HYDERABAD: Speakers paid rich tributes to Allama Imdad Ali Imam Ali Kazi (I.I. Kazi) for his invaluable services in the field of education and devoting his life for the progress of Sindh University (SU).

Addressing his 53rd death anniversary programme organised at his mausoleum in SU, they paid tributes to Allama I.I. Kazi, founding vice chancellor (VC) of the university, and eulogized his vision as educationist and philosopher, who devoted his life for the cause of higher education.

VC Dr Mohammad Siddique Kalhoro said Allama Kazi was a great scholar who led his life for the development and progress of the varsity, Sindh and Pakistan by imparting quality education to common people.

He said Mr Kazi was not only the founding VC, but also a leading promoter of modern Sindhi language. “We organized a series of seminars and conferences to celebrate founder’s week, but unfortunately the third wave of the coronavirus pandemic restricted us to outdoor events only,” he lamented.

He said the cutting-edge knowledge to new generation about academic efforts of Allama Kazi would be provided so that they might know about their benefactor. “Kazi was a genius and no intellectual of his stature is seen in the contemporary era,” the VC said.

He said Mr Kazi was one of the most innovative and influential scholars and jurists of his time who gave Sindh both great scholars and jurists such as late G.M. Syed and A.K. Brohi.

SU registrar Dr Ghulam Mohammad Bhutto said Kazi loved Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai. He was loved by students, respected by scholars, readers and remembered by those who knew him, he added.

Bureau of STAGS director Dr Ghazala Panhwar said Kazi married a German woman Elsa Kazi whom the people of Sindh would call ‘Mother Elsa’. She strived to educate and enlighten children of downtrodden people, especially girls, at SU.

She said Allama Kazi devoted every minute of his life for study and research, adding that he had organised an All Pakistan Philosophical Congress between March 15 to 18 in 1958 on Bhitai’s work as it was his conviction that Bhitai’s poetry was rich in ideas that might benefit and enlighten people.

Quoting a memorable event, institute of physics director Dr Nek Mohammad Shaikh said that once the wife of A.K. Brohi presented Elsa Kazi a set of jewellery at her daughter’s wedding. Elsa Kazi became angry and said she never wore such jewellery; how could she accept it?

“She told her that she failed to understand her even after years of association,” he said. He added at this point Allama Kazi asked her to accept the gift without argument. The next day, Justice Hamza Khan M. Qureshi met A.K. Brohi and returned the jewellery set to him with a message from Kazi, he added.

Dr Arfana Mallah said Mr Kazi remained anxious about promoting education and knowledge. He was a great philosopher who struggled to change the overall conditions of the Muslims because he was an enlightened Muslim.

Earlier, a wreath was laid on the grave of Kazi.

Published in Dawn, April 10th, 2021