Category Archives: Community Involvement / Social Issues

The Mughal Mapmaker and his Remarkable Hajj Maps

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), Community Involvement / Social Issues, Inventions, Innovations (wef. Nov 30th, 2021), Museums, Libraries (wef. April 16th, 2022), Royal Families, PreIndependence -Descendants (wef. Jan 02nd,2022), World Opinion

MUGHAL INDIA :

Safi ibn Vali’s Mughal Hajj maps

The Salamat Ras departed Surat in India on the 20th September 1676, carrying hundreds of pilgrims from Gujarat. On board was Safi ibn Vali; unlike the other pilgrims, his journey was sponsored by Zib al-Nisa, daughter of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb (1658-1707). Along with completing his Hajj, Safi ibn Vali was given the task of creating a Hajj guidebook for future pilgrims. Presumably aimed at Indian pilgrims like himself, the ‘Anis al-Hujjaj’ (The Pilgrim’s Companion) contains advice regarding all aspects of the pilgrimage, including the journey to Jidda by sea.

His book is but one of many surviving pilgrimage guidebooks, from various parts of the Islamic world, forming a long-established tradition. They are typically accompanied by diagrammatic views of the holy sites, and Anis al-Hujjaj is no different in this respect. What sets it apart, however, is its use of colourful illustrations depicting various scenes of the pilgrimage, as well as the remarkable accuracy of its maps.

Safi ibn Vali’s Anis al-Hujjaj (‘Pilgrims’ Companion’), possibly Gujarat, India, circa 1677–80. Ink, gold and opaque watercolour on paper; modern leather binding. 3 separate folios show here side by side.  Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Islamic Art. Copyright Nour Foundation. Courtesy of the Khalili Family Trust.

The illustration below is a map of Jidda. Jidda was a major port for pilgrims arriving for Hajj, and is thought to have been founded by Caliph Uthman in 647 AD. Safi ibn Vali, arriving at the port himself, maps major parts of the city. Archaeologist Dr Geoffrey King examined the map and found that the vast majority of places and landmarks depicted lie in the same position today.

Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Islamic Art. Copyright Nour Foundation. Courtesy of the Khalili Family Trust.

The upper section of the map depicts Hawa cemetery, thought to be the burial place of Eve, the mother of humanity. While the pink markers represent other graves, the black square indicates the head side of the resting place of Eve (peace be upon her), the white square her naval, and the gravelly area her feet. In Safi ibn Vali’s time, her grave, which is more than 100 feet in length, would have been marked by some sort of edifice. It is possible that the structure that can be seen in the image below, an illustration from 1894, or one similar to it, was what he saw two centuries earlier. The structure is no longer standing; it was destroyed in 1975 and covered with concrete by Saudi religious authorities.

Illustration of the Tomb of Eve in 1894, Jidda.

The middle section of Safi ibn Vali’s map shows the old city of Jidda. When examining the area, Dr King found that everything was accurately placed; a parade of shops and houses in the old city, as well as the surrounding roads, are all found in the same position today. There is however, one surprising discrepancy; an obvious landmark was mapped by Ibn Vali on the wrong side of the road. The green-domed Shafi’i mosque is shown in the Anis al-Hujjaj on the east side of the main street, whilst today it can be found on the west side; “This confuses me- was this main street in Jidda on a different alignment when the Anis al-Hujjaj was composed, or is it a simple error?” Given the remarkable accuracy of the map in every other way, King says this discrepancy is especially puzzling. The Shafi’i mosque is the oldest mosque site in Jidda; its floor is well below street-level, a fact that, according to Dr King, indicates that it predates the Shafi’i period. The oldest standing part of the mosque today is its Ayyubid minaret, dating back to the 13th century.

Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Islamic Art. Copyright Nour Foundation. Courtesy of the Khalili Family Trust.

Since there is no question over the identity of the mosque depicted by Safi ibn Vali, further research needs to be conducted to reach a clear conclusion over the discrepancy. In the foreground of the Jidda map, the governor of the city is shown welcoming pilgrims. There are numerous such illustrations in Safi ibn Vali’s book, depicting various scenes of the Hajj. On the folio below, pilgrims are shown on the day of Eid al-Adha. In the top right hand corner, pilgrims in ihram throw stones at the three pillars representing shaytan, while others have their heads shaved after completing the rites of the Hajj. In the foreground, animals are being slaughtered for the Eid sacrifice.

