A meeting of the Governing Council of the IOS will be held on 8.3.2003 at 10.30 a.m. in the Conference Room of the Headquarters. The meeting will discuss among other things, the work plan for the activization of the Academic Committees, organization of an annual lecture in the memory of Qazi Mujahidul Islam Qasmi and Secretary General’s report about his visits to various chapters.

The Secretary of the Institute of Objective Studies, Prof. Z. M. Khan, paid a visit to the IOS Chapters in Calicut and Chennai from 1-4 and 4-7, February 2003 respectively. On the first day of his visit to Calicut, Dr. Ibrahim, Dr. P. Koya, Dr. Mohammad and Mr. Ashokan had a meeting for nearly two hours in a room of the hotel, Calicut Tower. The Secretary General Prof. Z.M. Khan explained the purpose of his visit and a point-wise agenda that was to be discussed. Items such as finding out ways to have better communication with the Headquarters, to sort out administrative difficulties, measures to make the chapter self-reliant and increase in participation levels of the chapter in IOS programmes and schemes and finally the examination of the proposal for construction on the piece of land acquired by the IOS, so that the chapter may become self-sufficient. This land was to be physically inspected by Prof. Khan. These items were spelt out right in the beginning, so that the office bearers might plan discussions, meetings and programmes accordingly.

The whole of the second day was devoted to the national seminar on ‘Indian Muslims: Issues, Problems and Solution’. It started at 10:00 am. in the hall of Kerala Shiksha Sadan. The Secretary General gave a detailed introduction of the IOS and presented the key note address on the theme. The speakers presented papers on various aspects. However Ms. Shabana, Director of the Institute for Studies on Women, Mangalore (Karnataka)) presented a quality paper on ‘Gender Justice in Islam’. It was a good gathering from the point of view of participation of young researchers, journalists and students.

On third day, the Secretary General attended a meeting with members of academia in the Department of Arabic, followed by his lecture on contemporary challenges to minorities in India. It continued for two hours. Later on, a visit to the site of proposed IOS building was conducted. It was an impressive location and was likely to fetch good revenue. In the evening a meeting was arranged at the Chapter. It was a good exchange of ideas and interaction on the lines of the main agenda already spelt out.

On the fourth day, another meeting was held at the hotel with Dr. P. Koya and he handed over necessary documents relating to the construction programme. It was a good meeting and Dr. Koya promised to put in his best efforts. Certain changes were proposed and it was promised that these would be taken up with appropriate authorities at the Headquarter. The Secretary General left Calicut on 4, February 2003 in the evening for Chennai. At the end of the day, it could be concluded that the Chapter can organize some surveys as they can manage trained man-power; the cordial inter-community relations are strong and civil society dynamics is a strong point; the Dalit angle is strong and successful experiments can be conducted in this area to contain communalism; Muslim presence provides good avenues in matters of development and welfare of Muslims in Kerala. This area seems to be fertile to work on education and welfare of Muslim Women. A strong source of Islamic ideals may be utilized to establish a balanced and just society.

The Secretary General reached Chennai in the evening of 4 February and stayed in the Madras University Guest House from 4 upto 7 February 2003. In the same evening, Dr. Karamatullah Bahmani, the coordinator of Chennai Chapter explained the conditions leading to the change in office of the Chapter and his shifting from the New College to Madras University where he has joined as Head of the Department of Islamic Studies. Due to his new assignment and change of hands delays were caused and resulted into a low level of performance. However, it was assured that the present situational changes could be utilized for gearing up activities at Chennai. There was not much scope of attracting academic people without effective infrastructure.

On 5 February, 2003, a meeting with faculty members of Madras University was organized in the Oriental Institute of Research (ORI) at Marina Campus of Madras University. Prof. Khan elaborated the purpose, activities and programmes of the IOS and tried to present the track record of the Institute on relevant issues concerning national and international issues particularly relating to conflict resolution, peace and justice. In the evening Prof. Khan paid a visit to the Office of the Chapter.

Prof. Z.M. Khan delivered a lecture on "Islamic Studies in India" in the Department of Islamic Studies in collaboration with the Oriental Research Institute and the Department of Political Science of Madras University on 6, February 2003. The lecture was followed by a lengthy and lively discussion. It was presided over by Prof. P. Nisar Ahmad, the Head of ORI. The speaker emphasized the point of application of appropriate methodology to Islamic Studies. Islamic worldview has to form the base line of the methodology, he remarked.

On 7 February, 2003, a visit was arranged to the Anjuman Ittihadul Muslimeen Campus. After Juma prayer, a meeting was held with Dr. Salahuddin and other social workers. It was a useful exercise and the Anjuman offered to collaborate with the IOS Chapter in Chennai.

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