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Syed Shihab: Arabia’s gift to India

26 November 2007CE | 16 Dhul-Qadah 1428AH

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‘The Indian Muslim minority has made valuable contributions to Islamic culture and world civilizations while living under the secular framework of the country’, said renowned scholar, orator and a member of the Rajya Sabha (upper house of Indian Parliament) representing the Indian Union Muslim League. He was speaking at the Asian Studies Center of the renowned Cairo University in Egypt.

In the gathering consisting of intellectuals, diplomats, writers and journalists, he said that Democracy and Secularism were fundamental principles of the Indian nation.

He explained that Indian Muslims have played a strong role in every field of Islamic knowledge. Their contributions are visible in tafsir (commentary), Hadith (traditions) and Fiqh (jurisprudence).

Enumerating the great Indian Muslim historic personalities, he made a special mention of Allama Iqbal and his visit to Egypt. Jawaharlal Nehru became the cause of the golden period of Indo-Egyptian relationship.

The Indo-Arab relationship is an age-old phenomenon. Islam had reached India during the time of Holy Prophet. The Hindus of the native land had welcomed the Arabs with great respect and love.

The fact that the Keralite King witnessed the incident of splitting of the moon and the special liking that Arabs had for Indian products are memorable facts. As a member from the audience said that the Indian sword was dear for the Arabs from olden times, Samadani recited the lines of Ka’ab praising the Holy Prophet- “muhannadun min suyufillahi masloolun (sword of Indian make). Hearing this the audience applauded.
The audience was repeating the salat (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) as it was said during the speech. After the speech was over, Samadani answered a number of queries from the audience.

Muslims’ political role

One of the questions posed was why the Indian Muslims did not have the freedom to form political parties. Samadani replied that his own presence in the Indian delegation was an answer to the question. He is representing the Indian Union Muslim League in the Rajya Sabha (the Upper House) that has been striving for the rights of the minorities for the last half century. Minorities have the right to organize themselves. Detailing the contributions of Qaid-e-Millat Muhammad Ismail Sahib, Samadani said that he is unforgettable for India and her people. He was a true patriot who was prepared to send his only son to battlefield for the sake of the nation.

Thanks to Egypt for Syed Shihab

He further explained that Syed Muhammad Ali Shihab, a product of the Egyptian centers of learning, is not just the leader of Muslim League, but endeared by the entire Indian people. Everyone respects the maturity and harmony of his leadership. “We are indebted to this great city and great nation. Egypt has played a big role in shaping the personality of Syed Shihab. Our respects to Al Azhar and Cairo university.”

Samadani also pointed out C.H. Mohammed Koya becoming the Chief Minister of Kerala. Even today, Muslim League commands four ministers in the present ruling government.

The director of Asian Studies Center, Dr. Muhammad as-sayyed Saleem, chaired the meting. The head of Indian delegation A.R. Bhatia and the Vice Chancellor of Jamia Millia, Dr. Shaheed Mehdi also spoke at the function.

Samadani speaking at Cairo University, Egypt as reported in Chandrika daily, Jan 30 2002

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