A sense of ‘Think global, act local’ prevailed at the launch of two significant books “Who jo Shams tha Sar-e-Aasmaan” and “Seemanchal ke Afsana Nigar.” The launch was jointly organized by Forum for Intellectual Discourse and Idara Adab-e-Islami, Delhi on Sunday, 7 November, 2021 at the headquarters of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind.
The book “Who Jo Shams tha Sar e Assmaan” was compiled by Dr Noman Qaisar and Mohd Islam Khan and has 41 Urdu articles and six poems on the life and services of journalist Dr Abdul Qadir Shams who died during Covid-19 on 25 August, 2020. It also has four write-ups in English.
Another book “Seemanchal ke Afsana Nigar” is an effort to document the life and works of dozens of fiction writers of Seemanchal.
Presiding over the programme renowned Islamic scholar and former President of Maulana Azad University, Jodhpur, Prof Akhtarul Wasey said that the work done by Abdul Qadir Shams was ‘unusual’. “Shams used to sleep in Delhi but dreamed of Seemanchal.” The void left with his demise would always be felt in my life, said Wasey, who is also the Professor Emeritus of Islamic Studies at Jamia Millia Islamia. Seemanchal ke Afsana Nigar will be an indispensable work in the history of short-story writing. Prof Wasey also congratulated the Forum for Intellectual Discourse stating that the need for such an organization like the Forum could never be felt more strongly than the present times. He wished the Forum success.
Special guest, editor general at NCERT, Dr Perwaiz Shaharyar expressed happiness over organizing a meeting for a journalist in which a large number of people from media were present whose responsibility had grown manifold as the nation was confronted with difficult situations. He called the book a ‘valuable addition to literature’. Prof Abu Bakar Abbad had his reservations for confining any segment of Urdu literature to a specific region as Urdu was a global language. The protagonists, however, had their own arguments for identifying geographical regions, as was also the case with Seemanchal, a region long ignored by most literary aficionado.
Abdul Mannan, editor of monthly Yojana reasoned that the creative facets of Seemanchal remained shrouded because their writers usually shied away from the limelight. In that context, he considered Ehsan Quasmi’s work exceptional.
Chief guest, senior journalist Siraj Naqvi, who had worked with Abdul Qadir Shams for over a decade said that Shams new the art of maintaining relationships. Despite all the difficulties, the smile on his face would dispel worries. Author, critic and famous litterateur Haqqani Al-Qasmi paid a glowing literary tribute to his childhood friend Abdul Qadir Shams which moved the audience. He said Woh jo Shams tha… is not merely a collection of articles but teardrops flowing directly from the hearts.
Dr Waris Mazhari, Assistant Professor, Jamia Hamdard; Dr Khalid Mubashshir, Assistant Professor, Jamia Millia Islamia; Dr Ahmad Ali Jauher, Assistant Professor, Indira Gandhi National Open University; Dr Jasim Uddin Qasmi of Delhi University, Jamshed Adil Alig and Dr Zain Shamsi also shared their views. Uzma Shaheen, daughter of late Abdul Qadir Shams paid a rich tribute to her father.
Manzar Imam of Forum for Intellectual Discourse moderated the three-hour long programme which had begun with Qur’anic recitation of Abdur Rahman, followed by welcome remarks of Dr Mohammad Ajmal, Assistant Professor, Centre for Arabic and African Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University. It ended with a vote of thanks by journalist Abid Anwar.
source: http://www.muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / Home> Books / by Manzar Imam / November 10th, 2021
Born a bird trapper, Ali Hussain from Bihar became a guardian of India’s birds, working alongside top scientists and proving how traditional Muslim knowledge can serve the world’s wildlife
New Delhi / Patna :
When people first saw Ali Hussain walking through the fields of Bihar with bamboo cages and handmade nets, many thought he was just another bird catcher, and many called him that for years. But few understood what really made him special.
Ali Hussain, a quiet man from a family of traditional bird trappers, was more than what the eye could see. Behind his soft smile and weather-worn hands was a lifetime of wisdom passed down over generations. He had learnt to follow bird calls, understand their movements, and craft traps not to harm them, but to study and help them survive.
In the early 1960s, Hussain’s life changed forever. He met Dr Salim Ali, India’s most famous ornithologist, often called the “Birdman of India.” It was the start of a deep friendship and a shared mission. Instead of catching birds for trade, Hussain began working with scientists to catch birds for research and conservation.
“I had never met anyone like him,” Dr Salim Ali had once told colleagues at the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS). “He handled birds like a doctor treats a child. Gently, with care. He knew more about them than many of us.”
Ali Hussain helps capture and tag a vulture in Gir National Park. – Photo: Wildlife Division, Sasan-Gir, Gujarat
Hussain began travelling with BNHS teams across India, using his age-old skills to help ring thousands of birds. These rings, placed on birds’ legs, allowed scientists to track their migration and breeding patterns. And each bird was returned safely to the sky.
His fame didn’t stop in India. In the 1990s, American scientists from the Whooping Crane Recovery Programme invited him to the US. The whooping crane is one of the rarest birds in the world. Catching them was almost impossible until Hussain arrived there.
In just a few weeks, he safely captured 10% of the entire population without harming a single bird.
One American official said, “We were shocked. He caught birds we couldn’t even get close to. And they were all unharmed. It was a masterclass.”
For years, conservation efforts across the world relied mostly on modern technology — drones, satellites, and lab studies. But Ali Hussain showed that indigenous knowledge also has value.
“He never went to school,” said Mohammed Salim, one of his sons. “But he could read nature like a book. He knew where birds would land just by feeling the wind.”
His Muslim identity and simple lifestyle never stopped him from working with international scientists. In fact, it reminded many that people from rural and minority communities have a lot to offer when they are trusted and respected.
Even in his 80s, Ali Hussain never stopped helping. Young researchers from across India still come to his home in Patna, Bihar, asking him how to catch birds safely. His sons, trained under him, now assist with bird studies and continue the family’s work.
“Abba used to say, ‘Don’t hurt what sings. We’re here to protect, not harm,” recalled his eldest son, Iqbal Hussain.
For them, bird trapping was never about money. It was about respect — for life, for tradition, and for the Creator’s creation.
