by Editor | Dec 16, 2024 | News
New Delhi, December 14, 2024: The valedictory function of the 4th Asian Congress for Alternatives to Animal Experiments held at Jamia Hamdard Convention Centre where Prof. (Dr.) M. Afshar Alam, Vice-Chancellor, Jamia Hamdard was the Chief Guest of the programme. Organizing secretary Prof. S. Raisuddin informed that this congress is being held for the first time in India. During this congress the founding members of the society and representatives from India, China, Japan, and South Korea signed a joint declaration to establish the Asian Federation of Societies for Alternatives to Animal Experiments (AFSAAE).
Well-wishers from societies working for alternatives from America, Europe, and Sri Lanka also wished good link to the foundation. All the representatives were felicitated by the Organizing Secretary. Prof. Y.K. Gupta and Dr. M. A. Akbarsha graced the occasion as Guest of Honour. Prof. Y. K. Gupta urged the scientists to understand the pain of Animals while using them for scientific experiments. Dr. Akbarsha announced the next meeting to be held at Hyderabad. Prof. Raisuddin presented a detailed report of 3 days deliberations during the conference. He also announced various awards for best presentations by young scientists. Dr. Christian Pellevoisin, Scientific Director, MatTek & CEO Urbilateria France sponsored best poster presentation awards and cash prizes to the budding scientists. Dr. Kristie Sullivan, Vice President, Education and Outreach, Institute for In Vitro Sciences, USA and Prof Winfried Neuhaus, member of the Austrian Commission for Animal Experimentation also appreciated the successful organization of the Congress.
Prof. (Dr.) M. Afshar Alam, Vice Chancellor congratulated the Organising committee members for the successful organisation of the conference. He appreciated the patronage of Janab Hammad Ahmed, Chancellor, Jamia Hamdard and financial support of Hamdard National Foundation along with other funding agencies for enabling Jamia Hamdard to develop alternative models of animal experiments. Programme ended with vote of thanks by the Organising Secretary and National Anthem.
by Editor | Dec 16, 2024 | Opinion, Opinions
Asad Mirza
The fall of Assad-regime has given birth to antagonisms amongst its earlier allies like Iran, Turkey, and Russia. On the other hand, the leverage gained by Israel, ostensibly on American support, does not augur well for the region.
The striking developments in Syria over the past 13 days leading to the rapid fall of the Assad regime have transfixed the world. Thousands are already trying to make their way back to Syria after years in exile. It turns out the answer to the refugee crisis that sent millions of Syrians into neighbouring countries and Europe may simply be the removal of a murderous dictator. Though in reality during recent months, more countries were trying to normalise ties with Assad. Italy even sent an ambassador back to Damascus.
However, the Syrian situation and a decrease oi Iran’s influence in Syria may have profound implications for the middle east’s geopolitical landscape, power dynamics, and strategic alignments.
Regional actors including Iran, Turkey, and the Persian Gulf states may compete to find a toehold during the transitional period in Syria to realign their efforts to safeguard their regional interests. Saudi Arabia and the UAE, may through calculated engagement with the diverse Syrian political factions and reconstruction efforts may attempt to gain leverage by trying to counter Turkish and Iranian aspirations.
Moreover, the turmoil in Syria could also exacerbate sectarian tensions as Sunni Arab states may seek to prevent Iran from regaining influence, while various militant groups, including the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) could try to rebuild their operational presence in the region.
The Syrian conflict is now proving to be the Achilles heel of the Iranian axis. An ally of the Islamic Republic since its founding in 1979, the Assad regime called on Tehran to help quash the uprising. Hezbollah deployed thousands of men in Syria, transforming from a Lebanese political party and militant group into an Iranian expeditionary force. But Hezbollah’s fighting in the open in Syria for a decade exposed it to Israeli surveillance.
This helped Israel’s recent military campaign, which decimated the group’s leadership and destroyed much of its capabilities. Iran’s hubris grew as it added another Arab capital under its control. But helping Damascus also stretched Tehran’s capabilities, siphoned off resources and exposed its vulnerabilities.
Meanwhile, Israel may take more assertive positions against Iran-affiliated organisations in the region, including Lebanese resistance groups active in Syria, with the aim to prevent Tehran from reconstituting its sphere of influence in Israel’s north.
