Qanati Masjid: Another victim of state actors in Delhi

By Manzar Bilal

New Delhi: In yet another attempt to occupy Muslim religious places, the police in connivance with local Residents Welfare Association (RWA are preventing Muslims to restore the centuries-old Qanati Masjid located at Zor Bagh area under Lodhi Road police station in New Delhi.

In a crucial order on 18th Jan. 2011 the Delhi High Court cleared the way to restore the Qanati Masjid by dismissing the claims by several government and local authorities including Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Residents Welfare Association (RWA), New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI.) The HC not only passed the judgment that the land belongs to Delhi Waqf Board but also directed NDMC to submit its work plan for repair of the Masjid before the court on 24th Jan.



Qanati Masjid where dogs are sleeping


The order gave a sigh of relief to the local Muslims but unfortunately it did not last long. On 20th January, as a part of preparation for Chahallum due on 25th, the local Muslims started to clean the Masjid. This virtuous deed earned them the ire of RWA and police arrested five Muslims from the spot. They were freed later in the night after the intervention of several Muslim leaders.

Qanati Masjid is one of the many Masjids and Muslim religious places in the national capital that have been deserted for years due to illegal encroachment by government agencies and dubious role of police.



Police on duty at Qanati Masjid


Qanati Masjid is registered with Waqf Board and Anjuman-e-Haidri, a local body authorized by Waqf Board, responsible to look after the Masjid. The Anjuman also looks after Safaid Masjid, Dargah Shah-e-Mardan, Bada Karbala and Chota Karbala. All are on the Waqf Board land.

“We have all kinds of documents to prove that the Masjid is on the Waqf land and in 2005 also the HC delivered the judgment in the favor of the Masjid but Residence Welfare Association (RWA) and NDMC with the help of local police always gave the matter a communal colour” said Syed Bahadur Abbas Naqvi, Waqf Secretary and Trustee of Dargah Shah-e-Mardan, while talking to TwoCircles.net.



Main gate of dargah blocked by police on the complaint of local RWA


“There are 500 acres of Waqf land in the locality. Most of the land is occupied by local people. Leave alone the land on which they built houses, when we try to restore the land where the sign of religious structure remains till today, they object and through money power they use police to harass us” he told TCN.


History of the mosque

Qanati Masjid was built nearly 400 years ago in Mughal period and remained inhabited until the fateful incident of partition took place and barring few, Muslims of the locality migrated. Due to a small number of Muslims there, the regular five times prayers halted at the Masjid but occasional prayers such as in Muharram, Rabiul Awwal and Chahallum have always been offered there.



Bada Karbala


With the passage of time the wall of the Masjid fell down and there left no bar for strayed dogs and other animals to enter the exact place of the prayer in the Masjid. In 1995, Muslims of the area planned to construct walls around the Masjid to prevent such things. But as soon as they came to the Masjid to construct the wall, RWA complained to Police and police not only stopped the work but it also registered case against several Muslims alleging they were occupying DDA land turning the deaf ear to the fact that the land belongs to Waqf Board.

Where problem lies

Actually after Muslims left the place during partition, Hindus who migrated from Pakistan at that time populated the area. They not only occupied the Waqf properties but also tried to put the remaining small number of local Muslims under pressure.

“The root of the problem is that hardly 100 Muslims are living here that too are poor and daily waged while the colony is populated with migrated Hindus who are wealthy. They fear that if today Masjid is restored then may be Waqf Board will vacate the land that they illegally occupied. Therefore, they spend heavy amount on police to serve their purpose” said Abbas Naqvi.

Besides illegal buildings on the Waqf land, there are 6 big plots that are registered to the Board but whenever officials try to wall the land, Police stops them saying that it is DDA or NDMC land. They have illegally occupied the surrounding land of Dargah-e-Shahe Mardan and due to this encroachment one of the two gates of the dargah has been blocked.



