Bihar Anjuman believes in self-help rather than charity

Let's establish an exclusive Indian University for Muslim Women 


Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, on his vision of Aligarh Muslim University, said, "I may appear to be dreaming and talking like Shaikh Chilli, but we aim to turn this MAO College into a University similar to that of Oxford or Cambridge. Like the churches of Oxford and Cambridge, there will be mosques attached to each College ... [reprinted in Aligarh Institute Gazette, April 5, 1911]

Allah says, “I am as My servant thinks I am. I am with him when he makes mention of Me. If he makes mention of Me to himself, I make mention of him to Myself; and if he makes mention of Me in an assembly, I make mention of him in an assembly better than it. And if he draws near to Me an arm’s length, I draw near to him a fathom’s length. And if he comes to Me walking, I go to him at speed.” (Hadith Qudsi, Bukhari)

The updates provided on this page are not complete feedbacks, but excerpts only. Some of the feedback might have been missed out; kindly consider them as our unintentional mistake; let us know of those blunders, and we would certainly rectify them.
Your suggestions can make the concept more valuable. Pls do write to myrahbar@gmail.com

Original Proposal:

As a tribute to this child prodigy called Arfa Karim Randhawa ... ...
Proposing to establish an exclusive Indian University for Muslim Women,on the pattern of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), with the difference that it would be open to female students only.
Let's try to establish a University for Muslim Women by any name ..... to pay tribute to Sir Syed Ahmad, the pioneer of modern education in the Asian subcontinent, we may call it Sir Syed women's university, or Aligarh Muslim Women's University, or Aligarh movement university for Women ...
Well, we could even name it RAHBAR Women's University, or RAHBAR-e-Banaat University, or simply RAHBAR University.
Can someone donate sufficient land (say, 225 acres) within the 25km circle of AMU Jama Masjid? If not, anywhere?
Let's approach land-owners anywhere in India to donate 225 acres of land (suggest, if this is sufficient) ...
What do you think? Share your thoughts freely-write to myrahbar@gmail.com; however kindly do not share any negative thoughts. If you wish to lead the project, you are welcome. Pls formulate a viable committee, and let's work together to give shape to this dream project. Let's work together to transform this dream into reality.
To start with, let's establish the following, with priority as listed (First, establish number-1, then 2 ...):
1. B.Ed. college (adding M.Ed. later)
2. College of Pharmacy
3. College for paramedical courses
4. A Business School for BBA, then MBA
5. College for Islamic Studies (UG, then PG)
6. Engineering College
7. General colleges - Arts, Science, Commerce
8. Dental College
9. Medical College and hospital
However, since our vision is to have a women's university, and not just a cluster of colleges, land is of prime importance. We must have enough land from the beginning.

Day-3 & 4 Update on the proposal:

 
It is encouraging to note that we have received 2nd offer for land, the area of which should be enough to start work on the university. We are currently negotiating the conditions for the use of this private land. Once we have an agreement finalized, we would definitely share the details with you, insha-Allah. Pls pray to Allah to make things as easy as this …
Pls note that I cannot share all the feedback with you, at the moment, and seek your forgiveness for this. Our common goal is the university, and for that to achieve, we will need to be passionate and cautious, both at the same time.
Feedback from women has increased (three times), with one sister looking for equal opportunity rather than separate university … I take it as equal intake in the universities (50% of seats in all of India’s universities), and feel that 100% seats in some universities may make this easier to achieve.
Another negative feedback was with respect to the “muslim” tag … I feel this tag is to take advantage of the constitutional provision for minority institutions, and helps in getting govt. approvals apart from making sure that muslim cultural values can be nurtured without any objection from any sections. The same brother also has objected to segregation of women from men, citing technical reasons like “intellectual development of the members of such segregated community will soon be frozen, because personal evolution takes place only where the interaction of divergent thinking provides the requisite mental stimuli, which is possible only if you welcome other communities/ gender to join you.” Well, so far as other communities are concerned, yes, they would definitely be there, with just 50% seats reserved for minorities. So far as segregating men and women is concerned, that is what a muslim society should look for. There may be some benefits of men-and-women-working together, particularly for men, who don't have to bear any burden of love/ relationship unless forced by law. However, there are more harms than the perceived benefits. The One Who created us all knows its creation (men and women) far better than the created being; and the Creator asks for segregation. Who is wiser? The Creator, or the created?
An important argument that has cropped up, although it may be too early to discuss that, is the resource-crunch. I believe Allah’s words which says (Quran, 40:60) “Udóoni, asjaib lakum” (Call on me, and I will answer your prayer). We may not realise but Allah’s resources are not scarce; they are scarce for the doubtful, not for those who move ahead with full faith in Allah … if there are people coming forward to donate hundreds of acres of land, why do we believe that money would not be forth coming; and we don’t need to depend on charity alone! As your feedbacks come in, and the concepts on all aspects evolve, clarity would also emerge, insha-Allah.
 
