Darul Musannefin Shibli Academy

Maarif- oldest surviving Urdu monthly journal goes online

In its annual meeting on 12th July, 2010 Managing Committee of Darul Musannefin Shibli Academy, Azamgarh, India took some important decisions. Among others things, it decided to make its monthly journal “Maarif” available online. The Academy has maintained uninterrupted publication of ‘Maarif’ since July 1916. Maarif is the oldest Urdu literary and research journal. It is respected for the standard of scholarship and research it has maintained throughout these long years and the specialized fare it has provided particularly in the area of Islamic Studies and Culture. Its contributors include some of the most prominent names in the area of its specialization. It has trained and nurtured generations of authors and writers. Allama Iqbal, Maulana Muhammad Ali Jauhar, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Dr Zakir Husain and Dr Muhammad Hamidullah are included among its admirers.

To know more about Maarif and to read it online or to download, please visit Maarif page on the official site of Darul Musannefin Shibli Academy;

In another significant decision the Committee decided to introduce new scales for the employees of the Academy. Majority of the employees was temporary working at fixed emoluments. Scales of those working on permanent basis were extremely poor. When the present administration took over in March 2008, total monthly expenditure on the salary of about thirty people was less than fifty thousand. Since then 150% increase was made in the emoluments of the employees in three installments of fifty percent each. But it was felt that even now the emoluments were unsatisfactory and a proper scale was needed. Even though necessary resources for implementing a proper scale were not available, putting trust in the mercy of Almighty Allah Taala it was decided to do what was needed to be done in this regard. After much deliberation, the administration decided to introduce Fifth Pay Commission Scales that was in force in Government institutions before the introduction of the present scales recommended by the Sixth Pay Commission. While the scales recommended by the Six Pay Commission have been implemented in the Government institutions, private institutions are yet to adopt it. The Managing Committee approved this scale. In terms of monthly expenditure on salary of the staff now the increase over earlier expenditure is more than 200%. DA will be paid to the staff as and when it will be announced by the Government.

The Committee also passed resolution of condolence on the sad demise of Prof. Israr Ahmad, a well known Indian Muslim Scientist and Founding Director of Center for Promotion of Science, AMU Aligarh and former Editor of Tahzeebul Akhlaq, Prof. Mukhtaruddin Arzu, an eminent Arabic scholar and Founding Vice-Chancellor of Maulana Mazharul Haq University of Arabic and Persian, Patna and other eminent personalities in the realm of learning and literature who passed away during this period. Prof. Arzu was also a member of Editorial board of Maarif.

The Committee also elected well known educationist and social worker, Maulana Asrarul Haq Qasmi, Member of Parliament from Kishanganj, Bihar, as a Member of the Management Committee. The Management Committee of Darul Musannefin is its supreme Governing body.

The meeting was attended by Maulana Syed Rabey Hasani Nadvi, President All India Muslim Personal Law Board and Rector of Nadwatul Uloom Lucknow, Maulana Taqiuddin Nadvi, Rector Jamia Islamia, Muzaffarpur Azamgarh, Maulana Muhammad Said Mujajjidi , Bhopal, Dr. Zafarul Islam Khan, Editor of “Milli Gazette”, New Delhi, Dr. Fakharul Islam Azmi, Mr. Imtiyaz Beg, Dr. Salman Sultan, Prof. Zafarul Islam Islahi, Chairman Dept. of Islamic Studies, AMU Aligarh, Mr. Abdul Mannan Helali, joint Secretary, Darul Musannefin and Prof. Ishtiyaq Ahmad Zilli, Director, Darul Musannefin Shibli Academy and Editor of Maarif. Prof. Reyazur Rahman Khan Khan Sherwani and Janab Syed Hamid, Chancellor Jamia Hamdard could not attend the meeting due to health reasons. The meeting was presided over by Maulana Saiyid Rabey Nadvi.