The list of challenges for Syria is long, including deep apprehensions about rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s (HTS) vision for the future, the possibility of violent retributions after five decades of oppression and the danger of a resurgence of Isis. Syrians do not need to be reminded of this, instead an end to foreign meddling in the country is the need of the hour, but no regional player is going to exercised constraint.
The sudden collapse of Bashar Assad’s regime in Syria changed the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East overnight. Iran and Turkey, who for years maintained a delicate geopolitical balance, are now faced with competing interests in a post-Assad Syria.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, has accused the United States, Israel, and Turkey of trying to overthrow the Assad’s government in Syria. He claims this is part of a joint “American-Zionist” plan, with Turkey also involved. These developments also highlight the complex geopolitical situation of the region.
He further stressed the importance of helping Syria in this challenging time. The situation remains tense as these accusations unfold. Despite years of collaboration – particularly on Turkey’s economic support to circumvent international sanctions on Iran – relations between Iran and Turkey appear to be tattering.
Turkey has long provided support for anti-Assad rebel groups, including the HTS which led the march to Damascus. However, Turkey’s primary interest in Syria has been to create a buffer zone and a bridgehead to fight Kurdish groups in northern Syria.
In post-Assad Syria, Turkey ultimately wants to prevent Kurdish interests from taking root in a new Syrian government.
Henri J Barkey, an adjunct senior fellow for Middle East studies at the US Council on Foreign Relations, wrote in a recent article that the “single most crucial aim” for Turkey in Syria remains the eradication of the Syrian Kurdish group, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
Barkey said Turkey fears that “Syrian Kurds would cut a deal with any central government in Damascus to achieve an autonomous status just like Iraqi Kurds did following the Iraq war.”
For Iran, the Assad regime was a critical strategic ally in the Middle East, and as Turkey is poised to gain influence, Iran’s ability to project power in the region has been steadily diminishing.
Ahmad Vakhshiteh, a senior lecturer at RUDN University in Moscow, told Deutsch Welle he believes that recent developments in Syria have shifted the balance of power in Turkey’s favour. Vakhshiteh told DW that Ankara could capitalise on Tehran’s current vulnerabilities to advance its wider and complex geopolitical aims.
This includes support for a land corridor connecting the land-locked Azerbaijani exclave Nakhchivan to Azerbaijan. Nakhchivan borders both Turkey and Iran. Turkey is in favour of the land corridor that would connect it with Turkic regions. Iran has raised concerns that Azerbaijan could use it to block Iran’s access to Armenia.
For years, Turkey has been a critical partner in helping Iran circumvent international sanctions over Tehran’s nuclear programme. Along with the UAE, Turkey has facilitated trade and provided essential goods to Iran.
Official data from Iran’s customs authority revealed that trade volume between the two countries reached approximately $10 billion in the first ten months of this year, with ambitions to triple this figure within five years. However, escalating tensions could threaten this economic lifeline.
In this background, the Western alliance, led by the US and European nations, may intensify their strategic involvement, at a later stage, if not imminently, through coordinated diplomatic channels and measured interventions.
Such engagement will serve the West’s dual objectives of preventing the reemergence of non-state militant organisations, while limiting Russian and Iranian strategic expansion in the Mediterranean region.
Overall, the emerging situation in Syria is not going to straightforward. Assad was able to secure both Turkish and Iranian and some Arab states due to his ability to stop the Israeli troops from advancing into the buffer zone. But with that aim now achieved, Israel may push further to gain control of other crucial areas and may reveal its ultimate plan for the region in the coming days.
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(Asad Mirza is a New Delhi-based senior commentator on national, international, defence and strategic affairs, environmental issues, an interfaith practitioner, and a media consultant.)
by Editor | Dec 12, 2024 | News
New Delhi, 12th December 2024: The Department of Medical Elementology and Toxicology (SCLS) and Research Development Cell (RDC), Jamia Hamdard successfully inaugurated 4th Asian Congress for Alternatives to Animal Experiments and 7th Annual Meeting of the Society for Alternatives to Animal Experiments – India. The inaugural session of three days International conference started at 10:00 AM on 12th December, 2024 at Hamdard Convention Centre, New Delhi, where Shri Utkarsh Verma Madhur, Hon’ble Member of Parliament – Lok Sabha graced the occasion as Chief Guest of the programme.
