On Friday morning, author of the famous and most resourceful Madinah Arabic Book, Shaikh Dr. V Abdur Raheem, passed away in Madinah, Saudi Arabia at the age of 90.
A master of the Arabic language, a world renowned Islamic Scholar, multi-linguist, author, teacher and translator he dedicated his life to extraordinary contributions to Arabic literature by helping millions learn the Arabic language in his over 50 years of experience.
Born in 1933 in Vaniyambadi, Tamil Nadu, he obtained his B.A in English from the University of Madras and M.A in Arabic from the Aligarh Muslim University, India in 1962. He also held a M.Phil. and a Ph.D. in Arabic Philology from Al-Azhar University, Egypt.
A recipient of the National Award from the President of India in 1997 for his services in teaching, he was a self made man who learnt Arabic from the scarcest resources available to him in his little town. His three-volume series, Madinah Arabic Book, a one of a kind in its field, is the official curriculum of the Madinah University, Saudi Arabia, and is also used widely in schools and universities across the world to teach students the Arabic language.
Former Professor of Arabic Language for 30 years at the International Islamic University of Madinah, he has taught Arabic Language at Islamic Universities around the world including at Omdurman in Sudan, Germany, Washington D.C and British Guyana. An expert on European Languages and their etymology, phonetic change and semantic development he was a former Director of the ‘Institute of Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language’, at the Islamic University of Madinah.
A close associate of the Islamic Foundation Trust (IFT), Chennai, majority of his books have been published by IFT.
Along with the Madinah Arabic Book series he has to his credit a host of other books too including ‘Let’s Begin to Read Arabic: A Beginners Guide to Learning the Arabic Language and the Qur’aan’, ‘AL-TIBYAAN – Easy way to Qur’aanic Reading’, ‘Arabic Course for Non-Native Speakers of Arabic: Originally Devised and Taught at Islaamic University, Madinah’, ‘From Esfahan To Madinah In Search of Truth: Salmaan al-Faarisi’s Hadiith’,‘Both These Lights Emanate from the Same Niche’ – Hadiith of Umm Salamah (raDiyAllaahu “anhaa).’ ‘Suurah al-Hujuraat – With Lexical and Grammatical Notes and DVDs’.
His passing is indeed a great loss to both the Muslim world and to Islamic literature.
source: http://www.thecognate.com / The Cognate / Home> News / by The Cognate News Desk / October 21st, 2023
Traveling is a major part of human life and it creates a major impact on the working class of society, especially working women’s face so many difficulties in travelling. Being independent is a point of pride for most people. The freedom to travel anywhere we want, regardless of access to public transit or close friends and family, is something that many of us take for granted. However, for those who are unable to drive, this independence can be limited, especially for women.
The founder and CEO of “Unicorn for women by women” Arma Sahar, who is a final year data science student, informed us about the story of the establishment and achievements of his startup.
the challenges that women can face when it comes to transportation. When she moved from Adilabad to Hyderabad, Arma found herself reliant on her brothers for rides, which could be frustrating for both her and them due to their busy schedules. She also didn’t feel comfortable traveling alone, especially in autos which can be expensive. To address these issues, Arma founded Unicorn, a bike ride service run entirely by women. The service allows women to feel safe and comfortable while traveling and also gives them the independence and confidence to get around on their own. But after validating in the market Arma realised that more than 80% of the Women population didn’t know how to ride so they picked up the job opportunities offered by Unicorn and later they asked the girls if you are okay to learn and then drive later at Unicorn.
That’s when they thought to start and focus on training and many other girls started showing interest in the training program as it was offered by women instructors and that’s when we realised that this is the need of the hour. But Arma’s vision for Unicorn goes beyond just providing a transportation service. She also wants to empower women by teaching them how to ride two-wheelers. To this end, Unicorn offers training programs to teach women how to ride, with the goal of giving them more freedom and mobility. “After completing our first batch, we discovered that women are very eager to learn how to ride a vehicle, and as a result of this eagerness, they were able to pick it up within a few days,” Arma said. “This made us the fastest training option in India, where we started teaching women only in 5 Days, without any prerequisites.”
