Category Archives: Museums, Libraries (wef. April 16th, 2022)

The Great Mughals review – dazzling decorous delights waft you to paradise

Events, Exhibitions, Conferences (wef. Nov 18th, 2021), Leaders, Museums, Libraries (wef. April 16th, 2022), Royal Families, PreIndependence -Descendants (wef. Jan 02nd,2022)

INDIA :

Shah Jahan, the fifth Mughal emperor, who built the Taj Mahal to commemorate his favourite wife. Photograph: The Trustees of the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin

V&A, London
Romance, bloodshed and religious curiosity is distilled in these lovely artefacts from the mighty military reign with a love of beauty and culture

This exhibition wafts you to the paradise that Shah Jahan, fifth of the Muslim emperors of much of modern India and Pakistan, wanted to create on Earth. A floor-covering decorated with red poppies sets the scene for this idyll of calmness. A rippled stone panel with myriad water spouts had me dreaming of fruit trees and pavilions while I was cooled by a stone jali screen that once filtered air through one of his buildings. These lovely objects help to fill in for his masterpiece, which for obvious reasons can’t be here: the Taj Mahal.

It is shown on a big screen above the portable delights, twinkling white in the hazy Agra sky. Shah Jahan famously built it as a mausoleum for his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in childbirth in 1631; his tomb is there beside hers. It may be familiar but this piece of architectural heaven captivatingly distils the extraordinary civilisation that a warlike dynasty from Central Asia bequeathed to the world.

The original founder of Mughal power led his armies from Kabul into northern India. When this first empire collapsed it was resurrected by Akbar, first of the exhibition’s “great” Mughal rulers, who combined military might with a love of culture and beauty that his successors would share.

The giant Zumurrud Shah flees with his army, from the Hamzanama, circa 1562-1577. Photograph: MAK/Georg Mayer

Akbar was illiterate but that didn’t stop him employing Hindu and Muslim artists to create a library of illuminated manuscripts. He had readers to tell him what the words said; anyway you can follow the epics he favoured from the ravishing illustrations. In a scene from one of his favourite story cycles, the Hamzanama, a giant with a long beard and bright red coat is chased away through the clouds by Hamza’s army.

The court painting style started by Akbar combines closely observed reality with transporting fantasy. A princess of Kabul lowers her hair for a lover to climb up against a brilliantly realistic garden where ducks swim in a rectangular pool, while above rises a dreamlike mountain landscape and a palace floating in the sky.

In the reign of Akbar’s successor, Jahangir, who came to the throne a couple of years after James I was crowned in England, a natural historical and scientific curiosity sharpens the paintings. In about 1612, a North American turkey cock reached the court and the renowned artist Mansur painted it. The bird – with its orange head, long drooping beak and fan tail – seems to pose as patiently for its portrait as Jahangir himself does in a painting of him studying a globe.

The Great Mughals were interested not just in globes but the globe. They embraced religious complexity and did not expect the Hindu population to convert to Islam. In fact, these curious rulers were attracted to Hindu mythology and mystics. In a painting entitled A Muslim Pilgrim Learns a Lesson in Piety from a Brahman, the pilgrim walks through a rolling north Indian landscape where he encounters a Hindu mystic lying in the road in true spiritual humility. The Mughals were also attracted to the mystic Islamic Sufi movement. That is represented here by a Sufi dervish’s drinking horn and Sufi-inscribed tiles from a now-vanished mosque in Lahore.

Their art absorbed influences from Persia to Renaissance Europe. Portuguese merchants are depicted visiting the Mughal court and, more mysteriously, speaking with angels as the court artists try to make sense of their strange Christian religion.

The exchange went both ways. A Mughal round shield, covered in lustrous mother of pearl patterns and pictures, has been lent by the Bargello Museum in Florence. This dazzling luxury object entered the collection of the Medici family in the 1590s.

This shield never saw battle, plainly, but the Mughals didn’t create their gorgeous world without bloodshed. Many weapons here are opulent and lethal: curved daggers with jewel-encrusted hilts and scabbards, “punch daggers” with floral decoration.

Art itself could be a fantasy of killing. There’s a portrait of Jahangir standing on a globe, shooting an arrow at close range at the severed head of his enemy Malik Ambar. This never happened, but the painting may have eased the emperor’s desire for revenge against this formerly enslaved Ethiopian who rose to be regent of a sultanate and a thorn in Jahangir’s flesh.

When the battles are won and the day’s hunting is over, you drink wine from a jade cup poured from a slender-necked ewer and walk in the gardens to be soothed by the pitter patter of fountains. Where is paradise? A Mughal court poet offered an answer you might agree with by the end of this show: “It is here, it is here, it is here.”

 The Great Mughals: Art, Architecture and Opulence is at V&A South Kensington, London, from 9 November to 5 May

source: http://www.theguardian.com / The Guardian / Home> Art> Review / by Jonathan Jones / November 06th, 2024

Mohammed Ali Library: Journey from traditional to new-age library-cum-information centre

Community Involvement / Social Issues, Museums, Libraries (wef. April 16th, 2022),

Kolkata , WEST BENGAL :

  Courtesy: Facebook/Mohammed Ali Library Students’ Section

Kolkata:

Mohammed Ali Library, located on the ground floor of Barry House, on Kanai Seal Lane is one of Kolkata’s oldest public libraries. Lost in the hustle-bustle of the ever-so chaotic, ever-so-charming Zakaria Street is this 93-year-old library being resurrected to its past glory.

Many local residents and researchers in the past have complained about the treasure trove of Urdu literature being in ruins and how not much is being done to preserve the library’s legacy and the thousands of rare books that lie in it.

“This library was established in the year 1930, by Mulla Mohammad Jan to create a reading space for the community youths. After the death of Mohammad Ali Jauhar, a fellow Khilafat leader and prominent freedom fighter, in 1931, the library was named in his honor. Mohammad Ali was a visionary, who was also one of the co-founders of Jamia Milia Islamia,” said Anwarul Haque, librarian of Mohammad Ali Library.

Admitting that the library had been in a deplorable state and needed a shot in the arm, Haque said, “The library, in need of a complete makeover, had long been the subject of demands from locals and visiting researchers.”

Rising from its ashes

Taking a cue from the public demand, and a pump of new blood in the committee that takes care of the almost century-old library, a slew of changes has been initiated to not just preserve the books but to also transform it into a new-age library that caters to the new age readers and researchers.

