About Me
- Mudassir Rizwan
- Patna, Bihar, India
- Born and brought up in Shillong, Meghalaya.
Friday, December 10, 2010
TCN is a realization of my dream about Indian Muslims: K Rahman Khan
By Md.Ali, TwoCircles.net,
New Delhi: “TwoCircles.net is realization of my dream about a platform for the voice of Muslims which I saw in 1993 while making my presentation at the American Federation of Muslims of Indian Origin (AFMI) conference in US,” said K Rahman Khan, Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha.
Mr. Khan was speaking at the award presentation ceremony of TCN Person & Organization of the Year held at the India Islamic Cultural Center on Saturday, 4th December.
Afroz Alam Sahil getting the TCN person of the Year-2010 award by K Rahman Khan and Salman Khurshid, Kashif-Ul-Huda looks on
TwoCircles.net, the US-based news website on Indian Muslims, presented TCN Person of the Year 2010 Award to the RTI activist Afroz Alam Sahil and TCN Organization of the Year 2010 Award to Bihar Anjuman, an online group of Bihari diaspora active in the field of education.
The awards were presented by the Deputy Chairman Rajya Sabha and the Union Minister for Minority Affairs.
Adding a series of compliments on the achievement of TwoCirclers.net or in short TCN, Mr. K Rahman Khan said that the achievement of TCN in the short span of less than four years is “phenomenal.”
Shakeel Ahmad of Bihar Anjuman recieving the TCN Organization of the Year-2010 award by K Rahman Khan and Salman Khurshid
Terming TCN as a “media and platform for advocacy for the developmental works of Indian Muslims,” the chartered accountant turned politician expressed the need for more inspiring examples like TCN.
K. Rahman Khan, while lauding the untiring efforts of TwoCircles.net stressed emphatically the importance of technology and the need to adopt it by the Muslims Ummah to flourish and take its due place in society at large.
“Muslims will have to change their negative thinking into positive approach while adopting modern tools of technology so as to try and reach each and every member of the Ummah to move on the path of progress fast. We are not the only community in the plural society in the country and as other communities are moving fast the Muslims will have also to follow suite in order to maintain their identity and lead a life with dignity”, Khan opined.
He pointed out that Sachchar Committee has also squarely blamed the Muslim community itself for its pathetic plight due to its inaction and negative approach in life. He exhorted Muslims to close ranks and march forward to prosperity.
“We have resources. We should take the government as facilitator and not as provider. The living example is that of Lingayat community of Karnataka which has thrived in leaps and bounds”, he pointed out.
Mr. Khan also lauded the activism of Aforz Alam Sahil saying, “I am proud of Mr. Sahil who has presented the community with a brilliant example of using a government law like RTI as a tool instead of complaining about its failures.”
K Rahman Khan making a point during the TCN award presentation ceremony
Mr. Khan termed the awqaf properties as the “third biggest real estate” and highlighted the rampant corruption in this “industry.”
He didn’t hesitate in pointing out the failure of the community leadership in managing waqf properties and said that the community should be made aware about corruption in waqf.
The speakers on the occasion including Salman Khurshid talked about the absence of awareness among the Indian Muslim community towards its own problems and reasons for its backwardness. They highlighted an urgent need to create more and more awareness among the community about its socio-economic backwardness.
Salman Khurshid pointed out that “we need to work beyond the Sachar and Mishra Commission Reports because I am afraid the situation is worse than what these two reports have shown.”
Salman Khurshid called upon young Muslims, who have been successful entrepreneurs or are doing something constructive work for the community in any field of their activity, to be seen and noticed on the landscape of the Indian democracy. Their voices must be heard by the outside world and thus be counted in the scheme of things for the community. Ultimately the voice that will count when we exert our existence in society, he added.
He moaned that there are some weaknesses in the community itself due to which Muslims fail to prosper and lag behind. Muslims should coordinate and cooperate within the community itself and become a homogenous lot to project a united face before the world.
Khurshid, while applauding TCN for their efforts to empower the Muslim community through the internet medium, said Muslims should see beyond Jamia Millia Islamia and Aligarh Muslim University. The way the issue of the minority character of these two institutions have been put forward is not correct, he lamented. The Supreme Court is seized of the matter and he was very hopeful that the lacuna would be removed and these great institutions of learning would be granted their minority character, he explained.
