Hyderabad: Asserting that Maulana Abul Kalam Azad's nationalism and religiosity were complementary to each other, Professor Ishtiaq Ahmed Zilli on Friday urged the masses to intensify efforts to understand each others’ religious viewpoints.
"Hindus and Muslims should redouble their efforts to understand each others’ religious standpoint, cultural norms and world view to pave way for a meaningful dialogue towards stronger and inclusive nationalism as envisioned by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad", Professor Zilli, eminent historian and Director Shibli Academy, Azamgarh Uttar Pradesh, said.
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, one of the leading freedom fighters was the first Education Minister of Independent India. He is widely acclaimed for shaping the country's education policy.
Prof Zilli while delivering the Azad Day Memorial Lecture 2016 on the topic, “Political thoughts of Maulana Azad” at DDE Auditorium, Maulana Azad National Urdu University further said that Azad’s political understanding was informed by his religious beliefs, Prof. Zilli said that “Azad’s nationalism and religiosity were complementary to each other.”
Prof. Zilli exhorted the MANUU fraternity to start a department of comparative religious studies to further Maulana Azad’s mission of tolerance and inter-religious unity.
In his Presidential Address, Vice Chancellor, Dr. Mohammad Aslam Parvaiz while referring to Urdu culture as the “culture of love,” supported the idea of starting a department for “conciliation of faiths” to carry forward Maulana Azad’s legacy.
“We usually assert that this is our country, instead it is better to say that the country and countrymen both belongs to us,” he said.
November 11, the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, is celebrated as National Education Day.
Media Consultant Ayoob Ali Khan informed the audience that this year the number of special events related to Azad Day Celebrations was double than the previous year.
The function started with the recitation of the verses of the holy Quran.
Dr. Ameena Tahseen introduced the chief guest and anchored the programme.
Anis Azmi, Chief Consultant, CULCC and Chairman, Azad Day Celebrations Committee, welcomed the gathering and thanked the administration for its extraordinary support during the week-long celebrations.
At the beginning of the programme, Instructional Media Centre made an audio-visual presentation about the cultural and sports activities that were organised as part of Azad Day Celebrations 2016.
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