In the world of sports, records are made and broken, and in September 2022, a young football enthusiast from Karnataka, India, left his indelible mark on the global stage. Mohammed Shaleel, at the tender age of 21, accomplished a remarkable feat that not only made him the first-ever Indian to break an international footballer’s Guinness World Record but also brought him recognition and acclaim in the world of football.
Shaleel’s record-breaking journey began with a dream and a burning passion for the beautiful game. A diehard fan of football legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, as well as Indian footballer Sunil Chhetri, he had always been inspired by their skills and determination. This inspiration fueled his desire to achieve something extraordinary in the sport he loved.
The Guinness World Record that Shaleel set his sights on was for the “most nutmegs in 30 seconds.” This is a challenging feat that requires exceptional ball control and agility. Previously held by Dele Ali and Tasha Nicole, the record stood as a testament to the skill and precision needed to achieve such a milestone in football.
Shaleel’s quest to break this record was not an easy one. It required countless hours of practice, dedication, and unwavering support from his family, particularly his elder brother Mohammed Sahil Ibrahim. Shaleel’s family stood by him, providing encouragement and the necessary resources to help him chase his dream.
The stage was set for Shaleel’s moment of glory in Mangaluru on September 25, 2022. With nerves of steel and the determination of a true champion, he embarked on his record-breaking attempt. The clock was ticking, and with each precise flick of the ball, he inched closer to his goal. In a breathtaking display of skill, Shaleel completed a staggering 10 nutmegs in just 30 seconds, surpassing the previous record and etching his name in the annals of football history.
However, Shaleel’s journey was far from over. The road to official recognition from Guinness World Records was long and challenging. Months of verification and scrutiny followed his remarkable performance. It was not until January that Shaleel’s achievement was officially recognized by the Guinness World Records, marking a momentous milestone in his life.
Shaleel’s story is not just about breaking records; it is a testament to the power of passion, determination, and unwavering support. He has become an inspiration to young Indian footballers who dare to dream big. His ambition to meet his football idols, Ronaldo, Messi, and Chhetri, now seems within reach, as he has carved his own path to greatness in the footballing world.
In a world where records are celebrated and champions are born, Mohammed Shaleel has shown that with dedication, talent, and unyielding support, dreams can become reality. His name will forever be associated with breaking barriers and achieving the extraordinary in the world of football, a legacy that will inspire generations of aspiring footballers in India and beyond.
source: http://www.rvcj.com / RVCJ / Home> Extras / by RVCJ Desk / September 13th, 2023
Prof. Dr. UT Iftikhar Ali, who has recently been appointed as the Karnataka State President of the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare, was honored at a felicitation ceremony organized by the Bearys Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BCCI) on Friday at Ocean Pearl Hotel in Mangalore.
During the event, Prof. Dr. Iftikhar Ali expressed his gratitude for the recognition and shared details about his new role. He highlighted that 54 healthcare-related courses have been unified under a single council. He mentioned that several candidates were considered for the Chairmanship of the council, but the government ultimately selected him for the position. Prof. Ali revealed that even his brother, Karnataka Assembly Speaker UT Khader, was unaware of his appointment until the official order was released. He assured that he would only use government facilities in Bangalore and expressed his commitment to assist deserving individuals to the best of his ability.
He also emphasized the importance of educational institutions, especially those serving minority communities, in taking advantage of opportunities to introduce new healthcare courses. He noted that nearly 90% of minorities in the Kerala-Karnataka region are receiving education here locally.
Dr. Yenepoya Abdulla Kunhi, Vice Chancellor of Yenepoya University, congratulated Prof. Ali on his appointment. He praised Prof. Ali for his upbringing in a cultured family and his ability to build strong relationships with colleagues. Dr. Kunhi described Prof. Ali as a role model for the youth and credited his success to the support of his wife and family.
BCCI President SM Rasheedd Haji, who presided over the event, expressed confidence in Prof. Ali’s future prospects. He voiced hopes that Prof. Ali’s elder brother, UT Khader, would one day become the Chief Minister of Karnataka and that Prof. Ali would be elected as a Member of Parliament representing the Dakshina Kannada constituency. Haji emphasized the need for a strong leader within the Muslim community and urged Prof. Ali to take on that responsibility.
