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Syed Fazlul Hassan Maulana Hasrat Mohani

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Mohsin Aziz

(Residential halls of Aligarh Muslim University: Person behind the name series/ blog 7)

Chupke chupke Raat din ansoon bahana Yaad hai

Humko abtak ashiqui Ka wo zamana Yaad hai

(Maulana Hasrat Mohani)

Hasrat Mohani Hostel

Hasrat Mohani hostel is one of the hostels in Sir Shah Sulaiman Hall. It is a boys hostel.

Birth and Early Life

Syed Fazlul Hassan popularly known as Maulana Hasrat Mohani was born in town Mohan of district Unnao, Uttar Pradesh in 1875. It was the year when Sir Syed was laying the foundation of Madrastul Uloom at Aligarh which later developed into Mohammadan Anglo Oriental College in 1877 and later into Aligarh Muslim University in 1920.

He passed middle school in 1894 from Mohan Middle School and got government scholarship based on his extraordinary performance in the whole district. In September 1894 he was admitted to government high school in Fatehpur in class 2. Within three months on 1st December 1894 he was promoted to class 4th based on his performance. When in May 1895 exams were held he topped the exams and by July 1895 he was again promoted, this time to class 6th. In class 6th the teachers were so impressed that within one month i.e. on 15 August 1895 he was again promoted to class 7th. He again scored highest marks in class 7th. By 1899 Hasrat passed the exam of inter, again securing highest marks in his class (Khalique Anjum, 1994)

At Aligarh

After passing Inter in1899 Hasrat decided to go to Aligarh for higher studies. At that time Sir Dr. Ziauddin Ahmad was professor of Mathematics at Mohammadan Anglo Oriental College. When Sir Ziauddin saw Hasrat’s name in official Gazette as a topper he immediately invited Hasrat to come to Aligarh for higher education (Majrooh Gorakhpuri, 1951).

Hasrat reached college on ekka. He was wearing loose pyjama, old shoes and was carrying his pandaan in one hand. Immediately someone called him khala Jaan. Hasrat had truly arrived at Aligarh in style. But soon he became favourite of students at the college and students gave him title of Maulana which became part of his name till death.

While at college his name was thrice written in discipline book. It became a reason for not allowing Hasrat to stay in College premises. When Hasrat came to Aligarh he was a brilliant student. However Hasrat got himself involved in so many cultural activities at Aligarh that he managed only second division in Graduation.

Urdu e Mualla

After graduation in 1903, Hasrat started a magazine by the name of Urdu e Mualla from Aligarh. Urdu e Mualla published articles against the imperialists. Hasrat had to pay heavy price for this. When in 1908, Hasrat criticized British police action in Egypt in Urdu e Mualla. He was imprisoned for his writings.

When Urdu e Mualla was closed, Hasrat opened Swadeshi Store at rasalganj area of Aligarh. It was called Mohani Swadeshi Store. On his indomitable spirit Allama Shibli said in amazement ‘tum aadmi ho ya Jin? Pehley shayar they phir sayasatdaan baney, ab baniye baney huye ho’. Similarly in his inimitable style Akbar Allahabadi quipped

Bhai Sahab ab tum Rakh do apna qalam

Hath main lo ab tejarat Ka alam

It is generally believed that Swadeshi movement was Started by Congress but the fact is that it was Hasrat who was the first person to not only give the but actually walk the talk by opening the Swadeshi store where only different Indian products were sold.

Politics

In 1904 he joned Congress and in 1905 he joined swadeshi tehreek run by Bal Gangadhar Tilak. In 1921 he coined the slogan Inquilab Zindabad which was later popularized by Bhagat Sigh. In fact the slogan became the most popular slogan of the freedom movement and still remains one.

Hasrat was involved in the communist movement in India from the very beginning. He was one of the founders of communist party of India (CPI). CPI’s first office was innaugrated in 1925 in Cawnpur (Kanpur). It was innaugrated by Hasrat Mohani by waving red flag. He was the president of the reception committee of All India Conference of Communists held in Kanpur on December 25-26, 1925 (Raza Naeem, 2018). In his own words he was a Muslim Communist:

Darweshi-o-inqilab maslak hai mera

Sufi momin hoon, Ishteraqi Muslim

He joined Muslim League as well for sometime. He parted ways with Jinnah as Hasrat did not want India to be partitioned. He was also an important member of Progressive Writers Association. He wore many hats at the same time.

Inquilab Zindabad

Hasrat Mohani was the first to propose to propose the concept of complete Independence or purna swaraj in 1921. However, Gandhi accepted the idea only 10 years later as Gandhi thought in 1921 that its time has still not come (Telangana Today, 2022)

Jail

In 1908 Hasrat was jailed for his political thoughts. At that time he was member of Congress. He was given imprisonment for two years and a fine of 500 rupees. To recover the fine police auctioned his personal library which contained some rare handwritten manuscripts. According to Hasrat many of those had no second copy. In Hasrat’s words the valuable books were put in a gunny bag like wood or sawdust and auctioned at a very low price.

After his release from prison he was again politically active. On 10th April 1916 Hasrat attended Aligarh Muslim University committee session at Lucknow. Still it was a college and the committee was holding sessions to press the demand for university status to the college. After attending the event Hasrat reached Aligarh and was arrested on 13th April 1916 from his home in Aligarh. This was his second arrest and imprisonment. He was imprisoned for being invited to be part of the Provisional Government of India-in-exile which was formed in Kabul by some prominent freedom fighters. It was composed of Raja Mahendra Pratap as President, Maulana Barkatullah as Prime Minister, Maulvi Ubaidullah Sindhi as home minister, Maulvi Bashir as war minister and Champakraman Pillai as foreign affairs minister. Before invitation could reach Hasrat, the British government got wind of it and arrested him. However he was allowed home cooked food and visits by family members.

