A dream to create a Federation of Muslim Educational Institutions took its shape after a long wait of 120 years, when nearly 200 delegates from all over India unanimously adopted a resolution creating “Federation of Muslim Educational Institutions” under the chairmanship of eminent educationist and administrator Prof Manzoor Ahmad, IPS, former Vice-Chancellor of Agra University. Mr. Mujtaba Farooq, Secretary Jamaat-e-Islami Hind was named founder General Secretary of the organisation.
It was in 1894, when a resolution was unanimously adopted of the effect by a cross section of most reputed Islamic scholars and educationists. It said: “A Federation of Madaaris should be formed so that all the Madaaris come under one umbrella.”
The idea was mooted during three-day long deliberations (22-24 April 1894/15-17 Shawwal 1311 Hijri) at Madrasa Faiz-e-Aam, Kanpur, at the occasion of first convention of Nadwatul-Ulema. The idea was that the Nadwatul-Ulema will act as the main Madrasah and the rest will be the branches. Nadwatul-Ulema will keep an eye on the activities of the branches. The resolution was part of 5-point Dasturul Amal of Nadwatul-Ulema, adopted on the second day of the session, attended by a large number of religious scholars from across the subcontinent representing all schools of thought, including Shia, Sunni, Hanafi and Ahl-e-Hadis, etc. Prominent among them were Maulana Abdullah Ansari and Allama Shibli Nomani from MAO College Aligarh, Maulana Ibrahim Aaroomi and Maulvi Mohd Hussain Batalwi (both Ahle-Hadis Salafi), Maulvi Ghulamul-Hasnain (Shia), Maulana Ahmad Raza Khan Fazil Barailvi, Nawab Sadar Yaar Jang, Maulana Habibur Rahman Khan Sherwani. Maulana Lutfullah chaired the inaugural session. Other points of the Working Guidelines (Dasturul Amal) were: Reform in Educational System; Reform in Curriculum; Expansion of Madarsa Faiz-e-Aam; and Principals or their representatives of all the Islamic Institutions (Madaaris) to attend the annual convention of Nadwatul Ulema.
After 120 years, another congregation of Muslim educationists adopted almost parallel resolutions in New Delhi on March 13, 2011 but with a difference; no Aalim (Muslim religious scholar) worth mentioning was invited to join. However, Justice M. Suhail Ahmad Siddiqui, Chairman NCMEI; Saiyed Hamid, IAS, Chancellor of Jamia Hamdard; Syed Shahabuddin, former Diplomat; Syed Zafar Mahmood, IRS; Mr. Siddique Hasan (JMI) and Mr. Ejaz Ahmed Aslam (Editor Radiance Viewsweekly) certainly enthused the delegates by their presence and guidance.
It is stated in the constitution that the Federation shall work as an umbrella for Muslim Educational Institutions (both Religious and Contemporary) and provide assistance to solve their problems that might come in the way of their legal rights.
The Federation declared that it would work to safeguard the Constitutional Rights of the Muslim Minority and its educational institutions: Promote co-operation and coherence, provide guidance about the schemes of the Government, see how to be benefited from various schemes, organise surveys, provide opportunities to enhance teaching skills and modernise method of teaching, strengthen the curriculum according to modern day needs and enhance level of excellence in all fields. Universalisation of education and moral education are two core objectives to be dealt with.
Mr. Mujtaba Farooq, Secretary General of the Association, said: “The idea is to improve the quality of education and make it uniform to match the modern day needs. Besides, there are a lot of government schemes for the welfare of minorities that the managing bodies are usually unaware of. We will work to be benefitted from the schemes under the legal and constitutional rights guaranteed for the citizens of India and especially the minorities.”
He added, “The federation will also provide training for teachers to equip them with modern skills.”
Mr. Ashfaque Ahmad, Secretary (Education) JIH said that some 200 institutions have already joined the Federation. He said there is no bar for Muslim Minority Institutions to join the scheme. The constitution is available at the office of Federation of Muslim Educational Institutions, D-319, Dawat Nagar, New Delhi-110025.