 Safi ibn Vali also made mention of various holy places to visit that are not part of the Hajj itself. The illustration below is a typical diagrammatic view found in the tradition of Hajj guidebooks. According to the captions, the building in the upper section marks the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). In Ibn Vali’s time, the blessed area was marked by a small mosque with a courtyard and dome. Today a simple library building built in the 1950’s stands over the area. Depicted beneath the upper section are the birthplaces of Lady Fatima and Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may God be pleased with them both) as well as the Madrassa of Sultan Sulayman and a Sufi lodge of the Bektashi order. The clothes worn by the visitors indicate their various nationalities.

Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Islamic Art. Copyright Nour Foundation. Courtesy of the Khalili Family Trust.

While Safi ibn Vali’s Anis al-Hujjaj is not unique in its function, the accuracy of its map of Jidda, and possibly others, such as Surat in India and Mocha in Yemen, which are also represented, is remarkable, setting it apart from other guidebooks of the same genre. Its colourful illustrations give the viewer a sense of the energy of the pilgrimage, as well as the diversity of the pilgrims represented. Given that many of the sites Ibn Vali illustrates no longer exist in the same form, his work takes on added historical importance, preserving a past all but lost to modernity.

Bibliography 

L. York Leach, Paintings from India, The Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Islamic Art, volume VIII, London 1998, cat.34, pp.124–9.

J.M. Rogers, The Arts of Islam. Masterpieces from the Khalili Collection, London 2010, cat.332–41, pp.284–7.

source: http://www.sacredfootsteps.com / SacredFootsteps.com / Home>Asia> Arabia> History / by Zara Choudhary

Bengaluru hosts workshop on Islamic Psychotherapy for health professionals

Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education

Bengaluru, KARNATAKA :

Muslim health professionals in India’s Bengaluru in the last week had a thrilling experience when they were introduced to Traditional Islamically Integrated Psychotherapy (TIIP) by renowned Islamic psychologist Yaqeen Sikander.

Bengaluru (India): 

Muslim health professionals in India’s Bengaluru in the last week had a thrilling experience when they were introduced to Traditional Islamically Integrated Psychotherapy (TIIP) by renowned Islamic psychologist Yaqeen Sikander.

Yaqeen Sikander was invited for a 5-day workshop jointly organised by Mind and Brain Hospital and Khalil Centre.

The workshop held from August 31 to September 04, 2024 in partnership with the Centre for Study and Research (CSR India) and International Students of Islamic Psychology (ISIP) aimed at introducing the innovative therapeutic framework of TIIP to Indian mental health professionals.

About Traditional Islamically Integrated Psychotherapy

Traditional Islamically Integrated Psychotherapy (TIIP) is developed by Khalil Centre’s interdisciplinary team of Islamic scholars and psychologists.

The programme integrates contemporary behavioural science within an Islamic epistemological framework.

Originally conceptualised by Dr. Hooman Keshavarzi and Dr. Amber Haque in 2013, the model has been further developed by Khalil Centre’s team, including Dr. Fahad Khan and Dr. Khalid Elzamzamy.

The programme approved by American Psychological Association (APA) is an evidence-based approach tailored to meet the needs of Muslim patients. It has been continuously refined through ongoing research.

About Yaqeen Sikander

Yaqeen Sikander is a clinical psychologist and certified TIIP practitioner based in Istanbul, Turkey.

Sikander, who led the sessions at the workshop, is currently pursuing a doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Ibn Haldun University in Istanbul, simultaneously receiving specialised TIIP training from Dr. Keshavarzi.

Yaqeen Sikander’s sessions in Bengaluru offered valuable insights into merging spirituality with modern clinical practice, a core aspect of TIIP.

TIIP Workshop Bengaluru

The TIIP Workshop Bengaluru commenced with a Meet and Greet session at Shifaa Hospital, Bengaluru, where Yaqeen Sikander shared his journey through global education and his career in psychology.

This session also featured presentations from Dr. Asfiya Khaleel, Psychiatrist and Director of Ummeed Deaddiction and Rehab Centre, Bengaluru, and Dr. Fiaz Ahmed Sattar, one of the leading psychiatrists in Bengaluru.

Both the speakers provided their insights from years of experience, enriching the discussion on integrating holistic approaches in clinical practice.

Zulekha Shakoor Rajani, Co-Head of the Islamic Psychology Department at Mind and Brain Hospital, shared a presentation on the evolution of Islamic psychology globally and in India exploring its development and future prospects.

Zulekha Shakoor Rajani along with Shujauddin Fahad Inamdar had in June 2024 travelled to Istanbul, Turkey, to undergo TIIP training organised by Khalil Centre where she completed her TIIP Level 2 training while Shujauddin completed his TIIP Level 1 training. While addressing the workshop, Zulekha also shared with the audience her TIIP training experience.

“Attending the TIIP training in Istanbul was a transformative experience that deepened my understanding of the vital connection between Islamic principles and modern psychological practices,” she said.

