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Cover Story

On February 25, 2008, Darul Uloom Deoband, the second largest centre of Islamic learning after Cairo's Al-Azhar University, held an "All India Anti-Terrorism Conference" in Deoband about 150 kms from the capital, New Delhi. The conference attended by an estimated 16,000 ulama, scholars, muftis and teachers of madrasas from across India, issued a declaration against terrorism stating that killing a single person is tantamount to "the killing of the entire humanity, without differentiation based on creed and caste." While not mentioning it by name, the declaration accused the U.S. of tyranny and colonialism in the Muslim world, saying: "The conference expresses its deep concern and agony over the alarming global and national conditions presently prevailing in the world, in which most of the nations are adopting an attitude against their citizens - especially the Muslims - that cannot be justified in any way, in order to appease the tyrant and colonial master of the West." The declaration expressed concern regarding Western influence over the "internal and external" policies of India's government, noting: "It is a matter of greater concern that the internal and external policies of our country are becoming heavily influenced by these forces. Their aggression, barbarism and state-sponsored terrorism - not only in Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan, but also in Bosnia and various South American countries - have surpassed all records known to human history." ..... Read More

Special Report

Abysmal Conditions
Of Urdu Schools in Mumbai

At Urdu schools teachers are asked to maintain registers— attendance and masters in Marathi only. Marathi-speaking teachers are appointed in posts vacated for Urdu teachers.

Education plays an important role in the process of a child's development and ultimately towards his ability to contribute to the nation. Ignorance and poverty are major speed-breakers in a fast developing country such as India and can be overcome only through proper education.

Do you think any country will ever look back if its people are fully educated, have incomes to support their family, are aware of the happenings in the world, and are able to contribute for the country’s development? No, will be eventually every one's answer. Education dispels ignorance. It is the only wealth that cannot be robbed. Education is the light that leads to wisdom. Education makes man a right thinker. It tells man how to think and how to make decisions.

Urdu language is largely spoken in our country. Some states have given it the status of second language. Muslim leaders are trying to give it the status which the language actually deserved. Government also claims to serve and support the Urdu language and it has a promotion programme for the language. Government has started a series of Urdu medium schools in the country and their number is increasing. Good! But the question remains whether the existing Urdu medium schools are able to cope with their counter parts i.e. Marathi and Hindi medium schools to produce students required for the future of the country?

To find out the answer this writer visited a few BMC-run Urdu medium schools in Mumbai. ..... Read More