Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Delhi Minorities Commission announces Awards in various fields

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NEW DELHI :

Delhi Minorities Commission initiated a scheme of awards to best performers in various fields of human endeavor in NCT of Delhi and beyond.

For 2019-2020, the Commission has decided to offer awards under 14 categories which are as follows:

(for X, XII classes students securing 96+ per cent marks), Communal Harmony, Community Service, Human Rights, Non-Government Organisations, Promotors of Punjabi, Promotors of Urdu, Sports, Supporters of Minorities, Teachers of Substance, Print & Electronic Media persons, Outstanding Schools, Special Awards, Life-Long Achievement. This year 178 awards have been given under these categories.

Two new categories, Special Awards and Lifetime Achievement Awards, have been added to the list this year.

These awards are given mainly to residents of NCT Delhi but in exceptional cases, awards are also been given to persons from outside Delhi. Each awardee will be honoured with a shield.

A booklet containing photo of each awardee with a short introduction about his/her achievements has also been printed and is available at https://archive.org/details/dmc-2019-awards . (Please see below for a short list of the awardees).

The following is the full list of the awardees under various categories:


ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE (students who secured over 95% in High School and Higher Secondary exams in 2019):

Flavia Ekka (St. George’s School, Alaknanda, High School Exams 97.6%), Tracey James (Fr. Angel Sr. Sec School, Senior Secondary Exams 97.4%), Himieka Jain (DPS Mathura Road, High School Exams 97.2%), Garima Jain (DPS Mathura Road, Senior Secondary Exam Exams 97.4%), Kulsum Azad (Hamdard Public School, High School Exams 96.6%), Abeer Mohammad Asad (DPS Mathura Road, Senior Secondary Exams 97%), Mahwash Rizvi (Greenfield School, Senior Secondary Exams 96.8%), Mohd. Sadique Raza (Father Agnel School, NOIDA, High School Exams 98.4%), Afrah Naayaab (DPS Indirapuram, High School 97%), Harjas Kaur (Guru Nanak Public School, Pushpanjali Enclave, High School Exams 96%), Harjyot Singh Sidhu (DPS Mathura Road, Senior Secondary 95.4%), Aliza Alvi (DPS Indirapuram, High School 97%), Ancy A Daniel (ST. George’s School,High School Exams 97%), Anjali Maria Antony (Mater DEI School, Senior Secondary Exams 98.4%), Divya Jain (St Joseph’s Academy, High School Exams 95.4%), Aayush Jain (DPS Mathura Road, Senior Secondary Exams 97.2%), Zainab S. Qazi (Hamdard Public School, High School Exams 96.2%), Ruba Haider (DPS Mathura Road, Senior Secondary Exams 96.8%), Ms Sana (SGGSS Sc 2, Jama Masjid, Senior Secondary Exams 97.6%), Ms. Mantasha Ilma (Jamia Girls Sr. Sec. School, High School Exams 97.6%, Dashmeet Kaur (St Joseph’s Academy, High School Exams98%), Japneet Singh (Springdale’s School Pusa Road, Senior Secondary Exams 97.8%), Harjeet Singh Bedi (DPS Mathura Road, Senior Secondary Exams95.4%), Mahi Singh (Springdale, Sr Sec Exam 96/75%), Namira Rasheed Khan (DPS Ghaziabad, High School 96.6%), Barundeep Singh Gambhir (DPS Mathura Rd, Sr. Sec. Exams 96%).

COMMUNAL HARMONY:

Fr. Dr. M.D. Thomas(interfaith dialogue), Rev. Dr Vincent Manoharan (interfaith dialogue), Tej Lal Bharti(communal harmony), M. Farooq Engineer (communal harmony), Raees Ahmad (journalist and human rights worker), Iqbal Mulla (interfaith dialogue), Baba Hardip Singh-ji (communal harmony), Soul of Humanity (NGO helping needy people), Vishav Satsang Sabha (NGO working for communal harmony), Syed Abdullah Tariq(interfaith dialogue and communal harmony), Jayshree Shukla (promoter of the composite culture, author of photo essays on Old Delhi).

COMMUNITY SERVICE:

