Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (SP)
Bantwal, Jan 15: "Even though Muslim community has a large number of talented students, they are facing dearth of enough encouragement and training opportunities. Such students should make united efforts to join the mainstream," said former chairman of Karnataka State Wakf Board, Abdul Riyaz Khan.
He was speaking after taking part in the programme organized at Melkar Women's PU and degree college on Wednesday January 14 on the occasion of annual day.
"Although the percentage of Muslims in state's population is 15 percent, there are only eight MLAs in the state. Lingayats, who just account for one percent more than Muslims, are represented by 110 MLAs. There are only 8,000 Muslim lawyers among 1.10 lac lawyers in the entire state. Again, among them, only 1,200 are working, while the others have stayed away from this profession. The state has only 300 Muslim women lawyers among 14,000 women lawyers, and most of them are not active in their profession," Riyaz lamented.
He pointed out that only one Muslim had become judge in the state high court, and during the last 28 years, not a single Muslim has been selected as district judge. Again, among over 2,800 judges in the state, only 20 are Muslims, he said. He also expressed disappointment at the low level of presence of Muslims in competitive posts like IAS and IPS. He felt that in the changed scenario, Muslims should make efforts to become lawyers, judges, or IAS, IPS officers instead of becoming doctors and engineers.
He asserted that education alone can improve the situation for Muslims. He praised Melkar women's college for providing quality education to 700 students after a humble beginning in 2009 with just 40 students.
Talent Research Fondation founder president, Abdul Rauf Puthige, Jamiyyatul Falah Dakshina Kannada and Udupi district reasurer, Imtiyaz Ahmed Khateeb, Mangaluru Hidaya Foundation founder president, H K Qasim Ahmed, KKMA Karnataka state coordinator, S M Farooq, college president and president of district Wakf advisory committee, S M Rashid Haji, principal, Abdullatif, and S Abbas Haji Sajipa were present.
Prizes were distributed to brilliant students on the occasion. Student, Fatima Begum, recited Kiraath. Zuhaida and troupe presented a song.
Student, Mariam Abeeda, welcomed. Nashat Nida proposed vote of thanks. Another student, Naushina Banu, presented the programme.