Despite his international praise, Ali Hussain was rarely honoured by Indian government bodies. No national award. No Padma Shri. No headlines on TV. Many believe this is because he was poor, Muslim, and from Bihar.
“People like him don’t fit the official image of a ‘scientist’,” said Prof Neelima Ghosh, an ornithologist from Delhi University. “But make no mistake, he taught us what our books couldn’t.”
Foreign universities invited him. Wildlife departments in the US and UK mentioned him in reports. Yet in India, he was mostly seen as “just a bird catcher.”
Ali Hussain’s connection with birds wasn’t just scientific — it was spiritual.
In many interviews, he said he felt that protecting birds was part of his faith as a Muslim. Islam teaches kindness to all living creatures, and he took that to heart.
“Birds pray too,” he once told a young researcher. “If we harm them, we stop their prayer.”
Ali Hussain sets traps to capture the Bengal florican in Pillibhit Tiger Reserve. Photo: Asad Rahmani taken from roundglas sustain
Today, his sons — Iqbal, Rashid, and Shafiq — run workshops on bird ringing and safe trapping. They continue to work with scientists from India and abroad.
“We grew up watching him work,” said Rashid. “He never rushed. He would wait for hours just to catch one bird the right way. Now we are doing the same.”
They are also trying to collect and record his trapping methods, which risk being lost as modern technology takes over. Many young Muslims from Bihar and West Bengal now visit the Hussain family to learn these skills.
In a country where Muslims are often shown in a bad light or made to feel like outsiders, Ali Hussain’s story is a powerful reminder of their quiet contributions. He didn’t protest, shout, or demand attention. He just kept working, helping both birds and humans.
“Ali Hussain should be in our school books,” said Dr Ramesh Gupta, a conservation writer. “Not because he was a Muslim, but because he was a great Indian.”
But maybe he deserves to be remembered because he was a Muslim too — a man who used his traditional knowledge, passed from father to son, to help save the very species others hunted.
He was not a scientist in the traditional sense. He didn’t wear a lab coat or speak English. He didn’t write research papers or held press conferences.
But to every bird that flew free because of him, and every student who learnt the gentle art of trapping from him, he was a scientist of the highest order.
He belonged to a generation of Muslims whose knowledge came from the land, who learnt by watching, listening, and respecting life around them.
India may not have celebrated him fully in his lifetime. But the birds did. And that’s something to think about.
source: http://www.clarionindia.net / Clarion India / Home> Editor’s Pick> Featured> Indian Muslims / by Mohammed Bin Ismail / July 08th, 2025
Adhakparia Village (East Champaran District), BIHAR :
Motihari:
A village in East Champaran which was infamous for guns being pulled out on trivial matters and for fights, the village where last year a sarpanch was not only strangled by fearless criminals but also shot dead, now this same village will be known for the stories of Shafqat Amna becoming an IAS.
Shafqat Amna, daughter of retired teacher Mohammad Zafir Alam of Adhakparia village of East Champaran, has not only brought glory to her family by securing 186th rank in the UPSC Civil Services exam, but has also shown a path to lakhs of Muslim girls with the light of education.
The whole village is rejoicing at Shafqat’s success. 65-year-old Zafir is not tired of thanking people for this success.
In an exclusive conversation with BeyondHeadlines, Zafir Alam says, ‘We would like my daughter to work as an honest servant. She should strive for peace and prosperity in the society. And most importantly, she should take today’s new generation forward in the field of education.’
Let us tell you that Zafir Alam has retired as a teacher from an Urdu middle school in Agarwa village near Motihari.
24-year-old Shafqat Amna says in an exclusive interview with BeyondHeadlines that the backwardness of the village and the lack of infrastructure always bothered me. That is why since childhood I wanted to live among the people and do something for them so that I could change their thinking and circumstances. My father, sensing this desire of mine, inspired me to join the civil service.
Aamna says that my first choice is IAS and I am hopeful that I will definitely get IAS Insha Allah.
When asked what will you do first after becoming an IAS?
In response to this question, Aamna says that my first effort will be that whichever district I go to, I will first try to focus on education in the village. Since my father was a teacher, I understand the politics of teachers very well. I will inspire them to teach children honestly, away from that politics.
What if I get IPS instead of IAS?
On this question, Aamna pauses for a while and then after thinking says – I am hopeful that I will get IAS and I have not thought of anything else apart from this. But still if I get IPS instead of IAS then first of all I will pay special attention to law and order. I will try to maintain communal harmony in my district at all costs. I will try my best that there is never any fight or quarrel in my district, there is always mutual harmony.
When asked about preparing for civil services, Aamna says that, I would definitely like to tell those who want to join civil services that they should not start preparing for it suddenly, but first understand the syllabus well. If possible, try to take guidance from an IAS or IPS. Then start preparing for it thoughtfully with full courage and passion. Try to study smartly instead of studying like donkeys.
However, she also says that everyone’s way of preparing is different. The positive thing for me was that I had read NCERT books properly in school itself. So all the concepts were clear. I studied Geography very well in graduation as well. And yes, during my entire studies, I always had the habit of making short notes. These notes were very useful in my preparation. I paid full attention to its revision. Apart from that, I participated a lot in test series.
Let us tell you that Shafqat Amna passed 10th from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in Bettiah, West Champaran. Then she went to Bokaro for 12th, passed 12th from DPS there. After that, circumstances became such that she had to return to the village. Here she got a BA Honors degree in Geography from a college of Bhimrao Ambedkar University in Motihari. After that, she came to Delhi in 2016 to prepare for civil services. Here she prepared by staying in the residential coaching of Jamia Millia Islamia and after failing twice, she succeeded this time in the third attempt.
Apart from her parents, Shafqat Amna’s family also has three sisters and a brother. Her younger sister is pursuing BA LLB from Jamia Millia Islamia. Her two elder sisters have completed B.Ed and are currently living with their mother in the village.
Aamna says that the situation at home was never good. My father was the only breadwinner in the house. But he never neglected our education. Whatever I am today is because of my father.
What would you like to say to the girls of the country?