Bhadant Buddha Kirti (serving the Buddhist community), Asad Masih (Muneer Social Welfare Society), Reena Charles ((Human rights, community service), Victor (social worker), Fr. Varghese Kunnath (seminar, orientation and training for youth, students, teachers), Rehab Foundation(community service), Karwan Foundation (community service), Sahulat Microfinance Society (national NGO promoting and facilitating interest-free microfinance), Ashwani Kumar Bairwa (president of NGO, social work in Badarpur area), Mohd. Khalid Khan (community service), Dr. Badrul Islam (promoter of Yoga), Sarabjeet Singh (community service), Adv. Abu Bakr Sabbaq(Community Service, human rights defender), Musharraf Husain (community service), Shama Khan (community service, especially in slum areas), Masroor Ul Hasan Siddiqui (community service), Mrs Feroza Jassawalla (community service), S. Gurvinder Singh (helping minority communities through promotion of education of children), Manjeet Singh (Nanak GA Charitable Foundation), Parmeet Singh Chadha (social worker), Mandeep Singh (serving minorities by supporting educational institutions and NGOs), Virasat Sikhism Trust (doing sewa to uplift Sikh Heritage and Punjabi language), Perminder Singh Malik (community service, especially by promoting education), Hasleen Singh Sodhi Adv. (helping minority community legally), Bibi Tarvinder Kaur Khalsa(community service), Avtar Singh (community service), Gagandeep Singh (community service), Inderjit Singh Asth (community service), Jaspal Singh (community service), Swaran Jeet Singh (community service), Ajeet Kaur (community service), Dr. Anju Jain (community service), Manjeet Singh(community service), Tanveer Kazi (community service as the Delhi head of Action Aid India), Ovais Sultan Khan (human rights activist), D. S. Bindra Adv. (regular organiser of langars), Victor (social worker), Adv. H R Khan (human rights and education activist), Manjeet Singh Chugh (RTI activist, PIL).

HUMAN RIGHTS:

Dr. Denzil Fernandes SJ (social scientist working for the human rights), AC Michael(minority rights activist, former Member, DMC), Mrs. Anna Pinto (human rights activist), Farah Naqvi (writer & human rights activist), Armeet Singh Khanpuri (escorted back home 32 Kashmiri girls; saved 15 girls in riots), Mahmood Pracha Adv. (human rights defender), Quill Foundation (human rights of marginalized communities).

NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS:

Institute of Objective Studies (research institute and think tank), Haq Educational & Social Welfare Society (vocational training centre), Sikh Youth Organization, Mahakanishk Bodh Vihar Kalyan Samiti, Guru Daami Foundation, Pratyek (networking with 2000 schools in the country), Budhiye Dhamn Charika Samiti Delhi Pardesh, YWCA of Delhi, Action Aid India

PROMOTORS OF PUNJABI:

Punjabi Helpline, AnveetKaur Bhatia

PROMOTORS OF URDU:

Irfan Rahi(poet), Prof. Khalid Mahmood (writer, critic), Musharraf Alam Zauqi (writer, novelist, journalist), Syed Sahil Agha (Dastangoi).

SPORTS:

Mohd. Arif (Para athletics), Mariya Tehreem Khan (Football), Nazma (Judo), Mohd. Sadaqeen (Fencing), Ayesha (Rope skipping), Anushka Samuel (Football), Ronak Jain (Cricket), Adil Nargolwala (marathon runner), Harnaik Singh Sahni (Hockey), Zaorawar Singh (Jump rope), Manjeet Singh (Hockey), Dhavneet Singh Bakshi (Cricket), Tanveer Singh Jubbal (Marathon runner), Vineet Kaur (Air Pistol Shooting), Rahul Sagar (Karate, Taekwondo), Tushar (Karate), Ranveer Singh Saini(Golf)


SUPPORTERS OF MINORITIES:

Bhairav Singh (Ambedkar Samaj Vikas Sangthan), Dr. S. S. MINHAS (holistic development of young students), Gurminder Singh Matharu (Member, SGPC Amritsar), Jagtar Singh (helped repatriation of 32 stranded Kashmiri girls safely to their homes in the Valley), Gurpreet Singh Bindra (helped repatriation of 32 stranded Kashmiri girls safely to their homes in the Valley), Baljeet Singh (helped repatriation of 32 stranded Kashmiri girls safely to their homes in the Valley), Harminder Singh (helped repatriation of 32 stranded Kashmiri girls safely to their homes in the Valley), Jajinder Singh (helped repatriation of 32 stranded Kashmiri girls safely to their homes in the Valley), Msgr Susai Sebastian (former director, Chetanalaya),Victor Henry Sequeira (social worker), Bishop Warris Masih (peace-making in churches society), Franklin Ceasar Thomas (fighter for the rights of Christian and Muslim Dalits), Dr. Fr. P.R. John SJ (Principal, Vidya Jyoti College), Ajit Singh Sehra (Ujjwal Bhavishya NGO), Saleem Baig (worker for community uplift, RTI activist).

TEACHERS OF SUBSTANCE:

Saiby Mathew (Don Bosco School), Mrs. Magdalene Bhat (St. Michael’s Sr. Sec. School), Mrs. Maria Rodrigues (St. Xavier’s School), Ms. Grace David (St. Columba’s School), Mrs. Anne Albin (Mater Die School), Mrs. Tarannum Shoukat Ali (Rabea Girls Public School), Nazia Nikhat (Zakir Nagar 1 Urdu School), Rana Tasleem (Zakir Nagar 2 Urdu School), Mrs Jeanie Naozer Aibara (Principal of Ambience Public School), Pritam Singh (Guru Harkrishan Publicc School, Shahdra), dr. Prabhjot Kaur (educational consultant and motivator), Swarn Singh (Guru Harkrishan Public School, Vasant Vihar), Mr. S. L. Jain (Director, Mahavir Senior Model School), Dr. Haleema Sadia (26 years of experience as teacher, currently Dy. Director (Education), Delhi Waqf Board).

