Hamid-Mohammed-Khan

Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) has resolved to oppose the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the proposed Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB). It dubbed the whole thing as a futile exercise and “deliberate diversion” of priorities by the government to hide its failures.

“Implementation of NRC in Assam showed the futility of the exercise. Moreover, putting 135 crore people to the difficulty is unjustified when there are procedures and laws available to identify foreigners and illegal immigrants,” said JIH Telangana President, Hamid Mohammed Khan.

He told presspersons here on Tuesday that the JIH would strongly oppose both the NRC and CAB if the government insisted on its implementation. The opposition parties, he hoped, would play their role in the Parliament and stop these pointless initiatives.

Expressing concern at the difficulties faced by people in Assam, he said the government had no idea what to do with the two million people who did not figure in the final NRC list. Repeated assertions of four million infiltrators proved wrong. Nation-wide exercise of NRC would cause immense problems, especially to minorities and marginalised sections of society. If the government had doubts about the status of a citizen, it must prove that he/she was not a legal resident and not the other way round. Khan asked people not to panic by the statement of the Union Home Minister and urged them to get their documents updated.

Referring to the CAB, he said it was against the very spirit of the Constitution besides being discriminatory. The Bill proposed to grant citizenship only to Hindus coming to India from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan and not to other religious communities. Furthermore, the Bill went against the basic idea of India being an inclusive, diverse, secular and democratic nation. “It is a part of the agenda to polarise people on communal lines. I am sure people will not fall prey to such divisive politics,” Khan said.

He also condemned the police crackdown on protesting JNU students. There were reports of many students and media persons receiving injuries in the lathi charge by Delhi police and CRPF. There was no place for the use of such excessive force against the student community in a democratic setup. The JIH leader felt that the students’ demand for rollback of the hiked hostel fee was genuine. The government must provide quality education at an affordable cost to all sections of society and not run away from its responsibilities. JIH is of the view that the government ought to increase the minimum allocation to education to 6 per cent of the GDP.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in NewsMeter

Dated November 26,2019

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 Smiles were back on the faces of Hyderabadis. Weekend cheer stretched to Monday as mirth and merriment descended on the city. It is the time of the year when a sense of humour prevails as Zinda Dilan-e-Hyderabad (ZDH) holds its annual programme. Hyderabadis simply let their hair down and laugh, whatever the situation.

Last two days saw people blowing away the blues with humour and satire. The most eagerly awaited event lived up to its expectations as ZDH unleashed a bagful of humour in diverse forms – prose, poetry and jokes. Of course, there was an entry ticket and it was pretty exorbitant. The audience was expected to walk in wearing a smile. Perhaps this condition played a spoilsport. The usually crowded Ravindra Bharati and Exhibition Grounds presented a near-deserted look. However, some brave hearts defied the winter chill to indulge in full-throated laughter. The two-day programme was organised by ZDH in association with Telangana Tourism.

Be it the Adabi Ijlas, Mehfil Lateefa Goee or Mizahiya Mushaira, there was mirth unlimited. The best of humour writers from all over the country ensured that people laughed their hearts out. Nadir Khan Sargiroh, who came all the way from Saudi Arabia, mesmerised the audience with his unique style of humour prose. His short and proverb-packed write-ups came as a breath of fresh air. The piece ‘Pay-e-dar Paye’ spread over ten lines had as many muhaware (idioms) and their timely use bowled over everyone. Nadir succeeded in creating humour by playing on the word ‘paya’ ( meaning goat’s legs) by coming up with related phrases in Urdu. For instance, he read out: Badi der tak paye aag par aur hum intezar main galte rahe (for a long time the lamb trotters on fire and me in waiting kept roasting).

The write-up on biryani by Dr Halelema Firdous of Bangalore also proved a hit with the audience. She recounted so many uses of biryani to find a way out of tight situations that some in the audience were heard asking whether the lip-smacking dish would be served after the programme. Articles ‘Khavind Bacho Tehreek’ of Asad Raza, ‘Terrific Traffic’ of Dr Farzana Farha and ‘Uf Ye Macchar’ of Abbas Muttaqi were simply terrific.

The Mahfile Lateefa and humorous mushaira on Monday proved to be the icing on the cake. The joke session commenced behind schedule but its convenor, Aleem Khan Falaki, said the delay was deliberate lest it turned a joke that the programme started on time. City’s senior artist, Daulat Ram, who is on the wrong side of 80, let out the secret of his health. “I never stop spreading laughter”, he confided.

If Hyderabad lays claim to be the humour capital of India, it is largely due to ZDH and the humour journal, Shagoofa. For more than half a century they have been enlivening people’s lives with humour and satire.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in NewsMeter

Dated November 25,2019

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A number of writers have parodied the works of famous writers from Mirza Ghalib to Ghulam Ali by twisting the words a bit and evoking peals of laughter from readers

There is melody in parody. Producing a comic effect through exaggerated imitation is the in-thing in Urdu literature. This art form has no guidelines or set pattern. All that it requires is the ability to see things in their ridiculous and absurd dimensions. None escapes the parodist’s pu(e)n. Popular poems of famous writers have come in handy for many a writer to create humour and fun.

See how Rehana Razvi has created humour just with the change of a word here and there in Mirza Ghalib’s verse. The original sher goes like this:

Hum hain mushtaq aur wo bezar

Ya Ilahi ye majra kya hai

The parodied version is:

Hum to gehun se aashna the

Ya Ilahi ye bajra kya hai

Noted humour writer, Shoukat Thanvi, takes off on another verse of Ghalib to create fun. Sample this tampered couplet.

Ye na thi hamari qismat ke visal-e-yar hota

Shabe wada aa bhi jaati to hamein buqar hota

Unlike prose, Urdu poetry lends itself easily for imitation. By replacing a couple of words in the original in a subtle way, a whole new hilarious meaning can be created. Since a good number of persons remember famous verses, they immediately relate to the parodic version when a little change is made in the original. Spoof can be successful only when it shifts readers’ mind to the original and its emotional impact lingers on. On the contrary, remembering long passages from an essay is difficult and making a parody of it even more tough. Therefore, not many have attempted parody of humorous prose.

