The film ‘Alzahravi’ bagged the best film award in the category of Best Visual Effects and Animation whereas ‘Polymer, the Promise of PDMS’ has been recommended for a citation.
Hyderabad:
Two films of the Instructional Media Centre, Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) produced under the MANUU Knowledge Series have won accolades at the 24th CEC UGC Educational Video Festival organized by Consortium for Educational Communication (CEC), an Inter-University Centres set up by the University Grants Commission.
The film ‘Alzahravi’ bagged the best film award in the category of Best Visual Effects and Animation whereas ‘Polymer, the Promise of PDMS’ has been recommended for a citation under the Best Film Documentary award category along with the other three films.
According to Rizwan Ahmad, Director, IMC, the film Alzahravi by Omer Azmi, Producer IMC explores the life, struggles, and achievements of the renowned scholar, Alzahravi, and his contributions to the field of medicine.
Polymer, the Promise of PDMS by Obaidulla Raihan, Cameraperson, is a thought-provoking film based on a research output by researchers from the Central University of Hyderabad, where they have developed a polymeric material which is graphene base media mists smart composite material which will revolutionise the technology in near future.
Prof Syed Ainul Hasan, the Vice-Chancellor, congratulated the centre on this achievement and said IMC is steadily gaining recognition for its unique and thought-provoking approach to digital media. Appreciating the Media Centre Team’s effort who met him today at his office the Vice-Chancellor expressed the hope that the MANUU knowledge Series will continue to inspire and educate audiences and contribute to the growth and development of Urdu and dissemination of knowledge.
Rizwan Ahmad said both films were also selected previously at various film festivals nationally and internationally. This honour is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the directors of the films and the entire team. MANUU Knowledge Series aims to promote the Urdu language and culture, as well as highlight important issues and stories through the medium of film, a press release said.
source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> News> Hyderabad / by Indo Asian News Service (IANS) / April 12th, 2023
The Karnataka Muslim Cultural Association (KMCA) held its annual general body meeting on April 8th, during which elections were conducted for the executive committee for 2023-24.
The program, held at MRA Restaurant in Doha, began with a recitation of the Holy Quran by Master Rehan Rashid.
Following the dissolution of the executive committee for 2022-23, Ahmed Saeed Assadi, the election commissioner, conducted the process of electing the new committee members.
The KMCA has announced that Saquib Raza Khan has been elected as the new president, while Suhaib Ahmed has been elected as the new vice president. Shahim Mohammed Sheikh is the new general secretary, Khaleel Ahmed is the new treasurer, Mohammed Yunus is the new joint secretary, Sayed Ashfaque is the new cultural secretary, and Shakeel Mohammad is the new sports secretary.
In his acceptance address, the newly elected president, Saquib Raza Khan from Mangaluru, put forth the future plans of the KMCA. He also stated that the other office-bearers would be elected soon during the first meeting of the new executive committee.
The outgoing president of KMCA, Fayaz Ahmed, welcomed the gathering, while outgoing general secretary Suhaib Ahmed presented the annual report of the events organized by the KMCA in the last year. Khaleel Ahmed presented the treasure report. Abdullah Moideen was the Master of Ceremony.
The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks by Ahmed Saeed Assadi.
Following the elections, a quiz contest was held, and the top five winners were awarded prizes.
The KMCA also held an Annual Iftar for its members and heads of other organizations, which was attended by approximately 150 people.
Dignitaries from other associations and community leaders, including Hassan Chougle and Ikhlas Farid, ICC President Manikantan, and officials of the ICC, ICBF, and ISC Subramanian Hebbagilu and Deepak Shetty, graced the occasion.
Leaders of Karnataka-based organizations such as Mahesh Gowda, Ravi Shetty, Arun Kumar, Dr. Sanjay Kuduri, Abdul Razzak, Ibrahim Beary, Mumtaz Hussain, Abdul Rahiman Saab, and Abdullah Khatri were also present.
source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Gulf / by Vartha Bharati / April 11th, 2023
Bearys Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) on Monday organized an Iftar get-together at the Taj Vivanta Hotel here in the city.
