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HomeIndiaMaulana Kalbe Sadiq — scholar, educational reformer & ‘India’s second Sir Syed’

Maulana Kalbe Sadiq — scholar, educational reformer & ‘India’s second Sir Syed’

Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Sadiq, who urged his community to give the disputed Ayodhya land to Hindus and 'win millions of hearts', died Tuesday at 83.

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New Delhi: Maulana Kalbe Sadiq — the Islamic scholar, educationist, philanthropist and senior vice-president of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) — passed away late Tuesday at the Era’s Lucknow Medical College and Hospital in Uttar Pradesh’s capital.

The 83-year-old Shia cleric enjoyed enormous goodwill and following across various countries, often propagating values of secularism and inter-faith camaraderie.

Sadiq, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2017, had reportedly been unwell for some time now, after also having contracted urinary tract infection, septic shock, acute kidney shutdown and paralysis.

He was well-known for presiding over some of the most evocative Muharram proceedings in Lucknow, and many would travel far and wide to listen to him.

But what distinguished Sadiq from many other religious scholars was his ability to reach out to people across communities, and be vocal about his views. Whether it was joining the protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act at Lucknow’s ghanta ghar despite being confined to a wheelchair, or taking a position on the Ayodhya Ram Mandir dispute different from that of his organisation, Sadiq was never one to shy away from controversial subjects.


Also read: Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, for whom educational reform was a way of life


‘Second Sir Syed of India’

Born in Lucknow, Sadiq came from a family of religious scholars — his father Kalbe Hussain, brother Kalbe Abid and nephew Kalbe Jawad are all acclaimed for their Islamic scholarship and oratory.

Kalbe Sadiq received his early education from Madrasa Sultanul Madaris in Lucknow, then moved to the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), where he obtained a bachelor of arts degree, and then an MA in Arabic literature.

Sadiq considered education an important element of life, and associated himself with many charitable projects that would help impart it to the underprivileged. He founded the Tauheedul Muslimeen Trust, which gave out many scholarships to students, especially orphans. He also involved himself in the workings of Lucknow’s Unity College, and the various free education programmes extended by it.

Maulana Yasoob Abbas, general secretary of the All India Shia Personal Law Board, described Kalbe Sadiq as India’s “second Sir Syed Ahmad Khan”, comparing him to the legendary educationist and reformer from the 19th century.

Abbas said Sadiq believed there were primarily three things that would lead to the progress of any community: Educational reforms, robust health, and always being on time.

“He would often say ‘jo waqt ka paband nahi hota, waqt use peechhe chhod jaata hai’ (time leaves behind those who aren’t punctual),” Abbas said.

In pursuit of improving the health system of Lucknow, Sadiq also went on to head the ELMCH as its president, before passing away there.

Position on important issues

Kalbe Sadiq was famous for his emphatic and evocative lectures during Muharram, but also enjoyed a great following across different religions. He would often be called by scholars of various religious communities to deliver lectures on social justice and unity.

He addressed audiences in America, Australia, the United Kingdom and other countries on subjects like Shia-Sunni unity and universal brotherhood.

While he largely stayed away from the public glare, especially in the latter part of his life, Sadiq took positions on important issues when he felt compelled to.

One of his last public appearances took place in January 2020, when the anti-CAA protests were at their peak. Sadiq, despite being wheelchair-bound, visited Lucknow’s iconic ghanta ghar (clock tower), and expressed solidarity with the women who had been leading the protests there for days.

“If you don’t take back this law, then these demonstrating women, these children will unseat you one day,” he had reportedly said, challenging the Narendra Modi government.

In 2017, a couple of years before the Supreme Court’s verdict on the disputed Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid site in Ayodhya, Kalbe Sadiq had called for Muslims to peacefully accept whatever the court decided.

“I would urge the community to give away the disputed land to Hindus whose feelings are so deeply attached to the place. By giving away a piece of land, the community can win millions of hearts,” he had reportedly said, moving away from the established position of his organisation, the AIMPLB.


Also read: ‘Moved by Islamophobia’, Rajasthan youth applied for Islamic Studies MA in Kashmir, made history


 

 

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5 COMMENTS

  1. He was a great soul the only person in the subcontinent of his stature he truly played an enormous role in to create interfaith harmony among communities living in the South Asia.He is reverred for his great services to humanity. His approach towards harmonize different religious communities to reduce the antagonistic behavior prevailed by the orthodox demagoguery. He shall be ever remembered as legendary icon of harmony and plurality. May his soul rest in eternal peace. Amen

  2. Do not insult Sir Syed by comparing Kalbe Sadiq with him. Kabe Sadiq was a puppet of the BJP. He once said Muslims should give Ram Temple land to Hindus.

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