rendered by them. In short in my humble opinion criticising them is like criticising great personalities like Mother Teresa and Mahatma Gandhi.
V.M. Khaleelur Rahman

Read More

The India International Leather Fair 2009 and present scenario in the leather market

IILF 2009 AND PRESENT SCENARIO IN THE LEATHER MARKET
V.M. KHALEELUR RAHMAN

The India International Leather Fair held in Chennai from 31 January to 3 February, 2009, the much sought after yearly event with programmes like fashion show, buyer-seller meet, seminar etc. was not so result oriented this time even though its inaugural function was grand with all paraphernalia and quite a large number of domestic and overseas participants from 24 countries were in good attendance with their quality products such as finished leather, footwear and footwear components, leather goods, leather garments, machinery for different purposes, chemicals, publications etc. There was not even a single Pakistani stall in the fair this time. The strained relations between India and Pakistan is the cause for it.

Many of the important leather and footwear magnates who attended the inaugural function were conspicuous by their absence the rest of the days. Even usual trade and common visitors were limited. The fact is that the fair was no doubt a very good and attractive annual event, international in every sense, but the outcome in terms of marketing and volume of business was lacklustre despite the fact that some big leather and shoe manufacturers concluded some contracts. It was not something unexpected in the present time of unprecedented worldwide recession when buyers as well as sellers are in a dilemma not knowing the future trends and engaged in all sorts of speculations. The down trend upto 10 to 25 percent was evident in the leather items but the present uncertain situation was the main hurdle in the way of fresh contracts. Practically nobody knows what is the actual market position at present. There are also reports of buyer defaults in payments and cancellations of contracts on some pretext or other.

Foreign participants had no option except to say that "the same conditions cannot prevail for long". They were optimistic in increasing their contacts and contracts with Indian and other leather and shoe manufacturers in the days to come slowly but steadily.

Although some machines were sold at reasonable prices, most leather and shoe manufacturers were not interested in any expansion due to the present situation. Nobody seems to have any long time contracts for big quantities as before i.e. till about three months ago. The apt remarks of Mrs. Sheela Bhide, chairman and managing director, at the inauguration that India was the third largest importer of machinery in the leather sector in the world and that the global slowdown had hit the leather industry in the middle of its modernisation are note-worthy. It is learnt that the Council for Leather Exports is analysing the situation well and is to chalk out a new plan to take remedial measures for boosting exports so vital for the country.

The Chairman of the Council for Leather Exports, Mr. Habeeb Hussain's appeal for reduction of interest rates and increase in drawback and duty free entitlement scheme rates is expected to be considered favourably by the government as assured by Mr. Ashwani Kumar, Hon'ble Minister of state for industries in the fair. There are also appeals from different sources for immediate cuts in personal and corporate taxes to stimulate the economy of our country. Here again the government is expected to do its best in this regard to help industrial growth and exports. The leather and leather products industry established on sound footing in our country will definitely prove its mettle in overcoming the present slowdown by adopting innovative methods in consultation with organisations like the CLRI and with the support of the government. An immediate concerted effort is necessary to save lakhs of people from being rendered jobless. It is well known that the leather and leather products industry has quite a large number of women on its rolls and in some units they outnumber men. One can find this in places like Ambur, Ranipet, Chennai and other places where leather goods, shoe and garment units are in existence. Mr. M. Rafeeque Ahmed, Chairman, Farida Group of Companies, who is presently the President of the FICCI of the Tamil Nadu State Council and Chairman of Footwear Design & Development Institute (FDDI) has also appealed to the government on the above lines.
The organisers of the fair, India Trade Promotion Organisation, deserve thanks and compliments for improving the standard of the fair every year. The photo identity introduced this year was well done as it was needed for security reasons. It is requested to ITPO to provide restaurants and more number of Kiosks at the fair venue to cater to the exhibitors and visitors.
The attitude of both the visual and print media except a few dailies in not covering the programmes of the fair in a big and prominent manner which they deserved is regrettable. It is surprising that the media which blows even a small nasty incident out of proportion is so negative in highlighting the national events of achievements like this. The role of our media should be positive and meant for nation building.

(V.M. Khaleelur Rahman in Indian Leather, March 2009)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Read More

"Mautul Aalimi Mautul Aalami" - Hazrat Mufti Hafiz Jaffer Ali sahib is no more

"Mautul aalimi mautul aalami" - Hazrat Mufti Hafiz Jaffer Ali sahib is no more

Hazrat Mufti Hafiz Jaffer Ali sahib, younger brother of Hazrat Hafiz Usman sahib, is no more. He passed away on 22nd March 2009 at the age of 78 years after being ill for about 14 years. Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajioon. He was a disciple of late Hazrat Hafiz Abdur Ravooof sahib, the Imam and Khatheeb of Jama Masjid, Ambur like his elder brother. His Namaz-e-janaza and burial took place the next day after Zuhar prayers at Jama Masjid where he had served as Imam and Khatheeb before falling ill, attended by a large gathering of people never witnessed before during the final rites of any other person. It showed the great respect people had for him. He was also a teacher at Rafeequl Uloom in Ambur. He had recited the holy Quran in Taraweeh for about 50 years. Maulana Mufti Hafiz Salahuddin sahib, present Imam and Khatheeb of Jama Masjid, paid high tributes to him during the funeral.

