Maulana Nusrat Ali, former Vice President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) passed away due to Covid complications while undergoing treatment at Al-Shifa Multispeciality Hospital in the national capital on May 2. He will always be remembered for his devotion and commitment to the Jamaat because his commitment to the organisation and its cause was exceptional.
Maulana Ali had served the JIH in various capacities. He served the Jamaat as Vice President for one term and as Secretary General for two terms. His initial stint with the JIH was as president of Uttar Pradesh state of the organisation and from there onward he never looked back. He was a true soldier of the Jamaat.
According to Navaid Hamid, President All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat (AIMMM), “He was full of humility and humbleness. He had in-depth understanding of community issues. I have never seen such a Muslim leader who was so downtrodden and was always concerned about the issues of the community. It is rare to find such a gentleman who held respect amongst all sections of society cutting across the ideological barriers; this is really very uncommon. There are few Muslim leaders of the kind of stature Nusrat Ali sb was having. He was a well learned Muslim leader who was a great book lover. He was not only an expert on Islamic theology but had liking for the issues on socio-political issues which were of concern not only for the community but also for the country.”
Recalling some of his conversations with Maulana Ali about his childhood days, Dr Waquar Anwar, Secretary Board of Islamic Publications and Financial Advisor of Jamaat, said, “Nusrat Ali during his childhood was associated with Shahnawaz Khan, formerly a captain in the British-Indian Army and, later, a Major-General in the Indian National Army (INA). Shahnawaz was influenced by Subhas Chandra Bose. Active life of Nusrat Ali started with Sahnawaz when he was young. At that point of time, Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind had launched Mulk aur Millat Bachao Tehrik during Indira Gandhi’s regime. Shahnawaz was the leader of that movement and Nusrat Ali was also with him as a very young boy.”
Dr Anwar added, “When Indira Gandhi called and scolded Shahnawaz, the movement was called off. After the movement was called off, Ali came closer to Jamaat-e-Islami Hind. He left his teaching career and joined Jamaat. At Jamaat, he was guided and trained by Maulana Abdul Ghaffar, who was a great Islamic scholar in Lucknow at that time. Nusrat sb learned Arabic and acquired Islamic teachings and knowledge from him and his Islamic orientation was from him.”
On his organisational upbringing, Dr Anwar said, “Nusrat Ali was chosen by Jamaat when he was very young and was trained by Mohammad Shafi Moonis saheb about organisational system of Jamaat and was made Ameer-e-Halqua of Uttar Pradesh at a very early stage. Then he was picked up by Mohammad Jafar sb and was trained by him for four years in order in organisational affairs. His religious upbringing was done by Abdul Ghaffar sb, office training by Shafi Moonis sb. Later on he was considered an authority on organisational matter of the Jamaat.”
On his persona, he said, “Once he left his job, his commitment towards tehrik was instrumental and he never lost his focus. His commitment towards the organisation was 100 per cent and it was a rare attribute of him and his persona. He was a passionate learner and key observer and remained like a student throughout his life, learning issues and lessons associated with it. He used to do homework before delivering speech, attending conferences and seminars and even organisational meetings. He used to do a thorough study of a topic of interest and was in the habit to learning the subject with minute details. He used to read Economic & Political Weekly, and all organisational publications and used to praise or guide us all accordingly. He was always open to new thought and ideas.”
“He was a perfect example of a soldier of Tehrik and from very small position he had served at the highest position in the organisation. He was a passionate hard worker and always remained active to strengthen the Tehrik and worked accordingly. He had unmatched quality of organisational skills and viewed things in accordance to the perspective of Tehrik and the organisation. The knowledge he had acquired was while doing practical work on the ground and it was not based only on books. His dialogue always reflected deep understanding of the subject,” said Mohammad Ahmad, Secretary, Department of Service to Society of the organisation.
Ahmad added, “We have seen him working in various capacities and in every responsibility his work reflected that he was made for that position and it was only because of his commitment and hard work. He was a multi-faceted personality and was able to do so many things simultaneously and in every sphere there was perfection which is very rare. On issues pertaining to communities, his understanding of the issues was very clear and prompt and it was only because of his hard work and thorough study of the subject and issues. Sometimes his understanding of the subject and issues surprised even erudite scholars.”
Inam-ur-Rahman, Asst. Secretary, Department of Education of the organisation, said, “The first thing which is becoming rare is that his commitment to the organisation and Tehrik was of highest degree and he justified his association at every level of his association right from initial level to the highest post he held. He was an ideal soldier or commander of Tehrik and organisation. He was very fond of BBC and read newspapers and magazines to keep himself updated on all issues. He was a very enthusiastic learner and his understanding of the subject reflected in his speeches and writings. He used to read a few English, Hindi and Urdu dailies regularly.”