"OMEIAT JOURNAL" WELCOMED

I am sure that the much awaited monthly "Omeiat Journal" published by the Organisation of Muslim Educational Institutions and Associations of Tamil Nadu from August 1976 should have been welcomed particularly by the Muslim community of this State because of its thought-provoking articles on educational matters and timely important suggestions for action to various Muslim institutions for safe-guarding their interests. Our hearty congratulations and thanks are to all those responsible for bringing out this time-warranted monthly.

The very first issue of the journal that came out in August last carried many interesting features and I was particularly impressed by two articles - one was from the pen of Dr. N.A. Noor Mohammed under a catchy heading "Education Equipment for life" and another from Mr. P.K. Shabbir Ahmed "On the need for an educational policy". Both of them had been well-written, emphasising the inevitable nature and necessity of education, the most important weapon in the world and without which one can hardly live without tension and confusion. An ignorant and illiterate person is like a deaf and dumb one who is always nervous, suspicious of others, unless trained properly. It is, therefore, a must that the community take troubles with happiness in giving proper education to their children.

The September issue was also good with articles on "Vaniyambadi Muslim Educational Society" and "Education under Mughal Monarchs". In his article under the later heading the writer Prof. Mirza Abdul Majid has pointed out the importance that Islam and Muslim rulers of India have given to education. But the unfortunate and undeniable fact is that the Muslims are educationally and economically backward in India and hence the responsibility to alleviate their sufferings because of poverty and illiteracy with the leaders of the community and government. How long can we sing the song of the past glories? The present scientific and materialistic world is full of challenges and competitions. Through education the community has to learn not only the technical, medical or any other professional know-how but also the art of diplomacy to have things done and face the various problems that crop up every now and then in every field of activity due to one reason or other.

The editorial "Unrecognised Schools" was a timely one in which the editor has rightly given the necessary instructions to Muslim institutions to protect their interests.

The percentage of educated Muslim women is regrettably very low and therefore all Muslim associations should give special attention towards their education. I would request the editor of the "Omeiat Journal" to endeavour his best to stress the need for sending Muslim girls in every family to schools and colleges and see that they are made equal to Muslim boys. If Muslim girls are allowed to remain uneducated, boys will find it difficult, if not impossible, to have equal educated life-partners. The marriages between the educated and the uneducated can hardly be successful.

(VMK in "Omeiat Journal" of October 1976)