Courtesy: K K Suhail

 

New Delhi, April 07, 2021: Former Vice President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH)  and renowned social activist, Islamic scholar and inspiring leader Prof. K.A. Siddique Hassan passed away in Kozhikode, Kerala on Tuesday. Thousands of people attended his funeral prayers today in Kozhikode.

 Prof. Hassan's lasting contribution to society at large consists in pioneering the socio-educational empowerment initiatives in North and Eastern India where the minorities lead a life of economic and educational deprivation. The movement he launched in this regard - Vision 2016 through the Human Welfare Foundation (HWF) formed the backbone of institutional support for the drive. It provided schools, houses, public wells, mosques, and medical care facilities. He served as General Secretary of the Delhi-based HWF, Human Welfare Trust, Society for Bright Future (SBF), Association for the Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), and Medical Service Society (MSS). Since 2016, the project has been re-launched as Vision 2026 and is still operational. It has many projects like establishing hospitals, colleges, universities, and interest-free credit societies. Al-Shifa Hospital, Delhi is part of the HWF - Vision program.

 

Prof. Hassan was the former Chairman of Madhyamam, a leading Malayalam newspaper, and founder secretary of Ideal Publication Trust, publishers of Madhyamam. He had also held the position of Chairman Alternative Investment and Credit Ltd. (AICL).

 

Born in Kodungallur in Thrissur district, Kerala in 1945, Prof. Hassan had his education in Rouzathul Uloom Arabic College, Farook, and Islamia College Santapuram. A postgraduate in Arabic, he joined the government college teaching service and served in University College, Maharajas College, Kochi, and govt colleges in Koyilandi, Kodenchery, and Kasargod. Prof Hassan, in addition to authoring and translating various books, also was on the panel of editors of Islam Darshanam, an encyclopedic volume published by Language Institute, Kerala. He was a prolific contributor to many periodicals. He was the President of JIH Kerala, during 1995 – 2005, and later Vice-President Jamat-e-Islami Hind. Prof. Hassan had been leading a retired life at his son's home in Kovoor near here, suffering from age-related conditions. He is survived by his wife VK Zubaida, sons Faslurrahman, Sharafuddeen, Anisurrahman, and daughter Sabira.

 

Expressing condolences on the demise of Prof. Siddique Hassan, JIH President Syed Sadatullah Husaini has said that we have not only lost a great Islamic leader but also lost a man who in many respects was a role model for the youth of the Muslim world.

 

Recalling the qualities of the departed soul, Mr. Husaini said that his personality was a beautiful marquee of rare attributes such as dynamism, initiative, courage, enthusiasm, selflessness, high morale, the ability of appreciation and utilization of ability and skill, planning and foresight, long-term vision, ability to blaze new trails and evolve with time. Through these qualities, the JIH chief said that Prof. Siddique Hassan strengthened the Islamic cause in India and imparted many rare gifts. “The daily Madhyamam gave a new impetus to the voice of truth and justice in the Malayalam print media and ushered in a new era of media activism. AICL is not just an institution but the foundation of a powerful interest-free loan movement in our country. Through the HWF, a series of brotherhood and cooperation was established between the North and South India, which has now become a powerful movement. We will not forget that HWF was his brainchild. He knew the art of achieving the impossible. He inspired the leading and talented people and the numerous anonymous youth of the movement who spread in different parts of the country. The way he spotted talent and mobilized them was undoubtedly a unique ability to recognize individuals and his uncanny art of winning their hearts would help them achieve the impossible. He played a key role in creating many people who have made significant contributions to the Islamic cause and ensuring their services to it. Prof. Siddique Hassan's name is at the top of the list of elders of the movement from whom I have learned dynamism, steadfastness, perseverance, management, and good manners. He was ill for many years and removed from an active role in public life due to his illness. But even so, his existence was a source of encouragement to many like us. Now they have become a part of history but the story of his life will continue to inspire future generations. May Allah Almighty grant him the highest position in Paradise. May Allah bless him through the charity of the dozens of organizations he helped set up, and through the work of the countless individuals, he helped create. Amen!”, he added. 

