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'''Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam''' (literally means ''Tamil Nadu Muslim Progress Conference'') is a mass-based voluntary non-governmental organization of the Muslims of Tamil Nadu. It was established on 1st August 1995 under ] 1 of its Constitution. '''Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam''' ('''Tamil Nadu Muslim Progress Conference''') is a ] ] established in the ] of ] in ] in 1995. Also called the TMMK, it has described itself in ]s as "a mass based" organization.<ref name="NewsReleaseTMMK">{{cite web |url= http://www.milligazette.com/IndMusStat/2004a/016-TMMK-5dec04.htm |title= 2004: Indian Muslim Statements |author= TMMK ] |work= The Milli Gazette |date= ] ] |quote= }}</ref>


==Flag== ==Activities==
<!--NOTE: "The objective of TMMK is to protect the rights, dignity and honour of the Muslims and other depressed section of the society and to strive for the social, educational and economic upliftment of the Muslim community. TMMK units are spread in all the nooks and corner of the state of Tamil Nadu." LINK (in ]?) IS NOT IN ENGLISH. CANNOT VERIFY WHAT THE TEXT SAYS.-->
] 4 of the Constitution of TMMK describes the flag of the organisation with two horizontal stripes in black and white similar to ] political parties. The black colour signifies darkness and ignorance while the white colour signifies the light of enlightenment.
<!--NOTE: "TMMK's charity work includes annual blood donation camps. " THIS LINK IS FOR A TMMK NEWS RELEASE, NOT A ].-->
<!--NOTE: "In 2006, TMMK published audited accounts of all wings." THIS TMMK WEBSITE LINK IS A "TMMK APPEAL" VIDEO WHICH SOLICITS DONATIONS. IT IS NOT A CITATION OF AUDITS OF ACCOUNTS.-->
In February 2005, the TMMK urged the then-] ] to direct the ] to send all its communications only in the ] to the administrators of ]s.<ref name="DemandTamilWakfBoard">{{cite web |url= http://www.hindu.com/2005/02/20/stories/2005022007200400.htm |title= TMMK demand |author= Staff reporter |work= ] |date= ] ] |quote= }}</ref>


A March 2007 rally organized by the TMMK in ] drew support from the Association of Indian Muslims (AIM) of ].<ref name="name">{{cite web |url= http://www.indianmuslims.info/news/2007/march/07/indian_muslim/american_muslims_support_muslim_welfare_rally_at_the_indian_parliament.html |title= American Muslims Support Muslim Welfare Rally at the Indian Parliament |author= ] |work= Indian Muslims website based in ] |date= ] ] |quote= Kaleem Kawaja, president of Association of Indian Muslims (AIM) gave his organization's support to the rally organized by Tamilnadu Muslim Munnetra Khazgam (TMMK) which seek to uplift the Muslim community in India… AIM demanded that the central and state governments implement specific and properly funded programs to alleviate the extraordinary educational and socioeconomic backwardness of the ]. }}</ref>
==History==
===1995 - 2000===
The objective of TMMK is to protect the rights, dignity and honour of the Muslims and other depressed section of the society and to strive for the social, educational and economic upliftment of the Muslim community. TMMK units are spread in all the nooks and corner of the state of TamilNadu. It has a registered membership of more than 500,000 members.{{Fact|date=August 2007}}


The TMMK has campaigned for the ] of seats in educational institutions and the ear-marking of ] schemes for Muslims in Tamil Nadu as per the recommendations of the ].<ref name="ReservationMuslimSeats">{{cite web |url= http://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/India/20070616/689639.html |title= TMMK appeals to Centre, state to stick to reservation |author= ] |work= Webindia123.com |date= ] ] |quote= }}</ref>
In the present day India, TMMK is a unique Muslim organization in many respects. It is not a political party, but has earned the respect of the major political parties and the Government mainly through its non-violent form of advocacy and social services. TMMK has resolved not to contest in parliamentary, provincial assembly, local authority, government and co-operative organisational elections under Clause 3 of ] 2 of its Constitution.