Moulana Shoaib Nadvi was present as the Chief Guest of the event that was presided over by BCCI Chairman SM Rasheed Haji.
In his address, Moulana Shoaib Nadvi spoke about the importance and benefits of Zakat (Charity) – one of the five pillars of Islam.
He also explained how Zakat was used to overcome poverty with a centralized distribution system during the time of the Islamic regime.
Arrangements were made for Iftaar followed by dinner during the event.
Deputy Leader of Opposition in Karnataka Assembly UT Khader, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University) Chancellor Yenepoya Abdulla Kunhi, Former Chancellor of Kannur University Prof. Dr. M. Abdul Rahman,, former MLA Moideen Bava, Unity Hospital’s Dr. C.P. Habibur Rahman, Dr. Abdul Rahman of Highland Hospital, Dr. Yusuf Kumble of Indiana Hospital, Dr. Ali Kumble, Dr. Ismail Hejamady, Dr. U.T. Iftikhar Ali, Dr. Hussain Kunhi, Dr. Arif Masood, Dr. Akhtar Hussain, Dr. Sihab Hasan, Abdul Razaq Mukka, Feroz Bawa, Rahim Karnire, C. Mahmood Haji, Haji Ibrahim Kodijal, P.A. Abdul Hamid, Hasif Sufi Khan, SM Mustafa, former mayor K. Ashraf, K.M. Sharif, Muhammad Kunhi, Abdul Razak of Jamiatul Falah, Abubakar Siddique, Ziauddin Ahmed, Badruddin Panambur, Haider Parthippadi, and others were present during the event.
BCCI General Secretary Muhammad Imtiaz, Treasurer Mansoor Ahmed Azad, Shaukat Shouri, Nisar Fakir Muhammad, Goltamajlu Abdurrazzak, Abdul Rauf Puttige, and others were also present.
Karimnagar Committee held an annual Iftar party on Friday at a resort on the outskirts of Riyadh.
Jeddah:
In a world of constant connection through social media and cell phones, many expatriates have likely found themselves still feeling disconnected from those around them. Many NRIs don’t even know the people who are from the same niegbourhoods living abroad along with them.
Connecting with compatriots from the homeland not only strengthens bonds within the community in alien land but also renders service to them in rain or shine, this is the concept of the Karimnagar Committee.
Riyadh-based Karimnagar Committee, an expatriate organization that looks after NRIs from Karimnagar town of Telangana is one of the sincere and old organizations in the Saudi capital that has been serving the needs of Karimnagar NRIs for over two decades.
Interestingly it’s the maiden community organization of the Karimnagar NRIs not only in Saudi Arabia but the rest of the Gulf countries yet maintains a low profile and is far away from any publicity.
Karimnagar Committee as it is widely known among the NRIs hailing from the town and working primarily in Riyadh.
In fact, it was the one that facilitated employment opportunities for scores of newly arriving Karimnagar youth in search of green pastures. It imparted job orientation skills among youth before being recruited thus making it dearer to many youngsters in the town.
Only the “Karimnagar” tag is a criterion to find shared accommodation in Hara for unemployed youth of the town.
Ramzan Packs, an initiative kickstarted 20 years ago saw numerous beneficiaries from low income families in need during the holy month of Ramadan.
Karimnagar Committee holds its annual Iftar gathering in a sheer spiritual environment away from so-called leaders and officials. This is the only gathering that enthusiastic Karimnagaris come together, according to organisers.
In a joyful Ramadan atmosphere, the Karimnagar Committee held an annual Iftar party on Friday at a resort on the outskirts of Riyadh, in which it was keen on meeting all Karimnagaris as one family around Dastarkhwan or Iftar mats.
source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> News> Middle East / by Irfan Mohammed / April 09th, 2023
Mahira Khan in Parliament House delivering her speech in the Youth parliament
Mahira Khan, a winner in the recent National Youth Parliament debate, is getting international recognition for her grand oration. Her diplomat style speech on the theme ‘Peacebuilding and Reconciliation: Ushering in an era of no war’, earned her an invitation from a school in Saudi Arabia.