Unicorn has already conducted several training batches in Mehdipatnam, Santosh Nagar, and Yakutpura and is now expanding to the Old City to reach more women in need of safe transportation. The company’s innovative solution is filling a crucial gap in the market and helping to make travel safer and more accessible for women in Hyderabad. But what sets Unicorn apart from other driving schools? Arma explains that the company is focused on empowering women, not just training them for their own benefit. This unique approach has already gained praise from many women in the city, and the company plans to continue growing and helping more women gain independence and confidence through transportation. “We strive to empower women, not just train them for their own benefit,” Arma said. To participate in the Unicorn training program, interested individuals must first register on the company’s website (www.myunicorn.in) and await confirmation. The company currently operates through its website and WhatsApp and assigns each participant to a cohort with a confirmation letter. With its innovative transportation solution and commitment to empowering women, Unicorn is changing the way women in Hyderabad travel and helping them achieve greater independence. But Unicorn’s support for women doesn’t stop there.
Arma explained that the company’s website also creates connections between women who are capable drivers and those who are seeking transportation services. This allows women to make money while driving, Unicorn offers them the opportunity to find work and earn more than 25,000 per month. “We offer total support to women at every stage of their lives, from learning to drive to becoming a lady partner at our firm and partners,” Arma said. “We provide them with the choice of flexible driving hours so they can combine this career with their daily activities. Simply put, we act as their pillars of support.” Unicorn’s commitment to supporting women at every stage of their lives sets it apart from other driving schools and transportation services. By providing training, work opportunities, and flexible schedules, the company is helping women to achieve independence and empowering them to take control of their own lives.
Arma’s initiative is really appreciable for making women self-reliable in driving that creates a major impact on women’s independence over driving bikes. Moreover it also makes them financially strengthened, The advantages of having women as a part of the workforce are manifold. On a micro level, working women become financially independent and will have greater control over their own lives. This encourages women to stand against physical and emotional abuse, enabling them to handle social issues and pressures on their own. The families of working women are also able to enjoy a higher quality of living due to additional income. At the macro level, greater participation of women in the workforce is good for the overall economy.
source: http://www.thehindustangazette.com / The Hindustan Gazette / Home> News> Education / by Abdul Sami / October 14th, 2023
Maktoob Media has won the 2023 Human Rights Religious Freedom Journalism Award in the category of Best Media Organization for covering human rights and religious freedom.
The jury selected Maktoob from a competitive shortlist of media organizations. Among the contenders were The Wire, The Newslaundry, and Khabar Lahariya.
The award was announced at the IAMC National Convention 2023 in Dallas, Texas, by the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC), a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy group dedicated to safeguarding India’s pluralist and tolerant ethos.
Extraordinary and in-depth reporting covering the systematic targeting of religious minorities, the Hijab ban, and the weaponization of technology against Muslim women were among the stories that earned top honors at the award ceremony on Saturday, October 14.
“We believe this recognition is a testament to our work and commitment to tell stories that matter. We share the credit of this award with our staff, contributors and all the well-wishers. We dedicate this award to all journalists who speak truth to power no matter the consequences,” Maktoob said in a statement.
Maktoob’s regular contributor Meer Faisal won the title of Best Photo Story on Human Rights and Religious Freedom for his contributions featured in Maktoob and Al Jazeera English. The award committee recognized three photo stories published on Maktoob: “110-year-old madrasa and library set ablaze by Hindutva mob during Ram Navami rally in Bihar,” “Photos: Burnt by Hindutva mob and bulldozed by BJP govt; Muslim lives in Khargone,” and “Photos: Thousands of Muslim women pray during protests against eviction in Uttarakhand.”
