Bulandshahr: A grand felicitation ceremony was organized at Madrasa Qasimia Arabia Islamia, Kali Masjid, Upper Kot, under the patronage of Engineer Haji Liaqat Ali, to honor Dr. Syed Sajid Ali. Dr. Ali was recently awarded a PhD degree by Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut, for his research on Urdu journalism and the newspaper Al-Jamiat.
The event, held under the aegis of the Muslim Youth Convention Committee, was presided over by Haji Noor Mohammad Qureshi, the manager of the madrasa, and hosted by Dr. Zaheer Ahmad Khan. It commenced with a recitation of the Quran by Hafiz Shakeel Ahmad, Imam of Ahle Hadith Mosque, followed by a naat recited by Chahat Hussain. Dr. Irshad Siyanvi, Assistant Professor from CCS University’s Urdu Department, graced the occasion as the chief guest.
Following a welcome address by Shujaatullah Khan Polish, Haji Chaudhary Khurshid Alam Rahi, President of Bazm-e-Khuloos-o-Adab, warmly received the chief guest. While introducing him, Rahi highlighted Dr. Irshad Siyanvi’s academic excellence, published books, research papers, and contributions to national and international seminars. He praised Dr. Ali’s efforts in enriching Urdu literature and his relentless dedication to its preservation.
A Tribute to Urdu Journalism
The keynote speaker, Major Dr. Mohammad Fazil DPS, reviewed and analyzed Dr. Sajid Ali’s book on Al-Jamiat, emphasizing its critical importance in Urdu journalism. He acknowledged the author’s extensive research in compiling factual references and hailed the work as a remarkable contribution not just to Al-Jamiat but to the entire domain of Muslim journalism.
Dr. Irshad Siyanvi, in his detailed address, underscored the historical significance of Al-Jamiat, its editorial legacy, and its role in the Indian freedom struggle. He lauded Dr. Ali’s research as an invaluable resource for understanding the evolution of Urdu newspapers and their socio-political impact. Stressing the need to preserve the Urdu language, he remarked, “Urdu is a language of love, brotherhood, and culture, and its survival is a collective responsibility.”
Preserving Urdu for Future Generations
Haji Noor Mohammad Qureshi, the event’s president, expressed his delight at hosting the ceremony and reiterated the importance of keeping Urdu alive. “If Urdu disappears, an entire culture will vanish with it. Our religious, cultural, and intellectual heritage is preserved in Urdu, and its education must be prioritized,” he emphasized. He also congratulated Dr. Sajid Ali on his achievement and encouraged continued efforts to promote Urdu literature and journalism.
Dr. Sajid Ali, the author of the book, expressed his gratitude to the attendees and acknowledged the challenges he faced in his research journey. He dedicated his success to the cause of Urdu journalism, stating that his work would serve as a guiding light for future scholars and journalists.
As a token of appreciation, Dr. Sajid Ali and the chief guest, Dr. Irshad Siyanvi, were honored with a shawl. Additionally, Dr. Ali, along with Noor Mohammad Qureshi and Dr. Siyanvi, received the prestigious Javed Habib Award, named after the renowned journalist and founder of the Muslim Youth Convention.
The event witnessed the presence of numerous literary, educational, and social personalities, including Haji Javed Ghazi, Ijlal Ahmad Khan, Arif Saifi, Master Ilyas Khan, Master Mohammad Akram, Abdul Khaliq Ansari, Mohammad Sardar, Master Afzal Barni, Ejaz Ahmad, Abdul Nafi Ansari, Zafaryab Khan, Akhtar Iqbal, Dr. Hasrat Ali Chauhan, Mohammad Afzal, Mohammad Yamin Alvi, Shoaib Qadri, Junaid Akhtar, Dr. Haseeb Ahmad, and Aamir Ghazi Advocate.
