By Dr. Syed Ahmed, for TwoCircles.net,
Imphal: Islamic Research & Da’wah Centre (IRDC) released a documentary film, titled Ngashidamak Khangli Achumba Waa, based on Turkish author Harun Yahya’s work Miracles of the Quran, on 28 January 2013 at Imphal.
The function, held at Dave Literature Centre, DM College campus, Imphal was attended by the Parliamentary Secretary MOBC & SCs and Sc. & Tech. Md. Amin Shah, Advocate Abdul Quayum, Secretary of Manipur State Minorities Commission and Associate Professor of Physics Dr. Raheijuddin Sheikh, Director of IRDC Mufti Salatur Rahman as Chief Guest, Guests of Honour and President respectively. Some of the well-known Muslim personalities of the state attended the function.
Mufti Salatur Rahman giving speech at the function
The 20-minute long documentary film was also screened. The transcription and narration of the film was done by Dr. Raheijuddin Sheikh, concept and direction was given by Alhaj Sirajuddin Shaikh, while Mufti Salatur Rahman was the Chief Consultant. The film tries to link the modern scientific inventions and discoveries with the revelations made in the Quran.
Addressing the gathering, Mufti Salatur Rahman said, “Quran, the holy book of Islam, has several miraculous aspects which demonstrate that it is sent by the Allah. There are numerous scientific facts in this book which our scientists have only been able to discover and confirm today. These are shown in this documentary film that our centre is releasing today. It is based on the celebrated Turkish writer Harun Yahya’s work Miracles of the Quran. His work has shown that many of the discoveries made by modern scientist, whether in astronomy, earth science or physics are already mentioned in the Quran. In fact, the Quran was revealed as a complete guide for all mankind. We hope that such an attempt would help in understanding and appreciating Quran much better by the Muslims as well as by the non-Muslims. Today we are releasing the first volume. IRDC will be coming up with more volumes in this series.”
IRDC released the DVD as a part of its research and da’wah activities. Instituted in October 2008, the centre promotes Islamic da’wah, the proper presentation, understanding and appreciation of Islam, as well as removing misconceptions about Islam amongst less aware Muslims and non-Muslims.
Dr. Syed Ahmed spoke with the Director of IRDC Mufti Salatur Rahman at the IRDC office at Babupara, Imphal. An excerpt from an interview:
What are the activities of IRDC?
IRDC engages in personality development and da’wah training, publishing the Islamic journal, Mangal and Islamic books, publishing and distributing pamplets titled Understand Islam, sending Islamic quotes and sayings to Muslims through SMS and e-mails, organizing workshops on deen and tabliqh, conducting Da’wah activities to Muslims and non-Muslims, organize deeniyat course in schools and clubs, arranging conferences and quiz competition programmes, operating Darul Ifta (you ask, Islam answers) and conducting audio-visual researches on Islam.
Tell me more about your publications…
IRDC publishes three issues of the Islamic journal, Mangal in a year. It is published in Meiteilon or Manipuri. The first issue was released in October 2008. We have so far published 14 issues of Mangal. We print around 1500-2000 copies for an issue. Almost all the subscribers are from Manipur. However, we have few subscribers from madrasa and college students studying in Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow and Banglore. We submit a copy of every issue to the library of Manipur University. We are planning to send copies to some of the prominent educational institutions of the State. Now we have uploaded the pdf format of every issue in our website: www.irdc.org.in. The journal is published from Mumbai. Anybody who is interested to know more about our publications can contact our office through our e-mail: islam.irdc@gmail.com.
Releasing the DVD
IRDC had so far published 5 books, namely Nongmagi Sunnat Amasung Duwa, Islamgi Fijolna Nupibu Kannahanbra Natraga Manghanbra?, RK Gopal Sana Singh’s Adomgi Thajaba Adomgi Sebada (Tranlation), Muhammad Sirajuddin Sheikh’s Aikhoi Amatani and Meikhu Thakpa amadi Hidak Mana Chaba, all in Manipuri.
What about audio-visual releases in the past?
IRDC had already released two CDs. The first one titled, Islam Insaniyat ka Paigam was released in May 2010. The second one was an interview of the Director of Islamic Da’wah Centre, Delhi, Mohammed Umar Gautam by Alhaj Sirajuddin Shaik, released at Mumbai in 2011.
We have a library at our office. We keep Islamic journals, books, audio-video study materials. We lend these materials to those who are interested to study.
Do you also organize seminars?
IRDC also organize seminar, quiz and lecture programmes. In May 2012 we organized a seminar on the theme “Islamization of Modern Education” at Hafiz Hatta. The seminar was attended by some of the prominent Ulema, Imams, heads of Islamic institutions and Muslim intellectuals of the State. We also organize Islamic quiz programmes regularly for madrasa as well as school and college students.
Who all are in the IRDC team?
Alhaj Sirajuddin Shaik is the Chairman of IRDC. He hails from Mayang Imphal in Imphal East District. At present he is based in Mumbai. He is a graphic designer, and now runs Electrographics Sign Pvt. Ltd in Mumbai. The Joint Editor of Mangal, Azad Komal is also a graphic designer based in Mumbai. He is from Yairipok in Imphal East district. Secretary of Manipur State Minorities Commission Dr. Raheijuddin Sheikh is the Sub-Editor of our journal. In the advisory board we have, among others, Mufti Siraj Ahmed Qasmi, one of the prominent Muftis in the State, who teaches at Darul-uloom Haoreibi Markaz. Mohammmed Umar Gautam, the Director of Islamic Dawah Centre, Delhi and Maulana Kaleem Siddiquei, well-known Da’wah activist, based in Delhi are also in the advisory board.
Where did you receive your madrasa education?
I had my madrasa education from Mazahir-ul-uloom in Saharanpur, UP. I obtained my Fazil and Mufti degrees from this madrasa. In 1996 I did Master of Theology in Aligarh Muslim University. In 2003 I completed Masters of Linguistics from Manipur University.
Mufti Salatur Rahman is also the President of Federation of Madrasahs, Manipur. He also runs Markaz Darul Yatama (Orphan Care and Education Centre) at Athoukhong, in Lilong, as Mohtamim.