Khuda Hafiz Shamim sahab

At 8.30PM on the sixth of May 2021, Shamim sahab’s family received a call from MD City Hospital, New Delhi, “We are going to give CPR to the patient as his heart is not responding. We have to incubate him. Could you please come soon?” Just an hour back doctors were hopeful about his condition.

With prayers in our heart, we rushed from Jasola to Model Town. That 40-minute drive was the longest I ever took. We reached hospital at 9.20PM and dashed towards the ICU ward, only to be stopped by the doctor outside the ward, “We tried our best but could not succeed, he is no more.“ Shamim Hanfi had left for his heavenly abode at 8.50 PM, to be united with his parents, brothers, his illustrious friends like Intezar Hussain, Balraj Menra, Zahid Dar, Shamsur Rahman Farooqui, Asif Farrukhi, Zubair Rizvi, Manglesh Dabral, Mohammad Alvi, Mohd Shahid and many others. He left behind a grieving wife and two daughters. Continue reading “Khuda Hafiz Shamim sahab”

Ajmer Urs 2021; online registration and COVID protocol must for pilgrims

Ajmer: The much awaited yearly Urs of famous Sufi Saint Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chisty at Ajmer will have a different look this year, as the Government of Rajasthan has made it mandatory for the pilgrims to obtain passes as per the COVID-19 protocols to enter into the shrine.

According to the sources, those pilgrims who want to take part in the Urs celebrations will have to submit his travel plans and other information including identity card on the Department of Science and Technology (DOITC) website this time. For this, the website Ursfair2021.doitcajmer created,

Garib Nawaz’s 809th Urs is expected to begin on on 12 or 13 February 2021 when the moon is sighted and will end at February 19. It is for the first time, the online registration process for Urs celebration has been taken up, These steps have been taken by the state government to protect against the corona virus.

The link of this website is being made available to the various states and districts of the country, so that it can reach the strong information about it to pilgrims.

Registration will also be possible from mobile

Pilgrims can also register with their Mobile. One has to open the link Ursfair2021.doitcajmer.in on the mobile, then in turn you will have to give the information sought in the given call. The intending pilgrim shall have to undergo an COVID-19 test, and the negative report has to be updated while obtaining the pass.

According to the rules, the Passengers will have to give prior travel information including the mode of transportation and date of arrival and has to give a declaration too. After the declaration, a booking number will be issued to Zaireen by the district administration and accordingly a pass for entry into the Dargah.

Courtesy:: Siasat

The Maulvi of Faizabad whose name will be on Ayodhya mosque project

Ayodhya: The Ayodhya Mosque Trust –Indo Islamic Cultural Foundation, set up to build a mosque at Ayodhya on the land mandated by the Supreme Court after the apex court gave the Babri land for the Ram Mandir, has decided to put the name of Mughal emperor Babar in the past baggage and dedicate its mosque project to the 1857 freedom fighter of Ayodhya — Maulvi Ahmadullah Shah.

Even after more than one and a half centuries of the 1857 War of Independence, this great revolutionary who kept Ayodhya and other parts of Awadh region free from the British for more than a year and was an icon of Hindu-Muslim brotherhood in his lifetime has not got his due regard.

Maulavi Ahmadullah Shah Freedom Fighter Special Cover( Courtesy: Hipstamp)

After he was martyred by British agents and his head was severed from his body, the British buried his body and head at two unknown places, to prevent the people from turning his grave into a mausoleum. The British were of the opinion that even the dead Maulvi was as dangerous for British Raj as he was during his lifetime.

Historian Roshan Taqi said, “while going through the books written on Mutiny by British writers, this fact reveals how much the English were scared of the dead Maulvi. It’s very unfortunate that British authors have written a lot about Maulvi Ahmadullah Shah but we have no course on him in colleges and schools.”

The only memory of Maulvi Ahmadullah Shah in Ayodhya is the Masjid Sarai in Faizabad city which was his headquarters, he added.

Ahmadullah Shah, born in 1787, more famously known as the Maulvi of Faizabad, was one of the leading figures in the war of 1857. In the Awadh region, Ahmadullah Shah was known as the ‘Lighthouse of Rebellion’. Hailing from a noble warrior family of Awadh in Faizabad, he grew up to be a political leader committed to armed revolutionary insurrection against British rule in India.

During the freedom struggle, the Maulvi made Faizabad the centre and launched revolts in the entire Awadh region. He made the local mosque Masjid Sarai located in Chowk area of Faizabad his headquarters. As he liberated Faizabad and the larger part of Awadh region, he used the premises of this mosque to hold meetings with rebel leaders.

