"Indian Muslims: Cultures, societies, economies" panel discussion by Dr. Sayeeda Hameed, Dr. L.R.S. Lakshmi, Dr. Zarin Ahmad & Dr. Hilal Ahmed at Teen Murti House, Teen Murti Marg > 3pm on 13th April 2012

Time : 3:00 pm 

Entry : Free (Seating on First-Come First-Served basis)

Place : Seminar Room, Nehru Memorial Museum & Library (NMML), Teen Murti House, Teen Murti Marg, New Delhi
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Event Details : The Nehru Memorial Museum and Library cordially invites you to  a Panel Discussion on 'Indian Muslims: Cultures, societies, economies' by Dr. Sayeeda Hameed, Dr. L.R.S. Lakshmi, Dr. Zarin Ahmad and Dr. Hilal Ahmed.

Abstract : The issues of economic inclusion and educational access of most of India's Muslims has long been a public issue but in recent years has gained in centrality due to the Sachar Report. At the same time, it is the regional diversity, linguistic plurality and economic differences among and between Muslims that are as significant as any issues that might be in common.
India is not only home to one of the largest Muslim populations on earth, it is also a democracy that grapples with issues of cultural diversity and social justice. One key issue has been that of the self employed or those in the unorganised sector whether artisans or business people. The Ganga basin has one of the largest Muslim peasantries on earth while the peninsula and the south have had centres of islamic learning or habitation with even older lineages and histories. Urban centres are witness to contests over public spaces including monuments and culturally significant places of worship.
The gamut of issues that relate to the socio-economic and cultural dilemmas of India today can hardly be looked at in isolation from issues that concern Indian Muslims. The nature of pluralism or secularism, the relationship of faith to politics, and the ways in which the idea of India is imagined or contested: these are common place as themes in such debates.
Coexistence with justice and in peace has been a maxim of our republican polity but there are critical gaps that call for careful thought and redress through public action.  The distinguished panelists between them represent diverse approaches and viewpoints. We hope the discussion will open up new questions as well as place older concerns in fresh light.

Speakers :
Dr. Sayeeda Hameed, Former Fellow, NMML and Member, Planning Commission
Dr. L.R.S. Lakshmi, Department of History, Lakshmibai College (W), University of Delhi
Dr. Hilal Ahmed, Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, New Delhi
Dr. Zarin Ahmad is New India Foundation Fellow 2011-12, writing a monograph on the Qureshi butchers of Delhi. She is affiliated to the Centre de Sciences Humaines, New Delhi. Dr. Zarin received her doctorate in South Asian Studies from the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University. Her earlier work was on refugees and Muslim minorities in Sri Lanka in the context of the war. She is currently engaged in ethnographic research on Muslim occupational groups in India.

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