He admitted that the government had been working for Muslims in the garb of minorities so as to avoid any negative attention. This has had its own pros and cons. But now the time has come to talk and debate issues concerning Muslims openly, he remarked.
Slaman Khurshid during the award presentation ceremony
Earlier, opening the program, Kashif-ul-Huda, Editor-in-Chief of TCN, talked about the idea behind TCN and its success story.
“TwoCircles.net is a unique experiment in community media. Started in 2006, TCN is the only daily news website focusing on Indian Muslim issues,” said Mr. Huda.
He said that TCN has been a successful experiment in community media with a number of impact stories to its credit.
Kashif-ul-Huda making a presentation during the TCN award presentation ceremony
“It has broken new grounds in reporting on Indian Muslim issues thereby making the mainstream media take notice of the socio-economic problems of the community,” he added.
Mr. Huda who is a scientist by profession and calls TCN as his “passion” said: “One of the things which TCN has successfully managed to do, is to break the stereotypes which the mainstream media created about the Indian Muslims because it covers the community not only as a religious group but more importantly as a deprived and marginalized socio-economic group.”
The Editor-in-Chief of TCN also pointed out that there are areas which TCN needs to cover more, like women and Muslim Pasmanda (backward) groups.
Idea behind the award
As part of its community involvement, TCN has introduced an annual award that will be given to one person and one organization who are working for the benefit of the Indian Muslims. The awardees for 2010 were selected after a six-month long process where nomination was submitted by TCN readers and a short-list was opened for polling and final decision by TCN staff.
About TCN Person of the Year
Afroz Alam Sahil, a journalism graduate from Jamia Millia Islamia, is an RTI activist who with his activism has given hope to the Muslims youth that they can make government responsive to their needs and concerns.
He has filed thousands of RTI petitions seeking crucial information related to development of the society, issues relevant to the minority community and human and civil rights. Many of his RTI questions have hit the headlines of major newspapers and TV channels.
About TCN Organization of the Year
Bihar Anjuman is an online group of Biharis around the world that exchange ideas and pool their resources for the community benefit in Bihar and Jharkhand. They have successfully built a model of development that can be applied elsewhere and by other communities. The group has established a network of coaching centers in the two states for poor Muslim students.
Started as a mailing list in 1999 Anjuman has now over 8000 members in its group spanning the globe. Using modern communication tools, it has provided a valuable link back to the poor Muslims living in Bihar and Jharkhand to the Diaspora living outside the state and country. The mailing list has become a platform to identify needs and find resources & solutions.
The award distribution ceremony saw a cross-section of society coming together at one place. One of the participants told this correspondent that “more than 75% of the audience is between the age categories of 25-35, a group which is the future of the community and there lies the success of TCN as a community media initiative.”
During the symposium Muslims: Representation and Reportage, Shivam Vij of Kafila.org, talked in detail about how social media like face book, twitter and to a certain extent blogs like kafila.org, emerged as an alternative media.
Saira Mujtaba from MCRC Jamia, making a point about the coverage of Muslim women
He also highlighted the prominent role played by alternative media in covering issues related to Muslims when the mainstream media completely ignores the community.
In an answer to a question on the biased reporting of Muslims, Mr. Vij suggested establishment of a website which should report every single instance of biased, wrong and distorted reporting by the mainstream media.
Osama Manzar, one of the speakers at the symposium talked about the democratic revolution which digital media can bring in the lives of millions of Indians living in rural areas.
The function was also attended by Irfan Azeez, a political activist from Hyderabad, Navaid Hamid, member, National Integration Council (NIC), Dr. Zafarul Islam Khan, editor, Milli Gazette prominent many others.
New Delhi: “TwoCircles.net is realization of my dream about a platform for the voice of Muslims which I saw in 1993 while making my presentation at the American Federation of Muslims of Indian Origin (AFMI) conference in US,” said K Rahman Khan, Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha.
Mr. Khan was speaking at the award presentation ceremony of TCN Person & Organization of the Year held at the India Islamic Cultural Center on Saturday, 4th December.