Her speech in the Central Hall of Parliament was an instant hit and was uploaded by Sansad TV and many Indian news channels. Mahira began her speech with Hindi poetry and concluded in Urdu.
Like 28 participants from different States, Mahira delivered her speech on two consecutive days – the competition speech on the first day and the winners’ speech for dignitaries the following day.
By the time she landed in Mecca with her family a couple of days later for Umrah, she was already a star on social media.
Mahira Khan receiving the trophy from Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Union Minister Anurag Thakur
This soft-spoken 24-year-old lady from Chhattisgarh was pleasantly surprised when she received a call from Dr. Muzaffar Hassan, Principal of International Indian School, Jeddah to address a gathering of 1000 senior students. She addressed them on the theme ‘How making mistakes can make you more confident.’
In Jeddah, her speech at the National Youth Parliament was replayed for the benefit of the students. She interacted with the students and it was followed by pre-Ramazan lunch. Dr.Hassan noticed Mahira on social media and decided to invite her and her family.
In conversations with Awaz-the Voice, from Raipur and later Dammam, she said, “Whatever I say now has more value. People listen to me very attentively.’’
But what was an extraordinary experience was her visit with her parents and siblings to Kabah, Islam’s holiest shrine in Mecca. “It was a surreal experience. I cannot describe it. I felt an extraordinary spiritual power. My family also felt that it was an experience of a lifetime. It was an invitation from Allah. So, we are very grateful. And I feel like giving back much more than I have got.”
Mahira Khan addressing students in a Jeddah School
This star orator was overwhelmed by her visit to Kabah.She told this correspondent that she is feeling a sense of enlightenment and serenity.
A perfect example of beauty and brains, Mahira says that she wrote the speech in a single sitting but kept updating it. “I departed from the written script when I spoke. This is the second time I was contesting. Selection is not easy. One has to win at the district level. Only those participants who get the first and the second position make it to the State level. Then, at the state level, one has to get the first, second, or third position to get a chance to represent the state in the Central Hall of Parliament. The 29 speakers who assemble there are selected from two lakh speakers,’’she explained.
When Mahira flew back to Raipur with a trophy, a certificate, and prize money of Rs one lakh, she was received at the airport by her parents and two school teachers.
She says, “I want to go to schools, colleges, and communities to teach them how to develop communication skills.’’
In 2020, Mahira also secured a position in an inter-university festival.
Her participation in the National Youth Parliament in 2022 was a learning experience. “I understood that to produce good content for a short-duration speech, it is important to get perspective and research well. My speech was only five minutes and 45 seconds. Last time, I spoke on the topic’ Patriotism and nation building. This year, the theme was ‘Ideas for a better tomorrow- India for the world’. So, I decided to understand the viewpoint of some of my classmates from Jamia and also my friend, Barkha Soni in Bhillai.’’
Mahira Khan interacting with students in Jeddah
Mahira who is awaiting the results of her postgraduate course in Mass Communication from Jamia Millia Islamia is grateful to her friend Barkha Soni who gave her meaningful lines of her poem, for her speech. Mahira used two lines of Barkha’s poem as the opening line. “Jab jab dehla vishw hamaara aur jab jab bemaqsad khoon baha, Cheen, Roos, Japan sabhi ne, Bharat ko ek doot kaha’.Mahira says, “After I got the prize, I went to meet Barkha in her father’s office in Bhilai to thank her.’’
Mahira has been offered a corporate communication job in a private company and her training is likely to start in May-June.
An avid reader, Mahira says, “I am very concerned about children and youth who are neither reading nor writing but just sitting with mobile phones.’’
Mahira Khan with her friend Barkha Soni
Apart from Shah Rukh Khan’s films, she likes watching fantasy and animated films. Her favourite film is ‘The Lion King.’