A TMMK spokesman, in March 2007, expressed support of the practice of ].<ref name="MenonIndianExpress">{{cite web |url= http://www.indianexpress.com/story/26668.html |title= In Tamil Nadu town, fundamentalists play moral cops, even kill to have way |author= Jaya Menon |work= ] |date= ] ] |quote= Many in the town believe that Mumtaz deserved it,” said Abdul Subahan (18), the district secretary of the student wing of Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazham, a political outfit which police think is linked to Al Umma… Said Dr Bhagat Singh, the TMMK’s district secretary: “…To prevent such incidents, the Government should introduce the practice of ] immoral women to death. Many ] countries follow this practice and keep women under check. That’s the only way to handle such issues. }}</ref>
===2000 - 2005===
TMMK strives for the achievement of social integration and communal harmony in the society and strives for prevention of violence based upon religion and caste
The President of TamilNadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam Prof. M.H. Jawahirullah attended the ''IX Session of UN Working Group on Minority Rights'' which is a sub commission of ] at ] in May 2003.


The Tamil Nadu Thawheedh Jamaath (TNTJ) has been termed "a breakaway group" of the organization.<ref name="MosqueTensionTNTJ">{{cite web |url= http://www.hindu.com/2006/08/30/stories/2006083010940300.htm |title= Wakf Board takes possession of mosque; tension at Melapalayam |author= Staff reporter |work= ] |date= ] ] |quote= }}</ref>
TMMK has organized two major state level programmes, the Muslim Right to Live Conference in July 1999 and a Mass Rally in March 2004 to demand separate quota for Muslims in Jobs and educational opportunities.


==Criticism==
TMMK urged the chief Minister to direct the ] to send all its communications only in Tamil to the administrators of mosques.
The TMMK is believed to be controlled by former ] (SIMI) cadres, who have been implicated in many terrorist acts.<ref name="SATP">, by P.G. Rajamohan, South Asia Terrorism Portal</ref> The TMMK urged the Union government (the ]) to lift the ban on SIMI in 2005.<ref name="EndBanSIMI">{{cite web |url= http://www.hindu.com/2005/09/25/stories/2005092504610400.htm |title= Lift ban on SIMI: TMMK |author= Staff reporters |work= ] |date= ] ] |quote= }}</ref> ] political scientist ] lists the TMMK as a "fundamentalist and subversive group."<ref>{{cite book | last = Bukay | first = David | authorlink = David Bukay | title = Muhammad's Monsters: A Comprehensive Guide to Radical Islam for Western Audiences P177-178 | year = 2004 | publisher = New Leaf Press | language = English | isbn = 0892215763 | chapter = | quote = Evidence of these processes is mounting throughout India, and is reflected in the number of fundamentalist and subversive groups that exist, and the geographical spread of their activities. The most prominent of these include the ], the All India Milli Council, All India Jihad Committee, The People's Democratic Party, Muslim United Front, ], National Development Front, ], among others }}</ref>


Activists of the TMMK and the ] al-Umma have been known to express ] sentiments against ]s in riots and protests. They are regarded as part of a ] network of ] political outfits established in the region.<ref> Frontline Magazine - June 10 - 23, 2000</ref><ref> by Kuldeep Kumar, 2007</ref>
===2005 - 2010===
The Units of TamilNadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam has won several awards for organizing large number of donors for Blood Donation. This year TamilNadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam was given two awards by the TamilNadu Governor on behalf of tht Tamilnadu State Aids Control Board for exemplary service in donating blood. The social services of TMMK are extended to all sections of the society irrespective of religion and caste. In the aftermath of the ] disaster, the cadres of TMMK were the first to plunge into rescue and rehabilitation activities. The services rendered by TMMK volunteers in the worst ever calamity to strike TamilNadu has earned the goodwill of all the communities.


After the ] and the communal violence that ensued from it, members of the TMMK were arrested following the banning of the related ] group ] (listed in ]) who were directly behind the blasts. Leaders of the ] Committee and the TMMK were arrested in a State-wide crackdown. Among those arrested were the TMMK president M.H. Jawahirulla and treasurer G.M. Pakkar. Over the next few days, many activists of the TMMK were arrested at Keezhakkarai, ], ], ], ], ], Melapalayam and ] as a precautionary measure.<ref name="SATP" /><ref>, by T. Subramaniyam, Frontline 15 (05) 1998</ref>
In 2006, TMMK published audited accounts of all wings for the first time ever.


