National Seminar On Muslims In Manipur

Dr. Md. Raheijuddin Sheikh *

A Halim Chowdhury, IAS (Retd.), Prof. N. Mohendro Singh, Md. Abdul Nasir, Prof. M A Janab Khan and Md. Amin Shah inaugurating the Seminar

National Seminar on Opportunities and Challenges of Muslims in Manipur was held at Classic Hotel on 9 Dec 2012. The inaugural session of the seminar organized by All Manipur Muslims (Meitei Pangal) Welfare Association under the aegis of Manipur State Minorities Commission was attended by the Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Abdul Nasir, Parliamentary Secretary of MOBC & SC and Science & Technology Md. Amin Shah, Chairperson of the Manipur State Minorities Commission A Halim Chowdhury, IAS (Retd.) and AMMPWA President Prof. M. A. Janab khan as the chief Guest, Guest of honour and President respectively.

Former Member of the Steering Committee of NER vision 2020, Doner, GOI Prof. N. Mohendro Singh highlighted the theme of the Seminar. Deputy Secretary of MOBC and School Education, Government of Manipur M. A. Salam delivered the keynote address. A book of proceedings of the seminar containing research papers was also released in the inaugural Session of the Seminar.

Minister Abdul Nasir in his speech reiterated that the State Government led by O. Ibobi Singh has been rendering restless efforts for the uplift of the Minority Muslims in the State. The Parliamentary Secretary Md. Amin Shah said that he would try to implement all the recommendations made in the Seminar.

Chairperson of the State Minorities Commission reiterated that research and development are the two facets of the same coin. No nation has been developed without research. The Seminar would provide a platform for young scholars in sharing knowledge with each other by presenting their research works which would be of tremendous help in policy making.

M. A. Salam in his key note address highlighted the activities of AMMPWA since its inception in the year 1993. AMMPWA took important roles in bringing the State Minorities Commission into existence in the year 2004. AMMPWA submitted memorandum to the OBC Commission demanding inclusion of Meitei-Pangals in the OBC List.

AMMPWA also conducted socio-economic survey of the Community in the year 2004. It also took an important role in getting 4% reservation of the Community in entry to Government jobs and admission to the Educational Institutions. AMMPWA conducted activities like Free Health chack-ups and educational awareness camps at various places in Manipur. It also organized remedial coaching classes at remote areas.

He also highlighted the objectives of the seminar by reiterating that although Manipuri Muslims were noted for their skills in various trades and even advanced in education, the community is still lagging behind other communities in various fields like economy, education and social status. The seminar is a forum for discussion on the reasons of its backwardness and suggestions for improvement.

Altogether 17 research scholars including two from Assam and one from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia presented their research papers highlighting the educational, economic and social status of Meitei-Pangals in Manipur and in the Barak Valley in Assam.

Senior citizens occupying the first row in the seminar

About 200 delegates from various sections of the community which includes College and University Teachers, Research Scholars, Social Activists, Intellectuals, Muslim Womenfolk, AMUCOC members, PSO members, AMMSO members, UMDWO members, Religious Leaders, PPF members, Government Employees, MPSC - CSSE successful Muslim youths and many others attended the seminar.

The first Technical Session was chaired by Prof. N. Mohendro Singh while the second session was moderated by Prof. M. C. Arun of Manipur University. The two technical sessions were followed by a Panel Discussion which was chaired by A. R. Khan, IAS (Retd.).

Evaluation of the various intervention programs particularly in the Muslim inhabited areas through a third party, establishment of suitable institutions in Muslim concentrated pockets, establishment of residential schools with at least 50% reservation for Muslim students in admission, implementation of Total Literacy Program of Muslims through NGO's autonomous organizations under the sponsorship of the State Government, Incentives to school children, organizing remedial coaching classes both for the competitive exams and general exams etc are some of the recommendations made in the seminar.

See the full photo gallery on this event here