Speaking to eNewsroom, the president of the library committee, Nasir Ahmed, said, “We had been thinking about this makeover for a long time. But the fact that the library is in a rented space, initiating a renovation seemed a mammoth task. However, with the induction of new members who were willing to work for the betterment of the library, we realized the importance of having a new-age library for the readers. The books were decaying, racks were falling off, and we were seeing the legacy of the library being destroyed. So, we had a couple of meetings and decided to go for a complete renovation.”

On being asked about the library’s rare collection, Haque said, “It houses some rare books and manuscripts like the Urdu translations of the Mahabharata and Ramayana and the Awadh Punch, an Urdu satirical weekly.”

From archaic library to new-age library-cum-information centre

A budget of Rs 10,00,000 has been estimated to give a face-lift to the library, which is being done under the leadership of Usman Ghani, head of office and ALIO, National Library.

Ghani explained the transition that the library is undergoing at the moment. He told eNewsroom, “The library will be undergoing a gradual metamorphosis, where we will witness its transition from a local library to a state-of-art library cum information centre that will cater to the needs of the new-age readers, researchers and bibliophiles.”

Elaborating on the slew of changes that the library will undergo, he said, “A complete structural makeover has been initiated, which will be followed by the restoration of books, cataloguing, digitization of rare books that the library boasts off. I will be overseeing the indexing, cataloguing and digitization of books.”

Adding to that, Ahmed said, “Once we are done with the renovation, we plan to introduce computers and digital readers. We also plan to make the library air-conditioned and use it as an information centre from where the youths can not just get information about the competitive exams but also use other resources available here to prepare for the exam.”

Ghani also mentioned that the library would have its own website and offer online services, enabling readers to register, request, renew, and even read books online.

The proposed upgrade will take almost six months to complete. Talking about funds, Ahmed said, “We sought help from Siddiqullah Chowdhury, minister-in-charge of Mass Education Extension & Library Services. We are hopeful to get some help from him. Local MP and MLA have also been approached to help us bring Mohammed Ali Library to life . 

source: http://www.enewsroom.in / eNews Room India / Home> Bengal> Let There Be Light / by Shabina Akhtar / December 05th, 2023

India’s new UNESCO site museum reveals Mughal emperor’s life, legacy

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, Museums, Libraries (wef. April 16th, 2022), Royal Families, PreIndependence -Descendants (wef. Jan 02nd,2022), Travel & Tourism, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

NEW DELHI :

  • Humayun World Heritage Site Museum in New Delhi opened for visitors on Tuesday
  • Latest addition to 16th-century tomb complex ‘brings alive 700 years of heritage’

Visitors look at artifacts at the Humayun World Heritage Site Museum — the newest addition in Humayun’s Tomb complex — in New Delhi on July 29, 2024. (AN Photo)

https://arab.news/4zpjh

New Delhi :

The second Mughal emperor Humayun was widely known as an avid reader fond of journeys, architecture, and storytelling. Almost half a millennium after his death, a new museum in the heart of New Delhi highlights his role in shaping India’s cultural heritage.


Opened for visitors on Tuesday, the Humayun World Heritage Site Museum is the newest addition in Humayun’s Tomb complex — a landmark 300-acre area in New Delhi’s Nizamuddin that features dozens of historical monuments and includes Sunder Nursery, a 16th-century heritage park.


The advent of the Mughal dynasty, which ruled the Indian subcontinent between the 16th and 19th centuries, marked the global revival of Islamic architecture, with works that until today are examples of the highest quality and refinement.


Originally from Central Asia, the Mughals carried cultural elements borrowed from Arabs, Persians and Ottomans. As they settled in India, they fused these with the various local styles found in their new domains.


Humayun was the son and successor of Babur, founder of the dynasty, and ruled the empire from 1530 to 1540 and again from 1555 until his death the following year.


The new museum, established by the Agha Khan Trust for Culture and the Archaeological Survey of India, traces Humayun and his descendants’ lives, as well as the 700-year-old history of the whole Nizamuddin locality and its influence on Indian culture.


“There are hundreds of stories to be told, which the stones don’t speak,” Ratish Nanda, conservation architect and projects director at the AKTC, told Arab News. “The idea is to bring alive 700 years of heritage.”


The museum is located in Humayun’s Tomb, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the first of the grand mausoleums that became synonymous with Mughal architectural innovations and, three generations later, culminated in the construction of India’s most iconic monument, the Taj Mahal.
About 7 million tourists from across India and abroad visit the complex every year.


“The idea is that people who now visit the World Heritage Site come with a deep understanding of the site,” Nanda said.


“We’ve been able to … combine architectural elements with incredible manuscripts, miniature paintings, calligraphy, textiles, coins, metalware, architectural elements — one is two one scale — with lots of films and digital technology, and models and so on.”


Spanning five galleries, the underground museum has over 500 artefacts sourced from the collections of the National Museum in New Delhi, ASI and AKTC.


“It captures the 700 years of history that is associated with the region of Nizamuddin and the World Heritage site of Humayun’s Tomb …This museum really captures the history,” said Ujwala Menon, AKTC conservation architect.


“The principal gallery talks about Humayun. There’s very little known about this emperor, and one of the things with this museum is to really address that … Then we have a second section of this gallery which talks about the personalities that are associated with Nizamuddin.”


Among the famed figures featured in the second gallery are Nizamuddin Auliya and Amir Khusro.
Auliya was an 13th-century Indian Sunni Muslim scholar, Sufi saint of the Chishti Order, and is one of the most famous Sufis from the Indian subcontinent. His shrine and tomb are located near Humayun’s complex.


Khusro was a 13th-century poet and scholar who remains an iconic figure in the culture of the subcontinent.


Both Auliya and Khusro lived during the period of the Delhi Sultanate, which Humayun’s father conquered, leading to its succession by the Mughal empire. The museum shows how the empire did not come to its bloom in a cultural vacuum, but drew from and incorporated the culture of its predecessors.


“There was this idea of pluralism that existed during the Mughal period,” Menon said.
“And this (museum) really captures all of that.”

source: http://www.arabnews.com / Arab News / Home> World / by Sanjay Kumar / July 31st, 2024

Meet Bhopal’s Impressive Group of Girl Librarians

Amazing Feats, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Museums, Libraries (wef. April 16th, 2022), Women/Girls(since May26-2021),

Bhopal, MADHYA PRADESH :

An inside view of the storied, idealistic lives in the Savitribai Phule Community Libraries network

Photo Credit: Saba Khan

Saba Khan has participated in the EduLog programme with The Third Eye for its Education Edition. The EduLog mentored 12 writers and image-makers from India, Nepal and Bangladesh to remember—in the present continuous—their experience of education from a feminist lens.