On this question, Aamna says that I would like to say that it is very important for you to get educated. And never underestimate yourself. Your hard work, your efforts can change your fate. But yes, for success you will have to make your own policy and your own routing. You will have to decide for yourself what things matter in your life…
source: http://www.beyondheadlines.in / Beyond Headlines / Home> India> Real Heroes / by Afroz Alam Sahil, Beyond Headlines / April 06th, 2019
While working on my two books (soon to come: one on Muslim Politics in Bihar and another on Muzaffarpur Muslims, 1857-2011), while looking into primary and secondary sources I came across many personalities and institutions. One such person was Sir Fakhruddin whose contributions towards public life may interest many people. Hence I crave the readers’ indulgence.
[Sir] Syed Mohammad Fakhruddin [Khan Bahadur, 1868-1933] of Patna is credited to have the distinction of being the first Muslim Minister of Bihar and Orissa.
His father Md. Ali of the village Dumri, near Patna, took special care of his quality education. Having imparted elementary education in Arabic, Persian, and Urdu in the village Maktab, Fakhruddin was put under the tutelage of Md. Yahya, advocate, a big rais of Patna, with deep interest in music and literature. Yahya was the husband of Rasheedun Nesa (1855-1926, the author of the Urdu novel, Islahun Nesa, 1881/94, and a pioneer of modern education to women in Patna).
Fakhruddin did his BA from the Patna College in 1891, and B.L. in 1893, and started court practice under the guidance of Yahya in the district court of Patna. He was also associated with the Bihar Provincial Association.
Having earned good reputation as advocate he was elected member Bengal Council in 1910, which Fakhruddin quit after becoming the government pleader (1917-20) in the High Court of Patna, established in 1916-7. In 1921 he was elected member of the Bihar and Orissa Legislative Council, and he kept winning the elections till his death in 1933.
Thus, during 1921-33 he also served as minister of education besides few other significant departments. His contribution as minister in pushing the cause of education is distinctive. His efforts towards promoting primary and secondary education are noteworthy.
The Deputy Directors of Public Instruction were made to undertake tours of Bihar and open schools. Fakhruddin worked hard towards enhancing the budgetary allocation for education. He also made efforts towards charkha operation in the government schools but remained largely unsuccessful in that. He mobilized funds for construction of college buildings and hostels. He was passionate about it.
Reconstruction of Patna’s BN College building and its three storeyed hostel, the imposing building of the Science College (Patna), two storyed hostel for the Science College, the Patna College Hostel (later became famous as Iqbal Hostel), two storeyed PostGraduate Hostel of Ranighat (Patna), Patna Training College are his creations.
Besides, he also allocated fund for the buildings and hostels of the Muzaffarpur’s GBB (LS) College, Cuttack’s Ravenshaw College, Bhagalpur’s TNB Colllege, two big buildings for the Madrasa Shams-ul-Hoda, which was taken over by the government, and eight professors’ quarters in Ranighat (Patna) are also his creations. For the cause of Urdu, he set up a Madrasa Board in 1922.
Madrasa Shams-ul-Hoda
Fakhruddin had also prepared an ambitious plan of converting the Patna University in a big residential university for which he also influenced the Nathan Committee to make favourable recommendations. This was to be established in the Phulwari Sharif. But it did not see the light of the day as a large number of the members of the Bihar and Orissa Legislative Council opposed it on the arguments that the campus will go far beyond the city; a member went on to allege that Fakhruddin was taking the University to the doors of his Pir. The Searchlight is said to have regretted this myopic opposition as the Bihar’s capital city was deprived of quality residential university.
He created and institutionalized Bihar Educational Service Class I, and went on talent hunt to recruit meritorious teachers for the Patna University.
With these efforts he brought in Dr Gyan Chand as professor of Economics, Prof. Taraporewala (History), Prof. Jamuna Prasad (Psychology), Prof. Hill (English), Prof. Shiv Parvati Prasad (Physics). They were posted on handsome salaries.
There used to be an insistence by the colonial regime to recruit only those candidates as Class I teachers who had obtained degrees from Europe.
Prof. Nayyar Laeeq Ahmad (who later became Principal, Andheri College, Bombay), and Prof. Jadunath Sarkar were also recruited. Sir Fakhruddin resisted this racism, without much success at the time, even though it was diluted subsequently in 1940s when Prof. K K Datta (History, 1944) was taken in.
Sir Fakhruddin brought a bright professor of Law from BHU to make him Principal, Law College, and Prof. Boman Sanjana of Bombay was brought in the Civil Engineering.
In order to overcome the dearth of talented teachers he also instituted State Scholarship programme on which promising students of BA and MA were sent oxford and Cambridge for higher degrees and they had to return back to teach in the colleges of Patna University.
Kishori Prasad Sinha, Fazlur Rahman, and Kalimuddin Ahmad for English literature; Ghanshyam Das for History, Balbhadra Prasad and Qamruddoja for Chemistry, Bhairavnath Rohtagi for Economics were few such luminaries. Sadly, with the death of Sir Fakhruddin this bright scheme also died.
The Bihar School of Engineering was upgraded to ‘College’ by him. He also established the Veterinary College of Patna and recruited many teachers from outside.
Besides education, he also held the portfolio of cooperative and he made it a movement of sorts, more particularly in Tirhut. He convened a conference of Cooperatives in Hajipur when Ahmad Husain (1886-1948), an Aligarh graduate of Muzaffarpur, was posted as SDO in Hajipur.
For all these unforgettable contributions, Dr Rajendra Prasad held him in very high esteem.
Sir Fakhruddin, a bearded, fair-skinned fellow was a devout practicing Muslim with punctualities of namaz. Sherwani, pajama, Turkish cap was his preferred dress. The masjid near the Patna Railway Junction was reconstructed by him by investing around Rs. 20-25 thousand, which is now the Jama Masjid of Patna; for long it was called ‘Sir Fakhruddin Masjid’.
As a minister, he never used government quarters; rather he preferred to work from his own house in Patna, nor did he accept police protection. He was a good orator in both English and Urdu.
His sons- Azizul Haq was a renowned advocate of Patna High Court, Anisul Haq was Deputy Collector, Habibul Haq was in judicial services.
