On 2nd day’s two Sessions feature 35 papers on law, citizenship, culture and social development.
Mohammed Naseer Giyas
Hyderabad, November 22: The second day of the national seminar at Al Mahad Al Aali Al Islami focused on the role of Indian Muslims in building India’s institutions, social systems and knowledge traditions. More than 35 scholars and speakers presented papers in the second and third sessions.
Speakers stated that India’s justice system draws its roots from early Islamic legal traditions. They said the idea of equal citizenship, visible in the Constitution, emerged from contributions of Muslim thinkers. They explained that principles linked to equality, religious freedom and state neutrality came from Islamic teachings and shaped several constitutional provisions.
Senior members of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board attended the seminar. President Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani was present during the sessions. Maulana Abdul Hamid Nomani chaired the second session and Maulana Rahmatullah Kashmiri chaired the third.
General Secretary of the Board, Maulana Fazlur Rahim Mujaddidi, presented a paper on the origins of the justice system in India. He said Muslims helped build legal institutions and promoted the idea of equal treatment for all communities. He said the relationship between Muslims and India is a relationship of builders and contributors. He added that ideas linked to the rule of law and justice came from Islamic principles.
Advocate Abdullah Naqvi spoke on the role of Muslim members in the Constituent Assembly. He said documents show that Muslim members placed several proposals that protected religious freedom and equal rights. He said Articles 25 to 28 reflect these contributions. He added that the idea of a equal citizenship on secular grounds emerged through the efforts of Muslim representatives.
Speakers presented papers on 35 themes during the two sessions. Dr Abdul Qadeer of Shaheen Group spoke about the first university set up 650 years ago by Khwaja Imaduddin Mahmood Gawan in Bidar. Historians recorded that students from 25 countries studied there at that time. Professor Abdul Majeed Nizami also addressed the gathering.
Dr Syed Islamuddin Mujahid presented a paper on the work of the Asaf Jahi rulers for the progress of backward communities. Dr Fazil Hussain Parvez presented a paper on the role of Indian Muslims in sports. Dr Iftikhar spoke about the contribution of Muslims to English journalism.
Maulana Ansarullah Qasmi and Maulana Dr Azam Nadvi conducted the proceedings.
The fifth session will be held on Sunday. A public meeting will take place after Maghrib at the hockey ground Masab Tank Hyderabad. Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani will preside. Hyderabad MP Barrister Asaduddin Owaisi and other political and religious leaders will address the gathering.