Srinagar, December 4: Shaikh ul Aalam Studies themed book of prominent scholar and former chairman of Markaz-I-Noor, Centre for Shaikh ul Aalam Studies, University of Kashmir, Professor Basher Bashir titled ‘Tsey Shubi Alamdari’ (Only You Deserve to be the Standard-Bearer) was released today at Abdul Ahad Azad Memorial Degree College Bemina, Srinagar.
The book has been edited by Dr. Fayaz Ahmad, Assistant Professor in the Markaz-i-Noor, Centre for Shaikh ul Aalam Studies, KU.
Professor Qayyum Hussain, Vice Chancellor, Cluster University Srinagar, presided over the book release function.
Professor Qayyum said that the message of Shaikh ul Aalam possesses universal appeal that has added relevance in the present times. He asserted that Shaikh ul Aalam’s character and role has been that of a standard-bearer in the collective spiritual and social life of Kashmir which continues to act like a guiding force in today’s era. The need of the hour is to spread and promote the message contained in his sayings and teachings as much as we can, he maintained.
‘Disseminating the message of Shaikh ulAalam by way of translating it into various languages is one way of making it known to the world, he said while praising the author of the book’.
He said that the already approved Abdul Ahad Azad Chair for the College shall be formally established soon which will greatly help in production and promotion of research work with regard to history, culture and literature of Kashmir. He promised a grand library and a museum that will have sufficient books and heritage objects about Kashmiri language and culture.
Professor Basher Bashir expressed happiness and gratitude that readers have appreciated his work and his earlier book on Shaikh ulAalam studies titled ‘Yemen Padan Me Vitchaar Guchui’ was awarded by Sahitiya Akademi, the highest literary organization of the country in 2010.
Others who spoke on the occasion about the author and book included In-charge Registrar of Cluster University, Professor Khurshid Ahmad Mir; Inayat Gull, poet and critic, Dr. Tanveer Hayat, researcher and scholar and Professor Shad Ramzan, former Head, Department of Kashmiri, University of Kashmir.
Dr Khurshid highlighted his association with Professor Bashar Bashir and mentioned the new proposals of Cluster University regarding opening of such courses related to gender studies and Kashmiri culture.
Dr. Tanveer gave an overview of the book and the views of the author related to various aspects of Shaikh ulAalam’s philosophy.
Prof Shad Ramzan highlighted the importance of studies on Shaikh ulAalam and called him the greatest poet of Kashmiri language.
Dean School of Humanities, Cluster University of Srinagar, Professor Deeba Sarmad, while stressing the importance of inter-disciplinary research, in her speech recalled and praised the efforts undertaken by Professor Basher Bashir during the latter’s stint as the Chairman of the Shaikh ul Aalam Centre.
Earlier, Principal of the College, Professor Manzoor Ahmad Lone, expressed happiness that many pass-outs of Abdul Ahad Azad Memorial Degree College have done remarkably well in various sectors of life.
The college students presented a prayer song, a Kashmiri version of Allama Iqbal’s famous poem ‘Lab peaatihaidua’.
Literary figures, poets and writers from different parts of Kashmir Valley including Neelofar Naaz Nehvi, noted literary personality, Shamshaad Kralwari, broadcaster and poet, Dr. Aabid Ahmad, Editor at Cultural Academy, Gulshan Badrani, Patron of Gulshan Cultural Forum, Shabbir Ahmed Shabbir, Noted literary figure from Banihal besides college faculty and students were present on the occasion.