(Mohammad Sajjad, Assistant Professor at Centre of Advanced Study in History, AMU, Aligarh)
source: http://www.twocircles.net / TwoCircles.net / Home / by Mohammad Sajjad / October 13th, 2025
In an era of unprecedented majoritarian ascendance and anti-Muslim hatred, Bihar Collective, a platform of intellectuals and activists, has brought out a booklet highlighting the contribution of eminent Muslims in making the modern Bihar in the last 200 years.
The booklet titled Remembering Muslim Makers of Modern Bihar has been compiled and edited by renowned academician and writer Prof. Mohammad Sajjad on the initiative of Bihar Collective.
The booklet will be released at an event in Patna on Saturday (February 23).
On the occasion, a discussion will also be held with Prof Faizan Mustafa, Vice Chancellor, NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad; Prof Vivek Kumar, JNU, New Delhi; and Prof Mohammad Sajjad, AMU, Aligarh as panelists.
A Brief about Booklet:
Pre-empting a reasonable question about the title of the booklet, Prof Sajjad, who has compiled and edited it, writes in its preface: “A simple and obvious question that may readily arise is: why only Muslim makers of modern Bihar? Why not others too? This is indeed a valid and pertinent question.”
Responding to the question, he further says: “Candidly put, this is because of an unprecedentedly menacing rise of majoritarianism, bigotry, and anti-Muslim hatred, with open support of the state.
The Muslim identities are ominously threatened. There are also unabated attempts to dilute (or even take away) whatever little accomplishments have been made by the forces of social justice and secularism.
Only the Muslim segment however is threatened by the jingoist, exclusionary, violent nationalists, to be thrown out to another country. As if the other country is a dustbin, owned by these bigots, into which they can throw away everything they dislike! As if only the religious majority constitutes the nation! Notably, these jingoists had aligned with the British and had stayed away from the national movement.”
“Muslim contributions in the nation-making (and in the freedom movement) remain under-acknowledged, forgotten or even omitted. Erasure of their histories and memories seem to have become even more pronounced and vociferous, now, than ever before…The Bihar Collective therefore decided to compile a short profile of these inspiring role models, history-makers…This is small and humble step towards retrieving and restoring the nationalist provincial pantheons bearing Muslim identities,” says Prof Sajjad.
He, however, admits that the list of Muslim heroes of Bihar given in the booklet is not exhaustive as “…many have been left out essentially because of lack of documentations and researches. Not many have left their own accounts/memoirs; the available memoirs/accounts have not written much about all the personalities. In many cases, even otherwise “resourceful” descendants and/or associates of the history-makers have not been able to provide us with adequate (and credible/verifiable) details.”
Prof Sajjad hopes this small exercise may lead to some big academic work on these history-makers. “In short, this kind of venture may be said to be an ongoing exercise. This effort may hope to open up (and obtain) more details about such history-makers and would also get to know about many more of such peoples and processes, we failed to include here in this hastily prepared tiny volume, amidst constraints of resources and time.”
Names of Muslim Makers of Modern Bihar Mentioned in Booklet: 1. Syed Imdad Ali (d.1886] 2. Khuda Bakhsh (1842-1908) 3. Syed Amir Husain (1843-1910) 4. Imdad Imam Asar (1849-1934) 5. Shah Badruddin(1852-??) 6. Syed Ali Bilgrami (1853-1911) 7. Rasheed-un-Nesa (1855-1926) 8. Syed Noorul Huda (1855-1939) 9. Justice Syed Sharfuddin (1856-1921) 10. Shaikh Gulab (1857-1920) 11. Sarfaraz Husain Khan (1860-1931) 12. Maulana Mazharul Haque (1866-1930) 13. Batakh Miyan Ansari (1867-1957) 14. Sir Fakhruddin (1868-1933) 15. Syed Ali Imam (1869-1932) 16. Syed Hasan Imam (1871-1933) 17. Salahuddin Khuda Bakhsh (1875-1931) 18. Shafi Daudi(1875-1949) 19. Khwaja Md. Noor(1875-??) 20. Abdul Wadood (d.1955) 21. Syed Abul Hasan (1878-1960) 22. Sir Sultan Ahmad (1880-1963) 23. Maulana Sajjad (1880-1940) 24. Pir Mohammad Munis (1882-1949) 25. Abdul Bari (1882-1947) 26. Syed Sulaiman Nadvi (1884-1953) 27. Mohammad Yunus (1884-1952) 28. Shah Md. Zubair (1884-1930) 29. Syed Abdul Aziz (1885-1948) 30. Zubaida Begum Daudi (1886-1972) 31. Syed Tafazzul Karim (1886-1964) 32. Mr. Mohammad Shafi (1888-1955) 33. Qazi Ahmad Husain (1889-1961) 34. Dr. Syed Mahmud (1889-1971) 35. Ali Husain Aasim Bihari (1890-1953) 36. Shah Mohammad Umair (1894-1978) 37. Abdul Ahad Mohammad Noor (1894-1975) 38. Hakeem Md. Kabiruddin (1894-1976) 39. Maulana Usman Ghani (1896-1977) 40. Manzoor Ahsan Aijazi (1897-1969) 41. Shah Md Ozair Muni’mi (1899-1961) 42. Maghfur Aijazi (1900-1966) 43. Syed Jafar Imam (1900-1965) 44. Syed Badruddin Ahmad (1901-1983) 45. Mohammad Tahir (1903-???) 46. Syed Jafar Imam (1903-1979) 47. Syed Fida Husain (1904-80) 48. Abdul Qaiyum Ansari (1905-1974) 49. Wajihuddin Minhaji (1907-1984) 50. Syed Md. Aiyub (1910-1964) 51. Abdul Sami Nadvi (1913-????) 52. Abul Hayat Chand (1914-1958) 53. Ahad Fatmi(1915-1980) 54. Zawwar Husain (1916-80) 55. Shafiqullah Ansari (1917-1980) 56. Shah Mushtaq Ahmad (1917-2002) 57. Abdul Ghafoor (1918-2004) 58. Col. Mahboob Ahmad (1920-1992) 59. Taqi Raheem (1920-1999) 60. Zahra Daudi(1923-2003) 61. Shakoor Ahmad (1924-1981) 62. Syed Hasan (1924-2016) 63. Yunus Lohia (1925-2019) 64. Ghulam Sarwar (1926-2004) 65. Syed Shahabuddin (1935-2017)
A Brief about Author:
Prof Mohammad Sajjad teaches late-colonial and post-independent Indian history at the Centre for Advanced Study in History, Aligarh Muslim University. He has written several books including Muslim Politics in Bihar: Changing Contours; and Contesting Colonialism and Separatism: Muslims of Muzaffarpur since 1857.