PRINT & ELECTRONIC MEDIA PERSONS:

Gurpreet Singh Sethi (photographer and maker of short films), S. Amrik Singh Kooner (Akaal Channel), S. Gurpreet Singh Bhooi (Akal Channel), Md. Mahtab Alam (The Wire Urdu), Qurban Ali (veteran TV, radio, print and Net journalist), Abhisar Sharma (outspoken and brave TV journalist), Lucy Gabriel Chattopadhyay (All India Radio External Services), Mobin Ahmed Khan (All India Radio), Humra Quraishi (prolific writer, columnist, journalist, book-reviewer and author), Masoom Moradabadi (celebrated Urdu journalist), Suhail Anjum (celebrated Urdu journalist), Muhmamad Anjum (Inquilab), Shaheen Abdulla (committed young journalist), Aditya Menon (journalist committed to the causes of the masses).

OUTSTANDING SCHOOLS:

Hamdard Public School, Talimabad, New Horizon School, Scholar School, Abul Fazal Enclave, St. Xavier’s School, Shahbad Daulatpur, Mater Dei School, Tilak Lane, Don Bosco School, Alaknanda, Dr Zakir Husain Memorial Sr. Sec. School Jafarabad, Rajkiya Pratibha Vikas Vidyalaya, Dwarka (first ranking in government-run day schools in the country).

SPECIAL AWARDS:

Mohd. Rizwan (young inventor), N.M. Theerthe Gowda (arbitrator and advocate), Ms. Khursheed R. Nariman (sculptor), Bhupinder Pal Singh Walia (historian of gurudwaras in Africa), Gobind Sadan, Gadaipur, Mehrauli (Sikh-led interfaith community celebrating all religions).

LIFE-LONG ACHIEVEMENT:

Dr. Manzoor Alam (Chairman, Institute of Objective Studies), S. Rajinder Singh-Ji (Head Granthi, Gurudwara Rakab Ganj), Mary Pat Fisher (author, promoter of interfaith dialogue), Fr. Cedric Prakash SJ (human rights, peace, interfaith and reconciliation activist), Nirmal Kumar Jain Sethi (welfare and promotion of the Jain community), Prof. Haseena Hashia (academia and welfare of the Muslim community), Teesta Setalvad (human rights and rule of law), Prof. Akhtarul Wasey (Islamic scholar with life-long commitment to academia, interfaith dialogue and welfare and promotion of the Muslim community), Mufti Ataur Rahman Qasmi (Islamic scholar, chronicler of Delhi, Haryana and Punjab mosques).


(Full list of DMC Awards 2019 with photographs and more information about each awardee is available here:https://archive.org/details/dmc-2019-awards)

source: http://www.theindianawaaz.com / The Indian Awaaz / Home> Amm/New Delhi / by Indian Awaaz / June 09th, 2020

Meet Maulana Shafiq of Darul Uloom, and its massive project to laminate rare books, manuscripts

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, , , , , , ,

Deoband, UTTAR PRADESH :

Pic credit -umair hashmi

Uttar Pradesh:

Dar-ul-Uloom Deoband, the world-famous seminary is proud of its educational heritage since its inception. Its huge library plays an important role in attracting students and research scholars from all over the world. Dar-ul-Uloom is currently working on a project to digitize its colossal library containing rarest of the rare books and manuscripts with great zeal.

The man in charge of this overwhelming task is its librarian Maulana Shafique and his team of 13. They are going about their task with enthusiasm and passion. Even though they have no pressure of any deadline, they still realize the sheer enormity of their task which would leave an indelible mark in the pages of history and immortalize their names.

This prestigious library preserves Islamic History in the form of more than 2 lakhs books and around 1563 rare manuscripts including the Holy Quran written by the Moghul Emperor Aurangzeb and a 750-year-old handwritten book on botany by Imammuddin Zakaria. The age of these historical manuscripts is between 500 to 800 years. Most of this treasure trove is bequeathed to Dar-ul-Uloom as a gift or ‘Hadiya’.

Dar-ul-Uloom has taken enormous care in preserving and curating these rare books and manuscripts with great seriousness till now.

The library has an enormous collection of books on Sufism. According to Maulana Shafique, the library houses hundreds of handwritten books on Tasawwuf (Islamic mysticism). The latest amongst them being 300 years old. This vast collection of books was acquired during the last 150 years.