Following are positive feedbacks received on Day-3 and 4 [If I missed out any of your feedback, it’s due to my weakness, not intentional. Pls. do forgive me for my negligence, but let me know, so that I could incorporate your valuable comments in the updates; they help us learn a lot]:
----------------------------------------------------------------
One thing I strongly feel about is the Quality of Education.
Can something be done about it in our Muslim institutions ,across the country?
The standards sometimes horrify us no end. Allah aap ko kamyab akre or sehut ke sath mehfooz or khush rakhe, apni family ke sath. Aameen! … asma khan <asma0anjum0@gmail.com>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In principle there is interest in such a project. Its massive and needs herculean efforts. At least all of us can give it a try. It will succeed insha-allah considering that the intentions are right.
Shall we not start chalking plans about the first two aspects: 1. Vision and committed peoples, 2. Concept
Who are the committed people? Is it not us? Is it not the group of people willing to contribute with Tan-Man-Dhan? I suppose the first two factors Tan and Man are more critical at this stage. We need at least 30-40 senior people with experience, dedication, maturity, and passion for community work. Naturally the younger generations will be willing to be their lieutenants (I am raising my hands for becoming a lieutenant right away!). Conceptualizing is another aspect for which the ball should start rolling. The first point of attention should be Jamia Hamdard in Delhi and BS Abdur Rahman University in Madras. How they have managed their affairs and progressed so fast should be kept in perspectives. Community has got plenty of Dhan and one will definitely need to be be-sharam in literal sense (like Sir Syed Ahmad Khan) to ask for it and even accept whatever small the contribution is. For this purpose we will need tens of Dr. Razi Raziuddins (Razi bhai).  Shabi Hashmi <shabihashmi@yahoo.com>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Girte Hain shahsawar hi maidan-e-jung men.
Woh tifl kia gire jo GhtnoN ke bal chale.
If you have determination, then start rightaway. Take example from the early life of Prohphet Mohammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam. My mantra of working is:
Think-----Plan......Start.......Learn.....Improve.........be excellent.
Don’t look at the people who always think negative and want to start anything
perfectly which is not possible. The only power which start anything perfectly is
Allah Rabbul Alameen .. "Kun fayakun" … Hoja and Ho gaya. We cant do. So let start despite all shortcomings and gain perfection in the long run. …  mohammad allam <mohammad_allam@rediffmail.com>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I would like to point out the last will of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, known as papa Mian, the founder of Women's College. In 1936, he wrote an article under the head, “Muslim girls' College ke Mukhtasir Halat aur Ladkiyon  aur Ladkon ke Qabil Chand Mufeed Khyalat” (A short historical account of Muslim Girls College and some important views worth consideration for Girls and Boys). May Allah let his dream come true regrding Muslim Women's University. … [Name not to be disclosed] …..
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Given below (details removed, would share later, isnah-Allah) is the way this project may be started. You too are a PMP, and so will there be many experienced academics etc, who can contribute in refining this outline. The points I have incorporated do not make an exhaustive list. So feel free to add and suggest what may be modified. One person whom I will strongly suggest to be taken in the core committee is Mr. Naved Masood, IAS as he has been Addl &  Jt Secy in the Ministry of HRD for a number of years. He knows exactly what all may be needed to accomplish this project from governments formalities point of view. … ahmad cameron <ahmadcameron@yahoo.com>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are several  Women's Universities (run by States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra) and also several deemed Universities particularly Banasthali of Rajasthan ( deemed Universities are institutions, though not Universities, authorised to grant degrees under a special notification of the Central Government under the UGC Act). Whoever does the Project Report should have the intellectual honesty to look at real need for another gender specific University in the light of specific success and failures of such institutions. Similarly, the Project Report must also address the issue whether a series of 'women only' affiliated institutions will be a better option. Lastly, as Project Reports are rather voluminous and of course costly affairs you may like to consider whether somebody should first do a 'concept paper' to consider the preliminaries. Naved Masood, I.A.S. <naved.masood@gmail.com>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For last few days, I have been observing a discussion regarding a University for Indian Muslims Women. I was admiring the motivation behind the proposal but we need to be realistic in terms of our ability to do things. However, I think it is still not entirely irrelevant to propose an ambitious plan. Maybe so far we have not been able to do much...but maybe we will do something big someday, provided that we have the will. Sometime the sheer power of will can do wonders.
We need to work hard to increase the motivation of children well as their parents. We need highly dedicated and concentrated effort to to this. We need to develop very strong organizational mechanism to deal with this issue. ... Shahidur Rashid Talukdar <contact@srtalukdar.com>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the absence of exclusive colleges for our community our youngsters are falling into lot of fitna.It is a wonderful thought and need of the hour brother.    May Allah swt help us to realize this dream. Ameen. Wassalaam. Yr sister in Islaam ... Mrs A Samshath <safanet@gmail.com>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am now re-vitalized with this mail i have received, do include me in the team, i can at-least be a moral supporter who has left the dream of hoping to see at-least a dedicated women institute in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. ... Syed Saleem <saleem7747@gmail.com>
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Your suggestions can make the concept more valuable. Pls do write to myrahbar@gmail.com