On ], ], 450 activists of the TMMK were arrested for attempting to instigate a ].<ref> ] - December 07, 2003</ref> Similar arrests were made earlier in ] where TMMK members were implicated.<ref> The Tribune, Chandigarh - December 12, 2000</ref>
In 2007, TMMK awarded the chief minister ] with the honour of ] in recognition of his yeoman services for the welfare of the Muslims.


After the ], the TMMK and other Islamist organizations are being closely monitored by authorities for terrorist links.<ref> ] - July 13, 2006</ref>
In late 2007, Tamil Nadu government announced for Muslims in educational institutions and employment.

TMMK expanded into national political scene with a rally in New Delhi that drew support fromother Muslim organisations, trusts and charities.

==Mission Statement==
* To strive for securing and protecting the rights,honour and dignity of the Muslim Community
* To educate the people especially the younger generation about non violent, democratic means to achieve the rights
* To strive for the achievement of social integration and communal harmony in the society and to strive for prevention of violence based upon religion and caste
* To draw and implement schemes for the educational welfare of the students community and to render them educational assistance
* To render assistance to people affected by natural calamities and riots.
* To render medical assistance to the economically weaker sections of the society
* To help in the relief and rehabilitation of poverty stricken people
* To preach against terrorism and violence
* To educate people about social evils and atrocities and also to launch programmes against evils prevailing in the society
* To draw and implement schemes for the welfare of the economically weaker sections of the society.

==Organisational structure==
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|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC" align="center"
! Designation !! Positions !! Incumbent
|-
| President || 1 || ]
|-
| Vice President || 1 || ]
|-
| General Secretary || 1 || ]
|-
| Deputy General Secretary || 1 || ]
|-
| Treasurer || 1 || ]
|-
| Secretary of State || 6 || ], ], ], ], ] and ]
|-
| Deputy Secretary of State || 6 || ], ], ], ], ] and ]
|}

The above office bearers are in charge of organisationwide responsibilities. In addition, there are other office bearers in charge of specific wings within the organisation as well as for each district.

===Volunteers' Wing===
{| border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC" align="center"
! Designation !! Positions !! Incumbent
|-
| Secretary of State || 1 || ]
|}

This wing comprises members between the ages of 18 and 40 years of age. Its responsibilities range from organising the functions, rallies and meetings of TMMK in a orderly manner; giving protection to dignitaries; rescue and rehabilitation drives in times of natural calamities, accidents and emergencies, etc.

] 5 of the Constitution of TMMK has fixed a nominal two-year renewable membership fee of Rs.5 ($0.12) .

This Wing prescribes a all-black uniform for all registered volunteers as per ] 19 of TMMK.

===Students' Wing===
{| border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC" align="center"
! Designation !! Positions !! Incumbent
|-
| Secretary of State || 1 || ]
|-
| Treasurer || 1 || ]
|}

===Traders' Wing===
{| border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC" align="center"
! Designation !! Positions !! Incumbent
|-
| Secretary of State || 1 || ]
|-
| Deputy Secretary of State || 2 || ] and ]
|-
| Treasurer || 1 || ]
|}

===Labour Wing===
{| border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC" align="center"
! Designation !! Positions !! Incumbent
|-
| Secretary of State || 1 || ]
|}

===Ulema Wing===
{| border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC" align="center"
! Designation !! Positions !! Incumbent
|-
| Secretary of State || 1 || ]
|}

===Medical Services' Wing===
{| border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC" align="center"
! Designation !! Positions !! Incumbent
|-
| Secretary of State || 1 || ]
|}

This Wing was established in late 2004 by amendment to ] 33 of the Constitution of TMMK.

===Human Rights and Environmental Protection Wing===
{| border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC" align="center"
! Designation !! Positions !! Incumbent
|-
| Secretary of State || 1 || ]
|}

This Wing was established in late 2004 by amendment to ] 33 of the Constitution of TMMK.

===Women' Wing===
This Wing has been proposed in late 2006 under ] 34 of the Constitution of TMMK.