His third arrest was in 1922 from Kanpur. A year earlier in Ahmedabad session of Congress in 1921 he presented the concept of complete Independence. The speech which he delivered in the session was considered revolt by the Raj and he was again imprisoned for two years. He was arrested from Kanpur and brought to Ahmedabad and put in baramati jail. This time sentence was rigorous imprisonment. He has himself described it in the following couplet:

Hai mashqey sukhan jaari, chakki ki mushaqqat bhi

Hai ek turfa tamasha Hasrat ki tabiyat bhi

His imprisonment could not deter him or break his spirits. In his own words:

Rooh azaad hai khayaal azaad

Jism e hasrat ki qaid hai bekar (Dewaney Hasrat Mohani, 1914)

When during his rigorous imprisonment ramzaan came Hasrat did not miss his fast. In his own words:

Kat Gaya qaed main mahey ramzaan bhi Hasrat


Garchey samaan sehar Ka tha na iftari Ka

Krishna loving Maulana

Hasrat never hid his love for Krishna. In fact he went to Mathura to play Holi. In his words

Mathura keh hai Nagar ashiqui Ka

Dam bharti hai aarzoo usi Ka


Har zarrah sarzameen e Gokul

Dara hai Jamal e dilbari Ka

Visit to Europe

In April 1939 Hasrat visited England by ship from Karachi. From Karachi he went to Basra. From Basra he went to Baghdad. From Baghdad he went to Beirut. From Beirut his ship went to Marseilles and onward to London. In London he met many people including Mr. MC Donald and Colonel Muir and discussed various political issues. Hasrat stayed in London for two months. According to Hasrat he travelled third class and spent 16 pounds sterling for his journey by ship. His discussions in London focussed on five topics: Indian federation, Government of Nizam Hyderabad, Albania, Palestine and Hijaz railway (Hasrat Mohani, 1939).

After Independence

Hasrat was among the lucky freedom fighters who saw India’s freedom in their lifetime. After Independence Hasrat became both member of parliament as well as member of Constituent Assembly. Both the memberships allowed him liberal allowances but Hasrat never took allowances. He did not even avail the facility of free housing for which he was entitled. Whenever he attended session of the parliament or Constituent Assembly he would stay in a mosque near parliament or stayed in Dar ul Amaan in Ballimaraan.

Poet

Hasrat was poet par excellence. He knew the art of writing ghazal in very simple language which could be understood by everybody. He considered Mir Taqi Mir as master poet.

Sher merey bhi Hain purdard wa lekin

Meer Ka Sheva e guftaar kahaan se laun

At the same time Hasrat was very proud of his poetry as well and expressed it several times in his poetry.

Hasrat teri is pukhta kalami ki hai kya baat

paya hai kisi aur sukhanwar ne hai kab rang

Hasrat teri shagufta kalami pe aafreen

Yaad a gain naseem ki rangeen bayaniyaan

(Dewaney Hasrat Mohani, 1914)

Wife

Hasrat got married to Nishat un Nisa in 1901. She was daughter of Syed Shabib Hassan Mohani who was lawyer in Hyderabad High Court. She was educated in Urdu, Arabic and Persian languages. She was a huge support to Hasrat. When Hasrat went to jail she wrote “Tolerate the trouble you have faced with like a man. Don’t worry about me or house at all. Beware you should not feel any type of weakness“. She even came to the court and fought the case of Hasrat with bravery.

Death

On 13 May 1951 Maulana Hasrat Mohani breathed his last in Lucknow after prolonged illness. His death was widely covered in national newspapers and journals. Many poets wrote on his death. Asar Rampuri said:

Kaamlaney Adab o Sher pe Aya hai wo Saal


Jis main aksar ne piya sagharey sahbai e ajal

(Asar Rampuri)

Thus ended the life of a freedom fighter who did not give an inch to the Britishers and valiantly fought his entire life for the freedom of India. His frequent visits to the jail could not deter him. He died on his own terms true to what he wrote in one of his jail terms,

Dushman ke mitaaney se na Mita hoon Na mitonga

Aur Yun to main faani hoon, fana meray liye.

References:

Khalique Anjum (1994) Hasrat Mohani. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India: New Delhi.

Hasrat Mohani (1914) Intekhab Deewaney Hasrat Mohani, Matba Faizey Aam, Aligarh.

Telangana Today (2022) Hasrat Mohani: The poet who first called for complete independence, coined ‘Inquilab Zindabad’. 14 August.

Saleem, Anika & Bayat, Ali (2022) Hasrat Mohani’s letter writing from British prison. Zaban o Adab. Vol. 15. No. 1.

Majnoon Gorakhpuri (1951) Hasrat Number, Urdu Adab, p. 81.

Hasrat Mohani (1939). Hasrat Mohani Ka Safar e Europe. Mustaqil (January -August), Kanpur, Pp. 1-4.

Raza Naeem (2018) Protecting the memory of Maulana Hasrat Mohani, Muslim and Communist. The Wire. Available at: https://thewire.in/history/maulana-hasrat-mohani-muslim-communist. Accessed on 25 January 2024.

The heartwarming story of Wedding Dress Bank

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Marriages have become costlier over the years. The current size of the Indian wedding market is 50 billion USD and the market is growing at the rate of 25 percent per annum. However, for countless poor families, marriage means long term indebtedness. The money which could be put to use for many other meaningful purposes by poor families is spent on ceremonies and fancy dresses particularly for the bride thus putting them under financial stress. I would like to share with you all a story that I recently came across. The story is about dress bank for brides who can not afford special dress for their big day.

The story is about Nasar Thootha from Malappuram district in the state of Kerala. Nasar is a taxi driver who also runs a free dress bank to help poor girls to get wedding dress for their marriage. Nasar worked for a supermarket in Saudi Arabia for seven years before moving to India. Back in India he bought a taxi to earn a living. It was his interaction with a mother daughter duo who were worried about wedding dress with marriage if the daughter in few days. The family was poor and could not afford even a simple wedding dress. Nasar took their address and ensured wedding dress before marriage for the girl.

The incident gave him idea to start wedding dress bank for poor girls. Today Nasar has already helped more than 350 girls. He has rented a space and has a decent collection of wedding dresses. He accepts donation of used wedding dress. After dry cleaning the dress and proper packing it’s ready to be delivered to the needy free of cost. Families not only from Kerala but even neighbouring states of Tami Nadu and Karnatka have also benefitted. In fact he had even delivered wedding dress to a few in far off Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. As word spread people not only from India started sending their used wedding dresses but now he gets donations from the Gulf and even from far off USA.