BCCI officials like Mansoor Ahmed Azad, Shaukat Shourie, BM Mumtaz Ali, Muhammad Harris, Abdul Razzak Goltamzalu, A.H. Muhammad, Abdullah Monu, Badruddin Delta, Muhammad Arabi, Rahim Karnire, Hamid Kuliyar, Altaf Khatib, H. Muhammad, Latif Mulki, P. Hashir, Iqbal Ahmed Bangalore, Dr. Yusuf Dubai, Dr. Kapu Muhammad, Ibrahim Kalak, Ibrahim Kodijal, Haider Parthippadi, K. Ashraf and others were present.
The program began with a recitation of the Qiraat by Hafiz Hasan Ashiq Abdullah. BCCI Organizing Secretary Nissar F. Mohammed welcomed the attendees, General Secretary Muhammad Imthiyaz delivered the vote of thanks, and Rafiq Master served as the program’s narrator.
source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> India / by Vartha Bharati / August 16th, 2024
Dr. Haroon completes internationally recognized certification in Antimicrobial Stewardship
Mangaluru:
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is emerging as one of the most critical public health challenges of our time, threatening to undo decades of progress in treating infectious diseases. The overuse and misuse of antibiotics, not just in human healthcare but also in the veterinary and livestock industries, have led to a rapid rise in resistant bacteria. This growing crisis demands immediate and concerted action, especially in countries like India, where the situation is particularly alarming.
In India, the high burden of infectious diseases, combined with widespread and often unregulated access to antibiotics, has created a perfect storm for the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance. Antibiotics are frequently prescribed without proper diagnosis, and self-medication is common. Moreover, in the veterinary field, antibiotics are extensively used in the livestock industry, often as growth promoters, further exacerbating the problem. The result is a dangerous increase in drug-resistant infections, which are becoming harder to treat and leading to higher mortality rates.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified antimicrobial resistance as one of the top ten global health threats, warning that if no significant action is taken, AMR could cause millions of deaths annually by 2050. The situation in India mirrors this global trend, with resistant infections already leading to prolonged hospital stays, increased medical costs, and higher death rates.
Given the severity of the issue, there is an urgent need to train healthcare professionals in antimicrobial stewardship—a set of coordinated strategies to improve the use of antibiotics, promote responsible prescribing practices, and reduce the spread of resistance. Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs (ASP) are essential in ensuring that antibiotics are used judiciously, with the right drug, at the right dose, for the right duration. These programs play a crucial role in preserving the effectiveness of antibiotics, safeguarding public health, and improving patient outcomes.
Recognizing the importance of antimicrobial stewardship, Dr. Haroon H, a consultant in internal medicine at KMC Hospital, Mangalore, has recently completed the Certification of Antimicrobial Stewardship for Healthcare Professionals. This certification, endorsed by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and the Clinical Infectious Disease Society of India (CIDS), equips healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to implement effective ASPs in their institutions.
In a statement, Dr. Haroon expressed his concern about the rising threat of antimicrobial resistance, emphasizing the need for healthcare workers to lead the fight against this global health crisis. “The misuse and overuse of antibiotics in both human healthcare and the veterinary sector are driving the alarming rise of drug-resistant infections. It’s essential that we, as healthcare professionals, take urgent action to address this issue,” he said.
Dr. Haroon also highlighted the importance of educating both patients and healthcare providers about the dangers of antibiotic misuse and the need for responsible prescribing practices. He believes that by promoting awareness and implementing robust antimicrobial stewardship programs, healthcare institutions can play a pivotal role in curbing the spread of resistance.
Throughout his training, Dr. Haroon had the opportunity to learn from some of the leading experts in the field, including Dr. Priscilla Rupali and Dr. Balaji Veeraraghavan from Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore, and Dr. Priya Nori from the United States. These interactions, according to Dr. Haroon, greatly enriched his understanding of how to effectively implement antimicrobial stewardship practices in a clinical setting.
