Hyderabad (RAHNUMA) His Eminence Syed Naseruddin Chisty, the Deputy Dewan from the shrine of India’s most revered Muslim Sage the venerable Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti of Ajmer, on his brief visit to Hyderabad, had an occasion to visit the office of India’s oldest Urdu daily newspaper “The Rahnuma-E-Deccan Daily”. The Deputy Dewan commended the Urdu publication on its upcoming centenary celebration.
His Excellency Syed Vicaruddin, Editor In Chief & Publisher, The Rahnuma-E-Deccan Daily, sent his nephew, Syed Ahmed Khan, Founder (TheRahnuma.com), to receive and welcome the Deputy Dewan to the newspaper office.
Syed Nasiruddin Chisty is the elder son of His Eminence Dewan Syed Zayn al-Abidin Ali Khan, Sajjadah Nashin of the Dargah at Ajmer. The office of the Dewan was said to be the highest regarded office at the Shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti prior to the Mughal Empire.
A detailed discussion between the Deputy Dewan and Syed Ahmed Khan, at the office, brought forth conclusions to several important pending issues dealing with nuances of Indians Muslims and their place in the Republic, and how those roles can help prevent radicalization, anti-Arabism and Islamophobia in the Republic.
According to Syed Ahmed Khan, as rudimentary as it may seem, given the current alien state Indian Muslims find themselves in inside their own country, they need to hear from the Deputy Dewan what India is, who an Indian is, and what unites Indians.
Addressing His Eminence the Deputy Dewan, Syed Ahmed Khan said, “Eminence, our community of 200 million Indian Muslims, especially the young generation find ourselves feeling like we do not belong to this glorious Republic, for which our forefathers laid their lives down to liberate from the British. We need to share with this generation the truth, to counter the undemocratic and bigoted narratives being circulated which are creating a state of panic and fear in our community. It must be clear to everyone, India is not a civilization, it is a secular, democratic republic, founded in 1947 because of the sacrifices of its freedom fighters, so many of whom were Muslim Nawabs and Sufis, aside from members of other faith groups. These great men and women were united by the tricolor flag, not faith, nor stories and ideologies. Our most sacred document is our Constitution, and it was written by a Dalit, in English, not Farsi nor Sanskrit. All kingdoms were absorbed into our glorious Republic, Hindu, Sikh and Muslim alike, not just Hyderabad State under His Exalted Highness the Nizam of Hyderabad! Those who accepted the Constitution and stayed here, became the first Indians, regardless of whether they were Sikh, Christians, Parsees, Brahmins, Dalits, Khan, or Sayyid. After them, their children became Indians too. This Republic is as much ours, as it is anyone else’s and while until now, we did not see nationalistic educational movements in our glorious Republic, this will be the start. Our forefathers laid down their lives to not just liberate this land from the British Empire, rather they sought to liberate this land from poverty, so people can attain happiness. It was with this zest for life they fought and died to enable the founding of this secular, democratic, republic.”
The Deputy Dewan commended Syed Ahmed Khan on his views, and as the President of the All India Sufi Sajjadahnashin Council called on him to support the activities of AISSC, which the later formally accepted.
Syed Ahmed Khan personally committed to stand in solidarity with His Eminence the Deputy Dewan and his father His Eminence the Dewan of the Ajmer Dargah Syed Zayn al-Abidin Ali Khan in proliferation of secular, democratic, republican values.
Following this discussion at the office, Syed Ahmed Khan escorted His Eminence the Deputy Dewan to meet his mother’s brother, His Excellency Syed Vicaruddin, Editor In Cheif & Publisher, The Rahnuma-E-Deccan Daily, Chairman, Indo Arab League, at his residence.
The Deputy Dewan hailed the services of Syed Vicaruddin and his contributing role in serving the Republic, and demonstrating Sufi Muslim values of selfless generosity, and improving relations between India and the Arab world.
The Deputy Dewan then wished Syed Vicaruddin on the upcoming centenary celebrations for his newspaper, and prayed for his best health.
Syed Nasiruddin Chisty is recognized by the Government of India as a direct lineal descendant of the venerable Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chishti of Ajmer, and is the Successor, Khalifa of Present Spiritual Head of the Ajmer Shrine. The Shrine will commemorate the 809th Urs of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti in March 2021.
According to earliest authentic sources, Khwaja Moinuddin was a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad through the lineage of Imam Hasan Al Askari (d.874).