Pic credit -umair hashmi

The library which was established in 1866 has more than 2 lakh books. Apart from this mammoth collection, there are about 40 thousand books which are part of the Seminary’s syllabus. The most precious collection of this library is those 1563 manuscripts which were handwritten in Arabic, Persian, Urdu and Sanskrit. Out of these about 300 manuscripts have become extremely frail and its contents began to be hazy and illegible which requires immediate curative measures to arrest its further deterioration. This situation caused a great deal of concern amongst the seminary’s officials and its Vice-Chancellor Maulana Abdul Khalique Madrasi who decided to take immediate initiative to conserve these priceless books and manuscripts.

Since the library houses ancient books in addition to 1563 manuscripts which included a letter from the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) addressed to the Egyptian King, a Quran written by the Moghul Emperor Aurangzeb, another Quran written with golden ink, yet another one written completely on one page as well as handwritten copies of Towrah, Vedas, Geeta, Mahabharat and Ramayan and such other antique manuscripts of knowledge which are being conserved and curated by using modern technology.

According to Maulana Shafique, the scholars of Dar-ul-Uloom give utmost importance to conserve the treasure of knowledge of this seminary. He narrated the famous incident of the Late Shaikh-ul-Hadith Maulana Anzar Shah Kashmiri when he went to Egypt. He chanced upon a rare ancient book which he wanted to bring for the library. But the owner of the book declined to part with it. Maulana then borrowed this book for reading and he memorized the whole book in just one night. When he returned to India he re-wrote the book “Nurul Aza” which is part of the Seminary’s curriculum.

Pic credit -umair hashmi

Maulana Shafiq considers the books as the treasure trove of knowledge. These books are an important source of research work. “We have research students from all over the world. Hence, we had to protect these books. For this, the ‘Mohtamim’ (Vice-Chancellor) Maulana Abdul Khaliq Madrasi himself took me to the National Archives of India and got information from there,” he said, and added, “Later a team of three people attended a seminar organized on the same subject in Jammu. We contacted Iran Culture House in Delhi. The people of Iran Culture House were quite professional and knowledgeable. They agreed to cooperate and conserve the books and manuscripts by using the modern techniques but on a condition that they would retain a copy of each preserved book or manuscript as their fee. However, we did not accept their condition in this regard. Maulana Abdul Khaliq Madrasi Sahab’s seriousness reached to the extent of a zeal. We collected all the technical knowledge to undertake this mammoth task all by ourselves by relying on Allah. We commenced our task during the lockdown.”

Maulana Shafique says that the books are related to a great number of subjects such as Unani Medicine, Biology, Jurisprudence, Law, History, Theology, Culture and Astronomy.

He adds that hundreds of books were never opened since centuries because of its delicate and infirm nature to save it from damage.

“There is a manuscript of the 24th Section of the Holy Quran written by the Moghul Emperor with golden ink. Specialists are conserving the manuscripts at a rate of about 150 to 200 pages a day. They are being scanned, laminated and digitized. A new library has been constructed at Darul Uloom. After its completion, the books will be shifted over there. So far 1 lakh pages have been saved. Preservation of 50 lakh pages is yet to be done,” he said.

About the digitization process, Maulana Shafiq, in charge of the library, explains that the boys first separate the pages of the manuscripts by inserting a serial number with a pencil and applying a paste of transparent glue, then laminated with a special tissue glass cloth and dried. These pages are then saved sequentially. It is scanned before binding and preserving digitally. Our conservation project includes books of every religion written in about 20 languages.

The 95 per cent of books found in the library were acquired as a gift.

Darul Uloom’s library has an annual budget of Rs 50 lakhs which is included in Darul Uloom’s total budget.

Sameer Chaudhary of Deoband says that very few in the world know that Darul Uloom has such a wealth of valuable books. “The whole world will have a big surprise once our digitization project is completed,” he adds.

As of now the National Archives of India, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Iran have shown great interest in this project and offered help but according to sources, Darul Uloom does not want to accept any help in this regard.

Maulana Shafiq informs that earlier he was afraid to touch these ancient books as the paper was falling apart by a mere touch. Now, since the preservation process is being completed these books would come alive and benefit research scholars from around the world. After its digitization, these books would be safe to be handled for thousands of years.

The library which was built in 1907 would be considered among the most modern libraries of the country. A new library building is being built within Darul Uloom’s campus at a cost of Rs 20 crore. These digitally restored books would then be shifted in the new building.

There is a large stock of old books at the library. These include letters written by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to the Emperor of Egypt, Quran written by Aurangzeb’s hand, another one written with gold ink, yet another one completely written on one page as well as an amazing collection of books like Towrah, Vedas, Geeta, Mahabharata and Ramayana.

source: http://www.twocircles.net / TwoCircles.net / Home> Indian Muslim> Lead Story> TCN Positive / by Aas Mohammed Kaif / TwoCircles.net / September 04th, 2020

Three day workshop organised by FikroKhabar Bazm-e-Kalam concludes

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, Karnataka (under research project), Leaders, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bhatkal, KARNATAKA :

Bhatkal :

A three-day workshop on research and writing, essay writing and journalism under the pen section of FikroKhabar came to an end at Alhaj Mohiddin Muniri Hall of Maulana Abul Hassan Ali Nadvi Islamic Academy.