Dargah Shah-e-Mardan


“There were only two parties -- Waqf Board and RWA-- but to complicate the issue several government bodies were involved including NDMC, DDA, Archaeological Survey of India and Delhi Police” he said.

“A person is running a factory of wooden items on the land of Waqf Board that is at back side of Qanati Masjid. We have complained several times to the police but all in vain. Recently, we have filed plea in the court against it” he added.

Timeline of cases

The case which was registered against Muslims for fencing the Masjid had been a tool for police to harass them for years. In 2004, Waqf Board filed a petition in Delhi HC seeking permission for restoration of the Qanati Masjid and fencing the all lands come under the Anjuman-e- Haidri. The court has given nod for that in 2005 but Police and DDA did not let it happen.

The Waqf Board filed contempt plea in HC in 2007. While hearing the plea, the court pulled the NDMC and Police and directed to get repair and walling works done. But again the court order fell on the deaf ears.

In 2010, Waqf Board once again went to HC seeking justice and court on the basis of proofs allowed the repairing of the Masjid.

“On one hand DDA and police demolished Jangpura Masjid in wee hours referring court’s order and on the other hand they had not been following court order in the case of Qanati Masjid. What is it if not blatant discrimination against Muslims?” asked Mr. Naqvi.



Wood factory on Waqf land


Recent incident

On 26th Dec. 2010, following the court order some members of the Muslim community were cleaning the Masjid while some others including women were busy in prayer. It was when that on the complaint of RWA a large number of Police came and arrested 85 people including women and children and put them in lock-up for 8 hours.

This act of police sent a wave of anger among Muslims across the country. The protest rallies were held at several parts of the country including a rally at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi where 2571 people courted arrest. Shahi Imam Maulana Ahmad Bukhari, LJP MLA Shoib Iqbal, RJD MLA Asif Mohammad Khan strongly raised the voice against the incident and met CM Sheila Dikshit on the matter. She assured them to solve the matter and directed the officer of concerned departments but it also did not make any difference and the matter remained unsolved.

In the first week of January 2011, a petition was filed in the HC against the non-compliance of the court order and illegal action of the police. The HC issued notices to all parties involved in the case to appear before the court. While hearing the petition on 18th Jan. the court clearly pronounced that the land is owned by Waqf Board and directed the local police to get the repairing work done in its care. But unfortunately the police rather than implementing the court order arrested Muslims for cleaning the Masjid.

Some questions

Some questions arise here: Why has the police been violating the court orders so many times? Who are behind the curtain and backing police for such condemnable deed? Does government itself has two faces --one for Muslims and another for anti-Muslims. Does the court has no power to curb such violating act or whole system is working against Muslims?

Ulema form association to standardize madrasa syllabus

By Manzar Bilal

New Delhi: With the aim to standardize the syllabus of madrasas in the country and to create mutual connection among them, a platform namely Rabita-al-Jaamiaat-al-Hindia’ (Association of Indian Madrasas) was launched at a conference of Ulema, clerics and madrasa authorities held here today at the Convention Centre of Jamia Hamdard.


The Ulema associated with Madarsas spread in different parts of the country attended the conference and discussed the matter. The conference was organized under the banner of Muslim Students Organization of India (MSO) at the call of Dr. Umar Abdullah Kamel, Director of Foreign Students Affairs at Al-Azhar Islamic University, Cairo, Egypt.



L-R: Maulana Yasin Akhtar Misbahi ,Mufti Bashiruddin Qadri ,Dr. Umar Abdullah Kamel, Maulana Idris Bastavi and Dr. Ghulam Yahya Anjum


“The main purpose of the conference is to bring the Ulema at one platform to discuss the necessary changes in the syllabus of Madarsas to bring them in conformity with Al-Azhar Islamic University and other Universities of Arab countries” said Advocate Shanawaz Warsi of MSO.

