Syyed Mansoor Agha
Knowledge is acclaimed as a most
respectful, pleasant and effective tool of uplift in intellectual, economic,
social and political status. Urge to acquire knowledge and share with others is
embedded in human nature. It is why toddlers love to replicate what they see
and repeat what they listen. Children enjoy listening stories and grandma feels
delighted to narrate them. Education is a step forward. It is to select,
categorize and streamline bits of knowledge as lessons.
There was a time when Muslim scholars
enlightened the world in every branch of knowledge. They were masters of
Literature, History, Geography, Oceanography, Astronomy, Algebra, Arithmetic,
Physics, Chemistry and Medicine etc and enriched every branch of useful
knowledge (Ilm-e-nafe). At some point of history, we lost the path and
divided the knowledge in illusionary compartments. All India Educational
Movement (AIEM) exhorts Muslims to excel in all branches of knowledge and
contribute towards the betterment of mankind. At a time when world is
experiencing explosion of knowledge and technology, we are lagging far behind.
Until and unless make our own efforts and take mission of spreading education
as a pious duty, we cannot compete in the world and shall remain suffering the
discriminations. To come at par we need to make double efforts.
Customary system to make student memorize,
is a little part of education. Real challenge is to stimulate faculties of
seeing, hearing and understanding. Real challenge for an education system is to
open-up minds and ignite student’s intellect for exploring further dimensions
of the ‘knowledge-capsule’ education makes them to swallow. In nutshell,
student’s brain should not be dead end for what we pour in, but must be alive
to receive and anxious to explore further. The knowledge is of little use if
mind is not receptive and active to ponder upon. It is why AIEM stresses upon “Quality
Education” and use of “modern techniques of teaching” which endeavors to make
students bold and subject interesting to them.
“Quality Education” includes moral
excellence, character building and inculcating sense of service. Knowledge is
like double sided sword. Aim of education should not be producing money
churning machines but training of mind in a way that the man becomes savoir of
the society and not exploiter or destructor of mankind.
To spread its mission, AIEM organizes
annual conferences. On March 22-23, 2014, fifth Annual Conference was organized
in Delhi with the theme “Technical and Professional Education – a tool of
Empowerment.” (Report on inner pages) Planning for Sixth Conference is under
way. We invite our readers to suggest a central theme and keep us informed of
their activities.
AGM held on 23 March, retained old team for term
2014-17 barring two changes. Mr. Abdul Rasheed, a VP in last term is new
General Secretary. He replaced Mr. Nizamuddin Molla on health grounds. Mr.
Rasheed retired from Civil Service had served as Secretary to Mishra
Commission. Mr. Mozaffar Ali is new treasurer. Success of new team depends on
your co-operation. ----SMA