Tag Archives: Muslims of Uttar Pradesh

Saria Khan of Lucknow is second topper in ICSC board exam

Lucknow, UTTAR PRADESH:

Saria Khan with her parents after the result

Saria Khan of Lucknow has become the second topper in the International Council for Schools Certification (ICSC) Board.

Saria Khan’s family lives in the middle-class neighborhood of Daliganj in the city. Her father Rais Khan is a lawyer by profession. She has two brothers senior to her.

After her results were declared, Saria said since she has an interest in Biology, she wants to become a doctor. She says medicine is a profession in which there is an opportunity to help others.

She said she is determined to become a doctor since her teachers have taught her not to have options in life. Options will not allow one to focus on the goal. Her parents and brothers have been supportive of her dreams and kept encouraging her to continue her focus. Saria says that she left no stone unturned in preparing for the board examination. She used to study for seven to eight hours after school.

The ICSE board released the 10th standard results with 99.97 percent clearing it. The result for the girl students was 99.98 percent and for boys 99.97 percent.

 There are four toppers of the exam: Hargun Kaur Matharu from Pune, Anika Gupta from Kanpur, Pushkar Tripathi from Balrampur, and Kanishka Mittal from Lucknow – with 499 marks (99.80%).

Saria says there is only one mantra for success in life -focus on your goal. While doing other work never forget the target. To become a topper, she studied hard and diligently.

“I could see my goal and stay focused by adopting different strategies. Today, I am very happy that I have reached the first step toward fulfilling the dreams of my parents. But the destination is still far away, and I have to work for it.

Saria and her family have been busy receiving the congratulatory message on phone and receiving guests who are dropping in to meet her.

“I will never forget this moment, the way the people of the country are showering love on me. I am even exhausted from attending to the phone, but I am attending to each call and visitor. A total of 110 students are included in the list of top three rank holders for the ICSE board 10th examination. In which there is a difference of one point each between the three ranks.

While four candidates secured the top rank with 499 marks out of 500, 34 students including Saria stood second with 498 marks. Similarly, 72 candidates secured the third rank with 497 marks out of 500.

The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations announced a merit list after two years. The results were declared based on an alternate evaluation scheme after the examination was not conducted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The overall pass percentage is 99.97, the officials said.

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Story / by Tajo Khan, Lucknow / July 18th, 2022

Hyderabad girl Ayesha emerges as one of Telangana inter toppers

Hyderabad, TELANGANA :

Out of 1000 marks, she scored 990.

Hyderabad: 

A Hyderabad girl, Ayesha Sultana, has emerged as one of the Telangana inter toppers. She scored 99 percent.

Out of 1000 marks in all subjects in the first and second years of intermediate, she scored 990.

How did the Hyderabad girl become one of Telangana inter toppers?

A student of St. Joseph’s Junior College in Hyderabad, Ayesha Sultana became one of the Telangana inter topper after scoring 100 percent marks in botany, zoology, and physics.

In chemistry, she scored 59 out of 60 marks in the first year, whereas in the second year, she scored 100 percent in the subject.

It was in the languages, English and Arabic, where she lost nine marks.

Telangana intermediate results

Today, the Telangana State Board of Intermediate Education (TSBIE) announced the much-awaited results for the first and second years of intermediate.

The pass percentage for the first year is reported at 60.01 percent, while for the second year, it stands at 64.19 percent. Notably, female students have outperformed their male counterparts in both the first and second year exams.

The incredible achievements of the Hyderabad girl Ayesha Sultana, one of the Telangana inter toppers, inspire all students.

According to officials, the Inter Advanced Supplementary Examinations will start from May 24 to June 1. The TSBIE has released the schedule to this extent. First year exams will be held from 9 AM to 12 PM, and the second year exams will be held from 2 PM to 5 PM.

The examination fee for the supplementary examinations will be collected from April 25 to May 2 in the respective colleges. Fees for recounting and reverification also have to be paid online at the same time.

source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> Top Stories / by Sameer Khan / April 25th, 2022

Prof Naima Gulrez Is New Vice Chancellor of AMU

Aligarh, UTTAR PRADESH:

The President of India, Droupadi Murmu has appointed Prof Naima Gulrez new Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) out of three names sent to the visitor (President of India) by the AMU court.

