American Federation of Muslims of Indian Origin
(USA & Canada)
XV Annual Convention
Dec.23-24, 2006
Resolutions
1.The XVth Annual Convention of the American Federation of Muslims of Indian Origin (USA & Canada) held on December 23-24,2006 in association with Crescent School and the Organization of Muslim Educational Associations of Tamil Nadu at Crescent Auditorium, Chennai, appreciates the efforts taken by the Census Commission of India and the Justice Rajinder Sachar Commission for presenting the religion-wise breakup and status of education and employment.
2.The convention expresses its grave concern over the pitiable plight of the Indian Muslims in the economic, educational and social strata as revealed by the 2001 National Census of India and reaffirmed by the Sachar Commission Report.
3.We are thankful to the Hon.Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh for formulating a new 15 point program for the minorities as a whole focusing on the human resources development aspect so as to enhance opportunities for education, earmark 15% of the physical targets and financial outlays for the minorities, ensure equitable share in economic activities and employment to improve the living conditions of the minorities and to maintain communal harmony.
4. We request the PMO to faithfully implement this scheme through the appropriate channels, already identified by the government and monitor in the micro-level to ensure that the fruits of this scheme reach the appropriate benefeciaries.
5.By and large it has been past experience that the announcement of schemes and allocation of funds does not reach the under-privileged masses including the
Muslims in the right proportion of their population and in proportion to their needs
which are required to raise themselves to the national mainstream. It is of utmost importance that Muslim concentrated areas must be identified and their needs for educational facilities evaluated without loss of time and necesarry facilities should be created so as to meet the first two points of the 15 point program namely:
1.Equitable availability of integrated child development scheme
2. Providing access to school education.
6.We request that on the basis of the findings, the respective governments should faithfully take all steps to improve the human development status of Indian Muslims.
7. All minorities put together constitute 33% of the national population where the Muslims are the largest group consisting of 13.4% according to the 2001 census and 17% according to the Sachar Commission estimation. If this major segment lags behind others and will not reach the national mainstream, India could never paint a honorable picture of its human development index in the global arena.
When budget allocations are made in common for all minorities-- for example 15% in the new 15 point program of the Prime Minister, the status of each minority must be taken into account in appropriately allocating to the sub-groups.
8. We appreciate the impetus given by the government to the Integrated Child Development Scheme whereby improving access to school education. It should be emphasised that intitaives must be launched like Anganwadis and the Sarva Siksha Abhyan in areas where minorities are concentrated.
9.We request the government to give more emphasis on the girl child's development in the education which will go a long way in educating the nation.
10.The convention also urges the Muslims to fulfill their own responsibility in pulling the community out of their current state of socio-economic and educational backwardness.