Deccan Khanqahs Seminar Highlights Academic Contributions
- Deccan Khanqahs and their academic and social role discussed
- MANUU seminar explores research on Deccan Khanqahs
Hyderabad: The Department of Arabic at Maulana Azad National Urdu University hosted a two day National Seminar on “Khanqahs of the Deccan & their Academic & Social Contribution.” The event took place in collaboration with the Qur’an Foundation and the Centre for Urdu Culture Studies. The seminar brought together scholars who discussed the role of Deccan Khanqahs in learning, culture and spiritual training. Speakers also said the event aimed to support deeper research on the topic.
Prof. Syed Ainul Hasan, Vice Chancellor, presided over the inaugural session. Syed Muhammad Ali Al Hussaini, Chancellor of KBN University, was the chief guest. Mufti Khaleel Ahmed, Ameer E Jamia Nizamiya, attended as the Guest of Honour. Prof. Syed Badiuddin Sabri, former Head of the Department of Arabic at Osmania University, delivered the keynote address. The speakers explained the historic and social importance of Deccan Khanqahs and their impact on the region.
Prof. Ainul Hasan said the journey of Sufism required patience, endurance and perseverance. He added that the main purpose of holding the seminar was to promote research on Deccan Khanqahs at the university level. He said this focus would give confidence to researchers and help them explore the long history of Sufi institutions in the Deccan. He also stressed the need to study how Khanqahs helped shape local culture.
Mufti Khaleel Ahmed referred to the Holy Quran during his address and said experts admitted that many facts known today had already been mentioned in the Quran. He said Sufism was rooted in ethics and was closely linked with humanity. Meanwhile, Syed Ali Hussaini spoke about the need to revive the monastic system. He said monasteries had been places of worship, training, public service and spiritual learning. He explained that these institutions once shaped social life in many parts of the Deccan.
Prof. Badiuddin Sabri said in his keynote address that a Khanqah meant a place for eating, which was why langar was arranged in these places. He added that another meaning of the word was a place of worship. Later, Prof. Ishtiaque Ahmed, Registrar of MANUU, said papers presented during the seminar would be published as a book. He said the volume would include 89 papers in Urdu and 14 papers in Hindi and English. Prof. Syed Alim Ashraf delivered the welcome address and Prof. M.A. Sami Siddiqui convened the programme.
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