In recognition of his achievement, KMC Hospital took to its official X (formerly Twitter) handle to congratulate Dr. Haroon. The hospital wrote, “Congratulations to Dr. Haroon H., Asst Prof in the Dept of Medicine, for successfully completing the Certification in Antimicrobial Stewardship for Healthcare Professionals, endorsed by the Infectious Diseases Society of America and @CidsIndia.”
Dr. Haroon, who also serves as the Editor of the Indian Journal of Geriatric Care and is a national executive committee member of the Geriatric Society of India, reiterated the importance of collective efforts in addressing the AMR crisis. He urged all healthcare professionals to embrace their roles as stewards of antimicrobials to protect patients, preserve the effectiveness of antibiotics for future generations, and mitigate the impact of this global health challenge.
“The fight against antimicrobial resistance is not just about one person’s achievement but about the collective responsibility we all share as healthcare providers. By working together, we can safeguard public health and ensure that antibiotics remain a powerful tool in our medical arsenal for years to come,” Dr. Haroon concluded.
source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> India / by Vartha Bharati / August 19th, 2024
New Delhi-based intellectual, writer, and servant of Tehreek-e-Islami leaves behind a legacy of knowledge and social service
New Delhi :
In a tragic loss to the intellectual and social community, renowned thinker, writer, and social activist Abdul Rashid Agwan breathed his last in his Rajasthan hometown of Nimbahera in Chittorgarh District on Saturday.
Known for his unwavering commitment to youth empowerment, education, and social reform, Agwan had a profound impact on countless lives across the country. His death has left a significant void in the spheres of intellectual discourse and social advocacy.
Agwan, 68, was critically injured in an accident in Rajasthan recently.
Agwan made New Delhi his home for many years, dedicating his life to promoting education, environmental awareness, and inter-religious harmony. As a prolific author, Agwan’s contributions include over a dozen books, numerous research papers, and articles, with a focus on education and the environment. His first novel, Shaka, was released just last week in Delhi, marking one of his final achievements in a long and impactful career.
Agwan held numerous positions of influence within the academic and social sectors. He was the president of the Institute of Policy Studies and Advocacy (IPSA) and also served as the secretary of the All India Educational Movement. Additionally, he was a trustee of the Foundation for Social Care, where his efforts were directed toward uplifting society’s most vulnerable.
Agwan’s burial is scheduled for Sunday morning in his ancestral Nimbahera town, his son Musab Rafiq said.
The news of Agwan’s death has saddened the community. Prominent figures from various walks of life expressed their condolences. Naved Hamid, former president of the All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat, said his departure was an immense loss to the community. “He was a dedicated servant of Tehreek-e-Islami, and we pray that Allah grants him the highest place in heaven,” Hamid said.
Journalist Ashraf Bastavi also shared his grief on social media. “Sad news! It is truly a great loss for us. May Allah have mercy on him and grant him a high place in heaven. His absence will be felt deeply by many.”
Dr. Khawaja M. Shahid, President of All India Education Movement, said Agwan’s death has saddened him. “Just last week we all attended the launch of his book and met him,” he reminisced.
“He was a very good and practical person with clear thinking. All our programs were greatly assisted by his research and knowledge. They will be sorely missed now,” he said.
Despite the accident which had taken a toll on his health, Agwan remained dedicated to his work, continuing to contribute to the intellectual and social fabric of the country until his final days.
source: http://www.clarionindia.net / Clarion India / Home> Editor’s Pick> Personalities> Indian Muslim / by Mohammad Alamullah, Clarion India / August 17th, 2024
Minority Welfare Department’s support instrumental in her success
Gaya :
Neha Parveen from Chandpur village in the Banke Bazar block of Bihar’s Gaya district, has achieved a significant milestone by becoming a sub-inspector. Parveen cleared the Bihar Police Service Commission (BPSSC) exam for the post, a result that brought joy to many candidates in Gaya district. The Minority Welfare Department played a crucial role in her success, providing her with education and accommodation at the Minority Girls’ Hostel in Gaya city.