Dear readers if you have any such dress in your house, I urge you to pass it to Nasar. Instead of keeping wedding dress for nostalgic value it would be much better used by donating to Nasar.

Maulana Hali’s Musaddas-e Madd-o Jazr-e Islam

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Mohsin Aziz

Hui pahloye amna se huwaida

Dua e Khalil aur naveed e masiha

Wo Nabion main rahmat laqab paney wala

muraden gharibon ki bar laney wala

musibat main ghairon ke kaam aney wala

wo apney praye ka gham khaney wala

faqiron ka malja gharibon ka mawa

yatimon ka wali ghulamon ka mola

(Hali)

Who has not heard these immortal lines from Musaddas e Hali. Maulana Altaf Husaain Hali’s Musaddas-e-Madd-o-Jazr-e-Islam commonly known as Musaddas-e-Hali (Musaddas on the ebb and flow of Islam) is perhaps one of the most read and recognizable urdu poems. It was first published in 1879 in Tahzib-ul-Akhlaq as well as in book form. The poem recalls Islams glorious past and mourned its decline in India. A poem which Hali called “dry, insipid, plain and simple poem” (Shackle & Majeed, 1997 ) took the Urdu speaking public with a storm (Sadiq, 1995).

The poem was written at the request of Sir Syed who felt that there is a need for a poem which laments the demise of Islam in India just as there was qasidah lamenting the demise of Muslims in Al Andalus (modern day Spain).

Hali first met Sir Syed at a scientific society meeting at Aligarh in 1867. It was Shaifta who brought Hali along with him to the meeting. The second meeting of Hali with Sir Syed was at Lahore. In 1888 Hali travelled to Aligarh at the invitation of Sir Syed and stayed in Aligarh for few months (Khursheed, Ata, 2015). Before meeting Sir Syed, Hali had some reservations about him. But after meeting Sir Syed, Hali was convinced of Sir Syed good intentions and became his supporter. Hali support for the cause of Sir Syed flourished with time and continued even after the death of Sir Syed. Sir Syed requested Hali to write a marsiya on the death of a community after 1857. Hali obliged and wrote Musaddas e Hali and as they say, the rest is history.

It was most probably the reading of Al Rundi’s famous Rithā’ al-Andalus, lament for the fall of seville (TIGNOL, E. 2016) that prompted Sir Syed to request Maulana Hali to write on the sad decline of Muslim community in India. Sir Syed told Hali that “there used to be mourners for Andalus but that our times are such that no one until now has mourned the condition of our community”. Sir Syed told Hali “God, my master, gave you a tongue but you do not speak; God gave you the marvelous ability to narrate but you do not use this miracle ; God fills our eyes with tears through rain bearing clouds but you do not let them flow one!” (Aligarh Institute Gazette, Aligarh, 26 Jan. 1878, p. 105.)

Sir Syed was mighty pleased with the musaddas and opined that “with this Musaddas begins the modern age of Urdu poetry (Ross Masud, 1931) and famously said in a letter to Hali that “When, on the Day of Judgemtn, Allah will ask me, “What deeds have you brought”? I will say “I only made Hali write musaddas and nothing else’ (Letter from Syed Ahmad Khan to Hali, Shimla, Park Hotel, 10 June 1879, In M. A. Mannan (2007). This shows that Sir Syed thought that Musaddas is good enough to get salvation for him on the day of judgement. There can not be a better appreciation of a book.

The affect of musaddas was electrifying to say the least. Even stage shows were made on it and the impact was such that people would burst into tears by the end of the drama. A series of poems imitating the style of the musaddas as well as parodies based on it are testimony to both its popularity and impact. Hali was

Ram Babu Saksena (1927) in his survey of urdu literature writes that “It was a revelation, a landmark in the literary history of Urdu language. A new star swam into the ken of Urdu poets. It gave a lead to the national and patriotic poems of India. The poem was printed and distributed and sung in assemblies, pulpits, mosques, and conferences”. In fact Hali is forerunner to Allama Iqbal and Shikwa and jawab e shikwa are without doubt culmination of musaddas hali.

Musaddas had 296 stanzas containing 6 lines each. Hali traces the journey of Islam since its birth in Arabia. It tells how Muslims made tremendous progress in all walks of life and their contribution to the world. It then moves to the fall of Muslims in India from position of power to penury and powerlessness.

It is worth mentioning that Hali gave the copyright of the Musaddas to the college so that the money collected could be used by the college fund. Sir Syed never let go of any opportunity to collect funds for the college. However this was different. It is to the credit of Sir Syed that he refused and told Hali that the Musaddas belonged to the community and the college would have no copyright over it. It is to the credit of Hali that despite paucity of money, he did did not keep copyrights and did not earn any royalty from its sale. Hali dedicated the Musaddas to the nation and to the community and gave open permission for it to be published and distributed by anybody (Hussain, S.A., 1986). For those who do not know urdu, several english translations of the musaddas are available.

References:

C. Shackle and J. Majeed, Hali’s (1997) Musaddas: the flow and ebb of Islam. Delhi: Oxford University Press

M. Sadiq, A History of Urdu Literature (Delhi, 1995), p. 347.

Ross Masud (1931) Khutut e Sir Syed, Ed. Ross Masud: Badayun  

M. A. Mannan (ed), Selected Letters of Sir Syed Ahmad, Aligarh, 2007

TIGNOL, E. (2016). A Note on the Origins of Hali’s -e Madd-o Jazr-e Islām. Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, 26(4), 585-589. doi:10.1017/S1356186316000080

Ram Babu Saksena (1940) A History of Urdu Literature, pp. 215-216, Allahabad.

Nazr-e-Aligarh: Tarana of Aligarh Muslim University

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Mohsin Aziz

Today, 17 October 2022, Aligarh Muslim University and it’s alumni spread globally are celebrating founders Day popularly called Sir Syed Day. One enduring tradition of every Sir Syed Day program is the singing of University Tarana (University Song) at the end. Alumni eagerly wait for the Tarana. It transports them instantly to their days at the university.

