Conference to dwell on challenges Muslims face in education

Over 2,000 delegates from Maharashtra and other parts of the country will deliberate on the educational challenges confronting the Muslim community at a two-day conference here May 29-30, an official said Saturday.

Vice President Hamid Ansari will inaugurate the "Conference on Educational Challenges in the Muslim Community" at the Mumbai University's Kalina Campus, said Maulana Azad Vichar Manch president Husain Dalwai, a Rajya Sabha Member.

"The recommendations of the Sachar Committee have been welcomed by the community, but dissemination and on-the-ground implementation have thrown up many challenges," Dalwai told media-persons.

Calling for "active and persistent" co-operation between the government and the activists of the community, Dalwai said that facilitation of this co-operation needs detailed interpretation of the Sachar Committee recommendations.

There should be a regular debate and discourse on the issues, and most importantly, a process for network formation for implementation of the recommendations, he urged.

The MAVM's proposed two-day conference will be a step in this direction where the delegates, comprising academicians and community activists, share their expertise and experience.

Minister for Minority Affairs K. Rahman Khan shall deliver the keynote address at the conference, while Dalwai shall present the concluding remarks.

Among the topics that the Muslim community grapples with that will be addressed at the conference are: Perspectives to Muslim education, communalism as an impediment to Muslim education, vocational and technical education for Muslim youth, strategies for education of Muslim girls, utilising Wakf funds for educating the community, challenges before Muslim educational institutions, financial challenges for promoting education in the community and specific issues before Muslim Dalits and Other Backward Classes, with possible solutions.