Rachinder Sachar admits , Muslims in Kerala are not Backward

Arab News

RIYADH,

24 November 2007

— The socio-economic progress of Kerala Muslims can be attributed to their willingness to take up modern education along with religious studies, said Justice Rajinder Sachar, chairman of Sachar Committee, at a function in

Riyadh

recently.

Muslims living in other states of

India

can follow the example of Kerala Muslims to improve their socio-economic condition, said Sachar, who is also the author of Sachar Committee report that is based on findings about the socio-economic and educational status of Muslims in

India

. The report was submitted to the Indian government on

Nov. 17, 2006

.

Sachar, a former chief justice of Delhi High Court and UN Commissioner on Habitat, was speaking at an interactive session with Kerala Muslim leaders organized by The Muslim Educational Society (MES),

Riyadh

chapter.

Some of the findings in the report have sparked national-level debate.

In

West Bengal

, Muslim participation in government jobs stands at a meager 2.5 percent. It is even below 4 percent in

Gujarat

, the state ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party.

In education, Muslims are far behind other communities in the states of Uttar Pradesh,

Bihar

and

West Bengal

, he added.

 
 
During the last two or three decades, there has been a remarkable progress in education of Kerala Muslims. The percentage of girls in high schools and colleges has also increased considerably. Kerala’s political environment has been a contributing factor to this significant development. MES manages about a dozen colleges, including an engineering and a medical college in Kerala and also runs over 50 schools.

He also quoted from the Holy Qur’an, which says, “God will not change the status of a people until they change themselves.”

Community leaders and other organizations have to demonstrate their willingness to work selflessly for the prosperity of the society.

He praised the Kerala community for their secular outlook and willingness to accommodate different cultures and touched upon the history of the state dating back to the arrival of Arab traders who spread Islam in

India

.

MES Riyadh chapter President Mohamed Ashraf presided over the function. Abdul Rahman Kutty, secretary, welcomed the gathering and Dr. Abdul Rahman presented a vote of thanks. Dr. Riaz Mehdi, Dr. Badshah and Dr. Misbahul Arifeen, leaders of Aligarh Muslim University Alumni Association also attended the function. Alikoya, MES patron, presented Justice Sachar with a copy of the Holy Qur’an.