 The pure have left behind fragrance and color. Each moment they see beauty without hindrance. 1400 years ago, Islam came to this world with the message of love, peace and humanity. Links between India and Arabia through trade had already opened floodgates of knowledge, enriching both civilizations. Islam as a concept found a natural home beginning with the shores of Kerala. What was the essence of Islam that manifested itself in such visible beauty in my country? These centuries-old monuments bear testimony to a culture and history which will always remain a part of our lives. Going through this experience of a refugee that we are rehabilitated in this area, which makes it very fortunate and lucky as one who is deprived of everything. But this wonderful space and the monument and the kind of history associated. From the beauty of Mughal gardens, the age of Akbar witnessed beauty in all fields of human expression. It was not only confined to music and fine arts, education and refinement and lifestyle, but developed a spirit of understanding and assimilation from the indigenous Indian ethos. Today, Muhammad Shaheer is among the few landscape architects who have been inspired by Islamic gardens. These magnificent tombs are designed with the concept of the Garden of Paradise. Persian in style, they are inspired by the geometry of Islamic aesthetics, which integrate the elements of nature in the same beauty and form as expressed in the Quran. Water creates a mystical reflection through sound and image and at the same time becomes the source of irrigating the gardens and cooling the winds. Taj Raghuray, I am amazed how this 300-year-old wonder of the world still continues to fascinate the artist and man. When I reached Agra and we were still maybe 5-6 kilometers away from Taj and yet, you know, you could see in the cityscape, you know, the Taj, the Dung, the Nimbrits, you know, so overpowering and standing above the city, you know, looking at you. So I said, my God, magnificent, you know, so I started taking pictures from there. So it was such a powerful experience that my first trip to Agra was basically photographing Taj from all around in its environment where it stands today. So I thought, my God, you know, it's an endless affair, you know, I'll have to come back again. The word of God is expressed in calligraphy in the most exquisite human effort. Having thus acquired a spiritual form, calligraphy enters the decorative field of illustration and manuscripts. Amina Ahuja, an eminent artist and calligraphist, reminisces of the Delhi gone by, the inspired architecture of the Jama Masjid and the spiritual aura of Delhi. The city of Delhi is known to be the threshold of the Huajas of the Chishti order and still radiates their presence. Hazrat Huaja Kutubundin Bakhtiyar Kaki in Mahroli, Hazrat Nizamuddin Olia in Nizamuddin and Sheikh Nasiruddin Muhammad Jiragh-Dehlawi in Jiragh-Dilli. The 786th Urs, death anniversary of Hazrat Huaja Moinuddin Chishti, the founder of the Chishti order, was commemorated in 1998 at his shrine in Ajmer. The Sufis imparted to their disciples tenderness of the heart and endless wealth of tears renewed through their human compassion. The 786th Urs, death anniversary of Hazrat Nizamuddin Kutubundin Bakhtiyar Kaki in Nizamuddin Olia in Nizamuddin The central source of this inspiration was the unparalleled human sacrifice of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet of Islam and son of Hazrat Ali in the name of God in the battlefield of Karbala. Hazrat Huaja Moinuddin Chishti's love for music found spiritual expression in his Mefile Samar. Indian classical music blended with Persian thought and became a medium of his love for God, thus enriching the deprived souls of the downtrodden. Doent of the Chishti's in the realm of music created new landmarks. The heights reached by Amir Khusro continued to explore new horizons. The poetry of Amir Khusro became the soul of Kashmiri Sufiana singing. Through time Kashmir became the meeting point of several civilizations. Shah Ali Hamdani introduced central Asian and Persian crafts which became the identity of the valley. In philosophy and poetic expression it also achieved an evolved form of synthesis. The Sufi and Bhakti movement inspired each other and gave birth to the patron saint of the valley, Sheikhul Alam Nuruddin Wali, also known as Nundrishi. Such inspirations opened floodgates of enlightenment. It goes back almost even before the birth of Guru Nanak because the midwife, her name was Doltan who brought him into the world was Muslim. So you can see how long the relationship is on the time of the birth of the founder of the faith. And then again interestingly his lifelong companion for 47 years, his childhood companion who stayed with him 47 years until his death was Mardana. And after Mardana died his son Shahzad then took over and he stayed with Guru Nanak until Guru Nanak died. You see then again to get to know more about Islam from Islamic scholars and savants he travelled with Mardana to Kabul and then to Mecca and then to Baghdad. Now in those days travel was not easy but he went there and came back more enriched, more sort of fulfilled and with a greater insight of this