Prof. Naima Gulrez, who served as Professor and Chairperson of the Department of Psychology before joining as Principal, Women’s College in July 2014, also taught at the National University of Rwanda, Central Africa. A PhD in Political Psychology, she worked at Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, Delhi, and served as Deputy Coordinator of UGC assisted Special Assistance Program on Spiritual Psychology in the Department of Psychology, AMU.

She has authored, co-authored and edited six books and published many papers in journals of national and international repute. She has supervised 15 Ph.D. theses and a large number of dissertations. Her area of specialization is in the field of Clinical, Health, Applied Social and Spiritual Psychology.

Apart from academics, Prof. Naima Khatoon has vast experience in Educational Administration. She served as Provost in Indira Gandhi Hall and twice in Abdullah Hall. She also served as Deputy Director, Residential Coaching Academy and Deputy Proctor of AMU. She was elected twice to the Women’s College Student Union. She also worked as Literary Secretary and Senior Hall Monitor of both Abdullah Hall and Sarojini Naidu Hall. She was awarded the Papa Mian Padma Bhushan Best Girl Award for all-around excellence.

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News / by Radiance News Bureau / April 22nd, 2024

Agricultural scientist Moinuddin started his journey from Madrasa

Jalalpur Town (Ambedkar Nagar District) , UTTAR PRADESH :

Agricultural scientist Dr. Moinuddin

Dr. Moinuddin’s life is a testimony to the fact that education is the key to changing lives and resolving the present-day problems of societies. This Madrasa-educated agricultural scientist Is an inspiration for those who want to grow in life no matter how many odds are stacked against them.

Dr. Moinuddin was born in Ambedkar Nagar, Jalalpur town, Uttar Pradesh. He joined Madrasa Nida Haq in his town where he completed his primary education. Driven by a desire to study, he continued his education beyond the Madrasa.

He completed his Ph.D. degree from Allahabad (Prayagraj), UP and is today posted as an Associate Professor in the Department of Agricultural Sciences, Sri Guru Ram Rai University of UP.

Not that his journey was smooth.  Moinuddin says that during his student days, life was quite hard for him.  When he was studying at the NPG College Barhalganj, run by Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gorakhpur University, he was not able to rent out a house. “Wherever I went for renting a house, I was met with refusal, and finally had to live in the Bhimsawa Ashram for two years.”

Thereafter a kind-hearted Hindu family offered him their house for rent.

Dr. Moinuddin

Dr. Moinuddin obtained his Ph.D. from Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology, and Sciences, Allahabad on the topic “Effect of different organic sources of nitrogen on growth, yield and oil content of groundnut”. He also presented his thesis for his MSc degree on ‘Growth and yield behavior of mustard under different sowing methods and sulfur levels’.

Today Dr. Moinuddin is working as a teacher and also continuing his research. He is currently posted as an Assistant professor of Agriculture at Maya College of Agriculture Science and Technology, Dehradun, College of Agriculture and Technology, Dehradun, Uttarakhand.

Dr. Moinuddin received many national and international awards for his work on agricultural research. He was awarded the Young Scientist Award for the first time by the Bioweed Research Institute of Agriculture and Technology, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh on the occasion of the “15th Indian Agricultural Scientists and Farmers Congress” at Allahabad University in 2013.

He attended the 3rd International Conference on “Global Initiatives in Agriculture and Applied Science for Green Environment”.

He was awarded the Best Agricultural Scientist Award at Shobhat Deemed University, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh in 2021 on the occasion of the 4th International Conference on Global Perspectives in Climate Smart Agriculture Natural Resource Management during the coronavirus pandemic. He was awarded the Outstanding Scientist Award at the Institute of Forestry, Tribhuvan University, Pokhara, Nepal in 2022 on the occasion of the 4th International Conference on Global Efforts on Agriculture, Forest, Environment and Food Security.

Dr Moinuddin receiving an award

Dr Moinuddin says, “I cannot explain my feelings of gratitude at the respect I have received from people at such a young age. Today if I am considered worthy, it is because of my education. Education can lift anyone from the ground to the sky. Everything was not easy for me when I was getting my education. Rather often have to face adverse environments. But I completed my studies. And today this education made everything suitable for me.”