The inaugural function started with welcome address of Prof. Suhel Parvez, Dean, School of Chemical and Life Sciences followed by Inaugural address by Prof. S. Raisuddin, Director (IQAC & RDC) and Organizing Secretary of 4ACAAE. Prof. Raisuddin appraised the audience and guests about the objectives of the conference and introduction of the Society for Alternatives to Animal Experiments, especially the contribution of Prof. M.A. Akbarsha (Guest of Honour of the Programme) for the development of the Society. He also elaborated on the facilities developed at Jamia Hamdard in the field of Alternative Models of Experiments like Drosophila, C. Elegans and Zebra Fish. He thanked Janab Hammad Ahmed Saheb, Chancellor, Jamia Hamdard and Prof. (Dr.) M. Arshad Alam, Vice-Chancellor, Jamia Hamdard for their patronage and support for organizing this conference. He highlighted the need of Validation Centres for Alternative Experimental Models in India and on behalf of Hon’ble Member of Parliament he assured to have Government’s support for establishment of such Validation Centres. He appreciated the financial support received from Hamdard National Foundation, Department of Science and Technology, CSIR and other funding agencies for awareness creation regarding alternative models.
Prof. Y. K. Gupta, President, Society for Alternatives to Animal Experiments graced the occasion with his valuable speech. He deliberated on the important steps taken in the field of Alternative Models. He advocated the use of experimental animals wherever it’s a must only, otherwise we should use alternative models and should also explore the new models for experiments.
Prof. M. A. Akbarsha in his speech thanked international societies of Australia, Japan, Korea and other countries for their support to the development of Society for Alternatives to Animal Experiments – India. He informed that presently having more than 100 life members in SAAE working for minimizing the use of Animals in scientific experiments.
Dr. A.K Pradhan, Guest of Honour, Advisor CDSCO and Former Jt. DCGI congratulatedthe entire fraternity of Jamia Hamdard for choosing a very crucial topic for the conference. He informed the Govt. of India in 2014 restricted the use of animals in cosmetics, he also elaborated the historical landmarks of regulations for animal use, India is very proactive for adopting Alternative Models.
Dr. Mukesh Kumar Gupta, Director, ICMR – National Animal Resource Facility for Biomedical Research, Hyderabad in his speech focused that millions of animals are sacrificed every year in the name of animal experiments. He also elaborated that if a drug is failed in animal study, it may still work in human beings.
Hon’ble Member of Parliament Shri Utkarsh Verma Madhur in his speech focused the Indian traditions and culture focusing the animal loving culture of India. He highlighted that in India animals like Cows are considered Holy and are worshiped. He urged the scientific community to minimize the use of animals in research, using the simulation technologies this can be achieved easily. He also informed that the Dudhwa National Park and many sanctuaries exist in his Parliamentary Constituency where natives of these areas are friendly dwelling with animals. He assured that he will pass this message of animal protection to his fellow parliamentarians and will be instrumental to formulate regulations for the same.
Prof. Asghar Ali, Officiating Vice-Chancellor, Jamia Hamdard appreciated the organizing committee for successful organization of the conference and encouraged the scientists for intellectual connect and work as catalyst for long lasting collaborations.
Dr. M.A Sikandar, Registrar, Jamia Hamdard proposed vote of thanks to the Guests, Delegates, Sponsoring agencies and participants. He also appreciated the Teachers, Students and Volunteers of the conference for their untiring efforts for the success of the conference. More than 200 delegates from different countries including 12 experts from South Korea, Japan, Australia, UK, USA, Sri Lanka, Russia and Republic of China.
by Editor | Dec 12, 2024 | Opinion
By Pervez Bari
Jaipur – Maulana Shah Abdur Rahim Mujaddidi (R.A.), who was the founder of Jaipur-based seminary known by the name of Jamea-Tul-Hidaya, was a perfect man as visualised by Allama Iqbal in “Mard-e-Momin”. He was a visionary who understood the requirements of the modern era. He was warm for the renaissance of Islam all his life, he had an eye on the future and he raised the Shaheens of Iqbal to the heights of the sky on the wings of religion and technology. He wanted to see it fly.
