Category Archives: Books (incl.Biographies – w.e.f.01 jan 2018 )

Book Release : “Understanding Human Rights and Law” by late Dr. Shakeel Samdani

Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 )

Aligarh, UTTAR PRADESH :

Aligarh :

A virtual book release event was organized for the last book of Late Prof. Shakeel Samdani (Former Dean, Faculty of Law, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh) titled “Understanding Human Rights and Law” which has been published by Satyam Law International Publishers, New Delhi. This book has been jointly edited by Prof. Shakeel Samdani and Abdullah Samdani.

Presiding over this event, Prof. Tariq Mansoor, Vice Chancellor, AMU, Aligarh said that, Prof. Samdani was a good teacher, researcher and above all, a versatile and a very talented public speaker. He remembered his speech when he represented the AMU teachers at Sir Syed Day 2020 and said that he was the only person who gave an extempore speech. He further said that he was surprised to see Prof. Samdani’s popularity after he received so many tributes from people outside Aligarh.

Discussing about the human rights book, Prof. Mansoor said that he has written forward for this book along with Justice K G Balakrishnan, Former Chief Justice of India. He said that we cannot have a civilized society without an educational system and a sound legal system. He said that this book contains 20 well researched articles from academicians, judges, lawyers, researchers and students. He congratulated Late Prof. Samdani and Abdullah Samdani for bringing an edited book on a very important topic.

While delivering his key note speech, Prof. Faizan Mustafa, Vice Chancellor, NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, said that my relationship with Prof. Samdani very close. He shared many old incidents from Prof. Samdani’s life, including his popularity with the students of Aligarh Muslim University. He said that Prof. Samdani was very keen for human rights.

Prof. Mustafa explained in detail about his perception of human rights which has been influenced by the Western perspective. He also discussed in detail about the article on Marxism theory which has been written by Prof. Mohibul Haque in this book. He further stated that, this book can be very useful if we have our commitment towards human rights. At last, he said that he sees a young, talented scholar in Abdullah Samdani who can carry forward the legacy of his father, Prof. Shakeel Samdani.

Speaking in this event, Prof. Md. Zafar Mahfooz Nomani, Dept. of Law, AMU congratulated the family members of Prof. Shakeel Samdani for organizing this event. He said Law Faculty, AMU has lost a gem in the face of Prof. Samdani.

Prof. Nomani quoted from the introduction of this book which was written by Prof. Samdani that “as a teacher it is not only to understand human rights, but to spread awareness among other about human rights”. He said that Prof. Samdani tried his best in his lifetime to spread awareness about the educational mission of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and with this book he wanted to spread the concept of human rights to others.

Speaking in this event, Dr. Dilshad Ahmad, President of Indian Forum for Education, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia said that Prof. Samdani was a very dynamic person. He always wanted the upliftment of Muslim community. He discussed in detail about how Prof. Samdani motivated the NRI students of Saudi Arabia to pursue legal field as their career in a webinar organized by his forum. He said that whatever Prof. Samdani advised he used to give examples from Quran and Sunnah to support it. Dr. Dilshad also discussed in detail about the important topics which the book Understanding Human Rights and Law have discussed.

Speaking in this event, Prof. Asim Siddiqui, Chairperson, Dept. of English, AMU said that this event was due in the lifetime of Prof. Samdani but due to his unfortunate death this event was delayed. He congratulated the family members of Prof. Samdani for organizing this event. He said that Prof. Samdani was a very cheerful person who was always ready to laugh and he has not seen a dull moment in Prof. Samdani’s lifetime.

Discussing about this book Prof. Siddiqui said that he became aware about various aspects of human rights due to this book. He said that he is a professor of literature, but this book has beautifully explained about human rights and anyone who reads this book can understand the concept of human rights from the legal angle. At last, he said that most of the arguments in quoted in this book have been supported by empirical data.

Speaking in this event, Dr. Aruj Qayum, Senior Paediatrician, Newham University Hospital, London said that COVID has taken one of our most accomplished persons in the form of Prof. Shakeel Samdani. He shared his experience with Prof. Samdani in London and said that, Prof. Samdani was a very big fan of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and he showed me the place where Sir Syed lived during his visit in London. He further said that Prof. Samdani was an institution in itself. He said that Prof. Samdani has discussed in detail about human rights which are available in Islam.

Speaking in this event, Adv. Shariq Abbasi, Supreme Court of India, New Delhi said that Prof. Samdani was bestowed with the capacity to do big things in a short span of time. He gave the example of an event in which Former Chief Justice of India addressed the students of AMU, that Prof. Samdani successfully organized this event in a short period of only 12 hours. He said Prof. Samdani had deep and great concern about the human rights throughout the world and this book has reflected his concern. He said that seven important aspects of human rights have been wonderfully covered in this book.