Dr. Moinuddin is also a life member of the Indian Society of Agronomy, Agronomy Division, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. He is also an active member of the Society of Agronomy, Department of Agriculture, Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Allahabad. He is also an active life member of the Agricultural Technology Development Society, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.

Dr. Moinuddin has participated in several important seminars, and conferences including the National Seminar on “Livelihood Generation in Hill Statistics of India based on Agriculture and Allied Sectors” organized by Uttaranchal (P.G.) College of Technology and Biomedical Sciences, Dehradun, UK in 2014.

Dr. Moinuddin asks the youth “to recognize the value of time and avoid wasting it; always be in good company. Also, those who don’t value their time will be left behind.”

His father Haji Munir Ahmed was the Principal in Mirza Ghalib Inter College Jalalpur and now leads a retired life.

He told me on the phone that his son Dr. Moinuddin was always a studious child. Unlike other children of his age, he did not make many friends and never wasted his time hanging out and having fun.

He was always focused on his education. He says that his early studies were in the madrasa till the fifth grade. “After he completed his matriculation, a friend told me that “your son is very intelligent and extremely sincere in studies”. He advised me to put him in the field of agriculture studies. After this, I discussed it with my son and he also agreed. And with his hard work today, he is a scientist in agriculture and serving the country,” the proud father said.

(The Author is a Lucknow based Freelance Journalist)

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Story / by Irshad Saqafi, Lucknow / April 15th, 2024

AMU Professor Saima Yunus Khan gets First Copyright from Government of India for her work on Dental Caries

Aligarh, UTTAR PRADESH:

AMU Faculty Becomes First Indian To Receive IADR Fellowship

Prof Saima Yunus Khan, Chairperson, Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Dr. Z.A. Dental College, Aligarh Muslim University has been awarded the Copyright by the Government of India for her original innovative work on an evidence based Indian Caries Risk Assessment tool for the children up to 6 years of age.

She started to work on the project in 2021, on receiving the John Clarkson Fellowship from the Prestigious International Association for Dental Research.

Being the first Indian to receive this fellowship, she worked in collaboration with Dr. Gerald Niznick, College of Dentistry, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences University of Manitoba, Canada.

According to Dr. Saima, the CRA tool would be beneficial to the Indian children as it addresses the risk factors of early childhood caries of Indian preschoolers. It’s a small compact tool form which can be used with ease by the masses in hospital or field settings.

The Dean, Faculty of Medicine and the Principal, J.N. Medical College, Prof Veena Maheshwari, and the Principal, Dr. Z. A. Dental College & Hospital, Prof R.K. Tewari congratulated Prof. Saima on her exemplary achievement.

source: http://www.amu.ac.in / AMU, Aligarh Muslim University / Home> Public Relations Office (headline edited & additional pix edited) / April 02nd, 2024

AMU Research Scholar Rizwan Ahmad Won ‘Young Innovator Award-2023’ from Indian Academy of Bio-Medical Sciences held at AIIMS, Patna

Aligarh, UTTAR PRADESH:

Aligarh : 

Rizwan Ahmad, a research scholar, working under the supervision of Prof. Moinuddin in the Department of Biochemistry at the Faculty of Medicine, Aligarh Muslim University has won the “Young Innovator Award-2023” from the Indian Academy of Biomedical Sciences, held at AIIMS, Patna.

Ahmad’s outstanding poster presentation, titled “Modified Fibrinogen Entraps Blood Cells and Induces Oxidative Stress, Leading to Deposition of Arterial Clot: Possible Pathway in Metabolic Disorder and Development of a Novel Biomarker,” secured the second prize.

His research sheds light on the effects of fibrinogen protein under diabetes-induced stress, potentially aiding in the early detection of metabolic diseases.

Ahmad also attained first prize in an oral presentation at a symposium organized by the Endocrine Society of India and third prize at the Hematology conference organized by the Department of Pathology last year.

source: http://www.indiaeducationdiary.in / India Education Diary / Home> National News> University News / by India Education Diary (headline edited) / March 05th, 2024

Professor Badiur Rahman – An Exemplary Personality

Hooghly / Kolkata, WEST BENGAL:

Professor Badiur Rahman, former Head of the Department of Arabic and Persian, University of Calcutta, a well-known educationist, celebrated writer, accomplished journalist, prominent Islamic scholar and a beloved teacher passed away in Kolkata on September 19, 2023.

