Turkey International Graduate Conference, a replica to go after for Islamic Universities, Dr. MAH Azhari

Istanbul: Delivering his guest address, Dr. MAH Azhari, Director of Jamia Markaz, emphasized that the model, displayed by the 6^th International Graduate Conference at Istanbul, could be followed by Islamic Universities in other parts as well.

The Istanbul Foundation for Science and Culture were the organizers and the conference offered a unique opportunity for the doctoral and master’s students to develop their understanding of Said Nursi, a great reformer popularly known as Bediüzzaman, was the 19^th century Sunni Muslim theologian, and identified by his renowned philosophy, the Risale-i Nur Collection, a body of Qur'anic commentary exceeding six thousand pages. Importantly, the format for this conference was an evolution and a refinement compared to previous conferences because of its more allocation of time for students to discuss their papers and receive further reviews.

The design of these conferences has always been to provide a platform for students and scholars to share their ideas and develop thoughts as well as offer constructive criticism of their works. It has a track record of attracting newcomers to Nursi studies and inspiring them for the reason that the constructive ideas and fruitful dialogue that emerges in the conference milieu and which sends a positive message to the rest of the Muslim world.

Dr. Azhari was the chief guest from India, in Istanbul, for the Graduate Conference, which was the largest, with more than 60 young scholars and observers from around the world attending the event in Turkey, the medium of which was English. This time delegates included from countries like the USA, England, Iran, Singapore, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Malaysia, and South Africa apart from local participation. Muhammad Roshan and Muhammad Ashraf, both students of Jamia Markaz also presented papers in the three-day conference, held between the 14th and 16th June at the BikaSuites Hotel featuring vibrant programmes that included a Bosphoros tour and a memorable gala dinner at Rustem Pasa Madrasa.

The conference was chaired by five senior academics, namely, Dr. Ian Markham of the Virginia School of Theology (USA), Dr Colin Paul Turner of Durham University (UK), Dr Sait. M. Özervarl of Yildiz Technical University (Turkey), Dr Farid Alatas of Singapore National University, and Ismail Hacınebioğl from Süleyman Demirel University (Turkey), respectively in the morning and afternoon sessions of the three days. Each chairperson administered the presentations of two graduates, making a total of  nine made on Nursi and all of them were well-received and fostered extensive and productive discussions.

Learning Law in Markaz

Kozhikode: Markaz Law College, under the affiliation of the Bar Council of India and University of Calicut, has invited applications to both three year and five year LLB courses. Regular classes of the law will commence in the first week of August. Veteran academic Prof. Gopi, former principal of Calicut Government Law College and Thrissur Government Law College, has been appointed as the principal, and Advocate Samad Pulikkad serves in the capacity of Associate Director of Markaz Law College.

Administrative office of Markaz Law College was inaugurated by Dr. Abdussalam, C.E.O., Markaz Knowledge City and is functional at Kozhikode. E.V. Abdul Rahman, Shoukath Ali, Muzammil Noorani participated. For enquiries and admissions, contact: 00919497296373.

Home Minister Announces 2nd SPC for Markaz School

Jamia Markaz: Kerala State Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala declared one more unit of the prestigious Students Police Cadet to Markaz Higher Secondary School, Karanthur.  On his visit to Markaz, he also inaugurated Markaz Ihram Medical and Engineering Entrance Coaching Centre, (MIMEECC).  Sri Ramesh Chennithala applauded the educational and humanitarian activities of Markaz under the meticulous leadership of Sheikh Abubaker Ahmed, for which he promised staunch support from himself and of the Home Ministry. Sheikh Abubaker Ahmed presided over the function, Markaz management, teachers and students of SPC warmly welcomed the minister at Markaz.

Markaz Haritham; towards making a Greener Sense in Society

Jamia Markaz: creating a biotic sense and promoting a balanced growth are to be considered while taking on environmental issues.  We must create the real awareness and cultivate a culture that would encourage future food security, protection of nature and sustainability in resources like water and farm fields, declared the Markaz Haritham Environmental Initiative, under Markaz Farm Department, which plans and executes realistic measures for self reliance, in food, through farming and planting, among the Markaz community. 