==Salient achievements==
*TMMK's charity work includes annual blood donation camps
*TMMK also campaigns regularly for ] of seats in educational institutions and ear-marking of entrepreneurship schemes for Muslims in Tamil Nadu as per the recommendations of the ]
*During the Coimbatore riots in which hundreds of Muslims were killed and property worth millions of rupees were damaged, TMMK documented the carnage and took up the matter to the ] and other authorities. It collected Relief Fund for the victims and disbursed relief worth Rs.25 million
*TMMK also organized Relief Fund for the victims of the earthquake in Gujarat in 2001 and the ] in that state in 2003 (Relief worth nearly Rs.10 million was disbursed among the victims)
*TMMK collected nearly Rs.6 million as Tsunami Relief Fund and this has been distributed and utilized for the welfare of the victims of Tsunami disaster in Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry and Andhra Pradesh
*TMMK organizes public meetings, seminars, training camps etc to create mass awareness on minority rights and problems confronting the Muslim community.
*TMMK has conducted a number of programmes to inculcate Islamic ideals among the student community
*TMMK units organize free medical camps for the poorer sections of the society throughout the State
*TMMK has organized free circumcision camps in various parts of the state to benefit economically weaker sections.
*TMMK has disbursed scholarships, textbooks, uniforms to deserving and economically weak students. During the current academic year aid worth more than a million of rupees was distributed to students in various parts of the State
*TMMK volunteers along with the ambulances sponsored by it have rendered yeoman services in the wake of flash floods in various parts of Tamil Nadu. It has nearly 25 ambulances in various parts of the State.
*TMMK Contributed Rs.8 Lakhs to the Babri Masjid committee of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board for meeting the legal expenses relating to the Babri Masjid case
*TMMK has conducted Residential Summer Islamic School for the benefit of both School and College students to help them utilize their summer vacation in an useful manner
*TMMK also publishes a weekly magazine Makkal Urimai to create awareness among the Muslim community
*The social services of TMMK is also extended to the non-muslim community in order to build a rapport and to earn goodwill among them
*On 6 December 2004 volunteers of TMMK conducted a demonstration in front of Parliament demanding justice in the Babri Masjid issue. A delegation of TMMK led by its President Prof. Jawahirullah met the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on the same day. It was on the demand of TMMK the CBI reopened the demolition case against Advani and others.
*TMMK is also telecasting programmes in Satellite TV (] in Gulf and ] in Tamil Nadu) to create social and religious awareness

==Inter-organisational rivalry==
Almost from the beginning, TMMK has been saddled with rival aspirations of other Muslim organisations in Tamil Nadu such as the ], ]

==Criticism==
* TMMK is believed to be controlled by Urdu-speaking former ] cadres. This is apparent from the frequent protests highlighting north Indian and international issues rather than parochial issues pertaining to Tamil Muslims. Also, in 2005, TMMK urged the Union government to lift the ban on SIMI.
* TMMK leadership is believed to be biassed in favour of Tamil Muslims of Dravidian race against Tamil Muslims of non-Dravidian origin. This is apparant from the frequent rabble rousing protests, road rokos and rallies asserting reservation and total neglect of the larger multi-ethnic Tamil Muslim identity.
* TMMK continues to oppose the construction of a independent mosque for Tamil Muslim women.
* TMMK opposed the installation of condom vending machines in Chennai district.
*TMMK is also criticised for the lack of accountability of its organisational structure. The office-bearers of all wings are appointed (not elected) for life.


==See also== ==References==
{{Reflist}}
*]


== External links == == External links ==
* * website (] version).

Revision as of 12:08, 23 September 2007

Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam (Tamil Nadu Muslim Progress Conference) is a Muslim non-governmental organization established in the state of Tamil Nadu in India in 1995. Also called the TMMK, it has described itself in news releases as "a mass based" organization.

Activities

In February 2005, the TMMK urged the then-Chief Minister Jayalalithaa Jayaram to direct the Wakf Board to send all its communications only in the Tamil language to the administrators of mosques.

A March 2007 rally organized by the TMMK in New Delhi drew support from the Association of Indian Muslims (AIM) of America.

The TMMK has campaigned for the reservation of seats in educational institutions and the ear-marking of entrepreneurship schemes for Muslims in Tamil Nadu as per the recommendations of the Sachar Committee.

A TMMK spokesman, in March 2007, expressed support of the practice of stoning.

