AFMI
“Out of population of 150 million Muslims in India shockingly only 3.1% have Bachelor’s degree and only 1.3% have Masters degree.It is not because of lack of desire for education among the Indian Muslims; it is because of lack of affordability due to poverty, accessibility of the schools, and poor infrastructure at the schools, teacher absenteeism, and high drop out rate.
“25% of Indian Muslim children have never seen a school. “
” On international level there are 57 Muslim countries, sitting on 75% of the oil reserves, combined GDP of 2 trillion. Overall literacy rate is just above 50%, only 2% Muslims go for higher education. Number of universities in all the Muslim countries combined is only 500, while US alone has 5758 universities and India has over 8407 universities. “
These are the wordings of Mr. Ashfaq Quarishi president of AFMI as mentioned in president’s message on their web site.
AFMI is a philanthropic charity formed by American Muslims of Indian Origin in the year 1989. AFMI strives to improve the socio-economic status of the underprivileged Indian Muslim minorities through education. Since it was founded, AFMI has remained steadfast in its mission to achieve 100% literacy amongst Indian Muslims.
Vision.
1. Improve literacy and economic Status of Muslims in India.
2. Help Muslims in India to contribute towards social, political and economic development of India.
3. Strive to advance the cause of underprivileged masses in India in general, and Muslim masses in particular.
4. Promote exchange of technology and other resources to develop entrepreneurial and leadership skills.
5.Encourage excellence in Muslim Youths Both in North America and India to strengthen their Muslim identity”
Since its formation in 1989 AFMI’s agenda has primarily focused on improving the educational status of Indian Muslims. It has been the organization’s continuing belief that in education lies the salvation of the community. The organization started with the bottom up strategy by supporting schools and students at the primary level. In its two decades of existence it has helped hundreds of primary schools across India from where thousands of students have graduated. The help included construction/renovation of school buildings, providing of teacher and staff salaries,and scholarships and other financial aid for students. This included the provision of textbooks, notebooks & stationary, uniform, etc.
This then is our challenge. To continue strengthening the primary school base of Indian Muslims while also expanding our support for students at the higher grades of school.
AFMI also intends to serve as a bridge between Indian intellectual, public officials and business people and Indian Americans, especially Muslims. Currently AFMI is working on bringing 100 percent literacy to Indian Muslims. Towards this goal AFMI has built schools in many Indian villages and has adopted many schools, with students numbering in thousands. For motivation to excel in education AFMI has awarded over 1,300 gold, silver, bronze medals and certificates to meritorious students of X and XII of each state of India. It also provides scholarship to needy and deserving students.
AFMI was established in 1989 at the initiative from DR. A.S.Nakadar, he is one of the trustee at present. AFMI is registered as 501(C)3 not for profit organization.
To know more about AFMI visit http://www.afmi.org