The concluding session taught how to make journalism and the media a means of publishing the message of religion and how to work in the practical field. The meeting also decided on the strategy of the Bazm-e-Kalam, which includes the federation of the most important Muslim media. It also includes mentoring them with various workshops for those involved in the field of Bazm-e-Kalam. Bazm-e-Qalam membership forms were also distributed at the meeting, which the participants filled out and expressed their commitment to develop the sector and make it a source of Islamic da’wah . Participants in their written comments said that the establishment of such sectors is the most important need of the present era.

Among the guests on the stage, Jamia Islamia Bhatkal Superintendent Maulana Maqbool Ahmed Kobatte Nadvi said that media is a great way to get people on the right track. It can do things we can’t imagine. The same means of communication include Friday sermons, the benefits of which we can see in society today. Maulana congratulated the officials of Fakro Khabar and his entire team for organizing this workshop and also expressed his happiness to present it in a good and unique way. At the same time, the audience urged the audience to use mobile phones in the right direction.

Mr. Mohsin Shabandari, founder of Bhatkallys.com and Urdu Audio.com, the first website of Juma Bayanat, said that any news should be researched before it is made. Nowadays, it is very important to be careful about the news that is sent to WhatsApp without any research. He also expressed his desire to make the best use of mobile phones and create a platform for all media.

Maulana Ayub Barmawar Nadvi, Maulana Shoaib Nadvi, Maulana Irshad Africa Nadvi, Maulana Muhammad Ali Sharif Nadvi, Maulana Saud Nadvi, Maulana Rehmatullah Nadvi and others were present on the occasion.

source: http://www.bhatkallys.com / Bhatkallys.com / Home> Bhatkal News / by Bhatkal News Bureau / September 04th, 2020

Mangaluru: Muslim welfare association, Bahrain distributes food kits to Covid victims`

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, COVID 19 - Community of Soldiers, FREE : Food, Karnataka (under research project), NRI's / PIO's, , , ,

Bahrain :

Mangaluru :

Bahrain based Dakshina Kannada Muslim welfare association distributed food kits to Covid-19 victims at Kote mansion, Valencia here on Sunday, August 30.

Karnataka NRI forum Bahrain president Leeladhar Bykampady was the chief guest for the programme. Food kits were distributed to about 100 people.

World Kannada cultural conference committee founder president K P Manjunath Sagar said that the Dakshina Kannada Muslim welfare association has been relentlessly indulged in social work since its inception.

Former MCC deputy mayor Saleem, Dakshina Kannada Muslim welfare association vice president Ummar and founder member Moidin were the guests of honor. Former MCC mayor Ashraf who presided over the programme said that the welfare association has continuously helped poor people and is a model organization.

Programme convenor Mubarak was on the dais. Port trader Mohsin Bava welcomed the gathering while author Dr Kasargod Ashok Kumar compeered the programme. Sayyed Bahrain rendered the vote of thanks. 

source: http://www.daijiworld.com / DaijiWorld.com / Home> Karnataka / by Rons Bantwal / Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (EP) – September 01st, 2020

London Blue Plaque honor for Indian Muslim ‘spy princess’

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), Community Involvement / Social Issues, Karnataka (under research project), Leaders, NRI's / PIO's, Travel & Tourism, World Opinion

MYSURU / FRANCE / London, UNITED KINGDOM :

The late former British secret agent Noor Inayat Khan plays a Veena.(File/AFP)
  • English Heritage described her as “Britain’s first Muslim war heroine in Europe”
  • Khan was the first female wireless operator sent to Nazi-occupied France but was captured, tortured and shot dead

London :

A woman of Indian-origin dubbed “the spy princess” on Friday gets a new memorial in Britain honoring her espionage work and refusal to betray secrets in World War II.


English Heritage is putting up a Blue Plaque honoring Noor Inayat Khan outside 4 Taviton Street in the Bloomsbury area of central London where she lived from 1942-43.

In 2012, Queen Elizabeth II’s daughter Princess Anne unveiled a bronze bust of Khan in nearby Gordon Square Gardens.


Her biographer, Shrabani Basu, said Khan, born into a princely Indian Sufi family and descended from Tipu Sultan, the 18th century ruler of Mysore, was an “unlikely spy.”


She believed in non-violence and religious harmony but gave her life in the fight against fascism when her adopted country needed her, she said.
“It is fitting that Noor Inayat Khan is the first woman of Indian origin to be remembered with a Blue Plaque,” said Basu, who wrote “Spy Princess: The Life of Noor Inayat Khan.”


“As people walk by, Noor’s story will continue to inspire future generations. In today’s world, her vision of unity and freedom is more important than ever.”