Last speaker, Dr. Shad Ahmad Khan, University of Buraimi, Oman said that he is having very mixed feeling of joy and sadness whenever he looks at this book. He said that he had shared a very special bond with Prof. Samdani from his student life. He said that today’s event is more than a book release ceremony and we can celebrate it as a tribute to Prof. Samdani for his contributions throughout his life.

This event was hosted and moderated by Mr. Abdullah Samdani. Dr. Ayesha Samdani started this event by reciting verses from the Holy Quran and Sarah Samdani welcomed the guests in this book release event. Prof. Mohibul Haque, Dept. of Political Science, AMU, Mrs. Anjum Tasneem, Adv. Shoeb Ali, Mr. Salman, Mr. Hunain Khalid, Mr. Farhan Javed and Mr. Danish Iqbal played a very important role in making this event a great success.

source: http://www.muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / Home / by Muslim Mirror Network / December 29th, 2021

Raffat Begum: How a begum’s emergence from the harem changed the lives of Rampur’s women

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), Royal Families, PreIndependence -Descendants (wef. Jan 02nd,2022), Women/Girls(since May26-2021), , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Rampur, UTTAR PRADESH :

Raffat Begum was a gifted poet and wrote with the pen name ‘Asmat’ and took advice from Azhar Inayati, a renowned poet of Rampur. She also wrote several barsaati folk songs celebrating monsoons as did Nawab Raza.

The names of brides have vanished from wedding cards in Rampur. So, we are cordially invited to the wedding of ‘Arif Khan, S/o Samiullah Khan to the daughter (no name) of Wahidullah Khan’. Even the names of women are concealed from vocalization by disrespectful male lips. The nameless miasma enveloping our girls is a recent trend in Muslim etiquette of this erstwhile princely state. It negates the ninety year journey the women of the city have traversed–all the tiny and large steps of emerging out of the zenanas, educating themselves and finding a voice. Maybe the unnamed daughter getting married was educated at one of the local women’s colleges established by the erstwhile Nawabs and has ambitions that involve a becoming.

The emancipative journey of Rampur women began with the decision of a queen – Raffat Zamani Begum, wife of Nawab Raza Ali Khan– to leave the confines of the harem and become something more than a name. Nawab Raza (1930-1947), an enlightened ruler fully supported his wife in her decision and was possibly influenced by her in his very western and ‘modern’ outlook.  As the princesses and female members of the royal family followed Begum Raffat, there was a filtered down liberation among the women and girls of upper classes, and over the years a snowball effect that touched the lives of the of all classes of Rampur women.

Raffat Begum was the daughter of Sir Abdus Samad Khan, Prime Minister of Rampur under the colonial rule, an impeccable gentleman who traced his antecedents from the Najibabad royal family.  She was married to the crown prince, Raza Ali Khan, when she was five and he was six years old. The little bride sat on her grandmother’s lap, her heavy nath supported by her grandmother’s palm as the nikah ceremony was performed. The young daughter in law was granted all the paraphernalia of the future queen while still living with her father and had to attend court on special occasions. At a time when brides were given a new name and a title, her name was changed from Askari Begum to Raffat Zamani Begum.

When Raffat was thirteen, her father in law, Nawab Hamid Ali Khan (1894-1930) demanded that the rukhsati (going away ceremony) be performed. Raffat’s father insisted that they wait at least till the groom had completed his education. Raffat Begum wrote, and is quoted in her sister Jahanara Begum’s memoir, that the relations between the two gentlemen became strained. Finally, Nawab Hamid walked on foot from his Khas Bagh palace to the bride’s house, ‘Rosaville’, and the ceremony which usually took days was performed in a few hours; Raffat Begum left her paternal home amidst  songs extolling the valiant Rohilla Nawabs and martyrs of ancient battles.

The teenage couple began their married life often separated by the political intricacies and rules of the harem. Oral history says that they were not allowed to live together for seven years and Raffat Begum was declared infertile after her first son was born. Raza was forced to take a second wife by his father and stepmother. The women of Raffat Begum’s family did not practice strict purda. Her mother was the daughter of the regent of Rampur, General Azamuddin Khan (1888-1891) who had earned the ire of the maulvis of the time for his ‘kristaan’ viewpoint and his championing of female education. Some say he was murdered because of his radical outlook. It is therefore unsurprising that the educated Raffat Begum rejected the claustrophobic harem life she had endured for the first ten years of her married life as soon as Nawab Raza came to power. The couple showed a proclivity towards the ‘modern’ and western lifestyle in all areas and Raffat Begum became a major mover in the drastic transformation of the Rampur durbar, the zenana and Rampur culture. Though not documented in written histories, the influence of Raffat Begum on the dress, cuisine and court etiquettes finds testimony in oral history.

We get a vivid description of the Begum in her stepdaughter , Mehrunnisa Begum’s memoir, ‘An Extraordinary Life.’