Born and raised in Raipur, Mahira has clear views on nationalism. “We may make big statements but all we need to do is take small steps. Even clearing garbage or helping the poorest of the poor is nationalism. We can be responsible citizens and can try and pass on skills.’’
Mahira studied in DPS, Raipur till Class XII.
In her hour of glory, Mahira misses her paternal grandmother who died of cancer. She remembers her bed-ridden grandmother telling her after she did not win last year: “Mahira is anyway a winner for me. I have won because of her blessings.”
Mahira Khan in Kabba
Her father is in the construction business while her mother is a homemaker.
Mahira says her habit of jotting down important ideas and lines in a diary also helped her end her speech in Urdu which read, “Bade chalo, Bade chalo, Yahi nadai waqt hai, ye Kainath yeh zameen, yeh kehkahsa ka raasta, Issi pe gaamzaan raho’’
Mahira adeed the line, ‘aman ki raah par chalo.”
She said that she chose to use Urdu as the language does not get the recognition it deserves.
She also likes to give credit to her maternal grandfather, Syed Mahfooz Ali Madni, a retired railway man who kindled her interest in Urdu. “He is the one who gave me my name Mahera from the word ‘Maher’ in Urdu. He lives in Raipur and he is always encouraging us to use Urdu. My siblings and I had a Maulana who would come to our house to teach us how to read the Quran. He taught us Arabic but my father also requested him to teach us Urdu. ‘’
Mahira says, “We did not have Urdu in school or college. My father would make sure that we wrote one page in Urdu from an Urdu book every day. This was the only way we can preserve our language. We are trying to save our legacy in our own way.’’
The family is now heading back to India after spending nearly three weeks in Saudi Arabia where they also have relatives.
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Story / by Tripti Nath, New Delhi / April 07th, 2023
A three-day multilingual calligraphy exhibition and seminar named Miraj will be held in Bangalore from March 10 to 12, 2023.
The event will be held at Falcon’s Den, Prestige Falcon Towers, Brunton Road here in the city.
The exhibition and seminar will be first of its kind in Bengaluru, Syed Beary, Chairman of Bearys Group said in a press conference at the Press Club on Wednesday.
The event sponsored by Bearys Group is being organised by Institute of Indo Islamic Art and Culture ( IIIAC), Syed Beary who is also the Chairman and Managing Trustee of IIIAC added.
“More than 50 artists and experts from across the world will take part in this unique event. Calligraphy is a special art. It helps in maintaining balance between your mind, body and your thoughts,” he further added.
“Calligraphy finds its origin in Arabic. But Chinese and Japanese modern calligraphy are also significantly beautiful and pleasing to eyes. Even Indian regional languages have now adopted calligraphy and artists are exhibiting their skills and talents in their respective regional languages,” Syed Beary further stated.
Speaking about the exhibition, he said experts and artists from more than 10 countries including Turkey, Japan, Sudan, and Middle-East will take part in the event. Calligraphy experts in Urdu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Marathi and other regional languages will also be a part of the event.
“Seminars, Talks, and discussions on various aspects of calligraphy will also be held during this first of its kind three-day event,” he said.
Institute of Indo Islamic Art and Culture’s Principal Muqtar Ahmed also spoke at the press conference and said the exhibition will be inaugurated on March 10 at 10:30 am by Irfan Razack, Chairman and Managing Director of Prestige Group, Bangalore. The seminar will be inaugurated later at 3 pm by Maulana Mufti Sageer Ahmed, Ameer-e-Shariyat, Karnataka, snf Principal & Shaikul Hadees, Darul Uloom Sabeelur Rashad.
Zia Ulla Sharief, Chairman India Builders Corporation, Bangalore, Irfan Razack, Chairman, MD Prestige Group Bangalore, Shabeena Sultana, Consul of the Republic of Tunisia, Bangalore and Pusphamala N, Artist, Sculptor, Writer and Curator will be guests of honor during the inaugural event that will be presided over by Syed Mohamed Beary, Muqtar Ahmed said.