It is a tradition in many colleges and universities to have their own song which describes the history and ethos of that educational institution. The university song is often the link between the university and it’s alumni. However it can be said without an iota of doubt that the connection that alumni of Aligarh Muslim University have with the University Tarana has no parallel. It keeps alumni emotionally connected throughout life. I have never seen alumni of any other educational institution getting so nostalgic about their Alma Mater on hearing the Tarana that it can’t be described in words. Whenever the Tarana is played it is hard to miss the moist eyes of the alumni, yours truly included.

The University Tarana of Aligarh Muslim University was written by an illustrious alumnus of the institution, Asrarul Haq Majaz populary known as Majaz Lakhnawi. Majaz is often referred to as Keats of Urdu Poetry). There are many stories about the origin of the tarana. However, they are stories only.

While studying at Aligarh Muslim University Majaz wrote an ode to his Alma Mater in 1936 named Nazr-e-Aligarh (Tribute to Aligarh). It was first presented by Majaz himself in the Union Hall of the University in the same year. However, he was stopped from reciting the full poem by the then Pro Vice Chancellor, A. B. Ahmad Haleem as he did not like certain lines of Nazr-e-Aligarh. He had to leave the Union Hall without completing it. However on popular demand Majaz completed the poem outside in the lawns. It became an instant hit. The poem was liked by the students and was popular but still not the official song of the university.

In one of his address to the students, the then Vice Chancellor, Dr. Zakir Hussain asked students to do something long lasting for the University. One of the students in the gathering was Ishtiyaq Ahmad Khan, doing B.Ed at that time. He decided to give tune to Nazr-e-Aligarh and present it to the University as his gift and what a wonderful gift it turned out to be. It was on 17 October 1954 that Khan Ishtiyaq presented abridged version of the poem with his own tune during Sir Syed Day function in Strachy Hall. By the time it was finished everybody was mesmerized. It was praised by Dr. Zakir Hussain. There was no turning back and the tune given by Khan Ishtiyaq became de facto official song of the University which is now played at the end of any major University program before the recital of National Anthem. Alumni associations spread around the world keep the tradition alive by playing the Tarana at the end of any program which they organize in their respective countries, thus connecting them emotionally with their Alma Mater. Many versions of the tune have been played with but the original tune of Khan Ishtiyaq is the official song or Tarana of the University. Personally I have the good fortune of meeting Khan Ishtiyaq several times at my home. It was during the years 1990 to 1992 that he visited my father at our home several times. I am witness to his passion for Aligarh Muslim University. Khan Sb was a very simple man. He would often visit Aligarh and could be seen walking around campus. At that time we were staying in a University house at C- 20 Zakir Bagh. During my recent visit to Aligarh I found that C-20 no longer exists. Some university department has come up in its place but I was happy to see the mulberry tree that I planted still standing tall bearing fruits.

AMU Tarana

Ye mera chaman hai mera chaman, main apne chaman ka bulbul huṅ
Sarshaar-e-nigaah-e-nargis huṅ, paabasta-e-gesoo-e sumbul huṅ
Ye mera chaman, ye mera chaman, Ye mera chaman hai mera chaman,
main apne chaman ka bulbul huṅ!

Jo taaq-e-haram mein roshan hai woh shama yahan bhi jalti hai,
Iss dasht ke goshey goshey se ik jooy-e-hayat ubalti hai
Ye dasht-e-junuṅ deewanoṅ ka, ye bazm-e-wafaa parwanoṅ ki
Ye shehr-e-tarab roomanoṅ ka, ye khuld-e-bareeṅ armaanoṅ ki

Fitrat ne sikhayee hai humko uftaad yahaṅ parwaaz yahaṅ
Gaaye haiṅ wafaa ke geet yahaṅ, chheda hai junuṅ ka saaz yahaṅ
Ye mera chaman hai mera chaman, main apne chaman ka bulbul huṅ!
Iss bazm mein tegheiṅ khiṅchiṅ hain, is bazm mein saaḡar todey haiṅ
Iss bazm mein aankh bichhaayee hai, iss bazm mein dil tak jodey haiṅ

Har sham hai shaam-e-Misr yahaṅ, har shab hai shab-e Shiraz yahaṅ
Hai saarey jahaṅ ka soz yahaṅ aur saarey jahaṅ ka saaz yahaṅ
Zarraat ka bosa lene ko sau baar jhuka aakaash yahaṅ
Khud aaṅkh se hamne dekhi hai baatil ki shikast-e-faash yahaṅ
Ye mera chaman hai mera chaman, main apne chaman ka bulbul huṅ!

Jo abr yahaṅ se utthega, wo sarey jahaṅ par barsega
Har jooy-e-rawaaṅ par barsega, har koh-e-garaaṅ par barsega
Har sarw-o-saman par barsega, har dasht-o-daman par barsega
Khud apne chaman par barsega, gairoṅ ke chaman par barsega

Har shahr-e-tarab par garjega, har qasr-e-tarab par kadkega
Ye abr hamesha barsa hai, ye abr hamesha barsega
Ye abr hamesha barsa hai, ye abr hamesha barsega
Ye abr hamesha barsa hai, ye abr hamesha barsega
Barsega, barsega, barsega!

Many videos, official and unofficial have since been made on the Tarana. Here I am giving links of some of them. Enjoy and comment which one is your favourite. Dear Aligs happy Sir Syed Day

O Allah, Make it Easy

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Author: Dr. Mohsin Aziz

Today got the news of 7th death from back home due to corona. Its like a flash flood which is taking everything with it. Medical system is overwhelmed. Doctors and paramedical staff are overworked. People are under stress. The hardest hit are the children who have to endure online teaching. They miss their friends and their school.

One gets the news that so and so is ill and within two three days the news comes that he or she is no more. These are difficult times. We all are in it togethers. Please take very good care of yourself and your near and dear ones by following all the possible guidelines without getting paranoid. It is true that in the long run everybody is dead and there is no untimely death. Everybody dies on his or her appointed time and place only. Still it hurts when seemingly healthy and young go away just like that. Also there is lot of conflicting information floating around which further leads to stress and more confusion.

A possible way to deal with all the negative news floating around is to reduce our time in front of the idiot box. Let us invest our time in learning something new. Let us get ourselves engaged in some healthy activity and let us talk to each other about something else for a change.