Humour comes in three packages – verbal, visual and physical. So is parody. But, it is verbal and lyrical parody which is most famous in Urdu. Pandit Tribhuvan Nath Hijr is credited with writing the first parody in Urdu for Awadh Punch, the humour magazine. He borrowed heavily from the West in creating parody. Soon, others like Ratan Nath Sarshar and Akbar Allahabadi followed suit. Ghalib had this rare ability of seeing the lighter side of an unpleasant situation. His Urdu letters are proof enough. Later day poets like Akbar Allahabadi to present day humourists like Talib Khundmiri have possessed this skill to see and comment on the incongruities of life.

See how in the hands of Ismail Zareef, the famous nazm of Ghalib – Koi ummid bar nahin aati – gets converted:

Biwi jab tak ghar nahin aati

Koi umid bar nahin aati

Pehle ladne padosan aati thi

Ab kisi baat par nahin aati

Sher likhwa ke padh rahe ho Zareef

Sharm tum ko magar nahin aati

Awadh Punch takes credit for popularising parody by introducing writers like Kanhaya Lal Kapoor, Shafeeq-ur-Rahman, Shoukat Thanvi, Farqat Kakuri and Takhallus Bhopali. In the present times, it is Shagoofa which has kept this genre alive. Allama Husain Meer Kahsmiri, NB Sen Shaad, Dilawar Figar, Raja Mehdi Ali Khan and Suleman Khateeb have contributed a lot to parody literature.

Many a writer has satirised Allama Iqbal’s famous poem, Shikwa. Urdu literature is full of different variants of this popular nazm which is actually the complaint of a frustrated Muslim to the Almighty Allah. Iqbal uses wonderful vocabulary and sublime ideas to recount the achievements of the community. The parodic version of Nashtar Amrohavi follows the same style and matches Iqbal stanza by stanza. But, his shikwa is against an ungrateful ‘Begum’.

Hum se pehle tha ajab tere makan ka manzar

Koi aata hi kahan tha tere darwaze par

Aur do char jo aaye tera rishta lekar

In main na MA tha, na BA tha, na koi Inter

Shidate jazbae shaadi ne kiya kaam tera

Phunti thi meri kismat jo liya naam tera

Another well-known poem of Iqbal is parodied by Hyderabad poet, Maqbool Farooqui, beautifully.

Hum inka tarjuma karlenge apne naam chapaynge

Bhala kis ko khabar hogi yehan tera hai ya mera

Diya tha tujh ko jo naqsha, ye ghar waisa nahin hai

Are builder bata to a makan tera hai ya mera

Humour poets have done parody of Hindi film songs also. See how skilfully Sahir Ludhianvi’s song from Hum Dono is tinkered in a humorous way by Shabbir Ahmed Maher of Raigadh, Mahrashtra. The original song is:

Main zindagi ka saath nibhata chala gaya

The spoofed version is:

Har falsafi ka saath nibhata chala gaya

Ullu ka pattha khud ko banata chala gaya

Jang-e-Khaleej se huva America faiz-e-yab

Sone ke bhau loha khapata chala gaya

Aadat buri hai mana magar hausala to dekh

Ashaar chori karke chapata chala gaya

Pradeep Kumar’s patriotic song from the classic movie, Jagriti, is parodied in a funny way by Dr Zafar Kamali of Siwan, Bihar. The latter uses Pradeep’s song to expose the ills of the society in a telling manner. Who doesn’t remember this song played on Independence Day and Republic Day?

Aao bachcho tumhe dikhayen jhanki Hindustan ki

The parodic version goes like this:

Sansad mein baithi hain dekho netaon ki toliyaan

Bol rahi hain uchal uchal kar bhant bhant ki boliyaan

Bharengi, bharti thi, bharti hain inki apni jholiyaan

Public ke hisse mein hain laikin gham, ghussa, bum, goliyaan

Jo sach bolega khayega hava wahi zandan ki

Is mitti se tilak karo ye dharti hai balidaan ki

Iqbal has written a number of poems for children. Among them Bachche Ki Dua stands out. This poem is a fervent appeal by a student to God to grant him all that is good in life. Pakistan’s humorous poet, Dilwar Figar, has made light of this beautiful poem by seeking mundane things from God. The poem titled Student Ki Dua reduces the stirring poem of Iqbal to a burlesque. It goes like this:

Lab pe aati hai dua ban ke tamanna meri

Zindagi khel mein gharat ho Khudaya meri

Film mein mere chamkne se ujala ho jaye

Mutawajja meri janib Madhubala ho jaye

Zindagi ho meri Nausahd ki surat ya Rab

Film ki shamma se ho mujh ko muhabbat ya Rab

Mere Allah padhaee se bachana mujh ko

Mughle Azam or Barsat dikhana mujhko

Noted Deccani humour poet, Sulaiman Khateeb, has also tried his hand at parody. He has lampooned Makhdoom Mohiuddin’s famous poem Maikade se zara door is mod per in his typical way:

Ek ghalle ki unchi dukan ke tale

Chand bhooke khade the badi der se

Ek mayee ko queue mein hi baccha huva

Suf mein bhookon ki phir ek izafa huva

Masjidon ke minaron ne dekha  ise

Mandiron ke kiwadon ne dekha ise

Both serious and romantic poems of eminent poets like Allama Iqbal, Mirza Ghalib, Dagh Dehlvi, Mirza Mohammed Rafi Sauda, Mir Taqi Mir, Ibne Insha, Josh Malihabadi, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Altaf Hussain Hali have been parodied. Even Ghulam Ali’s famous ghazal Chupke chupke raat din… written by Hasrath Mohani has also been parodied. Gopinath Aman has done a wonderful job of it. Sample the parodic version:

Ibtedae memberi ka wo zamana yaad hai

Phool leke pai ba pai logon ka aana yaad hai

Majeed Lahori has come out with a funny piece of poetry while doing parody of Nazeer Akbarabadi’s Aadmi Nama. This new version goes with the title Modern Aadmi Ke Naam.

