HYDERABAD, Aug 24: Sindh University Vice-Chancellor Mazharul Haq Siddiqui has said that an attempt will be made to collect manuscripts of leading scholars of Sindh scattered in different libraries in the country and other parts of the world to preserve them in the library of the Institute of Sindhology.

He was speaking at a seminar on “Allama Ghulam Mustafa Qasmi and his Contemporary Scholars and Writers” organised by Allama Ghulam Mustafa Qasmi Chair at Shaikh Ayaz auditorium of the university on Thursday.

A large number of scholars from different parts of Sindh, faculty members and students of the university attended the seminar.

Paying rich tribute to the past scholars the vice-chancellor said that their services for the society can never be forgotten and they would always be remembered due to their scholarly work.

He said that Allama Ghulam Mustafa Qasmi and his contemporary scholars preferred to serve society by educating the youth without any materialistic interests.

He said Allama Qasmi was a scholar of international repute and his services and his works in Arabic, Sindhi, Persian and Urdu literatures are of paramount importance.

He said that the Sufism has played a dominant role in building Sindh’s traditions and culture.

He said the university would highlight the services of past scholars and more facilities would be provided to Allama Ghulam Mustafa Qasmi Chair.

Speaking as a chief guest Prof Syed Qavi Ahmed said that in today world no religious school exists which could produce a scholar like Allama Ghulam Mustafa Qasmi.

Although Allama Qasmi was educated from religious Madaris, he was a scholar of many disciplines, he said.

He said that the Allama’s mission in life was to promote education only.

Mufti Abdul Rehman Jamali in his address said that Sufism respects all schools of thought and is averse to diplomacy and hypocrisy. He said that Shah Latif’s poetry is essentially based on Sufism.

Mulana Abdul Wahab Chachar said that our institutes and organisations should promote scholarly services of prominent people in their lives for the benefit of younger generation.

He said that there are many manuscripts of scholars lying in different libraries of the country and abroad and urged the university to make efforts for their collection for preservation.

A noted scholar, Dr Abdul Jabbar Junejo, speaking on Mahboob Ali Channa said that he was an excellent scholar of Sindh during the days of Allama Qasmi. He said that Mahboob Channa was a kind teacher and always encouraged youth.

Lauding services of Allama Qasmi, Dr Junejo said that Allama Qasmi was a great scholar of Persian and Arabic languages.

Dr Mohammad Idrees Soomro urged students to visit those places where scholars of the past had lived and worked. He hoped that the young scholars would conduct in-depth research on works and contribution of past scholars.

Dr Adal Soomro who presented a paper on “Dr Atta Mohammad Hami” said that Dr Hami was a progressive writer and the man, respected by everyone.

He said that Dr Hami was not only a great scholar and writer but also a committed political and social activist. He said that Dr Hami always helped the students while building their character and was a devoted teacher.

Mohammad Ali Deeplai highlighting services and contribution of Mohammad Usman Deeplai said that Allama Qasmi and Deeplai belonged to different schools of thought but on issues of rights of Sindh they worked together till the end of One Unit.

He said that Allama Qasmi and Mohammad Usman Deeplai throughout their lives struggled for the betterment of the Sindh’s people.

Prof Nazir Qasmi said Allama Qasmi Chair has done great job to promote the works and contributions of Allama Qasmi and hoped that this Chair in future would continue to work with the same spirit.

Director of Allama Qasimi’s Chair Dr Kazi Khadim Hussain said that during a period of three-year the department had published six books on Allama’s work in different areas and more such works would be published.

He said that Allama Qasmi was a man of high calibre who worked day and night in different areas of research. He said that Allama was a simple man but a scholar of unique type.

He expressed his gratitude to the Siddiqui Foundation for financial assistance for Allama Ghulam Mustafa Qasmi Chair and added that the Chair has various research projects in hand for the future.

Dr Anwar Fagar Hakro presenting progress report of the department said that Allama Qasmi Chair during the past three years awarded gold medals to the position holder students of the university.

He appreciated collaboration and efforts of people from different walks of life for helping Allama Ghulam Mustafa Qasmi Chair.

Hafiz Mukhtiar Ahmed Kandhro, Prof Abdul Qadir Chachar, Mulana Abdul Latif Mahar and other scholars also spoke on the occasion.

Two books—one published by Allama Qasmi Chair under the title of Shizraat in two volumes in Urdu language and Allama Ghulam Mustafa Qasmi and his Contemporary Scholars and Writers in Sindhi Language—were launched on the occasion.