Day-2 Update on the proposal:


Delighted to know about this. May Allah make you succeed in this endeavor as soon as possible. Aameen ... asma khan <asma0anjum0@gmail.com>
Opening a womens' University is an excellent idea.  As for naming the same, I am for Rahbar, for, Rahbar is a known and trusted name, now. For location, it should be very safe, close to a strong Muslim locality. easily reachable and well connected.  Other issues are it's feeder institutions and availability of hostel facility,as, for professional courses, these seem to be essential. ... Mohammad Naushad, Bangalore <ruby.naushad@gmail.com>
---------------------------
we can take the example of kiit university orissa or bit mesra , vit vellore all these started with an engineering college later on added courses of other streams and became a deemed university; in the same way we can start to establish a college affiliated to a state university or technical university, subsequently adding courses in the long run. Distance edu course will not be that much attractive.... muhammad hasan <hasan_adab@yahoo.com>
---------------------------
Indeed an excellent idea. And also "Rahbar"be the name because it has emerged as the most effective strategy to educate and empower the potentially hard working impoverished section of Indian Muslims.  ...  ... ahmad cameron <ahmadcameron@yahoo.com> 
---------------------------
Aligarh Women's College is already with an excellent infra structure...... why cant this be upgraded to a University? This can be achieved at a much lower cash outlay and much shorter time. .... S M Hasan <hasanofmeher@yahoo.co.uk>
---------------------------
Agreed that elevating Women's college will be far more cheaper and easier. But is the Muslim community of India so deprived of original thinking and resources that it can never think beyond Aligarh and beyond AMU? ... ahmad cameron <ahmadcameron@yahoo.com>
---------------------------
A very nice initiatives and all we should come forward to execute. Requesting to all brothers to give ur consent  and ideas.. Nadeem Athar Kazmi <kazmimade4u@yahoo.com>
---------------------------
May Allah give you time, good health, resources and support to fulfill your ambition. Aameen ... "KMS KHAN" kmskhan@yahoo.co.in
The suggestion of Chaudhari sahib is important and can be considered phase-0. It is essential before venturing towards the mammoth task of establishing a residential university for women. .. shabihashmi <shabihashmi@yahoo.com>
[Shabi's feedback relates to Fariduddin Chaudhary Sb's advice, "I assume that your university will be residential. I advise you to consider that this will make it at least 3 times costlier to establish and run, than a non - residential one because of the infrastructure. This age is the age of Distance Education (DE). Please see if you can enmesh the idea of DE with the realities of the Indian Muslim Community( IMC ) which is distributed widely in the country as well as is  very poor. "]
Finance, availability of land etc are secondary. I feel following points matter most: 1. Vision and committed peoples, 2. Concept, 3. Detailed plan, 4. Road map, 5. Feasibility, 6. Action plan associated to responsibilities and time-line, 7. Agreement on educational broad based plan, Approvals and connecting with regulatory authority 8. Right location for the first center, and 9. Finance and management source. As you know if there is strong vision and concept and reasonably well prepared feasibility, people will open their wallet. Point is what you put in front of them. Last point, personally, I feel a successful institute which work under principle of Islam, bring values in peoples management and open to all including non-Muslim will serve better than only Muslim university. .. Abdul Rahman Siddiqui <arsid@eim.ae>
