Dec. 2:
On the successful completion of its 41 years, the Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO) has launched a Nationwide Fundraising Drive for the Student Centre. The event was inaugurated by Syed Sadatullah Husaini, Chief Patron of SIO and President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, who also made the first donation to Ramees EK, the National President of SIO.
In an exclusive statement to Radiance, the National President of SIO, expressed gratitude, stating, “By the grace of Allah Almighty, the SIO has completed 41 years of its existence. Alhamdulillah, during this period, the organization has established itself as the foremost platform in the country for students and youths seeking to mold society in the light of the Qur’an and Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.”
Ramees emphasized, “Even as we continue our journey with various activities in states across the country, our responsibilities as a community of Muslim students have increased in these trying times for Indian Muslims. This is the time when the entire organization must move forward with greater momentum and energy.”
With these goals in mind, the decision has been made to construct a new headquarters adjacent to the existing building. The existing building will be transformed into a student hostel, with the vision of becoming the center of student activism in the country, in Sha Allah.
Furthermore, Ramees stated, “This project has been envisioned over the last few years but couldn’t come to fruition due to a paucity of resources. The ambitious project requires a substantial fund to be completed in a timely manner. As a non-profit student organization, we depend on the generosity of our well-wishers to achieve our goals.”
Addressing potential contributors, he said, “As someone who has witnessed SIO’s work and its contribution to preparing students and youths for the reconstruction of society, you are humbly requested to contribute as much as you can to this important project. Your donation will be a sadqa-e-jariah and will strengthen the Islamic movement in India for years to come, in Sha Allah.”
SIO: Standing Against Symbolic Shifts in NMC
In a recent development, the SIO has condemned the National Medical Council (NMC) for replacing the national emblem with an image of a Hindu deity, Dhanwanthar.
The President of SIO, expressed his concerns in an interview with Radiance, stating, “The recent change in the NMC logo is strongly opposed as it compromises the scientific and inclusive nature of the commission. This contradicts the mandate for the NMC to operate with a scientific temper, raising concerns about impartiality. Replacing the national emblem with an image of the Hindu deity Dhanwanthar is deemed unacceptable, reflecting a troubling trend of Saffronization. This move is condemned for undermining diversity and inclusivity principles crucial in the medical profession.”
Furthermore, Ramees mentioned that the proposed renaming of India to Bharat is considered unnecessary. Instead of focusing on symbolic changes, the emphasis should be on improving the quality of education, ensuring accessibility, and addressing issues such as the devaluation of merit in admissions, high capitation fees, teacher shortages, and inadequate internship supervision.
He highlighted that doctors, in their noble profession, treat patients without discrimination based on religion, and any attempt to introduce religious symbolism is unwarranted and unacceptable. The SIO staunchly opposes these changes, urging a reconsideration to maintain the scientific ethos of the medical field, he added.
Udaan Children’s Festival 2024
SIO Gujarat has announced its upcoming festival, “Udaan Children’s Festival 2024.” The festival is designed for the age group of 10 to 14 years. The event kicked off with the unveiling of the poster by esteemed dignitaries, including Saleem Patiwala (State Patron SIO & President JIH Gujarat), Javed Qureshi (State President SIO Gujarat), Shakil Ahmed Rajput (Secretary JIH Gujarat), along with Danish Khan (Secretary SIO Gujarat), and Sadiq Shaikh (Secretary SIO Gujarat).
The Convener of Udaan Children Festival 2024, Mr. Faisal Maniar, mentioned that schools are the centers where children are educated, nurtured, and trained, with a vision to design a better future. He expressed that it is a momentous task, and at SIO, they have great respect for teachers and other staff who have dedicated their lives to this honorable task.
Faisal stated that SIO has been closely connected with the student community since its inception. They are always working towards initiatives to provide more opportunities for students to explore their creativity, cultivate their talents, and help them build their confidence to create a better society that we all want to live in. With this in mind, in 2017, they organized the “Udaan Children Festival” for the first time, and due to its success, it has become an annual event.
Faisal invited school students of Gujarat to participate in this festival, scheduled to be held in Ahmedabad on 7 January 2024. There are many exciting activities planned. The students will have an opportunity to compete with students from different schools. Excellent prizes are also in store for the winners. “Udaan Children Festival” provides an excellent platform for your students to explore their talents and build confidence.