“It became clear to me that Muslim mental health professionals in India needed access to this invaluable approach. By bringing TIIP to Bengaluru, we aimed to introduce Islamic psychology to a broader community of psychologists, therapists, and counsellors, helping them integrate spirituality with their clinical practice”, she added.

After the introductory Meet and Greet session at Shifaa Hospital, the attendees participated in the workshop at Mind and Brain Hospital, focusing on Mastering Therapeutic Excellence. This session covered holistic case conceptualisation, integrative therapeutic interventions, and fostering self-efficacy to enhance client outcomes.

The 4th day of the workshop was held at Ummeed Deaddiction and Rehab Centre, Bengaluru, where Yaqeen Sikander provided introduction to Islamic psychology, discussing its core principles and the role of the practitioner in integrating spirituality into therapy.

The event concluded with a Tafakkur session — a short spiritual retreat emphasising psycho-spiritual contemplation. This session, led by Yaqeen Sikander and Shujauddin Fahad Inamdar, offered the participants a unique experience of Islamic meditation and holistic healing.

‘Just a beginning’

The workshop was a huge success, offering participants practical tools and insights that will enhance their ability to provide holistic, culturally relevant care.

“I am confident this is just the beginning of a much-needed shift in the way mental health is approached in our community.

“The success of this TIIP workshop has exceeded our expectations”, said Dr. Safiya MS, Psychiatrist and Director of Mind and Brain Hospital, the organiser of the event.

“The response from mental health professionals across the country has been overwhelmingly positive, reflecting a clear demand for approaches that integrate Islamic principles with psychiatric and psychological care.

“We believe this workshop will serve as a catalyst for the wider acceptance and practice of Islamic psychology in India. It is our hope that this initiative will inspire more professionals to explore and implement holistic, faith-based mental health practices, ultimately benefiting both practitioners and patients alike”, she said.

Mind and Brain Hospital, which hosted the workshop, is a leading neuropsychiatric treatment facility in Bengaluru. The hospital had established India’s first Islamic Psychology Department, co-headed by Zulekha Shakoor Rajani and Shujauddin Fahad Inamdar in 2023.

The department is dedicated to advancing mental health treatments that integrate modern psychological practices with Islamic principles.

source: http://www.ummid.com / Ummid.com / Home> Health / by Ummid.com News Network / September 11th, 2024

When Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammad Rafi enabled liberation of Dadra, Nagar Haveli

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Freedom Fighters (under research project), Leaders

Mumbai, MAHARASHTRA :

Uprising’ says it all started when music director and freedom fighter Sudhir Phadke decided to seek Mangeshkar’s assistance to raise funds for an armed revolt.

In this Thursday, October 26, 2017, singer Lata Mangeshkar attends a function at Dadar in Mumbai. PTI Photo

New Delhi :

Legendary singers Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammad Rafi played an instrumental role in the liberation of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, says a new book as it narrates in detail the little-known 1954 concert by the two icons to raise funds for the movement.

Dadra and Nagar Haveli, now a Union Territory, were occupied by the Portuguese in 1783 and 1785, respectively. They continued to be ruled by the Portuguese till an armed revolution liberated them, and the Tricolour was unfurled at Silvassa on August 2, 1954.

The two enclaves were formally recognised as an integral part of India in 1961 along with Goa and Daman and Diu but unlike Goa’s liberation, there was no direct intervention by the Indian armed forces here.

Recounting what led to the singers’ participation in the liberation of the territory, ‘Uprising’, written by Neelesh Kulkarni, says it all started when music director and freedom fighter Sudhir Phadke decided to seek Mangeshkar’s assistance to raise funds for an armed revolt.

According to the book, Mangeshkar, who first seemed reluctant, agreed after Phadke and his friends mentioned that the liberation of Dadra and Nagar Haveli was only a ‘prelude to the freedom of Goa’.

Mangeshkar had an emotional connection with Goa and the Portuguese were harassing devotees coming to the temple of her family’s presiding deity, Lord Mangesh, at Mangeshi village in north Goa.

“Her eyes suddenly welled up… The family derived their surname from the village’s name. The Portuguese had been regularly harassing devotees who came to the temple, and the frustration of not being able to do anything about that brought her over to their side in an instant. ‘You will allow me to serve my Lord Mangesh,’ she said tearfully. ‘I wish I could come and fight by your side, but since I cannot, I will help you raise resources. You tell me the date and I will be there, ’” reads the book, quoting Mangeshkar.

The jubilation at securing her presence doubled when Mangeshkar suggested they should invite Mohammed Rafi to sing with her.

And Rafi, who met Phadke and team at the then newly-inaugurated Mehboob Studios in Bandra, said ‘yes’ readily.

