Activities in 2002-2003

The Kolkata Chapter organized several programmes in the year 2002-2003. Lectures, discussion and conference/workshops were organized on the following topics:

• A programme for Social Reconstruction and National Integration Proposed to be Initiated.

• Presentation of paper “Islam and Terrorism”.

• Presentation of paper on “Status of Women in Islam”.

• Presentation of paper on “Muslims and the Freedom Movement”.

• Inauguration Ceremony of IOS Academy of Information Technology: Releasing Ceremony of Souvenir

• Presentation of paper “Hindu Participation in Muslim Administration in Medieval India.

• Issues and Problems of Indian Muslims and their Solution.

The Chapter also published some seven important booklets on vital subjects of current and lasting relevance. The titles and the names of their authors are given below:

1. Racial Affinities of Hindu and Muslim Population in India by M.K.A. Siddiqui

2. Western Factor in Hindu and Muslim Relations by M.K.A. Siddiqui

3. Incidence of Polygyny among Muslims and Growth Rate of Their Population by M.K.A. Siddiqui

4. Status of Women in Islam by M.K.A. Siddiqui

5. Islam and Terrorism by Sk. Sadar Nayeem

6. Hindu Particiaption in Muslim Administration in Medieval India by M.K.A. Siddiqui and MS. Dur-e-Shahwar

7. Some Myths and Realities about Muslims by Sk. Sadar Nayeem

Other Works

• Racial Affinities of Hindu and Muslim Population in India has been translated in Hindi and Bengali.

• Western Factor in Hindu and Muslim Population in India has also been translated in Hindi and Bengali.

Annual Report of Activities

Sham-e-Muzakarah

During the year 2002-2003 Sham-e-Muzakarahs were held every month. Persons from academic professions and other public fields were invited to participate in the discussions. Topics relating to socio-political issues with special focus on minorities and Islam were discussed. The summary of the discussions have already been reported in the different issues of the IOS Newsletter.

Some of the highlights of the above discussions related to communal harmony, Islam in Indian Environment, Project on Islamic Heritage etc. are mentioned below.

The discussion relating to communal harmony focussed on a data-based study of communal riots to know the real factors responsible for such things. Mere discussions without knowing the views of the real target groups would not lead us to anywhere. However one common reason for communal disturbances is bringing politics into religion. Petty considerations and greed for power of the leaders are dividing people into segments of caste, creed and community which ultimately results in devastation and destruction. Further it was also mentioned that it was the duty of everyone who is craving for communal harmony to identify prejudices and stereotype opinions that create hatred and divide people on communal and sectarian lines. In another session, it was pointed out that contrary to the general perception media was no less responsible for what happened in Gujarat after the Godhra incident. The tendency of the media persons to draw conclusions without cross checking the facts and figures is a blunder. Bulk of the media realized the blunder only after the riots went out of control and a full-ledged pogrom of Muslims started in Gujrat.

Islam in Indian environment was also discussed in one of the sessions of Sham-e-Muzakarah. The discussion was divided into three parts: (i) different stages of entry of Islam into India (ii) attitude of Muslim rulers towards Muslim and Non-Muslim subjects, (iii) evolution of synthetic cultural lives of people involving indigenous influence as well as the influences brought by Islam and (iv) expected attitude of Muslims in India towards our countrymen against the above historical background.

Based on the above historical facts one very important conclusion emerges: whenever there has been political stability moderation in Hindu-Muslim relation has been witnessed and whenever there has been instability Hindu-Muslim relation has been strained.

These historical findings find parallel in the present day India also. A period of political stability and economic development creates a tension-free environment in which all live together peacefully, deeply involved in making their respective contribution to the progress of the society. On the other hand a period of political instability and lop-sided economic development leads to a tension-packed environment in which people live under mutual mistrust, acrimony and violence. Recent elections in Gujarat are a case in point.

Therefore we must put emphasis on using our voting rights skillfully so that a stable government is elected with progressive policies and agenda.

A discussion was held to discuss the ‘Project on Islamic Heritage’. On the basis of the discussion, about 30 issues were framed for their inclusion in the website of the IOS. A few of them are noted below:

• Does Islam promote a hegemony or harmony across the nation?

• How does Islam establish linkages between different faiths and belief systems?

• Inter-community relations in Islam.

• The role of women in the Islamic governance.

• Poverty elimination programmes in Islam.

• Islam and the administration of justice in the plural society.

• Islam and science & technology in all spheres of knowledge

IOS Scholarship Awardees Forum (ISAF)

ISAF of the IOS, Patna Chapter, was formed on July 21, 2002 on the direction of the IOS Delhi. Dr. Mohammad Alamgir, the first IOS scholarship awardee of the Patna Chapter, was nominated as convenor and Mr. Mansoor Haider Khan was nominated as the joint convenor.

The Forum would strive to further strengthen the bond of fraternity among the IOS Scholarship Awardees and develop a sense of belonging to the IOS, its aims and objects in order to promote the welfare of all the concerned.

General Contact Programme

Under this programme potential members of the Public were contacted to make them aware about the objectives, achievements and future programmes of the Institute of Objective Studies. We were successful in bringing to our platform many journalists, technocrats and administrative officers.

Exhibition of Books and Journals

On the days when lectures and sham-e-Muzakarah were held, we arranged exhibition of books and journals in the library of the Chapter. They became of special interest to the visitors of the Chapter. We displayed books, journals, IOS Newsletters, IITM Newsletters etc., all received from the IOS Headquarters. The exhibition became a source of information to the public about the aims and objects of the IOS and its services.

Routine Activities

The routine activities undertaken during 2002-2003 include the following:

(a)     The Patna Chapter extended its services to the Institute of Objective Studies, New Delhi in identifying suitable candidates from the universities of Bihar and Madrasa Board for award of IOS scholarships for the year 2002-2003.

(b)     The Chapter distributed literature on Islam and IOS Newsletters and disseminated information regarding seminars etc. at the national and international levels communicated by the IOS Headquarters.

(c)     Library facilities in the form of documentation of titles, books, journals, reports, paper clippings etc. available in the library of the Chapter were provided to the regular visitors and the readers.

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