Editor : Nadeem Hasnain 

Anwar Alam

Islam and OIC: Foreign Policy Implications for the Muslim States: With Special Reference to Iran, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan

This paper undertakes a re-examination of dominant of international theory, mainly Realist/Rationalist or neo-Realist/neo-Rationalist in order to demonstrate the influence and salience of Islam in the process of formulation and implementation of foreign policy of Muslim states, particularly Iran, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, vis-a vis Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC). While doing so, the paper takes it departure in Samuel P. Huntington’s (re)- discovery of the ‘Clash of Civilization’, but avoids any ideological critique of the same, rather it critically unveil the underlying ontological premises of Huntington’s argument. Expositing the limitation of modernist paradigm of understanding international relation the paper demonstrate that intra-Muslim state (including Iran, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan) interaction via-vis OIC is guided by the combined ‘ideational-material matrix’, let alone the imperative of secular-rational-utilitarian approach.

 S.H.M.Rizvi, Shibani Roy

Muslims – The borderless people in North East India

In the North East India, unauthorized migration is the result of a multiplicity of factors, including inadequately restrictive policies and the role of intermediaries. Smuggling migrants across borders and the human trafficking, particularly women and children, constitute the worst forms of unauthorized migration. As migration has only a partial impact on the direct reduction of poverty and a greater impact on the socio cultural matrix of the recipient population needs to be probed in the light of social consequences resulting in any socio cultural inequilibrium. Considering the relevance of women in migration and the crucial role that women play in reducing household poverty, policies on migration should be gender sensitive and ensure the protection of women. Social impacts on families of migrants who settle in the country of destination adjust and enjoy equality of treatment with the indigenous people who are affected economically because of rampant migration. The contributions of anthropology have gone furthest in developing a theory of transnational that focuses not just on exchanges or the rapid movement of people and information across national boundaries, but on a diasporic public sphere. The present paper discusses some of the social issues arising out of the unauthorized migration from neighboring countries of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal and China in North East India.

Sekh Rahim Mondal

Sachar Committee Report and Beyond: A Critical Appraisal on Socio-Economic Condition of Indian Muslims

Muslims constituted 13.4 percent of India’s total population as recorded in 2001 census. For various reasons the Muslim minority in India are lagging behind the process of Socio-economic development and which has affected the overall growth of this country. The recently published Sachar Committee Report has clearly shown the social, economic and educational status of Muslim Community in India of contemporary times and which has drawn the attention of all corners. The report has also generated debates and discussions on several issues relating to Muslims of this country. This paper is a modest attempt to highlight and to examine the major findings of Sachar Committee Report and also to analyze them in a scientific manner. The impact of the report on Indian Society in general and on Muslim Society in particular shall also be highlighted in this paper. The present paper is not simply an assessment of the Sachar Committee Report but its prime goal is to precisely delineate the social dynamism which has emerged out of findings of this valuable discourse.

Ausaf Ahmad

Muslim Identity and Issues of Housing, Education and Employment: Issues for 21st Century within the Backdrop of Sachar Committee Report

This short paper examines some of the issues of backwardness and development of Indian Muslims within the backdrop of the Sachar Committee Report. It has been argued that issues of housing, education and employment, which affect the every day lives of common Muslims in India, are directly related with the issue of development. This is no easy matter as feelings of a Muslim identity, social deprivation, economic hardships, discrimination etc. are complex problems having historical roots. Some of these characteristics such as conflict between a Muslim identity and a national identity has been with us from the very beginning of movement of national independence. The situations of discrimination and deprivations that Indian Muslims face within the housing, education or employment sector are in fact a by product of these deep rooted prejudices. It has been argued that denominational, regional and caste identities are a part of our national being. It will take a long time and a long way to go away.

Muhammad Ismail

Role of Bengali Muslims in the Freedom Movement of India in the Nineteenth Century

The history of Muslims in the nineteenth century is the history of struggle for the independence of India. A large number of Muslims took part in the freedom movement. This paper takes a look at the role of Bengali Muslims in the freedom movement. A number of socio-religious and political movements were launched during this period but the present paper focuses on the role played by the Faraizi movement and Baraset uprising lead by Titu Mir of Bengal.

Rajib Chatterjee

Socio Economic Profile of The Dhunias of Sub-Himalayan Darjeeling.

Muslims in India constitute a fairly large number of people designated as ‘backward’. The scenario in the state of West Bengal is no different. This paper provides an ethnographic profile of Dhunias (cotton carders) who are one of the eight Muslim OBC groups out of sixty such groups in West Bengal.

 Hasibul Rahaman

Socio-Economic Profile of the Muslim Tea Plantation Workers of North Bengal.

The available Sociological writings on tea plantation laborers have highlighted the tribes,
Hindus, or Christians. The Muslim tea plantation workers have been by and large, neglected. This paper is an attempt to explore the socio-economic life of the Muslim tea garden laborers of a tea plantation of litter Dinajpur, West Bengal.