Let us pray that humanity comes out of this quagmire soon and life can return to normal. A life where we can visit each other, a life where kids can enjoy their day in the park, a day when we can sit and eat together, a day when we are not suspicious of everybody around, a day when we can talk and laugh together.

O Lord of the Universe make it easy for us, Ameen.

Maulana Wahiduddin Khan (1925-2021)

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Author: Dr. Mohsin Aziz

Noted Islamic Scholar Maulana Wahiduddin Khan died of Covid related illness on 21 April 2021 at a Delhi Hospital at the age of 96, Inna Nillahe Wa Inna Illaihe Rajioun (Indeed to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return). He was born on 1 January 1925 in Azamgarh district.

Maulana was a prolific writer. He wrote more than 200 books on Islam, Prophet, Spirituality, Quran etc. Among his notable works is a two volume commentary of Quran, Tazkirul Quran, in Urdu. Besides he also did a translation of Quran in contemporary English. He was editor of monthly Urdu Magazine Al Risala since 1976 which consisted primarily his own articles. His book “Islam: Creator of the Modern Age” is considered a classic on the subject.

Maulana Wahiduddin was one of the earlies among Indian Muslim Scholars to counsel Indian Muslims to surrender claim to Babri Masjid and was a regular presence in many interfaith dialogues.

He was recipient of many National and International awards including Demiurgus Peace International Award, India’s third highest Civilian Awards, Padma Bhushan(2000),  National Citizens’ Award, Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavna Award(2009) and last but not least Padma Vibhushan, India’s second highest civilian award in 2021.

Personally I heard a lot about him from my father (Professor Ishtiyaq Ahmad Zilli). He was senior to my father at Madrasatul Islah (Sarimeer, Azamgarh) and for a brief period was his roommate as well at the Madrasah. At Madrasah, while others slept on beds, Maulana preferred sleeping on floor (as told by my father).

Maulana is survived by two sons – Dr. Zafrul Islam Khan and Saniyasnain Khan. Dr. Zafrul Islam Khan is a senior journalist who edits fortnighty Milli Gazette and is former Chairman of Delhi Minority Commission while Saniyasnain Khan runs Goodword Books which publishes Islamic books for kids. Saniyasnain Khan is author of more than 100 books.

His death is indeed a great loss for humanity. May Allah increase his station in hereafter and forgive his shortcomings, Ameen.

Residential Halls of Aligarh Muslim University

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One of the distinguishing feature of AMU is its residential character and the University is known for its halls of residences. Each Hall is divided into several hostels. Any body who has studied at Aligarh Muslim University can not forget the hostel time. The residential nature of accommodation allows students to live in a diverse environment and greatly helps in the building and grooming their personality. Each Hall maintains a common room with facilities for indoor games, a reading room, library, sports club and a literary society thus providing ample opportunity for students to hone their extracurricular activities along with opportunity for studies. Those who have gone through this experience know that a large part of their AMU nostalgia and memory is somehow or otherwise related to their hostel life. On the occasion of Sir Syed Day I plan to start a series of short blogs on the various personalities on whom the Halls of residences and hostels within them have been named at Aligarh Muslim University. I request the readers of this blog to please forward me if they have access to any article in English, Urdu and Hindi about the said people. Mostly information is available for those on whom Halls have been named. However, there are many hostel names about which I am totally clueless. I shall be highly grateful to the readers if they can guide and help me in this endeavour. It is time consuming as there are about 80 hostels in AMU which are named after some or other personality. From my memory I am listing the Halls of residences and the hostels within. There are many names which I am missing. I need your help to complete my list.

Abdullah Hall

Hamid Manzil Hostel

Aftab Hall

Morrison Court

Aftab Hostel

Mumtaz House

Mac Donnell Hostel

Allama Iqbal Hall Boarding House for Senior Secondary School (Boys)

Begum Azizun Nisa Hall

Mohammad Habib Hall

Chakraverti Hostel

Umruddin Hostel

Haider Khan Hostel

Hadi Hassan Hall

Mohsinul Mulk Hall

Amin Hostel

Saifi Hostel

Hali Hostel

Shibli Hostel

MMA Hostel

Majaz Hostel

Nadim Tarin Hall

Indira Gandhi Hall

NRSC Hall

Ross Masood Hall

Nawab Ismail Khan Hostel

Sadar Yar Jung Hostel

Abdul Majeed Khowaja Hostel

Habibur Rehman Hostel

Saronijin Naidu Hall

Abrar Hostel

Hameeduddin Hostel

Jalil Hostel

Moinul Haq Hostel

Sir Syed Hall (North)

Osmania (North and South)

Central (Lower and Upper)

SME (Lower and Upper)

SMN (A and B)

Sir Syed Hall (South)

East Wing Hostel

West Wing Hostel

Nazir Ahmad Hostel

Sir Shah Sulaiman Hall

Agha Khan Hostel

Hasrat Mohani Hostel

Kashmir House

Jaikishan Das Hostel

Bhopal House

Mahmoodabad House

Qidwai Hostel

Viqarul Mulk Hall

Jubilee Hostel

Marris Hostel

Muzammil Hostel

Nasrullah Hostel

Sir Ziauddin Hall

Bhim Rao Ambedkar Hall

A Block Hostel (Upper and Lower)

B Block Hostel (Upper and Lower)

Begum Sultan Jahan Hall

Bibi Fatima Hall

New Hall

Thanking you all once again in advance for your valuable help.

The Menace of Corona Virus: This too shall pass

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It was on 31 December 2019 that China communicated to the World Health Organisation (WHO) about an unknown virus in its industrial city of Wuhan. The world did not take note of this communication. Even in China the belief was that it was recurrence of SARS Virus. However, by January 7, 2020, China ruled out the possibility of SARS and identified a new strain of Coronavirus. Coronavirus is a form of virus which causes a range of disease ranging from mild fever to severe pneumonia. The new virus was called 2019-nCov (now called Covid-19) popularly known as Corona Virus.