 

In a condolence message, former chairman of the Delhi Minorities Commission Dr. Zafarul Islam Khan, said, “I am pained to know of the sad demise of Prof. Siddique Hasan saheb. He was a great visionary and selfless leader. I have lost a personal friend in his departure. My sincere condolences to the HWF and the JIH family.  May Allah grant him maghfirat and high station in Paradise. Amin. Please convey my sincere condolences to JIH leaders and friends.”

 

 

Funeral prayer of Prof. Siddique Hassan held in Kozhikode.

 

Speakers express serious concerns over India’s downgrading to ‘electoral autocracy’ and ‘Partly Free Country’ in global reports

 

 New Delhi, March 16, 2021: Speakers at a Jamaat-e-Islami Hind's (JIH) programme have expressed serious concerns over the downgrading of India's status from ‘the world’s largest democracy’ to an ‘electoral autocracy’ and from a “Free Country” to a “Partly Free Country” in the international reports.  The JIH has held a group discussion here on the topic of the impact of the upcoming Assembly Elections in five states and responsibilities of voters. 

 

Initiating the discussion on the topic, JIH Secretary Malik Motasim Khan has said that elections are very important to a democracy. “Through the elections, people can show their power by choosing their favourite representatives and rejecting the undesirable ones. The people use their voting power to correct their past mistakes and throw out incompetent representatives and this is a great opportunity for them,” he added.

 

Pointing out that elections are now being used as a tool to divide the people rather than unite them, the JIH Secretary has talked about the present atmosphere where sedition charges are being slapped on the trivial matters, students and journalists are being put behind bars, people are facing troubles only for speaking out on the issues and even questions are being raised on judiciary. Mr.Malik Motasim said, “the atmosphere created by some political parties in recent years, indicates that attempts are being made to disintegrate the people and the country under the guise of elections. This is very harmful for our country. Therefore, recent international reports have branded India as partly free which is heading toward the democratic autocracy.” He was referring to the annual report of Sweden’s V-Dem Institute, which has downgraded India from ‘the world’s largest democracy’ to an ‘electoral autocracy’ while just days before the US watchdog Freedom House’s report graded it from a “Free Country” to a “Partly Free Country”.

                                      

Expressing serious concerns over the international reports related to India, senior journalist Mr. Prashant Tandon said, “we can neither deny them, nor call them biased reports as the gravity of the situation of the country is obvious. The democracy is an institution that runs on the basis of the public opinion. Raising issues before the voting is very important in forming a government. Instead of voting on issues like education, health, cleanliness, employment, human rights, development and industry, we vote in the name of religion and caste. Now the politics of polarization is being played on the basis of hatred for some years. This is not good for a democratic country. In such a situation, this is the prime responsibility of the citizens to be alert while voting, keeping in view the interest and development of the country and elect only honest representatives. After sending a representative to the Assembly or Parliament, do not sit idle for five years, but hold them accountable regularly for what they are doing for the country.”

 

Commenting on the upcoming assembly elections in five states, the senior journalist said, “the ‘corporate media’ is projecting that no party is fighting the assembly elections except BJP. In fact, BJP gets most of the seats from central and western regions of the country and the upcoming elections will be held in the eastern and southern India, where the saffron party has a little presence.”    

 

On this occasion, Firdous Barbhoya from Assam, Imrul Quais from West Bengal and Meher Nowshad from Kerala have thoroughly discussed the present political scenario of their respective poll-bound states.

 

 

                                               

New Delhi: Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) has launched the monthly digital magazines exclusively for women in English and Urdu langues here at a ceremony. The English magazine ‘Aura’ was launched here by a noted public health doctor and activist Dr. Sylvia Karpagam while the Urdu ‘Haadiya was launched by JIH President Syed Sadatullah Husaini. Both magazines are being published under the supervision if the JIH women’s department.

 

Delivering the presidential speech, the JIH chief said the first issues showed that they would play an important role in creating awareness among women, imparting religious teachings and highlighting their potential. He congratulated the women team associated with them for bringing out the much-awaited and highly-necessitated women’s magazines. 

 

Speaking about Aura, Mr.Husaini said: “The magazine aptly named ‘Aura’ represents the beautiful aura of a woman as envisaged in Islamic traditions. This Aura is characterized by the noble values of modesty, dignity, elegance and full confidence in the feminine being.”

