Prof. Ishtiyaq Ahmad Zilli, the Director of Darul-Musannifin – Shibli Academy, delivered a lecture before a group of academicians, media personalities and social workers here recently. The Mawlana Hifzur-Rahman Academy in Jeddah organized the lecture, which was held at the residence of its director, Bahjat Ayyub Zinjani. Fahd Ayyub Najmi opened the program by reciting verses from the Holy Qur'an. Zinjani welcomed the distinguished guests and went on to praise Allamah Shibli and his students for their efforts toward the intellectual uplift of Indian Muslims. He expressed dismay that the new generation is gradually forgetting the deeds — even the names — of their forebears. He suggested that streets, schools, colleges, halls and hostels be named after the great ulama and scholars in order for the new generation to recognize their great ancestors, and to know about their lives, works and achievements. Dr. Abdul Azim Islahi, professor of the Islamic Economics Institute at KAU, introduced the guest speaker as hailing from a village in Azamgarh district called “Chhaun” (shade, the Arabic word for which is “sill,” hence “zilli”). The professor received Arabic and Shariah education from Madrasatul-Islah, a noted seat of Islamic learning in India which produced many great scholars in the subcontinent. After religious education, he joined Lucknow University from where he received his bachelor's degree. He completed his master's and doctoral degrees in history from the Aligarh Muslim University and retired as professor of history. Dr. Zilli represents a rare combination of both traditional and modern education. He is founding president of Idarah Ulum Al-Qur'an in Aligarh as well as director of Darul-Musannifin – Shibli Academy, Azamgarh. In his speech Prof. Zilli shed light on the scholarly role of Allamah Shibli Nomani, the past achievements of Darul-Musannifin, its present condition and future challenges. The lecture was followed by a Q&A session and exchange of ideas by the gathering.