The meeting, which was supposed to last for 10 minutes, went on for an hour as Rafi asked question after question about how the group was planning to execute their plans, says the book.

“He was so impressed that he held up a hand when Nana Kajrekar, a freedom fighter, told him he would arrange his railway tickets to and from Pune. ‘This country is also mine,’ Rafi said, ‘and if all of you are preparing to put your lives on the line for it, the least I can do is buy my tickets.’”

Unfortunately, the concert didn’t go as planned for Mangeshkar met with a road accident in April, 1954, the day she was supposed to perform. The singer tried to reach despite the accident, but it was cancelled by then.

“Lata and Rafi finally arrived at the venue at 11.30 pm and saw it was dark and deserted… She stayed with the Phadkes that night, and before leaving promised that she would cancel whatever she was doing to perform on whichever date they scheduled the concert next,” reads the book.

The concert was finally held on May 2 at the same venue. The programme was a hit, and though the venue was not as jam-packed as the first time, the revenue, according to the author, was still substantial.

“From the proceeds of the concert, the freedom fighters planned the whole project and were able to buy five rifles and three pistols from the black market in Hyderabad. And using these weapons, 29 of them attacked more than 300 fully armed Portuguese and threw them out of the Dadra and Nagar Haveli,” said Kulkarni during the recent launch of the book at India International Centre (IIC).

‘Uprising: The Liberation of Dadra and Nagar Haveli’, published by Westland Books, uses interviews with descendants of the participants, and a handful of participants themselves, newspapers, archival records, letters and diary entries, to put together the pieces of this little-known history.

source: http://www.tribuneindia.com / The Tribune / Home> India / by PTI / September 02nd, 2024

Remembering Maulana who hoisted Tricolour in front of 300 British cops

Amazing Feats, Community Involvement / Social Issues, First War of Independence 1857 / Naval Mutiny 1946 / Others PreIndependece (wef. July 27th, 2022), Freedom Fighters (under research project), Leaders, Martyrs of the Nation, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Ludhiana, PUNJAB:

Prayers being offered at Jama Masjid in memory of Maulana Habib-ur-Rehman Ludhianvi. Tribune photo: Himanshu Mahajan

Ludhiana :

A prayer was organised at the local Jama Masjid in remembrance of Maulana Habib-ur-Rehman Ludhianvi, the man who stood up and raised his voice against the Divide and Rule policy of the British. Today, was his 68th death anniversary.

Maulana Habib-ur-Rehman Ludhianvi

Ludhianvi was one of the founders of Majlis-e-Ahrar-e-Islam and was the direct descendant of Shah Abdul Qadir Ludhianvi, who fought against the British colonial rule during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. In British records, he has been described as a fiery speaker who exercised considerable influence on people in the region.

In 1929, to oppose the idea of partition, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru hoisted the Tricolour on the banks of Ravi for the first time and at the same time, Ludhianvi hoisted the same flag at Jama Masjid in Ludhiana in the presence of over 300 British policemen and was arrested.

“When the entire nation was suffering under the Divide and Rule policy of the British, it was he who stood up and raised his voice,” said Mohammad Usman Rehmani Ludhianvi, the Shahi Imam of Punjab, remembering his great grandfather.

Voices calling out “Hindu paani lelo, Muslim paani lelo” were common at the railway stations as there were separate pitchers of water for the Hindus and the Muslims. But in 1929, Maulana Habib-ur-Rehman Ludhianvi raised his voice against this and protested at Ghaas Mandi Chowk, Ludhiana and, with the help of his volunteers, broke earthen pots.

As a result, the British government was forced to install one common pitcher at all railway stations across the country giving the message “sabka paani ek hai”. In this activity, nearly 50 volunteers were arrested and sent to jail, he shared.

“My great grandfather decided to stay back in this part of Punjab although many of their relatives migrated to Pakistan. He was deeply pained by the Partition and later in order to help women to get back to their respective families, he had set up a ‘Phir Basau’ committee. Thousands of women returned to their parents under this exchange programme,” he said. Maulana, though not a poet, was well-versed in poetry and used to host poetic evening once a month, he shared.

Subhash Chandra Bose took refuge for three days at his home while on his way to Japan. Similarly, Bhagat Singh’s mother, brother and sister also stayed at his place during the freedom struggle.

Habib-ur-Rehman had to spend 14 years in prison in various places including Shimla, Mianwali, Multan, Ludhiana and Dharamsala.

He was confined in cold places during winters and hot ones in summer. He contracted a serious infection in jail due to which he died on September 2, 1956.

source: http://www.tribuneindia.com / The Tribune / Home> Ludhiana / by Manav Mander / Tribune News Service / September 03rd, 2024

Business Badshas

Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Chennai, TAMIL NADU :

The trade, commerce, politics, and history of south India have been shaped by several powerful individuals and families.