Afroz Alam Sahil getting the TCN person of the Year-2010 award by K Rahman Khan and Salman Khurshid, Kashif-Ul-Huda looks on
TwoCircles.net, the US-based news website on Indian Muslims, presented TCN Person of the Year 2010 Award to the RTI activist Afroz Alam Sahil and TCN Organization of the Year 2010 Award to Bihar Anjuman, an online group of Bihari diaspora active in the field of education.
The awards were presented by the Deputy Chairman Rajya Sabha and the Union Minister for Minority Affairs.
Adding a series of compliments on the achievement of TwoCirclers.net or in short TCN, Mr. K Rahman Khan said that the achievement of TCN in the short span of less than four years is “phenomenal.”
Shakeel Ahmad of Bihar Anjuman recieving the TCN Organization of the Year-2010 award by K Rahman Khan and Salman Khurshid
Terming TCN as a “media and platform for advocacy for the developmental works of Indian Muslims,” the chartered accountant turned politician expressed the need for more inspiring examples like TCN.
K. Rahman Khan, while lauding the untiring efforts of TwoCircles.net stressed emphatically the importance of technology and the need to adopt it by the Muslims Ummah to flourish and take its due place in society at large.
“Muslims will have to change their negative thinking into positive approach while adopting modern tools of technology so as to try and reach each and every member of the Ummah to move on the path of progress fast. We are not the only community in the plural society in the country and as other communities are moving fast the Muslims will have also to follow suite in order to maintain their identity and lead a life with dignity”, Khan opined.
He pointed out that Sachchar Committee has also squarely blamed the Muslim community itself for its pathetic plight due to its inaction and negative approach in life. He exhorted Muslims to close ranks and march forward to prosperity.
“We have resources. We should take the government as facilitator and not as provider. The living example is that of Lingayat community of Karnataka which has thrived in leaps and bounds”, he pointed out.
Mr. Khan also lauded the activism of Aforz Alam Sahil saying, “I am proud of Mr. Sahil who has presented the community with a brilliant example of using a government law like RTI as a tool instead of complaining about its failures.”
K Rahman Khan making a point during the TCN award presentation ceremony
Mr. Khan termed the awqaf properties as the “third biggest real estate” and highlighted the rampant corruption in this “industry.”
He didn’t hesitate in pointing out the failure of the community leadership in managing waqf properties and said that the community should be made aware about corruption in waqf.
The speakers on the occasion including Salman Khurshid talked about the absence of awareness among the Indian Muslim community towards its own problems and reasons for its backwardness. They highlighted an urgent need to create more and more awareness among the community about its socio-economic backwardness.
Salman Khurshid pointed out that “we need to work beyond the Sachar and Mishra Commission Reports because I am afraid the situation is worse than what these two reports have shown.”
Salman Khurshid called upon young Muslims, who have been successful entrepreneurs or are doing something constructive work for the community in any field of their activity, to be seen and noticed on the landscape of the Indian democracy. Their voices must be heard by the outside world and thus be counted in the scheme of things for the community. Ultimately the voice that will count when we exert our existence in society, he added.
He moaned that there are some weaknesses in the community itself due to which Muslims fail to prosper and lag behind. Muslims should coordinate and cooperate within the community itself and become a homogenous lot to project a united face before the world.
Khurshid, while applauding TCN for their efforts to empower the Muslim community through the internet medium, said Muslims should see beyond Jamia Millia Islamia and Aligarh Muslim University. The way the issue of the minority character of these two institutions have been put forward is not correct, he lamented. The Supreme Court is seized of the matter and he was very hopeful that the lacuna would be removed and these great institutions of learning would be granted their minority character, he explained.
He admitted that the government had been working for Muslims in the garb of minorities so as to avoid any negative attention. This has had its own pros and cons. But now the time has come to talk and debate issues concerning Muslims openly, he remarked.
Slaman Khurshid during the award presentation ceremony
Earlier, opening the program, Kashif-ul-Huda, Editor-in-Chief of TCN, talked about the idea behind TCN and its success story.
“TwoCircles.net is a unique experiment in community media. Started in 2006, TCN is the only daily news website focusing on Indian Muslim issues,” said Mr. Huda.
He said that TCN has been a successful experiment in community media with a number of impact stories to its credit.
