MUMBAI: A delegation of World Memon Organisation (WMO) recently visited Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) to get familiarised with the works of renowned Arabic scholar late Professor Abdul Aziz Memoni.
The delegation visited the varsity at the invitation of Prof Sanaullah Nadvi, head, department of Arabic at AMU. Prof Nadvi wants the Memon community to understand the works of Prof Memoni, a leading scholar of his time, known for his pioneering works in the world of Arabic language and literature. He also wants the Memon community to help establish a chair at the Arabic department in the name of Prof Memoni.
Prof Memoni was head of Arabic Department at AMU between 1936 and 1956 and many of his Arabic books were published from Egypt and Lebanon. He is held in high esteem also for dextrous research on some rare manuscripts.
Welcoming the delegation, VC Prof Naeema Khatoon said that the department of Arabic at AMU has received international recognition and many scholars, including from Europe, have visited it in the past and continue to benefit from it.
At a well-attended meeting held in the Arabic department in the honour of the delegation, Prof Nadvi welcomed the delegation and apprised it of Prof Memoni’s singular contribution to the world of Arabic literature and scholarship.
He thanked the delegation, especially Haseen Aghadi, head of WMO (India chapter), for coming all the way to Aligarh from Mumbai and other places in the country.
In his speech, Aghadi thanked Prof Nadvi and other staff members of the Arabic department for extending invitation to the WMO. He said that, as a Memon, he felt proud that such a great scholar of Arabic like Prof Memoni came from his community. Other members of the delegation were equally fascinated by the legacy Prof Memoni has left.
Earlier, the delegation visited Memon Manzil, the house where Prof Memoni lived, at Badar Baug in Aligarh. Aghadi said his organisation would ensure that the house is restored so as to pay tribute to the memories of Prof Memoni.
The delegation also visited many iconic buildings, including the massive Juma Masjid and grace of AMU founder Sir Syed Ahmed Khan at the mosque’s premises.
The 11-member delegation comprised, beside Aghadi, Sharif Memon (general secretary), Ismail Memon, Shakil Batliwala (chairman, sports committee), Abdul Qadir Memon, Salim Bandukiya (CEO), Farooque Surya, Mohsin Surya, Abdul Razzaq Memon Engineer and Prof Md. Qutbuddin from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Delhi.