Home tutored in English, Persian and Urdu, Raffat Begum entertained distinguished guests at royal banquets and sat for official pictures­­––the first pictures of women from the royal family. She wore latest western dresses, make up and was a chain smoker –– a ‘modern’ thing to do. In fact, she encouraged her children to smoke as it was considered fashionable. However, some women continued to live in the royal zenana ––more out of lack of choice and under confidence–– but there was no constraint on their movement. Given that Nawab Raza’s predecessor, Nawab Hamid confined his women to a sequestered life behind the laal purda, this was the beginning of a drastic change in the thought process and lifestyle of elite Rampur women.

The young princesses were sent to a boarding school after being brought up by British nannies in a strictly regimented nursery. Emulating the new trend, the elite landowning families and those associated with the court started educating their sons and daughters at boarding schools. So, my mother and her siblings were sent to La Martinere in the 1950s. The 1960’s saw Rampur’s first female doctors, teachers, writers and lawyers ––aspirational models for young girls studying in government colleges now housed in the old palaces and zenanas of yore. Nawab Raza gave a lot of emphasis to education particularly female education and the girls from ordinary families were now sent to girls’ schools in the city after initial misgivings. Covered rickshaws and thelas (carts) transported the burqa clad young ladies to schools. My mother became a doctor in 1967 and the women of my family practiced a flexi-veil where they would cover their heads, sit in curtained cars in Rampur and don sarees and bellbottoms outside of Rampur.

Raffat Begum was a gifted poet and wrote with the pen name ‘Asmat’ and took advice from Azhar Inayati, a renowned poet of Rampur. She also wrote several barsaati folk songs celebrating monsoons as did Nawab Raza. Some of her poetry was published.

Begum Noor Bano, her daughter in law and ex-Member of Parliament, recalls the after-dinner dastan sessions with the children and grandchildren gathered around their beloved ‘Mummy’.  The dastans were later written down by a scribe.

Mapara Begum, a court singer, says she would give importance to the lowliest person and welcome everyone with warmth. Which is why she was fondly called Raaj Maata, the queen mother of Rampur.

A few years after Nawab Raza’s death in 1966, Raffat Begum moved back to her father’s place, Rosaville, with her retinue of servants. It was an empty house. Her parents had passed away and her brothers and sisters had left in pursuit of their lives and careers. Life had come a full circle. She passed away at Rosaville in 1986 – an elegant begum, spirited and dignified till the end. Her plaintive lines are still echo on the lips of old timers:

“Aisey beemaar ki dava kya hai,jo batata nahi hua kya hai;

Kaun suntan hai is zamaney mein, kis se kahiye iltija kya hai.”

How can a person who cannot describe her ailment find a cure?

Even if I could find words for my pleas, would my entreaties find listeners.

Receiving yet another invite to the marriage of an anonymous daughter, I tried to remember the names of the wives of acquaintances and distant relatives. I came up with Naeem mamu ki biwi, Munney sahib ki ammi etc. etc. We are all guilty of using the blanket term bhabhi or khala to address the married women of various ages; we are introduced as wives, mothers and granddaughters. I used to laugh at the old style of explaining connections––‘Munney mian ki beti Shaddan Khan ke ghar mein hai’, indicating that Munney mian’s nameless daughter is married to Shaddan Khan. We have accepted an anonymous existence here and it is only logical that our girls get shrouded in namelessness on their wedding day.

Tarana Husain Khan is a writer and researcher based in Rampur. Her historical fiction ‘The Begum and the Dastan’ has been recently published by Tranquebar. The views expressed are the author’s own.

source: http://www.shethepeople.com / SheThePeople / Home> Books / by Tarana Husain Khan / March 02nd, 2021

Renowned Scholar and Educator Dr. V. Abdur Rahim Passes Away

Amazing Feats, Books - Holy Quran, Koran / Translations, Commentaries / by Indian Muslims (wef. February 11th, 2025), Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, Leaders, NRI's / PIO's, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Vaniyambadi, TAMIL NADU / Madinah, SAUDI ARABIA :

He has written scores of books in Arabic, English and Urdu. One of his unique books is Attibyan which helps in teaching Qur’an to neo-Muslim brothers and sisters.

New Delhi :

Dr. V. Abdur Rahim, world renowned Islamic scholar, multilinguist, author, teacher and translator passed away in the holy city of Madinah on Thursday.

Author of several popular books on teaching Arabic language, Dr. Abdur Rahim was laid to rest in Jannat al Baqi cemetery near the Prophet’s Mosque after Friday noon prayers, reports reaching here said.

Dr. Abdur Rahim has written scores of books in Arabic, English and Urdu. One of his unique books is Attibyan which helps in teaching Qur’an to neo-Muslim brothers and sisters. The scholar was closely associated with Chennai-based Islamic Foundation Trust (IFT) and a majority of his books have been published by it. 

Dr. Abdur Rahim was born in the small town of Vaniyambadi in Tamil Nadu in 1933. After completing his secondary school studies, he joined Presidency College, University of Madras where he majored in English language and literature. He graduated in 1957. In 1964, he joined the prestigious Al-Azhar University in Cairo, from where he completed his M.Phil. and Ph.D. in Arabic philology.