The Tamil Nadu Thawheedh Jamaath (TNTJ) has been termed "a breakaway group" of the organization.

Criticism

The TMMK is believed to be controlled by former Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) cadres, who have been implicated in many terrorist acts. The TMMK urged the Union government (the government of India) to lift the ban on SIMI in 2005. Haifa University political scientist David Bukay lists the TMMK as a "fundamentalist and subversive group."

Activists of the TMMK and the Islamist al-Umma have been known to express communalist sentiments against Hindus in riots and protests. They are regarded as part of a covert network of Islamic Fundamentalist political outfits established in the region.

After the 1998 Coimbatore bombings and the communal violence that ensued from it, members of the TMMK were arrested following the banning of the related Jihadist group al-Umma (listed in Extremist Groups) who were directly behind the blasts. Leaders of the Jihad Committee and the TMMK were arrested in a State-wide crackdown. Among those arrested were the TMMK president M.H. Jawahirulla and treasurer G.M. Pakkar. Over the next few days, many activists of the TMMK were arrested at Keezhakkarai, Devakottai, Dindigul, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Nagercoil, Melapalayam and Udumalpet as a precautionary measure.

On December 6, 2003, 450 activists of the TMMK were arrested for attempting to instigate a communal riot. Similar arrests were made earlier in 2000 where TMMK members were implicated.

After the 11 July 2006 Mumbai Train Bombings, the TMMK and other Islamist organizations are being closely monitored by authorities for terrorist links.

References

  1. TMMK news release (5 December 2004). "2004: Indian Muslim Statements". The Milli Gazette. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. Staff reporter (20 February 2005). "TMMK demand". The Hindu. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. Association of Indian Muslims of America news release (7 March 2007). "American Muslims Support Muslim Welfare Rally at the Indian Parliament". Indian Muslims website based in Jupiter, Florida. Kaleem Kawaja, president of Association of Indian Muslims (AIM) gave his organization's support to the rally organized by Tamilnadu Muslim Munnetra Khazgam (TMMK) which seek to uplift the Muslim community in India… AIM demanded that the central and state governments implement specific and properly funded programs to alleviate the extraordinary educational and socioeconomic backwardness of the Muslims of India. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); External link in |author= (help)
  4. United News of India (16 June 2007). "TMMK appeals to Centre, state to stick to reservation". Webindia123.com. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. Jaya Menon (25 March 2007). "In Tamil Nadu town, fundamentalists play moral cops, even kill to have way". The Indian Express. Many in the town believe that Mumtaz deserved it," said Abdul Subahan (18), the district secretary of the student wing of Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazham, a political outfit which police think is linked to Al Umma… Said Dr Bhagat Singh, the TMMK's district secretary: "…To prevent such incidents, the Government should introduce the practice of stoning immoral women to death. Many Middle-East countries follow this practice and keep women under check. That's the only way to handle such issues. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. Staff reporter (30 August 2006). "Wakf Board takes possession of mosque; tension at Melapalayam". The Hindu. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ Tamil Nadu: The Rise of Islamist Fundamentalism, by P.G. Rajamohan, South Asia Terrorism Portal
  8. Staff reporters (25 September 2007). "Lift ban on SIMI: TMMK". The Hindu. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. Bukay, David (2004). Muhammad's Monsters: A Comprehensive Guide to Radical Islam for Western Audiences P177-178. New Leaf Press. ISBN 0892215763. Evidence of these processes is mounting throughout India, and is reflected in the number of fundamentalist and subversive groups that exist, and the geographical spread of their activities. The most prominent of these include the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, the All India Milli Council, All India Jihad Committee, The People's Democratic Party, Muslim United Front, Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazagham, National Development Front, Students Islamic Movement of India, among others
  10. Indicting the police Frontline Magazine - June 10 - 23, 2000
  11. Beyond Territorial Disputes by Kuldeep Kumar, Deutsche Welle 2007
  12. Behind the Coimbatore tragedy, by T. Subramaniyam, Frontline 15 (05) 1998
  13. Anniversary ends peacefully The Hindu - December 07, 2003
  14. Bandh against attack on mosque The Tribune, Chandigarh - December 12, 2000
  15. Police on alert after Mumbai blasts The Hindu - July 13, 2006

External links

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