Markazi Majlis-e-Shura in my Naani Ghar..!

It was a fascinating spectacle.

The Markazi Majlis-e-Shura of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind was about to begin in my grand mother's house. The atmosphere was that of bonhomie. You could find sherwani clad Moulanas everywhere. Where on earth you could find such a comraderie and mutual affection.

I was very much elated. I found myself running here and there. I was very much amused and excited. In my grandpa's room elderly Moulanas were staying. H Abdur Raqeeb Sahib's voice could be heard. I could not comprehend what is being said. Raqeeb Sahib was sitting in a chair and some Moulana was reclining in a bed. They were talking amicably.

Suddenly I found myself in the hall. It is the same hall where I used to play as a child. Grand pa used to listen BBC in his radio sitting in a easy chair in that very hall. They had converted it into a meeting hall.

Instantly I found myself moving towards the backyard. There people are taking their breakfast silently. Ameer-e-Halqa A Shabbir Ahmed was eating french toast. Somebody was placing a slice of a colourful fruit in someone's plate.

Then again I found myself in the passage between the hall and the backyard. At that instant Ameer-e-Jamaat in a bright blueish black Sherwani entered. He was moving confidantly like a bridegroom with a vibrant smile lit in his face. His steps are measured. He was flanked by two Moulanas. I could not recall their faces.

The hall is nearly full. Ameer-e-Jamaat and others were sitting in a row.

Suddenly I hear a feeble voice of my wife calling Rafia, my fourth daughter (who is doing her UKG). I look for Rafia. She was coming towards me. I move towards her to fetch her.

Just then the voice of my wife had gone shriller.

RAFIAAA..! SCHOOL JANE KA IRADHA HAI YA NAHIN..!

I woke up instantly.

Oh! It was a dream!
What a dream it was!

இது தான் ஜமாத்தே இஸ்லாமி ஹிந்த்!!

Markazi Majlis-e-Numaindgaan is the top most governing body of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind. It comprises of 120 members. It elects the Ameer-e-Jamaat - all India President - of the Jamaat. Usually it meets once in two years. It is the most powerful body of Jamaat. It is the one which elects Markazi Majlis-e-Shoora - Central consultative council. It has the power to suspend and dismiss the Ameer-e-Jamaat and the Majlis-e-Shoora.
Recently the Majlis had its session in Bangalore. Moulana Parvaz Rahmani, who is also the editor of Dawat sehroza attended it. As he has been elected to the Majlis for the first it was his first experience. Being a writer and that too a writer par excellence, he has penned his first hand experience in a short article.
It was a marvellous piece. As usual I translated it in Tamil and shared it with my friends. I have titled it as இது தான் ஜமாத்தே இஸ்லாமி ஹிந்த்!! Yehi hai Jamaat-e-Islami Hind!! To read it click the gif image below.

Interview : Dr M. Rafat on "Islamic Movement in India in Modern Times"

Dr Muhammad Rafat

Recently Dr. Muhammad Rafat, Ameer-e-Halqa of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind JIH Delhi has given an interview to Janab Parvaz Rahmani, Editor Dawat. Dr.Rafat is from Uttar Pradesh and has been attached with the JIH for the past three, four decades. He is also a member of Markazi Majlis-e-Shoora and Markazi Majlis-e-Numaindgan of JIH. He has doctorate in Physics and teaches to engineering students in Jamia Millia Islamiya Delhi. He is very articulate and soft spoken man.

In his aforesaid interview he has shed light on the present scenario of the Islamic Movement in India. The interview is simply superb. It is very crispy, enlightening and thought provoking. I could not resist the temptation to translate in Tamil and share it with my Tamil knowing friends.
I have met him a couple of times. He is very humble, polite and as they say in Tamil he would never அதிர்ந்து பேச மாட்டார்.
He is a very knowledgeble person and well read man. Earlier I had translated one of his beautiful essay on 1857 and the status of Muslims then.
Herewith I have attached the gif images of the same.
Kindly share it with other brothers. Please write me your views and impressions if time permits.

H. Abdur Raqeeb awarded best Journalist award!

H. Abdur Raqeeb awarded best Journalist award!
T. Azeez Luthfullah
The News :
H. Abdur Raqeeb, Editor of Samarasam Tamil Fortnightly was awarded 'The best Journalist Award' by the Islamiya Tamil Ilakkiya Kazhagam.
The award was conferred upon H. Abdur Raqeeb in the First State Conference of Islamiya Tamil Ilakkiya Kazhagam (Tamil Islamic Literary Organization) held in Trichirappalli on 17 and 18th of May 2008.
Islamiya Ilakkiya Kazhagam is the pioneer literary Organization in the State. So far it has organised ten World Tamil Islamic Literary conferences.
As the State conference was being organised for the first time, it evoked tremendous response. Anybody who is somebody in the Tamil Islamic literary field was there. The historic Jamal Mohammad College, the venue of the conference, was flooded with the hordes and hordes of writers, poets, journalists, authors, teachers, Ulemas and social activists. The men behind this momentous occasion were Kaviko Abdur Rahman, a legendery poet and S M Hidayathullah, a literary activist and author.
The Award : The best Journalist award comprised of a citation, a shield and a cash award of Rs. 5000/-.
The Magazine:
Samarasam Tamil Fortnightly is the trendsetter and frontrunner in Tamil Muslim Journalistic arena. A popular literary critic has aptly commented that the history of Tamil Muslim Journalism could be divided into two parts. viz Before Samarasam and After Samarasam. Before the advent of Samarasam, Muslim magazines used to be read by Muslims only. The content of these magazines were limited to the confines of Masle Masayil. Samarasam broke the ice and leaped into the next phase. Many other magazine followed suit. Samarasam is being sent to more than 350 govt libraries all over Tamil Nadu. Forty percent of the readership is Non-Muslim. Samarasam has succeeded in striking a chord with non-Muslim readers. It receives letters from its non-Muslim readers and it regularly publishes articles of veteran non-Muslim writers too.
The Man: Moulana M A Jameel Ahmed was the Editor of Samarasam for more than a decade. When young and energetic H Abdur Raqeeb took over the mantle from him, he introduced many new concepts. Being a perfectionist Raqeeb was not satisfied. So, to equip himself, he enrolled himself as a student in M.A. Mass Communication and Journalism in University of Madurai at the age of 44 and passed the exams. This shows his burning desire and passion in the field. He was always attached to the magazine and pour his soul and spirit in it. He has written innumerable articles. He is also the author of Azhaippiyal Sindanaigal (Dawah Insights) a handy guide for those who do dawah.
Mr. Abdur Raqeeb has nowadays taken up the onerous responsibility of making Islamic banking a living reality in India. He has been appointed as the convenor of Islamic Banking Committee by the Markaz. He is also a member of Markazi Majlis-e-Shoora and has served the tahreek in various capacities.