faith that he admired and you know. So it's a very very long relationship which has been sustained by successive Gurus after that. The fifth Guru Arjan Dev invited his friend the Sufi mystic to lay the foundation stone of the Golden Temple which he did again on her door. When there was such philosophical integration why was this great nation divided? Intrigued by the title price of partition I met Dr. Rafiq Zakaria, a renowned Islamic scholar and political analyst for greater insight. Do you know that one million of them died in the most horrible conditions? That children became orphans, that women were raped, that old and aged had to perish on the way trying to cross from one border to the other and that in the process no less than 15 million people were uprooted. That is the price of partition that both Hindus and Muslims pay. In the wake of the Khilafat movement such forces of unity between Hindus and Muslims were forged by Mahatma Gandhi and the Ali brothers, Maulana Muhammad Ali and Maulana Shaukat Ali, that the governor of Bombay Lord Light wrote to the Secretary of State that it is just a question of days when we will have to pack up and leave India. But unfortunately subsequent events give such a setback that it almost broke Gandhi's heart. That is how every time Gandhi ji tried to bring Hindus and Muslims together the British saw to it that either by propping the feudal Muslim leadership, the communal Hindu leadership, or by sort of instigating either communities on some religious issue or the other that such kind of unity is never brought about and it could never come. And therefore you had this conflict between the Congress and the Muslim League which ultimately resulted in the partition of the subcontinent. But now an age has gone by. Those who chose out of their own free will to stay back are serving society in the light of their conviction. They continue to be deeply rooted to the soil. The Prophet of Islam's prophetic saying that from the direction of Hindu I get the fragrance of love begins to seem larger than life. I see friends everywhere serving with a smile. This unending journey from home for years and end. Taxi drivers like Ulam Hasan of Kaman have served the basic human need of transport. Dedication to human service is another form of divinity and comes from prayer. As I enter this serene space, I am reminded of the hadith of Prophet of Islam. A person of faith in a mosque is like a sun reflecting in water. This 200-year-old Konkani mosque is built over a tank located in the heart of Mumbai in Dongri fort. One is amazed to witness an awe-inspiring beauty of tranquility in the structure of a mosque in sharp contrast to the cacophony and harshness of the outside world. The aesthetics of Islam evolved through such inspirations from architecture to musical azans to calligraphy. In a line stood the king and his sleeve equal in his presence. Making something out of scrap is no ordinary way of serving society. Bombay corrodes and brings materialism down to bare matter. The ocean lashes against the metal. The forces of nature beat upon the human psyche to reinforce the end. The faith in the divine power. World-gripped in a commercial trap. What sells, who buys? In this never-ending game, fortunes change. The river of time changes its course. Objects of desire from stately homes and palaces reach a small and humble shop. Waiting for the discerning eye to pick it up again. To re-enter the ups and downs of life, the believer waits for he knows that what goes up must come down. And compassion for humanity and rejection of social differences made Sufis deeply acceptable. In Mumbai, the presence of Haji Ali radiates an aura of love which continues to become stronger with time. On the coast of Mahim, the Dargah of Mahdum Shah Baba continues to draw devotees of all faiths. Various societies in Islam have evolved with changing times. You will see that Muslims of North had entirely different perceptions from Muslims leaving, for example, say, in Western India. Now, let us take the movement for education among Muslims after British rule was established. Now, the perception of Northern Muslims was very different. They thought that the Britishers have ruined them. So, they should not adopt British culture and British system of education. But Sarasaheb had realized that Muslims cannot survive without modern education. So, he started the movement for modern education. He started working for starting a college and there was lot of resistance to it. I mean, he was even declared as Kapil by some ulama. He was declared as a Christian as a Jew. All sorts of labels were used against him. But there was no such problem at all when Muslims in Bombay started educational institution known as Anjuman Islam. It was founded by Badruddin Tayyafji who was retired Chief Justice of Bombay High Court. Not only that, he did not meet with any resistance but Muslims readily cooperated with him and gave generous donations to start educational institution. Established in 1874, Anjumani Islam teaches young children to be relevant to the country in the light of Islam. It imparts meaningful modern education through hundreds of schools, colleges and various other technical training