Shah kept Faizabad free from British rule for almost one year, until his death at the hands of British agents on June 5, 1858.

According to researcher and historian Ram Shankar Tripathi, “While being a practicing Muslim, he was also the epitome of religious unity and Ganga-Jamuna culture of Faizabad. In the revolt of 1857, royals like Nana Sahib of Kanpur, Kunwar Singh of Arrah fought alongside Maulavi Ahmadullah Shah. Maulavi’s 22nd Infantry Regiment was commanded by Subedar Ghamandi Singh and Subedar Umrao Singh in the famous Battle of Chinhat.”

Tripathi says, “Maulvi wanted Raja Jagannath Singh of Pawayan, a zamindar in Shahjahanpur district of Uttar Pradesh, to join the anti-colonial war. On June 5, 1858, with prior appointment, he went to meet Raja Jagannath Singh in his fortress-like house. On arriving at the gate, he was greeted with a volley of gunshots from Jagannath Singh’s brother and retainers. The Maulvi breathed his last on the spot.”

“The martyr’s head was severed and carried in a piece of cloth with blood still oozing from it to the district magistrate, Shahjahanpur, by the zamindar. The district magistrate was at lunch with his friends. But the depraved feudal lord rushed in and presented the severed head of the hero on the dining table of the district magistrate. With a reward of Rs 50,000, he returned home.”

According to another historian Roshan Taqui, “Maulvi use to bring out revolutionary pamphlets mobilising the masses to do ‘Jihad’ against the British. Maulvi was arrested by the British in January 1857 and was held captive in Faizabad, but three months before the revolt broke out in Lucknow on June 3, he escaped and launched a war against the British in Awadh region including Faizabad, Lucknow and Shahjahanpur.”

“During the revolt, the revolutionaries appointed him as chief of 22nd Infantry Regiment that fought the famous battle of Chinhat in Ismailganj of Lucknow on June 30, 1857, against British forces led by Henry Lawrence. The Britishers were badly defeated in this battle,” informed Roshan Taqui.

British officers like George Bruce Malleson and Thomas Seaton have made mention about the courage, valour, personal and organisational capabilities of Ahmadullah Shah. Malleson has repeatedly mentioned Ahmadullah in the History of Indian Mutiny, a book written in six volumes covering the revolt of 1857.

Athar Hussain, Secretary of the Indo Islamic Cultural Foundation, said “the Trust is thinking very seriously over the proposal of dedicating our Ayodhya Mosque Project to the great freedom fighter Maulvi Ahmadullah Shah, we have got suggestions regarding the same from different platforms, it is a good suggestion, we will officially announce it after deliberation.”

Source: IANS

Ayodhya Mosque construction begins with tricolour hosting

The mosque will be built in two phases on the five acres land allotted by SC in Janmabhoomi case in 2019

Lucknow: The construction of the mosque at Ayodhya’s Dhanipur village kick-started today with hoisting the Indian flag around 8:45 am.

Zafar Ahmed Farooqui, the chief of the Indian Islamic culture foundation (IICF), all 12 members of the IICF trust, and local villagers attended the event and planted a sapling each.

The mosque will be built in two phases on the five acres land allotted by the Supreme Court in Janmabhoomi case in 2019. The chief of the trust appealed for the donations and the contributions from people have already started for the project.

In the first phase, the mosque will be built along with the proposed hospital and the trust will expand the hospital in the second phase, which will house a community kitchen to serve 1000 meals each day. The greenfield area will have plants from all over the world.

The earlier statements by the trust stated that the project includes a museum, a library, Indo-Islamic research centre, a community kitchen, a hospital, and a publication house.

Earlier in 2020, the government said it will not allow the construction of any other building but just a masjid. After the release of the blueprint for the project, the All India Muslim law board member Zafaryab Jeelani opposed the construction of the mosque saying that it will violate the waqf land which is based on the Shariat law.

According to Waqf Act, the lands of mosques cannot be bartered while on the other hand, the Sunni law board, which is allegedly acting under the pressure from the government rejected the contention and said that there is nothing illegal in the construction of the mosque and the Shariat can be interpreted in any way.

“From the minority Perspective residing in Ayodhya, we can say that it is a good start to bring back communal harmony in the district. The start of such construction on the Republic Day will send the message of integrity,” said Mohammed Ghori, a local resident.

