Parvez Ahmed on India's Muslims

"Parvez Ahmed is Associate Professor at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. He is an active researcher whose articles have been published in leading national and international finance journals. He recently authored a book on “Mutual Funds titled Mutual Funds – Fifty Years of Academic Research.” In addition he is a frequent commentator and speaker on Islam and the American Muslim experience." (Source: http://drparvezahmed.blogspot.com/)

">The issue of Muslim empowerment is not so much about the Muslim community as it is about India’s future. A more educated Muslim community will constitute a more enlightened Indian work force leading to better business opportunity and a more sustainable growth for India’s economy. The next step in India’s economic evolution will likely not come on the backs of call centers and outsourcing. Rather it will come as result of higher paying service oriented jobs that require a large educated work force. An empowered Muslim community will also mean fewer security headaches and lesser social tension.

The Sachar commission recommends that 15 percent of all government funds be allocated to Muslim welfare and development. While this may work in the short run, in the long run Muslims need equal opportunities not quotas or handouts.