Prof Abdul Azis, Vice Chancellor Aligarh Muslim University released Islam, Muslims & the World, a monthly magazine from New Delhi, in the jam packed Art Faculty Lounge of AMU in the presence of a large number of senior professors of the university and eminent citizens.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Azis praised the endeavour of Dr. Javed Jamil in bringing out a truly international class magazine dealing with the Islamic viewpoint of the world affairs and highlighting Muslim achievements. He said, “When the suggestion to launch the magazine in the university was put before me, I had absolutely no hesitation because not only the mission for which the magazine is being published was close to my heart but also because I felt there cannot be a better place for this than the campus of Aligarh Muslim University, an institution dearest to Muslims not only of India but the whole world.” Prof. Azis lamented that the Ummah lacked unity and it was due to the collective failure of the Ummah that Palestinians were still struggling for a peaceful existence. Prof. Azis hoped that in the editorship of Dr Javed Jamil, an eminent thinker and author of more than a dozen books, the magazine will strive not only for the unity of Ummah but also for the unity of mankind.
Dr Javed Jamil, the Chief Editor, said, “It was time now when the Muslims must critically analyse the world issues, policies and programmes from Islamic point of view rather than let the world analyse Islam and Muslims through their biased spectacles.” He added that the magazine would present Islam and Muslims as the solution and not the problem. He said “the current world is ruled by economic fundamentalism and it is the market forces that are determining what is right and what is wrong”. It was time to unite all the religions and right minded people against the vices that have brought the civilization on the brink of total chaos.
He further said much larger number of people die of social vices like alcohol, gambling and sexual misdemeanours than those killed by terrorists in one year. But the media, which are totally in the hands of the market forces, are busy only in dramatising certain kinds of violence.
Prof. A R Qidwai, Director Academic Staff College lauded the work being done by Dr Javed Jamil and specifically talked of his relentless fight against the sordid commercialisation of sex. He said Dr Jamil has taken a bold step in the right direction. He further said for a long time he has been seeing some of the best Muslim magazines being published from UK, India and other parts of the world but he can confidently say that the inaugural issue of Islam, Muslims & the World outclasses all of them in its contents and presentation.
Ptrof. Shafey Qidwai of Mass Communication said that he felt awestruck seeing the beauty of the inaugural issue, which looked truly international class in its contents as well as looks. He said that the “magazine has some highly thought provocative articles from all over the world and succeeds in presenting Islam and Muslims as the solution, not the problem”. He said that he was particularly impressed by the very concept of the magazine, which is to build a purer, healthier and more peaceful world. He hoped that if the magazine maintains the promise shown by the inaugural issue, it would surely succeed in capturing a big readership, and would herald a new revolution. He felt enthralled by the fact that the magazine does not only discuss serious issues but also brings out articles on sports and poetry.
Prof. NK Durrani described the problems faced by the magazines and hoped that the magazine will not only survive but will establish new standards of journalism. He hoped that it will prove to be a beacon for mankind.
Dr Saud Alam Qasmi of Theology Department talked at length about the power of Pen, “which distinguishes man from animals”. He said he had full confidence in the abilities of Dr Javed Jamil and the inaugural issue provides sufficient proof of his investigative and creative mindset. He hoped that the magazine would dispel the false notions created by the adversaries against the religion of God.