His articles are published in reputed academic journals from Routledge, Sage, EPW etc. and also in anthologies from the Oxford University Press and Cambridge University Press.
Bihar Collective: It is a platform of artists, intellectuals, journalists and activists to promote diversity, pluralism and constitutional values. It aims at bridging the gap between people working in various fields such as media, culture, law, science, arts, human rights, gender equality, films, music, etc. Email: biharcollective@gmail.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/biharcollective
source: http://www.indiatomorrow.net / India Tomorrow / Home> Society / by India Tomorrow / February 21st, 2019
Girls Islamic Organisation (GIO), Sultan Ganj Unit, Patna, organised a felicitation ceremony on Sunday at Markaz-e-Islami, Tekari Road, to honour over 100 meritorious students who secured excellent marks in Class 10 and 12 examinations. The achievers were awarded medals and congratulatory cards in recognition of their academic accomplishments. The event also included guidance sessions to support their future educational journeys.
The chief guest, Mohammad Shehzad from Allied IAS, delivered a comprehensive guidance talk under the theme Care and Guidance, sharing professional and academic opportunities from an Islamic perspective along with practical insights.
Motivational speaker Shazia Ahsan emphasised the value of hard work, self-confidence, and positive thinking in her inspiring speech aimed at empowering the students.
Dr. Zubiesh Firdous, Secretary Women’s Wing Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Bihar, delivered a thought-provoking address on the topic Balancing Deen and Dunya (religion and worldly life). She stressed the need for a harmonious blend of religious and secular education.
Umme Kulsoom, President of GIO Sultan Ganj Unit, introduced the organisation and highlighted its mission of empowering girls and women through education and awareness.
The event was attended by teachers, students, and parents who appreciated the efforts taken by the organisation.
The program began with a spiritual reminder from the Qur’an by Anjum Mukhtar. A soul-stirring na’at (poem in praise of the Prophet ﷺ) was beautifully rendered by Musheerah Fatima, filling the atmosphere with a spiritual essence. Saima Parveen presented an emotionally resonant poem, which was well received by the audience.
The event concluded with closing remarks and a vote of thanks delivered by Shagufta Bano, City Secretary of Patna .
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Education> Report / by Radiance News Bureau / June 01st, 2025
In a time marked by growing communal tensions and polarizing narratives, young author and scholar Syed Amjad Hussain’s book ‘Bihar Aur Sufivad’ arrives not only as a work of history but also as a much-needed spiritual intervention. Spanning more than 300 pages, the book immerses the reader in Bihar’s rich and pluralistic Sufi heritage, offering a profound counter-narrative rooted in peace, love and human dignity.
Bihar is generally remembered for its political agitations and socio-economic challenges, but beneath the surface lies an older, deeper history – a rich tapestry of sufi saints who arrived as early as the 12th century. Through systematic research and a respectful tone, Hussain revives this forgotten spiritual geography.
Beginning with the arrival of Hazrat Peer Shah Mushk Nafah, Hazrat Momin Arif Ansari Yemeni and Hazrat Imam Muhammad Taj Faqih Zubairi Hashmi, followed by the transformative presence of Hazrat Qazi Syed Shahabuddin Suhrawardi Peer Jagjot Kashgari in Fatuha (Patna), the book presents a chronologically overlapping map of Sufi presence in Bihar. These are not mere biographies; they are glimpses into a world where divine love was not only preached but lived, practiced and internalised.
Thematic Depth, Scholarly Rigor
Divided into well-organised sections, ‘Bihar Aur Sufivad’ details the lives of 20 influential sufi saints. Each chapter offers insights into their teachings (taalim), spiritual practices, miracles (karamaat) and most importantly, their social engagements. The saints in Hussain’s work are not passive mystics withdrawn from the world; they are reformers, healers, poets and bridges between communities.
The book also discusses the various sufi orders (silsilas) present in Bihar – Firdausi, Shattari, Husami, Warsi, Chishti, Qadri, Suhrawardi and Naqshbandi – illustrating how each infused its own spiritual philosophy into the soil of Bihar. Of special mention is Hussain’s inclusion of female figures such as Hazrat Bibi Kamal of Kako Sharif, a rare and valuable recognition of women’s contributions to Bihar’s mystic culture.
Language, Tone and Accessibility
Hussain’s writing flows with a gentle rhythm that recalls classical Urdu and Hindi scholarship yet remains accessible to contemporary readers. The prose is rich and poetic without sacrificing academic precision. His background as a researcher is evident in the meticulous citation of works in Persian, Urdu, Arabic, Hindi and English, many of which are obscure or little known to the general public.
This is not a dry academic treatise; it is a living, breathing narrative of spiritual heritage, crafted to engage scholars, young seekers and general readers alike.
Relevance in Today’s India
What makes the book particularly significant is its timing. At a moment when histories are being erased or rewritten to suit political agendas, this book affirms that India’s collective spiritual heritage must not be forgotten. The sufi saints of Bihar transcended caste, creed and religion. Their khanqahs were open to people of all faiths. They preached service, not supremacy.
In this age of ideological divisions, Hussain’s work reminds the bridges that once united communities. It is a call to return – not to nostalgia, but to the ethics of inclusiveness, humility and compassion that the sufis embodied.
‘Bihar Aur Sufivad’ is more than a book; it is a spiritual journey and a historical reclamation. In reviving the voices of Bihar’s forgotten sufi saints, Hussain does more than pay tribute; he builds a bridge for contemporary readers to reconnect with a heritage that offers solutions to some of our most pressing problems.
This book deserves a place not only on library shelves but also in classrooms, living rooms and community discussions. It is an invitation to think, to remember and to heal.