Khan was the first female wireless operator sent to Nazi-occupied France but was captured, tortured and shot dead aged 30 at the Dachau concentration camp in September 1944.

English Heritage described her as “Britain’s first Muslim war heroine in Europe.” She was killed after refusing to give away secrets under repeated torture by the Gestapo.


Khan was posthumously awarded the George Cross and is one of only four women to have directly received Britain’s highest non-combat award for gallantry.

English Heritage has acknowledged that the proportion of women celebrated by its blue plaque scheme remains “unacceptably low.”
It is planning to unveil tributes to the secret agent Christine Granville at a west London hotel where she lived and the sculptor Barbara Hepworth in north London.


Another is planned for the headquarters of the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies, which campaigned successfully for women to be allowed to vote.

source: http://www.arabnews.com / Arab News / Home> World / by AFP / August 29th, 2020

Breaking away from tradition, Shia Muslims donate blood on Moharram

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, , , , ,

Khirwa Jalalpur Village (Meerut), UTTAR PRADESH :

In view of the ban on the procession of Moharram due to the COVID 19 pandemic this year, those who used to mourn the sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain in Karbala by shedding their blood with blades came up with a unique idea of donating blood that could save human lives.

Replacing the ages-old tradition of injuring themselves by blades while mourning the supreme sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain on Moharram, members of the Shia sect of Islam in village Khirwa Jalalpur donated blood on Sunday.

In view of the ban on the procession of Moharram due to the COVID 19 pandemic this year, those who used to mourn the sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain in Karbala by shedding their blood with blades came up with a unique idea of donating blood that could save human lives.

This, however, was made possible by the suggestion of Indian Medical Association (IMA) secretary Dr Anil Nausaran to one of the villagers of Khirwa Jalalpur, Saiful Hassnain Zaidi, who was known to the doctor. The idea clicked him and he shared it with other villagers.

Initially, hardly five people in the village were ready for blood donation but gradually the idea became a hit and the Shia Muslims of the village came out for this cause to mark Moharram, informed Zaidi.

A team of Indian Medical Association`s blood bank reached the village on Sunday morning for conducting blood donation. Forty Shia Muslims, all clad in black outfits which they wear as a mark of mourning during Muharram, came out for blood donation.

IMA secretary, who is also the in-charge of its blood bank in Meerut, Dr Anil Nausaran said that 40 men in the age group of 18 to 59 years donated blood on Sunday to mark Moharram and pledged that they would continue doing so in the years to come.

Dr Nausaran appreciated this exemplary move of the Shia Muslims of Village Khirwa Jalapur and said that this could be an inspiration to others as well.

Zaidi, who was one of the donors himself, said, “By donating blood we wanted to contribute in saving mankind as directed by Imam Hussain and it reminds us of his teaching of ‘Jio aur Jeene do’. ”

Zaffrul Hassnain Zaidi, another donor said that it was altogether a different feeling to have donated blood that could be life-saving to someone. Initially, people in the village were unhappy over the ban on Moharram procession but later after the decision of blood donation, they seemed happy.

According to the ages-old tradition, Shia Muslims while mourning the sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain and his family about 1400 years ago feel the pain by shedding their blood with sharp blades on Moharram.

This had been our tradition but this time instead we decided to donate the same blood to save human lives, said Sayyed Ali Bin Haadi.

Khirwa Jalalpur is a Muslim dominated village with a population of about 10,000. The village is having around 200 Shia Muslim families who commemorated Muharram as ‘an act against terrorism this year’. “We are against terrorism and are there to serve the country by good deeds and donating blood was one such deed,” said Haadi.

Appreciating the villagers, Dr Nausaran said that one unit blood donated by a person could save two lives hence 40 units blood donated by them could save the lives of 80 persons. That is why it is rightly said that blood donation is a supreme donation. He called upon people to come forward for such a cause.

source: http://www.thestatesman.com / The Statesman / Home> India / by Swati Sharma, Meerut / August 30th, 2020

Who is this Freedom fighter from Bihar?

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Freedom Fighters (under research project), Science & Technology, , , , , ,

Muzaffarput, BIHAR :

Dr Maghfoor Ahmed Ajazi

He was born in village Dihuli of District Muzaffarpur, in Bihar on 3 March 1900.

His father Moulvi Hafizuddin Husain was a zamindar. He first went to a Madarsa, then to North Brooke Zila School, Darbhanga, from where he was expelled for opposing the Rowlatt Act. He passed the matriculation from Pusa High School and was admitted in B.N. College, Patna, for higher studies.

His mother died in his childhood. His elder brother Maulana Manzoor Ahsan was also a freedom fighter.

He was married to Azizul Fatima. His marriage was all Khadi i.e. Bride and Groom both wore hand woven Khadi clothes. After nikah marriage function was transformed into an a public meeting for freedom struggle.

He left his studies at B.N. College to follow Gandhi and joined the non-cooperation movement in 1921.

