User:Owais Al Qarni/29

15:11, 7 December 2024

Nadwi, Sarwar Alam

This newspaper served as the voice of the Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind in the Indian subcontinent, an organization with a history of glorious achievements and immense sacrifices in the struggle for national liberation and firm opposition to the partition of India.

• • A Brief History of the Jamiat Ulama:**

This Islamic organization was established on December 25, 1919, to resist British rule and work toward the restoration of the Turkish Caliphate, which had been abolished by the British. It also aimed to counter the apostasy movements sown by the colonial government. The organization was led by an Islamic political party under the leadership of Mufti Kifayatullah, followed by the great Islamic freedom fighter Sheikh Mahmud Hasan, titled "Shaykh al-Hind," who played a prominent role in the independence struggle. His efforts led to his imprisonment by the British in Indian, Maltese, Turkish, and Arab prisons. He was succeeded by Sheikh Hussain Ahmad Madani, Sheikh Hafizur Rahman Seoharvi, and Fakhruddin (may Allah have mercy on them).

Among the key responsibilities of this organization were the propagation of Islamic teachings and culture among the Muslim population, alongside its ongoing struggle to uphold the truth, defend Muslim causes in India and abroad, revive Islamic heritage, and address other Islamic matters. It has a rich history of these blessed endeavors in the past that history will never forget.

• • Reasons for Publishing the Newspaper:**

Recently, with the focus turning toward Arab countries and the growing trend to strengthen ties with them, its officials conceived the idea of publishing a newspaper in the Arabic language. The purpose was to strengthen relations with the Arab world, address issues facing the Islamic and Arab worlds, expand the scope of the Arabic language in India, share important information about the Islamic world, and introduce the conditions and religious activities of Indian Muslims to the Arab-Islamic world.(242)

• • The Publication of the Newspaper and Its Objectives**

With these goals and purposes in mind, the officials of the Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind launched an Arabic biweekly newspaper titled *Al-Kifah*. The editorial leadership was entrusted to Professor Wahiduzzaman Kiranwi, while its management was under the supervision of Professor Altafur Rahman Azmi.

The first issue was published in January 1973 with significant ambitions. It was initially supervised and headed by Professor Wahiduzzaman until its leadership was transferred in the ninth year to Professor Mazammil Haq Husayni Qasmi, who had previously served as an assistant to the newspaper before assuming its leadership. The newspaper continued its efforts to instill correct beliefs, spread the Islamic spirit in society and among Muslims, revive Islamic heritage, disseminate Islamic sciences, and promote the Arabic language in India.

Additionally, it paid great attention to political issues and the problems of the Muslim community locally and globally, focusing on education, culture, civilization, economics, governance, and other matters. It addressed issues such as Palestine, Afghanistan, Turkey, and other Islamic countries. The newspaper also raised awareness about humanitarian sacrifices worldwide. However, it ceased publication in December 1987 due to unfavorable circumstances.

• • Contents and Approaches**
• Al-Kifah* consisted of eight large-format pages. Most of the time, it featured news about the Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind, its activities, and its initiatives, which was the primary objective of the newspaper — to inform the Arab world about the organization's work.

This was followed by news from the Islamic and Arab worlds, global events, armed attacks, and acts of violence against Muslims in India and beyond. It included scholarly and literary articles, profiles of prominent Indian figures associated with the organization, such as Sheikh Mahmud Hasan and Sheikh Hussain Ahmad Madani. A long series of articles titled *A Brief Biography of the Late Sheikh Hussain Ahmad Madani* was a notable feature.

The final pages often included a dictionary for beginners to promote the Arabic language in India. Additionally, it featured samples of beautiful Arabic calligraphy.(243)

Here are the main topics published by the *Al-Kifah* newspaper on its pages. The articles and thoughts were presented in an elegant style that reflected its journalistic approach and methodology. It played a significant role in this field, positioning itself as a sound Islamic religious newspaper of considerable importance.