Moochen badha raha hai so hai wo bhi aadmi

Dadhi mundha raha hai so hai wo bhi aadmi

Murghe jo kha raha hai so hai wo bhi aadmi

Dalya paka raha hai so hai wo bhi aadmi

Over the years, a number of writers have written parodies and yet this genre doesn’t command a respectable place in Urdu literature. At best, it is considered second grade stuff since it is a copy of some original work.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in Telangana Today

Dated November 24,2019

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Telangana Minorities Residential Educational Institutions Society (TMREIS) has proposed to acquire State Waqf Board land to construct buildings for its schools in the Hyderabad district. The property will be taken on a long lease of 100 years for building 18 schools in and around the city. Since government land is not available in the state capital, TMREIS management thought of taking Waqf Board land. A letter in regards has been addressed to the Waqf Board, and TMREIS expects the latter to make a decision in its next meeting.

If the proposal gets through, it will be a win-win situation for both institutions. Waqf Board has large parcels of land in Telangana, but most of it is under encroachment. By leasing out a portion of its land to TMREIS, it will not only ensure the protection of its property but also earn revenue by charging the current market value.

Presently, TMREIS has 204 schools across the state. Of this, 187 are functioning from rented premises and the rest from government buildings. TMREIS plans to have its buildings, but they face the problem of scarcity of land, especially in Hyderabad. Under the Multi-sectoral Development Programme now called Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram, phase-wise construction of 54 school buildings has been taken up.

Under phase I and II, thirteen schools are grounded in Adilabad, Nizamabad, Zaheerabad, and Ranga Reddy districts. These school buildings are in the final stage of construction. Tenders for the construction of 10 school buildings in the third phase have been called. In the fourth phase, TMREIS plans to construct 31 school buildings, and of this, 18 will be in Hyderabad district alone. Government land is readily available elsewhere, but in Hyderabad, it is a big problem.

“We have already written to the Waqf Board and are hopeful it will agree to our request and allot its land on lease,” said B Shafiullah, Secretary of TMREIS.

The Centre has sanctioned a sum of Rs 620 crore for the construction of 31 school buildings, a few junior colleges, and hostels. The money will be shared in the ratio of 60:40 by the Government of India and the Telangana government.

As part of his pet programme to empower minorities, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has established 204 residential schools and two residential junior colleges in the state. The idea is to ensure the overall development of children through fully residential schools.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in NewsMeter

Dated November 22,2019

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Abbas Muttaqui’s humour and satire, besides appropriate use of proverbs 
and metaphors won many hearts and laurels

If you are looking for a pigeon-holed answer to define him, forget it. He doesn’t believe in a singular identity. Like all creative people, he has several areas of interest in his life. Yes, he is multifaceted and intriguing. Dr Syed Abbas Muttaqui doesn’t want to play just one note – it becomes a bit monotonous and boring. So, he is a many-sided entertainer – teacher, writer, poet, dramatist, humorist and an Imam all rolled into one.

But, he has carved a niche for himself in the tanz-o-mizah genre. Last week, he had his moment in the sun when he was bestowed the prestigious Makhdoom Award by the Telangana State Urdu Academy for his contribution to humour and satire. In a career spanning four decades, Muttaqui has authored 13 books of humour, five books of poetry in Urdu and four in Persian. An amazing achievement for a teacher of government school where talent seldom finds encouragement.

He comes across as a paradox. Committed yet relaxed, sociable yet a loner, passionate and also platonic. In short, Muttaqui is extremely amusing and a darn good company. He entertains everyone with jokes, couplets and his amazing grasp of Urdu and Persian. Right from childhood, he is drawn to fun and frolic. A great fan of Prithivi Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar, he wanted to sing and act in films. He satiated his desire by acting in school plays. “I still have these passions but now they find release through my writings,” he says.

At 66, Muttaqui is still busy with his writings. His latest book ‘Kahan Gaya Mera Bachpan’ makes an interesting read about his childhood passions and acts of naughtiness. His inborn talents and academic brilliance were not lost on his teachers. They supported and encouraged his passion for literature. The Headmistress of New Progressive School, Azhar Jahan, entrusted him with the job of editing the school magazine, Bazme Shaheen, when he was in class VII.

Right from fifth standard, he started composing poetry and showed it to his Urdu teacher, Saaduddin Qureshi. When the latter was transferred to another school, Muttaqui was sad and penned a farewell poem in honour of his teacher. When he failed to clear the tenth examination, Muttaqui wanted to quit education and join the film industry. However, he continued his education and did his Master’s and PhD in Urdu and, after retirement, in Persian language.

Muttaqui recalls how he used the pocket money given by his father to purchase books and magazines from footpaths on Sundays. Even today, a good number of copies of Khilona and Shama magazines can be found in his house, neatly stacked. He also tried his hand at singing, wrestling, horse riding and sermonising. He was attracted by the sermons of Maulana Mohd Hameeduddin Aqil Husami, who used to pack his talk with a lot of humour. Recalling his different interest as he grew into adulthood, he says:

Aseere panjae ahde shabab karke mujhe
Kahan gaya mera bachpan kharaab karke mujhe

Muttaqui has captured his childhood events in a humorous way in the book Kahan Gaya Mera Bachpan. He plans to write about his colourful adolescent life under the title ‘Abhi Toh Main Jawaan Hun’ and present his old age as ‘Azizo! Ab Allah hi Allah hai’.

The writing canvass of Muttaqui is very wide. He has written on a variety of things that have impacted his life. One thing is for sure – he doesn’t hesitate to call a spade a spade. He faithfully produces the waywardness of even his father who was given to drinking and gambling and takes pot-shots at the foils and foibles of others. He doesn’t believe in ‘Neki kar aur darya main daal’ but in ‘Neki kar aur diary main likh maar’.