 

Mr.Husaini said: “Islamic traditions give great respect to women along with their feminine character. With the decline of traditional gender roles, modern societies are moving towards typical ‘unisex’ societies where only masculine roles are cherished and feminine roles are grossly despised. A woman is forced to surrender her feminine personality and imitate her male counterpart to look modern and progressive. At times, she is even expected to reduce her personality to her body and become the object of lust and the subject of consumption. Traditional societies have subjugated her by snatching her individuality and her freedom and confined her to the dark prison of irrational and chauvinist traditions. The modern societies have come out with another form of male chauvinism where male lust and perceived superiority of masculine roles and persona make the woman a prisoner of fake freedom. The magazines are being launched in this backdrop to demonstrate a perfectly moderate path providing women with the much-needed freedom from both kinds of exploitation and gives her ideal form of liberty, perfect equality, and complete justice with the fullest protection to her modesty and highest reverence to her feminine character.”

Delivering the launching address as a chief guest of the event, Dr. Sylvia said, “the situation in the country is a cause of concern due to growing discrimination and ongoing targeting of certain communities. Even during pandemic lockdown, people had to bear the brunt of its serious consequences. Instead of following scientific methods on how to respond to a pandemic, some sections of the government and the media itself were communalising the issues. This had direct consequences on people’s health, on their psychological status, mental well being and their livelihood. Apart from them, the false and fake news have also been troubling all of us. In these circumstances, a magazine like Aura is a very timely and courageous step. I really appreciate its team for their dedication and creativity to bring out such a needed venture at this difficult time of the country.”

 

Presenting a keynote speech on the occasion, noted author and Asst. Professor at JNU Dr. Ghazala Jamil, said, “when most of the ‘popular’ women’s magazines have capitulated entirely to banal consumerism and lean-in feminism, it is heartening to see a handful of women’s magazines that are resisting the appropriation of women’s rights agenda by the market. The Aura’s birth is especially welcome because it will widen this agenda with Muslim women at the helm. The first issue looks spectacular. The Aura is a thinking, compassionate and inquisitive women’s magazine.”

 

Chief Editor of the Aura magazine Mrs Rahmathunnisa has stated that the objective of the magazine is to revive real feminine strength in the present scenario, where women’s magazines just revolve around ‘beauties’.  “Through the pages of Aura we intend to make the suppressed voices heard loud and clear. Aura means emotional, mental and spiritual form of energy that feels around the body.” She added.

 

Editor of the Aura, Ms Ayesha Sultana said, “it attempts to engage with women’s voices and debates while centring social, political, economic, and personal experiences of women from different communities, drawing upon the framework of gender justice and social justice.”

 

Speaking on the occasion, editor of the digital Urdu magazine, Ms.Mubashshirah Firdos said, “today social media has become a key medium of our communication. It will be useful for humanity, if it is used positively for constructive works, otherwise, it can be very destructive. The aim of this magazine is to carry out the same constructive works.”

 

Delivering the concluding speech, all India Secretary of JIH Women’s department, Ms Atiya Siddiqua said, “talents of women need to be nurtured in a positive way. A magazine with positive thoughts is a timely step in this digital age. Efforts will be made to provide comprehensive content for readers through this magazine, covering all issues including religious topics.”

 

The launching ceremony was followed by an online panel discussion on the “Politics of Health and Gender” with public health experts and academics. Besides, Dr Sylvia, women’s activist and General Secretary of Women’s manifesto Dr. Sharnas Muthu, Ms.Hamida Rashid, mental health counsellor and founder of an NGO ‘With You, India’ were the panellists. Ms.Iman Fathima has moderated the discussion while Sub editor of the Aura Ms.Shayma S has presented the vote of thanks.

 

Principal of Government Inter College, Ghaziabad,UP Ms. Ela Mishra, well known poetess Ms.Shahnaz Shaazi , writer and blogger Ms. Zeenat Akhtar, former Member of All India Muslim Personal Law Board from Darbhanga Ms. Shahnaz Begum and renowned author from Warangal Ms.Javeda Begum also addressed during the launching ceremony. Ms.Fatima Tanveer, Ms.Safia Yasmeen and Sadia Yasmeen were also part of the ceremony.

Here are their official websites:

  www.auramag.in

  www.haadiya.in