---------------------------
Sharique Kokab [http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=554203646] I donno about U..... but the idea is rocking... During course of action I can contribute, The Team can count me as one of the members.
---------------------------
Kaifee Anwer [http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=765060651] Good propsal. I remember the words of sir syed sb" meri betio tum ye na samjho ke amu sirf boys ke liye hai. Koi bhi qaum jab tak taraqqi nahin kar sakti jab tak unki auratein taleem yafta na ho. Jab hamare mard iss layaq ho jayeinge to wo apni aurat ko bhi talim denge." He was right. Now we can see amu is for women as well.
---------------------------
If this dream comes true. It could be a greatest work done yet... Everything seems to be impossible at the time of start, as the same feeling we had when we started fighting for AMU-K... Now be grace of almighty Allah has became reality... The most important factor for any noble work is to get the group of noble people, who can selflessly work towards the GOAL. Thus according to me.. The first important part is to identify the group of people who can work hard to get the first step done like getting 200 to 250 acre of land... Mahfooz Alam [http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=717725478]
---------------------------
Good idea.....nice thaughts about muslim women.....sach to yee hai agr hamain aapna tasveer badlna hai to women education ko badhawa dena hi hoga..... Matin Iqbal [http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002266366907]
---------------------------
Good initiative... We all are supposed to come together and put hand in hands. Even the thought is good to lit a big flame.Insa allah... Asghar Usmani [http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001788408050]
---------------------------
Asa, I support the cause please go ahead. ... Noorullah Khan <khannoorullah@yahoo.co.in>
---------------------------
Reyazus Salekeen JazakALLAH .
--------------------------- 
Raushan Mohammad you are sincere about the goal,it means success is the certain
---------------------------
Azam Sikandar Brother! u have deeply elaborated on each n every response of the ppl. Ur dedication n sincerity is quite appreciable. the Idea of Waqf is quite feasible for the purpose of land and financial assistance but it must be with least involvement of Waqf members.
---------------------------  
Md Ziyaur Rahman May ALLAH(SWT) help to set us MUSLIM WOMEN'S UNIVERSITY based on Islamic principles. I wish it will have a MODEL adopted by PRESTON INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE of CHENNAI, which is being run under the supervision of Islamic scholar BILAL PHILIPS where Islamic education & Arabic language has been inegrated with all courses like B.COM, MBA etc.
---------------------------  
Ahmar Ali Khan I just been Informed by you people initiation has been taken in this regard is good aprroach for women .. its been priveledge to us n our muslim sister to lead the education system by this way .. Allahdollilah ! very nice though may i pray to Almighty allah this will happen shortly ! Ameen!
---------------------------  
Shahbaz Hassan where u want to establish university....inshah allah i will support for this dream project.
---------------------------  
Mohammad Monaweer Alam Need to analyze the most muslim populated area with poor literacy rate.
---------------------------  
Shahid Zafar Thats really gr8........
---------------------------  
Rashid Khan Your thinking is very nice
---------------------------  
Ali Imam Siddique Almighty Allah will fulfill your noble idea.
---------------------------   

