ASHFAQ AHMED SHAREEF, President Students Islamic Organisation of India, talks about the reasons for insignificant presence of the organisation in metros. In an interview with ZAID ARIF, he delves in to the philosophy of education and unearths the reasons that have made the students self-centred and inactive in standing up and solving the problems facing the society.
Give us a brief introduction about yourself.
I am from the city of Manglore, a coastal area in Karnataka. I completed my schooling from native place and joined the zonal office of SIO in Bangalore as office secretary in 2002. That time I was in first PUC and decided to continue my study in Journalism through correspondence. I hail from a Tahreeki family. My uncle, late Ibraheem Sayeed, served as Ameer Halqa of Karnataka. I joined SIO in my childhood but the sense of organisation developed when I was at the zonal office.
SIO is a student-oriented organisation. But we find its presence inadequate in most of colleges and universities. For example, its presence in three major universities of the capital—JNU, DU and JMI—is surprisingly low. What according to you are the reasons?
There are some peculiarities for each state and every organisation has some regulations which are meant to be followed. To establish an organisational setup and creating an atmosphere are two different things. As far as the establishment of organisational setup is concerned, we did not succeed enough but we are very much successful in transforming the atmosphere in favour of the organisation. We organised a lot of programmes in different universities in the capital and will try to resume the same this year. We will soon organise a discussion in the University of Delhi on the growing atrocities on women in the country. It is right that SIO could not make a mark in the cities like Delhi and other metros despite its constant endeavours. But we are coming this year with some special strategies for metros to penetrate in these cities. We will try to initiate healthy discussion on ‘some special issues’ in universities.
What are these ‘some special issues’?
We want the students to be aware of societal problems and act for the betterment of the society. If you go through the world history, you will find that the students have played a pivotal role to sort out the problems in society. But as of now the spirit of struggle among students is fading away. The core reason behind it is the educational system which has become career-oriented and does not help build character of students. It makes them self-centred. We want to address the existing educational system and moral degradation among students simultaneously. We want the students and others to work for educational reform and thus all the societal problem would be solved easily. We will focus, during the current term, through the series of lectures and symposiums especially in Delhi, on faults within educational system and introduce the philosophy of education.
The mission of SIO is ‘to reconstruct the society in the light of divine guidance,’ however it usually works like other NGOs. How far is the statement true and how do you find it reconcilable?
SIO works only in the light of divine guidance and our whole activities belong to the mission. Our sole enthusiasm is to present the message of Islam before everyone through different types of programmes. Sometimes, it comes very clearly and sometimes it does not, as per our policy. We take up all the social activities to introduce Islam. It is not fair to say that SIO is a mere organisation like others. Rather it is an ideological organisation and this identity of ours will remain forever.
What is your policy about Students Union elections especially in the perspective of AMU?
Union elections help create democratic atmosphere. But this is not the only solution. What we want is to create a democratic atmosphere in academic institutions. As far as direct participation in the elections is concerned, it depends on the time and situation. We have both policies to contest the elections directly or to work as a pressure group as per the need of the hour.
We find a big gap in the activities in the north and south so much so that some people in AMU call SIO a Kerala Organisation. What are the special strategies to fill this gap in the current term?
The reason behind this gap is the socio-political educational scenario of Muslims in both regions. We have special plans for north India this time. As of now, we have organised some conferences and public programmes to penetrate in the region. But we find it not working. So we have planned to start a term-long campaign with focus on education in these regions as it seems they are very backward in educational field. Our educational movement will continue in north Indian region for two whole years.
SIO and GIO are two different organisations and JIH has allowed no link in between the two in the past. But we see girl students participating in every programme of SIO. Is SIO thinking to give its membership to female students in future?
JIH has established both the organisations and put them separate, keeping an eye on their individual problems and in order to make them more fruitful in their respective fields. They will never be merged. As far as SIO is concerned, we address the students community in general irrespective of their classes, sex and religion.
What is your opinion on co-ed as JIH has indicated it among one of the reasons for rape in its proposals to Justice Verma?
I cannot comment on the stand of JIH. I think JIH has said that this might be one of the reasons for rape. But the media misinterpreted it. We should take it seriously and find out loopholes to plug these. Also the objectifications of women through advertisements and films should be stopped and there must be a single rule for both the poor and the affluent.
Your message for students.
Students are the symbol of change. They have played a pivotal role in every movement. The recent crisis in the society is the result of their turning a blind eye to the society. Students are insensitive nowadays and the main factor is our educational system which makes them slave of their career which prevents them to think of as to what is happening in the society. I request all the students to adopt sensitivity and social services. You will solve all the issues and problems provided you spare a little of your time for the cause of your society.
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