Kashif-ul-Huda making a presentation during the TCN award presentation ceremony
“It has broken new grounds in reporting on Indian Muslim issues thereby making the mainstream media take notice of the socio-economic problems of the community,” he added.
Mr. Huda who is a scientist by profession and calls TCN as his “passion” said: “One of the things which TCN has successfully managed to do, is to break the stereotypes which the mainstream media created about the Indian Muslims because it covers the community not only as a religious group but more importantly as a deprived and marginalized socio-economic group.”
The Editor-in-Chief of TCN also pointed out that there are areas which TCN needs to cover more, like women and Muslim Pasmanda (backward) groups.
Idea behind the award
As part of its community involvement, TCN has introduced an annual award that will be given to one person and one organization who are working for the benefit of the Indian Muslims. The awardees for 2010 were selected after a six-month long process where nomination was submitted by TCN readers and a short-list was opened for polling and final decision by TCN staff.
About TCN Person of the Year
Afroz Alam Sahil, a journalism graduate from Jamia Millia Islamia, is an RTI activist who with his activism has given hope to the Muslims youth that they can make government responsive to their needs and concerns.
He has filed thousands of RTI petitions seeking crucial information related to development of the society, issues relevant to the minority community and human and civil rights. Many of his RTI questions have hit the headlines of major newspapers and TV channels.
About TCN Organization of the Year
Bihar Anjuman is an online group of Biharis around the world that exchange ideas and pool their resources for the community benefit in Bihar and Jharkhand. They have successfully built a model of development that can be applied elsewhere and by other communities. The group has established a network of coaching centers in the two states for poor Muslim students.
Started as a mailing list in 1999 Anjuman has now over 8000 members in its group spanning the globe. Using modern communication tools, it has provided a valuable link back to the poor Muslims living in Bihar and Jharkhand to the Diaspora living outside the state and country. The mailing list has become a platform to identify needs and find resources & solutions.
The award distribution ceremony saw a cross-section of society coming together at one place. One of the participants told this correspondent that “more than 75% of the audience is between the age categories of 25-35, a group which is the future of the community and there lies the success of TCN as a community media initiative.”
During the symposium Muslims: Representation and Reportage, Shivam Vij of Kafila.org, talked in detail about how social media like face book, twitter and to a certain extent blogs like kafila.org, emerged as an alternative media.
Saira Mujtaba from MCRC Jamia, making a point about the coverage of Muslim women
He also highlighted the prominent role played by alternative media in covering issues related to Muslims when the mainstream media completely ignores the community.
In an answer to a question on the biased reporting of Muslims, Mr. Vij suggested establishment of a website which should report every single instance of biased, wrong and distorted reporting by the mainstream media.
Osama Manzar, one of the speakers at the symposium talked about the democratic revolution which digital media can bring in the lives of millions of Indians living in rural areas.
The function was also attended by Irfan Azeez, a political activist from Hyderabad, Navaid Hamid, member, National Integration Council (NIC), Dr. Zafarul Islam Khan, editor, Milli Gazette prominent many others.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Samna, published Muhammad (SAW) Cartoon
Mumbai, 28th November, 10
Probably, for the first time in the Indian History of newspapers and media, Samna, Marathi daily and mouth piece of Shiv sena, a Political party on decline, has published a cartoon of prophet Muhammad (SAW), in its Mumbai edition on Sunday.
Samna has published this formidable act in Islam on the Cultural page and quoted a hadith (Teachings of Prophet) whereby Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was directing a beggar to the market and asking him to do business instead of begging.
Most of the people see this blasphemous act as a desperate political stunt to impress upon voters by dividing them on communal ground during coming Mumbai Municipal election, which is one of the wealthiest Municipalities in the world.
M.B.Qasmi, Editor of Crescent, an English Magazine, said, “Muslims don’t believe in any sought of image of prophet, it’s heartening for us. Samna has done it wrongly and they should apologize for this.” He also reminded that Mr.Bal Thackrey himself is a Cartoonists and he must himself have refrain from this blasphemous act.
Probably, for the first time in the Indian History of newspapers and media, Samna, Marathi daily and mouth piece of Shiv sena, a Political party on decline, has published a cartoon of prophet Muhammad (SAW), in its Mumbai edition on Sunday.
