Don’t look 1000 yrs back but to present for progress: Impar to Muslims

New Delhi: Impar ( Indian Muslims for Progress and Reforms) is soon coming out with a set of proposals for reforms needed in the community, the underlying theme of which would be to make the community forward looking and shun the habit of  going back 1000 years to find solution to the present problems.

The body representing Muslim intellectuals, professionals, entrepreneur, scholars, administrators, students and people from various other fields was formed in response to a particular situation  during the first wave of Covid-19 which  witnessed a  sustained campaign by the media to demonise the community.

However, Impar after analysing the prevailing scenario soon reached the conclusion that beyond the immediate challenge, some more broadbased and comprehensive response was  needed.

It was then felt by a cross section of Muslims that something should be done to dispel the misconceptions about the community and also to prepare it for reforms where needed. It noted that the community was facing various threats to its cultural, religious and physical security, and there were sustained attempts to vitiate the communal atmosphere of the country. This situation was further complicated by the social, economic and educational backwardness of the community.

President of Impar MJ Khan says that the community reaction to most such situations, has been far from satisfactory, and it had rather helped the designs of the trouble makers only. This has only increased the sense of insecurity and added negative thinking in the community, which does not argue well for the future of the society and the nation.”We need to deeply analyze the unfolding social and political realities and what it bears on the community. We also need to introspect and do strategic thinking to correct our course of actions and responses to the current issues and the situation unfolding,” he said.

”And more importantly we should initiate the long-overdue social reforms in the community to pre-empt such situations, better our contribution, and improve the understanding and respect in the society. We need to reflect on our customs and practices, and our stand on key issues that are causing irritation and anger in the society,” he said.

It was with these aims that Impar hosted its 1st consultation meeting on the community reforms agenda at India International centre here. IMPAR team presented 25 points reforms agenda for discussions on phasing and prioritising, and outlining the action strategy to bring about the positive impact on the ground.

A concept note prepared for reforms notes, ”As the world’s outlook is changing constantly in every sphere of life, it becomes vital to remember that the mental conditioning created to look 1000 years back for every current issue or crisis is not going to work. The current issues and complexities require a response based on the best understanding of the prevailing socio-political, economic and technological realities. In order to deal with the current scenario looking backward for solutions to future challenges has not worked in the past and will not work in the future. Unfortunately, an overdose of hysterical speeches has made us believe that solutions lie in religion or in the past. We need to unlearn this learning.”

Yesterday’s deliberations were joined by Justice Iqbal Ansari, former Chief Justice, Patna High Court, Mr. Siraj Qureshi, President, India Islamic Centre, Justice IM Kuddusi, former Judge Odisha High Court, Mr. Khwaja Shahid, former Vice Chancellor, MAANU, Prof. SM Sajid, ex Registrar, Jamia Millia, Mr. Javed Yunus, India Representative, Saudi Aramco, Mr. Siraj Chaudhry, Board Member, Tata Beverages Ltd. and Dr. MJ Khan, President, IMPAR among others.

—-INDIA NEWS STREAM