Muslim girls ahead in education, says Prof Amirullah Khan

Hyderabad: “The percentage of education among Muslim girls in India is better than girls hailing from other communities. Girls from the Muslim community are ahead of others in key areas like education and personal hygiene,” said Prof Amirullah Khan. Speaking at the ‘Financial Assistance to Orphans’ programme organized by Hyderabad Zakat and Charitable Trust (HZCT), noted development economist Amirullah Khan, who is also the member of Sudhir Commission and heads the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, in India felt that it was a misconception that Muslims were backward in education in India. They too were competent in education, he added.

“90% girls from Mulsim Community are educated compared to 80% of educated girls across India across all communities. These 90% girls get at least primary education”, which is most important for living. Similarly, they are in better health than other communities as they wash hands five times a day while performing ablution. He said unlike the popular perception, “Muslim society holds the educated Muslim girls and women in high regard”. These aspects, he said, were most vital for the development and progress of the community. However, most Muslim girls do not acquire higher education. Only 4% girls from the Muslim community achieve higher education. This is lower than the education percentage of girls from non-Muslim communities at 5.5%, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, HZCT Chairman Ghiasuddin Babukhan said “educating the orphan children would be an important aspect of the Trust’s activities with 88% beneficiaries of the scholarship programmes being orphans.” In Telangana and Andhra Pradesh states, the Trust has announced to support 12,294 school going orphan students with a total amount of Rs. 3.42 crores. The Trust has been providing such financial assistance to students in collaboration with ICNA Relief Canada since the last 7 years. Last year, 8,845 orphans were benefitted from the Trust’s grants amounting to Rs 2.62 crore.” Nearly 340 orphan students selected by ICNA Relief, Canada were provided with financial assistance with each student getting Rs 7,500 as second installment. The first installment of Rs. 7,500 was provided to these students in October 2018.

The HZCT, which is now in its 26th year, also supports 106 Urdu medium schools and 3 English schools with a total strength of 25,000 beneficiaries across these schools. Chairman of FEED, Abdul Aleem Khan presented the financial report while Guest of Honor, M Agha, Tasneem Osmani, Director Educate India Fund (USA), HZCT Secretary Ziauddin Nayyar and others were also present on this occasion.