“Currently, students of only a few Madarsas in India are able to get admission in the foreign Universities like Al-Azhar while others are rejected due to below standard syllabus and Arabic education. So, there is the need to make some changes so that Madarsa students can take admission easily wherever they desire,” he pointed out.



Maulana Ziyauddin is speaking while on the stage L-R: Maulana Yasin Akhtar Misbahi ,Mufti Bashiruddin Qadri, Sheikh Aboobacker Ahmed ,Dr. Umar Abdullah Kamel, Maulana Idris Bastavi and Dr. Ghulam Yahya Anjum

In his presidential speech, Dr. Umar Abdullah Kamal expressed happiness at the interest shown by the Indian Ulema and assured them of his help in this regard. He said that it will strengthen the relationship between Al Azhar Islamic University and Indian Madarsas. “Thus we will find an opportunity to work together for Islam, Muslims and the humanity,” he added.

Speaking on the occasion Mufti Bashiruddin Qadri, Grand Mufti of Jammu & Kashmir threw light on the contribution of Ulema for the country. “Despite the fact that our forefathers contributed much more than others in the building of the nation, today we are being labeled as terrorists and Kashmiri Muslims are worst affected by this trend,” Mufti Qadri said.



View of audience


Besides ensuring quality of education at Madarsas, the Association will also work for several other purposes related to the community, country and the humanity at large including creating educational awareness among Muslims, presenting real picture of Islamic teachings, promotion of religious and communal harmony, conducting research on the new issues in the light of Islamic Fiqh, publication of rare but very important books and writing the biographies of Indian Ulema.

The centre of the association will be Jamia Ashrafia Mubarakpur, Azamgarh. “This is the initial step. We have to go far to achieve our target. For that soon we will form several sub-organizations that will function under the Association in different fields” said Maulana Mubarak Hussain Misbahi of Jamia Ashrafia Mubarakpur.

To make people aware of the mission and activities of the Association, a monthly Urdu magazine will be published regularly. Besides, a website in Urdu, English as well as Arabic will also be started where all the works done under the Association will be shared.


View of audience


At the end of the conference a resolution was passed demanding immediate reconstruction of Noor Masjid of Jangpura area in South Delhi and action against the officers who demolished it. The organizers demanded the government to ensure safety of Muslim religious places and waqf properties.

In another resolution, all kinds of terrorism were condemned.

Others who spoke on the occasion included Sheikh Aboobacker Ahmed, President of All India Sunni Jamiatul Ulema, Maulana Yasin Akhtar Misbahi of Darul Qalam New Delhi, Dr. Ghulam Yahya Anjum of Jamia Hamdard, Delhi, Shafiqur Rahman Burq, MP from Sambhal, Maulana Ziyauddin of Jamia Naimia, Hyderabad and Shaikh Sadrul Wara of Jamia Ashrafia Mubarakpur, Azamgarh.

Conference to highlight understanding of Quran in Delhi on Jan. 9

By Manzar Bilal

New Delhi: Quran is the most read but also the most misunderstood book. With the aim to create awareness among people about understanding Quran and taking benefit from its virtues to solve the problems that people facing, a group of Islamic scholars is organizing a Quran conference with the theme “From Darkness to Light” on 9th January at Aiwan-e-Ghalib, Mata Sundri Line in New Delhi.

The conference will have renowned Islamic scholars from different parts of the country as well as abroad who will deliver the speeches in the light of their research and study highlighting the different aspects of the divine book.



Talking to TwoCircles.net Dr. Aslam Parvaiz, Principal, Dr. Zakir Hussain College, New Delhi, said: “The main purpose of the conference is to create awareness among the people about understanding the eternal message of Quran and its importance for the humanity.”


The conference will be open for people of all religions and groups but the target audience are Muslims who are unsuccessful at every level of life despite having the guidance from creator of the universe in the shape of Quran.


