KARACHI, Aug 28: Professor Khawaja Qutubuddin launched his collection of articles on the life of noted scholar Dr Mohammad Hameedullah on Friday, the occasion being attended by a large number of audience and presided over by former Sindh Governor Moinuddin Haider.

The learned professor, and eminent figure at Bahaduryar Jung Academy, under whose aegis the book was launched, is also associated with Federal Urdu College. Among the speakers who spoke at length on the saintly life of Dr Hameedullah, his erudition and contribution to Islamic learning included Prof Dr Farman Fatehpuri, Prof Dr Affan Saljuq, Prof Yaqoob Moghal and Prof Mir Hamid Ali, President Bahadur Yar Jung Academy, who also welcomed the guests.

Since Dr Saljuq was very close to the virtuous Dr Hameedullah and had derived a lot of learning from him, the former was eloquent in his narration about the latter's life spent at Usmania University in Daccan and the rest in Paris. The great scholar, an authority in Islamic and International laws, with commanding knowledge of many European and oriental languages, translated the Holy Quran in French. It was through his efforts that there are 18 Islamic cultures of studies in French. It was also his charismatic personality, simple lifestyle, saintly and tolerant manners which attracted many Europeans to embrace Islam, the speakers maintained.

He had authored around 300 research papers, and 600 analytical reviews, quite a large number of books popular in many countries through translations. But the royalties and awards that he received never spent on his person and would give away to deserving Islamic institutions.

He received a small scholarship from the French government to sustain him.

At a time when Islamic values, its humane culture of love and tolerance were misrepresented in the West, it was all the more necessary to carry the message of Islam in all the corners of the world, Dr Farman said. This message should also find place in our lives as well, and the young generation be taught on similar lines.

Dr Aftab Ahmed Khan felt that Dr Hameedullah's unpublished papers be published to the benefit of the common people and the academicians. This was also supported by Gen. Haider in his presidential discourse. But Dr Farman had all the praise for the author Prof Khawaja Qutubuddin who compiled the book, and got it published to the benefit of readers, particularly the younger people. Mr Hameed Qureshi conducted the proceedings.