Hussain has not merely authored a book – he has attempted to revive a spiritual legacy and present it afresh to the modern world. This work warrants a place of honour in the study of Indian Islam, Sufism and regional spiritual histories. It is hoped that it will inspire further research, dialogue and, most importantly, personal transformation.
It is strongly recommended for scholars, spiritual seekers and anyone interested in the rich diversity of India’s syncretic traditions.
(Dr. Shujaat Ali Quadri is an Indian journalist, deputy director of the Indo-Islamic Heritage Center and the chairman of the Muslim Students Organisation of India)
source: http://www.twocircles.net / TwoCircles.net / Home> Arts & Culture> Book Review / by Dr Shujaat Ali Quadri / May 07th, 2025
Muqita, Fatima and Shakila are a few of the over hundred persons who get monthly pension from the Soghra Waqf Estate of Bihar Sharif in Bihar. They are quite thankful for the Waqf Estate but they are not aware about the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Act.
This is just one of the hundreds of Waqf Estates which is providing help to the needy in one or the other way. Apart from the monthly pension, it also provides financial help for medical treatment to the needy.
BBC Hindi recently made a video report about the financial help being provided by the Soghra Waqf Estate.
According to this report Muqita Khatoon is about to turn eighty. Sadly, mother of four sons Muqita lives alone. Twenty-five years back her husband Bashir passed away. Muqita has nothing but the memory of her husband and a few utensils in her rented house. She pays the rent of this single room from the pension of Rs. 600 she gets from Soghra Waqf Estate. She says that many a time she is forced to sleep without any food.
Sogra Waqf Estate was established in the year 1896. Bibi Sogra, an enlightened lady, donated land for Waqf in sixteen districts, including Nalanda, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga and Nawadah. It is reported that Soghra Waqf Estate consists of around twenty-one thousand acres of land. It is said that Bibi Soghra set priority for women as beneficiary of the Waqf.
Fatima, 66, of village Sabbait in Nalanda district is dependent on the pension she gets from Soghra Waqf Estate. She was deserted by her husband only after three years of marriage. Fatima lived with her father but after he died, she was left helpless. Then she got a pension of Rs. 500.00 per month from the Soghra Waqf Estate. She is happy that someone from her neighbourhood also filled the form for the social welfare scheme of Bihar government from which she gets Rs. 400.00 per month. She is happy to get Rs. 900.00 per month and terms it as ‘bahut rahat’ (big relief).
Soghra Waqf Estate is providing monthly pension for 113 needy persons of Nalanda, Sheikhpura, Nawadah and Gaya districts.
Mokhtarul Haque, Mutawalli of Soghra Waqf Estate, says that there are talks of no representation of women and Pasmanda but it must be said that Bibi Soghra herself was the Mutawalli of this Waqf from 1896 to 17 March 1909. “Thus the leadership was in the hands of a woman.”
Shakila Khatoon lost her husband and son. She is forced to cover her face with a dupatta because of cancer. She is getting financial help from this Waqf Estate for her treatment. She used to make Bidis and smoke it also. She quite emotional says that she gets financial help from the ‘Estate’. “I used to get Rs. 1000-2000 for my treatment. Though it was not a big amount but when you get nothing from other sources, it becomes more important,” said Shakila.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Features> Focus / by Md. Sami Ahmad / Radiance News Bureau / May 11th, 2025
Dr Wasim ur Rehman UPSC Indian Civil Services, AIR 281 ranking
Dr. Wasim ur Rehman cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024, without coaching and preparing for this difficult examination for Indian Civil Services while serving as a doctor in a hospital. He scored 281st All-India Rank.
“I used to study for 6 to 7 hours daily. It was not easy. I studied after performing 7-8 hours of duty in the hospital. But I think this experience improved my time management. I mostly studied from online content,” Dr Wasim told Awaz-the Voice.
Dr. Wasim was successful in his fourth attempt. He said in his previous appearances, though he sat in the examination, that he was clear that his performance was below the mark, and he hadn’t done enough to make it. “However, I didn’t give up. Each failure made me stronger. My family has always been my strength. Whenever I would get tired, the encouragement of my parents and siblings would push me forward.”
Dr. Waseem ur Rehman is a resident of Katra block of Muzaffarpur district of Bihar. He was born into an educated and middle-class family. His father Haji Saud Azam Rahmani retired as Block Agriculture Officer in the government and mother Jahan Ara Khatoon, retired as headmistress of a government school.
The family environment was conducive to education and excellence. Waseem was inspired to work hard and was goal-oriented from the beginning.
Wasim did her early schooling at Muzaffarpur. Later, he joined a school affiliated with the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) till the 12th class.
He studied MBBS from Vardhman Mahavir Medical College (VMMC) and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi.
Dr. Wasim’s success lay in the fact that he prepared for UPSC without joining a traditional coaching institute. Although he chose Anthropology as an optional subject and joined an online coaching course, he largely remained focused on self-study and digital resources.
Dr. Wasim achieved this success in his fourth attempt.
According to Dr. Wasim, during the UPSC interview, he was asked questions about the famous litchi of his home district, Muzaffarpur. He impressed the interview board with his medical and administrative knowledge and understanding of the local socio-economic context.
Wasim sees his success as a path to serving society and the nation.
For the youth of India, Dr Wasim has a message, “Work hard and honestly; take advice from your elders; move forward in the right direction with dedication and patience. Every goal is difficult, but not impossible. If you keep trying, one day success will happen”.
Dr Wasim has two brothers: a businessman in Muzaffarpur, and the other is studying in a law college in Patna. One of his sisters is a government school teacher, and the other a homemaker.
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Stories / by Mohammad Akram, New Delhi / May 16th, 2025
Prof. Abdul Qavi Desnavi (November 1, 1930 – July 7, 2011)
Bhopal:
A two-day National seminar is being organised on “Prof. Abdul Qavi Desnavi Hyat Aur Adabi Khidmat” here on April 1 and 2 at Mulla Ramuzi Sanskriti Bhavan, the headquarters of Madhya Pradesh Urdu Academy, (MPUA).
The seminar is being organised by Ilma Education Society, Bhopal under the joint aegis of National Council for the Promotion of Urdu Language, (NCPUL) and MPUA.
