Senior journalists, family members, staff of Radiance Viewsweekly, close friends and well-wishers gathered at JIH headquarters on August 25 to pay tribute to Dr. Syed Ausaf Saied Vasfi, who had passed away on August 23 following prolonged illness.
Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Umari, former president of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, while lauding his invaluable services to the weekly and the community, said that despite his ability to write for the mainstream media and the market value, his lifelong commitment with the Radiance was unmatched. “It was a great sacrifice for the cause of the weekly and the community.”
Syed Tauqeer Ausaf, younger son of Dr. Vasfi, while speaking during the condolence meeting organised by Radiance Viewsweekly, elaborated his personal and family life, his role as a son, as a father and as a husband. He was a strict father, for he always wanted them to lead a disciplined life and was very strict about Salat. He was a caring father and husband and did all for us what a responsible father and husband is supposed to do. It is very common for a son to respect his father but very rare for a father to respect his children. He used to respect us and it was very unique of him. His method of training and imparting knowledge to us was also unique as he used to keep books in our shelves without saying anything to us. For him everything was secondary to his commitment towards Radiance. He was always ready to help others in need. As an altruist, he used to help others even while putting himself at risk.
Associate Editor at Frontline, author of several books and above all son-in-law of Dr. Vasfi, Zia–Us-Salam, while paying tribute to him, said, his relation with him became secondary and that with the Editor of Radiance became paramount when it came to his commitment towards writing for Radiance. “When I said to him that you are such a good writer and if you write for mainstream media you will get more recognition and you can reach out to the larger audience which may not be possible with Radiance, he said, No, you are not aware of that, basically my write-ups are part of a jihad and I am doing so to create awareness in our community. We are not only raising issues but this is an internal jihad aimed at creating awareness in our community. He never raised his voice, he was endlessly polite and humble but his words reached far away. Dr Vasfi was a trailblazer in 1960s when it was unthinkable for a journalist to write about Islam, Muslim issues fairly, fearlessly, diligently and relentlessly,” said the veteran journalist.
Sikandar Azam, Editor Radiance Viewsweekly, who had been closely associated with him for long years, said, Dr. Vasfi had the place of a leader in the history of Radiance. He joined Radiance in 1963 and was retired in 1997, but he religiously kept writing regularly even after his retirement. “I found in him the devotion and commitment that is required for an individual to make a mark and justify his association with the organisation he represents.” In recognition of his continued services to the Radiance spread over about 50 years, he was awarded with the Lifetime Achievement Award during the Weekly’s Golden Jubilee Celebrations in 2013.
A U Asif, member of the Managing Committee of the Press Club of India and who had also worked with him in Radiance for 13 years, said, the contribution of Ausaf Vasfi to Radiance would always be remembered and some of his articles and interviews were also carried by different mainstream media, including The Times of India. He was known for his in-depth analysis and research which was reflected from his writings. He was highly regarded and had very good rapport with the mainstream journalists of his time.
Syed Nooruzzaman, ex-Deputy Editor, The Tribune, Chandigarh while sharing his association with him since the early days of Radiance when it was in the tabloid form said his perception on any subject was very clear and he was a very prolific writer. Nooruzzaman also talked in detail about his persona, his writing skills, his leadership quality, and his role during troubled times particularly during Emergency and thereafter. According to him, his persona was much bigger than what we really knew about him and his contributions.
Ejaz Ahmed Aslam, Editor-in-Chief of Radiance, said that his dedication from the time he joined Radiance till the end was exemplary. He raised the issues pertaining to the community and of national and international importance. His simplicity, commitment and devotion will always be remembered.
Intizar Naeem, former Director Radiance, who was closely associated with Dr. Vasfi, said that it was acknowledged that without Radiance the history of Indian Muslims cannot be completed but today it can be said that without the writings of Dr. Vasfi the history of Indian Muslims cannot be completed.
Syed Tausief Vasfi, elder son of Dr. Vasfi, while recalling his father’s approach towards behaviour, discipline and values for his children, said that his father used to see reflection of him while going through his (Tausief’s) articles. Uzma, the daughter of Dr. Vasfi, informed the audience that her father was sent behind the bars twice and how he used to persuade his mother and other family members not to shed tears on his going to jail.
The programme commenced with the recitation of a Qur’anic Surah by Master Mudassir, the grandson of Dr. Vasfi. Dr. Waquar Anwar, Secretary Board of Islamic Publications, while compering the condolence meeting, said that during his student life he was referred to the writings of Dr. Vasfi as reading material.