As I was a student of Usman Hazrath, I knew his brother Jaffer Ali Hazrath very well. Everyone knows them as honest people. They possessed a computer like memory and recited the holy Quran during Taraweeh prayers in Ramazan so accurately and so perfectly. It was not less than a miracle. It is undoubtedly a rare phenomenon.

Jaffer Ali Hazrath was a noble person. So is his family - wife, 2 daughters and 3 sons of whom one is a Mufti and another a Hafiz. They are a model and a shining example of a well knit, honest and dedicated family. They served the ailing Hazrath appreciably in the present age of materialism when nobody seems to care for anybody in the real sense. One feels that it is a blessed family and Allah is pleased with all of them for their Islamic characters.

Read More

Cricket cannot override national interests

Cricket cannot override national interests
Home Minister P Chidambaram is right in saying that polls are more important than IPL and that the organisers, as patriotic Indians, should take the right call.

India, being a strong democratic and secular country with a population of more than 120 crore, needs to give first priority to the parliamentary election which is the nation’s “lifeline”. Holding the T20 tournament during the election period is likely to cause immeasurable problems for the country particularly when our neighbouring country Pakistan is in a serious crisis and the extremists there are bent upon indulging in terrorist activities. We cannot take the happenings in our neighbouring countries lightly. We have to be extra cautious in terms of security measures being adopted.

Cricket, a game, however popular it may be, cannot be compared to the vital election, which determines our national unity, integrity and sovereignty.

Read More

"OMEIAT JOURNAL" WELCOMED

I am sure that the much awaited monthly "Omeiat Journal" published by the Organisation of Muslim Educational Institutions and Associations of Tamil Nadu from August 1976 should have been welcomed particularly by the Muslim community of this State because of its thought-provoking articles on educational matters and timely important suggestions for action to various Muslim institutions for safe-guarding their interests. Our hearty congratulations and thanks are to all those responsible for bringing out this time-warranted monthly.

The very first issue of the journal that came out in August last carried many interesting features and I was particularly impressed by two articles - one was from the pen of Dr. N.A. Noor Mohammed under a catchy heading "Education Equipment for life" and another from Mr. P.K. Shabbir Ahmed "On the need for an educational policy". Both of them had been well-written, emphasising the inevitable nature and necessity of education, the most important weapon in the world and without which one can hardly live without tension and confusion. An ignorant and illiterate person is like a deaf and dumb one who is always nervous, suspicious of others, unless trained properly. It is, therefore, a must that the community take troubles with happiness in giving proper education to their children.

The September issue was also good with articles on "Vaniyambadi Muslim Educational Society" and "Education under Mughal Monarchs". In his article under the later heading the writer Prof. Mirza Abdul Majid has pointed out the importance that Islam and Muslim rulers of India have given to education. But the unfortunate and undeniable fact is that the Muslims are educationally and economically backward in India and hence the responsibility to alleviate their sufferings because of poverty and illiteracy with the leaders of the community and government. How long can we sing the song of the past glories? The present scientific and materialistic world is full of challenges and competitions. Through education the community has to learn not only the technical, medical or any other professional know-how but also the art of diplomacy to have things done and face the various problems that crop up every now and then in every field of activity due to one reason or other.

The editorial "Unrecognised Schools" was a timely one in which the editor has rightly given the necessary instructions to Muslim institutions to protect their interests.

The percentage of educated Muslim women is regrettably very low and therefore all Muslim associations should give special attention towards their education. I would request the editor of the "Omeiat Journal" to endeavour his best to stress the need for sending Muslim girls in every family to schools and colleges and see that they are made equal to Muslim boys. If Muslim girls are allowed to remain uneducated, boys will find it difficult, if not impossible, to have equal educated life-partners. The marriages between the educated and the uneducated can hardly be successful.

(VMK in "Omeiat Journal" of October 1976)

Read More

MUSLIM ULEMA TELL THE POINT - A REJOINDER TO MR. KULDIP NAYAR

I read with interest the article "Muslim ulema miss the point" by Mr. Kuldip Nayar in the 22-28 December 1991 issue of Radiance. He is a noted and reputed writer and author. He has also known the Muslim community from close quarters. He can easily understand the wishes and aspirations of the Indian Muslims in the proper perspective. His article under reference actually surprised me and I was in wonder if all non-Muslims think of Muslims in the same manner. In this write-up I try to explain something and remind him that Muslim ulema did not miss the point.

Muslim ulema have always been patriotic citizens of this country. They have played a vital role in the freedom struggle of our country. The history is replete with sacrifices and sufferings. It was not Maulana Abul Kalam Azad who wanted partition. The creation of Pakistan was the result of hypocritic, unprincipled and dictatorial attitudes of some leaders in the Congress and RSS who were not for accepting the reasonable demands of the Muslims.