Muttaqui emerged on the literary firmament with his first book ‘Dukhti Ragen’ in 1989 followed by ‘Tasleeman Kaseera’, ‘Masnavi Naval Subhan’ (a translation of Surah Rahman), ‘Tanhayian’, ‘Chatti Ungli’, ‘Fe Zilalil Burda’, ‘Meri Bala Se’, ‘Darta Hun Aiyne Se’, ‘Lage Hathon’, ‘Hain Kawakib Kutch’, ‘Tik Tik Deedam’, ‘Man Khub Me Shanam’, Nagufta Ba, Gup Shup, Baad Shaman Madara, Harche Badabad, Mata-e-Rooh (Urdu Persian poems), Yousuf Ravish Ki Chulbuli Parchayian and Kahan Gaya Mera Bachpan. His Persian works include: Rubaiyate Muttaqui, Rashke Gardoon, Munajate Muttaqui, Maqaese Ghalib and Meena Badosh.

However, he is known more for his humorous prose than poetry. One can almost feel the sound of the breaking heart and fall of a tear drop in his soul stirring ghazals in ‘Tanhayian’. Sample this verse which reflects the dejection of a star-crossed lover:

Tum ne iss phool ko hathon mein daba rakkha hai
Hum to samjhe the ke zulfaon main saja rakkha hai
Jaagte daer mukhaddar ko kahan hoti hai
Hum ye soch ke darwaza khula rakkha hai

When one reads his satirical prose, one wonders whether it is the same writer who penned these moving verses. His articles have been a huge success at the Zinda Dilane Hyderabad programmes. He often appeared as the opening batsman of literary programmes. He would stay long on the crease and score tanz-o-mizah runs. He made the audience break into splits with his humorous chawwe and chakke.

In one of his earliest articles ‘Kachara’, Muttaqui shows his skills of turning a stinky thing like garbage into a readable stuff. He lists different grades of garbage and says the standard refuse is that which contains peels of fruits. “It is not my good fortune to have peels of apple or almond in my kachara. The waste in my house is mostly of onion peels,” he remarks.

The same kind of quirky humour can be found in his other articles like Tel Khandil, Aao Phir Shaadi Karen, Man Aanam Ke Man Danam. When a PhD thesis was done on his works, Muttaqui wrote ‘Ya Lalajab Hum Par Bhi’, expressing surprise that someone considered his writings fit for research. A unique thing about his writings is that they come across as a speech. There is a conversational tone in his prose and the reader feels as if the author is talking to him directly. See how he jumps to conclusion about people’s prosperity by looking at their culinary habits. He says:

“Shahr Hyderabad ki hotalon, hotalon ke bahar sadkon aur sadkon par tehri karon main khaee jane wali haleem is baat ka suboot hai ke is shahr main bahamdullah tala logon ki maashi khush-hali suryya aasar hi nahi, mareeq aur mushtari aasar hai.”

Sometimes, he uses English words in such a way as to create humour. For instance, he describes the break-up of a marriage by saying “goya azwaji zindagi ka ball catch hogaya” since the woman was busy watching cricket match putting cooking on the back burner. Muttaqui describes this situation in his typical way: ‘Goya TV ne BV ko beewi rehne na diya’.

Apart from his beautiful Urdu, what adds to the charm of his articles is the use of appropriate proverbs and metaphors. Sample some of the axioms he uses to liven up his prose: Dil ko janab aap pe ana tha aagaya, Bijli si daud jaati hai thandak bikherti, Aaiyna koi chupke se mujh ko dikha gaya.

Who is his inspiration? Pat comes the reply: Mushtaq Ahmed Yousufi. One can detect the wry sarcasm of this great satirist in the writings of Muttaqui. The influence of Khwaja Hasan Nizami, Patras Bukhari, Kanhaiya Lal Kapoor and Rasheed Ahmed Siddiqui can also be seen in his writings. Closer home, he is inspired by Shaz Tamkanat and Amjad Hyderabadi. Muttaqui is also a great fan of Ibne Safi’s ‘Jasoosi Duniya’ and novels of Premchand and Siraj Anwar.

A man of many parts, Muttaqui remains an enigma. As he himself says:

Tum ku maloom nahin kuch haqeeqat meri
Apna afsana sunane ki ijazat de do

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in Telangana Today

Dated November 17,2019

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With the Supreme Court pronouncing its final verdict on the Ayodhya tangle, many feel Muslims should move ahead and concentrate on real issues. The community should be concerned more about social indices and shouldn’t be bogged down by just the Masjid-Mandir matter.

Important issues such as abject poverty, education, health care, housing, food, personal security and social exclusion are staring at their face. Yet, the community is not thinking beyond Babri Masjid, 12 per cent reservation and Waqf matters. “Muslims do not have a holistic view of what their problems are,” says Mujtaba Hasan Askari of Helping Hand Foundation.

Askari, whose NGO deals with public healthcare, pinpoints several deplorable social indices and wonders what the community is doing to check the malaise. Poverty and illiteracy combined with poor health is a recipe for disaster for any community, and statistics show that a significant portion of Muslims in the country suffers from a combination of these factors. The need to improve access to quality and affordable education right from primary to higher education and skill development brooks no delay. It requires critical thinking, resources and support from both within and outside the community.

“Why can’t we get this discussion into the public domain and deliberate instead of bragging about an old Masjid-Mandir issue, which does not have any impact on our wellbeing,” says Askari.

He wants the community to discuss the percentage of Muslim children below five years who are stunted (low height to age) due to undernourishment. How many are wasted (low weight to age) due to chronic malnutrition? How many Muslim women are anaemic and more so during pregnancy? What can the community do to address undernourishment of children from economically weaker sections?

Reliable data available from the Sachar Committee and Sudhir Committee reports portray a grim picture of Muslim minorities. “Why can’t the clergy make this a part of the Friday sermon,” he wonders.