Maktoob’s deputy editor, Shaheen Abdulla, jointly received the Best Text Reporting on Human Rights & Religious Freedom award for his report titled “No Country for Religious Converts,” which was published in The Wire.
Sneha Richhariya from IndiaSpend was also honored with the Best Text Reporting on Human Rights & Religious Freedom award.
The Best Video Story on Human Rights and Religious Freedom award was jointly awarded to Fatima Khan from The Quint and Naman Govil from Vice News.
The HRRF Young Journalist of the Year Award for 2023 was presented to Kashmiri journalist Aakash Hassan.
“We established these awards to shine a blazing spotlight on stories that often go unreported or underreported. In a year marked by relentless challenges, where media in India grapples with unprecedented pressures, HRRF’s 14-member international jury has selected winners who dare to speak truth to power. The resilience of these journalists and their unwavering dedication to the values of truth and justice resonate even louder in these turbulent times,” said RasheedAhmed, Executive Director of IAMC.
“Today, we celebrate the unwavering commitment of these exceptional journalists. Through their extraordinary dedication, they have illuminated the path to a more inclusive and harmonious world. These stories have not only won awards but have also won hearts, for they shed light on the issues that matter most to our shared humanity,” Ahmed added.
source: http://www.maktoobmedia.com / Maktoob Media / Home> India / by Maktoob Staff / October 20th,2023
Mohammad Zubair, one of the founding members of fact-checking and news website AltNews, won the 2023 Freedom of Expression Awards – Journalism by Index on Censorship.
“His fight against fake news and disinformation in #India has led to him facing attacks, slander and even jail,” The group said while announcing the award on social media.
Index on Censorship is a nonprofit that campaigns for and defends free expression worldwide. The other nominees for the award were Bilan Media — Somalia’s first women-only media organisation and newsroom— and Afghan journalist Mortaza Behboudi.
Jailed educationalist Matiullah Wesa from Afghanistan won the 2023 Freedom of Expression Awards – Campaigning. Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi won the award in the art category.
Alt News’ approach focuses on political fact-checking to scrutinise claims made by political parties, leaders and other persons in positions of authority; debunking social media rumours; and examining media misinformation and bias.
In June 2022, following a tweet exposing a national spokesperson of the BJP making hateful and Islamophobic utterances on national TV, Mohammed Zubair was arrested by the Delhi and Uttar Pradesh state police.
It has been reported that whenever Zubair was granted bail on one case another FIR would be lodged against him. This led to six FIRs being lodged against Zubair, resulting in him being caught in a 24-day cycle of arrest, bail and re-arrest.
The following month, the Indian Supreme Court granted Zubair bail and ordered his release, as there was no justification for keeping him in custody.
source: http://www.maktoobmedia.com / Maktoob Media / Home> India / by Maktoob Staff / October 20th,2023
Younus believes that clouds have strong messages related to nature, possible dangers, future developments, and love
Kohinoor diamond shaped cloud captured between minarets of Charminar
Clouds carry divine messages for humanity, believes Younus, a 27-year-old, photographer from Hyderabad who spends most of his time clicking the clouds in the sky and deciphering the messages therein.
Describing himself as a passionate nature lover, Younus has so far captured over 8,000 images of clouds, which hint at awareness messages related to nature, possible dangers, future developments, and love.
Coexistence
One such picture, he feels, narrates a tale of peaceful coexistence between humans and nature. When skygazers look at the picture, they immediately fall in love with it.
Fauna Fantasia: Peaceful coexistence between humans and nature
Mother bird and chick
Another image of clouds featuring a mother bird feeding her chick calls for the protection of birds and their safety. These birds, he said, largely contribute to the stability of the environment.
Mother bird and a chick
“Affection between a mother and child is displayed by clouds, giving a message to the world that nature must be protected the same way like mother protects a child,” said the photographer Younus.
