In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the Anjuman Nusrat-ul-Islam has paid glowing tributes to prominent religious scholar, spiritual leader and former president of Anjuman Nusrat-ul-Islam, Mirwaiz Ateequllah Shah, on his 59th death anniversary.
The 59th death anniversary of Mirwaiz Maulana Ateequllah Shah is being observed with great devotion and respect, under the auspices of Anjuman Nusrat-ul-Islam in Srinagar.
Due to the continued illegal house detention of the Anjuman head, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, it is not possible to organise any major academic event in this regard. However, in a brief and significant meeting, the teachers, staff and students of the Anjuman paid homage to Mirwaiz Ateequllah Shah for his invaluable educational services.
They said the tenure of Mirwaiz Ateequllah Shah as the Chairman of Anjuman Nusrat-ul-Islam was an unforgettable, illustrious and a golden period for the institution in all respects as it produced a large number of doctors, scholars, engineers, scientists and intellectuals under his guidance and they excelled in their respective fields and earned fame for Kashmir.
They said that shortly after the establishment of Anjuman Nusrat-ul-Islam in 1899, Mirwaiz Ateequllah Shah was appointed its General Secretary and after the demise of Mirwaiz Ahmadullah Shah in 1931, the responsibility of the institution was placed on the shoulders of Mirwaiz Ateequllah Shah and since then until his last breath, the late Mirwaiz added a valuable chapter in the history of the Anjuman by devoting all his abilities to achieve the goals and objectives of the institution.
From 1947 to 1962, the institutions run by Anjuman Nusrat-ul-Islam faced severe financial crisis and its Grant-in-Aid was also stopped by the authorities, however, as a result of the sincere efforts of the late Mirwaiz and the people of Kashmir, who extended assistance through various means, this reputed institution continued to move forward in achieving its educational, reformative and social goals, they said.
In 1955 when under a deep-rooted conspiracy the educational institution was set ablaze, it was the late Mirwaiz’s efforts which yielded results and the Anjuman building was constructed again with great splendor, they added.
The Anjuman said during the same time, due to efforts of Mirwaiz Ateequllah Shah, the foundation stone of Islamia College of Science and Commerce Srinagar was also laid. The college used to run in the premises of Anjuman Nusrat-ul-Islam for the first two years and was then transferred to Hawal, Srinagar. Mirwaiz Ateequllah Shah was the President of Islamia College of Science and Commerce, for life.
Mirwaiz Maulana Ateequllah was a great Islamic scholar who was greatly respected and loved by people and was easily accessible to all for guidance and help. His contribution on social and educational fronts will be remembered for a long time, the Anjuman said.
Meanwhile, a special Qur’an recitation ceremony was organised by Islamia Oriental College in which students, teachers and staff paid respects to Mirwaiz Ateequllah Shah.—KMS