During COVID, when almost everything was closed in Bhopal, we began delivering books to children by going door-to-door. Adults in the family took to reading those books too. Some girls’ mothers flipped through the pages of the book and looked at the illustrations. When we were giving books to young Rimsha Faiza, her sisters-in-law, who were not very old, came out inquisitively and asked about the books and about Savitribai Fatima Sheikh Library. In Mother India Colony, 14-year-old Saba said, “I am not educated at all. But can you give me some books to read?” Two days later, when I went back to her neighbourhood, she asked, “Can you get me a pad too?”

My friendship with Fiza started with books. When she took her first book, she said, “Next time, please give me two books. Both Rezwan and I will read them.” They were a newly married couple. Then one day she called me and said that Rezwan had beaten her. Fiza wanted me to counsel Rezwan, or else she would kill herself, she said. Perhaps she thought that Rezwan would listen to me—the lady with the books. We connected Fiza with a government-run One Stop Centre that works on the issue of violence against women. Meanwhile, Rezwan also started coming to our library and talking to us. They both complained about each other all the time. I patiently listened to both of them.

Gul Afsha, a mother of two, is a very brave woman. She steals a little time for herself from her kids and comes to the library for a while. She mixes with the other girls in the library and reads poems with great enthusiasm.

Photo Credit: Saba Khan

At the library, Zeba, Joya Tasmian, Mahak, Muskan, and Ilma, all help keep the books. These girls have been regular readers for a long time. When I was thinking of returning to my regular job post-COVID, I consulted with them if they could manage the library without me. They enthusiastically said, ‘Yes!’ At the library, I have often seen women from the community seeking advice about their children or sharing their difficulties with the librarian, no matter how young the librarian is. Among them, 14-year-old Mansi is the youngest librarian. She often imitates the way the older librarians speak. Whenever it is her turn to manage the library, she takes them to the park, forms a circle and reads poems aloud to them. One can already see the qualities of a leader in her.

I was born in Bhopal and grew up here. In 2011, as a social worker, I worked with several government schools under a Tata Trusts programme on education. I realised that often the relationship between teachers and children in schools is one where children sit silently with their fingers on their lips. They read only when the teacher asks them to and then put the book away. I had seen this happening in my school.

When I visited schools under this programme, some of the girls said that they had spoken to their mothers about me and their mothers had invited me home. I thought that this was an opportunity to talk to the children outside of the school. When I met the children in their neighbourhoods, I thought of how much fun it would be if they could read together. And that is how Savitribai Fatima Sheikh Library started.

Even since I was a child, I would always look for books to read. I have always felt that children must have books to read—that they should develop an affection for books and realise that books are their means to know about science, about the world. I used to think that wherever I would go, I would cultivate the habit of reading books in children and gradually, their love for books would grow. But I never imagined that I would see so many libraries opening up and so many educators joining in. Today, we have 11 community libraries across purana Bhopal, including areas like Arif Nagar Basti, Mother India Basti, Madari Mohalla, Bhanpur, Karund Basti and more. We have registered a total of 1,000 children. Twenty educators help run these libraries.

Photo Credit: Saba Khan

We collectively decided to name every library in the neighbourhood after Savitribai Phule and Fatima Sheikh. In a couple of neighbourhoods, boys like Chhotu, Musa and Irfan offered to help in the library. But everywhere else, it was the girls who took charge of the library, its activities and the visitors. In the beginning, we didn’t have tables, chairs, or shelves in our library. Our capital is the people of our community. They are always there to support us and be involved in the library’s future. When we had to move the library due to rain or other reasons, the women in the community created space in their homes and gently said, “Put it here.” In Mochi Mohalla, Sagar’s mother set up a library in her modest shanty where she used to cook food.

Saniya is one of our educators who sets up a library in her home every day. She lives near the Karond Mandi in the Blue Moon Colony where our oldest library used to run. Our library was located in a hamlet that was built on railway land and the place to run this library was given to us by the community. It was demolished by the Municipal Corporation in January 2022. In this situation, Saniya proposed to run the library from her home. She keeps the books and recites stories to children in her home library. She left school after the tenth grade but wants to resume her studies now. She hopes that working with children may convince her mother to somehow delay her marriage.

Jahangirabad is a largely Muslim neighbourhood where we had set up a library. Children who came to the library did not know of Ambedkar. Some called Savitribai Phule ‘Fula’, but some found it easy to pronounce Fatima Sheikh. In some schools, I noticed that they only talk about Muslim freedom fighters (as I imagine they would speak only of Hindu freedom fighters elsewhere). We need to talk about everyone so that children can know how diverse our country is.

Photo Credit: Saba Khan

We consciously try to include this diversity in our libraries. For example, two children from the Mehtar community visited our library. When it was time for them to enrol in school, a group of Muslim girls went with them to help. All the teachers at the school belonged to the upper castes. They commented, “These are Mehtar community children, they cannot study here. They won’t even wake up in the morning, how will they study? Their homes are so dirty.” Eventually, they were denied admission on these grounds. In the evening, everyone sat together in the library and we talked about the reasons behind ‘lower’ caste children being denied education. We decided to speak up as it was our right. The next day, we went to the school again and asked for the admission form. We asserted that our children would study there.

My intention in connecting children with books was also for them to learn to see the world through it. To see and understand the world means to know about the stories behind any discrimination, whether it is based on colour, caste, religion, or anything else.

When we learn about discrimination during the time of Savitribai Phule or Ambedkar, we understand our own biases too. For me, this is the meaning of loving books.

Our educator Tabassum worked continuously for three years to set up a library in Annunagar. Her father runs a madrasa at home where children learn Arabic while wearing scarves and caps. Tabassum believed that the children should learn Hindi and English alongside Arabic. They should also be able to play and move around the madrasa without wearing scarves. So, after her father’s class, she began telling the children to take off their scarves and caps if they wanted to and then she recited stories to them.

We do not keep books that attempt to demean or insult any language, race, religion, colour, caste, class, disability, group or individual. We strive to collect books related to various cultures, genders and people’s lives. Books are categorised according to the age of readers, considering the type of content, images and font size appropriate for each age group. We also have a separate category of books for new readers or those learning to read for the first time.