There after he actively participated in the freedom movement. He mobilised masses against Britishers by organising volunteer corps, Ramayan Mandali, and also collected fund for freedom struggle through ‘Muthia’ drive. ‘Muthia’ meant to take out a muththi or fist of grain before preparing every meal to fund freedom struggle. Once Ajazi unknowingly reached at house of his cousin sister in a remote village. He asked for a ‘Muthia’. He got answer in negative. His sister recognised him and requested him to take meal. But Ajazi refused to take not only meal but even a glass of water. When his sister promised to take out muthia and donated the dues then he agreed to take meal.

He organised ‘Sewa Dal’ established by Sarojini Naidu and formed ‘Ajazi Troop’ to promote and train youngsters for freedom struggle. He first time attended AICC session held at Ahmedabad in 1921 and supported the motion of Maulana Hasrat Mohani on ‘Complete Independence’.

He represented Central Khilafat Committee at the All Parties Conferences. On the direction of Mohd Ali Jauhar he took the charge of Khilafat Committee Calcutta. There he was arrested in a protest march led by Neta ji Subhash and was arrested and released at a farther most place from Calcutta.

He obtained degree from Calcutta Homoeopathic Medical College. In August 1942 movement his house was searched and he worked under ground, though his promising eldest son Muzaffar Husain Ajazi died at young age on 25 July 1942.

Ajazi opposed Jinnah’s Two-nation theory. Muslim League workers used to come in batches at his residence, virtually spitting and shouted slogan. Ghaddar-e-Qaum.

He was also a poet and writer in the Urdu language as well as an orator. His papers, diaries, letters and files are preserved in national libraries.  

After independence Ajazi devoted his whole life for the welfare of the downtrodden and for protection of rights as well as development of Urdu language. He was also actively associated with trade union movement.


Ajazi died on 26 September 1966 at his residence in Muzaffarpur city.     

source: http://www.milligazette.com / The Milli Gazette / Home> News> Family & Kids / The Milli Gazette / October 14th, 2020

Novel ‘Rashk E Iram’ Released

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), Education, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Mysuru, KARNATAKA :

Mysuru:

Rashk e Iram, a novel in Urdu by Shahida Shaheen and published by Karnataka Urdu Academy, was released at Bazm e Batool in N.R. Mohalla recently.

Syeda Niloufer Nayab, President, Fatima Women and Children’s Welfare Association, releasing the book, wished success and encouraged the novelist to continue writing. 

Prof. Jahan Ara, retired, Head, Department of Urdu, spoke on the book.

The programme started with Quranic verses by Yasmin Taj, Hamd by Uzma Sultana, Naat by Salma Bano followed by introduction of Novelist by Momina Mukhtar. Salma Siddiqua and Mushtaq Sayeed were the chief guests. Prof. Shahida thanked all those who assisted her in bringing out this novel. Nyamathulla Khan compered.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / October 14th, 2019

Pathbreakers: The 20th-Century Muslim Women of India

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, Leaders, Travel & Tourism, World Opinion

Do not miss this exhibition that extols the contribution of 20th-century Indian Muslim women

An interesting travelling exhibition is set for a re-run in New Delhi once the pandemic containment rules are eased further. Titled ‘Pathbreakers: The 20th Century Muslim Women of India’, it showcases 21 Indian Muslim women who broke the proverbial glass ceiling and refused to be stereotyped. The exhibition was earlier held in the national capital in 2018.

Speaking to the media in 2018, Syeda Hameed, chairperson of Muslim Women’s Forum (MVF), the organisation which assembled the exhibition, had said that the main idea was to bring to the forefront a galaxy of Indian Muslim women who contributed to nation building in various ways but largely remained unrecognised and unsung.

Past Events – MUSLIM WOMEN'S FORUM, INDIA

The women featured in the earlier exhibition include Anis Kidwai, Atiya Fyzee, Attia Hosain, Aziza Fatima Imam, Fathema Ismail, Hamida Habibullah, Hajrah Begum, Masuma Hosain Ali Khan, Mofida Ahmed, Mumtaz Jahan Haider, Qudsia Zaidi, Qudsia Aizaz Rasul, Razia Sajjad Zaheer, Saeeda Khurshid, Safia Jan Nisar Akhtar, Saliha Abid Hussain, Sharifa Hamid Ali, Siddiqa Kidwai, Surayya Tayabji, Tyeba Khedive Jung, and Zehra Ali Yavar Jung. Most of them left their marks in fields as diverse as politics, literature and social work.

Muslim Women’s Forum / 5 months ago / facebook.com

Tyeba Khedive Jung, the first Indian Muslim woman to receive a university degree in 1894, wrote a feminist novel ‘Anwari Begum’ way back in 1905 that spoke about women’s emancipation, and also chaired an annual conference of Brahmo Samaj, a Hindu reformist organisation. Sharifa Hamid Ali was a member of the Constituent Assembly. Although the jury is still out about who designed the Indian National Flag, according to many it was Surayya Tayabji who was responsible for the inclusion of the Ashok Chakra. Qudsia Zaidi, among other things, is famous as the founder of the Hindustani Theatre in 1955, said to be Delhi’s first post-independence professional theatre troupe. Fathema Ismail was instrumental in opening rehab clinics for children suffering from polio.