Courtesy: Siasat

Aligarh Muslim University illuminated for its centenary celebrations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the chief guest at centenary celebrations on December 22

Aligarh: Buildings in Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) have been illuminated for its centenary celebrations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the chief guest at centenary celebrations on December 22, through video conferencing.

Speaking to ANI, AMU Public Relations Officer (PRO) Omar Saleem Peerzada said, “A centenary celebration is a landmark event in the history of any university. We are celebrating this event following all protocols of the COVID-19 pandemic. There are webinars, seminars and symposiums going on.”

“Moreover the landmark buildings and administrative block of the Univesity besides several gates are being decorated with lights depicting the rich and unique heritage of the University,” he said.

“It is a great festival for the students, teachers and those associated with the University,”

he added. On December 16 Peerzada had informed that Prime Minister Modi will be the chief guest at the centenary celebration of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) on December 22 via video link.

The Prime Minister will be accompanied by Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank. This is the first time PM Modi will participate in a programme of the Aligarh Muslim University.

“The vice-chancellor is very grateful to the Prime Minister and education minister for taking out time from their busy schedules to attend the celebration. This is an important day for the university,” Peerzada had added.

Source: ANI

Prof Lelyveld delivers lecture on establishment of AMU

Aligarh: Noted scholar and the author of ‘Aligarh’s First Generation: Muslim Solidarity in British India’, Prof David Lelyveld on Monday meticulously located the history of the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental (MAO) College and its transformation into the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), in the perspective of Muslim cultural identity in India in the nineteenth century, and the changes it underwent, in the context of colonial rule.

He was delivering the keynote address on the establishment of Aligarh Muslim University in the AMU Centenary International Webinar on ‘The Establishment of Aligarh Muslim University and its Achievements (1920-2020) ‘. The two-day programme, which will conclude on December 8 is organised by the Sir Syed Academy.

Explaining the history of AMU in a multiple time frame analysis, Prof Lelyveld described how the period from 1870-75 saw the landmark developments such as Syed Mahmud submitting the plan of a proposed university in the MAO College Fund Committee meeting in 1873 among other important events.

He discussed how the years 1875-1898 were about Sir Syed ‘s remarkable leadership and the year 1920, when Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College became Aligarh Muslim University, following the Gazette Notification.

He said that Sir Syed introduced a new energy and a notion of progress to change the common people.

“Sir Syed had an interdisciplinary perspective. He was a modernist with religious thoughts, a proponent of both scientific and historical learning and a social reformer, who laid the foundation of scientific education with the establishment of MAO College, now known as AMU that continues today as one of India’s premier universities,” said Prof Lelyveld.

He further spoke how Sheikh Abdullah, after whom AMU Abdullah College was named, pressed for women education and wrote many articles in different journals.

“Sheikh Abdullah started a monthly womens’ magazine in order to start a school for girls. In 1906, he managed to start a girl’s school and after a lot of struggle, Sheikh Abdullah and his wife Waheed Jahan Begum finally succeeded to lay the foundation stone of the first girl’s hostel in 1911,” said Prof Lelyveld.

Prof Leyveld emphasised the role played by former President of India, Dr Zakir Husain in taking AMU forward and in shaping the education system of the country.

The Chief Guest, Mr M J Akbar, Indian journalist and politician, who served as the Minister of State for External Affairs and is currently a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha said that AMU is a living institution representing Sir Syed’s perception of future.

“Sir Syed, who was born in the last years of the Mughal era and died during the peak of the British Raj, knew how to move a community out of nostalgia and this became his mission,” said Mr Akbar.

He added: “Sir Syed tried to change Muslims and Hindus with the instrument of education. His commitment was not sectarian and he believed that the patriarchal system needed to be eliminated.”

Sir Syed promoted equality and welfare of the all Indian citizens and believed in non-violence, said Mr Akbar adding that he saved a British family during the unrest followed by the 1857 Mutiny.

He pointed out that Sir Syed stressed on gender reforms and economic emancipation.

“On his England visit, Sir Syed saw a maid reading a newspaper, which left a deep impression on him. He wanted to bring the western gender reforms to India to tread the path of Western progress,” pointed out Akbar.

Attending the programme as the Guest-of-Honour, former AMU Vice Chancellor, Lt General Zameer Uddin Shah (Veteran) said that Sir Syed’s Aligarh Movement needs to be taken forward.

General Shah added that he took inspiration from the life and works of Sir Syed and became a part of the second Aligarh Movement, focussed to establish a chain of modern and secular schools.

“We have already established three such schools and fourth one will be operational soon,” said General Zameer Uddin Shah.