Mother and child shaped among clouds
Kohinoor on Charminar
His another click, Kohinoor diamond-shaped cloud between the minarets of the historic Charminar, makes citizens recall the priced jewel that no longer belongs to Hyderabad. Today, it is a part of the crown jewels on display at the Tower of London.
Cloud in shape of Kohinoor Diamond
Global warming
A spaceship-like cloud reminds us of the existence of aliens in the universe
His another picture, shows an ape and a dragon formed by the clouds. “The flames coming out of the dragon’s mouth are relevant to the rising global warming,” lamented Younus.
Clouds shaping an ape and a howling dragon
“Crab and Bear are looking over the humans and motivating them to succeed,” explained the photographer.
Clouds in the shape of Crab and Bear
“Pterosaur, an extinct species of flying Dinosaur was captured above the fort of Bhongir, said Younus, adding that the sun, mountains and trees are permanent. However, many animals have become extinct and new animals have evolved.
“It reminds us that someday, the human race is also going to be extinct,” said Younus.
Huge cloud shaping the extinct pterosaurs, captured above the Bhongir fortClods depicting a lion, cat and a crocodile in discussion
Telangana shaped cloud
27-year-old Younus Farhaan started capturing cloud pictures in 2008. His hobby soon turned into a passion in 2013, when he captured a cloud in the shape of a Telangana geographic map. The state was formed the next year.
World cup victory
In 2011, he captured a cloud that formed the shape of the coveted Cricket World Cup trophy. Soon after, India won its second World Cup under the captainship of Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Since then, cloud pictures by Younus have been displayed at multiple locations, within and outside Telangana.
Clouds call out for ‘protection of nature’
Younus believes that clouds have strong messages for humans. People must take time from their busy schedule and glance at nature for a few minutes.
Recently, his cloud pictures were displayed to 500 girl students at Safdaria Girls High School in the city.
The motive behind the exhibition was to link the students with nature. “Though the girls were aware that clouds make shapes, they were surprised to find out the messages they wave,” said the delighted photographer.
“Nature keeps evolving and keen observation can reveal the messages hidden in the clouds related to the changing environmental trends,” said Younus.
“People must be made aware that protecting nature is the duty of every human,” he said.
A few of his photos are currently on display at the cloud exhibition at Ravindra Bahrati. ‘Fauna Fantasia’, the exhibition was inaugurated on October 4.
source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> News> Hyderabad / by Masrath Fatima / October 12th, 2023
The veteran Maappilapattu singer, Ramla Beegum, passed away at her residence in Kerala’s Kozhikode district on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, at the age of 85.
In addition to her renown as a Maapilapaatu singer, Ramla gained fame as a Kathaprasangam artist, captivating audiences with her unique storytelling style that weaved together tales from both Muslim and Hindu cultures.
Her performances graced stages both nationally and internationally.
To this day, Ramla’s Mappilapattu songs and lyrical narratives, such as “Husnul Jamal Badrul Muneer,” continue to captivate the hearts of art enthusiasts. Some of her most cherished renditions included “Aalam Udayon…” and “Iruloka Jayamaniyum…”
Ramla has performed narrations of literary classics such as Kesavadev’s ‘Odayil Ninnu,’ Kalidas’s ‘Shaakuntalam,’ and Kumaran Asan’s ‘Nalini’ on international platforms.
Her exceptional talent has earned her numerous awards, including the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academi Award and the Folklore Academi Award, to name a few.
source: http://www.maktoobmedia.com / Maktoob Media / Home> India / by Maktoob Staff / September 27th, 2023
City-based Assamese poet Shaheen Akhtar has been awarded the ‘Independence Day Literary Honour’.
Guwahati :
City-based Assamese poet Shaheen Akhtar has been awarded the ‘Independence Day Literary Honour’ by “Motivational Strips – World’s Most Active Writers Forum” in collaboration with the Gujarat Sahitya Academy (Under the Government of Gujarat).