Dr. Abdur Rahim adopted innovative teaching methodologies and pedagogical approaches, which revolutionised the teaching of Arabic. He joined the Islamic University of Madinah in 1969, where he played a pivotal role in the program of teaching Arabic as a foreign language. He also imparted his knowledge at various institutions, including the Islaamic University Omdurman Sudan, Khartoum University Sudan, and Arabic Institutions in Germany, Washington D.C., and British Guyana.

His most significant contribution to Arabic education was the development of the renowned Madinah Arabic Course. This comprehensive series of textbooks and audiovisual materials simplified the complexities of the Arabic language, making it accessible to learners from diverse linguistic backgrounds. His teaching not only facilitated learning but also promoted intercultural dialogue and understanding.

Beyond his teaching endeavors, Dr. Abdur Rahim served as the Director of the translations section at the King Fahad Qur’an Printing Press in Madinah, where he contributed to translating and interpreting the Qur’an into various languages, ensuring its accessibility to people worldwide.

In recognition of his exceptional contributions to Arabic language education, Dr. V Abdur Rahim was honored with the prestigious President of India Award. This recognition celebrated his tireless efforts in promoting Arabic language learning and fostering cultural understanding through linguistic knowledge.

source: http://www.clarionindia.net / Clarion India / Home> India / by Team Clarion / October 21st, 2023

Dr. Tarana’s book on forgotten Rampur foods released

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Rampur, UTTAR PRADESH :

New Delhi :

Away from the hustle and bustle of the national capital Delhi, the food lovers gathered in Delhi’s India International Center to discuss the food – delicacies, genres and history – all day. It was for the release of Dr. Tarana Hasan Khan’s book ‘Deg to Dastarkhwan: Stories and Recipes from Rampur.

In this era of pizza, burger, and fast foods, we seems to be forgetting traditions of the Shahi, Mughlai and old delicious food.

Dr. Tarana Hasan Khan is one of the few to write on Dastarkhwan – the Indian cusine. She is also cultural historian.

Dr. Tarana Hasan Khan and her book

Her other book is: The Begum and the Dastan.

Dr. Tarana says It took her three years to cover the forgotten recipes of Rampur for the book. There is a chapter on rice and spices in this book.

Famous food writer Pushpant Pant also participated in the book launch ceremony. The program started with welcome address by Swati Pal, Principal of Janki Devi Memorial College.

She also discussed the problems faced in writing the book on the ‘forgotten foods of Rampur’ were mentioned. Yusuf Saeed and Naseema Naqvi had a long conversation on this subject. This was followed by a discussion on the history of the foods between Dr. Tarana and Pushpant Pant.

Dr. Tarana specially thanked Pushpesh Pant for attending the program and joining the discussion on delicious food. He has written about Pushpent Pant by posting on Twitter:

This book has been published by Penguin.

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home / by Aasha Khosa / October 31st, 2022

 Maulana Abdul Majid Daryabadi 

Amazing Feats, Books - Holy Quran, Koran / Translations, Commentaries / by Indian Muslims (wef. February 11th, 2025), Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Dariyabad (Barabanki), UTTAR PRADESH / NEW DELHI :

Maulana Rabey Nadwi releasing a book on Daryabadi; to his right stands Maulana Anzar Shah Kashmiri and to his left is Haryana governor, Akhlaqur Rahman Qidwai

New Delhi:

Delhi’s Shah Waliullah Institute and National Council for the Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL) jointly organised a national seminar on the life and services of Maulana Abdul Majid Daryabadi, a famous writer and mufassir of the Qur’an, on 15 January at Rajinder Bhawan, New Delhi.

Haryana governor, Dr Akhlaqur Rahman Qidwai presided over the seminar. Prominent among those who attended were Maulana Syed Rabey Hasani Nadwi, Maulana Anzar Shah Kashmiri, Maulana Wali Rahmani, Dr Hamidullah Bhat and Mohsina Qidwai.

Maulana Nadwi in his speech said that Maulana Daryabadi was a philosopher, researcher, man of letters, critic, and a man of high moral values who worked for the betterment of the nation. Maulana Daryabadi was the editor of Sidq-e Jadeed. India has been the cradle of different cultures and civilisations. We should move forward on the principles laid down by Maulana Abdul Majid, that is unity in diversity, which has been an important feature of our country. Maulana Daryabadi rendered unmatched services to the country, community and religion and we should benefit from his views and lofty ideals, he added.

Dr Akhlaqur Rahman Qidwai praised the services of Shah Waliullah Institute. He said that Maulana Daryabadi’s philosophy was relevant even today. He hoped that both the country and the community would continue to benefited from his views and writings.