Dr. Parvaiz who is also the chairman of the organizing committee of the conference highlighted the need of the conference in today’s scenario. “Quran is the origin of all sciences and knowledges but due to not understanding it properly we have divided the knowledge between ilm-e-deen and ilm-e-dunya. This made Muslims lag behind others in every sphere of life. So there is need to draw people’s attention to understand Quran deeply and properly,” he explained.


He further said: “Today our character and behavior are quite against Islamic and Quranic teachings. So, through this conference we want to create curiosity among people especially youths to understand the Quran and implement its teachings in life.”


“This is first but not the last conference on the topic rather it will be a beginning of a movement for the purpose. We will spread it to all parts of the country and will be holding conference every year” added Dr. Parvaiz who has been working on Quran and science for years and has written a book on this topic.


The conference will be inaugurated by Maulana Syed Salman Hassani Nadwi, Lecturer at Darul Uloom Nadwat-ul- Ulema, Lucknow, while noted Islamic preacher Maulana Kaleem Siddiqi will preside over it.


Other speakers of the conference include Dr. Aslam Abdullah, Director of Islamic Society of Niveda, Las Vegas, USA; Professor Saud Alam Qasmi, Theology Department of AMU; Dr. Aslam Parvaiz, Principal of Dr. Zakir Hussain College, New Delhi; Zamir Ahmad, Editor, Urdu daily “Ahwal-e-Mashriq, New Delhi; Dr. Sumaiyah Ahmad, Teacher at Jamiat-ul-Banat, Hyderabad and Research scholar of J.N.U, New Delhi.

[Photo by www.islamicpearls.alrahmanpnp.com]

Rise in kidnap-murder cases: A challenge for Nitish Kumar

By Manzar Bilal

Patna: The sudden rise in abduction and kidnap-murder cases in the state has become a matter of big concern and a great challenge for Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, whose Government has always termed the regime of Lalu-Rabri as the period of crimes. Since he assumed office for third consecutive term as CM on 26th November 2010, the state has witnessed an outbreak of kidnap-murder cases.

One after another incidents of abduction and subsequent murder during last one month in different parts of the state has given sleepless nights to the people especially parents of school children, who are the victims in the most cases, as the police have failed to recover the abducted school boys safely.



Nitish Kumar


In the latest case, 5-yr-old Golu Kumar of Nai Sadak under Gaya Civil Lines police station was abducted and killed. He was abducted on 22nd December 2010 and police could nab the culprits only on Monday 3rd January but it was too late as the victim was already killed.

This came on the heels of revelation by Vaishali police that 4-yr-old Neeraj Kumar, who was kidnapped in Dec., has been killed by the abductors. Earlier, a class 9 student Shubham of Muzaffarpur was kidnapped and strangled to death by a gang in the same month.

The abduction and subsequent murder of 10-yr-old Amarjeet Kumar of Patna has already been a matter of discussion in the capital city last month.

But these cases do not seem enough for state police to be proactive for timely action. Rather it is showing careless gesture to the people when they approach them with complaints.

Take the case of 18-yr-old Mohammed Shah Raza of Saraunja village in Begusarai district. He was kidnapped on 30th Dec. and abductors demanded a ransom of Rs.25 lakh for his release. His father Mohammed Salim went nearby police station to lodge FIR on 31st Dec. but police refused to do so. This behavior of police angered the villagers and they protested before the deputy superintendent of police. Only then the case was lodged on 1st Jan 2011. However, police are yet to make any breakthrough for his recovery.

Similarly, Rohit Kumar (12) of Janakpur area of Gaya has gone missing since Saturday (1st Jan.). His family has lodged an FIR but police are yet to crack the case.

The case of Rajiv Singh of Sitamarhi also witnessed the failure of police as he was abducted on Dec. 17 and later killed. The police recovered his body last week. Besides, more than half a dozen businessmen have been abducted in December alone.