On January 11, 2020 China announced first death from the new virus. On January 23, 2020, Wuhan was put on Quarantine. By the beginning of February 2020, several countries started reporting their first cases. Italy was among them. It was on 22 February 2020 that Italy reported its first two deaths. As of today 25 March 2020, there are reportedly more than 400000 cases and 19000 deaths and Italy has surpassed China by huge margin (in fact more than double of China) in number of reported deaths. On 11 March 2020, WHO was forced to declare Covid-19 as pandemic. On 24 March 2020, International Olympic Committee also declared postponing the Olympics beyond 2020 to 2021.

Experts are worried about exponential curve when the cases start doubling almost every day. In the beginning it is still manageable but within a month it becomes almost unmanageable as the experience of Italy shows. This curve can be flattened by taking certain measures such as social distancing. It can be done by avoiding social spaces, keeping distance from each other and avoiding physical contact like handshake.

Strict measures have been put in place by almost all the counties. While some countries have managed to control the spread of disease by putting in control measures and information access to citizens, others were slow in taking decisions. Countries which were slow in taking tough decisions are now forced to take them albeit after the disease has already spread. Then there are places like Hong Kong which took tough measures early on and were able to control the spread but let their guard down a little bit early and saw sudden spike in cases.

Every person is important in this fight against this deadly virus as exemplified by now famous “Patient 31” from South Korea. One of the few affected countries which was able to check the spread of virus is South Korea. The government of South Korea was quick to react. The lessons learnt from MERS came in handy. South Korea tested far more people than any other country. Geo tagging of people who were tested positive was done. Laws were immediately changed. The citizens also cooperated and were ready to trade off some personal liberty for bigger social cause for the time being. The experience of South Korea also highlighted the importance of taking each case seriously. The number of people affected by the virus were around 30. Then came in the Patient Number 31 and by the time she was identified and her weekly routine traced back the number of cases increased more than 50 times within a week and the government was forced to declare highest level of medical emergency in the country. All this because she did not practice social distancing. We have to remember that the Covid-19 has very big ego. It will not come to your house unless you go out and invite it in. However, practicing social distancing is sometimes almost next to impossible. It is possible for upper class or upper middle class and middle class to practice social distancing. It is almost impossible in many poor counties and slums. The population density of slums is way too high for social distancing to be practical. Often 5-10 persons live in one room making social distancing impossible.

Every news channel and every newspaper is talking about it. People are learning new terms like Pandemic, Endemic, Lockdown, Curfew, Quarantine, Community Spread, Super Spreader, Social Distancing, Hazmat Suit etc. The pandemic has affected the whole world. Its affect is being felt in almost every aspect of life. It has tested and exposed medical preparedness of countries. It has exposed the disaster management preparedness of countries. One of the first to affected were schools as they were the first one to be closed. Suddenly teachers, kids and parents learned more about e-learning  in less than a week then what they had learned in their lifetime. It has also led to number of conspiracy theories which are flying around like anything.

Businesses have been severely affected. Supply chains have gone haywire. Production has come to a halt in many places and people have already started losing jobs. However, the biggest sufferer is tourism and allied industries like airlines, hotels, restaurants, tourist guides etc. There are going to be a number of bankruptcies in Airlines industry (flyby of UK is an early example). Stock markets have crashed all over the world. The GDP growth is going to be negatively impacted in each and every country. The biggest losers will be small and medium businesses and daily wagers. Homeless people are particularly vulnerable. Desperate times call for desperate measures. The United States Government is planning a 1 to 2 Trillion US Dollar intervention to help businesses sustain. It is equal to 5% of US GDP. The world has not seen such unprecedented government intervention, perhaps, except during 1930’s recession.

Central banks of more than 50 countries as of today have cut interest rates to support businesses. The European Unions is taking unprecedented fiscal steps to help countries overcome the pandemic. It has taken steps to suspend rules on public deficit, thus allowing countries freedom to inject liquidity into the economy as required.

While covid-19 has brought compassion of common people all over the world to the fore, on the other hand it has also brought fear resulting in racism and discrimination to raise its ugly head. Chinese in Germany and France have reported facing racist slurs and have been spat upon in many cases. So much so that in France, a citizen of Chinese origin has started a hashtag #JeNeSuisPasUnVirus which means “I am not a virus”. In India also people from north east have recently faced racist comments such as being called Corona in other parts of India. This is shameful and must immediately stop. On the other hand, we have beautiful stories of people helping total strangers. Who can forget the example of Italian Priest, Don Giuseppe Berardelli, who gave up his ventilator to a younger patient and himself embraced death. It is such stories which restore one’s faith in humanity and gives hope that this too shall pass.

There have been many unintended outcomes of the present crisis. It has forced countries to work together. Japan was one of the first countries to supply medical support to China although they have troubled past and are bitter rivals in many ways. One unlikely positive outcome of the lockdown is the lowering of pollution levels in places previously notorious for high pollution levels. It has allowed families to spend time together which at many places was not possible in the busy schedules. It is forcing people to find new methods and adopt new technologies to work and help each other. More importantly it has made the whole world to realise that at the end we all are equal. It does not matter you are citizen of which country, profess which faith, how rich or poor you are. It has brought everybody at the same level.

Important thing for us is not to panic, help the poor and the needy as much as possible, appreciate family and friends, take government instructions seriously and follow them and last but not least, ponder on the purpose of life beyond money, saving and investment. This too shall pass, Insha’Allah.

Reference:

Aamir Altaf (18 March 2020) ‘You are Coronavirus’: Students From Northeast India Face Bigotry Over Pandemic. Available at: https://livewire.thewire.in/campus/you-are-coronavirus-students-from-northeast-india-face-bigotry-over-pandemic/. Accessed on 25 March 2020.

Al Jazeera.Com (2020) Timeline: How the new coronavirus spread. Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/timeline-china-coronavirus-spread-200126061554884.html. Accessed on 22 March 2020.

Ella Torres (13 March, 2020). Backlash against Asians could hinder efforts to contain coronavirus, expert saysABC News (2020). https://abcnews.go.com/US/backlash-asians-hinder-efforts-coronavirus-expert/story?id=69556008

Emiko Jozuka and Serenitie Wang (26 February 2020) China and Japan’s relationship is thawing in the time of coronavirus. Available at: https://edition.cnn.com/2020/02/25/asia/japan-china-coronavirus-enemies-to-friends-hnk-intl/index.html. Accessed on 28 February 2020.