The proprietor of the mica mines examines the accounts at the Kuddusabad camp

Chennai :

The trade, commerce, politics, and history of south India have been shaped by several powerful individuals and families. Among the names that made it to the list, the Badsha family — members of the Urdu Muslim mercantile elite — were one of the leaders in extending business relationships to places like Arabia, Egypt and Japan.

In a tete-a-tete with the fourth-generation descendants, Faiz Badsha Sayeed and Faud Badsha Sayeed, we find out more about perhaps one of the oldest families to establish a strong base in Triplicane, their life in the Madras Presidency and their omnipresence in south Indian history.

Hand-drawn carts were taken up hills and through jungles to reach the mica mines

 By 1819, Haji Mohammed Badsha Sahib established their family firm — a textile company, Messrs H Mohammed Badsha Sahib & Co.

By the early 20th century, the family also became leading importers of Manchester cotton goods and exported indigo, tamarind, mica and Madras cotton piece goods to Britain. “He was one of the richest businessmen in South…he was also giving and god fearing. If we, his great-grandchildren are doing well in life, I believe it is because of all the good deeds our ancestors did,” he said, adding that his great-grandfather, was also known as ‘Mallikutujar’, the head of merchants.

He hands us a picture of a man clad in a tunic and turban, and says, “That’s our grandfather, MA Khuddus Badsha Sahib, the seventh son of Haji Mohammed Badsha. My grandfather and his brother Abdul Azeez Badsha Sahib, were born in the building located in Vallabha Agraharam Street — the Broadlands lodging house which was previously the Turkish Consulate in Madras. Our great grandfather built it in the 1800s,” shares Faiz with a child-like enthusiasm.

After H Mohammed Badsha Sahib’s retirement in the early 1870s, his sons took over his business. The duo, Abdul Azeez Badsha and Khuddus Badsha, served as the Consul and Vice-Consul at the Turkish Consulate in Madras and were popularly known as the ‘Badsha brothers’ and epitomised leadership. “My grandfather purchased the area constituting Triplicane-Wallajah Road, Khas Mahal – ‘The Old palaces of Nawabs’ while Abdul Azeez Badsha Sahib purchased the entire Gemini complex. Some of the fourth-generation descendants still live in and around the area,” he says.

Faiz shares that Khuddus Badhsa owned a piece of land in Mecca. “Unlike Azeez Badsha, my grandfather never performed the Haj but, he sent my grandmother along with my father to perform the Haj. After they returned, she fell ill and requested my grandfather to build a tap in the zamzam well in Mecca. After a lot of back and forth through telegrams, the tap was finally built and shortly after that, my grandmother passed away. That was probably her last wish,” he says.

He hands us a sheet which reads, ‘No more loyal subject of the King-Emperor or more respected Member of the Mohammadan Community will be the guest of the Madras government at Delhi for the Imperial Coronation Durbar’. “Our grandfather was invited to the Imperial Durbar between the late 19th century and early 20th century. He, along with his brother, actively took part in several organisations and they were philanthropists,” he says. The Government of India even conferred Azeez Badsha Sahib with the title of ‘Khan Bahadur’ in recognition of his public services.

From being the trustee of the Madras Port Trust, vice-president of the South Indian Chamber of Commerce to the vice-president of the South Indian Athletics Association, Khuddus Badsha wore many hats. “He was also one of the founders of the Indian bank,” shares Faud.

Khuddus Badsha bought thousands of acres of land across the south. While some were turned to cultivation lands or passed on to the next generation, most are under court litigation. “After land reforms and the abolition of zamindari system, a huge portion of the land was taken by the government,” he says.


Over the years, the descendants have shown little evidence of their past glory, living a simple and unassuming life. “My father and his siblings took to other professions.

He was a doctor and one of his siblings was a barrister, who was tutored by Dr Radhakrishnan!

We have our daily jobs and live a normal yet happy life. We have learned to work hard and be giving, especially towards those who are less privileged,” shares Faiz.

Mica business
Khuddus Badsha possessed several ‘Shrotriems’, ‘Jaghris’, diamond mines and was a pioneer in the mica industry. He owned mines in Pinnamitta, Chennur and Khuddusabad, a village in Nellore district named after him. “Mica exhibitions were curated, and he also ran a Mica showroom in Triplicane. The Wallajah Mosque compound is where the factory/mica workshop manufactured mica daily basis. We even found bits of Mica in the house’s well,” shares Faiz.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Chennai / by Roshne Balasubramanian / September 27th, 2013

A legacy left behind

Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Chennai, TAMIL NADU :

Step into a time capsule as we walk you through the four-generation history of Triplicane’s Broadlands hotel, which was once the Turkish Consulate in Madras.

