The Islamic Heritage Foundation and the Iqbal Academy are soldiering on, regardless of all odds to keep the candle of hope burning.
Even while I savour the time I spent at the Academy, I cannot but wonder there might well be many more such places of learning and knowledge tucked away in some remote corner of a large city or even a small town in obscurity and anonymity because, to be in public view means patronage and financial support. This is precisely what they lack, but that should not take away the great credit a dedicated few deserve for soldiering on regardless of all odds to keep the candle of hope burning.
I respect the dedicated men associated with this Academy and make a fervent plea to Muslim professionals, intellectuals, academicians, students of literature, history, comparative religious studies and ordinary Muslims to come forward in support of such institutions in whatever way they can so that they not only become financially viable entities, but are also able to come out of obscurity and benefit the common Muslim to learn more about his heritage and the rich legacy of Islam and the contribution it has made to the entire mankind over the last 14 centuries.
Truly the work being done by these unsung heroes is remarkable, but there is much more that needs to be done. It is time you and I take ponder over the possibilities that exist if only we are able to harness our resources and gain strength. The Iqbal Academy in Hyderabad is one such place, I found tucked away in this Charminar city.
An academician of great repute, Mr. Khaleelullah Hussaini founded Iqbal Academy in 1959. Dr. Syed Alam Khundmeri was its first President and the present President is Prof. Syed Sirajuddin.
The Academy has a very well-equipped and maintained library of more than 20,000 books and 5000 magazines and journals. It is virtually a treasure house for research scholars and book lovers. As a policy, it holds a discussion session on Iqbaliat where new writers are encouraged. Twice in a year, in April and November, seminars are conducted where intellectuals and scholars of repute participate from various parts of the country. They celebrated Iqbal Centenary in 1973 and 1977 and held a large International Iqbal seminar in 1986 over a period of 4 days. The Academy to its credit has published 21 books so far on various facets of Iqbal’s thoughts and poetry.
As they say, Iqbal has to be studied in totality for which inter disciplinary approach is needed. It is in view of this that the Academy aims to build a team of scholars who could understand Iqbal in the context of present day problems. One of the aims of the Academy is to develop its library into a research centre with required facilities. Any ideas, suggestions or even financial assistance I am sure will be welcome to the Academy.
Islamic Heritage Foundation was founded and registered on 15th November, 2000. For want of resources, they share space with Iqbal Academy and have a common library. The Foundation to its credit has conducted several seminars and symposiums over the last few years. They also organised a very successful exhibition on Islamic Calligraphy at the World famous Salar Jung Museum. Here they were able to exhibit over 400 works of Calligraphy from 20 countries. The Foundation aims to a) create awareness of Islamic heritage, b) acquire, preserve, translate classical works including manuscripts and rare publications etc in various fields of knowledge and culture, c) to encourage and promote academic and research work in the field of Islamic heritage, d) promote charitable causes like granting scholarships etc to deserving students and e) promote Islamic concepts of unity and equality of mankind by interacting with other cultural entities. Most importantly, the Foundation strives to promote studies on various fields of Sciences. It is in view of this reason that a consultative committee comprising of eminent people was formed on 6th April’2002. As a policy they decided to take up the following programme.
*Lectures by prominent Scientists on a regular basis, *Publication of Books on the contribution of Muslim Scientists. They have already published a book Islam & Maholiat, Manuscripts for publication of two more books are in hand and shall soon be published, *Group discussions by students on specialised subjects.
Undertake collection of charts, photographs and illustrations on Islamic subjects, *Get linked with other like-minded people and organisations both in India and abroad.
There is really so much more that can be said about the kind of service these two organisations are rendering to the Islamic cause and the upliftment of Muslim ummah as a whole, but in the end there is only so much that they will be able to do and no more, unless more people come forward and lend their mite to propel this effort forward.
Islamic Heritage Foundation,* Iqbal Academy, 10-5-7/1, 2nd floor, Gulshan-e-Khaleel, Masab Tank, Opp: Garden Towers, Hyderabad-500028 Andhra Pradesh. Email:ihfiqbal@hotmail.com. Ph:55663950
(The writer can be reached at adilsar@yahoo.co.uk)
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February 2005 |