By Muslim Mirror Network
On the occasion of the death anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the Lucknow Campus of Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) organised an extension lecture on 22nd February, 2024. Mr. Masoom Muradabadi, a renowned journalist, delivered the lecture on Maulana Azad’s contribution to Urdu Journalism.
During his extension lecture, Mr. Muradabadi marked the considerable contribution of Maulana Azad towards Urdu journalism. He noted that Maulana Azad brought Urdu journalism to such a height that it was equal to the journalism of other advanced languages; he not only put Urdu journalism on the path of a great mission and goal, but also exemplified how to keep pace with times; he believed that nothing could be more useful than journalism in bringing political awareness among the people for achieving their freedom. This extension lecture was presided over by the prominent Urdu writer and intellectual, Dr. Masood Al Hasan Usmani.
In keynote address, Mr. Masoom Murdabadi remarked that Maulana Azad always adhered to certain principles and values as motto of his journalism and advocated its three basic principles. First, newspapers should be a mirror of the society. Second, the message of reformation in the society should be disseminated through newspapers, and third, modern sciences and arts should be promoted among the people through journalism. Mr. Muradabadi further elaborated that Maulana Azad was against any luxury and personal interest in the mission of independent journalism and wanted to see the journalist’s pen completely free and fearless.
In the presidential remark, Dr. Masood-ul-Hasan Usmani noted that Maulana Azad himself was a history. He concluded his address with the assertion that Maulana Azad is the ideal and touchstone of Urdu journalism.
Dr. Huma Yaqub, In-charge MANUU Lucknow Campus, introduced the guests to the audience and welcomed them. The programme was hosted by Dr. Abu Omair and the vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. Akbar Ali. The programme commenced, as per the tradition of the university, with the recitation of the few verses from the holy Quran by Muhammad Ashraf Ali, a student of the Campus.
On this occasion, apart from the faculty members, research scholars and students, a sizable number of luminaries of arts and learning from the city like Hakeem Waseem Ahmed Azmi, Professor Jamal Nusrat, Muhi Bakhsh Qadri, Dr. Ismat Malihabadi, Qutbullah, Mehboob Alam Khan, Manzoor Waqar, Owais Sambhali, Rajiv Prakash Sahir, Rashid Khan, Ziaullah Nadvi, Humira Alia etc. were also present.