By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)
(Pakistan News & Features Services)
Eminent speakers recalled the monumental services of the Jauhar Brothers during the freedom movement at a ceremony organized at the Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET) to launch the book on the legendary Ali Brothers on the Jauhar Day.
The function was presided over by Engr Adil Usman, Member, SSUET's Board of Governors, and Vice-President, Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA).
The voluminous book has been authored by Khalid Ali, a senior Aligarhian, now settled in the United States of America (USA). The launching ceremony was held on the Jauhar Day which is observed by the SSUET on January 4 every year.
The author, a grandson of Maulana Mohammed Ali and Maulana Shaukat Ali Jauhar, acquired his education from the Aligarh Muslim University where he was elected as Union’s General Secretary in 1945 before joining the Provincial Muslim League Council.
He also served as Attache of Pakistan in various countries.
After migration to Pakistan he also had a stint with Dawn, the leading Karachi-based daily, besides working for the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) for sometime. He had started his professional career as a journalist in India.
In his address, Khalid Ali described the Ali Brothers as shining stars of the hopes of Muslims of South Asia and their political acumen and talent was also mentioned by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammed Ali Jinnah and Mahatama Mohandas Gandhi.
He mentioned that the struggle waged by Ali Brothers for the establishment of a separate homeland for the Muslims of South Asia had been a ray of hope and inspiration in the hour of darkness.
Khalid Ali observed that their greatness was a profound and unparallel example of love for the cause of Muslims and they were of the firm conviction to have an independent country where they had a few yards of land to live peacefully.
In his speech on the occasion, Prof Shamim Akhtar opined that the book is not only a biography but an authentic piece of the history of sub-continent, adding that it has fully covered the life and achievements of the Ali Brothers, the prevailing conditions and trends.
Prof Afsar Sultana described the book as the most important and valuable contribution highlighting the personalities of the Ali Brothers and their achievements and discussed the condition of Muslims in India at that time as well as events taking place during independence movement.
Another eminent speaker, Azad Bin Hyder, remarked that Khalid Ali has done a great favour to the history of sub-continent by writing this book which can be described a masterpiece among the books written so far since 1947.
Prof Dr Waqar Ahmed Rizvi reckoned that the 16-chapters book thoroughly envelopes the lives and achievements of the Ali Brothers, freedom movement and their struggle. He recalled Jawahirlal Nehru having admitted that he learnt politics from Mohammed Ali Jauhar.
On the occasion noted poet and Convenor SSUET’s Literary and Cultural Forum, Khumar Farooqui presented poetic homage to the Ali Brothers. The ceremony was also address by two university students Mohammed Umar Khan and Umar Ali Kazmi.