Bihar DGP Mr. Neelmani has admitted two days before that the rise in kidnapping incidents remains a matter of concern for police in the state. According to him, about 3,282 kidnapping cases were registered last year which was somehow higher compared to 3,142 in 2009. He also admitted that there was an increase in road robbery cases also as 970 such cases were registered in 2010 against 962 and 897 in 2009 and 2008 respectively. However, he claimed that the overall crime graph declined in 2010 compared to last years.

The cases of abductions registered in 2009 (3142) which went up to 3282 in 2010 are much higher than 2003 and 2004 (the period of Rabri Devi) with 1956 and 2566 cases of the kidnapping respectively. This runs contrary to Nitish Kumar’s claim that kidnappings have come down drastically in his rule.

Want to learn Quran on PC? Here is software

By Manzar Bilal,

Patna: Computer technology has today become a tool to solve many problems – so much so that if you missed learning something in the childhood, you can recover the loss now. Taking the advantage of this modern technology, Aurangabad (Maharashtra)-based software company iSoft Solutions has prepared a beautiful piece of Quran learning software.

The software named as Al-Misbah Li-Ma’rifat-al-Quran is a precious gift for those who missed chance to learn Quran in early age due to reasons but now are eager to learn it, or those who are looking for a good Quran teacher for their children but could not find one.





Actually the software is a course for beginners who do not know even Arabic language alphabet. It has texts and audios of correct pronunciation of the words and teaches reading of the Quran with Tajweed (phonology).

Talking to TwoCircles.net Shaikh Akhil Ahmed, the brain behind the computer program, highlighted the purpose and motivation of the step: “We made this software for various purposes. There are many Muslims who missed the chance in their early ages to learn the Quran and when they realized its importance they do not have time to go madarsa and feel hesitation to hire the service of any maulana for the purpose. There are also a number of Muslim women who are well qualified with modern education but do not know how to read the Quran and they also face the same problems as their male counterparts. This software fulfilled the requirement of both groups” he claimed.

“Today the new generation is fond of computer usage, so, through this software we also tried to make them busy in correct use of the technology” he added.

Beautifully designed the software (Al-Misbah) has Quran in Indian and Madani scripts accompanied with good quality of audio of Quran recitation by world renowned Qaris (those who recite Quran with Tajweed) and also translation of the Quran in Urdu, Hindi and English languages by the worldly known scholars.

Asked if there was any such software available in the market, Ahmed said: “Yes, there were some pieces of software on the topic but what makes our product unique is that it has a complete Quran learning course. And also we concentrated on good quality and design.”

The software has been put on sale in the market from November 2010 with price of Rs. 1599. Currently, it is available in three major Indian languages--Urdu, Hindi and English.

On the response from the people he said: “We got overwhelming response from the people in this short period. The software is doing good business. We are receiving orders from various parts of the country.”

Asked if he is going to produce the software in other Indian languages he replied: “Yes, we are working to produce it in various languages such as Marathi, Bengali, Assamese, Kashmiri, Telugu and Malayalam. We also have a plan to make it in some foreign languages.”

For more details:

Contact: 09763377130 / 09270570839

Visit: http://www.isoft-india.com/

Sahara Group launches dedicated Urdu news channel

By Manzar Bilal

New Delhi: Overwhelmed with the success of their Urdu publications like Roznama Rashtriya Sahara, Aalami Sahara and monthly Bazm-e-Sahara, the Sahara India Group on Monday launched 24-hrs Aalami Sahara Urdu news channel that will telecast its programs in 54 countries including India and Pakistan.


The channel was launched on 27th December that was 213th birth anniversary of Urdu poet Mirza Asadullah Khan Ghalib. The Union Minority Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid inaugurated the channel by clicking the remote button at a grand function here at Le Meridien hotel in New Delhi.


The editor and news director of Sahara News Network Upendra Rai speaking on the occasion

The Aalami Sahara is being live-telecast in 54 countries of the world simultaneously. Besides TV, the live telecast is also being done on internet http://www.samaylive.com/live-tv-urdu.html. One thousand reporters, 50 bureaus 1600 V-sets have been engaged for making the channel successful. Besides, the sources of Sahara News Network‘s other channels will also help this Urdu channel.