Chennai :

On an evening rush hour, I am standing amid the choked Triplicane high road — a concrete jungle with nothing but chaos, that’s often romanticised as ‘glorious traffic’. Trying to find my way to a famous heritage hotel, a haven for weary travellers from across the globe, I walk across the ‘burqa’ shops and hotels and a few minutes later, I reach ‘Broadlands’ lodging house, located in the quaint Vallabha Agraharam street. Standing in front of the facade of the unassuming building erected in the 19th century, we are welcomed by a board mounted on the wall right above the sit out, which reads: ‘Welcome, Namaste! Traveller!’.

As soon as we enter the building, it seems like we have stepped inside a time capsule — multiple courtyards, shutter windows and doors, stained glasses from a bygone era, antique furniture, crumbling lime plaster walls and a comforting blue, green and pink paint give us a welcoming taste of its old world charm. An enthusiastic staff member welcomes us and while we wait to meet its owner, the friendly banter of the guests keeps us engaged.

Clad in a red t-shirt and jeans, Krishna Rao, the third generation owner of the lodge welcomes us in. “My grandfather was from Andhra but had strong business ties here,” he says. According to Krishna, the building came into the family’s possession as part of a business deal or a bank auction. “Unfortunately, most Indian families have neglected to educate the next generations about their origins and history. So, what I know of this building’s history is very limited,” he explains.

Krishna Rao’s family came into possession of the building in 1951 from the ‘Badsha’ family, post which it was converted into a hostel and later into a lodge. “Law college students used to stay here when it was a hostel. Many even went on to become Supreme Court judges in the 90s and 2000s. This building is now a part of our family’s legacy and we haven’t changed anything here. Everything is intact, just like how we got it. With occasional maintenance and renovation work, the building is in great condition,” he beams as he walks us through the building.

Paintings and photographs from travellers are mounted on walls and as we progress from one courtyard to another (of a total three), it’s evident that the house gets bigger as we go further. “The current entrance of the building used to be the back or servant entrance before we took over the building. The main entrance opens to the big mosque but, we have always kept that closed. That’s why this part of the building is bigger,” he explains as we go up the labyrinth staircase.

“We really don’t know what the original history of the building is. Perhaps the previous owners could shed light on that,” he says, as we stand on the terrace of the building, watching the sunset, with a view of the big mosque, LIC building, Secretariat and Raheja Towers.

As questions of the larger part of the origin of the building shroud us, Krishna Rao offers us the number of a 66-year-old Faiz Badsha Sayeed, a fourth generation descendant of the Badsha family.A couple of phone calls later, along with Krishna, we land at the house of Faiz, in Triplicane.

Seated in the hall with a stack of old photographs, a trade book about the family’s Mica business, Faiz along with his elder brother Faud walk us through the history of the building, which once was a link between Madras and Turkey. The now Broadlands was once the ‘Le Consulat de Turquie a Madras’ or the Turkish Consulate in Madras! Faiz narrates, “Our great grandfather Haji Mohammed Badsha Sahib is where the family root began. He was a very ‘normal man’ but, he got lucky when a piece of cloth, possibly indigo dyed, fetched him a fortune from Britain.”

The history of the building which once opened its gates to foreign dignitaries is lost somewhere in time. “We are old and there’s only so much we can recollect about its history. We hope that the next generation takes it up and tries to document more about the heritage of the building and the family,” says Faiz, as he shows us a vintage picture of the consulate in all its glory, taken from the main entrance. “It’s funny that we have never been inside the building. We would like to visit Broadlands someday,” smiles Faiz looking at Krishna as he gives an affirming nod.

Trivia

Haji Mohammed Badsha went on to become one the richest businessman in South India and founded the Messrs H Mohammed Badsha Sahib & Co, a leading textile firm. “He was the one who built this building back in the 1800s. It was also his personal residence and my grandfather MA Khuddus Badsha Sahib and his brother Abdul Azeez Badsha Sahib were born in that building,” shares Faiz about his grandfather Khuddus, who was the seventh son of Mohammed Badsha. “He was also one of the founders of the Indian Bank and served as the Vice-Consul at the Turkish Consulate in Madras. This is just the tip of the iceberg Berg, he wore several hats,” beams Faiz.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Travel / by Roshne Balasubramanian / March 24th, 2018

M.A. Khalid Bags Prestigious Bronze Wolf Award

Amazing Feats, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Karnataka (under research project), Leaders, World Opinion, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bengaluru, KARNATAKA :

Bengaluru :

Mr. Mohammed Ali Khalid, a retired Karnataka Administrative Service officer, has been awarded the prestigious Bronze Wolf, the highest international accolade in the field of Scouts and Guides.

