By TCN News
Bijnor (UP): To commemorate 100 years of Ma’arif, a monthly Urdu magazine, a symposium titled, “Hundred years of Ma’arif: a milestone in Urdu journalism” was organised by Shafiq Ahmad Ansari Memorial Trust, Najibabad on Sunday, October 22 in Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh.
Ma’arif has been published by Shibli Academy, Azamgarh since 1916.
Former Governor of Uttarakhand, U.P. and Mizoram, Aziz Qureshi participated as Chief Guest in the Symposium. Two special numbers of Ma’arif, based on its editorials, were released on this occasion.
While stressing audience to work for the issues related to the community, Aziz Qureshi said , Ma’arif is the great asset of the community.”
In the beginning of the function, Naushad Ansari while welcoming the guests and the audience said, “Taking into account the educational and literary services of Ma’arif spanning a century, it was necessary to organise the centenary celebrations of Ma’arif befitting its status and prestige, that was why we selected Najibabad and invited most eminent scholars and literary persons for these celebrations.”
Professor Ishtiyaq Ahmad Zilli in his presidential address said, “Ma’arif is not only a biography of Indian Muslims but it is their entire encyclopedia. It is the treasure of knowledge. One can have a fair idea about the problems of muslims, about the start of their journey and the place where they stand today by going through the pages of Ma’arif.”
Akhtarul Wasey, Guest of Honour, who is an expert in Islamic Studies and Vice Chancellor, Maulana Azad University, Jodhpur said, “Ma’arif is the collection of our educational, literary and philosophical history encompassing a hundred years.”
Professor Humayun Murad, Guest of the Honor and a former President, Staff club, AMU, Aligarh said, “Shibli Academy and Ma’arif both have raised our head high in the field of education and scholarship.”
Prof. Khalid Mahmood, former Head, Department of Urdu, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi said, “the people of Najibabad have proved that they truly understand and recognise the significance of Ma’arif.”
He further said, “any history of the interpretation of Ghalib and Iqbal can’t be complete without Ma’arif.”
Naushad Ahmad Ansari, the main person behind organising the Symposium was presented by the Shibli Academy, Azamgarh a deluxe edition of Siratun Nabi (SAW).
Other prominent persons who spoke on the occasion included Dr. Omair Manzar, Associate Professor, Maulana Azad National Urdu University Hyderabad; Mohammed Zaigham Khan, former president, AMU Old Boys Association Riyadh; Qazi Arshad Masood, former captain, Shooting Club, AMU; Harpal Singh, former District Government Counsel, Bijnor and Arif Mohammed Khan, a famous advocate and an AMU alumni.