He was scion of an illustrious and religious family of district Hooghly of West Bengal. His father Abdur Rahman was also an MBBS and associated with Tablighi Jamat.

He got his basic education at Darul Uloom Pandua, Hooghly, West Bengal. Thereafter, he did Alim in 1967 and Fazil in 1969 respectively from Madrasa Alia, Calcutta. He derived considerable benefits from a galaxy of eminent Islamic scholars over there. Especially, he achieved immense academic gains from noted Islamic scholars like Maulana Abu Mahfuz Karim Masumi and Maulana Rahatullah Azhari. After that, he did his B.A. (Hons) in 1974 and M.A. in 1976 respectively from University of Calcutta. He also did L.L.B and Ph.D therefrom.

Professor Badiur Rahman was an institution in himself. He was a familiar figure among the intellectual circles throughout India. Due to his extraordinary knowledge and being a paragon of morality, he carved a niche in the temple of fame. He had a say at the University of Calcutta. Despite being an Islamic scholar, he considerably impressed all faculty members, including VCs of University of Calcutta. Because of his profound knowledge of different languages, noble qualities and sublime norms everyone held him in high esteem.

Visiting Professor of Alia University, Kolkata, Dr. Rahman was also on the Senate and Syndicate of Calcutta University and Ph.D. Communities, Calcutta University and Alia University. He was also Ex-Chairman of PG Board of Studies in Arabic, Calcutta University, and U.G.B.O.S in Arabic, Kalyani University.

My acquaintance with Professor Badiur Rahman
I think it was during the summer of 2009 when I first met him. The meet was actually regarding my Ph.D admission at University of Calcutta. Dr. Masihur Rahman, now professor at Alia University, Kolkata introduced me to him. Since then till his last breath, I remained in touch with him. I am fortunate enough to have done my Ph.D. under his supervision and guidance. He always treated me like his brother. Whenever I met him, I gained immense inspiration from him. Despite being a celebrated scholar, he was devoid of arrogance.

As a Teacher
Professor Badiur Rahman started his teaching career as a lecturer at the University of Calcutta in 1983 and retired in 2016. Even after his retirement, he kept on teaching as a visiting faculty in the University of Calcutta and Alia University, Kolkata. He always proved himself as a selfless and dedicated teacher. He was an embodiment of all sublime qualities and virtues necessary for a good teacher. His method of teaching was unprecedented. It was his sword which he wielded so effectively that very few persons could match him. During lectures he pointed out such subtle points as students could not help without being impressed with him. He left an indelible mark in the domain of the teaching profession.

Undoubtedly, he was a beloved teacher. He was fondly described as B.R. Sir by his students. Scores of students quenched their thirst for knowledge from him. His talk was very touching. He met everyone cheerfully. His deep knowledge of comparative studies made him popular among his contemporaries. His learning was varied and profound. His personality was many-sided and balanced.

Right from the beginning, he was laborious and punctual. He was a man of transparent heart. No doubt, his extraordinary scholarship and erudition brought him wide reputation and fame. His main mission was to spread education. He left a galaxy of pupils behind him who impart education and work in various fields in and out of India. In fact, it is an everlasting tribute to him.

Dr. Badiur Rahman and Dr. Taha Husayn
Dr. Rahman was an ardent admirer of Dr. Taha Husayn. He had vast knowledge about Dr. Taha. He did not only study all his books but he digested them. He also wrote a book titled, “Essays On Dr. Taha Husayn” published by Mazhar Education and Welfare Society, Malda.

Maulana Alauddin Nadwi, Head of the Department of Arabic, Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama, Lucknow wrote in the Preface of the said book, “To a great extent Dr. Badiur Rahman tried to introduce Dr. Taha Husayn in the Introduction to his book. The author regards Dr. Taha as a born critic. He presented Taha’s thoughts in a lucid way. To clear his viewpoints, he propounded various references from Dr. Taha’s books. Besides, he holds Taha as a moderate critic to the core.”

