Contribution of non-Muslim scholars in Islamic studies praised
Non-Muslims scholars played an important and praiseworthy role in the promotion of different aspects of Islamic studies in India. Munshi Nawal Kishore of Lucknow not only printed Holy Quran in his famous press but also provided the study material for Madrasas.
The first Persian language newspaper itself did not come from Iran but was published from Calcutta by Raja Ram Mohan Roy. Eminent Scholar & Padma Shri, Prof. Akhtarul Wasey, Chairman, Khusro Foundation, New Delhi expressed these views today at Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) while delivering keynote address in the inaugural of National Seminar “Contribution of IndianNon Muslims to Islamic Studies (A Legacy of Composite Culture)” organised by Department of Islamic Studies in collaboration with Islamic Fiqh Academy India (IFAI), New Delhi, Khusro Foundation, New Delhi and Henry Martin Institute (HMI), Hyderabad.
Prof. Syed Ainul Hasan, Vice-Chancellor, in his presidential address expressed the need to promote interfaith understanding on the basis of knowledge. The contributions of Munshi Nawal Kishore also needed to be recognized, he added.
Islamic Scholar, Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani, General Secretary, IFAI too concurred that non-Muslim scholars in India did a great job in the contribution of Islamic studies and they have a large collection of works on Quran, jurisprudence, Prophet’s biography, Naat writing (Poetry in the praise of Prophet Mohammad) and Islamic history.
There is a need to develop better relations between Hindus and Muslims on the basis of common moral values of both religions, he suggested.
Dr. Packiam T. Samuel, Director, HMI, and Prof. Iqtidar Mohd. Khan, Head, Dept. of Islamic Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi also spoke. Wall magazine prepared by the students was also released
Prof. Mohd. Fahim Akhtar, Head, Department of Islamic Studies delivered the welcome address whereas Prof. Mohmmad Habib proposed vote of thanks. Dr. Md. Irfan Ahmed convened the inaugural session.