Shaheen was declared as a recipient of the award “owing to her brilliance in poetry which is considered to be at par with world standards”.
The Independence Day Honour’ is conferred annually to the best poets worldwide jointly by the ‘Motivational Strips’ and the ‘Gujarat Sahitya Academy’ . The literary awards are given as a tribute to India’s Independence Day and the honor is considered as the most valued in the global poetic circle. Shaheen was accorded the honour on August 15, 2021.
The awarding procedure undergoes an exhaustive evaluation process, where the poet’s literary acumen, behaviour, global interactions and inclusions are taken into consideration before the recipient is conferred with the honour. A total of 440 poets from 82 countries were selected for this award.
‘Motivational Strips’ includes writers from more than 160 countries. The average visitors to this forum are beyond 7.2 million every month.
source: http://www.sentinelassam.com / The Sentinel / Home> Cities> Guwahati / by Sentinel Digital Desk / August 27th, 2021
Callisthenics performer, international karate referee, biker, calligrapher who don the headscarf by choice to share stage at YB Chavan auditorium on World Hijab Day
Packing a punch: Shaheen Akhtar, the first female karate referee in south Asia, with her students. (Right)
On Instagram, 19-year-old Haleema Momin calls herself ‘Hijabi Beast’. The athlete from Jogeshwari who performs callisthenics stands out not only for her choice of career but also her attire.
“People who don’t know about Islam assume that hijab is a sign of oppression. For me, the hijab brings a sense of security, strength and dignity. I get a lot of support and attention because of my hijab,” said Ms. Momin, who is trained in powerlifting and martial arts.
Extraordinary feats
The teenager, who works as a personal trainer, is all set to perform a range of moves like the headstand, handstand, superman push-ups and flips at YB Chavan auditorium on February 1, World Hijab Day. She will share stage with an international karate referee, a biker, a calligrapher and other women who wear the hijab by choice and take pride in it.
The first-of-its-kind event has been organised by the non-profit Al Hadi Organisation with the aim of shattering the popular belief that the hijab is an obligation and not a choice. “I started wearing the hijab at the age of 41. It was a sudden consciousness that dawned upon me and I became a hijabi,” said Mazgaon resident Shaheen Akhtar, a World Karate Federation referee and the first female karate referee in south Asia. Ms. Akhtar was lucky that in the same year, 2014, the World Karate Federation introduced the hijab as a part of the attire for referees. Her 26-year-old daughter, who holds an MBA and works with a multinational company, does not wear a hijab. She said, “My mother always told me that our religion calls for it, but never forced me to wear the hijab. I made my own choice and I will let my daughter make her own choice too.”
The event also aims at highlighting the bias against hijabis in schools, colleges and workplaces. “It took so many years for television channels to have hijabi anchors. Why?,” asked 29-year-old Fatema Zaidi Mirza, an anchor with Channel WIN (World Islamic Network) and one of the presenters at the February 1 event. Ms. Mirza will also share her own story of being asked to remove her headscarf while in school, which later resulted in her parents filing a court case. “Even today, there are so many schools that do not allow Muslim girls to wear the hijab and women are asked to remove it at many places,” she said.
Shabana Sadik Husein Pattawala, founder of Al Hadi Organisation, said the event will bring together women from all Muslim sects. She said, “The message we want to spread is that women can do wonders wearing a hijab, and wearing it does not hide their talent. The speakers and performers at the event will bear testimony to this fact.”
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Mumbai / by Jyoti Shelar / January 29th, 2020
We, The Indian Muslims are proud to be citizens of this great country. We have been an architect of this land all through centuries since the days of dynastic rule. Whether it was construction of world class network of transport facilities like Grand Trunk Road linking major cities, founding new cities of highest standards for that age, huge monumental structures to attract the world, development of living standards and maintain cordial relationships between groups belonging to various religions, languages, castes and cultures, we pioneered justice and maintained the system.
With the passage of years, decades and turn of events, the foreign forces got attracted to it and slowly took over the rein of rule.
