The Muslim reality in India, like other realities of the country, is both complex and diverse. It is, however, pervasive like  poverty and illiteracy. In fact poverty and illiteracy are the twin diseases that afflict the Muslim community the most and have kept it backward. 

There are known problems like the minority character of Aligarh Muslim University, the problem of Urdu language, all pervasive unemployment, communal riots and brazen or hidden discrimination etc. but the volume in your hand has normally avoided to discuss many issues mentioned above. Hence we have deliberately adopted a different methodology.  The contributors not only raise issues but also try to offer solutions with which the readers have all the freedom to agree or disagree. The articles/contributions included in this volume have been written with a view to generating hope, for it alone  can show us the way ahead and take steps in the direction of a better tomorrow.

 Besides thanking the contributors I owe thanks to Mr. Kartik for publishing this edited volume in an excellent anner. I also thank my wife and children for bearing with me hen I was working on this volume.