Mr. Kailash Sarang, former Rajya Sabha member, will inaugurate the seminar on April 1 at 10 am which will be presided over by Urdu litterateur Prof. Afaq Ahmad.
AThe guests of honour on the occasion include: Mr. Aziz Qureshi, ex-member of Lok Sabha, Mr. Iqbal Majeed, Prof. Shakoor Khan, Prof. Muzaffar Hanafi and Prof. Ateequllah.
Prof. Afaq Husain Siddiqui will deliver the keynote address in the inaugural function while Kausar Siddiqui, director of the organising committee shall welcome the guests. Mr. Ali Mutaqqui Desnavi, the eldest son of late Prof. Abdul Qavi Desnavi will propose vote of thanks.
After the inaugural function there would be two sessions on April 1 and three on the next day. Two-and-a-half dozen scholars and writers from all over India will present their papers in different sessions of the seminar.
They include: Prof. Muzaffar Hanafi (Delhi), Mr. Ayub Waqif (Mumbai), Master Akhtar, Mr. Arif Aziz & Dr. Arjumand Bano Afshan (all three from Bhopal), Prof. Ateequllah (Delhi), Prof. Khalid Mahmood (Delhi), Maulana Syed Sharafat Ali Nadwi (Bhopal), Dr. Yaqoob Yawar (Banaras), Mr. Iqbal Masood, Mr. Rasheed Anjum & Dr. (Mrs.) Razia Hamid (all three from Bhopal), Dr. Saifi Sironji (Sironj), Prof. Manzar Husain (Ranchi), Prof. Afaq Ahmad (Bhopal), Dr. Maula Baqsh (Delhi), Mr. Naseem Ansari (Bhopal), Mr. Zia Farooqui, Mr. Ashfaq Mashhadi, Mr. Khalid Abidi, Dr. Mahtab Alam & Mr. Javed Yazdani (all six from Bhopal), Dr. Mohammad Nauman & Dr. Khalid Mubashshir (both from Delhi), Dr. Abdul Waheed Khan (Jabalpur), Mr. Naeem Kausar, Mr. Khursheed Akhtar (both from Bhopal), Dr. Shan Fakhri (Sironj), Mr. Habib Ahmad & Mr. Inamullah Lodhi (both from Bhopal).
Meanwhile, it may be stated here that Prof. Abdul Qavi Desnavi (November 1, 1930 – July 7, 2011) was an Indian eminent Writer, Critic, Bibliographist, Linguist and Scholar of Urdu language. He has authored more than 50 books on Urdu literature. His books were also translated in other languages. His important work was about Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Mirza Ghalib, Allama Muhammad Iqbal and litterateurs of Bhopal.
He was recipient of several awards. He received Senior Fellowship from the Union Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India. His great treatise was a voluminous book on one of India’s frontline freedom fighter and first Union Education Minister Maulana Abul Kalam Azad over 900 pages titled “Hayat-e-Abul Kalam Azad” which he penned in the year 2000. It was acclaimed nationally and internationally.
Desnavi was born in Nalanda Prof. Desnavi was born on November 1, 1930 in village Desna of block Asthawan in Nalanda district Bihar. He belonged to the family of Great Muslim scholar Syed Sulaiman Nadvi, who was one of the eminent historian and biographers of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), during his times. He was the second son of late Prof. S. M. Saeed Raza, who was Professor of Urdu, Arabic and Persian languages in St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai. His elder brother was Prof. Syed Mohi Raza and younger brother was Syed Abdul Wali Desnavi.
Education Prof. Desnavi had his primary education in Arrah town of Bihar state. After completing his graduation & post-graduation in First Division from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, he joined Department of Urdu in Saifia Post Graduate College, Bhopal in February 1961. He went on to become Professor and Head of the Urdu Department of Saifia Post Graduate College. He was well-known literary figure in India and in the Urdu world.
His shining disciples Many scholars, poets and teachers of today such as lyricist Javed Akhtar, Poet Mushtaq Singh, Prof. Muzaffar Hanafi, Selani Silwatte, Prof. Khalid Mehmood, Prof. Mohammed Naumaan Khan, Prof. Afaq Husain Siddiqui, poet Iqbal Masood, Dr. Iqbal Masood Nadvi, Ahsanuddin Farooqui, Khurshid Akhtar, Mohammed Naseem, Dr. Qamar Ali Shah, Prof. Yaqoob Yawar, Maulana Syed Sharafat Ali Nadvi, Prof. Arjumand Bano Afshan etc. were under his tutelage during their student days in Bhopal and are now sparkling in the Urdu world. Under his guidance many students attained Ph.D. degrees.
He retired in 1990. He was also holding many Honorary positions such as: • Additional Principal of Saifia Post Graduate College, Bhopal.(1983–1985); • Secretary of Madhya Pradesh Urdu Academy, Bhopal (1991–92); • Elected Member Majlis-e-Aam Anjuman Taraqqui Urdu (Hind), New Delhi (1979–1984); • Member of All India Anjuman Taraqui Urdu Board, New Delhi, (1977–1978); • Member of Program Advisory Committee, All India Radio, Bhopal (1978–1979); • Member Executive Council, Barkatullah University Bhopal, (1980–1982); • Chairman of Board of Studies, Urdu, Persian & Arabic, Barkatullah University Bhopal, (1977–1980) and (1984–1985); • Dean Faculty of Arts, Barkatullah University Bhopal, (1980–1982) & • Member Working Committee, Taj-ul-Masajid, Bhopal (1997-2007)
Awards Prof. Desnavi received many awards in his lifetime such as Shibli Award, Mumbai, 1957; Senior Fellowship, Ministry of Education & Culture, Government Of India for 4 Years, 1979-1983; Sanad “Imteyaz Meer” All India Meer Academy, Lucknow 1981; Nawab Siddique Hasan Khan Provincial Award, Bhopal 1986; Bihar Urdu Academy Award, for recognition of Urdu services (1988–89) & (1989–90); All India “Parvez Shahidi Award” West Bengal Urdu Academy, Calcutta 1998.
