By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net,
Bhopal: At an impressive ceremony, Padmashri Prof. Qazi Abdus Sattar released the book ‘Sir Syed, Azad Aur Hindustani Musalman’ penned by Dr. Arif-ul-Islam, who is Associate Professor in Statistics Department of Aligarh Muslim University, (AMU), at the Arts Faculty lounge of the university, at Aligarh.
Speaking despite acute illness, Prof. Abdus Sattar hailed the book as original research and called for further exploration into the lives of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and Sir Syed Ahmad Khan. He congratulated the author for bringing into “light many hidden facts of Maulana Azad’s life based on original documents like Al-Hilal and Al-Bilagh”.
According to Dr. Rahat Abrar, Public Relations Officer in AMU, Maulana Sultan Ahmad Islahi, a well known Islamic scholar, also congratulated the author and said that “this is the first documentary evidence into the overlooked aspects of lives of Azad and Sir Syed during the past 100 years. People have accepted author’s ability as a researcher. The book should be included in the curriculum of the university”.
Dr. Gulfishan Israr, Associate Professor in History Department of AMU, speaking at the occasion said “If one wants to learn about Muslim political leaders’ contribution or otherwise towards Indian Muslims, he has to read this book”.
Dr. Mohammad Shahid, former secretary AMU Teachers Association, hailed the book as “an eye opener based on hard facts”.
Dr. Mohibb-ul-Haq, lecturer in Political Science in AMU, while conducting the programme, referred to Maulana Azad’s AMU Act of 1952, which became the basis of repeal of Minority Character in the famous Aziz Pasha case.
In the end, Dr. Talat Feroz, who published the book with the financial assistance from USA based AMU alumnus, Dr. Frank Fakhr-ul-Islam, informed about the story of the publication and thanked the audience. ([email protected])