Askari, who works closely with the community, says Muslims topped the chart on NCDs (Non-Communicable Diseases) like diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, cancer and chronic kidney diseases. Those caught in these ailments are living a miserable life. Neither thought nor effort is being spared to counsel Muslim youth who are getting addicted to tobacco smoking. Yet discourses remained on civil and religious matters, he laments.

Askari also faults lavish weddings in the community even as many poor parents are finding it difficult to marry off their daughters. He feels the community ought to come together and start talking about its social and moral wellbeing and issues that matter to the welfare of the community. “It is time to take action and abandon lip service,” he says.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in NewsMeter

Dated November 17,2019

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 May 13, 1969. Does the date ring a bell? No prizes for guessing. It was when Majlis leader Asaduddin Owaisi was born. Can you hazard a guess about the climate that day? Well, the weather was very pleasant – baaghon mein bahaar thi, kaaley baadal hatt gaye the, sab kuch suhaana sa tha.

Bollywood’s hit song from Rajesh Khanna-starrer Aradhana – baaghon mein bahaar hai … perhaps played heavy on Owaisi’s mind when he gave details of the day he was born. If yoga guru Baba Ramdev had not provoked the Hyderabad MP with the ‘inauspicious birth time’ remark, one wouldn’t have known the “lovely” climate of the day he was born.

The godman-tycoon was at his controversial best yet again when he dubbed Owaisi as ‘dharti pe bojh’ (a burden on Earth) and called the timing of his birth as ‘inauspicious’. Not one to take things lying down, the Majlis leader promised never to stop being a ‘bojh’ if his siding the ‘Samvidhan’ (Constitution) is considered an immense burden. He further offered special thanks to TV anchor Arnab Goswami for platforming such ‘hate speech’.

Ramdev waded into controversy when he likened Owaisi to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and Osama Bin Laden and called him the kingpin of those who want to divide the country. Ramdev hit out at Owaisi while reacting on the Ayodhya verdict. The unsavoury spat spilled onto Twitter, with many terming the episode despicable. Some felt Ramdev’s remark was ‘vile and personal’. A Twitter user, Saif, saw it as a direct attack on Indian Muslims from this “crony” businessman. “Owaisi alone is the representative of 200 million Muslims of India as we have been dumped by all the institutions of India which swore to protect us,” he said.

The controversy seems to have garnered a good number of supporters for Owaisi. Quite a few sided with the Hyderabad MP and said his patriotism could never be questioned although one might disagree with him on some issues. “Jokes aside it’s disturbing to see hate directed at Owaisi. You can disagree with him but how can you equate him with Osama, Baghdadi,” asked Manisha Pande.

Owaisi himself sought to dismiss the controversy when asked about the Ramdev remark. Instead, he wanted to know why the co-founder of Patanjali has suddenly stopped giving ads on TV channels when he is earning so much. “Ask him to issue ads otherwise your jobs will be in danger,” he told the scribes of a few channels.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in NewsMeter

Dated November  14,2019

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 Food should be fun and sure, it was. A pinch of patience, a dash of care and a spoonful of laughter made all the difference. No, they were not regular chefs. Yet they brought soul to the recipe. Cooking is one failure after another until you get it right. However, they believed in themselves, their abilities, and voila! What they churned out was lip smacking.

The open space at the Dr MCR HRD Institute, Jubilee Hills, turned into a sprawling kitchen on Wednesday as scores of officer trainees got down to cook and serve their favourite dishes. The fete was part of the 94th Foundation Course being conducted for 140 officer trainees drawn from 25 states. They represented 15 services including IPS, IFS, IRS, ISS and IES.

The celebration was intended to shore up the spirits of the officer trainees who are undergoing a rigorous hundred-day course. Since all work and no play make Jack a dull boy, the carnival allowed officers to let their hair down and exhibit their culinary and organisational skills. For a change, the academic ambience at the premier administrative training Institute gave way to fun and frolic. Even the Institute Director General, BP Acharya, was seen exchanging pleasantries with the trainees and savouring the delicacies the officer trainees made.

Not just food stalls, but there were also games aplenty here. Music and soulful songs wafting in the air added to the charm. Many participants just gave in to the mood and danced away the blues. “I thoroughly enjoyed the fest. It’s such a fun,” said Rohan Jegadessh of Karnataka.

Srikant-of-Karnataka-making-dosa

Right from the word go, the officer trainees sported a happy-go-lucky attitude apart from their colourful and casual wear. They broke up into teams and divided work among themselves. Some went out to purchase vegetables and things required for cooking while others put up colourful banners, and did the groundwork. One thing was sure — the officers didn’t mind getting their hands dirty. Once ready, the trainees sold their eatables, putting to proper use planning, conceptualising and executing skills they picked up during the course. The money generated through the sales was later handed over to an NGO for a good cause.

“It’s a great learning experience. A simple task of making and selling half fried eggs couldn’t have been more challenging,” remarked a beaming Anjali of Bihar. Her colleague, Vipasha Parul, was happy to have learnt management skills and the dignity of labour. Fish curry, Jal Mudhi, Matar Kulcha, Punjabi lassi and dal-kabab were a big hit with the faculty and trainees.

Babar-Ali-and-Susham-showing-their-culinary-skills

Apart from academic inputs, the officer trainees were exposed to a number of co-curricular and extra-curricular activities to make them learn the ropes of good governance. As part of the Foundation Course, they took part in long treks in the Himalayas, did rock climbing in Bhongir, besides taking part in village visits and athletics meets. These activities are intended to give them an idea about the administrative, managerial and socio-economic environment of the country.

