The Muslim Youth Forum of India (MYFI) hosted its inaugural function in Bhopal on Sunday seeking upliftment of the community and communal harmony. Prominent Muslim community members from the city called for the upliftment and political awareness of the community and underlined the importance of education for the speedy growth of the community.
The community representatives stressed on the fact that Muslim community was no less patriotic than any other community in India and better equipped Muslim community was in favour of better city and better India. Bhopal Shahat Qazi Syed Mushtaq Ali Nadvi, addressing the gathering on the occasion, said that the Indian Muslims decided to live here after due considerations and they live for this country and could give their life for it.
Veteran RSS functionary Giriraj Kishore also participated in the convention. Kishore affirmed that anyone residing in India was an Indian irrespective of the faith one chooses to follow. Asked about political statements, which were flaring up communal sentiments in the country of late, Kishore claimed that it was nothing, but personal frustration from the persons concerned.
Farhan Ansari, State Mento – Reliance Industries limited (RIl) on the occasion urged the community for availing the benefits of the 2,700 Government welfare schemes claiming that no scheme segregates on the basis of faith. Ansari also called for political awareness in the community. Internationally acclaimed Urdu Poet Manzar Bhopali while conducting the programme claimed that communities always travel from bottom to top, but the Muslim communities has faced the journey downhill.
He blamed it on low political awareness among the community members. Election Commission of India deputy CEO Roohi Majid Khan said one has to give sacrifices for acquiring knowledge, aspirations need to be suppressed for this. Islam never becomes hurdle in acquiring knowledge, youth should go for it if they want to earn name, fame and wealth, she added.
The forum plans similar functions across the country. “The forum wants to inculcate awareness for education, communal harmony and nationalistic sentiments among community youths,” one of the forum members Zafar Alam Khan said.