The Indian Muslim Federation Executive Committee expresses their deepest sympathies at the sad demise of Mr. Siraj Tirmizi Editor of Gujarat Today, published from Ahmedbad, India and of Lokhit Prakashan Sarvajanik Trust.
May Allah bless his soul and give strength to his family members to bear this loss.
Ameen.
On Sunday 15th of December the Chairman and trustees of the Indian Muslim Trust held a reception in honour of Mr Muhammad Walayat Khokar manager at Muslim Aid who had recently received a MBE by her Majesty the Queen.
Dr. Syed Zafar Mahmood was appointed by Indian Prime Minister as ‘Officer on Special Duty’ for the ‘Sachar Committee’ to study the “social, economic and educational status” of India’s minority Muslim community. Dr. Mahmood was educated at Aligarh Muslim University. Dr. Mahmood is also the founder of three non-profit organizations: Zakat Foundation of India, Interfaith Coalition for Peace and God’s Grace Foundation. Zakat Foundation of India (founded in 1997) is a non-profit which runs an orphanage for victims of the 2002 Gujarat riots in partnership with USA’s One World Children’s Fund. The Foundation recently was in the news for adopting the family of the late 11-year old Shanno Khan. Dr. Mahmood’s work in regard to these organizations has also been featured on CNN and America’s National Public Radio (NPR). In September 2009, ZFI filed a ‘Right To Information’ application to question why the Government had rejected the Sachar Committee recommendations to ensure proper governance of Wakf properties.
On the 20th anniversary of demolition of Babri Masjid, members of Indian Muslim Federation (UK) fully endorsed the joint statement of All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat and Babari Masjid Movement Coordination Committee issued in India.
IMF (UK) members urged all Indian origin people living in UK to recall the greatest tragedy of Independent India, the deliberate and organized demolition of the Babari Masjid, Ayodhya in India on 6 December, 1992. The demolition of the three domes of the Babari Masjid amounted to the destruction of the three Pillars of the State the Parliament, the Supreme Court and the Government and the anti-secular elements which were responsible are yet to be punished.
IMF (UK) members appealed to the secular people of India and all over world to recall the tragedy with dignity and draw the attention of the Indian Parliament which is yet to discuss Justice Liberhan’s Report, the Supreme Court which is yet to deliver its final verdict in the title suit and of the Government of India which is yet to punish anyone including those who openly celebrated the Demolition and those who proudly claimed the ‘credit’. People of Indian origin living abroad questioned that why the wheels of justice move so slow in India in this case which tarnish the international image of the secular and democratic image of India. Justice delayed is justice denied.
IMF (UK) members fully endorsed the AIMMM and Babri Masjid Committee’s resolution to demand:
IMF (UK) members also remembered and prayed to the Almighty for eternal peace for those who lost their lives on that day and in the post-Demolition riots throughout the country.
IMF (UK) hosted a meeting on Wednesday, 17 October 2012 at IMF Hall in London with the Indian Muslim delegates visiting UK to learn about civil society developments affecting Muslim communities specifically as well as faith communities more generally – within the context of interfaith relations. This was held in conjunction with https://www.faith-matters.org/
IMF (UK) President Mr Shamsuddin Agha welcomed the delegates and briefed about the IMF activities and community involvement. Mr Irfan Mustafa, General Secretary IMF (UK) introduced delegates to the meeting.
Ms Shamina Shafiq a member of the National Commission for Women, a national level organisation in India briefed the meeting about the NCW’s work to protect and promote the interests of women and its role which includes reviewing and monitoring constitutional and legal safeguards for women in India; recommending legislative measures; ensuring that grievances are addressed and promoting the status of women through the advice it provides to the Indian government.
Director of SAFA, a leading social organisation based in Hyderabad, India advised that SAFA works to empower women, and especially urban illiterate women, to sustainable livelihoods. SAFA works on both economic empowerment as well as primary education programmes for women.
Assistant Editor at the Hindustan Times who reports on issues related to minority affairs briefed the meeting on current political and social affairs about Muslims in India and referred the Sachar Commission report for social, educational and economic upliftment of the Muslims in India.
Representing the Darul Huda University, an Islamic University in Kerala briefed the meeting on their challenges to provide Islamic education with modern methods of teaching and recognition.
The meeting was attended by 50 British Muslim community leaders representing many organisation including Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) and Aligarh Muslim University Alumni Association (UK).
Mr Akhtar Mirza, Vice President thanked the delegates and community leaders for attending the meeting. After the meeting the delegates and community leaders attended a dinner.
The IMF held a successful event to celebrate the life of Poet and Freedom Fighter Hasrat Mohani on 30th June 2012. Two papers were presented; by renowned broadcaster Mr Razali Abidi and Mr Baiz of Bangalore, followed by Mushaira and a meal.
Aligarh Muslim University Alumni Association UK and Indian Muslim Federation Leytonstone organised a really wonderful Jalse Seerat today at the IMF Hall in Leytonstone. It was utterly fulfilling to hear about Seerah, particularly with the participation of highly sophisticated women like Shahnaz Suri and Akhtar Siddiqui.
The programme was introduced by Khurshid Hasan of AMU and Shamsuddin Agha of IMF jointly! Akhtar Siddiqui welcomed all the guests and speakers to the event,
The main speakers were:
Dr Mohammed Fahim, the Chairman of the Trustees and Chief Imam at the Qurani Murkuz Trust, South Woodford. His talk was on the aspects of Seerah in the present day context. What a dynamic speaker! He had the audience spellbound.
Professor Abdul Ali Hamid: Vice Principal, Muslim College, scholar, author and a life member of the Association. He presided over the proceedings and presented a talk on aspects of Seerah.
Dr Shahnaz Suri: Aligarh, founder member, former treasurer and President of the Association presented a talk on Seerah from the female perspective.
Adil Siddiqui: Recitation of Naat” (Urdu). He is a long term member and a friend of the association and blessed with beautiful melodious voice. He recited really powerfully and touched everyone’s heart.
Finally Irfan Mustafa gave a vote of thanks.
As usual, I learnt so much from these amazing people most of whom have studied at Aligarh Muslim University!!
