11 September 2004	Saturday	25 Rajab 1425

KARACHI, Sept 10: Speakers at the meeting of Shura Hamdard emphasized on imparting world class education in science and technology and establishment of social justice in Muslim societies for the progress of Ummah.

The meeting with the theme of "Muslim Ummah: Difficulties and Opportunities" was held under the chairmanship of Justice Haziqul Khairi here on Thursday evening.

Addressing on the occasion, Maj Gen Ghulam Umar stressed that non-governmental organizations and private institutions should come forward to extend the scope of relationship, mutual cooperation and coordination among Muslims. It was not only the responsibility of governments but also of people in general, he said.

Explaining some causes of Ummah's deterioration, Col (retd) Mukhtar Ahmed said that no Muslim country had true democratic system apart from one or two countries. Most of the Muslim countries were being ruled by monarchs, dictators and autocrats, which were not at all the representative of peoples, he said.

"Muslim masses are against the USA while their leadership is in the favour of the USA," he observed. Also present at the meeting, Syed Mustafa Ali said that it was observed from the statements of American and European leaders that all Muslims were labelled as terrorists while there were only a few persons in Muslim counties who believed in extremism.

Dr Nazar Kamrani expressed concern that the ministers in Pakistan had taken oath in English language, neglecting the national language Urdu. "It is our national obligation that we should give preference to Urdu language, particularly on national occasions," he said.

He also regretted that Urdu language had not been given official status so far. Muhammad Hussain Khan said that the solution of Muslim Ummah's problems and difficulties was laid in establishment of social justice. Unfortunately, he said, social justice was missing from all Muslim societies.

Engineer Anwarul Haq Siddiqui said that there was a need of revolution in education sector. He suggested that education of science and technology should be started from primary level to higher level in complete coordinative manner.

Muhammad Saeed Siddiqui said that Muslims should establish social justice, acquire knowledge of science and technology and unite themselves, which was the dire need of the hour.

Dr Muhammad Ali Siddiqui was critical on the approach of our intellectuals. He said that the intellectuals did not even leave Sir Syed Ahmed Khan without targeting him, though he had done a lot for the Muslims of subcontinent.

M.A. Sabzwari said that Muslims were the king of oil, but, they were far behind in the fields of education, health and technology. He further said that there were only 56 beds in hospitals for a population of 100,000 in Yemen. In any Muslim country, there were 900 beds only for 100,000 patients on an average, he observed.

Islamuddin Agha said that a 60-minister cabinet had been formed in Pakistan. "Had Mahathir Muhammad, who changed the fate of Malaysia, ever formed such a large cabinet," he said. Khalid Ikramullah Khan, Abdul Haseeb Khan, Hakim Abdul Hannan, Prof (Dr) Naeem Qureshi and Idris Menai also spoke on the occasion. -PPI