institutions under the visionary direction of its president, Dr. Ishaq Jamkhanawala. M.H. Sabhu Siddiq Polytechnics is amongst its well-known institutions. From the stars to wherever there is more, there is still more to love. You are the king, you are your work. There is more in front of you, there is more in the sky. I was the only Jew of Bombay. There is more in my way. Take western India for example. These three mercantile communities, Boraz, Kojars and Mehman have made a lot of contribution to expansion of trade. So much so that even in banking they have made a lot of contribution. Some of the reformist Boraz established a Bombay mercantile cooperative bank in 1948 which has become one of the largest cooperative sector bank in India. The bank wherever the bank has opened its branches, very successfully they have broken this net of the middleman and they have made them to stand on their foot and they have changed the economy of that class of section of society which was being exploited by the middleman. Several hundred thousand weavers of Bhivandi with the dexterity of their nimble hands and the light of their eyes clothe the Indian populace. In Bhivandi, the Konkan Muslim society is actively involved in the field of education. A full-fledged medical college is in the offing now. Absorbed in the silence of their soul, drowned in the sound of mechanical rhythm, the craftsman is a tree who bears fruit for society. In every part of India, the Muslim artisan and weaver serves his brethren through his craft. Meerut is one such example. The Indian marriage is inconceivable without a brass band. The first brass band in India was introduced by Nadir Ali and his people continue this tradition till today. They began with no blueprint and out of sheer inventiveness designed ways of structuring the instruments. They introduced many things to the people. Why did they not introduce this area in the lives of the Indians? And in the lives of the Indians, marriage is the most important thing. The first brass band in marriage was accepted. Today, they have reached international standards of excellence. Among the scientists who made an outstanding contribution in the field of science in post-independence India, the name of Dr. E. Rahman is significant. Indian Muslims had a major impact on the field of development of science and technology in India. Particularly in technology, where a large number of artisans and craftsmen became Islam because Islam gave them social status and equality and they were highly prized. And this led to the major development. So if we look at the development of India over the period, the Islamic contribution or the contribution of Muslims was in fact creating a base for a new civilizational development. And today again, after the trauma, they have recovered at making major contribution in almost every field. Without profound understanding of science and technology, such magnificent monuments that have withstood the test of time could not have been created. Two dimensions which went on together, the exoteric, that is the racialism and all that, and the esoteric which was the internal one which was mystical. One of the greatest scholar and one of the most remarkable person was Alberuni who came to India. He stayed here for 13 years, wrote on every aspect of Indian science. Professor Syed Zahoor Qasim is not only a famous scientist but also an educationist. Driven by a sense of adventure, he researched on those aspects of science and technology that were yet unknown. And over a period of 40 years or so, we have now a full-fledged infrastructure and the country has done extremely well. We are working from 1970 in the Industrial Toxicology Research Centre. This institute was established by Dr. Sipthi Hassan Zahedi. If we say that the concept of industrial toxicology research in India was Dr. Zahedi. Like him, Dr. Kamar Rahman also works with an attitude of concern and serving humanity at large in the secular light of Islam. Her mission is to protect the health of the nation's working class. So we work on it. This is for the betterment of the workers. We want to take out such tests to find out when the disease develops. What are the diagnostic tests and how can we prevent workers from these diseases? So if we say small, small things about Islam, then we will realize that science gets ideas from Islam. Bara Imam Bara has the largest walled roof in Asia without the reinforcement of steel. The Nawabs of Avat created a refined synthesis of Indo-Persian architecture, poetry and music. Now a psyche of the Indian Muslim had begun to emerge. I met Dr. Halbe Sadik to understand the causes of backwardness of the Muslims in the North. I was a Muslim and I was a Muslim. But the scientists and the uluks who were with the Muslims wanted to take them out of the wall. Our situation has become that when East India Company attacked India, the Muslims were in charge of the attack. But the Muslims made a terrible mistake. They were only against the English. In reaction to the British oppression, the Muslims abandoned the study of English language, which had by then become the medium for scientific knowledge and development. He feels that while one should oppose the