In Maulana Shah Abdur Rahim Mujaddidi’s nature the essences of courage, honesty, sincerity, nobleness, determination, stability and perseverance were prominent qualities which were ingrained since early childhood. Fighting adverse conditions with determination and courage, serving the religion and the world with healthy consciousness and feelings of religious honour and solidarity was his motto.
The above is the gist of the thoughts and opinions of over 100 clerics, litterateurs and intellectuals who expressed these views while presenting their papers in the three-day international seminar on “Maulana Shah Abdur Rahim Mujaddidi – Life and Services”. The 40th seminar of the Aalami Rabta-e-Adab-e-Islami (The World Coordination of Islamic Literature) was held in Jaipur which was hosted by the seminary Jamea-Tul-Hidaya recently.
During the seminar scholars from India and abroad, highlighted Maulana Shah Abdur Rahim Mujaddidi’s dedication to establish Jamea-Tul-Hidaya. Scholars noted that he held extensive consultations with prominent Islamic thinkers, including Maulana Syed Abul Hasan Ali Nadvi, over 25 years before realising his vision of a comprehensive educational institution aimed at empowering the community educationally, economically and spiritually.
Family heritage
Speakers delved into Maulana Shah Abdur Rahim Mujaddidi’s family heritage, tracing his lineage to Rohilla Pathans. His great-grandfather, Yusuf Ali Khan, was a successful horse trader who passed away in Junagadh, Gujarat, in 1856, receiving a royal burial. The family later settled in Jaipur under the guidance of Maulana Mujaddidi’s grand-father, Maulana Shah Mohammed Hidayat Ali, a revered Sufi, scholar and thinker.
Maulana Shah Hidayat Ali recognized the potential in his grandson Maulana Shah Abdur Rahim Mujaddidi and bestowed spiritual leadership (Khilafat) upon him in 1951. He envisioned a revolutionary educational system combining religious and worldly knowledge. While Hidayat Ali’s efforts remained unfinished during his lifetime, Maulana Mujaddidi made it his mission to fulfil his grandfather’s dream.
Despite initial resistance from traditional religious institutions, Maulana Mujaddidi tirelessly advocated for a modernised curriculum in Islamic madrasas. When his proposals were met with opposition, he decided to create a prototype institution himself.
Welcome Address
Meanwhile, Maulana Shah Fazlur Rahim Mujaddidi, present Rector of Jamea-Tul-Hidaya, Jaipur, who is also the current general secretary of All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), while delivering the welcome address at the seminar said that unless we manage modern education along with religious studies in madrasas, we cannot deal with the present hate-mongering situation.
Pointing to the hanging sword and the conspiracy being raised towards the Islamic seminaries in the present era, Maulana Shah Fazlur Rahim, who happens to be the son of Shah Abdur Rahim Mujaddidi, said that today the situation is such that there is talk of reforming the madrasas on a large scale but in fact they are being forced to reform. He said that Maulana Shah Abdul Rahim Naqshbandi Mujaddidi had realised 50 years ago that if madrasas are to be protected from sedition, civil strife or persecution then along with religious education, modern education will also have to be arranged. He said that Maulana Shah Hidayat Ali, the grandfather of the founder of Jamea-Tul-Hidaya, while establishing madrasa-e-Islam, had written that along with religious education in madrasas, the knowledge of industries and skills should also be imparted.
He said that the founder established the institute on this basis and modern education is also going on along with religious studies and graduates here are making a name for themselves in the field of medicine, engineering and other sciences. Praise is to Allah Almighty, today most madrasas are including school education in their curriculum. He had said that modern education is optional today but tomorrow it will be compulsory part of the curriculum.
Prof. Syed Waseem Akhtar, founder chancellor of Integral University, said that Maulana Abdul Rahim Mujaddidi was a mujaddad who built a bridge between modern and ancient sciences. He presented an outline of The University of Hidayah. The fact is that the world and religion are not separate. He explained that religion is complete without the world and the world is not complete without religion. Then why not teach modern sciences in Islamic seminaries? “I don’t mean to say that there should be any change in madrasas,” he said. Rather, modern sciences should also be included in it. He described Maulana Fazlur Rahim Mujaddidi as a brilliant son and said that he would fulfil his dream.