Harry Stevens (14 March, 2020). Why outbreaks like coronavirus spread exponentially, and how to “flatten the curve”. Available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/world/corona-simulator/. Assessed on 23 March 2020.

India Today (24 March 2020) Verbally abused, spat at, harassed: Northeastern citizens come under attack amid coronavirus panicAvailable at: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/verbally-abused-spat-at-harassed-northeastern-citizens-come-under-attack-amid-coronavirus-panic-1658826-2020-03-23. Accessed on 25 March 2020.

International Olympic Committee (24 March, 2020) Joint Statement from the International Olympic Committee and the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee. Available at: https://www.olympic.org/news/joint-statement-from-the-international-olympic-committee-and-the-tokyo-2020-organising-committee. Accessed on 25 March 2020.

James Griffiths (24 March, 2020). Hong Kong appeared to have the coronavirus under control, then it let its guard down. Available at: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/hong-kong-appeared-to-have-the-coronavirus-under-control-then-it-let-its-guard-down/ar-BB11z2Ld?ocid=spartanntp. Accessed on 24 March 2020.

Japan Times (March 2020) How one patient turned South Korea’s virus outbreak into an epidemic. Available at: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/02/27/asia-pacific/science-health-asia-pacific/south-korea-coronavirus-epidemic/#.XnnDeW5uKUk. Accessed on 24 March 2020.

Kelly Kasulis (3 March, 2020)’Patient 31′ and South Korea’s sudden spike in coronavirus cases. Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/31-south-korea-sudden-spike-coronavirus-cases-200303065953841.html. Accessed on 24 March 2020.

Lora Jones, David Brown & Daniele Palumbo (20 March 2020). Coronavirus: A visual guide to the economic impact. Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-51706225. Accessed on 24 March 2020.

Megha Rajagopalan (4 March, 2020) Men Yelling “Chinese” Tried To Punch Her Off Her Bike. She’s The Latest Victim Of Racist Attacks Linked To Coronavirus. Available at: https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/meghara/coronavirus-racism-europe-covid-19. Accessed on 4 March 2020.

Ministry of Health, Sultanate of Oman (2020). Available at: https://www.moh.gov.om/en/corona. Accessed on 23 March 2020.

Ryan W. Miller (24 March 2020) Italian priest with coronavirus who gave his ventilator to younger patient has reportedly died. Available at: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2020/03/24/covid-19-italian-priest-who-donated-his-ventilator-has-reportedly-died/2906351001/. Accessed on 24 March 2020.

Vaihayasi Pande Daniel (24 March2020)’How can there be social distancing in slums?’. Available at: https://www.rediff.com/news/special/how-can-there-be-social-distancing-in-slums/20200324.htm. Accessed on 24 March 2020

World Health Organisation (12 March 2020). WHO announces COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. Available at: http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/health-emergencies/coronavirus-covid-19/news/news/2020/3/who-announces-covid-19-outbreak-a-pandemic. Accessed on 12 March 2020.

From CAB to CAA

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The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday i.e. 11 December 2019 passed the Citizenship Amendment Bill or CAB. It was previously passed by the Lok Sabha on Monday i.e. 2 December 2019. The bill was signed by the President of India on Thursday i.e. 12 December 2019, thus making it Citizenship Amendment Act or CAA.

According to the act, the members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities who have come from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan till 31 December 2014 citing persecution shall not be treated as illegal immigrants but given Indian Citizenship. The six communities identified in the Act will be given Indian Citizenship after 5 years. Earlier the duration was 11 years. The Act also gives immunity to illegal immigrants if they are facing legal cases. However, the act will not be applicable to the Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura as included in the schedule six of the Constitution. The Act will also not apply on areas covered under Inner Line Permit or ILP as notified under Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873.

A large section of the population in the states of Assam and Tripura are opposing the act saying that the act nullifies the provisions of the Assam Accord of 1985. They also fear that if citizenship is granted to illegal Bengali speakers (both Hindu and Muslim), it will undermine their culture and language. It is pertinent to mention here that the Assam Accord fixed March 24, 1971 as the cutoff date for deportation of illegal immigrants irrespective of religion. The Assam Accord was signed by the Government of India, Government of Assam, All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) and Assam Gana Sangram Parishad in 1985 after years of protests in Assam. The present protests in Assam are only against CAA and not against National Register of Citizens or NRC.

Slowly the protests spread to other parts of the country. However, the tipping point came with police assault on the students of Jamia Millia Islamia University in Delhi and subsequently on Aligarh Muslim University at Aligarh. The reports point out the brutality of police on the defenseless students of both the Universities. There are claims and counter claims from the students and the police. Both the educational institutions have been closed till January 5, 2020. Uddhav Thackeray has on record compared the police attack on Jamia Millia Islamia to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. A fact finding team by human rights activist, Harsh Mander, described the attack on the students of Aligarh Muslim University as more brutal than even Jamia. There has been a long list of colleges and universities where protests by students have been registered against police assault on Jamia Millia Islamia and Aligarh Muslim University. Some of the prominent Universities that have joined the protest against CAA are Madras University, Punjab University, Pondicherry University, Nadwatul Ulama, Punjabi University, Osmania University, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi University, Jadavpur University, Indian Institute of Technology (Madras), Mumbai University, Indian Institute of Technology (Mumbai), Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Management (Bangalore), Indian Institute of Management (Ahmedabad), Aliya University etc.

NRC was first done in Assam as per the Assam Accord. The whole process was monitored by the Honorable Supreme Court of India. It was Assam specific exercise. However, the results of the NCR were not to the liking of many and hence the CAB (now CAA) was brought in. Yes, standalone CAA may not be damaging to a section of Indian population. However, when used in conjunction with NCR it becomes lethal. It would allow the filtration of Muslims because NCR assumes one to be a non-citizen and it is left to the person to prove that he / she is a citizen. However, the CAA allows Citizenship to everybody except Muslims. Even otherwise, prima facie, the CAA is against the provisions of the Constitution of India, particularly, Article 14. Article 14 of the Constitution of India states that “The State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or the equal protection of the laws within the territory of India”. By leaving out the Muslims from its net, it contradicts this basic principle of the Constitution. The Honorable Supreme Court of India has accepted the plea of concerned citizens to look into the legality of the Act. However, chances that it would be declared null and void by the court look slim. In the meantime, the Union Cabinet has approved to create a National Population Register (NPR). Many argue that NPR is nothing but old wine in new bottle. It is another method of implementing NCR by a different name.