The participants presented 17 scholarly papers on different aspects of the life and services of Maulana Daryabadi. Maulana Mohammad Wali Rahmani, Khwaja Hasan Sani Nizami, Dr Hashim Qidwai, Prof. Yaqubur Rahman and Prof. Siddiqur Rahman Qidwai presented papers among others.

Dr Hashim Qidwai, Mohsina Qidwai and Habiba Qidwai talked about their close relationship and shared moments with Maulana Daryabadi and narrated some incidents of his great life.

Dr Hamidullah Bhatt and Khawaja Hasan Sani Nizami assured their cooperation to the Shah Waliullah Institute in any project undertaken on Maulana Daryabadi. 

Scholars who presented papers felt that though they had covered many aspects of Maulana Daryabadi’s life, yet there were many other aspects of his life that needed to be studied.

Two books, one written by Maulana Ataur Rahman Qasmi in Urdu, Imam Shah Waliullah and his Philosophy and Ideology and the other, Muslim Personal Law and Uniform Civil Code authored by (late) Maulana Minnatullah Rahmani, were released at the seminar. Shah Waliullah Institute organised an exhibition of books published by it.  «

source: http://www.milligazette.com / The Milli Gazette / Home> 1-15th February 2005

Dr Anwar Siddiqui Honoured with Influential Ayurvedacharya Award

Amazing Feats, Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), Business & Economy, Community Involvement / Social Issues, COVID 19 - Community of Soldiers, FREE : Healthcare / Assistance, Science & Technology, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Nagpur, MAHARASHTRA :

Nagpur:

Dr Anwar Siddiqui, head of Panchakarma at Shri KR Pandav Ayurveda College and founder of Kerala Ayurveda & Panchakarma, received the Influential Ayurvedacharya Award from Sakal and Baidyanath. The award recognized his contributions to Ayurvedic medicine and social service.

The event was attended by Union minister Nitin Gadkari, Baidyanath’s managing director Suresh Sharma, and 45 leading Ayurveda doctors from across India. Dr Siddiqui, a BAMS and MD in Panchakarma from Poddar Government Ayurveda College in Mumbai, also holds a Master’s degree in Sanskrit. He has authored the book Ayurvedic Detoxification in Obesity, published in Germany.

With more than two decades of practice, Dr Siddiqui has gained recognition for treating chronic illnesses through Panchakarma therapy. During the Covid-19 pandemic, he helped set up a free hospital in Pachpaoli, strengthening his reputation for service to both healthcare and the community. Dr Siddiqui is a prominent leader associated with Jamaat-e-Islami Hind and a member of its Maharashtra State Advisory Council.

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News> Report / by Radiance News Bureau / August 24th, 2025

Book Launch Sparks Debate on Muslim Representation, Education, and Healthcare

Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Kolkata, WEST BENGAL :

At the launch of the book Indian Muslims’ Tryst with Democracy: Challenges and Opportunities at ICCR Library, Kolkata, academics and public figures underlined that meaningful improvements in government schools and hospitals could significantly uplift India’s Muslim community, especially its poorest segments.

Professor Abdul Matin of Jadavpur University stressed that socio-economic realities leave many Muslims dependent on failing public services. “We keep saying Muslims lag in education — but how do we fix it? When families earn only ₹8,000–₹10,000 a month, they cannot afford private schools. They rely on government schools, which have deteriorated so much that students rarely move up in life,” he said.

Matin pointed out that this crisis is not limited to rural Bengal but also affects Muslim-majority urban areas such as Metiabruz, Khidirpur, Topsia, Park Circus, and Raja Bazar. Once-active Kolkata Municipal Corporation schools, he noted, have shut down, worsening access. The state’s public education system, weakened by years of political interference, has hit all low-income communities hard — with Muslims among the worst affected.

He also painted a bleak picture of healthcare: “In rural Bengal, people travel overnight and queue from midnight for a doctor’s appointment. We must revive mohalla-level schools and clinics.”

Jawhar Sircar, former Rajya Sabha MP and bureaucrat, urged the community to prioritise education over religious symbolism and to resist being reduced to a political vote bank. He encouraged Muslims to join democratic, secular movements fighting to restore India’s plural ethos. On the caste census, Sircar advised patience, saying its 2026 release could be a “game changer” for the community.

Political activist and CPM leader Saira Shah Halim spoke bluntly about systemic discrimination, citing examples from both Delhi and Kolkata. On housing bias, she noted: “People say Muslims are ghettoised — but do they have a choice?” She also criticised the absence of certain MPs, including secular leaders, during critical parliamentary debates on Muslim concerns such as the CAA and the abrogation of Article 370.

From a historical and political perspective, Prof Maidul Islam of the Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Calcutta, traced a steady decline in Muslim political representation — in the Lok Sabha since 1980 and in the Bengal Assembly since 2011. He alleged that parties deliberately withhold tickets from Muslim candidates, echoing warnings made decades ago by B.R. Ambedkar. The lack of progressive leadership, he argued, further limits the community’s advancement.

