By TCN Special Correspondent,
Azamgarh: Along the nation, the Shibli National College of Azamgarh observed as Education Day the 11th November, the birthday of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (11th Nov 1888—22nd Dec 1958), independent India’s first education minister and president of Indian National Congress in crucial periods prior to independence.
When Mr. Shamsur Rahman Farooqi was the Vice Chairman of NCPUL (National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language), New Delhi, he suggested Government of India to observe 11th November, birth date of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, as ‘National Education Day’. The government should have taken this step long back but in present circumstances when sacrifice of Muslim Indians has been deliberately forgotten, this recognition of Maulana Azad’s extremely important contribution to nation building is a solace to the beleaguered community.
The Computer Department of Shibli National College, Azamgarh, has been observing National Education Day not only because it has been directed by NCPUL, New Delhi, but also because of the important scholarly relationship between the founder of the college Allama Shibli Nomani and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. It was Shibli who recognized the extraordinary talent of Maulana Azad and asked him to work with him (Shibli) as Assistant Editor of ‘Al-Nadwa’, a literary journal of ‘Nadwatul Ulama’ Lucknow.
Mr. Kaleem Sifat Islahi, ‘Rafiq’ Darul Musannefin Shibli Academy started the program by reciting verses from Holy Quran and presenting its commentary from Maulana Azad’s ‘Tarjamanul Quran’. Then Dr. Javed Ali Khan, Dept Head of History, Shibli National College, introduced Maulana Azad, a product of ‘Madarsa’ education through selected reference from his early life, his important contribution to the freedom struggle and his being the founder of modern education (establishment of IITs, academies, cultural and historical councils, etc). Janab Fazlur Rahman, scholar Darul Musannefin Shibli Academy, emphasized association of Maulana Azad to Allama Shibli’s mission through ‘Al-Nadwa’ and ‘Seerat-un-Nabi’. He questioned the authenticity of 11th November (given by Prof. Humayun Kabir) as Maulana Azad’s date of birth and quoted excerpts from research work of Janab Reyazur Rahman Sherwani and Janab Malik Ram. He stressed upon the writing of accurate history of our freedom struggle vis-à-vis role of Muslim leaders.
Students of NCPUL run course at Computer Dept. of Shibli National College, enthusiastically participated in describing the virtues and mission of Maulana Azad. Ms. Manisha Chaturvedi was the first student to come on stage. She was followed by Ms. Sana Imteyaz, Ms. Sameena Mumtaz, Ms. Rana Khan and Ms. Amera Wahidi.
Mr. Sohail Azmi, Urdu teacher of Shibli National Inter College, quoted Allama Shibli, “it is not possible to nurture each and every student but recognize talent in order to nurture it”. He said that Maulana Azad’s political thought and emphasis on Hindu-Muslim unity is reflection of Shibli and only Shibli’s thought. He praised the students for their participation and encouraged them to know more about these great personalities.
Mr. M.N. Beg, faculty Computer Dept, conducted the program. Mr. A.A. Abbasi, faculty Computer Dept. proposed vote of thanks.