He also spoke about how expert calligraphers of multiple languages will grace the event and share their thoughts and experiences with the participants.
Efdaluddin Kilic, Turkey, Narjes Noureddine, UAE, Dr. Abdullah Fattini, KSA, Tagalsir Hasan, Sudan, Mohsin Ghareeb, Bahrain, Farid Abdur Rahim, Kuwait, Dr. Ali Rabbani, Iran, Yuko Takaji, Japan, Achyut Palav, Marathi, Poosapati Raju, Telugu, Narayana Bhattathiri, Malayalam, Suresh Waghmore, Kannada, Vinoth Kumar, Tamil, Nikheel Aphale, Hindi & Devanagari, Salva Rasool, Urdu are some of the experts who will hold talks on Calligraphy on the first day of the event.
The exhibition will remain open from 10:30 am to 8:00 pm on three days of the event.
The program schedule is as follows:
source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / VarthaBharati.in / Home> Karavali / by Vartha Bharati / March 08th, 2023
“Rising Beyond The Ceiling was born out of the need to change the stereotypical narrative about Muslim women in India,” said Fatehally.
(L to R) Zoya Fatehally, Margaret Alva, Farah Usmani and Aiman Ansari at the book launch
Bengaluru:
Recently, Rising Beyond the Ceiling launched their hardcover edition of Rising Beyond The Ceiling Karnataka publication, after releasing an e-book version of the same in November 2022. With 100 stereotype-shattering stories of inspiring Muslim women from Karnataka, the book is authored by Dr Farah Usmani and co-authored by Dr Zoya Fatehally and Aiman Ansari. Former Governor of Goa, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand, Margaret Alva was the chief guest while director Saad Khan hosted the evening’s launch party.
“Rising Beyond The Ceiling was born out of the need to change the stereotypical narrative about Muslim women in India,” said Fatehally. “The need to change the narrative behind the stereotype about Indian Muslim women not contributing to the nation much and how Muslim women are known for getting married and having a lot of kids and not working was one of the inspirations that drew to author such a book,” said Aiman Ansari, the co-author.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Express News Service / March 01st, 2023
The National Barista Championship in Bengaluru featured 60 baristas from across India and from some of the best coffee houses in the industry and home brewers.
This past week was abuzz with caffeine-induced energy at the 21st National Barista Championship 2023, held between February 14 to 19 at the Orion Mall in Rajajinagar, Bengaluru.
Jaseem Abbas, a home brewer who goes by his handle @ninedotcoffee on Instagram, was crowned the winner, and in June, he will travel to Athens to represent India at the World Barista Championship 2023.
“This used to be a very subtle, small event where we did not have coffee traders, cafe owners, or even equipment manufacturers participate. So, we made it bigger by allowing brands to exhibit their products and expose Indian coffee to the audience,” D. M. Purnesh, President of the Speciality Coffee Association of India, revealed to YS Life.
Jaseem Abbas, Winner of the National Barista Championship 2023
A stroll through the exhibition section will give one insight into how big the event has become. From coffee estates and bean roasters, to cafe owners, and equipment makers, every stage of the coffee bean’s journey is represented.
Attendees could mingle with industry leaders, sample exquisite coffee blends, learn about coffee preparations, equipment and techniques, and enjoy live music and entertainment.
The National Barista Championship featured 60 baristas from across India—some of the best coffee houses in the industry and home brewers who competed for the title of the National Barista Champion. The jury members included certified Q Graders (professionals skilled in the sensory evaluation of coffee), technical judges, and a World Barista Championship Committee-recognised head judge.
The technical judges look at what the barista does behind the counter—station management, skill with the espresso machine, the tamping, coffee extraction times, etc. The sensory judges (Q Graders) evaluate the ‘crema’ of the espresso, the aromas of the beverages, harmony and balance in the taste, the temperature and tactile experience while sipping the beverage, and the functionality of the vessel.