The book itself — Indian Muslims’ Tryst with Democracy — offers a detailed examination of these socio-political dynamics, combining historical insight with policy recommendations. Described by speakers as “a guide for collective action,” it lays out both the challenges and the concrete opportunities available for India’s Muslims to achieve equitable development.

 You can order a copy from Atlantic Publishers & Distributors Pvt. Ltd 7/22, Ansari Road, Darya Ganj, New Delhi – 110002. Email-  aparna@atlanticbooks.com – Phone: 011-40775252 Website: www.atlanticbooks.com

source: http://www.theindianawaaz.com / The Indian Awaaz / Home> Quami Awaaz / August 13th, 2025

Obituary: Maulana Muhammad Salim Qasmi, an ocean of knowledge

Amazing Feats, Books - Holy Quran, Koran / Translations, Commentaries / by Indian Muslims (wef. February 11th, 2025), Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, Leaders, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Deoband, UTTAR PRADESH :

With scarcity of good ulama, the passing away of Maulana Muhammad Salim Qasmi, rector of Al-Jamia Al-Islamia Darul Uloom Waqf, Deoband, has sent a sense of gloom across India.

People have written obituaries describing his death as the loss of the last chain in the golden series of Khanwada-e-Qasmiyat, a metaphor used to describe the great legacy whose history got prominence with establishment of Darul Uloom in Deoband in 1867 against the backdrop of persistent British onslaught on Indians on the one hand and its ugly design to kill ulama in large numbers on the other hand, to mitigate the impact of resistance against the Colonial power.

Maulana Salim Qasmi was a witness to the British cruelty on Indians and the Indian ulama during the eventful years if Independence. He had lived those times as a young student of India’s most prominent madrasa that had been a great centre of anti-British movements like the Silk Letter Movement.

Being the great-grandson of Maulana Muhammad Qasim Nanautwi, Salim Qasmi knew well the role he had to play to live up to the reputation and expectations both of his family and its followers and admirers spread over countries and continents. He rightly did so. His demise thus has rightly been described as the end of that golden chain. However, as there are others from the same family trying to carry forward both the academic and social and historical legacy, will they be able to do justice with that, only time will tell.

Muhammad Salim was born on 8 January, 1926 at Deoband and received primary education from many teachers. He completed his studies in 1948 from Darul Uloom Deoband where his teachers included great luminaries like Maulana Hussain Ahmad Madani, Maulana Aizaz Ali, Allama Ibrahim Balyawi, Maulana Syed Fakhrul Hasan Moradabadi.

He is said to be the last surviving disciple of Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi from whom he studied Mizan, an important book of Arabic grammar. Soon after passing out, he was appointed a teacher there. However, later, due to a serious conflict and crisis then in Darul Uloom, he along with some other colleagues, decided to stay away from it and established Darul Uloom Waqf which he nurtured till his last breath. Besides looking after its administrative affairs as a rector, he also taught Bukhari Sharif, the well-known book of hadith. Earlier, he had taught Muslim Sharif, another important book of hadith.

Some of the key positions he held at the time of his death are as follows:

Chief Rector, Al-Jamia Al-Islamia Darul Uloom Waqf, Deoband,

Vice-President, All India Muslim Personal Law Board,

Member, Aligarh Muslim University Court,

Member of Advisory Board and Managing Committee, Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama,

Member of Advisory Board, Mazahir Uloom Waqf, Saharanpur,

Permanent Member of the Fiqh Council, Al-Azhar,Cairo,

President, All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat (before two fractions of it finally united),

Patron, Kul Hind Rabta-e-Masajid,

Patron, Islamic Fiqh Academy, India.

About his written contribution to the domain of knowledge, the website of Darul Uloom Waqf Deoband mentions that besides being:

… one of the top speakers of ulama, his articles and writings are also much admired. Some of the books are worthy to be mentioned here like (1) Mabaadi al-Tarbiyat al-Islami (Arabic), (2) Jaiza Tarjama Quran Karim, (3) Taajdar-e-Arz-e-Haram ka Paigham, (4) Mardaan-e-Ghaazi, (5) Ek Azeem Tarikhi Khidmat, (6) Safar Nama-e-Burma.

(7) The book Khutbat-e-Khatibul Islam (a collection of his speeches) has been published in 5 volumes. Moreover, there are many articles and scripts awaiting publication.

Formally, Maulana received bai’at (a reformative and self-actualization method historically in vogue for quite long as an Islamic tradition in certain schools of thought) at the hand of Maulana Shah Abdul Qadir Raipuri. However, he received much of the training from his glorious father, Qari Muhammad Tayyib (d. 17 July, 1983)

A remarkable trait of his personality was to maintain the dignity of a true aalim (religious scholar) by not partaking in sectarian lines as is the wont of some Ulama. He was therefore respected among all sections of Muslims and his views were very well received. Maulana Salim did not create the binary division of education between religious and modern. He believed that ‘the source of all streams of knowledge is one’.

