Ulema's priorities must change
By M Y Khan (The article published in Economic Times on 14 Nov, 2009)
Deoband has given birth to a number of scholars every year since its inception and is credited with bold sacrifices for India's independence. And the Jamiat-i-Hind condemned terrorism, bloodshed, violence and oppression of human beings, irrespective of caste and religion, at its recent 30th general session. Thus, to label them 'anti-India' would be partisan. The Ulemas of Deoband have documented a few resolutions regarding the economic upliftment and social standards of Muslims. However, they have put the responsibility of solving the problems of the Muslim community on the government.
It would have been better if they placed a structured analysis of the plight of Muslims — in terms of their absolute or relative deprivation from the benefits of India's diversified growth — before the nation. It was expected that their presentations would focus on the reasons for Muslim poverty, unemployment and illiteracy. However, it is most deplorable to raise the issue of Muslims singing Vande Matram. These issues were settled long ago. Singing this song isn't mandatory but, equally, no one should show disrespect to this national song. It should also be remembered that Muslims also address India as Madre Vatan which means motherland.
There are some things proscribed in Islam, such as drinking wine, theft, robbery, gambling, oppressing women, raping and kidnapping, dishonesty et al. But it is a fact that Muslims are also prey to such deeds. And it was an act of omission that the Jamiat failed to address these ills. Equally, the fatwa on school-going girls should have been moderate, restricted to things like covering the head with a scarf. Today, Muslim women have to represent Islam through their character and moral behaviour, which includes a sensible dress. A veiled face certainly does not guarantee either a strong character or safety for women. The Maulvis of the Jamiat should not forget that Muslim women today have to face the same economic and other problems as women from other communities. Women can't face contemporary problems with a covered face and illiteracy around their necks.
The leaders of the Jamiat have expressed concern for the economic backwardness of Muslims, which they want to eliminate through government initiatives contained in the Sachar report as well as the 15-Point Programme of the Prime Minister. But the Jamiat itself has not offered any solution to the problems of the Muslim community. No community, or even country, in the world has been able to strengthen its economic and financial health with aid, grants or subsidies. African countries receiving World Bank aid, grants and subsidies for decades are still without food and work. Indeed, the Quran recommends self-help and personal effort on that score.
Every Muslim knows that his/her community is lagging behind in general or technical education. It is worse in the field of professional education, particularly in the area of financial markets. The Jamiat should have stressed that businessmen, industrialists and high net-worth Muslims should start their own training institutes to upgrade the skills and competing capabilities of the Muslim community. Today, India is a global centre and provides a number of opportunities for self-employment in the small sector, in financial sectors as well as in other segments of the economy — particularly in the private sector that consists of foreign institutions, companies, joint ventures as well as domestic companies. All of them can offer employment opportunities to competent Muslim youth. Indeed, there is a substantial visibility of Muslim employees and executives in the private sector. Community initiatives should, in fact, disseminate information on job availability in these sectors.
Deoband leaders, Muslim industrialists, businessmen and high net-worth Muslims can set up training institutions and colleges for general education. The Jamiat should actually have issued a fatwa to such personalities directing them to create educational infrastructure in places that are at least close to Deoband — like Muzaffarnagar or Meerut — or in Delhi where thousands of Muslims are millionaires or billionaires. It is frustrating and disappointing that these cities do not have any professional institutions except Jamia Millia and Hamdard in Delhi. In cities and towns, many institutions have multiplied due to the efforts of other communities, but not so in the case of Muslims, particularly in central, north and eastern India.
It was pertinent on Deoband's part to discuss whether Zakat, or obligatory charity, can be used to develop financial funds for promoting educational and training centres. Muslim graduates and post-graduates have to be imparted professional training so that they can be converted into competent workers. Maulvis should spread this consciousness in the country. It should actually be the case that even Maulvis leading prayers in mosques should spread awareness of professional education skills and competitiveness. It should actually become a movement. One that will not only serve the Muslims but also the nation.
(The author is former economic adviser of Sebi and former chairman of the MP Stock Exchange.)