Parveen, who did graduation and post-graduation while staying in the hostel, was warmly welcomed at the Minority Welfare Office in the Collectorate. District Assistant Director Rahul Kumar and Minority Girls Hostel Superintendent and Block Minority Welfare Officer Anujya felicitated her with saplings and sweets.
Expressing her gratitude, Parveen said, “After my family, the Minority Welfare Department has had a major contribution in my success. When my father Ghiyasuddin Ansari passed away in 2021, I faced many challenges. Losing a parent during one’s studies can disrupt education, but the support from the hostel kept me going.”
Neha Parveen, the youngest of her siblings with two married sisters and a younger brother, completed her graduation from Mirza Ghalib College and post-graduation from IGNOU. Despite initially not planning a career in the police force, Parveen sought independence and stability for her family. “I needed a job, not just for myself but also for my family. Government service was my goal, and though I faced several setbacks, I persevered,” she said.
The Minority Girls’ Hostel provided a conducive environment to her to continue her studies. “It was easier to prepare in the hostel compared to at home. The environment here was supportive, and the facilities offered by the Minority Welfare Department were excellent. The stipend I received helped me buy books and other needed things,” Parveen said.
Her dedication was further demonstrated through her physical training at Gaya Gandhi Maidan, where she prepared for the physical requirements for the sub-inspector post. She suggested that the hostel could benefit from online connections to Haj Bhawan classes to further enhance preparation for competitive exams.
The Minority Welfare Department, through initiatives like the Shaheed Abdul Hameed Boys and Girls Hostel in Shanti Bagh Seva Nagar, has been pivotal in supporting students from minority communities. These hostels provide essential resources, such as libraries with important books and computers, creating a favourable environment for academic and competitive exam preparations.
Neha Parveen’s journey is an inspiring story of resilience and determination. Despite losing her father, she did not lose hope and has now made her family and community proud by becoming a sub-inspector. “If a person desires in earnest, anything is possible. I hope to inspire other girls to pursue their dreams, no matter the obstacles,” Parveen concluded.
source: http://www.clarionindia.net / Clarion India / Home> Clarion Special> Indian Muslim / by Clarion India Team / July 15th, 2024
Her success is seen as a testament to the potential of Mewat’s daughters, who are now making their mark in various fields.
New Delhi :
Mewat, once considered a backward and uneducated region, is now witnessing its sons and daughters making significant strides in India and abroad. A remarkable example of this transformation is Shifa Ahmed, who has achieved an extraordinary feat by securing 1147th rank in the National General Category and 31st rank in the OBC category in the 2024 National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) examination.
Shifa, the daughter of Mushtaq Ahmed from Rahna village in Haryana’s Nuh district, has consistently proven her academic prowess. She scored an impressive 93.4% in her 12th CBSE board exams and achieved 669 marks in her first attempt at the NEET 2024 examination.
This year, Shifa has once again brought immense pride to Mewat and her family. The competition was fierce, with about two lakh students from across the country participating in the NISER exams, but Shifa’s hard work and determination paid off. With only 200 students being selected for NISER, Shifa’s ranking ensures her selection from both the OBC and General categories, making her the first potential female scientist from Mewat.
Shifa’s father expressed his pride, saying, “She has always been a promising student. Scoring about 95% in her 12th exams and passing challenging exams like IISER and NISER is a significant achievement. Shifa has brought glory to our family and our region.”
Shifa’s success is seen as a testament to the potential of Mewat’s daughters, who are now making their mark in various fields. Mushtaq Ahmed also extended special thanks to Shifa’s teachers for their pivotal role in her accomplishments.
In her own words, Shifa credits her success to her teachers and parents, saying, “Thank God, I have succeeded in some of the country’s toughest exams. I want to bring glory to Mewat and the country, much like former President APJ Abdul Kalam.”
Social worker Abid Dani Bas, also Shifa’s uncle, shared his pride in her achievements. “Shifa is an up-and-coming girl with a calm nature and strong educational background. Her success as the first female scientist from Mewat is a monumental achievement, and I wish her a bright future.”
