New Delhi, Aug 20: The All India Educational Movement (AIEM) held a memorial meeting here Monday to pay tribute to its late secretary, Abdul Rasheed Agwan. The solemn gathering began with the recitation of the Holy Quran.
The memorial was presided over by Dr. Syed Farooq. Reflecting on the loss, AIEM’s General Secretary, Abdul Rasheed, remarked, “Agwan Sahib was a think tank among us. He authored several books, including Islam in the Twenty-First Century, which was launched by the late Vice President of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Kalbe Sadiq. Agwan Sahib played a pivotal role in our educational conferences, often contributing insightful papers.”
AIEM President Khwaja Shahid highlighted the various facets of Agwan Sahib’s personality, emphasizing his active involvement in education and academic research. He noted, “Agwan Sahib also wrote a fact-based book on Ayodhya and was scheduled to present a paper on Muslim contributions to education at our upcoming conference.”
Mamdouha Majid, AIEM Secretary, added that Agwan Sahib was connected with numerous NGOs and was a pioneer in social reform and services. Dr. Halima Sadiya, who worked with him on education and research for nearly two decades, described him as consistently helpful and supportive.
Azam Gandhi of Volunteers of Change recalled Agwan Sahib’s contributions to social and national causes, particularly his work with Crescent Charitable Trust, which aided in the treatment of TB patients. Inamur Rahman of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind praised his practical approach and credited him with the establishment of Milli Model School.
Muzaffar Hussain Ghazali, who had known Agwan Sahib for over 25 years, commended his significant work in social, educational, and religious fields, as well as his key role in founding the Institute of Objective Studies. “He was a champion of justice and a supporter of the needy,” Ghazali said.
AIEM active member Aslam Ahmed Advocate shared that their discussions on educational topics often led to Agwan Sahib providing thoughtful answers, always with a smile. Senior journalist Mansoor Agha described Agwan Sahib as having a charismatic personality, deeply connected to the Quran, and committed to working for the pleasure of Allah. “His life was filled with love for Allah, honesty, and faith,” Agha noted.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Syed Farooq briefly outlined Agwan Sahib’s qualities, expressing satisfaction that his children were with him during his final moments. The meeting also featured reflections from Dr. Idris Qureshi, Muhammad Azam, and Muhammad Farooq. Among the attendees were Dr. Ilyas Saifi, Rais Ahmed Advocate, Ejaz Gori, and members of Volunteers of Change. The memorial concluded with prayers for the departed soul and a dua for the elevation of his ranks in the hereafter.
