KARACHI, March 30: An evening to honour Professor Dr Manzoor Ahmad, eminent philosopher, and educationist, was held on Tuesday at Sadequain Institute of Art. Jamiluddin Aali presided over the proceedings, and speakers included Dr Mohammad Ali Siddiqui, Dr Abdul Qadeer Salim, and poet-writer Muslim Shamim.
Lavish tributes were paid to Dr Manzoor Ahmad by Aali, with particular reference to his most recent publications —Iqbal Shenasi and Islam; Chand Fikri Masail.
He was the most eminent philosopher in Pakistan, Aali said in his discourse and commented that the life was the very basis of the thought; and the essence of all philosophies was the division of Pakistani society into classes. Why were philosophers, intellectuals and Ulema think over it and analyse the reasons behind it. The society in Pakistan and a decade back was more liberal and enlightened as compared to present time. This factor should also be discussed. Aali thought and suggested that Dr Manzoor’s book on Islam should be included in curriculum to enlighten the young generation.
In response to many speeches, Dr Manzoor Ahmad briefly spoke about himself. At a time, when the Muslim youth in the pre-partition years were divided into two camps—one for the division of the country and the other opposed to it, he did not accept any of their views with much questioning. Then, there was a ‘Right and Left’ divide and every young man was inclined to identify himself with one or the other group, he ‘thought everybody was free to join this way or that way but, he must think over his decision again and again. The frontier of knowledge had no limits and Dr Manzoor Ahmad who was a student of science at school, believed that he could not concentrate more and give enough time to his writings as against devoting his energies in useless discourse.
Dr Mohammad Ali Siddiqui, recalling the essays on Islam and Iqbal by Dr Ahmad, lamented that reviewers in Pakistan who could evaluate the books quoted earlier, after thoroughly going into them-—were not found, such was the intellectual poverty of Pakistan. Among youngmen there was a mad rush towards IT and philosophy was totally neglected. Siddiqui further observed that academic level of students engaged in the study of philosophy was no more higher than that of a prayer leader in a village mosque.
Dr Siddique said the study of Islam at present was not possible through traditional methods as the paradigms had changed. Even Iqbal required a non-traditional and fresh approach to be understood, he said.
Dr Abdul Qadeer Salim, who had a long and friendly association with Dr Manzoor Ahmed, admired his researches and studious learning while he pointed out towards some contradictions he found in drawing conclusions on Islamic ways, like Riba and Ijtehad.
Muslim Shamim was all admiration for Dr Ahmad whom, he found following in the footsteps of Ghalib and Sir Syed, preaching rational thinking and logic. Dr Ahmad was “liberal and enlightened” and enriching the society by his philosophical discourse, he said.
The function was jointly hosted by Bazme-i-Kahkashan, Daira-i-Adab-o-Saqafat and Dhaka Group of Institutions. At the outset, Zafer Mohyuddin read out a brief paper recounting the services of Dr Manzoor Ahmad in the realm of philosophy and education. Javed Manzer did the compering. Azfar Rizvi was the last to address. He thanked the guests.—Hasan Abidi