Does this rigorous training help? Yes, many have discovered their core strengths to face the challenges ahead.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in NewsMeter

Dated November 13,2019

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Messengers and Prophets sent down by Allah (SWT) for the guidance of humanity are always a role model and an ideal. Their every action is worth emulation and sets precedence in deriving rules. No wonder they occupy the highest echelons of morality and integrity in all spheres of life. Their worship is a picture of khushu-khuzu (veneration and humbleness), their dealings honest and straight-forward, their conduct and interaction with people truthful, frank and sincere. Their character, of course, is impeccable and unblemished.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the last messenger of Allah, was no different. He was a complete man in the fullest sense of the word. Even today people turn to him for inspiration and guidance. Millions the world over imitate every act of his life, right down to minute details. In fact, nobody has influenced humanity so much and so hugely as him. Muslims love him more than their own lives and look up to him for a way out of the moral, social and political chaos that engulfs the world today.

His egalitarian message is as relevant today as it was 1400 years ago. Especially in the present strife-torn times marked by oppressive social and economic discrimination, the Prophet’s teachings of justice and fair play hold out hope. As science advances many of the Quranic predictions are proving amazingly accurate, validating the truth of the divine message revealed to the Prophet centuries ago. The Quranic description of the evolution of embryo in the uterus, the origin of the universe, the healing property of honey and other such assertions made in the scriptures establish the absolute truth of the divine message. It further shows that the Quran, the greatest of Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) miracles, has the final say in matters which are beyond human perception.

The best of human beings, the Prophet remains a beacon of light for humanity. During his short span of 63 years, he comes across as an apostle, orator, warrior, and restorer of rational dogmas and of a cult without images. There is no aspect of his life that doesn’t inspire and enthuse humanity. Even non-believers are fascinated by his sterling character and acknowledge his greatness. His honesty and fairness earned him the sobriquet – Al Amin (the trustworthy).  Astrophysicist, Michael H. Hart, in his book “The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History, placed the Prophet of Islam first in the list of 100 most influential persons in history. French writer, Lamartine, feels none could be compared to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) if the greatness of purpose, the smallness of means and astounding results are the three criteria of human genius.

The Seerah of the Prophet never fails to inspire us emotionally. What stands out, of course, is his flawless character, a thing the Muslim community needs today more than anything else. Our ability to handle life’s challenges is a measure of our strength of character. And in the Prophet’s life, there is much to be learned.

A man of simple and elegant manners, the Prophet never put on superior airs. Once a Bedouin approached him but was too awestruck to speak. “Fear not. I was born out of a Qurayshi woman who ate dried meat”, the Prophet said – putting the man at ease. Though he occupied the high office of prophethood, he did not hesitate to attend to his personal works himself. He cobbled his shoes, milked the goat and took part in the household chores. What’s more, when his Companions wanted to stand up when he comes as a mark of respect, the Prophet refused. He mixed with people and chatted with them. He abstained from pestering his companions with sermons and knowledge all the time. He never snubbed anyone nor passed any uncharitable comment behind their back.

When Sa’d ibn Hishaam ibn Aamir asked Hazrat Aiysha (R.A) about the Prophet’s character, she said, “Don’t you read the Quran’? He said, “Of course”. Then she said, “The character of the Prophet was  Quran itself”. What it means is that the Prophet’s attitude embodied everything that is contained in the Quran.

No related stories.

The Quran describes the Prophets character as Wa Innaka La’ala Khuluqin Azeem (And indeed, you are of a great moral character). Often the basis of moral turpitude is the dichotomy between the word and the deed. Usually, people sound very sincere in their talk but when it comes to action they are found wanting. But in the life of Prophet Muhammed (PBUH), one doesn’t see this difference. What he preached to others he was the first to practice. This was necessary since the Prophet’s main duty was da’wah (inviting people to Islam) and without his possessing good manners and friendly disposition, the impact on listeners wouldn’t be much.

While all aspects of the Prophet’s life are exemplary, what stands out is his character. He was humble and unassuming. He laid great stress on good manners and justice for all. He showed mercy to both animate and inanimate creatures. He wanted balance and moderation in thought and practice and followed it himself. He once remarked: “Allah doesn’t look at your outward appearance and wealth but he looks at your hearts and deeds”. On another occasion, the Prophet said: “I was sent in order to complete and consolidate good manners”.

There are a number of sayings of Prophet which shows the importance he attached to good manners. In a Hadeeth, he says: “The best among the believers are those of best manners”. He also stated that “Good manners of a believer raise him to the level of a person who fasts all day and prays all night”.
Other ethical issues the Prophet emphasized include clemency, honesty, valor, modesty, loyalty and kind speech. He also laid a lot of stores by time management, self-control, and accountability.

The Messenger of Allah always encouraged people to be just and fair and practiced it himself. Once a woman of Banu Makhzoom, a respectable clan of Arab, was caught stealing. People wanted that she should escape punishment and used the good offices of Hazrath Osama Bin Zaid, who was very dear to the Prophet, to recommend for clemency. The Prophet was very angry and said “Do you intercede regarding one of the punishments prescribed by Allah? He then addressed the people and said, “By  Allah, if Fatima, daughter of Muhammed (PBUH), were to steal, I would have her hands cut off”. This clearly shows how the Prophet did not differentiate between the rich and poor and treated everyone equally.

His generosity was such that he never turned away the poor and needy. If he did not have money he would borrow from others and fulfill the needs of others. And if any dinar or dirham remained unspent, he became restless till he distributed them. Such was his magnanimity that when he passed away, there was no oil in his house to light the lamp. While he did not like to turn away the needy, he disapproved of the act of seeking alms.

An epitome of virtue, the Prophet was at his best in endurance and controlling anger. Once the Prophet was walking attired in a Najrani coarse garment when a bedouin accosted him and pulled his garment. Anas ibn Maalik, who was with the Prophet, saw the latter’s neck getting bruised by the edge of the garment. The bedouin said: “O Muhammad order for me to get from Allah’s money in your possession”. The Prophet did not get angry at the harsh behavior of the bedouin and on the contrary, smiled and gave the order.

