DR. ZIAUDDIN AHMAD NADVI elaborates on the AlHikmah Foundation, his mission in life and highlights the importance of ‘Peace’ in an exclusive interview with SAAD BIN ZIA.
Dr. Ziauddin Ahmad Nadvi is the Honorary Chairman of AlHikmah Foundation, a Non-Political, Non Governmental organisation. He is an Aalim from Nadwatul Ulema, Lucknow. Dr. Ziauddin is a medical practitioner with a vast experience spanning more than three decades. Apart from his noble profession, he is also active in serving the humanity. Besides, he is an avid reader and quality researcher. He has been involved in various literary pursuits related to Unani System of Medicine. Presently he is posted as a Research Officer (Unani Medicine) in Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine. Read more to know about this ever smiling and dynamic personality who is a humanist to the core.
What is AlHikmah Foundation?
‘Hikmah’ in Arabic means “Wisdom”. Keeping in mind the multitude of meaning the word carries a cluster of like minded, well meaning and responsible citizens with an urge to bring about a positive social change formed a society in 1990 by the name of AlHikmah Foundation. The Foundation was registered in the year 1997 under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860. It is a Non-Political, Non Governmental Organisation. It is committed to serve the humanity irrespective of caste, creed, colour, religion or race. The key objective of the Foundation is to reach out to the sick, the sufferer and the downtrodden. Presently, the Foundation is engaged in a range of activities. These include: Reference Library-cum-Reading room facility, organising free medical health camps, establishing as well as running charitable health dispensaries, supporting meritorious but needy students, rehabilitation and relief work, research and compilation work, English language coaching, B.Ed, Basic and DIET entrance coaching, running registered schools, polio vaccination camps and Hepatitis B programmes, lecture series, placement assistance, general welfare programmes, etc.
You are focussing more on peace now. In fact this year’s theme was also related to peace. Why this shift?
No, it’s not correct to assume that we have completely deviated from our founding principles. Yes, it is true to a certain extent that for the past few years our spotlight is on peace. Although the main thrust of the AlHikmah is the promotion of health and education and social welfare, nonetheless we have been raising this vital topic. In the past we have organised two seminars with Peace as a focal point. ‘Ensuring Peace: Citizen’s Responsibilities’ in 2006 and ‘Healthy Values: Healthy World in 2007’. This year’s Seminar ‘Maintaining Peace: Present Challenges’ is the continuation of this series of seminars. Up till the point of discussion has been the various aspects of Peace as well as to suggest ways and means how to establish it. But this year’s theme had a different angle to it. It was not concerned with the subject of Peace per se in its pure sense. Rather it is related to one of the key paradigms of Peace i.e. the attention was on the challenges being faced in maintaining peace.
How does ‘Peace’ match up with the philosophy of AlHikmah Foundation?
Actually, the fundamental philosophy of the AlHikmah Foundation is that we should not always depend on the government for help. To be more precise it is the duty of each and every individual to contribute to the national development. It comes very close to the axiom “Charity begins at home”. Therefore, in my view as a responsible and peace loving citizen of this great country it is our first and foremost obligation to be a part of the cause of maintaining peace in any and every manner possible. In fact the goal of development cannot be achieved without ensuring a peaceful environment. And peaceful environment cannot be maintained without guaranteeing equity, justice, security, fulfilment of fundamental needs, respect for each other, promoting healthy values and moral ethics etc. To me what occurs as the primary method for maintaining peace is investing our energies in these areas. I am fully convinced that this is the only remedy for assuring a peaceful environment in this world mired in various conflicts. My basic belief is that only selfless social service can ensure national development in the true sense of the word
What’s your take on peace? Also what are the challenges in the way of maintaining peace?
I feel it is the most relevant and vibrant issue of our times. The truth of the matter is that in this world every one of us – without any exception – be it a rickshaw puller, taxi driver, academician, politician, student, everybody is by nature a peace living person and wants to live in peace. However, the intriguing question is that despite all of his/her best efforts he/she is unable to get that. Everybody of us is a victim of unrest of one or the other kind. There is an increased sense of insecurity brewing in us. There is an underlying sense of haphazardness that is a huge roadblock on the path of maintaining peace not only with the self but with fellow human beings as well. The Preamble to the Constitution of the WHO defines Health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Similarly in the case of Peace I believe that it is not merely “an absence of aggression, violence or hostility” but it is a comprehensive term that takes into account various other facets of life such as healthy society, social security, economic welfare and political stability, equality, fairness and a state of being free from war or conflict. Nowadays we find that there is widespread resentment in the society. No one is at peace neither with himself/herself nor with others. The possible challenges that I can imagine for this sort of disorder could be insecurity, social injustice, economic inequality, political and religious radicalism, and acute nationalism.
What are AlHikmah Foundation’s future plans?
The Foundation has very ambitious plans to serve the humanity at large. For this purpose it has decided to take up some very ambitious projects. A few of them are: Establishing charitable Maternity/Nursing home(s), Reference Library-cum-Reading room facilities, regular coaching classes especially for the economically weaker section of the society so as to bring them at par with the others, Girls’ Education Complex, Vocational Training Centre(s) etc. To turn these dreams into reality the Foundation is planning to approach individuals/government/other funding agencies to raise funds.