Samna has published this formidable act in Islam on the Cultural page and quoted a hadith (Teachings of Prophet) whereby Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was directing a beggar to the market and asking him to do business instead of begging.
Most of the people see this blasphemous act as a desperate political stunt to impress upon voters by dividing them on communal ground during coming Mumbai Municipal election, which is one of the wealthiest Municipalities in the world.
M.B.Qasmi, Editor of Crescent, an English Magazine, said, “Muslims don’t believe in any sought of image of prophet, it’s heartening for us. Samna has done it wrongly and they should apologize for this.” He also reminded that Mr.Bal Thackrey himself is a Cartoonists and he must himself have refrain from this blasphemous act.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Bihar Election: Muslims united on issues, divided on party
By TCN Team,
Patna: Muslims, the second majority community in Bihar, are facing same issues whether they live in Patna of 7.76% Muslim population or Purnia where they count for 36.76%. Like other people, their three major issues are BSP=bijli+sadak+pani. And on the very issues they will cast vote in this assembly elections.
Some other important issues they raised are reservation in job and legislatures and Muslim witch-hunting in the name of war on terror.
Though united on issues, the community is divided on which party they think will solve these problems. While some do not hide their liking for Congress some others have made up mind to vote for the ruling JD(U). Interestingly, even as RJD-LJP alliance of Lalu Yadav and Ram Vilas Paswan is being projected as main rival to the ruling JD(U)-BJP combine, just one of the people TCN talked to in Patna and Purnia mentioned the former, that too indirectly.
Note: The interviews were taken last month, much before the Ayodhya verdict – Editor.
Three major issues of Muslims
Patna
Md Aslam: Water and electricity are the most important issues in daily life. There are many other issues related to our life but unsolved, like unemployment of our children. They get education and remain jobless.
Md Shahabuddin: No specific issue. Yes, common issues which affect us also like others are garbage on road, shortage of electricity resulting in water crisis. Inflation is high, difficult for daily wagers to cope with. Rate of essentials is going up daily but not our wages. How can we educate our children when school fees are also high.
Abdul Majeed: Water, electricity and job. Though we are 16% we don’t have even 4% job.
Md Jahangeer: Inflation and no good source of income.
Md Inamul Haque: Inflation that is just going northward and killing of innocent Muslim youths in fake encounters in the name of terrorism. Sketches of Muslims with cap and beard are released soon after the blast and Muslims are arrested.
Bihar Assembly [TCN photo: By Mudassir Rizwan]
Purnia
Tanveer Ahmad: No development work for Muslims has been done by government. Only promises were made. In election political parties use Muslims but do not do anything for their welfare.
Shams Qamar: The big problem for me is that Nitish Kumar did not keep his words with Madarsa teachers to solve their problems.
The best party in your view:
Patna
Md Aslam: Difficult to say, we will vote the party which will promise to solve our issues.
Md Shahabuddin: Better party is Congress at this time though inflation has gone up in this regime, yet it is better than other parties, because it is rather clean and takes care of all.
Abdul Majeed: There are so many parties in Bihar. Nitish has done a good job. On the basis of his work he may return to power. On the same basis I will vote him. Congress did not do development work like roads etc in 60 years, Nitish did it in 5 years.
Md Jahangeer: Congress now should come. We have tested all, there is no change, now want again Congress. We have seen it in Jagannath Mishras’ regime. Lalu destroyed Bihar. People had hope from Nitish but he did not stand up to the expectation.
Md Inamul Haque: CPI ML is the best party.
Purnia:
Tanveer Ahmad: We should change party in every election so that they can work for public.
Shams Qamar: The NDA is better alliance because some development works have been done by this government.
Are Muslims returning to Congress?
Patna
Md Aslam: There is mixed response to the party by Muslims. There is a slight rise in inclination to the party. Some people are thinking the party will make a good government.
Md Shahabuddin: Yes, I think Muslims have now more inclination towards Congress.
Abdul Majeed: No, Muslims are not going to Congress. We brought Congress to centre only to remove BJP, otherwise they would have been still waiting. The fight will be between Lalu and Nitishi. Wherever Lalu’s candidate loses people will vote Congress.
Md Jahangeer: Yes, a number of Muslims have now inclination towards Congress, because we faced lot of electricity problems during Ramazan.