Maulana Bilal Hasani Nadvi
Maulana Syed Bilal Abdul Hai Hasani Nadvi, Nazim-e-Ameer of Nadwatul Ulama, Lucknow, has made the life and services of Maulana Shah Abdul Rahim, a messenger of international contact with Islamic da’wah and thought, a timely topic. At the same time, he said that there is a need to focus on moral elevation along with science technology. He stressed on clean literature and said that the modern education system is westernized, which has moral flaws.
Canada-based NRIs Dr. Iqbal Masood Nadvi and Dr. Saeed Faizi Nadvi emphasized on conducting such a program in Canada and said that by connecting people of all languages to it, the indignity can be removed.
Maulana Hassan Mahmood Qasmi, head of Jamia Arabiya Barkat-ul-Islam Khairwa and a member of Majlis-e-Shura of Darul Uloom Deoband, while referring to the services of Aalami Rabta-e-Adab-e-Islami, while paying tributes to Maulana Shah Abdul Rahim, he said that the Maulana had presented and implemented the sketch 40 years ago and drew attention to such a language which is literary as well as Islamic.
Maulana Syed Jafar Masood Hassani Nadwi, president of the Aalami Rabta-e-Adab-e-Islami, stressed the need to encourage poets and writers with Islamic ideology, saying that the way progressive writers had created a distorted literary atmosphere and ignored poets and writers with Islamic ideology, encouraging such people is a part of the goal of global contact. Secretary report was presented by Maulana Iqbal Nadwi.
Other speakers included Maulana Waris Mazhari, Assistant Professor Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi; Prof. Faheem Akhtar Nadvi of Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU), Hyderabad; Prof. (Dr.) Hassan Khan, Ameer of Darul Uloom Taj-ul-Masajid, Bhopal; veteran Urdu Journalist Arif Aziz, Dr. Husain Mohammad Nadwi, Dr. Mohammad Nadwi and Syed Sa’ad Ali Nadwi, Maulana Qazi Syed Danish Parvez Nadwi (all five from Bhopal), Dr. Noorus Sabah Ismail Nadwi (West Bengal) etc.
The seminar featured five sessions, including book releases and discussions on Maulana Mujaddidi’s contributions. At the outset of the inaugural function Qari Inam-ur-Rahman of Surat recited verses from the Holy Qur’an.
Maulana (Dr.) Arif Juned Nadwi of Bhopal conducted the proceedings of the inaugural session with aplomb. Maulana Habib-ur-Rahim Mujaddidi, Nayab Ameer of Jamea-Tul-Hidaya, proposed vote of thanks.
by Editor | Dec 5, 2024 | News
By Pervez Bari
BHOPAL -Several lakhs of Muslims,including Islamic scholars and intellectuals drawn from across the globe, led byMaulana Muhammad Sa’ad Kandhalvi, chief of the “Tableeghi Jama’at”, wailed for help before the Almighty Allah in the mass “Dua” (Supplications) in a mix of Arabic, Urdu and Hindi.
As soon as the “Dua” started pin drop silence prevailed but resonated at short intervals with Aameen (Amen) of the huge assemblage while Maulana Sa’ad pleaded with the Almighty Allah for forgiveness of one and all. The assemblage with tearful eyes made the whole ambience around at the Ijtema site very solemn. Thus, with the mass “Dua“, which lasted for about 22 minutes, the curtain came down on the 77th edition of the 4-day Aalami Tableeghi Ijtema (World Preachers’ Congregation) on Monday last.
Maulana Sa’ad while pleading for World peace and Humanity to prevail requested Almighty Allah to protect all the Auqaf properties, Masajid, Madrasas, orphanages etc. which are presently under the threat to being usurped.
Meanwhile, an aura of spirituality pervaded through Madhya Pradesh’s capital Bhopal, the city of lakes, hills, Mosques and Mandirs too during the four day event. A tent city spread over 600 acres of land had come up about 15 kms on the northern outskirts of Bhopal city at Ghasipura in Eintkhedi village with a huge “pandal” to house the “Jama’ats” (Groups of devotees) who had descended here. To manage the massive influx of people, 45,000 volunteers were deployed. Seventy parking lots were made over 300 acres, ensuring sufficient space for the large number of vehicles.
