By TwoCircles.net news desk
New Delhi: Shibli Nomani founded Darul Musannefin also known as Shibli Academy is starting a membership drive. The membership drive will coincide with the US visit of Prof. Ishtiyaq Ahmad Zilli. Prof. Zilli is the director of the academy.
Any person can become life member by paying Rs. 10,000 or USD 300. Life members are eligible for the monthly journal Maarif and also a selection from books published by the academy. Payment can be sent online using PayPal.
Letter from Prof. Zilli
Dear friends,
On November 21, 2009 Darul Musannefin Shibli Academy, a premier Islamic research institute of South Asia will be completing 95 years of its life. Shibli Academy specialises in research on Islamic learning, oriental studies and medieval Indian history. It was established on November 21, 1914 three days after the death of Maulana Shibli Nomani (1857-1914) by his disciples led by Maulana Hamiduddin Farahi.
Shibli Academy building
The Academy was based on the plan of Maulana Nomani and started with an endowment of his spacious bungalow, mango orchard and personal library. The Academy sought to achieve the following objectives:
· To nurture and sustain a body of scholarly authors.
· To provide a congenial environment for scholars to create, compile and translate literary works of high scholastic or historical value.
· To undertake printing and publication of literary works of the Academy.
The early scholars of the Academy such as Maulana Saiyid Sulaiman Nadvi, Maulana Abdus Salam Nadvi and others continued to create new critical and scholarly works of highest degree. By the virtue of their rigorous research these works have been acclaimed throughout the world and used as authentic reference books. The Academy has so far published more than 250 books. Besides books of exceptional value, the Academy had maintained an unbroken tradition of the publication of its renowned Urdu monthly journal Maarif in uninterrupted circulation since 1916. Its publication commenced in July 1916 and in this long period it has not missed even a single issue.
During recent years the Academy had been badly affected by severe financial problems. Its precarious finances are barely adequate to maintain a skeletal staff. Absolutely no funds are available for development programme. Urgent help is needed to enable it to maintain its glorious tradition and continue to serve the community for which it was founded. At present its annual budget is Rs. 15 lacs. If the Academy is to function as a vibrant modern institution it needs to be increased many folds. Following areas need immediate attention.
For launching a vigorous programme for the publication of its famed books in accordance with the modern standards.
Hindi translation and publication of the books with a view to reach out the Non-Muslims and those Muslims who are not conversant with Urdu.
Translation of Academy’s books into English and other prominent languages.
Modernisation of the library and purchase of the urgently needed books and preservation and maintenance of the manuscripts.
Improving the working conditions of the fellows and recruitment of additional fellows and researchers.
Establishment of a corpus fund to take care of future needs of the Academy.
Video tour of the Academy
Any help for any of the above needs of the Academy will be greatly helpful and will be highly appreciated. People like you who are concerned about this great institution will make a difference and Insha Allah with your help and the help of other like minded friends and well wishers the situation will take a turn for the better. On our own we are making all possible efforts in this direction with full trust in Divine help.
You can support The Academy by becoming a Life Member. Please see the detail at http://shibliacademy.org/Membership
Prof. Ishtiyaq Ahmad Zilli
Director,
Darul Musannefin Shibli Academy
http://www.shibliacademy.org