“The barista will tell us how their beverage is supposed to taste. We listen to them for the accuracy of their descriptors too,” explained Mandappa, Divisional Head (Coffee Quality) at the Coffee Board, a certified Q Grader and one of the sensory judges at the championship.
At the National Barista Championship 2023 in Bengaluru
Each barista serves three beverages—first, an espresso, second, an espresso-based milk beverage, third, an espresso-based signature beverage.
“We’re not looking at Latte art here. We’re looking at sheen, synergy, and contrast between the milk and coffee when judging visuals. When we take a sip of the beverage, we see how the espresso is in harmony with the milk,” Mandappa added. The current edition of the rules allows for only cow’s milk, but future editions will allow branded plant-based milk alternatives.
The signature beverage gives baristas the liberty to come up with their own concoctions, as long as the base remains a shot of espresso. “My coffee had pineapple, green grape, mulberry, black tea, Demerara sugar syrup, strawberry syrup, and butter, which I had melted with coffee,” said Suhas Dwarakanath, Owner at Benki Brewing Tools, and one of the contestants.
“These ingredients played with the flavour of the espresso and brought out completely new flavours, like how mixing red with yellow gives us another colour. In the end, my coffee had notes of muskmelon, papaya, salted caramel, and a black tea finish,” he described.
Winner Abbas’ Nitrogen Oxide-infused signature brew had notes of sweet lime, jasmine, orange candy, and sweet papaya. “I used coffee from Tat Tvam Asi Estate as it was one of the most organic and naturally-processed coffees I could find,” he said. “The pressure is intense; there’s no room for error. No sudden movements, no spillage. It’s a beautiful situation to be in. The perfect balance of pressure and cannot be experienced unless one goes up on stage,” Abbas added.
Speciality coffee and Bengaluru have a symbiotic relationship. Karnataka is one of the largest coffee-growing regions in India. The city has a growing cosmopolitan population with the awareness, time, and willingness to experiment with new flavours.
Speak to any brewer or barista, and they’ll have the same things to say: Coffee is not just bitter. One can notice sweetness, florals, fruitiness, and a pleasant bitterness that makes it beautiful and interesting. It’s like tasting a fine wine or a scotch whiskey.
“Coffee can change completely profile-wise with different types of roasting (light, medium, or dark), grind sizes, and brewing equipment. In fact, I came across a variety of cups that allows the coffee to aerate, allowing for more flavour to come out,” said Purnesh.
According to Dwarakanath, one of the challenges in making speciality coffee mainstream is shifting consumers away from the chicory-infused, sugary filter coffees Bengaluru is used to.
“Speciality coffee doesn’t have to be overwhelming. I understand it’s more expensive, but selling smaller portions so they’re affordable is something we do at the Benki cafés. We don’t sell anything above Rs 150, and we use the same premium coffee I used in the competition today,” he added.
Mandappa staunchly believes in drinking what one enjoys while taking the time out to experiment with new food and drinks to develop a refined palate. “It’s always good to experiment and see how a different ingredient tastes, maybe a berry or an exotic fruit,” he said.
“When one is starting, make descriptions easier for yourself and look at basic nuances like sweetness and bitterness (favourable bitterness like bitter gourd, dark chocolate, and stout beer; and unfavourable bitterness like astringent and burnt). The common consumer should first look for a balanced coffee,” added Dwarakanath.
Coffee journeys often start with the quintessential bottle of Nescafe’s instant coffee powder. Speciality coffee, however, works differently.
Right from the quality of the soil and the manure fed to it to the skill of the barista pouring out your drink—each step is crucial in brewing a good cup of coffee.
“It’s about appreciating the journey of the coffee bean. It’s a chain reaction. The farmers, the roasters, the barista—there are hundreds of steps before it reaches your cup,” said Abbas.
“A coffee planter’s job is 365 days, round-the-clock work,” added Purnesh. “We nurture plants through the year for a single crop. The last few years have seen climate change, and the current challenge is adjusting to changing patterns of rain,” he added.