His books The books Prof. Desnavi authored to enrich the Urdu literary world included: Ek Aur Mashriqi Kutub Khana (1954); Hasrat Ki Siyasi Zindagi (1956); Aur Hindustan Jag Utha (1963); Allama Iqbal Bhopal Mein (1967); Mazameen Lisan-un-Sidque (1967); Bhopal Aur Ghalib (1969); Ghalibyaat (1969); Nuskha-e-Bhopal Aur Nuskha-e-Bhopal Sani (1970); Qadir Nama-e—Ghalib (1971); Anis Numa (1973); Ek Shahar Panch Mushahir (1973); Nazr—e-Sajjad (1974); Mota’ala—e—Khotoot—e—Ghalib 1975, (Edition 2nd 1979); Saat TahrireiN (1975); Hindustan MeiN Iqbaliat (1976); Talash-o—Taasur (1977); Mehdi Hassan Efadi (1977); Iqbal Uneesween Sadi MeiN(1977); Mirza Salaamat Ali Dabeer (1977); Bachon Ka Iqbal (1978); Iqbal Aur Dilli (1978); Abdul Haque Banam Mahvi (1980); Nazr-e-Takhallus (1981); Mota’ala-e-Ghobar-e—Khatir (1981); Dhanpat Rai Nawab Rai Premchand (1981); Iqbal Aur Darul Iqbal Bhopal (1983); Iqbaliat Ki Talash (1984); Yadgar—e—Sulaiman (1984); Iqbaliat Ki Talash Publisher, Globe Publishers, Urdu Bazar Lahore, Pakistan (1985); Armoghane-Saifia (Co—Editor) (1986); Abul Kalam Azad (1987); Maulana Abul Kalam Mohiuddin Ahmad Azad Dehlavi (1988); Mahanama Lisan-un-Sidque (1988); Yadgar—e—Azad (1989); Mataihiyat (1989); Talash—e—Azad; Talash-e-Azad, Shaqsiyat, Khidmat, Chand JhalkiaN (1990); Jawaharlal—o—Azad (Co—Editor) (1990); Ajnabi Shahar (1992); Fakhernama (Co—Editor) (1997); Urdu Shairi Ki Gayarah AwazaiN; Masreen wa Mutaliqat Azad; Hayat Abul Kalam Azad (2000); Bombai Se Bhopal Tak (2004); Dur Dais Se (2005); MaiN Urdu Hoon (2006).
His books translated in other languages are: Abul Kalam Azad in Hindi language Translated by Janki Prashad Sharma, Publisher Sahitya Akademi (1987); Abul Kalam Azad in Punjabi language Translated Inder Singh Raz Publisher Sahitya Akademi (1988); Abul Kalam Azad in English language translated by Syeda Syedain Hamid Publisher Sahitya Akademi(1991); Abul Kalam Azad in Maithili language translated by Fazlur Rehman Hashmi, Publisher Sahitya Akademi (1994)
The awards Prof. Desnavi received on his books are: Saat TahrireiN – Uttar Pradesh Urdu Academy Lucknow, 1975; Uneesween Sadi Mein Iqbal – Bihar Urdu Academy Patna, 1977; Mota’ala-e-Khotoot Ghalib – Bihar Urdu Academy Patna, 1979; Mota’ala-e-Ghobar-e-Khatir – Bihar Urdu Academy Patna, 1981; Iqbaliat Ki Talash – Bihar Urdu Academy Patna, 1984, Abul Kalam Azad Academy, Bihar Urdu Academy Patna, 1987; Yadgar—e—Sulaiman – Maghribi Bengal Urdu Academy Calcutta, 1984; Talash—e—Azad – Uttar Pradesh Urdu Academy Lucknow, 1991; Talash—e—Azad – Bihar Urdu Academy Patna, 1991; Talash—e—Azad – West Bengal Urdu Academy Calcutta, 1993; Urdu Shairi Ki Gayarah AwazaiN – Uttar Pradesh Urdu Academy, Lucknow, 1993; & Urdu Shairi Ki Gayarah AwazaiN – Bihar Urdu Academy, Patna, 1993.
Under his guidance the Ph.D. degrees were awarded by Barkatullah University to • Dr. Muzaffar Hanafi – “Shad Arfi Shaksiat Aur Fun” 1974 Published – 1977; • Dr. Hadiqa Begum – “Abdul Rehman Bijnori Hayat Aur Khidmat” 1981 Published – 1984; • Dr. Naseem Shanvi- “Urdu Tanquid Ka Marxi Dabistan” 1981; • Dr. Mohammed Ayub Khan – “Iqbal Aur Gazal Goi” 1982; • Dr. Safia Wadood – “Takhalus Bhopali Hayat Aur Khidmat” 1984 Published – 1993; • Dr. Arjumand Bano – “Riasat Bhopal Aur Mushahir Urdu” 1989; • Dr. Shan Ahmed Fakhri – “Sironj Ki Khidmat” 1990 Published – 1999; • Dr. Yaqoob Ali Khan – “Taraqqui Pasand Shairi Aik Jaiza” 1990 Published – 1997 and • Dr. Mohammed Naumaan Khan – “Bhopal MeiN Urdu Inzamam Ke Baid”1990.
Poems The poems composed on Prof. Desnavi include: • Pasban-e-Urdu by Rahbar Jaunpuri; • Nazre Abdul Qavi Desnavi by Arshad Siddiqui; • Anjuman Ilm-O-Kamal by Zafar Sahbai; • Herf-e-Khuloos by Kausar Siddiqui; • Shan-e-Imtiaz by Zafar Naseemi; • Qandil-e-Hikmat, Abdul Qavi Desnavi by Wafa Siddiqui;
• Kharaj-e-Tehsin by Arman Akberabadi; • Pahchaan Hai Saifia by Kamil Baihzadi; • Prof. Abdul Qavi Desnavi by Mateen Qurashi Shaheed and • Aik Nazem by Iqbal Masood.
Last breath Prof. Desnavi died at about 5 am on 7 July 2011 in a private hospital where he was admitted following complaints of old age related diseases. He is survived by his wife, three sons and four daughters and a large number of relatives and literary friends to mourn his loss.
(pervezbari@eth.net)
source: http://www.twocircles.net / TwoCircles.net / Home> Indian Muslim> Literature / by Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net / March 30th, 2012