There are innumerable such incidents which explain the exemplary manners and sublime conduct of the Messenger of Allah in the face of adversity. A close study of the Prophet’s Seerah shows how practical and realistic are his sayings, actions and gestures. One feels compelled to adopt them to gain comfort and happiness in this world and the hereafter. The Prophet of Islam gave utmost importance to human dignity and prohibited every form of harm and damage to mankind, even if it is unintentional. Likewise, he forbade homicide, perfidy, treachery, perversion, spying, libel and slander, mistrust, corruption, arrogance, despair, suicide, oppression and transgression.

All through his life, the Prophet called for fulfilling human rights after fulfilling the rights of the Creator. If Islam spread throughout the world in a short span of time, it is not because of the use of the sword as is wrongly propagated, but by the display of good manners by Muslim merchants in their dealings. Their excellent deportment enabled people to see the beauty and brilliance of Islam. Today the entire mankind is in dire need of such noble manners and splendid values.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published inThe Siasat Daily

Dated November 12,2019

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A magazine that is meant for humour and satire lovers from the historical city of Hyderabad.

Every new idea looks crazy at first. So was the idea of a humour journal. Everyone thought he was a crank. But he knew in his heart that there is no hope for an idea if it doesn’t sound absurd at first.  Dr. Syed Mustafa Kamal has proved everyone wrong with his magazine, Shugoofa, emerging as the best humour magazine. In fact it is the only mizahia periodical of its kind in Urdu in the entire country.

Running with the herd was never his idea. He wanted to be daring, be first and be different. And he succeeded. As Shugoofa entered the 52nd year, Kamal is proud – and justifiably so – to have given break to countless budding writers while making the established ones try their hand at humour. Today Shugoofa has become synonymous with tanz-o-mizah. For many happiness is sun, sand and Shugoofa in hand.

Ye hai jawaab waqt ke mushkil sawaal ka
Zinda dili ka rang hai is main Kamal ka

If Awadh Punch (1877-1934), published from Lucknow, played a key role in the evolution of humour and satire during the British rule, post Independence it is Shugoofa. Munshi Sajjad Hussain laid the foundation for decent and wholesome humour through Awadh Punch and Kamal has taken it to heights of excellence. Launched on the lines of The Punch, London, Awadh Punch was unique in that it gave a humorous touch to even headlines and news. Ordinary news also got a special treatment which made readers laugh. However, after running for 36 years it closed down. Three years later it was again revived but it turned out to be a pale copy of the original. Finally it was curtains for the journal in 1934.

Shugoofa has broken the long running record of Awadh Punch by completing 51 years. In fact it is the best thing that has happened to the Urdu language and Hyderabad. While it gave desolate hearts a chance to smile after merger of the Hyderabad State into Indian Union, for Urdu it did a singular service by reviving a genre which was all but forgotten. The history of humour remains incomplete without the mention of Shugoofa which reflects the lively spirit of Zinda Dilane Hyderabad (ZDH).

It was actually the mizahiya mushaira presented by Qazi Ayaz Ansari on All India Radio way back in 1961 that sowed seeds of ZDH, the literary wing of Fine Arts Academy. The mushaira was so successful that next few years it was conducted with much fanfare. Later noted humour writer, Mujtaba Hussain, and Kamal decided to organise an All India Humour conference in 1966 for the first time in Hyderabad. Eminent writers like Krishan Chander, Bharat Chand Khanna, Makhdoom Mohiuddin were among those who attended it. The conference proved to be a catalyst in reviving humour and satire. A happy fall out of this was a spurt in humour articles appearing in Urdu newspapers. A souvenir brought out on the occasion sold like hot cakes. Then the idea of a regular humour journal took shape. But many laughed at the very thought. However, Kamal took it as a challenge and proved his mettle.

Today if Hyderabad is regarded as the humour capital of India, the credit goes to ZDH and Shugoofa. The first issue of Shugoofa hit the stands on November 1, 1968. Its periodicity itself was a matter of amusement. Initially it was a ‘dedh mahi’ (published once in 45 days), and in 1973 it became a monthly. And since then it is hitting the stands without a break – come rain or shine. Over the years its office in Bachelors Quarters has become the hangout of poets, writers and artists. Well known Bollywood comedian, Mehmood, also dropped in here.

In the last half a century, Shugoofa has published 36 special issues on famous writers like Mujtaba Hussain, Talib Khundmiri, Farhatullah Baig , Mirza Ghalib , Yousuf Nazim, Narender Luther, Ibrahim Jalees, Taqallus Bhopali, Kanaya Lal Kapoor, Parvez Y Mehdi and Abid Moiz to name a few. Besides it dedicated special sections and editions to 110 prominent humorists. The Khaleej Number published in May 2004 was very popular as it focussed on humour in Gulf countries. Equally popular was the Parody Number containing famous parodies in Urdu. The special issues on Raja Mehdi Ali Khan and Allama Iqbal were lapped up in no time and there was demand for more copies. As Shugoofa’s popularity transcended geographical boundaries, Urdu readers eagerly looked forward to its issues from US, Canada, Australia, UK, New Zealand, Middle East apart from the sub-continent. In these trouble times it has turned out to be a great stress buster.

Khushiyan agar hun kam to Shugoofa padha karo
Gham se ho aankh nam to Shugoofa padha karo
Abba khareeb hun to padho mazhabi kitab
Nazdeek ho sanam to Shugoofa padha karo

When Shugoofa was launched there were not many humour writers to fill it. Kamal had to literary chase serious writers like Jeelani Bano, Awaz Sayeed, Atiq Shah, Nayeem Zuberi and request them to write articles in lighter vein. The result was the magazine got quality write-ups. “I have never compromised on the quality of articles”, says Kamal, the founder Editor of Shugoofa.

Many an author got a new lease of life thanks to Shugoofa. Writers like Talib Khundmiri, Habeeb Zia, Abbas Muttaqi, Maseeh Anjum, Abid Moiz are all products of this magazine. The works of a few non Urdu writers were also translated and published in Shugoofa. Interestingly, Kamal himself is not a humour writer. Basically a researcher and academician, he never tried his hand at writing. “Humour writing is not my cup of tea”, he admits.

