By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net

Bhopal: A two-day workshop for "Taleemi Edaron Ka Wefaq-wa-Milli Masail" (Federation of educational institutions & community problems) began here today at the office of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh zone, situated at the Huda complex in Lajpat Rai Colony.

Speaking in the opening session Prof. Umar Hayat Ghori, a retired professor of Urdu from Karnataka who presided, on spreading knowledge and its demands, opined that there is no difference between "Deeni and Dunyavi Ilm" (Religious and worldly knowledge). Neither Allah nor last Prophet of Islam Mohammad (PBUH) codified as such to limit the pursuance of knowledge, he said.

Prof. Ghori said the demarcation line has been drawn between "Deeni and Dunyavi Ilm" by some vested interests to keep Muslims out of touch with time. This differentiation of knowledge is totally wrong and it is a conspiracy to mislead Muslims and keep them backward.

Allah has defined "Ilm" (knowledge) as "Haqaiq Par Jo Maloomat Hogi Woh Hi Ilm Kahlaiga, Na Ke Jo Ke Andaze Par Mabni Hoga" (Knowledge is that which is based on realities and evidences and not that one on conjectures and assumptions), he remarked.

Prof. Ghori gave a clarion call to the new generation to acquire knowledge by all means and become good engineers, doctors, businessmen, administrators etc. and be true Muslims in action and deed. He suggested to make the base of young children sound in languages such as English, Urdu and Hindi so that they can pursue their studies without any difficulty with special attention on talented students.

He urged to work in a planned manner in establishing good educational institutions to strive earnestly to attain the golden era once again when Muslims excelled in the world of Science and Technology in the early centuries.

Earlier, Syed Ahmad Ali gave brief report about the educational institutions in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh run by the members of Jamaat-e-Islami. He urged to establish educational institutions on modern pattern to fulfill the needs of time.

Ali lamented that Madhya Pradesh Madarsa Board is doing more harm than good to the cause of Muslims by its very low standard of education and its examination system. He urged to prepare a unified syllabus of courses for schools on the pattern of CBSE.

In the afternoon session Mujtaba Farooq, secretary Milli Masail, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, speaking on educational problems staring the Muslim Ummah said there is no need to despair as impediments are bound to come when one starts working. He urged the delegates not to lose hope but to cash on the opportunities available which would open the doors further.

Mohammad Mushtaq, secretary education, introduced the delegates. Delegates from all over Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh are participating in the workshop. (pervezbari@eth.net)