We were first to challenge and fight for country’s independence valiantly. Even our clergymen took to streets and fought, thousands laid down their lives. Colonel Balwan Singh Nagial, a third-generation Indian Army officer who retired in 2019 wrote in Times of India (April 23, 2022), thus: “Muslim leadership contributed enormously to divergent phases of the Indian struggle for independence. They (Muslims) played a larger-than-life role and made significant sacrifices in this struggle for independence.
From the last Mughal ruler Bahadur Shah Zafar to nawabs, princes, landlords of all sizes, clergy, ulema and the ordinary people, they all stood for the cause and took on enormous challenges and made supreme sacrifices.
When the INC was formed in 1885, the Muslims responded enthusiastically and supported all its efforts throughout the freedom struggle until India became free. The most enthusiastic support for the INC was from the Muslims of the conservative Ulama of Deoband. Earlier, the Ulama had participated in the 1857 uprising with heart and soul.
They made great sacrifices, and hundreds of them were sent to Andaman-Nicobar and many to Malta, an island to the south of Italy.
Muslim leaders who contributed to India’s struggle for independence were:
Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Maulana Muhammad Ali, Maulana Shaukat Ali, Allama Iqbal, Muhammad Barkathulla, Bi Amma (mother of Ali brothers), Badarudeen Tyabji, Hakim Ajmal Khan, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Dr M.A. Ansari, Dr Siafudeen Kichlu, Dr Basheer Ahmad, Syed Ameer Ali, Dr Syed Muhammad, Hasrat Mohani, Nawab Abdul Latheef, Altaf Hussain Hali, Syed Ahmad Sirhindi, Syed Ahmad Bareilly, Maulana Shibli Numani, Munshi Karamat Ali, Munshi Zakaullah.
Hindus and Muslims together fought the foreign forces shoulder to shoulder. A report by the ‘Milli Chronicle’ says that names of 95,300 freedom fighters are etched on the India Gate in Delhi, and remarkably, 61,945 of these names belong to Muslims, signifying that 65% of these brave individuals were Muslims. The significance of this statistic is eloquently captured by the renowned writer Mr. Kushwant Singh, who boldly declared that the story of Indian freedom is etched in the blood of Muslims, emphasizing their large contribution to the freedom struggle, considering their dis-proportionately smaller population percentage.
The annals of history are adorned with the stories of Muslim freedom fighters who put their lives on the line to liberate India from the shackles of British oppression. These individuals, driven by an unwavering determination to secure their homeland’s independence, demonstrated exceptional courage and resilience.
All through ages we find tall personalities like Sultan Haidar Ali, father of Tipu Sultan, (he pioneered the fight against British colonial forces); Tipu Sultan, son of Haider Ali; (he pioneered the use of iron-cased rockets); Ashfaqullah Khan,(noted for his daring attacks on British government trains); Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad, the youngest President of the Indian National Congress,(who rallied Hindus and Muslims alike against British oppression); Maulana Hasrat Mohani, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, (a pivotal figure in the Khilafat movement); was jailed for 13 years by the British), Sirajud Daula, (the last Nawab of Bengal), Badruddin Tyabji (of Indian National Congress); his wife, Suraiya Tayabji, who designed the present Indian flag., Zain-ul-Abideen, an officer of the Indian National Army (INA), coined the iconic patriotic slogan “Jai Hind.”
While recounting the names of every Muslim freedom fighter may be an impossible feat, their contributions and sacrifices in the fight against British colonialism are immeasurable and undeniable. The fact that many chose to remain in India underscores their deep-rooted connection to the land. Despite attempts to distort history, India will forever be the cherished home of its Muslim citizens. We gave the independent India Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the first Education Minister, Dr. Rafi Ahmed Qidwai, Dr.Zakir Hussain (an Educationist and Vice President), and numerous figures as servants to the country in the form of politicians, officers, industrialists, entrepreneurs, researchers, technocrats etc. in every field.
