“Ilm (Knowledge) is the focal point of all religions” Prime Minister Narender Modi said while addressing a gathering of learned scholars, historians and diplomatic representatives at the release function of the book, “Education of Muslims: An Islamic Perspective of Knowledge and Education – Indian Context”
The Prime Minister was refering to the fact Muslims comprise about 14 percent of India’s vast population, yet remain the country’s most disadvantaged minority and religious group. They rank lowest in literacy, mostly live in slums and less than 1 percent go on to hold public sector and government jobs.
Many Muslim children are forced to quit schools and work as child labor to support their families.
That is despite the fact that the holy Quran asks all followers that
Ilm hasil karna har musalmaan mard aur aurat par farz hai (seeking of knowledge and education is a duty of every Muslim)
Ilm hasi karo chahe chin tak jana pade (seek knowledge even if it is far as China)
Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave.
According to the Prime Minister education can become the strength of the entire SAARC region but if the region does not embrace modernity, it will get left behind, as the rest of the world progresses.
Prime Minister releasing the book, “Education of Muslims: An Islamic Perspective of Knowledge and Education – Indian Context
The Prime Minister said it is the good fortune of people living in India, that they have the opportunity to follow, understand and learn so many different religions, and strands of thought, at one place.
The Prime Minister said the book can help us in our efforts towards “understanding each other” – understanding different points of view. He complimented the book’s editor, J.S. Rajput and Sirajuddin Qureshi, who has written the foreword for the book.
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