Shifa Ahmed’s remarkable achievements not only bring pride to her family and Mewat but also serve as an inspiration for many young girls in the region. Her story is a powerful reminder of the potential that lies within the youth of Mewat, ready to shine given the right opportunities and support.
source: http://www.clarionindia.net / Clarion India / Home> Editors Pick> Indian Muslim / by Clarion India Team / July 22nd, 2024
A. Sabina, a nurse from the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu, has been awarded this year’s prestigious ‘Kalpana Chawla Award’ in recognition of her outstanding bravery and service during the recent natural disaster in Wayanad, Kerala.
The disaster occurred when a landslide caused the connecting bridge between Mundakai and Suralmalai to collapse, leaving many residents stranded and in urgent need of assistance.
With relief operations facing significant challenges, a zip line was quickly set up to reach the affected area.
Sabina, who has been working with an NGO in the Nilgiris for the past three years, immediately volunteered to participate in the rescue efforts.
“When my boss informed me about the landslide, he suggested we should assist since it happened nearby. Upon arrival, most people were fleeing in fear, but we stayed to provide first aid. Looking back, it’s terrifying to recall the scene, but in the moment, our sole focus was on the patients,” she shared.
source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> India / by Vartha Bharati / August 16th, 2024
An Indian Muslim was the Anadolu Agency’s first employee in war-torn Anatolia.
Istanbul:
During the turbulent days of Turkey’s Independence War following the Ottoman Empire defeat in World War I, an Indian Muslim who fled his country to lend a hand to the ailing Ottomans became the first journalist for the Anadolu Agency, the nascent Turkey’s first news outlet and their first foreign affairs officer.
Working beside the Anadolu Agency’s two founders, the famous novelist Halide Edip (Adivar) and renowned journalist Yunus Nadi (Abalioglu), Abdurrahman Peshawari wrote his news stories in a small office, typing stories of wartime atrocities, victories and losses and sending them out, with only one finger “flying” over a typewriter, according to Yunus Nadi’s memoirs.
Abdurrahman Peshawari was born in the city of Peshawar in the famed Khyber Valley, and was only 26 when he sold his clothes and books to pay for his sea journey, despite the wishes of his wealthy family, who urged him to continue his studies.
Peshawari sailed with 26 Indian Muslims in an Italian ship from Mumbai to Istanbul, the capital of the Ottoman Empire, and during the long journey volunteer doctors in the group trained him in first aid. Peshawari was motivated by high Islamic ideals, fought with the Ottoman army and was injured three times while fighting at Gallipoli against the British Imperial navy, during which Ottoman troops managed to repel invading forces from the Dardanelles Strait.
He later joined with an Ottoman Red Crescent group, bringing financial aid from Indian Muslims to purchase medical equipment for the Ottoman armies fighting in the Balkans. Indian Muslim communities supported the Ottomans during the empire’s collapse and Peshawari was a notable member of this group, said Mucahit Arslan, a Turkish history researcher who uncovered the story of this “unknown hero” of Turkey’s Independence War.
The Caliphate Movement by Muslim communities in “British Raj” India began as early as 1912, while the Ottomans were fighting in the Balkans, and many Indian Muslims contributed, either financially or in person. Some wealthy Indians studying medicine in Europe established a field hospital during the battle of Gallipoli.
Peshawari joined the Ottoman army and saw active service in Beirut and Gallipoli during World War I.
After the war, despite his family urging him to return home, he chose to stay where the Turkish Republic was being established in Ankara in the midst of shattered and war-torn Anatolia, refusing his mother’s pleas to return by saying, “I cannot come back while the Muslim nation is under invasion.”
Peshawari served the nascent Turkish Republic, appointed by Ataturk as ambassador to Afghanistan until his story ended tragically when he was assassinated in Istanbul in 1925, apparently mistaken for a military commander.