Our very recent contribution to the nation’s public service has been the world famous Scientist/Technocrat and President Dr.A.P.J. Kalam. He set the highest, un-believable standard of honesty, transparency and clean image in public life. A glimpse into the life he spent in the Rashtrapati Bhavan as President gives a shocking information. The same is as under: Mr. P M Nair, (retired IAS officer, then Secretary to Dr. Abdul Kalam, the President writes in his book “Kalam Effect” that Dr. Kalam used to receive costly gifts whenever he went abroad (as it is part of custom & protocol) used to ask the gifts to be photographed and then catalogued and handed over to the archives. Afterwards, he never even looked at them. He did not take even a pencil from the gifts received when he left Rashtrapathi Bhavan. It was a regular practice for every President to host an Iftar party, a routine. Upon being reminded about it Dr. Kalam asked Mr. Nair why he should host a party to people who are already well fed. Instead he estimated and donated Rs.22 lac being the cost to a few selected orphanages in the form of food, dresses and blankets besides a cheque for Rs.1.lakh from his personal funds. Though himself a devout Muslim, he never organized Iftar parties in President’s house at Public expense. Once Dr. Kalam invited 50 of his relatives to come to Delhi and they all stayed in Rashtrapathi Bhavan. He organized a bus for them to go around the city which was paid for by him.
No official car was used. Their lodging and food bill which came to Rs.2 laks was paid by him as per his instructions. Dr. Kalam’s elder brother stayed with him in his room for the entire one week as Dr Kalam wanted his brother to stay with him. When they left, Dr. Kalam wanted to pay rent for that room also. Imagine the President of a country paying rent for the room in which he is staying. This was any way not agreed to by the staff who thought the honesty was getting too much to handle. When he was to leave Rashtrapathi Bhavan at the end of his tenure, every staff member went and met him and paid their respects. Mr. Nair went to him alone as his wife couldn’t as she was confined to bed due to fracture. Upon noticing her absence and knowing the reason Dr. Kalam visited his house and chatted with her for some time. The following property was left behind by Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam: 16 doctorates, 1 website, 1 twitter account, 1 email id, 2500 books, 1 Padmashri, 1 Padmabhushan, 1 Bharat Ratna, 1 flat (which he has donated), 6 pants & 4 shirts (DRDO uniforms), 3 suits (1 western, 2 Indian). He didn’t have any Car, jewelry, stocks, TV, AC, land or any bank balance. He had even donated the last 8 years’ pension towards the development of his village. He was a real patriot and true Indian Muslim. We are proud of him.
Our character building efforts continued even through the present 21st century in the country with unique results as records vouch. For example, the city of KAYALAPATTANAM (in Tamil Nadu) with 100% Muslim population goes. There is no Police Station, no cinema and no crime in the city because there had been no crime there for decades.
The present day situation in the country may appear to be disheartening and disappointing for some. The irresponsible attitude towards Muslims by some extremist groups in the country belonging to a certain ideology should be viewed as a momentary period. Their efforts to demoralize, degrade, deny civil rights are synonymous with their declared intentions. A great majority of country-men still believe and practice true Hinduism as had been for centuries in the past. True Hindus do not endorse hatred, support arson and distrust.
A long history of peaceful co-existence of Muslims and Hindus for centuries with mutual respect, rejoicing specially the occasion of festivals and long socio-economic ties in every nook and corner of the country is its evidence.
Our country has been an example of ‘Unity in diversity’ for the world for a long time. Nobody from either community can imagine a survival without another. The bond has been and will surely be strong as Steel. The ever increasing social evils like Corruption, nepotism, frauds, woman-bashing and vandalism like termites in the country have made the life of common man miserable.
Decline in the values like increased greediness, and wide spread of dishonesty, revenge, vindictiveness, and non-adherence to law need to be challenged and controlled. The ‘PLEDGE’ we used to read in our text books once in first page is long missing both from the book and in practice.