On the occasion, the editor and news director of Sahara News Network Upendra Rai said that it is country’s first 24-hour Urdu news channel. “We hope it will earn appreciation from Urdu loving people as our Urdu newspapers and magazines did” he said.


L-R: Union Minister Salman Khurshid (second),Munawwar Rana and Union Minister Farooq Abdullah launching book Mohajirnama

The function was attended by a number of prominent personalities from different walks of life. On the occasion a book Mohajirnama (poetry) written by noted Urdu poet Munawwar Rana was also launched.


Link:

http://www.samaylive.com/
http://www.samaylive.com/live-tv-urdu.html

Little stars who want to fly high

By Manzar Bilal,


Patna: With 70% Muslim population Kishanganj district has the highest minority concentration in Bihar, but with just 24% literacy rate the community is the most backward educationally. However, there is a silver lining in the dark Kishanganj cloud – the young children now have the required ‘spark’ in their heart to ignite ‘fire’ to remove the darkness.


She is just 8 years old but ambitious to become a mechanical engineer. Why? “It is the goal of my life,” she replies. Aafia Arshi is a class 4 student at INSAN SCHOOL in Kishanganj. She looks very serious while expressing her determination.





Of course, there are many Muslim girls in country who have become engineers and doctors and there are many who see their bright future in other professional courses. But hearing such high ambition from a small girl in a place like Kishanganj, which has least women literacy rate (14%) in the country, was really amazing and delightful.


Hostel building of INSAN SCHOOL

Mohammad Shahid, who teaches at the school, said: “When I came here first time in late 70s, I saw most of the local people strictly prohibiting their girls from joining educational centres but now the situation is not so worst and today you would find girls at every school and college of the area.”


His point was strengthened when Mohammad Shariq Alam, a young resident of Kishanganj city, narrated the case of his own family: “My father is government teacher and a religious person but he did not allow my sister to go school or any educational centre leaving her illiterate. Five year back when I reached the age of sense, I got my sister admitted to an educational centre though my father was not yet ready for that.”


Building of INSAN College

While the case of Shariq’s sister showing the reckless behavior of Muslim families regarding girls education, the case of Aafia indicates a revolution is in the formation.


Boys are also not behind in having strong enthusiasm for achieving big dreams. They too have intention to fly on the heaven of success.


Meet 7-year-old Amber Nawaz who is studying in class 3. He is aspiring to become a doctor. He was busy in game with his friends when but responded to me: “I want to be doctor so that I serve the people,” said Nawaz.

Nawaz is not alone with so high dream. There are others like Mohammad Ehsan of class 7 who also wants to be doctor to serve the humanity while Mohammad Shah Afzal of the same class wants to be electronic engineer.


Students busy in making model on the occasion of the school's foundation day

A class 7 student Naseem Akhter has quite different goal of life among his friends. He wants to be police officer to serve the country. For him to serve the country is foremost thing and the police department is a platform for that.


During my short stay at the school I talked to a dozen of students who were studying in class 7 or bellow. It was pleasing to see most of them expressing their ambition to adopt professional courses. If such thinking is generated at least in half of the new generation here then days are not far when the district will be among the highest literate ones.

Minority welfare schemes high in new Bihar govt agenda

By Manzar Bilal,

Patna: Keeping his promise for ‘development with justice’ Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has given minority welfare schemes proper place in the agenda of his government for next five years. In addition to continuing the present schemes for minority, he decided to start some new schemes to bring the community to the mainstream of the development.


The new government agenda, which got approval at the Cabinet meeting chaired by Nitish on December 14 evening, has plenty of schemes and plans for the development of the state and welfare of all sections of the society including minorities and women.



