Guwahati :

The Shillong Muslim Union, an NGO of prominent Muslims, has started a project to chronicle the contributions and history of the Muslims in Meghalaya.

The general secretary of the NGO, Sayeedullah Nongrum, told this correspondent that the union, since its inception in 1905, had been rendering service to the minority community in particular and people in general for social, cultural, religious and humanitarian causes in Meghalaya.

He said the union had been growing and expanding its work right from British India to pre-Partition days and also from undivided Assam to the present state of Meghalaya with its headquarters at Laban, Shillong.

“Right from setting up a college for poor students, an orphanage, a big idgah and a mosque exclusively for women to offer prayers — the union has already several projects. Though Christianity is the main religion in Meghalaya, there are about three lakh Muslims residing in the state. They are hard working and peace-loving people trying whatever they can do — something worthwhile — for the welfare of all people in the state,” Nongrum who is also a sitting MLA said.

The Muslim population particularly in Shillong comprises Khasis, Assamese, Bengali, Hindi and Nepali-speaking people.

Nongrum said the union had now decided to work on a project to chronicle the rich contributions and history of the Muslims in Meghalaya.

He said the union would first publish a comprehensive book highlighting various Muslim individuals and their works.

“So the union requested its members and a Muslim who once resided in Shillong to join the project for its success. If anyone is associated with the union, he or she is requested to give us details of the particulars by either writing to our websitewww.umshyrpicollege.org or to our office address at Laban, Idgah Complex, Shillong,” Nongrum said.

source: http://www.telegraphindia.com / The Telegraph, Calcutta / Front Page> North East > Story / by A Staff Reporter, Guwahati – March 15th / Friday – March 16th, 2012