But he has ensured that there is a balanced and healthy growth of humour. Kamal encouraged witty articles in all genres of Urdu literature. One can find articles on Inshaiya (essay), Afsana (short story), Khaka (sketch), Khud Navisht (autobiography), Aap Beeti (nostalgic anecdote),drama, parody and novel. The best part about the magazine is that one can read any issue anytime without getting bored. Even his bitter critics acknowledge the contribution of Kamal to the growth of tanz-o-mizah. Nothing succeeds like success. Shugoofa is one of a kind, and that’s real.

Lana pada tumhi ko tumhari misaal main

But no single person can take credit for the success of Shugoofa as there is always team work behind every triumphant venture. In the case of Shugoofa too host of writers have done their bit in making the magazine what it is today. Abid Moiz, who served as its overseas editor for 25 years, is responsible for Shugoofa blooming in the Arabian desert.  He introduced the magazine in the Gulf country by enlisting scores of life members. Closer home, Mujtaba Husain, made Shugoofa more readable with his special brand of humour. Others like Barq Ashniyanvi, Sigar Lucknowi, Suleman Khateeb, Dr. Suleman Athar Javeed, Dilawar Figar, Yousuf Nazim, Fikr Taunsvi have also made valuable contributions. Over the years Shugoofa became a platform for writers of different schools of thoughts. It gave place to progressive writers like Krishan Chander, Khwaja Ahmed Abbas, Ali Sardar Jaffery and also those influenced by modernism such as Gopi Chand Narang, Shamsur Rahman Faruqi, Rajender Singh Bedi and Qurratulain Hyder.

Kamal, who is now 80, is worried about the future of Shugoofa. “How long can I carry on. If I don’t find some able hands to manage it, I may have to think of winding it up”, he says with a touch of sadness in his voice. But readers ardently wish:

Shugoofa hamesha shagufta rahe
Zarafat ka chashma ubalta rahe

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in Telangana Today

Dated November 10,2019

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                                                          Prince-Muffakham

The Telangana State Urdu Academy finalised names of two towering personalities for the award instituted in the name of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, first education minister of independent India. For the year 2017 it is decided to present the coveted award to Prince Mufakkham Jah Bahadur, grandson of the 7th Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, and for 2018 to Prof. Anwar Mauzam, retired professor, Islamic Studies, Osmania University.

A 5-member expert committee constituted for the purpose unanimously selected the names of the awardees on Friday. The award which carries a cash prize of Rs. 2.25 lakh and a citation with a shawl will be presented on November 11, the birth anniversary of Maulana Azad.

The Urdu Academy also finalised names for the Makhdoom award for the last four years from 2015 to 2018. The awardees are Dr Farooq Shakeel (poetry), Prof. Baig Ahsas (fiction), Rasheeduddin (journalist), Abbas Muttaqi (humour and satire). This award carries cash of Rs. 2 lakh along with citation and memento.

Urdu Academy’s prestigious awards named after poet, Makhdoom Mohiuddin and Maulana Azad, turned controversial when a member of the selection committee was chosen for the Makdhoom award in June. The contentious selection raised eyebrows in the literary circle forcing the government to cancel the awards and order a probe. The government took a serious note of the procedural lapses in setting up of the selection committee without any official nominee.

The Urdu Academy constituted a fresh selection committee which met on Friday and finalised the names. Academy chairperson, Rahimuddin Ansari, Director, Urdu Academy, Shahnawaz Qasim and Prof. S.A. Shukoor (on behalf of Secretary, Minority Welfare), were present on the occasion.

The Azad award is given to eminent personalities for their contribution in the field of Urdu teaching, social work and contribution for the education of the community. Academy chairperson, Ansari, was in favour of giving the Azad award to Maulana Rabey Hasani Nadwi, renowned Islamic scholar, who figured in the earlier selection which was later cancelled. However, other committee members felt the award should go to someone from Telangana and to a non-religious personality.

The awards will be presented at a programme at Urdu Maskan, Khilwat, on Monday by Minister for Minority Welfare, Koppula Eshwar.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in NewsMeter

Dated November 9,2019

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As the nation waits with bated breath for the Babri Masjid verdict, a Hyderabad-based mosque presented a rare picture of bonhomie on Friday. For the first time perhaps, the Masjid-e-Ishaq in the old city saw the head priest of Chilkur Balaji temple, CS Rangarajan, and Pastor B Srinivas of GION Church, visiting it. The duo along with city-based NGOs, Helping Hand Foundation (HHF) and Safa Baitul Maal, formed an inter-faith group to promote communal harmony, peace and trust through social support programmes run from places of worship.

Religious leaders came together on the first anniversary of the Community Health Centre set up at the Masjid in Nawab Saheb Kunta, an urban slum south of the Musi River. For the last one year, the Masjid-e-Ishaq has been extending healthcare facilities to people of all faith. A part of the open space in the mosque has been converted into a primary health centre by Mujtaba Hasan Askari of the HHF.

People inhabiting slums around the mosque are being rendered free medicare. The health centre is providing preventive, curative, palliative and referral facility — all free of cost. On average, about 100 to 150 patients make use of the facilities here every day. In a first, the Masjid loudspeaker is also being used to announce the availability of doctors and medicines at the health centre.

Askari feels that places of worship, be it a temple, church or mosque, should come forward to address the social needs of the community. The inter-faith forum formed today plans to take up community-based programmes in healthcare, women protection and empowerment and try to build mutual trust and respect. The HHF intends to set up health centres in temples and churches as well.

Rangarajan was impressed by activities taken up by HHF and said the core of all faiths was the same. Everyone breathed the same air, drank the same water and experienced joy and sorrow in the same way. “We need to coexist peacefully and support each other,” he remarked.

Later, Chilkur Balaji temple priest and Pastor Srinivas served food to needy children from the neighbouring slums.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in NewsMeter

Dated November 8,2019

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