It is worth remembering that the Honorable Supreme Court of India has refused to stay the implementation of CAA 2019. However, it has issued notice to the central government on a batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Act. A bench headed by the Chief Justice of India said that the matter will be heard in January when the apex court opens after winter break. Now all eyes are on the Highest court of the land to bring closure to the matter.

References and for more information, please see:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/72498580.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

India Today (2019, December 12) What is Citizenship Amendment Bill: All you need to know about CAB. Available at: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/citizenship-amendment-bill-all-you-need-to-know-about-cab-1627516-2019-12-11. Accessed on 12 December 2019

Economic Times (2019, December 2) Citizenship Amendment Bill passed in Lok Sabha. Available at: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/lok-sabha-passes-citizenship-amendment-bill-2019/articleshow/72447352.cms. Accessed on 12 December 2019.

Times of India (2019, December 12) Citizenship (Amendment) Bill gets President’s accent, becomes Act. Available at: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/citizenship-amendment-bill-gets-presidents-assent-becomes-act/articleshow/72498580.cms. Accessed on 13 December 2019

The Wire (2019) ‘More Brutal Than Even Jamia’: AMU Fact Finding Report Accuses UP Police of Violence, Islamophobia. Available at: https://thewire.in/government/amu-caa-protests-up-police. Accessed on 23 December 2019.

Apurva Vishwanath. & Kunain Sheriff M. (2019, December 23). Explained: What NRC+CAA means to you? Available at: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-citizenship-amendment-act-nrc-caa-means-6180033/. Accessed on 23 December 2019.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/wont-roll-out-cab-2-non-bjp-states/articleshow/72499408.cms

https://globalnews.ca/news/6301241/india-protests-citizenship-bill-explainer/

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-how-to-be-a-citizen-of-india-earlier-now-6165960/

Times of India (2019, December 18) Available at: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/sc-decides-to-examine-constitutional-validity-of-citizenship-amendment-act/articleshow/72864701.cms. Accessed on 18 December, 2019

Gulf News (2019, December 18). India: Supreme court issues notices to Centre on petitions challenging CAA validity. Available at: https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/india/india-supreme-court-issues-notices-to-centre-on-petitions-challenging-caa-validity-1.1576650901831. Accessed on 19 December 2019.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizenship_(Amendment)_Act,_2019

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizenship_(Amendment)_Act,_2019

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/blog/blog-questions-i-would-like-to-put-to-honorable-amit-shah-on-caa-and-nrc-2

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/blog/blog-questions-i-would-like-to-put-to-honorable-amit-shah-on-caa-and-nrc-2

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/granting-citizenship-is-centres-call-states-have-no-say-experts/articleshow/72564874.cms

https://www.indiatoday.in/mail-today/story/shaken-and-stirred-from-punjab-to-tamil-nadu-caa-fire-singes-india-1629201-2019-12-18

https://thewire.in/politics/rajasthan-opposition-citizenship-amendment-act-ashok-gehlot

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/rival-fronts-bury-differences-join-hands-against-caa/article30324285.ece

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/p-chidambaram-interview-citizenship-amendment-bill-is-a-clear-signal-a-blunt-signal-to-muslims/article30289448.ece?utm_source=taboola

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/scientists-scholars-call-to-scrap-citizenship-bill/article30259403.ece?utm_source=taboola

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/javed-akhtar-aparna-sen-swami-agnivesh-and-others-flay-cab-nrc/article30271214.ece?utm_source=taboola

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/citizenship-law-discriminatory-against-muslims-un/article30300560.ece?utm_source=taboola

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/citizenship-amendment-bill-united-states-legislators-express-concern/article30290519.ece?utm_source=taboola

https://www.thehindu.com/specials/understanding-the-citizenship-amendment-bill-2019/article30283717.ece?utm_source=taboola

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/dont-be-silent-dont-be-violent/articleshow/72862116.cms

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/dont-be-silent-dont-be-violent/articleshow/72862116.cms

 

 

49th National Day of Sultanate of Oman

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Today is the 49th National Day of Oman. National Day of Oman is celebrated every year on 18th November. First National Day was celebrated in 1970 after His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said first ascended to power in that year. It is celebrated to commemorate the Omani Independence from Portugal. This year will be the 369th anniversary of independence from Portugal. It is also the 79th birthday of Sultan Qaboos Bin Said. This makes Oman one the longest independent countries in the world.

Like every year, streets across Muscat and the rest of Oman are decorated and lighted up in the colour’s of Oman’s red, white and green flag. This year the lighting installations are in the shape of musical instruments and musical notes besides the usual flower shaped installations. Royal Oman Police (ROP) has also allowed people to decorate their cars for a limited period of time to celebrate Oman National Day. As usual there will be lots of shows and activities including fireworks across the country. Most of the major shopping centers have announced 49 percent discount to mark the occasion. Internet giant google has  also joined in by putting Omani Flag as google doodle on http://www.google.com and chrome browser.

The next National Day will be special as His Majesty will complete 50 years as Sultan of Oman. Preparations have already started. Competitions have been already announced to choose the theme and logo. All the Omani citizens and residents of the Sultanate are encouraged to participate in it.

It would not be out of place to mention about the tremendous progress which Oman has made in the last five decades under His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said. Today Oman is a stable and peaceful country. Oman has also made tremendous progress in the field of education. One thing which distinguishes Oman from many countries is the tolerance of Omani society towards people of other cultures and faiths. The population of Oman is around 4.5 million out of which around 2 million are expatriates from all over the world working and living peacefully and happily in Oman. Oman has peaceful relations with all the countries including its neighbors. It would not be out of place to mention that Oman follows the Ibadi madhab or maslak (i.e. school of fiqh) of Islam. Oman was one of the earliest regions to voluntarily accept Islam in the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad (May Peace Be Upon Him).

Happy National Day to Oman. May Allah always shower His Blessings on this peaceful and beautiful country.