We the Indian Muslims, whether a common man, clergy, intellectual, and technocrat, worker or even those with any political group should realize that notwithstanding the company or area, we have a responsibility towards the country and duty-bound to work for our own community. We need to understand todays challenging scenario and strengthen its unity. We are the inheritors of a great legacy, and not followers of the ilk of this day. We Muslims should remember that we are ordained by the Almighty Allah to be united, behold his Commands; make efforts to spread virtuous deed and work eradicate evils. The entire country is looking forward for the honest.
As the phrase rightly goes, ‘Service to humanity is service to God’. Our population in the country according to 2011 census stands at about 200 million which constitutes 15%. We need to contain our extravagant life-style especially in matters of functions and festivals.
We should stop depending on politicians, their promises and focus on a self, collective effort. We need to move forward together in the fields of education, employment opportunities generating plans through mutual cooperation. For this purpose and as in the days of our Prophet, we should make our area Masjid a center for gathering, deliberation, planning, guidance and service as per law.Experts and experienced in relevant fields can be roped in for the purpose and the available resources can be put to work.
سبق پڑھ پھر صداقت کا، شجاعت کا، عدالت کا۔۔ لیا جائیگا تجھ سے کام، دنیا کی امامت کا۔۔
source: http://www.muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / Home> Indian Muslim / by Syed Ilyas Basha / October 03rd, 2023
Waheeda Rehman, 85, is a towering legend of Indian cinema known for iconic roles in films like ‘Guide’, ‘Pyaasa’ and ‘Kaagaz Ke Phool’
Waheeda Rehman
Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur on September 26 announced that veteran Bollywood actor Waheeda Rehman would be conferred with the Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award for 2021, honouring her stellar contribution to Indian cinema.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the 85-year-old actor through an X (formerly Twitter) post. “Delighted that Waheeda Rehman Ji has been honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award. Her journey in Indian cinema has left an indelible mark. A beacon of talent, dedication and grace, she embodies the best of our cinematic heritage. Congratulations to her,” he said.
Ms. Rehman has been critically acclaimed for her roles in Hindi films, prominent among them being Pyaasa, Kaagaz ke Phool, Chaudhavi Ka Chand, Saheb Biwi Aur Ghulam, Guide and Khamoshi.
The announcement coincides with the birth centenary of Dev Anand, who had worked with Ms. Rehman in the classics like Guide (1965), an adaptation of R. K. Narayan’s book; and crime thriller C.I.D. (1956), which was her first Hindi film. Earlier, she had acted in Telugu films Rojulu Maraayi and Jayasimha, which were released in 1955.
“In her career spanning over five decades, she has essayed her roles with extreme finesse, leading to a National Film Award for her role as a clanswoman in the film Reshma and Shera. A Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awardee, Waheeda ji has exemplified dedication, commitment and the strength of a Bharatiya Nari who can achieve the highest level of professional excellence with her hard work,” said Mr. Thakur.
The Minister said: “At a time when the historic Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (women’s reservation Bill, 2023) has been passed by Parliament, her being awarded this lifetime achievement award is a fitting tribute to one of the leading ladies of Indian Cinema and one who has dedicated her life after films to philanthropy and the greater good of society.”
The award will be presented during the 69th National Film awards ceremony. The Dadasaheb Phalke Award selection committee comprised prominent Indian cinema personalities, Asha Parekh, Chiranjeevi, Paresh Rawal, Prosenjit Chatterjee and Shekhar Kapur.
Ms. Rehman has worked in more than 90 films. She won the Filmfare Best Actress Award for her roles in Guide and Neel Kamal (1968). She also bagged the National Award for Best Actress (1971) and was honoured with the Padma Shri by government in 1972 and the Padma Bhushan in 2011.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Entertainment> Movies / by The Hindu Bureau / September 26th, 2023