He urged students to utilise their time and to focus on areas such as nano technology, artificial intelligence and robotics, while maintaining the ethos of Ganga-Jamuna Tehzeeb (Culture).

Former AMU Vice Chancellor and civil servant, Mr Naseem Ahmad said that Sir Syed as the leading light of the wider Aligarh Movement established a base, and an impetus for education reform.

He added that the Aligarh Movement had a profound impact on the Indian society and influenced a number of other movements to a great extent that it caused the emergence of other reform movements during the 19th century.

“Sir Syed realized the importance of modern education and believed that education alone will help to reach the cherished goal of development, peace, harmony and political stability of people,” said Mr Naseem.

He pointed out that Sir Syed stood for reformation and transformation of society to modern ideas, especially to the backward Muslims in general and to the common Indians in particular.

“Sir Syed was a reformist and progressive thinker of his time. His main contribution and relevance to the present day is his belief in multiculturalism where all communities irrespective of any caste or creed must be allowed equal status and to live in harmony,” said Mr Naseem.

Delivering presidential remarks, AMU Vice Chancellor, Prof Tariq Mansoor said that any institution is judged by the values it inculcates. AMU stands for pluralism, harmony, inclusiveness and scholarship.

“Since its inception, AMU has been making seminal contributions to different branches of knowledge and has played a major role in Nation building. We stand proud that AMU is included amongst the top ranked Indian universities due to the concerted efforts of its faculty and focussed research of its scholars,” said the Vice Chancellor adding that it is time for minorities, especially Muslims for a new thought process, which should involve dialogue and adjustments.

Speaking on the Covid 19 work at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC), Prof Mansoor informed that JNMC is playing an important role in combating Covid-19 pandemic through testing, treatment and vaccine trials.

JNMC hospital is the first institution to complete enrollment of 1000 volunteers for Phase III Covaxin trials sponsored by ICMR and Bharat Biotech, said the Vice Chancellor.

AMU Pro Vice Chancellor, Prof Zaheeruddin also attended the programme.

In the welcome address, Prof Ali Mohammad Naqvi, Director, Sir Syed Academy said that the two-day programme will have paper presentations from experts and researchers from various fields.

AMU Registrar, Mr Abdul Hamid (IPS) thanked the keynote speaker for the thought provoking lecture, while Dr Mohammad Shahid, Deputy Director, Sir Syed Academy extended the vote of thanks to all the guests.  Dr Syed Hussain Haider conducted the programme.  

Courtesy: TCN News

Muslim man donates land for the restructuring of Hanuman temple

Bengaluru: HMG Basha, a 65-year-old Muslim man from Bengaluru to donate 1.5 guntas (1633.5 Square Feet) of land worth between Rs 80 lakh and Rs 1 crore for restructuring a Hanuman temple in Hosakote taluk of Bengaluru Rural district.

Basha, who runs a transport business, is a resident of Belathur in Kadugodi, Basha’s family-owned three acres of land located adjacent to a small Hanuman temple in Valagerepura, Hosakote taluk.

Basha noticed that due to the loss of space, devotees were struggling to find enough space to go around the temple and offer Pooja.

“During this time, villagers also decided to renovate the temple but were short of space. Realizing the requirement, I offered to donate 1.5 guntas out of the three-acre land by convincing the hesitant villagers,” Basha told, in a report by Deccan Herald.

However, the temple trust Sri Veeranjaneyaswami Devalaya Seva Trust had asked only for 1 gunta of the land. But keeping in mind the influx of devotees, Basha offered them 1.5 guntas lands so they can build a bigger temple.

“They had doubts about what I was doing but I told them that I would love to see a Hanuman temple built on this land,” he said.

“All my family members agreed to donate,” Basha said. “Today we live, tomorrow we perish. When uncertainty is lurking in our lives, what will we gain by spreading hatred against each other?”

Basha said what one does must benefit the society at large and that was his only intention.

The temple land is located close to the highway with Old Madras Road passing right next to it. A poster has been erected hailing Basha’s donation has been put up by the villagers, which is being shared widely on social media.

Courtesy: Siasat

 

Dr. Kalbe Sadiq: The Man Who Walked the Talk

My first personal contact with Dr. Kalbe Sadiq happened while I was still in school. He was visiting my maternal uncle and his good friend, Maulana Hamidul Hasan. I remember his friendly demeanour as my uncle introduced me. This along with a deep understanding of human society was the hallmark of the great man.