This honour, established in 1935, has been conferred upon only 395 individuals worldwide, with Mr. Khalid, Vice-chairperson of the Asia-Pacific Scout Committee, being the fifth Indian recipient.

The Bronze Wolf is awarded for exceptional services to world Scouting, recognising Mr. Khalid’s extraordinary contributions to regional and global task forces aimed at strengthening the scout movement. His dedication to the Scouts and Guides has earned him numerous national and international awards, with the Bronze Wolf being his crowning achievement.

Previous Indian recipients of the award include Smt. Lakshmi Mazumdar (1969), Sardar Lakshman Singh (1986), Ranga Rao (1994), and L.M. Jain (2008). Mr. Khalid’s recognition adds another feather to India’s cap in the global Scouting community.

The award was presented to Mr. Khalid at the World Scout Conference in Cairo, August 23, 2024. His lifelong commitment and professional excellence continue to inspire young people, embodying the values of discipline and service central to the Scout movement.

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Pride of the Nation> Awards> Focus / by Radiance News Bureau / August 30th, 2024

Jailed Kashmiri journalist Irfan Mehraj honoured with human rights journalism award

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, NRI's / PIO's, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

JAMMU & KASHMIR :

Irfan Mehraj

Srinagar :

Jailed Kashmiri journalist Irfan Mehraj, who is currently incarcerated under draconian charges, has been honored with the Human Rights and Religious Freedom Journalism Award for 2024.

Mehraj, who won in the Best Video Story category for his impactful work on the heroin epidemic in Kashmir, shared the award with Akanksha Saxena and Khalid Khan of Deutsche Welle, reported Freepress Kashmir.

The awards, organised by the Indian American Muslim Council, a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy group, were presented at a ceremony in Chicago, Illinois. This year, the competition received over 210 entries across four categories.

The prestigious award for ‘Best Video Story on Human Rights and Religious Freedom’ was jointly won, with the top honour going to the three journalists from Deutsche Welle for their impactful documentary, “On Drugs – Kashmir’s Heroin Epidemic.”

The piece stresses upon the growing heroin crisis in Kashmir and lives of people ravaged by addiction in the region.

According to a Human Rights Watch statement issued earlier, said, “While on a professional assignment on 20 March 2023, Mehraj was summoned for questioning and detained by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) of India in Srinagar under provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.”

Irfan has been booked under the draconian UAPA. According to the NIA, Irfan was previously summoned to Delhi in a case related to “NGO terror funding”. The NIA in its press note claimed he was a “close associate” of the Kashmiri human rights defender Khurram Parvez.

In June 2023, United Nations experts expressed serious concerns regarding the charges against and arrest of Mehraj and Parvez, stating that their continued detention is ‘designed to delegitimize their human rights work and obstruct monitoring of the human rights situation in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.’

On 7 March 2024, UN experts sounded the alarm on the “harassment and prolonged detention of human rights defenders and journalists” in the country. ( With Agencies Inputs )

source: http://www.muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / Home> Indian Muslim>Media / August 28th, 2024

JIH Hyderabad Hosts Online Workshop on AI

Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education

Hyderabad, TELANGANA :

Hyderabad :

Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Hyderabad organized an online workshop on “AI: Your Creative Companion” here recently. More than 500 people from across Hyderabad actively participated in the workshop, highlighting the growing curiosity and interest in the role of artificial intelligence in creative fields.

The workshop was addressed by JIH leaders, including Ghousuddin, Secretary Bahadurpura, and Shariff Tajuddin, Secretary JIH Hyderabad. The key speaker was Hamzah Muazam Ali, CEO of Standard Touch, who provided in-depth insights on the topic.

Shariff Tajuddin told Radiance: “As netizens, it is essential for us to understand the emerging trends that are shaping our digital world. This workshop was organized to introduce participants to the enormous potential of artificial intelligence (AI) as a support tool in creative processes. Our goal is to enable individuals to use the capabilities of artificial intelligence to enhance their creative performance.”

The workshop began on a spiritual note with recitation of the Quran by Hameeduddin Quadri, setting a reflective and contemplative atmosphere for the day’s discussions.

Program Convener Ghousuddin welcomed the participants and outlined the goals of the workshop, emphasizing the critical role of understanding the impact of artificial intelligence on the modern creative environment. “AI is not just a technological advance; it is a tool that, when used wisely, can revolutionize how we approach creativity,” Ghousuddin noted.

Hamzah Muazam Ali gave a comprehensive presentation, covering key topics:

– Understanding artificial intelligence and its applications in creativity,

– AI tools and platforms for creative processes, and

– Real-world examples of AI-driven creativity.