We have some other rules in our libraries that we tell all our educators to follow. For instance, no educator is allowed to use physical punishment or yell. If a child damages a book, we aren’t allowed to react angrily. We only explain. We do not tell the children how to sit or stand or poke at them generally.

If a child runs away with a book, we do not chase and force her to give it back. We have to trust that she will return it.

Most girls and older children get books issued and take them home. Sometimes, the books get damaged as well.

All the children and adults come together once a month to repair the books in the library. Taping torn pages or sticking them together with glue teaches children to handle the books gently in the future. It also reduces conflict.

Photo Credit: Saba Khan

All our librarians meet twice a month. It’s a treat to share our stories, experiences, happiness and excitement during those meetings. When we sit close to each other surrounded by books, it is like an entire world coalesces at a point. We recite poetry, oblivious to the surroundings or how we are sprawled, arms and legs stretched out. After chatting and singing, we choose books for the next month that can be used in various neighbourhood libraries. We identify spaces where we need each other’s help. We argue and persuade each other. These relationships are now so concrete that these librarians take care of each other’s families, eat out together, hang out during their free time and go out shopping for shoes or jewellery together, despite living in different parts of the city. Our librarians cherish their friendships and the community they have built, as much as the books.

This article is translated by Abhishek Shrivastava.

Read in Hindi

Saba lives in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. After completing her postgraduate studies in Child Psychology and Social Work, she has been working with different organisations on issues of girls and women for the last 13 years. Along with this, she independently manages the Savitri Bai Phule Fatima Shaikh Open Library in 11 different resettlements areas of Bhopal.

source: http://www.thethirdeyeportal.in / The Third Eye / Home> Praxis / by Saba Khan / February 14th, 2023

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

Preserving Urdu Heritage: A Journey Through Bengaluru’s Muslim Library

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Karnataka (under research project), Leaders, Museums, Libraries (wef. April 16th, 2022), , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bengaluru, KARNATAKA :

Muslim Library, Bengaluru. Photo by Nabeel Ahmad

A hundred-year-old Muslim library stands firm in the narrow lanes of Shivajinagar, Bangalore, barely visible from the outside and quite difficult to locate. By asking the locals, one can find a small staircase squeezed between shops leading to the library. You can easily detect the smell of old books on the staircase, and upon entering the library, a sudden sense of calm and peace permeates the bustling market. There have been many highs and lows throughout the library’s long and illustrious history, and in 2014, it celebrated its centenary.

At the beginning of the second decade of the 20th century, a group of intellectuals and benefactors in the city of Bangalore came together to promote the Urdu language and raise educational awareness among Muslims. On 5th May 1912, Bangalore’s Muslim Library was founded. The inaugural conference took place at Maulvi Abdul Ghaffar Sahab’s New Market Road (Char Minar Road) building on 9th May 1912. Five months after its establishment, in 1912, the library moved from the New Market Road building to a shop on Masjid Street, where Madarasa Quwwatul Islam was located.

In January 1929, a significant event took place when Amin-ul Malik Mirza Muhammad Ismail Diwan of the Mysore State presided over a grand meeting at the Globe Theatre (Opera Bazaar) in honour of the poet of the east – Allama Dr Muhammad Iqbal. During this meeting, Allama Iqbal was presented with a letter of appreciation by the library. The library members raised money for Allama Iqbal’s visit and the meeting under the name “Iqbal Fund.” Additionally, the library celebrated its founding anniversary on 9th May 1937, with a grand celebration presided over by Baba Urdu Maulvi Abdul Haq, the Secretary of Anjuman Tarqee Urdu.

The Muslim Library was registered under Registration Act 21-1860 on 3rd May 1935, at the Bangalore office of Joint Stock Companies. To ensure the security and maintenance of the library’s assets, a trust named “Muslim Library Trust, Bangalore” was established and registered under the Indian Registration Act 1-1908 in the office of the Sub-Registrar, Civil Station, Bangalore, on 14th September 1957. Donations were received, and the present building of the library was purchased on 22nd May 1958, although there were concerns about the institution’s stability.

Throughout its 100-year history, many notable and famous personalities from the country and the state have visited the library and expressed their good wishes.

These include Syed Sulaiman Nadvi, Allama Dr Sir Muhammad Iqbal, Maulana Shaukat Ali (Ali Brothers), Maulana Zafar Ali Khan (Director Zamindar-Lahore), Baba Urdu Maulvi Abdul Haq, Professor Abdul Wahab Bukhari, Sagar Nizami, Hazrat Josh Malihabadi, Allama Seemab Akbarabadi, Mirza Yas Yagana Chingizi, Ejaz Siddiqui, Hazrat Jigar Moradabadi, Hazrat Hafeez Jalandhri, Hazrat Amjad Hyderabadi, Maulana Mufti Muhammad Ashraf Ali, and Professor B Sheikh Ali, among others.

Photo by Nabeel Ahmad

The two-storey library houses more than 30,000 books in various languages, though it has a treasured and rare manuscript collection in Urdu and Persian, some of which are even a century old. The library houses rare and valuable books on various subjects, ancient magazines, 1980s newspapers, and manuscripts from the Haidari era. The total number of manuscripts is 29. Some important manuscripts include: Maulvi Abdul Haq bin Saifuddin’s “Completion of Faith and Taqwaity of Faith”, “Al-Tazirat” (Dakhini Urdu), compiled by Hafiz Ahmad bin Muhammad Maghrib in 1235, “Deewan Naziri” (Fari Kalam) by Nazir Neshapuri, “Kaliat Kamal” (Urdu) by Kamal Shah Peer (Dakhini Urdu). Additionally, selected letters from Shaheed Tipu Sultan, written to various friends, are available here. The library also holds many rare books published by the famous publisher Munshi Kishore of his time. Notable among them is “Ajab al-Makhluqat,” published in 1889, and ancient and rare books on medicine such as “Talb Akbari,” Volume I, published in 1895, and the translation of “Makhzan-e-Adawiya” written by Hakeem Muhammad Noor Kareem in two volumes. Moinuddin Farooqi’s books on Islamic medicine are also available in the library.

A thick, long register at the entrance with visitors’ signatures in Urdu is a rare sight, but it simply depicts the library’s love of Urdu. Photo by Nabeel Ahmad

The first person to greet visitors at the library is Muhammad Altaf, the caretaker who has been looking after the library for the past 24 years. Altaf says, “Urdu is the sweetest of all languages, though the new generation is drifting away from it. There was a time when the library used to be filled with readers. However, most of those readers are no longer alive. Only a few PhD scholars now visit the library for their work.”

