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Seminar discusses Muslim participation in the freedom struggle

The Milli Gazette Online 

Aligarh: A seminar here discussed the contributions of Indian Muslims to the freedom movement and said that there was a tendency in the country to ignore the contributions of Muslims to the freedom struggle.

The seminar was organised by the Department of Islamic Studies, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) on its campus from March 18 to 19.

AMU vice chancellor Naseem Ahmad talked about the sacrifices and heroic role of Indian Muslims in the freedom struggle in liberating the homeland from the yoke of British imperialism. He pointed out the role of MAO college (now Aligarh Muslim University) in assisting the freedom movement. He added that no historical account of the freedom struggle can be complete without adequate mention of the contributions made by the AMU. 

Maulana Muhammad Salim Qasmi, rector Darul Uloom (Waqf), Deoband highlighted the participation and sacrifices of the Ulema of Deoband in the freedom struggle.

Maulana Muhammad Kaleem Siddiqi, director of Shah Wali-Allah Academy, Phulat said that the historic fatwa of Shah Abdul Aziz against the British rulers paved the ground for the freedom struggle. Maulana Ziauddin Islahi, director of Darul Musannifeen, Azamgarh expressed apprehension that there was a tendency in the country to ignore the contributions of Muslims to the freedom movement. It was an irony that the madrasas which made all kind of sacrifices for the freedom of the country were being dubbed as centres of terrorism by some ignorant, narrow-minded countrymen for vested interests.

Dr Zafarul Islam Islahi, convenor of the seminar, said that Muslims always considered India their motherland, participated in the freedom struggle and contributed to economic and cultural growth of the country.

Prof. Abdul Ali, director of the seminar, termed the history of freedom struggle as a precious heritage of the nation which aided its survival, energy and growth. «