The first time I sat through an entire lecture of Dr. Sadiq was in the common room of Hadi Hasan hostel, Aligarh Muslim University. This was probably 1992-93. He started exactly at the scheduled time and shared wonderful insights on Islamic teaching. This was a welcome change for young impressionable minds. It gave us a new perspective.

Continue reading “Dr. Kalbe Sadiq: The Man Who Walked the Talk”

Let’s reclaim the spirit of A.M.U.

We all are aware of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan’s mammoth efforts in shaping the educational landscape of Indian Sub continent in the 19th century by establishing the scientific society, Victoria College, Persian School in Moradabad and the establishment of Mohammedan Anglo Oriental College in Aligarh, which in 1920 became the Aligarh Muslim University. These establishments help Indians specially those who belong to marginalised section of the society to achieve great heights in their educational pursuit and also help them in becoming better human beings. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan was a visionary whose foresightedness helped Indians in mastering English language and thus creating their niche in their own country where they were outclassed and outsmarted by colonial masters because of their proficiency in a universal language. Continue reading “Let’s reclaim the spirit of A.M.U.”

Hussaini Alam has to do with the history and not just religion

Hyderabad: Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, is known around the world over for the mourning of Hazrat Hussain, the son of Imam Ali and a grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, who was martyred in the battle of Karbala, in Iraq (about) about 1400 years ago.

Hyderabad’s Moharram traditions, especially its huge processions, are believed to be the largest in the Indian sub-continent, which witness the participation of thousands of people, including those of non-Islamic faiths.

The processions begin from the first day of Muharram and end on the tenth of the same month. The Alam, which is a symbolic representation of the martyrs who died in the battle of Karbala, is usually carried out of the Bibi Ka Alawa ashoor khana on an elephant. It is followed by performing Khooni Matam, flagellation as a practice of mourning.

Every Ashoorkhana’s Alam has a Tabaruq (leftovers from the battle of Karbala or the anything which is associated Hazarth Hussian’s family).A number of people visit the Alam to offer their prayers.

History

The Qutb Shahi rulers were  Shia Muslims. During the reign of Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah, the fifth Qutb Shahi King, a prominent religious man named Aga Ali went for Hajj pimilgrimage (performed in Mecca). During the pilgrimage he had the privilege of acquiring a double edged sword which belonged to Imam Jafar Al Sadiq,who is a member of Prophet Hussain’s family.

The sword was received by Mohammad Quli Qutb Shah with royal honors. He later directed to construct Hussaini Alam Ashoor Khana and appointed Aga Ali as its chief cleric. The relic was installed as an Alam, which is incorporated in a specially designed Alam. The monarch also issued a decree for a Mahi Maratib, Royal Umbrella and Naubat for the Ashoor Khana. Aga Ali was endowed with Jagir and pension for the upkeep of the Ashoor Khana.

The Langar of this ashoor khana is very famous, and still attracts thousands of Muslims every year It was started by Hayat Bakshi Begum, the daughter of Mohd. Quli Qutb Shah, on her boon (mannat) coming true. According to a legend, Hayat Bakshi Begum’s son Abdullah was on his way to the Golconda fort, when the elephant he was travelling on went wild.

The elephant then picked up pace, threw down the mahout and ran with the then one-year old Prince into the forest. The worried mother seeing the crescent of Muharrum on the same day prayed that if the Prince returned safely she would offer a chain of gold equal to the weight of the Langar.

She vowed that this chain of gold would be tied round the waist of the Prince and he would be made to walk to the ashoor khana with it. After a day or two, the elephant recovered from its fit and reportedly returned tamely to the fort. With her wish coming true, the Queen mother arranged for a carpet to be spread from the Golconda fort to Hussaini Alam.

The legend also says that Hayat Bakshi Begum tied a gold chain of forty maunds (a traditional unit of mass) around the body of the Prince, who later went walking to the Hussaini Alam ashoor khana. The Alam in the historical Bibi-ka-Alawa ashoor khana goes round in a procession within the precincts of the building on the night of ashoora , the 10th day of Muharram.10). Ashurkhanas are called so since it is linked to the day of Ashura.

Hayat Bakshi Begum held a unique place in Hyderabad and Qutb Shahi history, give that she was connected to three kings: she was the daughter of a monarch (Mohd. Quli Qutb Shah), wife of a king (successor of her father, Sultan Mohd. Qutb Shah) and her son was also a king (Abdullah Qutb Shah). She was believed to be one of the most powerful women in the dynasty.

Courtesy: Siasat.com