He had also done several research works on the first Nobel Laurate in the Arabic language Dr. Naguib Mahfouz.

Dr. Badiur Rahman and Rabindra Nath Tagore

Like Dr. Taha, Dr. Rahman was also a fan of Rabindranath Tagore. He wrote various articles and short stories on Tagore’s life and works in Arabic. And thus he introduced him in the Arabic World.

It should be noted that Dr. Rahman participated in different national and international seminars and exhibited his scholarly caliber there.

Because of his outstanding and remarkable services to the Arabic language and literature, he was conferred the President Award in 2018.

As a Writer
Dr. Rahman was a prolific writer. He wrote several books on different subjects. Some of his major publications are:

  • History of Arabic Literature (Pre-Islamic Period)
  • Textbook for B.A. Arabic (Hons.) Calcutta University
  • Textbook for B.A. General, Calcutta University
  • Essays On Dr. Taha Husayn

Besides, he had 31 research articles in Arabic, English, Urdu and Bengali published in different literary journals. He had earned distinction in Belles Letters, short stories, poetry in English, Arabic and Bengali. He had long experience of research guidance in Arabic. He had examined about 26 theses and 15 M.Phil dissertations of various universitas of India and abroad.

Truly speaking, the comprehensive knowledge and intellectual brilliance of Dr. Rahman had been acknowledged by his contemporaries.

Describing his yeomen services, Professor Mohammad Noman Khan, former Head of the Department of Arabic Delhi University stated that the passing away of Dr. Badiur Rahman was a personal loss to him. He played a leading role in spreading the Arabic language in West Bengal. He gave new impetus to the students of W.B.

Professor Sanaullah Nadwi, Head of the Department of Arabic said, “Dr. Badiur Rahman was a highly qualified person and he was an emblem of morality. Everyone who observed him very closely would testify it. He also described his outstanding contribution in the field of education.

Similarly, Professor Ashfaq Ahmad Nadwi Head of the Department of Arabic Banaras Hindu University stated that Almighty Allah bestowed upon him different qualities. His personality was a marvellous amalgamation of teacher, writer and guide par excellence. Besides, he was a righteous, God-fearing and pious personality.

Dr. Rahman’s death caused a great vacuum. His myriad contributions to promotion and propagation of the Arabic language and literature will always be remembered. He is survived by his wife.

Thousands of his admirers thronged to attend the last rite of the departed soul. He was buried at Ghobra-1 Graveyard, of Park Circus Kolkata. May Allah adorn his grave with luminosity and refulgence and grant peace to his soul. Aameen!

[The writer is Faculty Member, Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama, Lucknow]

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News / by Dr. Obaidur Rahman Nadwi / Radiance News Bureau / September 24th, 2023

Wazeer Ahmad Khan is Asian 65+ Champion

Rampur, UTTAR PRADESH:

The Myanmar Chess Federation organized the Asian Seniors Championship 2016 from 27 October to 04 November at Hotel Hazel, Mandalay, Myanmar.

The tournament was held in two categories — for players aged above 50 and 65. India’s 69-year-old IM Wazeer Ahmad Khan won the gold in the 65+ category where 18 players competed.

The tournament had 56 players from 12 countries competing for the medals. We have a quick report.

Wazeer Ahmad Khan is Asian Seniors 65+ Champion

69-years-old IM Wazeer Ahmad Khan of Rampur in Uttar Pradesh is the Asian Seniors 65+ Champion. He began the event as the fifth seed…


…but rampaged to a perfect 9.0/9 to claim the title.
Khan receiving his trophy from the Asian Chess Federation Secretary General Hisham Al Taher.
New Zealand’s CM Helen Milligan (2053; extreme left) was declared the women’s champion — she was the only woman competing in the entire 56-player event — while Myanmar’s Myint Han (2281; second from right) won the Asian Seniors 50+ Championship with 8.0/9.

New Zealand’s CM Helen Milligan (2053; extreme left) was declared the women’s champion — she was the only woman competing in the entire 56-player event — while Myanmar’s Myint Han (2281; second from right) won the Asian Seniors 50+ Championship with 8.0/9.