This abrupt end to Peshawari’s career meant that he was denied the international fame which many other 20th century reporters found. Martha Gellhorn, George Orwell, Ernest Hemingway and Walter Cronkite are just some of the names who documented the most terrible conflicts of their time. However, in Turkey, Peshawari can truly be said to have been in a league of his own.
englishnews@aa.com.tr
source: http://www.aa.com.tr / Anadolu Agency / Home> Archive / May 07th, 2014
110-year-old madrasa and library set ablaze by Hindutva mob during Ram Navami rally in Bihar. Photo: Meer Faisal/Maktoob
The 46th World Heritage Committee meeting is being held in India from July 21-31, 2024. The event’s webpage proudly displays the iconic Taj Mahal, a grand symbol of India’s resplendent past. However, using this monument to showcase India’s heritage is both ironic and deeply painful. The Taj Mahal, a symbol of India’s architectural grandeur and a testament to the rich cultural contributions of the Mughal era (1526-1857), is being showcased even as the country engages in a systematic erasure of its Muslim heritage. This stark juxtaposition highlights a troubling contradiction: while the Taj Mahal is celebrated globally as a symbol of India’s beauty, the political will of the government and segments of the public are actively undermining and erasing the broader historical and cultural presence of Muslims in India. The assault on the place of Muslims began many decades ago in 1992 with the destruction of the Babri Mosque, built by the first Mughal ruler of India, Zahir-ud-din Babur, in 1527 A.D.
On December 6th, 1992, the Babri Mosque was destroyed by Hindu Kar Sevaks affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This mob, led by L.K. Advani, a prominent BJP figure and future Deputy Prime Minister (2002-2004), dismantled the over 400-year-old mosque. The world largely overlooked this deliberate destruction, perhaps viewing it as another in a series of violent riots between Hindus and Muslims in India. However, this was not just another riot. The destruction of the Babri Mosque was a political as well as an ontological act against Muslims, bringing their identity as Indians into question. Muslim history and heritage, and Muslims—collectively and individually—continue to be violated, undoing the secular national body.
I experienced the aftermath of the destruction of the Babri Mosque firsthand. Arriving in New Delhi from the US on the morning of December 8th, I encountered an eerily desolate airport, flights cancelled, and the skeleton staff at work refused to provide any assistance or guidance after checking my passport and recognizing that I am a Muslim. There was nowhere I could go; Delhi, the capital city of India, was under curfew. Sitting in the terminal, enveloped in a deadly silence and feeling a great sense of anxiety for my safety, I realized that the India I knew, my home, had undergone a seismic shift. The demolition signalled a significant turning point: Muslims and their history were now being cast as “outsiders,” foreigners who did not belong, and their legacy of nearly a millennium was under threat of erasure by charged religious-nationalist politics. Religion was no longer a private matter for personal practice and moral guidance; it had become a public discourse and weapon to use. Indian Muslims, the largest religious minority in India and globally, were under serious threat of survival. The Babri Mosque’s demolition was the beginning of erasing Muslims from the landscape of India; the extensive campaign aimed at obliterating the Muslim historical presence is ongoing.
In the years following the demolition, numerous other Muslim heritage sites, including mosques, Sufi shrines, libraries, community spaces, and private homes have faced similar fates. The deliberate and planned destruction of Muslim history has become a matter of celebration to claim Hindu pride. Every act of the physical destruction of a Muslim building is a public community event with men armed with different tools, supported by the tacit backing of the state, breaking and demolishing buildings. At the same time, thousands watch the violent spectacle of nationalism. Buildings are not just made of bricks and mortars, they are the storehouse of precious memories of a previous era and stand as silent reminders of people interconnected over generations—their sacrifices, dreams, everyday lives, emotions, and sentiments. For the destroyers of Muslim heritage, the sentiments of the past etched into the buildings do not matter; rather their concern is to disconnect Indian Muslims from India’s past, denying them a place in India’s future. The message is clear: Muslims are a minority, and as such, their life, death, memory, and future are controlled by the majority. Muslims’ claim of contributing to India’s rich heritage is no longer accepted in some political circles. This ontological destruction is the heart of the attack on Muslims in India—to cripple the community into the unknowability of its identity as Indian Muslims.