In recognition of his services to the domain of knowledge and ideas Maulana Salim was honoured with many awards, some of which are as follows:

Nishan-e-Imtiyaz (Mark of Distinction) from the Government of Egypt for being a distinguished aalim of the Indian Sub-Continent,

Imam Muhammad Qasim Nanotwi Award,

Shah Waliullah Award.

Prominent leaders and ulama from different countries have expressed grief over the demise of Maulana Salim Qasmi. In her telephonic message, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said that Maulana Salim’s love for education was amazing. Outside the country he worked as an exemplary ambassador of education. Congress President Rahul Gandhi said Maulana Salim Qasmi illuminated the world through education and he would touch people through simplicity. Samajwadi Party chief, Mulayam Singh Yadav said that Maulana never asked anything for himself. He was a crown prince of education whose absence would be felt long.

Former Justice of Pakistan’s Shariah Court, Mufti Taqi Usmani described Maulana Salim Qasmi as an ocean of knowledge. His death is a huge loss to the Islamic world. The simplicity with which he lived is rare, he said adding, “His service in the field of education is a golden chapter”.

Member of Parliament and AIUDF President Maulana Badruddin Ajmal Qasmi termed the demise of Maulana Salim Qasmi as ‘end of an era’ whose enumerable services are worth to be written in golden words. Senior leaders Ahmad Patel, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Syed Shahnawaz Hussain and others also sent their condolence messages.

Maulana Syed Rabey Hasani Nadwi, President of All India Muslim Personal Law Board, who had closely worked with Maulana Salim Qasmi and had also been his classmate at Darul Uloom Deoaband, wrote an article in which he stated that Maulana Salim Sahab had acquired many of the qualities of his father Qari Tayyib Sahab and his great grandfather Maulana Qasim Nanautwi. He worked in a similar way from whom different sections of ummah benefitted. His death therefore has caused concerns about the void in the ummah and in religious circles.

Maulana Arshad Madani described Maulana Salim Qasmi’s death as a loss which does not seem to be filled in near future. “Whenever there is a crisis he would be remembered’ he said. The responsibility to protect the institution that he established falls on all of us.

Prof Humayun Murad said that Maulana knew well how to avoid confrontation and find peaceful and constructive ways. Darul Uloom Waqf Deoband is its living example.

Maulana Muhammad Sayeedi, nazim, Mazahir Uloom Waqf said, “In the passing away of Maulana Salim Qasmi, Mazahir Uloom has been deprived of one of its true guide and patron”. He was its member since 1988. Mufti Muzaffar Husain would trust him a lot and his suggestions were highly helpful.

As against the commonly held opinion of ulama who do not tire of speaking about the division of knowledge between religious and modern or worldly, Maulana Salim Qasmi, in June 2013, had in a public programme, very categorically said that all the available forms of knowledge are from Allah. There is nothing as religious and worldly knowledge.

Maulana Qasmi said that the division of knowledge (between religious and worldly) is a political creation because all streams of knowledge flow from God. He then asked heads of madrasas to invite people of other faiths to their madrasas and exchange views and, share their problems with them also.

As I write this obituary, his soft-spoken words remind me of the sincerity with which he would draw the attention of the people to real issues and to the approaches that need to be adopted to find their solution.

Maulana Salim Qasmi was among the important personalities who had set up the Darul Uloom Waqf. His colleagues Maulana Muhammad Nayeem Deobandi died a little over a decade ago on 23 August, 2007, Shaikhul Hadith Maulana Syed Anzar Shah Kashmiri died 10 years ago on 26 April, 2008, Mufti Khursheed Alam died on 7 February, 2012, while Maulana Salim’s younger brother Maulana Muhammad Aslam Qasmi, an outstanding orator, died about five months ago on 13 November, 2017. Finally, this great son of the great Khanwada-e-Qasmiyat passed away on 14 April, 2018. He is survived by four sons and two daughters.

May the Almighty grant him an exalted place in Jannah!

The author is a PhD Fellow at the Academy of International Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia and is also doing an online program “Contending Modernities” of the University of Notre Dame, USA.

source: http://www.twocircles.net / TwoCircles.net / Home> Articles> Indian Muslim> Lead Story / by Manzar Imam for TwoCircles.net / April 28th, 2018

Maulana Abdul Waheed Siddiqui Mujahide-Azadi aur Meyma’re-Sahafat

Amazing Feats, Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), Freedom Fighters (under research project), Leaders, , , , , , , , , , ,

DELHI :

The alternative historiography and discovery of real heroes of the society is always important in any age or any society.

The compilation and publication of “Maulana Abdul Waheed Siddiqui: Mujahide-Azadi Aur Meyma’re-Sahafat” is the result of this realisation.

The book and authors have tried to explore his personality and achievements in the broader context of history and developments of his times.

The contents of the book are documentary in nature.

The commentaries of Maulana Imdad Sabri are the personal observations and experiences of an eminent scholar and historian of Urdu journalism.

