By TCN News,
New Delhi: “Excessive materialism ultimately leads to create value system that is insensitive to the plights and sufferings of the other fellow human beings,” said Union Minister of Law and Justice, Communications and IT, Kapil Sibal. He was speaking as chief guest at the national seminar on ‘Materialism: Boon or Bane’ organised by New Delhi based Alhikmah Foundation on the occasion of the 23rd Annual Function. “Enhancing assets is not denounced, rather at the expense of others is definitely a sin in my belief and judgement”, he added. Sibal also released books on Peace and Development, book on Hakim Mohammad Tayyib of AMU.
Guest of Honour Mr. Ashok Sajjanhar (IFS) and Secretary, National Foundation for Communal Harmony (NFCH), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India said that the real clash of civilisation is not between Islam and Christianity as popularised by Samuel Huntington. In philosophy, the theory of materialism holds that all things are composed of material, and all phenomena (including consciousness) are the result of material interactions, that things are built not found as in the historically important but scientifically unimportant physicalism.
Book being released by Kapil Sibal, Sajjan Har, Dr. Shakeel Samdani, Ishrat Aziz and Swamiji.
Swami Nikhilanada Saraswati, Regional Head, Chinmaya Mission, Delhi and an internationally famed person in the field of interfaith partnership and dialogue said that in our Shastra it is written that every visible object in this world is matter. The boon or bane aspect of Materialism relates to utilisation of resources. Materialism is a source for outer comforts whereas spirituality gives us inner satisfaction. He released a book Quran Ka Shanti Sandesh (Hindi) prepared by Alhikmah Foundation.
Prof. Shakeel Samadani of Aligarh Muslim University and President of Sir Syed Awareness Forum said that everything has both – positive and negative – aspects. He stressed for striking a balance between earning wealth and our desires and wishes. Wars are imposed to manufacture crises. Earning money is permitted per se but we must take care to share with the less fortunate beings. He quoted from Islamic history to drive home his point. He appealed the audience to start campaign against the food adulteration which is very common in India. It is root-cause of our unhealthy society and underdevelopment. He exhorted the audience not to be too materialistic to abandon their parents. He further said that due to the decline of Urdu language in post independent India, the pronunciation of the people has become worst. Most of the Indian people are unable to pronounce certain words correctly. This is a national loss which can be rectified by making efforts for the promotion of Urdu language. He made a case to preserve Urdu language.
Mr. Sirajuddin Qureshi, President, India Islamic Cultural Centre, while appreciating the speech of Dr. Samdani said that the people should also be very careful while purchasing food items from the market. They should not purchase adulterated items and very careful regarding this.
Dr. Abul Lais Nadwi gave the introductory remarks about the Foundation. Chairman of Alhikmah Foundation Dr. Ziauddin Nadwi welcomed the guests. He shed light on the rationale behind starting Alhikmah Foundation. Dr. Nadwi said that Alhikmah Foundation has stopped talking about rights. Rather it has shifted focus on duties.
Memento being presented to Dr. Shakeel Samdani by Kapil Sibal.
Former Ambassador Ishrat Azeez (IFS) in his presidential remarks observed that the rights and duties are so complexly intertwined together that it is difficult to separate them out. Converting materialism as boon or bane depends on our attitude towards it. He released the book Peace and Quranic Teachings (English) prepared by Alhikmah Foundation.
On this occasion Safdar H. Khan, Chairman, Delhi Minorities Commission, Dr. Asghar Ejaz (AMU), and R.N Gupta also expressed their views.
The important personalities present were Asad Mirza, Dr. Khalid Siddiqi, CCRUM, Prof. Salim Kidwai, JNU, Prof. S.A.R. Bilgrami, JMI, Dr. Dalip Kumar, NCEAR, M. Mohibullah Qasmi, Madam Mamduha, Dr. Saad bin Zia, Mansoor Ilahi, Secretary Sir Syed Awareness Forum, etc
Alhikmah Foundation also presented mementos and shawls to the dignitaries. Sewing machines were distributed among the needy women. Educational kits were also distributed to 9th and 11th students of Zakir Nagar, Noor Nagar, Abul Fazl Enclave and Shaheen Bagh.