oppressor, one should acquire their positive attributes, as per the Hadith of the Prophet of Islam. In 1912, Maulvi Syed Karamat Hussain started a school for the education of Muslim girls, which has now become a degree college. This college makes available modern educational systems to girls of all castes and creeds. She expresses the need for holistic development of a girl to be relevant to the nation. Today in Lucknow, Nadwatul Ulum is an institution that imparts education based on the principles of Islam. Students from all over the world come here to learn. Besides many rare manuscripts, the libraries here have over 1300 dictionaries in various languages. Its founder, Maulana Syed Abdul Hasan Ali Nadvi, popularly known as Maulana Alimiya, is a world-renowned scholar in Islamic theology. Dioband is another such institution. The culture of avad, of always put the other first, became renowned for its hospitality. This culture of integration, which reached its pinnacle of refinement in the court of Wajid Ali Shah, was given a new complexion by the Tal-Lukedars of avad. They built the Lucknow University, called in Tal-Lukedar College, Medical College and many other institutions. The old and the new continues to blend. Besides avad and deli, the royal families of Rampur encouraged the traditions of integration. Lieutenant General Sani Khan belongs to one such family of Rampur. The new generation too is equally charged with the human concern and works for the welfare of the poor. Microfinance is a concept pioneered by the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh. It's very essential, I feel, in developing third world countries because it enables very small micro-enterprises to gain finances for themselves. After the collapse of deli, the Ganga Jamini culture of avad gained strength and became refined. The refinement entered every facet of social life, even cuisine, with an exquisite blend of finely ground and sieved condiments. And I found to my great joy, the Bazar food of avad was equally sumptuous. I think the strongest links is Islam's great belief and actual name Islam, which means peace. Peace is a thing that I think has been the greatest link between Islam and India. India of the days to Buddha, India of the days of Ashoka, India about which Aqbal had written and said. In the words of poet Aqbal, India is the land of saints like Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Jishti and Nanak, who reinforced the unity of God and the equality of man. This is the garden of Krishna, Jishti, Nanak and Varis, and their grace continues to bless the country. Such crowds of Hindus and Muslims, the very, very clear picture of national integration. And that shows that India has imbibed the spirit of love and kindness. It is a tradition to have a mela or a fair at the Dargah at the time of the urs of the saint. The melas are a shining example of successful efforts of the Sufis to integrate spiritualism with humanism. My husband General Habibullah was given charge of the army, navy and air force to build the whole three forces together and make the complete infrastructure for the entire future of India's one of the most sensitive areas. The defence. The culture that emanated from Lucknow did not remain restricted to Lucknow but spread to many other khaspas, satellite towns around it. Khairabad, Malihabad, Kakori, Mohan were some such districts where a cultural awareness took root and left its mark even on the rural life. In these districts an amazing tradition of music and literature evolved which produced poets of such great eminence as Josh Malihabadi, Hasrat Mohani and many others who played a laudable role in the national movement. God in his infinite wisdom has pointed out again and again to man, look how can you deny the graciousness, the bounties that I have bestowed upon you. Look at these beautiful mountains, these beautiful streams, the wind and the rain and the flowers, the chirping of the birds, the moving of ships in the bosom of the ocean. Look how can you deny the existence of God and love of God. I mean when you hear this almost like a beautiful, I wouldn't say a poem, it's an inspired word, but the rhythm and the beauty of this surat, I think anybody would be inspired. Calcutta, the destination of Sheh Shah Suri's Grand Trunk Road, joining the two ends of the country. Calcutta, where Vajad Ali Shah was recreated in Satyajit Re's Shatranj Ki Khiladi. Calcutta, where Raja Ram Mohan Roy epitomized the culture of Indian Persian integration. Calcutta, where Nazrul Islam's revolutionary Bengali songs still move the hearts of millions. The Imam Bara of Hajji Mohsin, built on the banks of the Hoogli, is a fine example of Indo-Dutch architecture. You see Calcutta, unlike any other city in India, was based on the collapse of the national power. Most of them were controlled by Muslims. For example, when Bahadur Shah's effort collapsed in 1957, he came to Calcutta in the Dubarn. On February 6th, 1857, 6th. Our work was annexed. Vajad Ali Shah came to Calcutta, 40,000 people, and settled in Matibrij. A new Lucknow was almost transplanted in Calcutta. In fact, one thing very interesting is that the sheriff who wrote his position at Lucknow. He