Final Ranking after 9 Rounds (65+)

Rk.SNo NamesexFEDRtgPts. TB1  TB2  TB3 
15IMWazeer Ahmad Khan IND18479,00,049,538,5
214 Saw Kyaw Nyein MYA06,50,047,035,0
31 Gibbons Robert NZL19546,01,045,036,5

Final Ranking after 9 Rounds (50+)

Rk.SNo NamesexFEDRtgPts. TB1  TB2  TB3 
13 Myint Han MYA22818,00,037,5433,0
21IMLodhi Mahmood PAK23407,50,539,5419,0
37IMMohandesi Shahin IRI21997,50,537,5410,5

source: http://www.chessbase.in / Chess Base / Home> India / by Priyadarshan Banjan / December 10th, 2016

UP Government confers Yash Bharti award to 46 people, list includes nine Muslims

UTTAR PRADESH:

Lucknow:

Uttar Pradesh’s highest honour Yash Bharti award was given to 46 personalities on Monday. Among them, nine Muslims were conferred the award by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav in presence of Mulayam Singh Yadav. The award is given annually by Culture Department of UP government.

Yash Bharti comes with a cash prize of Rs 11 lakh, citation and a shawl. The awardees are also eligible for a monthly pension of Rs 50,000 for their life.

Yash Bharti award were constituted in 1994 by the then CM Mulayam Singh Yadav but were discontinued between 2007 and 2012 by Mayawati. It has since been revived by CM Akhilesh Yadav.

1. Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan
Classical singing
Born- 3 march 1931, Badaun

Belong to Rampur Sahaswa Gharana in classical singing. Conferred honorary citizenship of Baltimore and Maryland in 1986. Padamshri in 1991, Sangeet Natak Academy Award in 2003, Padam Bhushan in 2006 and Rashtriya Tansen Award in 2008.

2. Professor Irfan Habib
Historian
Born-12, August 1931 in Baroda.
D.Phil from Oxford

Chairman, Indian Council of Historical Research 1987-93, 1993-96. Jawaharlal Nehru Fellowship in 1968-70, D.Lit from BHU (2008), Vishwa Bharti (2008), Kalyani Vishwavidyalaya (2009), North Bengal University (1990) and Ravindra Bharti University (1989). Padam Shree in 2005.

3. Dr Nahid Abedi
Sanskrit literature and philoshophy
Born—12 February 1961, Mirzapur
D. Lit from Lucknow University in 2009. Padam Shree awardee.
Several books and papers published in Sanskrit.

4. Iqbal Ahmed Siddiqui
Ghazal singer
Born—November 9, Allahabad

Performed at All India Radio and Doordarshan. Released 17 cassettes. Sang one song in film Rama O Rama.

5. Anwar Jalalpuri
Urdu poetry and writing
Born—6 July 1947

Several awards on Urdu poetry like UP Gaurav Samman, Mati Ratan Samman, Iftikhar-e-Meer Samman etc.

6. Dr Nawaz Deobandi
Poet and educationist
Born—16 July 1956, Saharanpur

Chairman, UP State Urdu Academy. Established Rafiqul Mulk Mulayam Singh Yadav Urdu IAS Study Center in Lucknow. Several awards like Kaifi Azmi award, Dushyant award, Rotary award etc.

7. Aleemullah Siddiqui
Artist
Born—10 June 1953, Lucknow

Artist using stem of wheat plant, painting on cloth etc. Acted in play Dilli Ka Akhirir Mushaira and Main Urdu Hoon.

8. Imran Khan alias Imran Pratapgarhi
Literature
Born—6 August 1987 Pratapgarh.

Internationally acclaimed poet and attended Mushairas in Oman, Bahrain, Dubai, Sharjah etc. Received Urdu Academy award in Saudi Arab, Red Cross Society Orissa’s Vishist Vidyarthi award and Sadbhavna award by Maharashtra Municipal Corporation.

9. Wazeer Ahmed Khan
Chess
Born—4 February 1947, Rampur

Participated in Chess National B competition in 1972, 1980, 1995, 1999, 2004 and 2008. UP Champion in 2004-2005. First prize in Asian Senior competition in Iran in 2015.

source: http://www.twocircles.net / TwoCircles.net / Home> Arts-Culture / by TCN Staff Reporter / March 22nd, 2016

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

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