Heads Muslim Welfare

Named Deputy Director of an African Department recently established by the Islamic Congress, Abdul G. Sheikh '51 will head a study of welfare needs among the millions of Muslims in Africa. At the request of His Highness the Agakhan, Abdul Sheikh was a representative at the Cairo meetings of the Congress, where his association with the East African Muslim Welfare Society and his work in West Africa made him an eminent candidate for his new appointment.

Additional secondary and high schools, teachers' training colleges and scholarships for study abroad are some of the projects designed to aid the Muslims of Africa. The sum of five million shillings has been provided to initiate the program and it is hoped that scholarships will in the near future enable 200 African students to be sent abroad for further study.

"It is estimated that there are 30 to 35 million Muslims south of the Sahara and the task of helping them is a gigantic one," Abdul Sheikh said in a recent interview. Preliminary surveys, by experts, of existing needs will precede more specific planning.

The Islamic Congress, a non-political organization which has as its aim the economic, social and religious betterment of Muslims throughout the world, holds a world conference at Mecca, at the time of the pilgrimage, this year.