AFMI's 23rd Annual Convention Held in Orlando, Role of NRIs in India's Development Stressed

AFMI's 23rd Annual Convention Held in Orlando, Role of NRIs in India's Development Stressed Florida : (agencies) More than 700 people participated in the 23 annual convention banquet of American Federation of Muslims of Indian Origin (AFMI) that took place in Orlando on September 28, 20013. Inaugurated by the Indian Union Minister of Minority Affairs, Dr. Rehman Khan, the delegates reaffirmed their commitment to scores of education programs initiated in India for the betterment of Muslim, supported the initiatives taken by the Ministry of Minority affairs to allocate scholarship to the deserving candidates, condemned the divisive and communal forces for creating an environment of fear and instability for the minorities and pledged to strengthn the secular forces in India.

The convention was attended by delegates from all across the United States and Canada and was address by Dr. Rahman Khan, Florida Senator David Simmons, Counsel General of India, Atlanta, Ajit Kumar, Dr. Hussain Nagamia, AFMI's President-Elect, Dr. Mohsin Jafar, vice president of World Shia Federation, Azhar Aziz, Vice President of the Islamic Society of North America, Dr. Abdur Rehman Nakadar, AFMI Trustee and Shaikh Kalbe Rushaid, a shia Scholar from India. Dr. Rahman Khan applauded AFMI for its education programs in India and invited Muslim Americans to partner with the the Minority Affairs to help develop infrastructure for the Muslim community for future educational growth. Dr. Rahman also invited the AFMI leadership to an exploratory meeting to be held in Delhi in the first week of January to dicuss the level of cooperation between Muslim Americans and the government of India. He explained that strict laws pertaining to endowment (waqf) property in India have been passed and better opportunities and schemes have been launched to help minorities achieve better educational standards. He said that 60 million Muslim youth need guidance for their future and any institutional help in this direction would create a better community in the future. In his speech, David Simmons emphasized the positive contribution Indian Muslims have played in the USA in improving relations between the US and India. He praised AFMI for fulfilling its moral and social obligation to the country of origin of its members. Azhar Aziz, applauded the education programs of AFMI and urged the participants to contribute to the educational upliftment of Muslims of India. He said that education is the birth right of every individual and AFMI programs in India has helped members of the minority community attain their right at the grass roots level. Mr. Kalbe Rushaid said that Muslim Americans are proving a catalyst for change among Muslim Indians. He applauded the AFMI for bringing together Shias and Sunnis on one platform. Dr. Nakadar focussed on the achievements of AFMI in education, relief, and rehabilitation and political education. He gave details of various projects that AFMI has supported over the years to improve the educational status of Muslims in India. Dr. Hussain Nagamia talk about the specific AFMI projects in India that are geared to the educational needs of Muslim girls. In his prepared notes, the Counsel general of India in Atlanta, Ajit Kumar talked about the increased trade ties between India and the US and spoke about the investment opportunities present in India for US citizens including NRIs. Earlier during the day three different panels focused on youth empowerment Among the speakers were included, Azhar Aziz, Dr. Nagamia, Ali Qureshi, Dr. Sirajuddin, Dr. Tajuddin, Dr. Sanauddin, Dr. Shakir Mukhi, and many others. AFMI's former president and trustee Dr. Aslam Abdullah was the MC. The banquet dinner was followed by classical sufi singing by famous Amjad Sabri.