16

Aug

Role of Muslims in  freedom movement highlighted

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Anwarul haq Baig

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New Delhi | Friday | 16 August 2024

A seminar titled "Making of Modern India and Role of Muslims in Freedom Movement" was held on Sunday as part of a year-long campaign by the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH), Delhi unit, aiming to shed light on the crucial yet often overlooked contributions of Muslims to India’s struggle for independence. The event highlighted the necessity of accurate historical representation, which many speakers argued is increasingly being distorted.

In his opening remarks, Salimullah Khan, President of JIH Delhi, emphasized the importance of preserving historical facts and urged against the recent trend of rewriting history to minimize Muslim contributions. He expressed concern that such distortions create misunderstandings and foster communal tensions in the country. Khan cited the work of Ayash Khan, former director of the Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library, who pointed out the discrepancies between historical facts and their portrayal by historians with vested interests.

Khan also referenced Islamic scholar Maulana Sadruddin Islahi, who underscored the importance of authentic history writing. Islahi criticized the manipulation of historical narratives for personal gain, arguing that presenting genuine history is a vital service to humanity.

JIH Vice President, Professor Salim Engineer, praised the seminar’s theme, particularly in the context of rising Islamophobia and negative propaganda against Muslims. He called for more scholarly research and public education to counteract these biased narratives and to emphasize the integral role Muslims played in the fight for India’s independence. Prof. Salim stressed that the ruling government’s attempts to rewrite history are not just political but ideological, aimed at deepening societal divisions.

 

Article at a Glance
 
A seminar titled "Making of Modern India and Role of Muslims in Freedom Movement" was held in Delhi, highlighting the crucial contributions of Muslims to India's struggle for independence. The event, organized by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, aimed to shed light on the often-overlooked role of Muslims in shaping India's history.
Speakers emphasized the importance of accurate historical representation, criticizing the recent trend of rewriting history to minimize Muslim contributions. Renowned authors and scholars discussed the significant roles of Muslim freedom fighters, including the last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar and unsung heroes like Shaikhul Hind Maulana Mahmoodul Hasan.
The seminar also highlighted the underappreciated role of Muslim women in the independence movement. The event called for more scholarly research and public education to counteract biased narratives and emphasize the integral role Muslims played in India's freedom struggle.

 

He highlighted that Muslim involvement in the freedom struggle was driven by Islamic teachings that oppose injustice and oppression. Prof. Salim called for more conferences and seminars across the country to address the rising tide of misinformation and hatred, advocating for a collective effort across all communities, similar to the unity displayed during the anti-colonial struggle.

Renowned author Syed Ubaidur Rahman provided a detailed account of Muslim contributions to the freedom movement, starting with the Faraizi Movement of 1819, which he identified as the first organized resistance against British rule. Rahman also discussed the pivotal role of the last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, in the 1857 revolt, and highlighted numerous other Muslim freedom fighters whose sacrifices have largely been forgotten.

Rahman emphasized the significance of the Reshmi Rumal Movement, led by Shaikhul Hind Maulana Mahmoodul Hasan, which sought to destabilize British rule with support from international powers. He also mentioned key figures like Haji Sahib of Turangzai and Maulana Barkatullah Bhopali, who played vital roles in resisting British colonialism. Rahman called for greater efforts to document and raise awareness of these unsung heroes.

Freelance journalist Mrs. Syedah Swaleha Jabeen highlighted the significant yet underappreciated role of Muslim women in the independence movement. She mentioned prominent figures like Begum Hazrat Mahal, who led a group of fighters during the 1857 uprising, and Abadi Bano Begum, also known as Bi Amma, who played an active role in the Khilafat Movement. Jabeen cited Mahatma Gandhi’s acknowledgment of Muslim women’s contributions, stressing that their involvement is essential to a complete understanding of India’s freedom struggle.

Dr. Abdullah Chishti, Assistant Professor at Jamia Millia Islamia, discussed the political leadership of Muslims in shaping India’s freedom movement. He criticized the communal division of Indian history into Hindu and Muslim periods, arguing that this British-imposed framework laid the groundwork for the two-nation theory. Chishti emphasized the importance of focusing on the contributions of all communities and urged historians to preserve and communicate history accurately.

Dr. Abhay Kumar, a former history scholar from JNU, further elaborated on the distortions of Indian history by colonial writers. He criticized European scholars like James Mill and Max Muller for their biased portrayals of Indian history, noting that many of them wrote about India without ever visiting the country. Kumar stressed the importance of understanding the ‘why’ and ‘how’ behind historical events to counter ongoing efforts to distort history.

JIH Delhi State Secretary Asif Iqbal outlined the seminar's objectives and announced plans for a grand history conference in February next year. He revealed that additional history conferences would be held across major Indian cities, covering various themes, including the contributions of Muslims to architecture, culture, and social reforms. These events aim to raise awareness and ensure that the contributions of Muslims to India's freedom struggle are accurately represented and remembered.

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