Given the fact that Muslims are lagging behind in education, which led them to unemployment and several other problems, the state cabinet approved two specific schemes to help them out. One is CM’s educational loan scheme for Minority students who want to do professional courses and second is CM’s employment loan scheme for unemployed members of the minority communities.


The cabinet also decided to increase the grant for Bihar Haj Committee from Rs.10 lakh to Rs.40 lakh for next fiscal year to provide better facilities to the Haj pilgrims of the state.

Besides, the appointment of Urdu teachers at every primary and middle school, provision for modern education to students at Madrasas and intensifying coaching facilities for minority students preparing for different competitive exams were approved.



CM Nitish Kumar addressing a function on minority welfare in Patna on 5th Oct 2008


The cabinet reiterated its commitment to take all possible steps for the establishment of the special centre of Aligarh Muslim University in Kishanganj district. It also gave nod to provide land and building to Maulana Mazharul Haque Arabic & Persian University soon. Besides, it also decided to extend the ‘Hunar’, ‘Auzar’ and ‘Talimi Markaz’ (adult education centre) programs to more areas.

To ensure proper implementation of these schemes for minorities, the Nitish government took an important decision to institute a directorate under the Minority Welfare Ministry. The directorate will monitor all the minority schemes.

Other minority welfare schemes approved at the cabinet include industrial hub for weavers in every area of their concentration, expansion of bidi business, fund for graveyard fencing, publication of Urdu magazines and newspapers, protection of waqf properties, maintenance of the sufi shrines and minority libraries.

4 Muslims killed in Jawans’ firing in Araria; CM orders inquiry

By Manzar Bilal,


Patna: Taking a serious notice, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has ordered an inquiry into the firing by the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) jawans in Batraha village of Araria district which left four Muslim villagers dead and several others injured on Monday 20 Dec. As immediate relief, the CM announced Rs 1 lakh to the family of each victim.



According to media reports, on Sunday night some SSB jawans barged into the house of Md Akbar, a resident of the village, and tried to rape a female member of the house but as she raised alarm for help villagers gathered and the jawans fled.



On Monday the villagers went to the SSB’s camp and complained to the officials about the incident, and demanded stringent action against the guilty. Instead of inquiry, the SSB officials rejected the charge. This behavior of the officials infuriated the villagers and they started protesting in front of the camp, leading to clash between the two sides. Subsequently the SSB jawans opened fire on the protestors, killing four of them on the spot and wounding several others. The deceased have been identified as Mohammad Shahnawaz, Mohammad Jabir, Mohammad Qurban and Farhat Jahan. About half a dozen injured have been admitted at hospital.


Meanwhile, expressing his concern over the incident the Chief Minister has assured that action would be taken against the SSB jawans involved in the incident. He ordered divisional commissioner and Purnia DIG to investigate the incident jointly and submit report as soon as possible.

He also instructed DGP Neelmani and Home Secretary Aamir Subhani to talk to SSB officials to make sure that such inhuman incident is not repeated in the future.

Nearly 50 km from the district headquarters, the Batraha village is situated at Indo-Nepal border and comes under the Kursakanta police station of the district where SSB, a central paramilitary force, is deployed to check the Maoists’ activists and smuggling.

As SSB comes under the Union Home Ministry, the Bihar CM has said he would approach the Central Government for appropriate compensation to the victims.

Meanwhile, the latest report reaching Patna says that three jawans have been arrested and their rifles seized.

[Photo by http://afterbtech.com]

449 Muslim meritorious students awarded by HWF in Bihar

By Manzar Bilal,


Patna: Encouragement, even with a word, can inspire a budding talent to bloom and do something extraordinary. Keeping this in view, Delhi-based Human Welfare Foundation (HWF) in collaboration with P.M Foundation of Kerala felicitated about 450 Muslim meritorious students at a grand function here on 19th December.