Photo by Nabeel Ahmad

A place that was previously bustling with activity from city dwellers who devoured Urdu newspapers, magazines, and novels is now desolate and silent. Amidst the haunting stillness, the sound of pages rustling from bygone eras is nearly audible. Altaf bemoaned the slow but steady decline of Urdu readers, citing youth as an example of an audience that values instant gratification more than the more reflective practice of reading, especially Urdu.

Altaf emphasised that parents should encourage their children to learn to read and write Urdu in this era. The new generation needs to pay heed to Urdu; otherwise, the language will gradually go extinct.

Altaf added, “The library is open to the public and provides a lifetime membership for Rs. 1,500. Members can issue the books; however, the older and rare collection is aesthetically stacked on the shelf. Over the years, Urdu lovers in the city have considered this place a haven for learning.”

The Muslim Library is one of the repositories of India’s linguistic and cultural wealth, holding the key to Urdu’s revival. By digitising their precious collections, these forgotten sanctuaries can be transformed into accessible digital archives. Coupled with restoration efforts, proper funding, and community engagement through reading clubs, literary events, and language courses, these libraries can become vibrant hubs of learning and appreciation. Strategic partnerships with the government, corporations, and the public are essential to ensuring their preservation and expansion. With a concerted effort, these libraries can ignite a renaissance of Urdu, reasserting its place as the soul of India’s literary heritage.

source: http://www.thecognate.com / The Cognate / Home> Culture / by Nabeel Ahmad / August 01st, 2024

Architect Imran Abbas Shaikh: The visionary behind India’s finest Mosques

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Pune, MAHARASHTRA :

Architect Imran Abbas Shaikh and some of the mosques he designed.

Architect Imran Abbas Shaikh, a visionary based in Pune, Maharashtra, exemplifies the transformative power of architecture. With a passion for blending modern design with cultural heritage, Imran has developed a diverse portfolio ranging from innovative urban projects to iconic cultural landmarks. Renowned for his distinctive approach, he has redefined architectural design, particularly in the creation of mosques. His designs for these sacred spaces often include facilities like hospitals, museums, libraries, and community kitchens, showcasing his dedication to empowering the community. Through his work, Imran Abbas Shaikh has set a new standard for integrating functionality with tradition, earning widespread acclaim for his contributions to architecture.

Muhammad Bin Abdullah Mosque’ in Dhannipur, Ayodhya district, Uttar Pradesh.

The Early Years

Mr. Mohammad Imran Abbas Shaikh, hailing from Pune, Maharashtra, has traversed an extraordinary journey from his roots to emerge as one of the most prominent architects of our time.

His architectural firm, Cubix Architects, situated in his hometown, reflects his deep-rooted connection to the place that nurtured his talents. Growing up, Imran was distinguished by his unique approach and a penchant for creative thinking, qualities that would later define his illustrious career as a visionary architect. However, it was the unwavering support and belief of his father that truly ignited Imran’s passion. His father instilled in him the notion that architecture was not merely about envisioning structures, but about crafting an unwavering future that could bring about positive change. This paternal guidance became the driving force behind Mr. Mohammad Imran Abbas Shaikh’s relentless pursuit of architectural excellence.

Islamic School and Institutional Campus, Phaltan, Maharashtra.

Educational Background 

Imran Shaikh’s educational journey was marked by a pursuit of excellence from the outset. Beginning with his early schooling split between SSPM and Children’s Academy in Shivaji Nagar, Pune, he demonstrated a thirst for knowledge and innovation. His high school years at Poona College laid the groundwork for his academic prowess, setting the stage for his subsequent achievements.

Imran’s passion for architecture led him to Bharati Vidyapeeth, where he honed his skills and emerged as a consistent topper throughout his degree. Even after completing his formal education, Imran’s dedication to his field remained unwavering. He continues to share his expertise and insights by delivering lectures and guiding Ph.D. aspirants, leaving an indelible mark as an inspirational figure for aspiring architects and youngsters alike. His contributions as a guest lecturer have not only enriched the minds of his students but have also sparked a newfound enthusiasm for architecture among many.

Islamic Spiritual Centre of Maulana Sajjad Nomani – Neral, Maharashtra

Inspiration Behind Choosing Architecture as Career 

Imran Shaikh always had a keen interest in travelling, exploring, and various forms of art. After high school, he decided to pursue architecture as a career, a field that had always intrigued him. Imran often spoke about how his father was his biggest motivator, playing a significant role in his journey to becoming a successful architect. During Imran’s college years, his father would proudly share his accomplishments with everyone. Imran’s fondness for art and his unique, abstract perspective on things have been evident throughout his career. Each of his projects bears a distinctive touch, showcasing his artistic vision and innovative approach.

“Modern technologies have made the youth increasingly dependent, resulting in a lack of motivation and original ideas. To foster change, it is essential to reduce dependency on readymade materials and encourage wholehearted engagement in learning, exploration, and hands-on activities. As long as a person is away from mental pollution, they can do wonders”

How Does Imran Shaikh See Architecture 

Imran Shaikh states that architecture is a profession that has existed since the dawn of mankind, tracing its origins back to Adam (AS). Since the beginning, people have sought shelter, making architecture an integral part of human existence. This concept is not limited to humans; some of the best architectural forms can be seen in birds and animals. According to him, architecture starts with a dot, which evolves into a line, then a triangle, and gradually forms complex shapes and designs. The journey beginning with a simple dot encapsulates the essence of architecture.

His favourite works

The ‘Muhammad Bin Abdullah Mosque’ in Dhannipur, Ayodhya district, Uttar Pradesh, is under construction and spans 4,500 square metres.

Dar e Arqam

This mosque will include various facilities such as a hospital, community kitchen, library, and research centre.

Remarkably, it will be the first mosque in India to feature five minarets, symbolising the five pillars of Islam: profession of faith (shahada), prayer (namaz), almsgiving (zakat), fasting (roza), and pilgrimage (hajj). The mosque will be pentagon-shaped, further reflecting the significance of the five pillars. Additionally, it will boast a water and light show and house the world’s largest Quran, measuring 21 feet in height and 36 feet in width.