Launching the project along with the observation of World Environmental Day 2014, in Markaz, the department also aims to bring about self-sufficiency in dairy, poultry and aquaculture on an eco balanced scale.  The student strength of more than 20,000 in different Markaz institutions can be creatively channelized to achieve these objectives, whereby, ultimately shaping them as an educated farming community for the development of country.  The grand event of Haritham Markaz was conducted in association with the Harithasree programme of the Government of Kerala.  Marking the day, about 15,000 plantlets, given by the social forestry department of the government of Kerala, have been planted in diverse Markaz campuses.  Sheikh Abubaker Ahmed inaugurated the function at the central campus in the teeming presence of teachers and students of Markaz institutions to whom Dr. MAH Azhari, Director of Jamia Markaz, administered the Haritham pledge for the World Environmental Day and General Manager C. Muhammad Faizi, led the plantation programme. Offering the full support of the department to the green campaign of Markaz, Assistant Conservator of Forests, Kozhikode, Mr. Udayakumar said that this exemplary initiative from the part of Markaz must go on and regular monitoring and caring of the plants and their growth should be adhered to. Dr. Madhavan, Chief Veterinary Officer of Kozhikode, felicitated and tendered his involvement, saying that this definitely is an encouraging stride by Markaz for the dying mother earth. Environmental Day seminar was inaugurated by Sri Shaji Bhai, Director, Santi Niketan who reiterated the audience for creating an individual ecological awareness. Women Development Corporation Director Faizal Muneer and other delegates participated.

Find out the inner contentment through spirituality: Sheikh Abubaker Ahmed

Jamia Markaz: Spirituality is the foundation for the personal, social and cultural life of a believer, said Chancellor Sheikh Abubaker Ahmed in his keynote address at the Ahdaliya Dikr Majlis held at Markaz. Today, people are after the momentary pleasures of the temporal world thus the believers forget the inner happiness achieved by spiritual life. To an original believer spirituality should be the prevailing factor in all his walks of life; that would reveal him the paths of realization, he added. 

“A Tribute to Tajul Ulema”: Markaz pays homage to the scholar headship

Jamia Markaz: With heavy hearts and praying lips, hundreds of thousands of believers thronged in the special spiritual conference organized in memoriam of the great sayyid, guru, scholar and leader of our time; Tajul Ulema Sayyid Abdurahman Al Bukhari, or the better known, Ullal Thangal, here in Markaz.  Jamia Chancellor Sheikh Abubaker Ahmed delivered the commemorative speech at “A tribute to Tajul Ulema”, paying lofty deference to the departed soul.

 Remembering Tajul Ulema, he said that, Thangal was the unparalleled scholar and brave leader of the Muslim community and his absence is a heavy loss, which cannot be repaired or replaced. His profound knowledge in the Holy Qur’an, Prophetic traditions and Islamic books really spell bounded many and he dedicated himself for the cause of spreading the spiritual enlightenment and heavenly knowledge. He was both bold and brawny in matters related to the original faith and practice of Islam.  His disciple circle included great scholars who are committed to keep the light of knowledge for the posterities.  His students could never go wrong or astray, for he had the spiritual connection and guidance for all of them.   It is a false argument in Islam that those who have passed away should not be commemorated. At the same time there are solid proofs that it is a good practice for the entire Muslim community to remember the great Auliya and scholars, and thereby enhance our lives, added Sheikh Abubaker.

The programme was enriched with spiritual agendas like Burda recitation, Khatmul Qur’an, Tahleel and special prayers. The staff and students offered thousands of Khatmul Quran and millions of Thahleel for Thajul Ulema. C. Muhammad Faizee welcomed and Dr. Husain Saquafi delivered the introductory speech.

Other than thousands of Sharia students and laymen, VIP participants included Sayyid Ibrahim Khaleel Bukhari, Sayyid Zainul Abideen Bafaqi, Sayyid Abdul Fathah Avelam, Sayyid Sharafuddin Jamalullaili, Sayyid Suhail Saquafi, PKS Thangal Thalappara, Sayyid Thaha Saquafi, Husain Musliyar Padanilam, K.K. Ahmed Kutty Musliar, VPM Villiapally, UK Muhammad Ali Baqavi, Dr. Abdussalam, MN Siddiq Haji and Nasar Haji.

Quran Study Centre, New batch reads with Phonetics.

Jamia Markaz: Reading the holy Qur’an phonetically isn’t an easy exercise. In depth knowledge and deliberate practice is essential to master this mission. While the chemistry of origin of sounds and breath control is achieved, the reader should take utmost care not to lose the poetic licence.  This was the task imprinted by Noorudheen Saquafi, the Chief Qari (Qur’an Reciter) of Samastha Kerala Jam-iyyathul Ulama, to the new batch of students, who attended the special session of Holy Qur’an Recital at Markaz Quran Study Centre.

Established 1989, for the propagation of the phonetics of Quran, methods of recital and to spread its divine message, Saquafi inaugurated here the 46^th batch of the Markaz Quran Thajweed Training Centre, in pious and awe-inspiring mood. 150 students, who shall graduate in different streams of Islamic studies in the forthcoming conference, made up the new batch of Holy Qur’an.  Muhammad Basheer Saquafi, Qari Muhammad Haneef Saquafi, Chief Librarian Abdul Majeed Saquafi and Qari Abdurahman Saquafi participated.