December 27, 2013 in Education, Indian Muslim
http://muslimmirror.com/eng/we-salute-afmi-for-their-concern-for-the-downtrodden-sirajuddin-ajmal/
BY NURUL ISLAM LASKAR, Muslim Mirror News,
GUWAHATI, DECEMBER 27: A large number of NRI delegates from different countries and about one-third out of the 133 medal winning students from different parts of the country have already arrived in Guwahati for the two-day Convention on Education and Gala Award Function slated here for December 28 & 29, 2013. The American Federation of Muslims of Indian Origin (AFMI) is holding this programme for the 22nd year in succession the last two Conventions being held in Hyderabad and Ranch in the years 2011 and 2012 respectively. Two of Assam’s most renowned NGOs, Ajmal Foundation and Markazul Ma’arif are coordinating the arrangements and acting as the local hosts for the programme.
With a day left for this gala event, a press meet was organised on Friday evening at Hotel Kiranshree in the city in which the officials of AFMI along with the local hosts briefed the media and answered their questions. The meet saw an overwhelming response from both electronic and print media of the city.
Dr AR Nakadar (Detroit USA), Founding Trustee of AFMI spoke about the genesis of the Federation and informed the media persons that since its inception in 1989, the federation has been working diligently for the uplift of the Muslim students of India. Since the literacy rate among the Muslim community is very low, AFMI has been endeavouring to address the issue by offering scholarships, building schools and taking up other innovative projects to encourage pursuit of education among the Muslims. He said, AFMI is running over 100 schools in India, most of which are operating so far in states like Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
In addition to educational projects, AFMI also spends 20 to 30 per cent of its budget on relief and rehabilitation work, Nakadar informed.
On behalf of the local hosts of the Convention, Sirajuddin Ajmal, Chairman PAC & Trustee, Ajmal Foundation said, “I salute the members of AFMI for the fact that even though they are well placed in USA and Canada, they have not forgotten their duties towards the less fortunate ones in the country. Their dedication and enthusiasm is infectious and we all are going to benefit immensely from their presence here.” He informed the media that 133 students from all over the country have been invited to attend the Convention to receive their gold, silver, bronze medals and cash awards from the hands of dignitaries who would be here on the occasion.
Ayub Khan (Toronto Canada), President AFMI said he was elated to be in the North East of India. To quote him, “We have just returned from Hojai, about 175 km from Guwahati, where we were able to see some of the excellent educational institutions run by the Ajmal Group. All of these are not only spectacular but also inspirational, and need to be replicated across India.”
Abdur Rehman Ajmal, MLA & Trustee Ajmal Foundation, while offering the formal vote of thanks expressed the hope that AFMI’s coming to the North East would pave way for new initiatives in the field of education in Assam and North East India.
Maulana Badrudddin Ajmal, MP & CEO Ajmal CSR met the AFMI delegates in an informal discussion after the press meet. He informed the overseas delegates that even though education was on top of Ajmal Group’s agenda, they are continuing with service to the community side by side. With the advent of winter, the Group has despatched 5,000 blankets and 2,500 cots (charpoys) for the riot victims of Muzaffarnagar (U.P.). 10,000 blankets are being distributed to the victims of ethnic violence in BTAD area of Assam who are still living in make-shift camps. Abdur Rehman Ajaml added, “The members of Ajmal family are donating 3,000 blankets in Salmara area of Goalpara District in Assam during this winter.”