Would the 46th World Heritage Committee meeting in Delhi take account of the death of Muslim history in India? As a historian of India, I am deeply aware of the pain I felt when the Babri Mosque was demolished. I ask the leaders of the Heritage Committee: do they feel the pain of Muslims in India who are denied their heritage because some people want to make them “foreign” and irrelevant to India’s history? Can history be obliterated because one ethnic community, although a majority, wants to deny it to another ethnic community, a minority? Can history be made to disappear simply by the will and violence of the majority community? These and many more questions should be discussed and deliberated in the 46th World Heritage Committee meeting.
Mourning the destroyed buildings
The list of destruction of Muslim sites is far too many to do a comprehensive study; it is ongoing. In this frightful and destructive scenario, nothing is spared in the rampant violence – historic as well as newly built and permitted mosques, tombs of Sufis who preached coexistence and pluralism, public libraries, madrasas, cemeteries, public spaces, and so on are merrily destroyed or intentionally neglected. The destruction is justified as pay-back time for Muslims who supposedly destroyed 880 Hindu sites in the past, though historians’ rich empirical studies carefully document the falsity of such populist claims. By reclaiming these sites by force, the BJP leaders and followers advocate they will cleanse India culturally and spatially and make Hindus the rightful owners of India.
The mass carnival of destruction of Muslim sites commenced in 2002 in Gujarat during the Godhra genocide. In Khuldabad, Gujarat, 230 unique buildings were destroyed, including a 400-year-old mosque and the tomb of Sufi Vali Gujarati, and old Qurans were set on fire. The damage was so extensive that experts compare it with the much-publicized destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas in Afghanistan or the wrecking of Tibet’s monasteries by the Maoist Red Guards.
Since then, religious nationalists have destroyed numerous mosques and tombs in Delhi and across India. In Delhi alone, a millennium-old Sufi shrine of Baba Haji Rozbih was demolished, as well as the 700-year-old Akhondji Mosque, the landmark Jannatul Firdaus Mosque, and the Sarai Kala Khan Mosque and Madrasa were razed to the ground. During the 2020 riots in East Delhi, 16 mosques were destroyed. The Shahi Masjid in Prayagraj city and the 300-year-old historic mosque in Muzaffarnagar were recently demolished under the pretext of road-widening projects. Similar fates befell several mosques in Gujarat, Hyderabad, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka. Meanwhile, the fate of the historic Sunheri Mosque in Delhi, the 800-year-old national heritage Shamsi Jama Masjid in Badaun, the Gyanvapi Mosque Complex in Varanasi, the Shahi Idgah Mosque in Mathura, the Dargah of Mumin Chup in Hyderabad, the Shahi Masjid in Gaya, the Chhoti Sona Masjid in West Bengal, and the mosque in the Qutb Minar Complex in the outskirts of Delhi, to name just a few, hang in the balance.
The government’s newest plan is to rename India to Bharat and connect the modern state to the religious knowledge of the Rigveda and the Mahabharata, where Bharatvarsha was used to describe the Indian subcontinent. Renaming India is the state’s effort to sever the knowledge of Muslims as Indians and their connections to the place, leading to a loss of historical continuity and identity.
“Nobody is crying about the loss of a building structure …It is the loss of our secular ethos,” Anand Patwardhan reminds us about the demolition of the Babri Mosque and the Muslim heritage buildings. The destruction of the Babri Mosque and various other mosques has not only eroded the secular ethos of India but has also diminished our capacity to appreciate the beauty, emotions, sentiments, sacrifices, skills, art, and painstaking work embodied in these structures. These buildings testify to the very project of humanity. Destroying them is tantamount to erasing our human capacity to value the people of the past as if they were less human. This is what we, as a collective of humans, should mourn, and this is what the 46th Heritage Meeting should take a moment to ponder. When the human element is destroyed, there will be no heritage left to preserve.