Indian Muslims want to safeguard their identity in the same manner as every religious and linguistic community wants to do here. Our country's beauty lies in its different identities and cultural heritages. It is like a garden of different flowers. A Muslim or a Christian is in no way less Indian or less patriotic than a Hindu. We can all be together proud of our rich and unique composite cultural and religious heritage which is our country's thrilling and glittering beauty and speciality.

A uniform civil code for all is opposed because not only it will give a feeling of slavery to the minorities here but will also alienate them from the national mainstream. People of every religion have a feeling rightly that their religion is respected to the extent of giving importance in the laws of our country. In case a uniform civil code is brought in this feeling will be missing and I feel that this situation will be dangerous to our country's integration. We want protection of the Muslim personal law in India for national strength and togetherness of the people. We must continue to approve and cherish the formula and slogan of unity in diversity. The Russian case is also before us. Today it stands shattered.

People of India are by and large peace loving. It is a segment of politicians who create ill will and tension among them. It is also these people who do not give importance to the Constitution of the country in the matter of the Rights and Guarantees to the minorities. A Muslim does not agree that the Muslim Personal Law comes in the way of nationalism or homogeneity. A Hindu does not lose his respectability in his society if he has a woman as his wife without a marriage apart from his actual wife. In some states like Tamil Nadu many leading political leaders and other dignitaries of the majority community have lived or live with more than one wife, with or without marriages. How is it possible for these Hindus to do so? Why unnecessarily blame the Muslim community in which polygamy is less prevalent.

Maulana Abul Hasan Ali Nadvi has rightly said that the Muslims remained united in opposing the Supreme Court judgement in the Shah Bano case. It is not so much for granting maintenance to a Muslim divorcee, but more for ridiculing Islam and giving unwanted sermon to the government for a uniform civil code.

Mr. Nayar has quoted the example of some Muslim countries for their laws on marriages. He should know that the anti-Muslim and anti-Islam attitude of the so called national press and others have virtually weakened the hands of those people who are for changes in the Muslim Personal Law in accordance with Islamic laws.

The resolution of the Board that the Babri Masjid cannot be sold, purchased or exchanged nor can it be handed over to any individual, association or government by agreement or so called conciliation is not only reasonable, but also in the interest of the country. If a mosque is not safe in the hands of the government, then the Muslims will feel that the are not safe and the laws of the land have no meaning and validity. The place of Babri Masjid is vital. Its removal from its present place will mean rewriting the Indian history and defeat of the minority Muslims by Hindu fundamental forces. The Hindu wrote editorially a couple of months ago that " No formula that envisages the destruction of the Babri Masjid should be seriously entertained even if the Muslim community leaders decide." It further said that " to say that the surrender of the claim to the Babri Masjid is the sole right of the Muslim community is to surrender India's pride-a rich and composite cultural heritage."

It should also be kept in mind that no court of law will give a verdict against the Babri Masjid and its property as their case in crystal clear. The Board has not questioned the validity of any court in taking a decision in this matter, but it has only expressed its opinion about it.

If "many among the Hindus have come out in the open to oppose what is sought to be done to demolish the secular policy of the country", I don't think, they are doing any favour to the minorities here. We do not know what is secularism and what is Hindu Rashtra. Muslims are perhaps the worst sufferers of the term "Secularism". it is high time that it is redefined not orally as done hitherto but constitutionally so that no particular religious community is considered its whole beneficiary.

The Muslim Personal Law Board has expressed its opinion honestly in clear terms without any ambiguity so that justice is done to the minorities here and our country does not face another serious problem on national level, creating an impression in the world that there is no safety for the Muslim minority and others in India. Its resolution reflects the opinion of all right thinking people.

(VMK in Radiance, Delhi dated 12-18 January 1992)

Read More

An appeal to the TN government

The All India Urdu Conference held in Chennai by Measi Urdu Academy and Muslim Educational Association of Southern India on 31st January 2009 has rightly appealed to the government of Tamil Nadu to exempt the Urdu speaking children from the existing Tamil Nadu Learning Act 2006 and allow them to study their mother tongue Urdu as the first language in schools which are having facilities for its teaching. According to an estimation there are more than 300 schools in Tamil Nadu offering Urdu as a medium of instruction or first language.

It is not fair to deprive any child from learning his/her mother tongue in school. Urdu is a sweet language spoken all over the country and abroad. Even Nehruji's mother tongue was Urdu. It is is one of the officially recognized languages in India and has official language status in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh and New Delhi.

The Tami Nadu government must be aware that removing Urdu from part I and thus preventing children from studying their mother tongue will very much harm the educational upliftment of the Urdu speaking minority, render Urdu teachers jobless and create a situation for closure of Urdu schools.

We request the goverment of Tamil Nadu to consider the appeal made by the Urdu conference now and others in the past and help the Urdu speaking minority to march forward in the educational arena without any hamper.

Read More