Many coffee planters have developed multi-cropping systems by growing pepper, areca nut, cardamom, avocados, and assorted fruits and vegetables. This keeps a steady flow of income and adds nuances to the flavour of the coffee.
The Speciality Coffee Association of India was set up by passionate coffee planters who wanted to put India’s coffee on the world coffee map. “Everything happens with the support of the Coffee Board, controlled and funded by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. They help us promote coffee in India and the world market. They are one of the main sponsors and supporters of the National Barista Championship,” said Purnesh.
With the close of the 2023 edition of the championship, Abbas is looking forward to his competition in Athens this June. “I’d like to thank my roaster, who introduced me to the coffee I used for the championship. And, since I’m representing India, I want to represent India’s coffee on the world stage. I’ll be going up against the best of the best,” he added.
source: http://www.yourstory.com / YourStory.com – YS Life / Home> Events / by Arjun Mehta / edited by Suman Singh / February 22nd, 2023
Institute of Objective Studies, New Delhi, organised a two-day National Conference on “Indian Muslims and Plural Society” in hybrid mode from February 15 – 16.
Inaugural session
The inaugural session commenced with Prof Haseena Hashia, Assistant Secretary General, IOS, welcoming the guests and participants.
Prof M.H Qureshi, an eminent Geographer, talked about India witnessing numerous migrations over the last several centuries. “We have Nordics, Mediterranean, and Mongols—people from Central Asia, Persia and even Arabs who arrived in India through its southern-western coastal region. Therefore, India has immense diversity, he said.
He said that the Arabs came to the Kerala coast and brought many traditions that became part and parcel of India.
Professor Mehrajuddin Mir, former Vice-Chancellor of the Central University of Kashmir, said that the concept of pluralism was how to live together, tolerate others’ thoughts and ideas, and even understand opponents’ miseries for solutions to live in diversity. All religions have various sects, and thus, their practices differ. The conflicts are, therefore, intra-religious, interreligious and social, he noted.
Professor Mir quoted Indian Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, who recently spoke about how one Imam and one Pundit shaped his career to understand brotherhood and oneness.
Professor Akhtarul Wasey, former President, Maulana Azad University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, in his presidential address, said that Muslims came to India as traders and invaders. But once they came here, they delved into the culture and traditions of India and became one who enriched the nation to encourage pluralism. Muslims have contributed to India’s prosperity.
He said that how Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam became a global personality of Indian origin—a Muslim. The country couldn’t think of its missile programme without his theoretical contributions, he said.
Technical Session I
The 1st Technical Session began with the theme, “Genesis of Pluralism in India.” Professor Arshi Khan, Department of Political Science, AMU, Aligarh, as Moderator & Chairperson.
Dr. Ram Puniyani, Human Rights Activist and Writer, said, “There is a misconception in the country, especially against Muslims.” The alliance of civilizations defines plurality. Religions don’t have any nationality. They are universal. The Kings in India, whether Muslim or Hindu, ruled the nation for centuries with people of different faiths as their core governance teams. There was nothing like Muslim Kings or Hindu kings then, he explained.
He observed that calling Indian cultures as Hindu is a bigoted idea. Leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad brought secular spirits into the country. We have Sufi and Bhakti traditions that describe the morality of religions and humanity in India.
Professor Mohammad Sohrab, MMA Jauhar Academy of International Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, described pluralism as a definition both from a conceptual and theoretical perspective. Primarily a religious and moral philosophy, pluralism was the acceptance of diversity. It is more than tolerance of differences. The conception of ‘We’ was essential to assess pluralism through organic social bonding. Pluralism in the Islamic context of acceptance and the country’s scenario today should be understood in the context of how the nation’s spirit developed in Madinah during the time of the Prophet, he elaborated.
He said that pluralism demands that your neighbour be considered an asset, not a liability. Diversity with pluralism creates resilience, but diversity without pluralism brings disaster, he concluded.