Md Inamul Haque: Muslims are not returning to Congress, only rich and nobles are returning to it.
Purnia
Tanveer Ahmad: Congress is the worst party.
Shams Qamar: The party is trying to emerge once again and I hope it will come with better result this time. The hung Assembly is expected this time also.
(Interviews by Manzar Bilal and Mudassir Rizwan, TwoCircles.net)
Patna: Muslims, the second majority community in Bihar, are facing same issues whether they live in Patna of 7.76% Muslim population or Purnia where they count for 36.76%. Like other people, their three major issues are BSP=bijli+sadak+pani. And on the very issues they will cast vote in this assembly elections.
Some other important issues they raised are reservation in job and legislatures and Muslim witch-hunting in the name of war on terror.
Though united on issues, the community is divided on which party they think will solve these problems. While some do not hide their liking for Congress some others have made up mind to vote for the ruling JD(U). Interestingly, even as RJD-LJP alliance of Lalu Yadav and Ram Vilas Paswan is being projected as main rival to the ruling JD(U)-BJP combine, just one of the people TCN talked to in Patna and Purnia mentioned the former, that too indirectly.
Note: The interviews were taken last month, much before the Ayodhya verdict – Editor.
Three major issues of Muslims
Patna
Md Aslam: Water and electricity are the most important issues in daily life. There are many other issues related to our life but unsolved, like unemployment of our children. They get education and remain jobless.
Md Shahabuddin: No specific issue. Yes, common issues which affect us also like others are garbage on road, shortage of electricity resulting in water crisis. Inflation is high, difficult for daily wagers to cope with. Rate of essentials is going up daily but not our wages. How can we educate our children when school fees are also high.
Abdul Majeed: Water, electricity and job. Though we are 16% we don’t have even 4% job.
Md Jahangeer: Inflation and no good source of income.
Md Inamul Haque: Inflation that is just going northward and killing of innocent Muslim youths in fake encounters in the name of terrorism. Sketches of Muslims with cap and beard are released soon after the blast and Muslims are arrested.
Bihar Assembly [TCN photo: By Mudassir Rizwan]
Purnia
Tanveer Ahmad: No development work for Muslims has been done by government. Only promises were made. In election political parties use Muslims but do not do anything for their welfare.
Shams Qamar: The big problem for me is that Nitish Kumar did not keep his words with Madarsa teachers to solve their problems.
The best party in your view:
Patna
Md Aslam: Difficult to say, we will vote the party which will promise to solve our issues.
Md Shahabuddin: Better party is Congress at this time though inflation has gone up in this regime, yet it is better than other parties, because it is rather clean and takes care of all.
Abdul Majeed: There are so many parties in Bihar. Nitish has done a good job. On the basis of his work he may return to power. On the same basis I will vote him. Congress did not do development work like roads etc in 60 years, Nitish did it in 5 years.
Md Jahangeer: Congress now should come. We have tested all, there is no change, now want again Congress. We have seen it in Jagannath Mishras’ regime. Lalu destroyed Bihar. People had hope from Nitish but he did not stand up to the expectation.
Md Inamul Haque: CPI ML is the best party.
Purnia:
Tanveer Ahmad: We should change party in every election so that they can work for public.
Shams Qamar: The NDA is better alliance because some development works have been done by this government.
Are Muslims returning to Congress?
Patna
Md Aslam: There is mixed response to the party by Muslims. There is a slight rise in inclination to the party. Some people are thinking the party will make a good government.
Md Shahabuddin: Yes, I think Muslims have now more inclination towards Congress.
Abdul Majeed: No, Muslims are not going to Congress. We brought Congress to centre only to remove BJP, otherwise they would have been still waiting. The fight will be between Lalu and Nitishi. Wherever Lalu’s candidate loses people will vote Congress.
Md Jahangeer: Yes, a number of Muslims have now inclination towards Congress, because we faced lot of electricity problems during Ramazan.
Md Inamul Haque: Muslims are not returning to Congress, only rich and nobles are returning to it.
Purnia
Tanveer Ahmad: Congress is the worst party.
Shams Qamar: The party is trying to emerge once again and I hope it will come with better result this time. The hung Assembly is expected this time also.
(Interviews by Manzar Bilal and Mudassir Rizwan, TwoCircles.net)
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