Bhopal’s Tableeghi Ijtema 3rd biggest gathering of Muslims
Bhopal’s Aalami Tableeghi Ijtema is considered as the third biggest gathering of Muslims after Hajj and a similar congregation in Bangladesh. The venue of the “Tableeghi Ijtema” had turned into a sea of humanity. Many people had to trek several kilometres to reach the site as vehicular traffic was not allowed to avoid congestion.
Continuing the “Dua” Maulana Sa’ad, who is the grandson of “Tableeghi Jama’at” founder Maulana Muhammad Ilyas, from the headquarters at Hazrat Nizamuddin in New Delhi, sought divine blessings for peace, progress and unity of Muslim Ummah and mankind at large. He prayed to Allah Almighty to bless the entire world with His final message so that the entire mankind could succeed in the eternal life.
Maulana Sa’ad solicited from the Allah to forgive people’s sins, to overlook the mistakes and lethargy of the Ummah and end our life on dependence. He solemnised, “We are guilty, show us the righteous path and inspire us so that we could follow the path of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). We have wandered and are nervous, we are victimised, show us the righteous path”, he added.
People also took part in “Dua” from nearby homes, on the roof tops of houses and buildings, sitting on roadsides or shops or on trees. Apart from “Jama’ats” from all over India, delegations from about three dozen foreign countries participated in the “Ijtema”.
Muslims urged to lead upright life
Earlier, before the “Dua” Maulana Sa’ad in his religious discourse urged Muslims to lead an upright life in this world so that they could be rewarded in the life hereafter. He stressed them to become messenger of peace so that humanity at large could benefit from them. He highlighted the importance of Namaaz and emphasized the need to acquire Islamic teachings. He also emphasised on recitation of Quran and called on the Ummah to go through its translation if they do not know Arabic language so that they understand the message of Allah (S).
Maulana Sa’ad called upon Muslims to purge themselves of mundane pursuits and devote more time to ameliorate their infinite life in the world hereafter by total submission to Allah Almighty. He urged the people to first purge themselves of the sins and then reach out to more and more people to convey the message of Allah Almighty, which is obligatory upon the followers of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
History of Tableeghi Jama’at
It may be mentioned here that “Tableeghi Jama’at” is a transnational religious movement which was founded in 1926 by Maulana Muhammad Ilyas, a religious scholar of the orthodox Deoband, in India in the erstwhile Mewat province which is now part of Haryana. The movement primarily aims at Islamic spiritual reformation and awakening to the world Muslims by working at the grass roots level, reaching out to Muslims across all social and economic spectra to bring them closer to the practices of Prophet of Islam Muhammad (PBUH).
“Tableeghi Jama’at” came forth as an offshoot of the Deobandi movement. Its inception is believed to be a response to Hindu revivalist movements, which were considered a threat to vulnerable and non-practicing Muslims. It gradually expanded from local to national to a transnational movement and now has followers in over 150 countries.
It may be recalled here that Maulana Ilyas learned the situation. His initial effort was to establish a network of mosque-based religious schools to educate Mewati Muslim about correct Islamic beliefs and practices. But he became disillusioned with the reality that these institutions were producing religious functionaries but not preachers. Following this, he quit his teaching position at Madrasah Mazhar-ul-Uloom in Saharanpur and moved to Basti Nizamuddin in the old quarters of Delhi to begin his missionary work. “Tableeghi” movement was formally launched in 1926 from this place.
Maulana Ilyas devoted to what he described as “the mission of the prophets”. His message was simple: “Aye Musalmano Musalman Bano”. The method adopted by him was equally simple. It was to organize units of at least ten persons and send them to various villages. These units (Jama’at), would visit a village, invite the local Muslim to assemble in the mosque and present their message in the form of six demands: 1. Every Muslim must be able to recite Shahadah correctly in Arabic; 2. A Muslim must learn how to say the Salaat (Namaaz) correctly; 3. To learn the basic teachings of Islam and to do Zikr; 4. To respect the fellow Muslims; 5. To inculcate honesty and sincerity of purpose in such endeavours and 6. To spend some times and travel from place to place spreading the words of Allah.