was just 12 years old when he came to Matibrij. And the entire vivid account of Lucknow is to see that the text was written, what he saw of Lucknow in fact. Similarly, when Bibi handed over his children to Karnavali in 1978, then a new colony came up in Calcutta. This is the Tolly Ranch now. The Tolly Club, the RCGC Club, and the entire Tolly Ranch belong to Tipus Ul Phan family. And as many as 13 mosques in Calcutta have been built by Tipus Ul Phan. Another factor which is very important that Calcutta was emerging as the biggest cannolian city in India. And the most urban place and also perhaps at the time Calcutta emerged as the most cosmopolitan city in the world. I saw Ayan Rashid's film The Seventh Man on the Muslims of Calcutta. Every seventh man in the city was a Muslim and vital to the functioning of Calcutta. So the urban requirements brought in urban technology which only the Muslims were familiar with. For example, you've just seen the film that there's not a single brick-built house in Calcutta which has not been built by the Muslim royal mysteries or architects. Similarly in other areas like supply of milk, supply of flesh, supply of various other things which in fact the supply of all urban requirements were conducted by the Muslims. And in fact the transport system of Calcutta was also recognized by the people, early settlers of Muslims in Calcutta. So the Muslims were involved from the very genesis of the city of Calcutta. When Ghalib came to Calcutta from Delhi, he found the difference so striking that he wrote that famous poem, And in one of his letters he writes that if I had two lives, one I'll definitely spend in Calcutta and the other one where I don't know. Kurathul Ayn Haider's very first novel, Aad Kadariya, or The River of Fire, placed her in the forefront of Indian writers. Her works interpret sensitive human relations and rare emotions. Urdu is a language of synthesis, a language of love and understanding. Therefore it becomes beautiful and endearing. It was not born out of anger and conflict. It is one of the few languages which has a distinct expression of the feminine world. Ali Sardar Jafri is the standard bearer of revolutionary poetry among the progressive poets of India. He mirrored the emotions of the socially downtrodden. Winner of the prestigious Gyan Beat Award, Sardar Jafri stands as a symbol of the progressive movement. Meer Taqim Meer's poem is about how much I have listened to the voice of Kali. Nargis Dutt asked Padad Nahruz, who was sick, what kind of a feeling he had? He said that whatever comes to his mind, he thinks that his condition is good. The beauty and quotability of Urdu is unmatchable. There was a time when to enter the film industry, Dilip Kumar had to change his name Yusuf Khan. But times are different now. Apart from Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, there are many other Khans who did not once contemplate taking on a screen name to become acceptable. Indian Muslim is a category totally different from Muslims anywhere else in the world. He is completely different from, he is different from Muslims in Arabia, from Iran, from the Maghrib, Morocco, Algeria. He is, because he has grown up in an ethos where there are other communities, where there is a majority community and with whom he has lived in perfect harmony. Nowhere in the world has he been able to create the Taj Mahal. Nowhere was he able to create Lal Kala, Jamia Masjid, Ghalib, Josh Malia Badi, Iqbal. This makes the Indian Muslim a category completely different from Muslims anywhere else in the world. What is the spirit of Jamia and how would you say AJK MCRC has been able to imbibe that spirit? Well Jamia was established in 1920 during the freedom movement, in fact that's part of the freedom movement. The director of Jamia Melia Islamia AJ Qidwai Mass Communication and Research Center, Professor Habib Qidwai is a specialist in mass communication. I had this concept of Naith Ali which is a unique concept in the sense that their idea was to impart education by enabling students to learn by doing things with their own hands throughout the course. This thing is sort of inculcated into them that they are going to be very crucial element in the transformation that is taking place in the society around us as media persons. They should be sensitive to what is happening by way of social change, right? And they should be able to communicate it to others. It's very true. There is a dividing line that's the Narmada River. South of Narmada they are educationally very aware and it's an educational disurgence that has taken place in the south. North of Narmada in the so called Hindi built unfortunately Muslims have not progressed educationally. Hamdard has chosen very wisely the two major planks on which human resource development is based, health and education. The organization was set up in 1906 as Hamdard Dawa Khana. Gradually it progressed. Hamdard University is a unique institute that is not only known for its scientific teaching of the Unani School of Medicine but also for other professional careers. Syed Hamid has made important contributions towards the integrating of Madrasas with the curriculum of modern schools and colleges