Gurtej Singh, IAS, Chandigarh, spoke about how India’s constitutional and political federalism paved the way for the constitution. The atrocities against Sikhs and their resistance were part of history, he said. The examples of pluralism can be understood from the Guru Granth of Sikh religion.
His book Sikh and Indian Civilization sheds light on how Sikhs were projected during partition.
Sanjay K. Rai, a social activist from Lucknow, mentioned that “diversity doesn’t accept dictators.” He highlighted the importance of multicultural societies. Linguistic Pluralism was the need of the hour in today’s context. Societies with pluralism also impact by technological growth. Communities can’t be defined through one particular race or culture. He felt that there can’t be nation-building and growth without taking Muslims along who constitute 15-20% population in India. The One Nation, One Culture concept can only work in some countries. One can’t find books on Hitler in Germany today. Mussolini’s home has been destroyed in his country as people don’t want him to be remembered. It symbolizes how those going against pluralism perish from the leaflets of history, he concluded.
Mr. Gurdeep Singh, a Sikh leader from Bhatinda, Punjab, stressed that it was high time to focus on the future, in view of the experiences of the past and present to grow in a plural society. Mistakes could be there in the past, but remembering those only won’t solve the purpose. It will hinder progress. He warned that today’s rulers in India were breaking the very ascent of Indian culture and unity.
He said that when Kashmiri Muslims are tortured, others in the country feel their pain.
Dr. Lubna Naaz from the Department of Islamic Studies, Women’s College, AMU, spoke on “An Islamic Perspective on Peaceful Coexistence.”
Technical Session-II
Focused on the theme, Role of Islam to Strengthen Pluralism in India, the Technical Session II started under the Chairperson, Professor M. Ishaque from the Department of Islamic Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia.
Maulana Abdul Hameed Nomani, Former General Secretary, All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat, Delhi, highlighted that two things are required to be properly understood: the Creator, and the Creator’s motive. He said that Sufis always made one feel the independence to think and lead life. Islam always propagates the rights of neighbours, relatives and much more. Sufi Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti wore similar dresses like Indian Sadhus to ascertain people of his time, irrespective of their religious faiths, connected with him.
He said that Swami Dayanand and Raja Ram Mohan Roy kept Hindu philosophy out of their movements but promoted social reforms in the societies applicable to all faiths for social betterment. “Faith is vital, like Allah’s mercy, unlike social practices that change with time,” he said. India’s beauty was in its diversity of religious thoughts. In pre-Islam Arab tribes kept fighting for generations on a single issue of their forefathers, but the scenario has changed. Islam accepts variety in pluralism, from religious to traditional to social practices. Islam as a religion must not change its basic principles. It is a Sanatan religion with firm principles, he concluded.
Prof Faheem Akhtar Nadvi, Head of the Department of Islamic Studies, MANUU, Hyderabad, emphasized that the role of Islam in strengthening pluralism in India is vital. Pluralism is a society where people of all religions reside and respect each other. India is one of the best examples where pluralism has stayed for centuries. He emphasized that India will grow only when pluralism is projected in practice.
To be Continued..
source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> Featured News / by News Desk (headline edited) / February 25th, 2023
Umar Hamdan, a VII standard student of Bearys Public School, has been selected for the National Level Spell Bee Competition after clearing the State-level round of the competition.
Hamdan, who is the son of Late Abdul Basheer and Shameela, was selected for the state-level round after clearing school and inter-school rounds that were held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The National-level round is scheduled to be held in the third week of January 2021.
Inter-school toppers from each class will be selected for State Level, in which Umar Hamdan of class VI (Present studying in VII) was selected for State Level.
“Out of 20 Toppers of class VI from State Level Umar Hamdan of our School is selected for National Level” an official press statement from the school stated.
Chairman of Bearys Academy of Learning, Syed Mohamed Beary congratulated Hamdan on his achievement and wished him bestfor the national-level event.
source: http://www.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Karavali / by Vartha Bharati / December 26th, 2020