These sessions introduced participants to a range of AI-powered tools and technologies designed to enhance creativity in various fields, including art, design, writing, and media. Hands-on demonstrations provided attendees with practical insights into how to effectively integrate artificial intelligence into their creative workflows.

The workshop concluded with closing remarks by Shariff Tajuddin. He expressed his gratitude to the participants for their enthusiastic engagement and emphasized the importance of integrating artificial intelligence into creative endeavors while maintaining ethical and responsible use. “Our commitment is not only to educate but also to inspire the thoughtful and innovative application of AI in our everyday creative tasks,” he added.

The interactive sessions fostered meaningful dialogue that allowed for a rich exchange of views between the speaker and the audience.

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Focus / by Radiance News Bureau / August 26th, 2024

Muslim women soldiers of INA irked British as well as Muslim League

Amazing Feats, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Freedom Fighters (under research project)

INDIA :

Subhas Chandra Bose, with Captain (Dr) Lakshmi Sahgal, inspecting the guard of honour presented by the Rani of Jhansi Regiment

If one has to point out one thing that hurt the British Empire most in India, it has to be the Hindu, Muslim and Sikh unity with women fighting against the imperial crown a close second. The fear was not unfounded. In 1857, this was a united effort of Hindus and Muslims, where women like Rani of Jhansi and Begum Hazrat Mahal played important roles, which shook up the foundation of the empire in India.

A Slice Of History

The Second World War came to a close in late 1945. The soldiers of the Indian National Army (INA), originally called Azad Hind Fauj, were captured and brought in front of military tribunals as the Prisoners of War (PoW). The media coverage of the trials gave Indians the real picture of Subhas Chandra Bose-led INA. The force was painted as agents of the Japanese and fascists who wanted to capture India.

Indians came to know that INA was an independent Indian armed force and it was funded by the Indian diaspora. While in India, Congress and the Muslim League could not settle upon the question of religious communalism, in the INA Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs dined together. It must be noted that in the Indian Army of the British Imperial Government, food for each religious group was cooked separately.

Moreover, the INA had an all-women combat force – Rani of Jhansi Regiment. It was led by Captain Laxmi Sahgal.

These narratives were a blow to the divisive politics of the Muslim League led by Mohammad Ali Jinnah. Though they could not argue that Muslims were not part of the INA as many of its top Generals were Muslims they tried to convince people that Muslim women were not a part of the INA.

Admission of women fighting the war along with Hindu women as well as men was a big blow for Muslim Pakistan. How could they admit that Muslim women could interact with Hindu men as equal soldiers on the battlefield?

On 22 December 1945, the Dawn, a Muslim League mouthpiece, carried a report that no Muslim woman ever joined the INA. The same day the INA Defence Committee countered this claim and news was carried in the National dailies, where it was reported, “Prominent among the Muslim women in the I.N.A. were Mrs. Saleem, wife of Capt. Saleem, now in the Red Fort, and two daughters of Major Wahab Khan who is still in Thailand working for the Indians there.”   

Sultana Saleem whose husband Colonel Saleem was also serving the INA, was one of the prominent officers of Rani of the Jhansi Regiment. She had never been to India before the War broke out and was a resident of Burma. Like a majority of the soldiers of the regiment she responded to a call of Subhas Chandra Bose without any prior military training.

It was during the War that Sultana met another young INA officer Saleem, who crossed over to the Nationalist Army after serving in the Indian Army of the British Imperial Government. Both the INA officers got married with the blessings of Bose.

When the War was over, Saleem was imprisoned as a PoW. Sultana reached India as part of the first contingent of captured soldiers of Rani of Jhansi Regiment in February 1946. She interacted with the press and told people about the INA and the movement led by Bose.

Sultana Saleem advocated military training for the women of India and said that women must pay an equal part to men and have the same facilities for military training. Such training had helped them to be strong and had made them better able to face the difficulties of life. It inculcated a sense of discipline and fearlessness. If women came forward. It would instill courage in men to make greater sacrifices.

The Indian Express reported on 22 February 1946, “Mrs Sleem felt that there was only one country for her- Hindusthan – and only one nation – Hindustani. She did not believe in either communalism or provincialism. It was the oneness of India that appealed to her most. In East Asia, she said there was no consciousness at all of religious or provincial differences and no untouchability problem. She believed that if India had freedom her many problems could be solved without much difficulty.”

The INA had a good percentage of Muslim women soldiers as well who were fighting for the freedom of India along with their Hindu and Sikh sisters of Rani of the Jhansi Regiment.  

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Story / by Saquib Salim / August 18th, 2024