Professor Zubair Ahmad Farooqi contributed to its content. As for the newspaper's policies, as evidenced by its publications, they appear to focus on promoting the activities of the Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind at various levels, highlighting the multifaceted relationships between India and Arab countries, and supporting Islamic and Arab causes. It paid particular attention to the conditions of Muslims in India specifically, as well as those in other parts of the world generally.

• • Its Importance**

Due to these objectives and characteristics, *Al-Kifah* was greatly appreciated by Arabs and was mentioned in their magazines and newspapers, such as *Huda al-Islam* (Vol. 27, Issue of 1983, published by the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, Oman), *Manar al-Islam* (published by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs and Awqaf of the United Arab Emirates), and *Islamic Studies and Research* (Issue 13, 1983, published by the Association of Islamic Universities).

It also received praise from individuals, including Professor Abu Bakr Muhammad Saeed Hassan from Dhofar, Oman, who wrote: "The newspaper *Al-Kifah* is one of the beloved Islamic newspapers. It clarifies for us meaningful concepts and resolves ambiguous inquiries. It presents purposeful Islamic topics and clear, beneficial religious information to enrich the culture of the Muslim individual, enabling them to understand their Islamic religion."(244)

• • The Culture of the Muslim Individual to Understand Their Islamic Religion**

On behalf of the youth of Salalah, I thank you for this dedication. What I hold in my heart cannot be expressed by words, but I have written these lines as a token of our sincerity and appreciation for you and everyone who contributes to its publication. I wish you and your newspaper success and prosperity.

Professor Mahmoud Abda Ghanem from Medina wrote: "You have made commendable and successful efforts to develop and revive the Arabic language in lands far from the birthplace of divine revelation and Islam. We welcome your noble services toward Islam and Muslims in India and beyond."

Sheikh Muhammad Ibrahim Al-Awaid from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia wrote: "It is our pleasure to write to you, praising your esteemed magazine and the efforts of those working with you. May you continue, by the blessing of Allah, on the path of spreading Islam and elevating its word. May Allah be with you."

• • Contributors and Publications**

Most often, contributions to *Al-Kifah* were made by writers from Darul Uloom Deoband and its graduates, who also wrote in Arabic for various Indian and Arab magazines. Among them were Professor Badrul Hasan Qasmi, Professor Abu Bakr Al-Ghazi Puri, Professor Altafur Rahman Azmi, and others. The magazine also published articles and reflections by Arab writers.

• • Selected Publications**

To document the articles and discussions featured in the newspaper, the following are some of its published topics:

- *"So Reflect, O People of Vision"* by Anwarur Rahman Al-Bijnouri, June 1979 - *"Islamic Jurisprudence in India until the Mughal Era"* by Professor Nisar Ahmad Farooqi, August 16, 1978 - *"The Struggle Movement of Sayyid Ahmad Shaheed"* by Professor Muhammad Yousuf (Pakistan), October 19, 1978 - *"Is There Readiness to Engage in Battle?"* by Altafur Rahman Azmi, November 20, 1987 - *"The Greatest Political Blow to Israel"* by Professor Ihsan Abdul Quddus, November 22, 1978 - *"Islam: Action and Struggle"* by Muhammad Abu Shahba, January 2, 1979 - *"Islam and the Challenges of the Era"* by Dr. Abdul Munim An-Nimr, February 3, 1979 - *"These Englishmen and Their Story of Islam"* by Ismail Wadi, November 22, 1982(245)

1. **Muslim Indonesia Facing Colonial Missionary Schemes** / Jalal Al-Qasimi, 23/9 December 1982 2. **How Islam Entered China** / Jamal Al-Din Sayyid Muhammad, 1-2/10 January 1983 3. **The Afghan Nation Rejects Oppression and Slavery** / Abu Bakr Al-Gharifuri, 6/10 March 1983 4. **The Story of Islam's Spread in Korea** / Salih Mahdi Al-Samarrai, 2/11 January 1984 5. **Muslims in Indonesia** / Dr. Mar'i Madkour, 11/9 May 1984 6. **Muslims in the Continent of Australia** / Quoted from *Islamic World News*, 11 February 1984 7. **The Ultimate Ideal for Humanity** / Nisar Ahmad Farooqi, 3/6 February 1979 (246)