Indore: "The lack of education not only decimates a community but the entire nation suffers due to it. It is the bounden duty of one and all to join the movement to conquer illiteracy and spread the light of knowledge in each and every corner of India".

The above observation was made by Ravi Joshi, chairman Subhishi College of Nursing & Rahat Charitable Trust Khargone, while speaking at the inaugural function of the XVIII Annual International Convention on Education & Gala Award Ceremony of the American Federation of Muslims of Indian Origin, (AFMI), here in Indore, the commercial capital of Madhya Pradesh, at Ravindra Natya Grah on Saturday. The two-day programme is being hosted jointly in association with Rahat Charitable Trust, Khargone (M.P.) and Taleem Foundation of Madhya Pradesh. A souvenir was released on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion guest of honour Justice M.S.A Siddiqui, chairman National Commission on Minority Educational Institutions, said the community has to look within for its ills and find ways to improve. He further said that the Art. 30 of the Indian Constitution provides especial privileges to minority institutions.

"We should take advantage of it and that I would gladly provide any assistance in the matter whosoever seeks it”, he declared. He stressed upon the value of tolerance and communal amity which should be inculcated for peaceful co-existense.

Indore lawmaker Ashwani Joshi welcomed AFMI's seminar on education. He pointed out that Islam has made it compulsory to acquire knowledge but Muslims, like the followers of other religions, do not adhere to their religious edicts religiously.

The newly elected Mayor of Indore Krishna Murari Moghe another guest of honour also spoke on the occasion.

Meanwhile, to a thunderous applause AFMI's Sir Syed Award-2009 for contributions to the education of Indian Muslims was presented to Mumbai based educationist Mubarak Kapdi.

It may be mentioned here that Kapdi the founding president of the National Movement for Education and chairman of the Maharashtra Urdu High School. He is well known for his counseling sessions, workshops, motivational speeches, articles, books, and other educational activities across India. Thousands of students have benefited from his counsel and went on to successful careers.  His call for 'total education' has been well received across the country.

While AFMI's Meer Taqi Meer Award 2009 which was to be presented to noted poet and littérateur Pt. Anand Mohan Zutshi 'Gulzar' Dehlvi for contributions to Urdu literature could not be given as he failed to be present on the occasion due to ill health. The award shall be sent to his home. He is widely hailed as the reigning king of the Delhi school of Urdu poetry and an embodiment of the composite (Ganga-Jamuni) culture of India.

Dr. Iqbal Ahmed, incoming president of AFMI for 2010, in his speech gave the statistics about Muslim’s low literacy levels in India. He said that as a direct consequence of this  Muslims remain marginalized and sometimes resort to all sorts of unwanted activities. He chided the government for not implementing Sachchar Committee and other such reports.

 Dr. A. R. Nakadar, Trustee AFMI, said the convention is taking place at a time when the beasts of communalism and sectarianism are waiting to rip apart the harmony of the nation.

Dr. Nakadar said: "We are determined to march ahead and contribute to the development of our beloved India into a true superpower. Our vision is to equip each and every Muslim child in India with the liberating tool of knowledge. As part of this project we partnered with a number of local organizations across the country to support schools, initiate teacher training programmes, establish scholarships and initiate other related programmes"

Continuing he said: "We attained some success in this regard as can be seen from the rise in literacy levels. We make this acknowledgment with the assertion that we are not finished yet. We still have many hurdles to clear before we attain our aim of 100 per cent literacy among the Muslim community".

Earlier, Niyaz Ahmed, chairman of the organizing committee, delivered the welcome address. The vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. Aslam Abdullah, Trustee AFMI. Dr. M. A. Farooqui, ex-Director Higher Education, Ministry of Higher Education, FDR Ethiopia, conducted the function.

At the outset Maulana Abu Rehan Farooqui recited verses from the Holy Qur'an and thereafter translated it in Urdu. The students of Jamia Aisha Care Moral Madarsa of Indore rendered the Qaumi Tarana "Sare Jahan Se Achcha Hindustan Hamara".

Delegates and students who have achieved educational excellence in Std. X  and Std. XII in different states of India, who will receive Gold, Silver and Bronze medals have come to Indore for the AFMI convention.

It may be mentioned here that AFMI is a philanthropic charity organization founded 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.