DR. ASGHAR ALI ENGINEER CONFERRED D.LITT BY JAMIA MILLIA ISLAMIA UNIVERSITY
Another honor for Dr. Asghar Ali Engineer.
Dr. Asghar Ali Engineer conferred D. Litt (Doctor of letters) by Jamia Millia Islamia Central University, Delhi. This University was founded in Delhi in early 20’s of last century by eminent Muslim Freedom fighters to provide alternative to British education system. Dr. Zakir Hussain who rose to become President of India was for long a Vice-Chancellor of this University. This was 3rd D.Litt given to Dr. Engineer first was given by Calcutta University in 1993, the second one was given by Jamia Hamdard in Delhi in 2005 and this was third conferred on him on 30th Oct, 2008.
The citation among other things states Asghar Ali Engineer is a renowned scholar who is internationally known for his work on the liberal theology of Islam. This has been as articulate voice that has spoken out vociferously against communalism and concomitant violence. It continues “Asghar Ali Engineer took voluntary retirement so as to be able to devote himself to the Bohra Reform movement. He was expelled from his community by the Bohra Religious establishment for his out spoken criticism and espousal of the cause of progressive reforms in his community. However, he has remained undeterred by circumstance or criticism. In fact, adversity and opposition have made him even more committed to the cause of tolerance, peace & non-violence. Engineer is one of the most impressive modern Muslim thinkers of our times His writing Synthesize philosophy, politics and theology in a way i.e. conciliatory and contemporary. They aim to inculcate a progressive and liberal thinking among those who care to read them.
The D.Litt was conferred in a convocation where diplomats, vice chancellors, ex-vice-chancellors, justices and other prominent citizens, deans of the University and students weirs present D.Litt was also conferred on noted film actors Shabana Azmi and Naserruddin Shah and noted writer and critic Kapila Vatsayana, who is also member of Rajya Sabha.
The convocation address was delivered by the noted Kannad writer and former Chairman Sahitya Academy U.R. Ananth Murthy (the text of the address which deals with communalism can be made available upon request).