Two days state level seminar organized by Islamic Educational Welfare Association with financial assistance from National Commission for Women in March 2014.

TOPIC OF THE SEMINAR: State Level Seminar on Socio - Economic Development of Muslim Women in Malda District in West Bengal.

SPONSORED BY: NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR WOMEN, NEW DELHI

VENUE: in Bamongram H. M. A. M. High School Community Hall, Malda District in West Bengal..

DATE: 30th and 31st March, 2014

Day 1 of the Seminar was attended by Resource Persons - Abdus Sadeque (Imam Bamongram Purana Jamamasjid) Md. Sanaul Haque (Social Worker), Linun Nehar (Private Teacher), Md. Musuk Shaikh (Advocate), Abdul Gaffar (Professor), Md. Selim (Sahekari Sabhapati Kaliachak-I), Md. Motehar (B.M), Md. Aminul Islam (Chairman, Estate Waqf, Malda District, Ex-T- Naimouza high School)

Day 2 of the Seminar was attended by Resource Persons - Md. Aimn Slim (Teacher), Md. Nazimul Haque (Social worker), Anwar Ali (Pradhan Bamongram Mosimpur Gram Panchyat), Golam Rabbani (Govt. of W.B Employer), Bethika Sarkar, Md. Mohtadur Rahman (Govt. of W.B Employee), Md. Sanaullah (Teacher), Md. Ferdous (Bamongram H.M.A. M. High School Teacher)

The issues of socio economic development of Muslim Women need to be addressed in Malda district in west Bengal. So we organized this seminar with assistance from the National Commission for Women.

DISCUSSIONS IN THE SEMINAR

The issues of Women’s Problem, of socio economic development of Muslim Women need to be addressed by the resource persons. Statistical write- ups were also distributed. The legal aspects of the problems were also addressed during interactive sessions with beneficiaries.

Spoke on importance of development of Muslim women
Abdus Sadeque (Imam Bamongram Purana Jamamasjid) delivered the welcome address. He invited all the women to the Seminar on Socio – Economic Development of Muslim Women. He spoke on the issue of importance of development of Muslim women. He said that there is need for all efforts for upliftment of Muslim Women. All Muslim women need to be brought forward. Muslim Women are backward in India. They need to be encouraged to move forward. No one should sleep hungry. Solutions related to their problems need to be found. He spoke the importance of upliftment of the women of the Muslim Community. Abdus Sadeque said that the situation of Muslim Women in West Bengal in the last 10 years needs to be analysed.

Spoke on the need of comprehensive development of Muslim Women
Md. Sanaul Haque (Social Worker) addressed the audience on the issue of the need of comprehensive development of Muslim Women. He read out a beautiful poem of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay. The poem talked about a woman, when she moves with “ghoonghat”, in earrings and green saree. One day, she will be married off. He said only memories remain. He read out the emotional poem and then gave the vote of thanks.

Spoke on statistics about Muslim Women
She made the audience aware on various statistics about Muslim Women. She said that the access of Muslims to bank credit is low and inadequate; the community has one of the lowest monthly per capita expenditure (MPCE), and lowest representation in the public sector employment. The community lags behind severely in political representation and its representation in Indian Administrative Services has been only about 3 per cent for the last three decades.

Spoke on Socio – Economic Development of Muslim Women
Md. Musuk Shaikh(Advocate) address was based on his experience as a Advocate. He said that there is need of providing information to women and sensitizing them. He told the audience that Muslim women are backward, not only in Bamongram but in most parts of the country. They are backward in the field of health and education. He addressed all the women with respect. He made the audience aware about the various teachings of Prophet Muhammed.

Spoke on socio-economic inclusion of Muslim women through livelihood activities.
Abdul Gaffar (Professor) addressed the audience on the issue of socioeconomic inclusion of Muslim women through livelihood activities. He told the audience that there is utmost need to try to reestablish and correct the stereo-typed images of Muslim women in India so as to provide indisputable understanding of Muslim women in the society. The involvement of Muslim women in livelihood sector needs to be encouraged in West Bengal.

Spoke on Need for Development of Muslim Women in all fields
Mr. Selim observed that Muslim women have been excluded for generations in Indian society which is quite contrary to the history of Muslim women during the inception of Islamic era in Arab and neighbouring societies. Mr. Selim observed that the livelihood activities of Muslim women cannot be governed by the tradition or religion per se. He also put forward the statistics. He said that the need of the post modern economic activities requires equal appreciation and inclusion of Muslim women in the livelihood activities.

Spoke on How Women are Progressing in All Fields
Md. Aminul Islam (Chairman, Estate Waqf, Malda District, Ex-T- Naimouza High School) addressed the audience on the issue of How Women are Progressing in All Fields. He started addressing the audience by reading out a poem. He said that our country shall win in all fields. Mr. Islam said that girls are moving ahead in life. He said all Muslim girls should try to get education and join jobs. Girls can help in our country’s growth. Women are moving ahead in life and earning name and fame. So, all Muslim Women should try to contribute for our nation’s development.

Spoke on Problems faced by People of Muslim Community
He told the audience that Muslim community continues to lag behind other socioreligious categories in socio-economic and educational development. He said the situation of the community is appalling with regard to income, employment in public sector, educational attainment, access to healthcare and other infrastructures, and there is a disproportionately high share of community members in prisons. Identity stereotyping, communal violence, ghettoisation etc. are other major issues which the community faces.

Spoke on Women Contribution to Development
Mr. Ali told the audience that they should take care of their education and empowerment. He told them on how to have good education. He said that all women shall make their contribution to make the country developed. He shared knowledge on famous Women Poets in the past and said that we all feel so proud of them. He encouraged Muslim Women to excel in their fields.

Spoke on Government Efforts for Socio-Economic Development of Muslim Women.
Mr. Rabbani started addressing the audience by reading out a poem on “Nari Maryada”. He said that a woman completes a man. Women should be respected and they have a special place in our lives. According to Islam, Women have special place in our lives. Socially, we have kept Muslim Women backward. Every state in India, shall fulfill its responsibilities towards Muslim Women. Various Ministries are looking into this on how can socio-economic development of Muslim Women can be achieved.