Architect Imran Abbas Shaikh

Some of architect Imran’s finest works include:

1-KAUSAR BAUGH MASJID – PUNE, MAHARASHTRA

2-ISLAMIC SPIRITUAL CENTRE OF MAULANA SAJJAD NOMANI – NERAL, MAHARASHTRA

3-ISLAMIC SCHOOL AND INSTITUTIONAL CAMPUS – PHALTAN, MAHARASHTRA

4-ISLAMIC SCHOOL AND INSTITUTIONAL CAMPUS – NEPAL

5-MASJID MUHAMMAD BIN ABDULLAH INDO ISLAMIC CULTURAL – BABRI MASJID, UP AYODHYA

5-ISLAMIC SCHOOL AND INSTITUTIONAL CAMPUS – BANGLADESH

Building a Better Society

Apart from his architectural achievements, Imran Shaikh is actively involved in education through his nonprofit ‘Human Embrace Foundation’, based in Pune. This foundation is dedicated to educating children from financially disadvantaged backgrounds, ensuring they have access to quality education and opportunities. Imran’s commitment to this cause has made a significant impact, inspiring many young people. His dedication and success serve as a powerful role model for youth, encouraging them to strive for excellence and make a positive difference in their communities. Through both his architectural work and his educational initiatives, Imran Shaikh exemplifies the values of innovation, compassion, and community empowerment.

source: http://www.muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / Home> Indian Muslim> Positive Story / by Fiza Memon / May 25th, 2024

Rummana Hussain and the ghost of female Muslim heroes

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Karnataka (under research project), Museums, Libraries (wef. April 16th, 2022), Women/Girls(since May26-2021), World Opinion, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bengaluru, KARNATAKA / New York, U.S.A / Mumbai, MAHARASHTRA :

Rummana Hussain’s conceptual artistic imprint on the state of India is relevant now more than ever. Dealing in the currency of feminist expression, postcolonial thought and perennial ideas, Rummana’s India is both doubly colourful and doubly dark.

In an inaugural show in its new West Village location, New York’s Institute of Arab and Islamic Art presents The Tomb of Begum Hazrat Mahal an exhibition encapsulating Rummana Hussain’s artistic ruminations about the space our bodies occupy in present and past through one of India’s most prominent Muslim woman.

Bangalore-born Rummana Hussain (1952-1999) was a pioneer in conceptual and performance-based political art in India during the 1980s and 1990s.

She was part of the Sahmat collective, a platform for liberal, secular engagés multidisciplinary artists including Safdar Hashmi, Bharti Kher, and Manjeet Bawa among others.

In this recreation of The Tomb of Begum Hazrat Mahal (1997), the respectful visitor enters a one-room shrine.

“In seeing The Tomb of Begum Hazrat Mahal today, I remembered Hussain’s bold feminist reclamation of her Muslim body through the reincarnated aura of Begum Hazrat Mahal to question monolithic identity, national narratives, and systemic marginalisation”

Various objects signify a site of lamentation, pride, and remembrance.

On the floor, occupying a central location, 12 votive-like papaya halves sit atop a mattress of uncooked rice, evoking both an altar to womanhood and fertility, and a symbolic funerary pyre.

In front of them stands an installation of offerings comprising amulets, dried roses, shells, and incense sticks, tied in a rope.  

Against the three other walls is a calligraphic sculpture from rusty metal that reminds of a sacred spell and the embodiment of time, and an image frieze of detailed black and white triumphant photographs showing a woman’s arms, wrists, and hands.

In one of these frames, a woman raises her fist up as if calling others to join in. In another, she holds an ominous knife. Images of flames are interjected between the simulacra of archives.

Rummana Hussain, Tomb of Begum Hazrat Mahal (Detail) 1997 © Estate of Rummana Hussain. Image Courtesy Talwar Gallery

The room is devoted to a woman, an invisible physical body which radiates from each of the static objects. Begum Hazrat Mahal (1820-1879), née Muhammadi Khanum, was born into a poor family.

She was sold and entered the royal harem of art-loving Wajid Ali Shah, the last king of Awadh, a kingdom that occupied the area of the present-day northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Trained as a harem attendant, she would eventually rise to become the king’s concubine – one of his favourites. Beyond her charms, Begum Hazrat Mahal owes her entrance on the historical stage foremost to her political prowess and courage.

The British-owned East India Company operated in Awadh since the early 19th century. The Company increased its grip in 1856, when it directly seized control of Awadh, citing poor governance and the need to uphold the rule of law to justify their annexation (an excuse known as the “Doctrine of Lapse”).

A Chief Commissioner was rapidly appointed. This caused the king to leave Lucknow and seek refuge in Calcutta. The Queen Mother of Awadh petitioned Queen Victoria in person for her son’s rights, in vain. Wives, including Begum Hazrat Mahal were left behind in occupied Lucknow.

Rummana Hussain, Tomb of Begum Hazrat Mahal (Detail) 1997 © Estate of Rummana Hussain. Image Courtesy Talwar Gallery

After this brutal annexation, discontent grew in several parts of India against the British and the interference of the Company, culminating in a mutiny and revolt in May 1857. Rebels looked to Awadh’s Crown Prince as a successor to his absent father when they captured Lucknow.

But Birjis Qadr, the son of Begum Hazrat Mahal and Wajid Ali Shah, was still a child then, too young to assume power. In his stead, Begum Hazrat Mahal took over Awadh’s revolutionary affairs, actively leading the armed revolt during her regency, towards the reinstatement of Indian rule over Awadh in July 1857.

She continued resisting British rule well after the retaking of Awadh by the occupying troops in 1858, as she refused various offers of collaboration. She died in exile in Kathmandu, Nepal, as an unwavering freedom fighter. Today, a humble stele near Kathmandu’s Jama Masjid marks her tomb.

Rummana Hussain, Living on the Margins, 1995, performance at the National Centre for Performing Arts, Mumbai

When Rummana Hussain first showed The Tomb of Begum Hazrat Mahal to the public in 1997, it was during a period marked by the tragic aftermath of inter-communal violence.

During the 1980s, radical Hindu nationalists campaigned to build a temple on the site believed to be the birthplace of Rama, where a mosque had been erected since the 16th century.

They took to the streets of Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, en masse in 1992. Security lost control of the crowd which eventually stormed into the site, demolishing the mosque.

This ignited weeks of violent clashes between Hindu and Muslim communities, causing the deaths of thousands. A later investigation on the destruction of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya pointed out the responsibility of leaders and supporters of the right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the political party of India’s incumbent Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.

