By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net,
Bhopal: Prof. P K Abdul Azis, Vice Chancellor, Aligarh Muslim University, (AMU), has said that while presenting the Muslim outlook on different issues we must keep in mind the secular traditions of India and we should also strive to strengthen the secular traits in India.
Prof. Azis was speaking after releasing the English monthly “Islam, Muslims and the World” edited by noted writer and journalist Dr. Javed Jamil.
According to a Press release issued by Dr. Rahat Abrar, Public Relations’ Officer of AMU, Prof. Azis expressing happiness on the release of English monthly said that he believes the Aligarh Muslim University should take active part in healthy debate on various issues. He further said any idea could be discussed more actively in the University. He claimed that Indian Muslims were as nationalist as the people of any other community. He urged that we should strive to keep up the golden traditions of tolerance and mutual understanding and should edndeavour to stand high with our cultural identity.
He said that he feels it is a difficult job to publish a magazine. He informed that he had earlier edited a magazine when he was the president of Research Scholars’ Association. While congratulating Dr. Javed Jamil for publishing the monthly, he assured him of his “cooperation”.
Prof. N. A. K. Durrani of Department of Mass communication said that it was an exciting occasion for him. He said that there is always some objective behind the publication of a magazine and the job needs collective efforts.
Dr. Shafey Qidwai, Chairman, Department of Mass Communication, said that Islam has become a central issue in today’s world. The name of the monthly itself suggests that it would attract the people throughout the world who wish to get specific information on Muslims and Islam.
Dr. Qidwai said that although the magazine is published from a small town, Saharanpur of Uttar Pradesh the content of magazine gives it the status of an international magazine. He said that the magazine consists of 26 articles with the contribution of seven articles from USA, two from Australia and one from Singapore.
The Editor of “Islam, Muslim and the World” Dr. Javed Jamil highlighting the objectives of its publication said that our motto is to present the international issues according to Islamic outlook with specific attention on the solution instead of problems only. He said the magazines shall also strive to cover the achievements of Muslims throughout the world.
Dr. Jamil said that Islam advocates for universal love, peace and tolerance and it is our responsibility to propagate this message around the world to help shed confusions and misconceptions.
Prof. A. R. Kidwai, Director, Academic Staff College, said that Dr. Javed Jamil has authored more than a dozen books and he has contributed more on public health issues including AIDS. He urged Muslims of India not to become victims of ghetto mentality. They should work for the popularization of positive thinking among the community.
The Dean of Faculty of Theology Prof. Saud Alam Qasmi said that a pen is more powerful than a sword. He said that the pen of a journalist seeks to cultivate love and tolerance in the society instead of creating hate and narrow feelings.
The Principal of J N Medical College Prof. Ashraf Malik said that God helps only those who work to help themselves. He lamented that the patients belonging to the Muslim community generally display a very poor standard of health and hygiene.
The coordinator of the ceremony Dr. Shakeel Samadani said that in today’s world media is getting more importance day by day and the magazine launched by Dr. Javed Jamil is bound to become popular all over the world. He urged the University community to subscribe to this magazine in large numbers. He appealed to all for their cooperation and support.