Why heritage matters
Cultural heritage is not simply a building nor just a resource to be protected: It is a central element in the stories that society tells about itself—its origins, the mixes and syntheses over time, future projects, values, and aspirations. David Lowenthal’s The Past is a Foreign Country (1985) explores the intricate relationships between the past and future by exploring the meaning of objects, calling for navigating the complexities of memory and politics that are imbued in them. The Muslim past of India is not of a foreign people who invaded, looted, and destroyed the country. Nor was India, for Muslims, a place for mere economic or geographic expansion where people came for personal gain, although this is how M.S. Golwalkar, a founding father of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), described the Muslim interest in India in We, or Our Nationhood Defined (1939) and Bunch of Thoughts (1966).
For Muslims, as the renowned historian Barbara Metcalf poignantly discussed in her 1995 Presidential Address to the Association for Asian Studies, India is their motherland and a “resting place of angels.” This deep attachment was evocatively inscribed on the Babri Mosque entrance. The paradisiacal imagery of India was enunciated as early as the thirteenth century by the Muslim poet Hazrat Amir Khusrau and it was repeated in the seventeenth-century Diwan-e Khas (Hall of Private Audiences) in the Red Fort of the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan which is also showcased on the webpage of the 46th World Heritage Committee meeting. The couplet reads: “If there is heaven on earth, it is this, it is this, it is this!” Downplaying this deep attachment to India for Muslims and making the history they created into a battleground for strategic manipulation to construct a monolithic national Hindu identity resonates with Lowenthal’s arguments about the political uses of the past in the present.
The destruction of Muslim heritage sites severs the historical knowledge and continuity of Muslims as integral contributors to the nation’s history and India’s cultural and historical fabric. The deliberate destruction dislocates the Muslim community’s sense of place and belonging; a strategic act of ‘culturecide’. The Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (1954) requires states to ensure heritage is not damaged or misappropriated in war. But what about the destruction of heritage buildings during normal times? The 46th World Heritage Committee meeting should consider this question very seriously in their deliberations in India.
Preserving Muslim heritage in India is ultimately a human rights issue, connected to their freedom of expression, thought, conscience, and religion. Protecting the Muslim heritage of India cannot be overlooked any longer. The international group of leaders meeting in Delhi to discuss and deliberate on the importance of heritage can play an important role in stopping future violence not only to the buildings but to the people whose human security should be paramount. For Indian Muslims, India is their home; Muslims must feel safe and protected in India.
Yasmin Saikia is a professor of South Asian History and Peace Studies at Arizona State University. Her latest books are On Othering: The Processes and Politics of Unpeace (Athabasca University Press: 2024) and Cambridge Companion to Sayyid Ahmad Khan (Cambridge University Press: 2019)
source: http://www.maktoobmedia.com / Maktoob Media / Home> Features / by Yasmin Saikia / July 21st, 2024
The Udupi Premier League Season 1, organized by Udupi Restaurant Qatar in association with Smart Cricketers Qatar, concluded with a grand closing ceremony. The tournament, which featured ten auction-based teams comprising Karnataka players residing in Qatar, culminated in a thrilling finale.
Team Udupi Legends, owned by Faisal G and captained by Imran Shirva, emerged as the champions, while Team Royal Qatar, owned by Sheikh Mainuddin and led by Parvez (Pajju), secured the runner-up position.
The tournament paid homage to notable players Imran Koteshwara, Abdul Rauf, Imran Shirva, Deekshit Alva, Parvez (Pajju), Abdul Sathar, Suhel Billi, Abdul Salam Mohammad Sheikh, and Mirza Khaleel for their dedication and contributions to cricket in Qatar.
Awards to best performing players:
Final Match Man of the Match: Safan Pathan Man of the Series (Most Valuable Player): Nizar Arekkal Best Batsman: Abdul Rauf Best Bowler: Mohammad Rabeez Best Fielder: Farhan Shirva Best Wicket Keeper: Abdul Vaheed
The opening ceremony, held on June 19, 2024, was inaugurated by Deepak Shetty and Abdul Khader.
The closing ceremony saw the presence of distinguished guests including Faisal G, Musthafa G, Mohammed Junaid of Udupi Restaurant Qatar, and Asmath Ali, Abdul Shukur, Mohammad Thoufiq from Smart Cricketers Qatar, along with Akshaya Acharya.
source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Gulf / by Vartha Bharati / June 25th, 2024