all over India. The result has been a university known as Hamdard University which was established in 1989. Hamdard Education Society is an umbrella organization for doing a lot of things. It's running three schools in Delhi. One is the Hamdard Public School which you had the occasion to visit this morning. Another is the Rabia Girls Public School which is in the walled city of Delhi. Yet another is Hamdard Primary School which is located on the campus of the Hamdard University. Apart from running these schools there is a talent search and scholarship scheme which Hamdard Education Society is conducting. But before we conclude I would like to mention the work being done by the Hamdard Study Circle. You know the representation of Muslims in these services has not been very impressive not very adequate either. So far we have been able to place more than 80 candidates in the highest civil services of the country IS and the allied services and that has generally been recognized. In Bangalore the contrast in education of the south and north is most pronounced. Alameen has done remarkable work in this field. The Ministry of Waqf in Karnataka manages several educational institutions and orphanages on this world and hereafter. And they ask you concerning the orphans say to set right for them their affairs is good. And if you become co-partners with them they are your brethren. The purpose of starting computer education centers in mosque is that we can provide at least introduction to computers and higher level education in that field to underprivileged people in the Muslim community. Alhamdulillah we have three centers in Bangalore and inshallah the fourth one is coming up at the largest mosque in Bangalore Jamia Masjid and that will be entirely for women. Educating a girl means educating a family as women are carriers of culture and knowledge which they impart to their children. The unique feature of Hasnath society is to take students week in studies and develop in them a spirit of competitiveness. Among the kings of India the name of Tipu Sultan has a special significance. While keeping an eye on his country and its problems he kept a close watch on world developments. This bloodstained saddle cover of Tipu's horse is a graphic reminder of his last fight for freedom. The aura of the shrine of Tipu Sultan moved Alama Iqbal to tears. Love and freedom are the spring of life. Love is my soul, freedom my faith. I can sacrifice my life for love but for freedom I could sacrifice my love. A court train which Akhtar Shirani wrote for the nation's great martyr Tipu Sultan. In century Kulir Kotub Shah the founder of the city of Hyderabad was one of the first Urdu poets to give expression to the tender emotions of a woman. The Mukhafamja Engineering Institute imparts education in all fields and facets of engineering. Hyderabad like Lucknow, Bhopal and Srinagar has a distinct culture of its own. During Ramzan as the evening draws the atmosphere around Charminar rejoices with festivities. One cannot talk about Hyderabad without mentioning the Nizam whose contribution in both education and culture is evident through the Osmania University. It is among the biggest universities of India. The Osmania Medical College was also built by Osman Ali Khan. Malik Bindinar a disciple of the Prophet of Islam along with his 12 followers came to Kerala with the message of friendship and love. This mosque is the symbol of this message whose fragrance continues to spread all around. The Muslim Educational Society MES was established in 1964. At that time there were only 30% literate Muslims. Today with their efforts the percentage has crossed 55%. Dr. M. A. Abdullah is the founder and chairman of this society which runs around 150 institutions in Kerala with the help of all faiths. This is the very house where Sir Syed Ahmad Khan had once lived. Sir Syed understood the root cause of the backwardness of the North Indian Muslim. Apporance of the English language. A visionary as he was he created a college integrating Western education with Oriental lifestyle. Today this idea has flourished into an international university and its education encompasses every conceivable discipline of knowledge. Its alumni have made a mark in their respective fields. Poetry, literature, history, cinema, sports, politics, science and technology. An endless list of names that have brought glory to the nation. Even presidents not only of India but Pakistan as well. I am amazed at the visionary personality of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan. Indeed he gave the most invaluable gift to the nation. Education. From all forms of imaginable craft to every form of art. Muslims in India have found a place in the heart of every Indian. Be it fireworks at Diwali or a trousseau of a wedding or a performance in a film, the dedication is from the soul. To create beauty comes from the urge within to relate. To break boundaries that divide man. The spirit soars with the vision that makes institution of men. Where the scientific temperament of Islam is balanced with its mystical quest. Where humility is the most attractive feature of human behavior. Where service to fellow man is the source of fragrance.