The exhibition was visiting Bengaluru just before the COVID-19 related lockdown was implemented.

source: http://www.outlookindia.com / Outlook Traveller / Home> Explore > Story / by Uttara Gangopadhyay /August 14th, 2020

Tribeni, Mosque & Dargah of Jafar Khan Gazi – Hooghly, West Bengal

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, Travel & Tourism, World Opinion, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tribeni (Hoogly District), WEST BENGAL :

Triben generally refers to the confluence of the three rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the illusive Saraswati near Allahabad.

But the Hooghly district of West Bengal also houses another Tribeni, where the Bhagarati or Hooghly River disintegrates into three branches. The three branches are Hooghly, Sarswati and Jamuna (Kanchrapara Khal).

Zafar Khan Gazi Masjid, Tribeni, Hooghly

So like the Prayag near Allabahad, the Tribeni of Hooghly has also attracted pilgrims for centuries and is mentioned in ancient Bengali literature like the Mansamangal and Chandimangal .

Today Tribeni is located about 70 km north of Kolkata on the Bendel – Katwa rail line and is approachable both from Howrah and Sealdah by train.

Dargah of Zafar Khan, with a grave outside it, Tribeni

Today the prime attraction of Tribeni is the Dargah of Zafar Khan Gazi. The dargah is located on a small mound over looking the Hooghly river.

It is housed inside a walled complex which also contains a mosque and several other scattered tomb. It remains an active religious site.

The mosque is not only the oldest Mosque in West Bengal but also happens to be the oldest Islamic structure in the whole of undivided Bengal.

Zafar Khan was a general of Delhi Sultan Feroze Shah, who invaded Hooghly in the late 13th century, he defeated the local Hindu king and established the Turkish rule in Bengal.

Zafar Khan settled in Tribeni as he was mesmerized by the beauty of the Hooghly River. The locals started considering him as a learned man and he came to be know as Zafar Khan Gazi. But soon after Zafar Khan was killed in a battle with another Hindu king of the region.

Inside the Zafar Khan Gazi Dargah. L: Eastern Chamber, R: Western Chamber with Zafar Khan’s grave at the extreme right

The Dargah was constructed in 1315 and is located on the eastern end of the walled complex. It has two chambers and the roof has long collapsed. The western chamber contains the grave of Zafar Khan along with the graves of his two sons Ain Khan Ghazi and Ghain Khan Ghazi. The fourth grave in the complex and the wife of Ughwan Khan, another son of Zafar Khan Gazi.

The eastern complex houses the grave of Zafar Khan’s third son Barkhan Ghazi. He is buried along with  and his two sons Rahim Khan Ghazi and Karim Khan Ghazi. The identity of one tomb remains unknown but it shape suggests it belongs to a woman.

The Dargah is located on a high plinth and both the chambers are approached by flight of stairs. Both the chambers are provided with Jali screens allowing sunlight to filter into the chambers.

Both the mosque and the dargah are built with a combination of stone and bricks, some thing quiet unusual in the land famous for terracotta.

Both the most unique feature of the Dargah and the Mosque is the presence of several Hindu motifs and symbols in its walls.

Hindu ornamentation from the outer walls of the Dargah of Zafar Khan Gazi, Tribeni, Hooghly

Both the structure contains stone panels of Hindu deities but most of them have been chiseled off leaving an faint imprint. It is quiet likely these motifs were removed from abandoned or demolished Hindu Temple and were used in the construction of the Mosque and Dargah.

Mosque of Zafar Khan Gazi, Tribeni

The rectangular Mosque measures 76 feet by 36 feet and dates back to 1292. It has five arched entrance in the front and two aisles create 10 squares, each of which is topped by a dome. Sadly only 6 of the 10 domes can be seen to this day.

The Zafar Khan Mosque, Tribeni. L: Central Mihrab, C: An Arabic Inscription and R: Arched aisle

There are five mihrabs on the western wall, out of which three are more or less intact. The central mihrab is ornamental and is made of stone. The two miharab flanking the central mihrab is made of bricks with beautiful terracotta ornamentation. Like the Dargah the Mosque also contains ornamentation from temples.

Ornamentation inside the Zafar Khan Gazi Mosque, Tribeni, Hooghly 

A trip to Tribeni is never complete without the visit to nearby Bansberia Bansberia famous for its Haneswari Temple  and Ananta Basudev Temple.

source: http://www.rangandatta.wordpress.com / Rangan Datta / Home> Bengal Archaeology, Bengal History, General / by Rangan Datta / photographs : www.rangan-datta.info / December 01st, 2016