Babri Masjid launched a turning point in Hussain’s artistic journey towards a more intimate, politically-conscious form of expression. In Dissected Projection (1993), she explored the multilayered meaning of ruins and dislocation through an allegorical work that exposes a fracture, a shattered piece of terracotta.

In her show Multiples and Fragments (1994), Hussain engaged with historical and domestic oppression in an installation of pigmented pieces of fabric on a clothesline, to denounce the colonial extraction of indigo in India and unpaid housework traditionally performed by women and girls. Labour is always physical and violence first hurts the most vulnerable.

In her 1995 performance Living on the Margins, Hussain screamed while holding papaya halves, shapes that represent a universal vessel and the female anatomy.

Her works have been exhibited in the India Pavilion of the Venice Biennale in 2019, and in multiple institutions across India, Canada, Australia, Mexico, the United Kingdom and the United States during her lifetime and posthumously.

In seeing The Tomb of Begum Hazrat Mahal today, I remembered Hussain’s bold feminist reclamation of her Muslim body through the reincarnated aura of Begum Hazrat Mahal to question monolithic identity, national narratives, and systemic marginalisation. She wanted to say, we can turn the hate in love, we can turn the oppressed, the victims, into heroes they will one day celebrate. We can tell our own stories. They matter.

Outside, scores of brunch-goers live, love, laugh. If it’s dissonance we are meant to acknowledge, I acknowledge it. I closed my eyes in the silent white cube of the Institute of Arab and Islamic Art and saw images of the relentless violence and bullying Muslim women continue to face in Narendra Modi’s India.

In this reconstituted tomb, it’s hard to feel alone. Around me swarmed many other ghosts, of ordinary Muslim women – from Afghanistan to Iran and beyond – crushed and slain in their contemporary defence of freedom and justice against oppressors. Many have been killed in their fight.

A shrine calls for a quiet prayer, I realised.

Farah Abdessamad is a New York City-based essayist/critic, from France and Tunisia.

Follow her on Twitter: @farahstlouis

source: http://www.newarab.com / The New Arab / Home> Features>Culture / by Farah Abdessamad / December 08th, 2022

A Maulana’s noble initiative of water distribution in summer to the roadside vendors and beggars

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Museums, Libraries (wef. April 16th, 2022), Women/Girls(since May26-2021), , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Aurangabad, MAHARASHTRA:

Maulana Abdul Qayyum Nadvi on his mission.

Maulana Abdul Qayyum Nadvi, who has been successfully running his book store ‘Mirza Book world’ in Aurangabad has hit upon another novel plan to quench the thirst of the poor and needy on the roadside.

Every day he buys some cartoons of 300 ml water bottles, refrigerates them overnight and in the morning around 10 am on his way to his book store, when the sun is already hot and shining bright, distributes the water bottles to the road side vendors, beggars and whoever asks for it.

He shared that he began this water distribution activity around 5-6 years back on the occasion of World Water Day. “ At that time, I used to collect empty water bottles from functions, events and gatherings, take them home, sterilise them with hot water, then fill them up, keep them in the fridge and distribute them in the morning to people who were thirsty and could not afford to buy a water bottle”.

“Now, I no longer collect water bottles, I buy them. When my friends saw what I was doing they too joined in and together we pool the money and buy the water bottles. It is much easier,” he explained.

Maulana Abdul Qayyum is not new to social work. He also supports the Mohalla libraries with his daughter Maryam Mirza who is running more than 30 small libraries in the slums of Aurangabad. Many of the books in these mohalla libraries have been donated by the Maulana from his book store.

He runs a foundation called Read and Lead Foundation (RLF) which is mostly about promoting the culture of reading, preserving Urdu language and other social-charity activities with some of his like-minded friends.

“Books have always been my passion”, he said. “ And I chose the career of running a book store so I get to spend my time amidst books. I started the book store in 2002 but before that I used to sell the books on my bicycle cycling around the whole city. It was quite a struggle but it paid off when there were patron demanding books to be supplied in the libraries of schools and colleges,” he added sharing his journey.

Apart from that he has also donated almost 50000 kiddy banks to children in schools in 30 English and Urdu medium schools for the children to save money and buy a book of their choice. His sole aim is to revive the dying culture of reading books.

“ I want children to inculcate the habit of reading a book instead of spending their time playing games on mobile phones. Reading is such a rich hobby, it ignites imagination, helps the children to improve their vocabulary and grasping abilities. But today we see children are no longer interested in reading but after this kiddy bank campaign, I have received positive feedback from the school teachers that students are now reading books in their free time.” he explained with a note of satisfaction in his voice.

His initiative of gifting kiddy banks was picked up by other schools who began gifting the same to their children to get them into the habit of saving money to buy books.

The Maulana then takes time in the afternoon when the sun is at its peak to ride around the vicinity with his bags of water bottles and distribute the cold water to the thirsty people irrespective of their caste, religion, gender, he sees on the roadside. His daughter ordered customised bags with the caption: ‘ Choti si neiki, Pyase ku pani’ which can hold at least 50 bottles.

“ Many passersby give coins to these beggars but when I give them a water bottle, they are happy and utter blessings, their happiness clearly visible on their faces. It gives me satisfaction when I see them drinking the cold water”, he shared beaming with happiness.

He also explains that he is not after recognition or awards. He does these activities because he wants his 5 children to look up to him and learn good values. Good morals and principles to lead a righteous life as per Islamic Values is the legacy I want to leave behind.

But awards have also come his way when he has been covered by the media for his earlier work of mohalla libraries, distribution of kiddy banks, promoting Urdu, water distribution program.

Nadvi’s efforts for preserving Urdu through the foundation have not gone unnoticed. He received the ‘Shaan- e- Aurangabad’ award in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in 2023 by the Aurangabad Jeddah Association. The Maharashtra Urdu Academy and the Telangana Urdu Academy have both awarded him. Many other organisations have felicitated him for his efforts to promote Urdu and reading culture.

source: http://www.muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / Home> Positive Story / by Nikhat Fatima / by Muslim Mirror / April 01st, 2024

Ibn Sina Academy of Medieval Medicines and Sciences is a legacy in four walls

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, Museums, Libraries (wef. April 16th, 2022), World Opinion, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Aligarh, UTTAR PRADESH:

Professor Syed Zillur Rahman, founder,Ibn Sina Academy of Medieval Medicines and Sciences with the author
Professor Syed Zillur Rahman, founder,Ibn Sina Academy of Medieval Medicines and Sciences with the author

Known for its locks, Aligarh, a city in Uttar Pradesh, has also locked a legacy in its reserve – for generations to benefit from it. It houses a rare academy and museum called Ibn Sina Academy of Medieval Medicines and Sciences. 