A total of 449 students – both girls and boys – who got 67% or above marks in 2010 matriculation examination in Bihar were felicitated. Selected from across the state, they were awarded with cash prize of Rs. 1000/ and a memento each and thousands of encouraging words by the intellectuals and experts. The program was organized at SK memorial Hall in the heart of the capital city of the state. Despite chilly weather the hall was packed to its capacity with students, parents, intellectuals, educationists and common people.



Guests on the stage


Addressing the students K.A. Siddique Hassan, General Secretary of HWF, said: “You are being honored here because you got distinction among others but keep it in your mind that you have to go a long way. So, go ahead with maintaining the excellent performance in future. You may face difficulties in your way but never get discouraged.”

He also advised the parents present there: “If you want your children become successful, you must let them select courses according to their own choice and interest and should not compel them for courses of your choice.”



Justice S. Nayyer Hussain of Patna High Court addressing the gathering


Bringing an important point to the notice, he said that there are many schemes for welfare of minorities and government sanctions huge amount every year for that but less than 20% are used and rest goes back unused. “We need to create awareness among the community especially those living in villages about these schemes,” he added.


Speaking as chief guest Justice S. Nayyer Hussain of Patna High Court said: “There was never lack of talent and ability in our children. It is also a fact that all sciences and knowledge originated from Islam. Yet, if today we are lagging behind in every sphere of life, it is because we failed to apply our ability and resources properly.”



JD-U MP Shivanand Tiwari giving award to a student


“It is right time to take the matter seriously and better our condition otherwise we will never come out of our worst situation” he added.

“We must take benefit of government schemes but should never depend on that completely. On the contrary we must try for what we can do for ourselves, our community and our country. Because people are identified by their own works and performance” he urged the gathering.



Dr Imtiyaz Ahmad (Director of Khuda Baksh Library) giving award to a student


Encouraging the students Dr. Imtiyaz Ahmad, Director of Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Library, said: “Nothing is impossible in this world. There is always little space on the top but there is space. So, it is up to you that either you want to get that space or not.”

Professor S.I. Hassan, Pro-VC of Patna University, stressed on use of modern technology as a tool for bright future. He also said that everyone should strive for educational upliftment of the community through the means and sources they have.



Abhayanand (ADGP) giving award to a student


Vice Chancellor of Maulana Mazharul Haque Arabic and Persian University, Prof. Qamr Ahsan was of the opinion that communication skill is fundamental instrument in today’s modern age for building the good career.

At the occasion, the organizers also awarded the three state toppers of Board Exams 2010 namely Miss. Anupam Neha, Miss. Khushboo Kumari and Rahul Kumar, with cash prizes, certificates and shield also.



A view of Audience


Others who spoke on the occasion include Maulana Shamim Munemi, Akhtrul Iman, RJD MLA, Shivanand Tiwari, JD-U MP, Arshad Ajmal, Chairman of Al-khair Charitable Trust, Dr. Tanveer Hassan, RJD MLC, Ajmal Freed, Editor Qaumi Tanzeem and Abhayanand, Additional Director General of Police in the Bihar Government.

After the felicitation program, all the awardees were put to an Aptitude Test. The result will be announced later and the successful of the test will be selected for HWF sponsorship for higher studies.



Students are busy in Aptitude Test


HWF is a non-profit organization working for the betterment of Muslim as well as other downtrodden people in various ways. The felicitation program was part of its educational activities. It was for the first time that the organization felicitated Muslim students of Bihar. It has organized such program in Utter Pradesh, West Bengal and Assam. This year HWF has awarded 1643 meritorious Muslim students of four states: 394 students in UP, 500 in West Bengal, 300 in Assam, and 449 in Bihar.



HWF had earlier invited the application from the Muslim students of the state who got 60% or above marks in matriculation exam in 2010. The organization received more than 1200 applications but as it has limited amount for the purpose so making the criteria harder it selected only those who got 67% or above marks.






Students with their prizes and certificates


Link: http://hwfindiaaward.com/

[Photos By Mudassir Rizwan, TwoCircles.net]