Similarly, the articles by Maulana Anzar Shah Kashmiri of Daryl Ulum Deoband, Mr. Parwana Rudaulavi , a senior journalist, Maulana S M Wali Rahmani, Dr. Khalique Anjum, Mr. G D Chandan, Mr. Shariful Hasan Naqvi, Sardar Rachpal Singh, Maulana A M Siddiqui Rahi, Ms. Surayya Siddiqui and Mr. Shahid Siddiqui are observations and experiences of those who saw and experienced him closely. These are also opinions of eminent critics and experts of language, literature, journalism, politics and history.

History and biographies open the windows of experiences and observations to human beings, and gives them the ability to discover themselves, understand their surroundings, see the impact of situations and events, look inside them and build future paths. History is the name of the waves and splashes of water in the river of time from which people emerge and nations are formed.

Maulana Abdul Waheed Siddiqui, the journalist and freedom fighter is a milestone, a bridge and a delicate and difficult chapter of modern Indian history, which holds many lessons, for present and future generations.

Maulana was a visionary, a man with deep roots in Muslim culture and religious ethos but with a very modern and enlightened outlook.

He laid the foundations of free press in post independence India. He gave the confidence to Indian Muslims to stand up and fight for their rights under the Constitution and not.

source: http://www.amazon.in

Dr M G Anwar Batcha Celebrates 50 Years of Literary Service

Amazing Feats, Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), Education, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Coimbatore, TAMIL NADU :

THEN AND NOW: Dr M G Anwar Batcha started writing a Thirukkural couplet with its meaning everyday since 1977 on a black board kept at a cycle shop at Coimbatore Gandhi Park. Post retirement, he continues his mission of popularising and promoting Thirukkural among the public.

So goes the inspiring quote of Missile Man of India Dr APJ Abdul Kalam – “Every small step taken with determination leads to great achievements.” Taking a cue from this, a former Tamil teacher Dr M G Anwar Batcha, known as Kural Yogi in the literary circle, celebrated 50 years of his literary journey penning books, writing a couplet with its meaning everyday on a board kept at a cycle shop at Gandhi Park in the heart of Coimbatore city since 1977.

It’s always fascinating to rewind the golden days of teaching, speaking at literary meetings and what not. As a faculty with 25-year service at Chokkampudur SBOA Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Coimbatore city, Thirukkural Batcha, a resident of Kuniyamuthur, took a trip down the memory lane to share his experience about Thirukkural, which is close to his heart.

It may be noted that a special story was featured on him in 2010 in The New Indian Express when S Kamalakannan was a senior photographer and during a routine round across the city found him writing a couplet on a black board. Worth mentioning that he makes it a point to sensitise people through his books and speeches at a plethora of events both inland and abroad. Words cannot express the amount of happiness he has in doing this literary service for over 50 years or so.

In all smiles, he said, “Life is indeed a journey filled with ups and downs, and how we navigate these fluctuations defines our resilience and character.” And that’s what Saint Thiruvalluvar had said in his 1330 couplets. Elaborating on it further, he remarked, “This ancient Tamil text is a profound testament to the intellectual and cultural achievements of Tamil civilization. Beyond its philosophical depth, the Thirukkural holds immense historical significance as a cornerstone of Tamil literature and a universal guide for human conduct. Shedding more light on it, he said Thirukkural’s focus on equality is evident in its rejection of caste discrimination, a radical stance in an era when hierarchical structures were prevalent.

Crossing a 50-year milestone,  Anwar Batcha no doubt is creating a silent revolution. All credit goes to his mentors Pulavar Rasiannan and Pulavar Arumugam, while studying at City Municipal High School at Variety Hall Road, who groomed him and brought the best out of him to be what he is now. In a step further, they motivated him to enhance his skills in Tamil.

To his credit, Anwar Batcha has awards including Tamil Nadu Government honour, Kural Neri Chelvar, Thirukkural Thoothar, Thirukkural Vendar and Thirukkural Thondar. And he penned a book on Thirukkural with English translation besides a book titled Valluvar Manimozhigal and Valluvaridam Kettathum Kidaithathum. Batcha is quite proficient in Urdu, Hindi, Malayalam and Telugu.

Retired, but not tired to actively involve in literary organisations like Thirukkural Aaivu Kazhagam, Ulaga Kalai Tamil Mandram, Coimbatore World Thirukkural Centre and organiser of Kovai Islamiya Tamil Sangam, Anwar Batcha did his doctorate on ‘Samuga Nokkil Thirukkuralum, Thirukkuranum’. US-based writer of inspirational maxims William Arthur Ward rightly categorised teachers thus: The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires. True to his words, Dr Anwar Batcha has inspired scores of his students who have made their ‘guru’ proud.

[The author is former Indian Express and Deccan Chronicle chief]

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News / by M Rafi Ahmed / by Radiance News Bureau / August 16th, 2025