Day-1 Update on the proposal:


1. Alhamdolillah, just one brother sent a negative message .... I would request for negative messages, after the concept matures. So, those who are sulking, kindly be patient for a while.
2. A very senior Alig moderator blocked the message in two groups that he "owns". I did not quite understand why, nor did he bother to explain. I guess it was by mistake, because I know him as a benevolent brother concerned with upliftment of the Ummah. If it was not a mistake, then, I guess he must have perceived this to be an insincere message from my end. Another blocking was from a very popular group which discusses all sorts of topics, and permits messages attacking one another, maligning of even the greatest Islamic scholars and groups. What was this moderator's reason to block this important message is beyond my comprehension, but of course, he must be having some genuine reasons (possibly same the Alig groups moderator's).
But, alhamdolillah, most other groups permitted this message, reducing the damage substantially.
3. Well, the bad news is that, unfortunately, nobody came forward to lead the project, on day-1.
4. However, the good news is that the response was overwhelming, alhamdolillah.
5. Alhamdolillah, one brother came forward with a concrete proposal of land (area of land not yet disclosed); this being a preliminary stage, it would not be appropriate to make the details public.
6. One brother suggested that Waqf land should be acquired for this purpose. How? In fact, the rightful owners of this property have long being denied their share; so the idea is definitely great. However, this may still be a dream. Can anyone help?
7. Two brothers have suggested to start with a distant education mode, and I consider this proposal to be excellent for a new university (without any funds in hand). Instead of claiming to provide the degrees ourselves, we can pretty well get them from approved open universities like IGNOU, until our courses get approved by authorities.
8. One brother sought clarification on the concept whether it will be a residential university. Yes, our idea is of  a residential university wherein our girls can be trained to be the best of women that today's society needs, torch-bearers of moral values, true embodiment of Islamic values.
9. One brother asked why we don't consider a university for men and women, both. Well, my idea is to help our young women to focus on their educational and personality development rather than on the men around them. During their 10th and 12th board exams, the girls have been outforming the boys, while beyond that, they get sidelined. Why? I am proposing a solution as per my understanding; however, you can of course enlighten us better on this aspect. Let's give our women the best of facilities during their prime adolescent years of learning and growth; men must wait a bit longer.
10. A senior brother who never tires encouraging positive endeavours, and whose funds never exhaust donating for all causes has suggested to study the S.N.D.T. Women's University of Mumbai (estd 1975). He has suggested to "commission someone to study this university and its history since its inception in order to know the experiences of its founders and current administrators". Indeed, these are extremely valuable ideas ... and we should definitely work on them.
11. Unfortunately, the proposal of a woman's university did not attract comments from any female members of discussion groups :)
11. One brother informed that Sir Syed never envisioned a separate woman's university. I wonder why! But, I guess, even for the muslim men, modern education was a taboo!
12. Words of encouragement keep pouring in. I would like to quote one: Both Al-Azhar and Harvard were established in a similar fashion by people who were far less informed and less networked than we are.

Before I call it a day, I reproduce a couplet sent by brother Siraj Akram ...

Kankar pat-thar ki taamirein mazhab  ka mafhoom naheiN
Zehnon ki taameer bhi kijiye gumbad aur mehrab ke saath

 

Shikwa-e-zulmat-e-shab se to kahin behtar tha;
Apne hissey ki koi shamm'a jalaate jaatey. [Ahmad Faraz]

Better light a candle than curse the darkness

better-light-a-candle-than-curse-the-darkness

 

Copyright © 2006 Bihar Anjuman