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Seminar on Inter-Community Linkages in India The theory and practice of multi-culturalism constitutes the core of present day discourse, says the concept paper of the seminar on "Fostering Inter-Community Linkages in India" that the IOS is going to organize in March 2003. There are variety of conflicts and other pressures which dominate the nations and societies. There is an urgent need "to find ways of reconciling the legitimate demands of unity and diversity, achieving political unity without cultural uniformity, being inclusive without being assimilationist, cultivating among citizens a common sense of belonging while respecting their legitimate cultural differences and cherishing plural cultural identities without weakening the shared citizenship.", says the concept paper. The state plays a dominant role in multi-cultural societies. The dominant theory of nation-state calls for a culturally homogenous society. But, it entails problems on many fronts. Very specifically the minority groups may suffer from insecurity, marginalisation and denial of basic human rights. It, therefore, needs reconceptualization in the context of multi-culturalism. The state could be a community of communities, each segment enjoying legitimate share of autonomy but all held together by shared legal and political bonds. In no case, assimilation is essential to ensure political unity. It is not a pre-condition of equal citizenship. There is no doubt a "culturally homogenous society has certain advantages and strengths, but it also has a tendency to become closed, intolerant averse to change, catastrophic and oppressive". India as a nation is committed to unity in diversity supported by its cultural history, tradition and social ethos. The Constitution of India provides ample space to all sections of Indian society to operate and enjoy autonomy. Indian state ensures equality, social justice and mutual respect for each other. The institutions of state should be, and be seen to be impartial in their treatment of the members of different communities. These institutions should be as representative of the wider society as possible. Recent developments in India are particularly disturbing as it is an established fact that the process of marginalisation of minorities, Dalits and other weaker communities is faster than ever. It is more so in case of minorities as they are facing an acute sense of insecurity and discrimination. There is a growing fear among Muslims. India has no anti-discrimination agency or institution. This situation has multiple dimensions and calls for a serious effort on the part of all concerned. The seminar is scheduled to be held at Hamdard Convention Centre, Hamdard University, New Delhi on 28-30 March 2003. A large number of scholars are expected to participate in the seminar. The break-up of the three-day seminar is given below:
March 28, 2003 (First Day) Inaugural Session March 29, 2003 (Second Day) Session-I: India’s Composite Heritage (10.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m.) (11.30 a.m. to 12.00 noon) Tea Break
Session-II: India’s Composite Culture (12.00 Noon to 1.30 p.m.) (1.30 p.m. to 2.30 p.m.) Lunch and Salat Break
Session-III: National Integration and the Constitutional Framework (Panel Discussion) (2.30 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.) March 30, 2003 (Third Day) Session- IV: India’s National Identity (Panel Discussion) (10.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m.) (11.30 a.m. 12.00 noon) Tea Break Session-V: Restoring Inter-Community Linkages: Role of the State, Civil Society and the Media (Panel Discussion) (12.00 noon to 5.00 p.m.) Sub-session: Role of the State (12.00 noon to 1.30 p.m.) (1.30 p.m. to 2.30 p.m.) Lunch and Salat Break
Sub-session: Role of Civil Society (2.30 p.m. to 3.45 p.m.) Sub-session: Role of the Media (3.45 p.m. to 5. 00 p.m.) Valedictory Session
(5.00 p.m. to 5.45 p.m.) Seminar on Misperceptions About Islam… The Department of Islamic Studies, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi is going to organize a national seminar on "Misperceptions about Islam and Muslims in India". The seminar is scheduled to be held on 26-27 March, 2003. The seminar will focus on various aspects of the main theme mentioned above. In view of the misleading propaganda against certain verses of the Holy Quran, the Muslim history and the reality of Muslim presence in India the proposed seminar assumes added significance. Many leading scholars have already confirmed their participation. They are as follows: Prof. A.R. Momin
Islam and Pluralism Prof. Yaseen Mazhar Siddiqi
Islam and Minorities: Historical Perspective Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
Kufr and Kafir Prof. Hamid Ansari
Islam and Democracy Mr. Musa Raza
The Myth of Muslim Appeasement Dr. Zafarul Islam Khan
Madrasa: Seat of Learning or Den of Terrorism Ml. Jalaluddin Ansar Umri
Muslim Woman: The ideal Asghar Ali Engineer
Muslims and Communal Riots Mr. A.G. Noorani
Muslims and the Constituent Assembly Prof. Iqbal A. Ansari
Muslim Woman in India Prof. Z.M. Khan
Constitution and Minorities: Ideal and Reality Dr. Mirza Asmer Beg
Media and the Muslims Other topics that are to be discussed in the seminar are, "Hum Panch Hamar-e-Pachees", we five and we beget twenty five", "conversion and freedom of religion" and the Partition: Are Only Muslims Responsible? Jihad: the True Meaning. Attempts will also be made to give the proper background of certain verses about which some people have unfounded objections. Many leading personalities such as Mr. Sayyid Hamid, Mr. Sayyid Shahabuddin, Mr. Siraj Husain and Prof. Mushirul Hasan etc. are likely to participate in the seminar. For further details contact: Dr. Ishtiyaque Danish Convenor Department of Islamic Studies Jamia Hamdard, Hamdard Nagar New Delhi-110062
14th Seminar in June 2003 The Islamic Fiqh Academy, New Delhi, will convene its fourteenth Fiqh seminar in June 2003. An appeal for academic contribution has been made through a letter to prospective writers. The response to the proposed seminar is very encouraging; the office of the Academy has already received a number of articles which deal with some important themes. The Academy has published an important book on Waqf in Arabic language. Moreover, the Academy is actively pursuing its other objectives. The translation of the Arabic encyclopaedia on Waqf in Urdu is continuing along with other academic and intellectual activities.
New Arrivals The following books have been added to the already rich collections of the IOS Library at the Headquarters.
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