Professor Iqbal A. Ansari, an eminent civil and human rights activist, breathed his last following sudden cardiac arrest on October 13. He as 74.
Born in 1935, Mr. Iqbal Ansari served as a teacher of English at Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh for 33 years and retired as professor of English in 1995. later he served as Visiting Professor at Centre for Federal Studies, Jamia Hamdard from 2001 to 2003 and at Jamia Millia Islamia from 2003 to 2004.
Prof. Iqbal Ansari was closely associated with several national and international human rights organisations. He was National Council member Peoples’ Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), Vice President Citizens for Democracy (CFD), member of Citizens’ Initiative for Peace and of Amnesty International. He had been on the UGC Panel on Human Rights Education. He was also Founder General Secretary of Minorities’ Council. He edited the quarterly bulletin, Human Rights Today published from New Delhi.
A prolific writer as he was, Prof. Ansari contributed a number of articles to periodicals and newspapers as well as books. Besides he had some books to his credit. His works include Political Representation of Muslims in India (2006), Readings on Minorities: Perspectives and Documents, Vol. I & II (1196), Vol. III (2002); Communal Riots: The State and Law in India (1997); Human Rights in India: Some Issues (1998); Muslim Situation in India (1989) and Uses of English (1978).
Prof. K.A. Siddique Hassan, Secretary, Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) termed him as “a tireless defender of citizens’ rights and one of the most firm defenders of civil liberties in India.” In a condolence message, he writes, “His death is an irreparable loss for civil and human rights’ movements in India. Today, he is no me more with us but his memory and legacy in terms of work done by him will continue to inspire us in the struggle for the establishment of a just and equitable world.”
Dr. S. Rafat Husain, President Aligarh Alumni Association of Washington, D.C. also expressed his profound grief and deep sorrow at the sudden demise Prof. Iqbal Ansari. He writes, “Prof Ansari was one of the most active proponents of human rights of Indian minorities and backward classes through his writings and lectures.”
Maulana Akhlaq Husain Qasmi
Maulana Akhlaq Husain Qasmi, former Rector and Professor of Tafsir at Jamia Rahimia, New Delhi, died on October 13.
Imam and Khateeb Masjid, Madarsa Husain Bakhash, Delhi, Maulana Akhlaq Husain Qasmi had deep insight into the Holy Qur’ān and Seerah of the Holy Prophet (may Allah bless and greet him). He also has to his credit 20 books and about 150 descriptive and research articles in Urdu, English and Hindi on the various aspects of Qur’ānic teachings and Seerah literature.
He donated a number of books in Urdu, Arabic and Persian to Jamia Hamdard’s HMS Central Library. The library has preserved these books as special collection known as ‘Qasmi Collection’.
Maulana Akhlaq Husain Qasmi was also a great social figure. When the enemies of Islam started attacking Islam and equating it with terrorism, he was one of the Ulema and Muslim scholars who stood firm in the face of the charge of terrorism and defended the bright face of Islam.
When Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Abdullah Husain Haroon made a statement to implicate Darul Uloom Deoband in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh for militant activities in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and other border areas of Pakistan, Maulana Akhlaq Husain Qasmi denied such blames on Darul Uloom Deoband.
Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Umari, in a press statement, recalled his close association with Maulana Akhlaq Husain Qasmi, and his appreciation of Jamaat activities and works, especially Maulana Syed Abul A’la Maudoodi’s Qur’ān tafsir Tafheemul Qur’ān. Maulana Umari along with Jamaat Secretary General Nusrat Ali condoled with the family members of Maulana Akhlaq Husain Qasmi.