Located at Tijara House, amid a vibrant market place and residential area, Ibn Sina is hailed as the rarest house of legacies in arts and sciences combined under one roof. Named after the legendary scholar of philosophy and medicine Abu Ali Ibn Sina (980 -1037), this academy was accredited to the Ministry of Ayush in 2004 and promoted to Centre of Excellence in 2008.

The institution was established for encouraging and promoting research and studies in medieval sciences, especially Ibn-Sina’s as well as arts, culture, poetry, and other sciences. 

The bust of Ibn Sina with Charak inside the museum

Of Ibn Sina’s four stories, a major attraction is on its second floor which houses the Fazlur Rahman Museum of Orientalism, Art, and Culture. 

It has four main galleries; the crockery gallery has a large collection of oriental and British Indian utensils, hammami plates, bowls, tea sets that belong to prominent personalities such as Hakim Ajmal Khan, Nawab Sultan Jahan, Nawab Shahjahan Begum of Bhopal, Nawab Yusuf Ali Khan of Rampur and many others.

The textile gallery is ornate with attires, garments with gold and silver calicos studded with precious stones, one of which has entire Quranic surah Yaseen embroiled in gold zardozi on it, turbans worn in battles, among many other oriental attires. The picture gallery has prominent personalities of AMU’s pictures, drawings, photography, prints, etc.

Its miscellaneous gallery has coins, postage stamps, clocks, busts, pens, memes, and relics of prominent personalities. 

“We have over 2 Lakh stamps beginning from ever since the stamps started, from all countries and India. People who were pioneers in the world of arts and culture, education, and freedom fighters on whose names, and stamps were released, we have a collection of the same. shares Dr. Aftab who is a convenor at Ibn Sina.

In addition medical manuscripts, medical philately, medical souvenirs memories of physicians especially those of Nobel laureates are well preserved here.

The wall of fame (Pictorial history of some important Muslim families)

The connecting rooms of the galleries welcome you with a sofa of Raja Jai Kishan, a mirror of the times when they were made of iron sheets. The iron sheets called ‘aaina’ were rubbed so many times that they would become sparkling clear and shining to become a mirror. That’s how the mirror got its name ‘aaina’ Later it got a new name –sheesha – with the change of the material..

The academy is rare for numerous reasons. For avid readers of medicine, science, Urdu, Persian, Arabic, literature, poetry, oriental studies, researchers, students preparing for competitions, and scholars IbnSina is a heaven. It boasts of a rare collection of 32000 books, 17000 magazines, 1100 manuscripts, (makhtootaat), 21 rare Qurans including one pocket size in gold, and much more is in store.

Built by professor Syed Zillur Rahman, a medical academic and passionate Urdu litterateur from Aligarh, Ibn Sina was an extension of his colossal library that he had established in 1960 which soon extended into the world’s rare academy and museum of its kind in the year 2000. 

Collection of stamps 

“Hamare yahn Aurangzeb ke hath ka likha, aur uske bete ke hath ka, likha hua Quran hai,” gleams the professor, sharing the information.

Apart from a separate collection of Muslim women achievers, Ibn Sina boasts of the world’s best collection of Islamic sciences, Islamic medicines, and Islamic philosophy being published across countries such as Iran, Central Asia, Syria, Iraq Turkey, etc. Scholars from across the globe come here to refer to books in this section.

For Ghalib devotees, the academy has a separate section called Ghalib Study Centre. It “Ghalibka collection joh mare paas hai vo duniya mein kisike paas nahi hai,” claims the professor.

Delhi finds a special place here boasting of 7500 books, some as old as 1893, dictionaries as old as 150 years, authentic diwaan on Ameer Khusrau, books on and by the last Mughal Bahadur Shah Zafar, British period –Victorian Era with pictures in Lithographs and much more.

Children using the library

The academy has a library for students especially those preparing for competitive exams. The 100-seater library has the best of books from literature, agriculture, science, math, medicine, etc.

“There is no fee to sit in this library. It opens every day from 10 to 10. This section has over 28000 books including 56 of Professor Rehman on Tibbi and Unnani medicines. there are separate sections for Unani medicine and Sir Syed Movement, biographies,” Dr Aftab Alam, the coordinator of Ghalib Study Centre informed.

There is a reason why the library has most books in Urdu and Persian on Indian history, culture, language, society, education, politics, medicine, etc. “Not much work in English has been done on Muslims. Most work has been done in Urdu and Persian. So this is our helplessness. Our focus is on India – the Hindustan. Indian scholars have done immense work in any domain, philosophy, travelogues, and medicines, especially in Islamic history, the Quran, and hadith that is comparable to anyone in the world, especially the Arabic and Persian world. The problem is we don’t read because we don’t read Urdu,” rues the professor. 

Why Ibn Sina was built has an interesting story. As a young man, Professor Rahman used to watch a bird who had made a nest and would bring food for her newborn, just as the routine was with a cat who had given birth to kittens – at his home. After some months, the birds flew, and the kittens grew and went away with their mothers.

“I thought to myself, ‘Is this the life God has created mankind for? Just be born, eat, sleep, and die like animals? God has created a man to not only take care of his family but also society, language, culture, community, and world.”

Ibn Sina Academy of Medieval Medicines and Sciences

So, he decided to create a legacy that he says would be useful for a generation after 80 years! “We are away from civilization by 80 years. A standard time to develop any civilization is 150 years. So, now people are not able to understand the legacy I have created but the students who read it 80 years later will know what it is. By then we would be a civilization.”

People get worried that the graph of Muslim development is going down. But the Professor feels it is nothing to be worried about. “Every civilization has to go through it. Our graph has risen. We were 10 crores in 1947. After Partition, 7 crore left for Pakistan had 3 crore stayed in India. We were nothing in 1947 but our buzurgs worked very hard to study and became scholars. Now we are making educational institutions, universities, hospitals, media houses, and so on. Most important is that girls are getting higher education and they will change the face of the nation,” he says, satisfied while emphasizing reading Urdu to know a legacy called India and the contribution of Muslims to it.

Rana Siddiqui Zaman is a Delhi-based senior columnist and art reviewer

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Stories / by Rana Siddiqui Zaman / January 10th, 2024