Muslims in India number approximately 200 million, representing roughly 15% of the population, but their share of social, economic and political opportunity is disproportionately low – estimated to be in theregion of 3%, in terms of jobs occupied across the board. This has been a cause of serious for a long time. Though concerted efforts have beenmade in the past to bring about positive change, the situation remains largely unchanged.
Of late a further grave challenge has emerged related to the image and perception of Muslims more broadly often misconstrued by the media. To address some of these challenges, over 500 prominent Muslims havecome together to create the Indian Muslims for Progress and Reforms (IMPAR) group, officially founded on April 10, 2020. IMPAR aims to function the preeminent national forum for research and advocacy, strategic planning, coordinated actions, monitoring and response centre on issues concerning Indian Muslims and to engage with key stakeholders to make a meaningful difference to our nation’s society.
Within a short time of its creation, IMPAR has made a noticeable impact through proactive interventions, public advocacy and media engagement as well as throughorganising emergency responses to help people. We are now working towards our long-term goals in thespheres of community reforms, leadership programs, entrepreneurship development, and social, political and economic empowerment.
IMPAR is committed to change the image and perceptions of Indian Muslims through proactive policy and media engagement, the initiation of positive social actions, the cultivation of leadership opportunities for women and young people, and the facilitation of access to education and , economic opportunities.
The challenge before us is a great one, but we have embarked on our first steps, and as Mahatma Gandhi said, one must strive to "be the change that you wish to see in the world".I am confident IMPAR will evolve into a powerful institutionto steer community towards the path of progress and reforms, and help to usher in an era of peace and prosperity across our country.
I wish to invite all concerned citizens of the country and people of Indian origin throughout the world to lend us their wholehearted support. We look forward to cooperating with you all to amelioratethe lives of Indian Muslims. Join IMPAR. Together we can make a difference...
Dr. MJ Khan, President
mjkhan@impar.in
Widely acclaimed for his transformational role in food and agriculture sector worldwide through business projects, program innovations and policy interventions, Dr. MJ Khan is the Chairman, Indian Chamber of Food and Agriculture, President of International Agriculture Consulting Group and Vice Chairman of World Agriculture Forum. He is also the Founder of Agriculture Today Group and All India Farmers Alliance, a body of 40 plus large farmers organisations. Dr. Khan has been equally active on social and political fronts, having been ordinary member of various political parties from 1991-2015, besides promoting social organisations like National Economic Forum of Muslims (2005) and Indian Minorities Economic Development Agency in 2015 and Indian Muslims for Progress and Reforms in 2020. Born in a village in Lakhimpur (UP), Dr. Khan obtained his graduation in agriculture from Meerut University, Meerut, MBA from AMU Aligarh and Ph.D from Prescott, UK. He has travelled over 60 counties around the world, mostly as the guest of the host country governments. Dr. Khan is also Board Member, APEDA, Ministry of Commerce and Member of NFCH, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. The social initiatives and political exposure and vast global travel has provided Dr. Khan with enormous learning to social and political realities and understanding of geopolitical dynamics on one hand and the issues and workable solutions to bring about a positive change in the condition of the community on the other hand. Dr. Khan has firm belief that the Indian Muslims need to stay focussed and tread new paths to progress, besides improving the image and perceptions through dialogue engagements, initiating positive social actions and community reforms and accessing modern education and economic opportunities. IMPAR is a result of this overriding concern.