Radiance celebrates 50 golden years of value-based journalism
New Delhi, September 29: Radiance Viewsweekly, the pan-India English language organ of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, on Sunday organized a program to celebrate its 50 years of journey. The Golden Jubilee Celebration of the weekly which has continued publishing from Delhi since 1963 without any break was held at India Islamic Cultural Centre here at Lodhi Road. While India’s eminent journalist and columnist Kuldip Nayar was chief guest Ameer (National President) of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Umari presided over the function.
Speaking as Chief Guest, senior journalist Kuldip Nayar whose famous column Between the Lines published in Radiance for 20 years appreciated the role of Radiance and stressed on social contact between Hindus and Muslims.
“I would write in Radiance for years, still I subscribe to it. I may not agree with some of the opinions but that is part of the democracy,” said Nayar. He said that India is a secular country and that’s why BJP lost in the last several elections, but many Muslims do not see it as a secular country. There is a need for social contact between Hindus and Muslims, he stressed.
Syed Shahabuddin, former diplomat and parliamentarian who once edited esteemed Muslim India journal said Radiance was launched when there was no platform of Muslims. Though attached with Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Radiance represents the entire Muslim community, he said. Radiance has never sensationalised issues and has always presented views in a balanced manner without any fear and favour.
Dr. Zafarul Islam Khan, president All India Muslim Majlise Mushawarat elaborated on his attachment with Radiance. “I have been part of the caravan since 1963, have written for it when I was in Cairo and Libya. It’s great that it has continued its run for last 50 years. Generally the community gets tired early and gives up its ideas and schemes,” he said.
Dr. Khan, who is also Editor of The Milli Gazette fortnightly praised the role of Radiance. “Radiance has done wonderful job but still the community needs to have a strong presence in the media – the community is far behind in this field. There is an urgent need for an English daily and Hindi daily. Jamaat has done great job in the field of media – but mostly in Malayalam language, not in national language. I am happy that Radiance has made its presence felt in 50 years and still doing fine,” he said and mentioned the partisan role played by mainstream media when it comes to Muslim issues.
“Mainstream media did not give due coverage to Muzaffarnagar riots which left scores dead and over 50 thousand homeless. This is the same media which cried for days for a small communal violence in Kishtwar of Kashmir,” said Dr. Khan.
Eminent Shia cleric and vice president of All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Kalbe Sadiq stressed on unity between Shias and Sunnis. He had come from Lucknow to attend the program. He said that he was ready to accept any unity measure formulated by the Jamaat.
“By religion I am a Muslim, by sect I am a Shia and by viewpoint I have embraced Jamaat-e-Islami Hind,” said Kalbe Sadiq and clearly urged Jamaat leaders to formulate some measure to bring lasting unity between Shias and Sunnis. He appreciated the efforts of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind in various fields including media.
“We request you to formulate a mechanism to end Shia Sunni conflict and for unity, I am ready to accept it,” he said but added unity cannot come without a mission and target. “Independence was once a mission which united the entire community. There is a need for a mission and strive for that. Poverty and Ignorance have failed the community. We should remove them to bring respect to the community,” he said.
In his presidential speech, Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Umari, Ameer (National President) of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind threw light on the situation in the post-Independence era that gave birth to Radiance. “It’s a great achievement that Radiance has completed 50 years overcoming all odds,” said he and highlighted the importance of community media particularly when the national media playing partisan role in regard with the Muslim community.
“National media little mentions Muslims who are 15 crore in population. It seems planned. This also shows insignificance of the community. Mainstream media mentions Muslims negatively, rather projects them as enemy of the country – all evils are attributed to them, of late the issue of terrorism too. The media reports cannot make a good impression of the community. The mainstream media does not mention acquittals even made after 10 and 15 years of imprisonment,” said Ameer-e Jamaat.
He appreciated the contribution of Radiance but also stressed on the need for a strong media to take on the biased mainstream media.
“Radiance has done remarkable job yet there is a need for strong media which can highlight our issues. Radiance has raised various important issues like minority character of Aligarh Muslim University and Jamia Millia Islamia, Urdu, Muslim Personal Law and Babri Masjid issue. The weekly also highlighted social and human rights issues such as Sati, Dowry, Female Foeticide and atrocities on weaker sections of the society. Palestine issue has also been highlighted strongly by Radiance. In fact even Urdu media did not highlight the Palestine issue as strongly as Radiance did. When Iraq attacked Kuwait all media supported Iraq but Radiance was of the view that no nation has right to capture other nation in today’s world. Kuwait authorities also appreciated it,” said Ameer-e Jamaat who is also chairman of The Board of Islamic Publications which brings out Radiance weekly.
Ameer-e Jamaat also said that Quran and Islam should be made topic of discussion in the media.
“There is a need to make Quran and Islam issue of discussion and debate. Even Urdu media does not mention Islam as solution to problems of the society.”
Responding to the Shia-Sunni unity issue raised by Kalbe Sadiq, Ameer-e Jamaat said: “We are ready for any effort for unity between Shias and Sunnis. We can get united on the basis of Islam despite some differences on issues.”
Many other eminent personalities who graced the occasion included Dr Javed Jamil, Nusrat Ali, General Secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, national secretaries Mohammad Salim Engineer and Mohammad Ahmed besides eminent journalists, academicians and learned readers of the Radiance weekly.
The four-hour program which has many colorful features was very successful as over three hundred people from Delhi and neighboring areas came up to witness the historic event.
A 10-minute documentary highlighting the achievements of the weekly in last 50 years was also screened on the occasion. New website of Radiance weekly was also launched. A Special Issue of the weekly celebrating the Golden Jubilee was also launched.
Besides, Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to senior journalist Dr. Syed Ausaf Saied Vasfi who has been writing for Radiance for decades. Mementos were presented to some noted journalists who have once worked with the Radiance weekly. They included AU Asif, Mumtaz Alam Falahi, Shafaq Ahmed, Syed Zubair Ahmed.
Editor-in-Chief of Radiance Ejaz Ahmed Aslam anchored the program while Editor Sikandar Azam offered vote of thanks.
It’s true that mementos were announced to be presented to this scribe along with some others who have once worked with Radiance. But I could not take it as I was not present at the moment it was handed over. However, it’s wrong to claim that BBC English scribe Syed Zubair was ever on its staff. It’s to point out that Syed Liaquat Hussain, Syed Nuruzzaman, Syed Ali Ahmed, Ajmal Hussain, late Inbisat Alvi, and late Dr Syed Abdul Bari had also served this weekly.
It was quite unjustified not to mention the name of A A K Soze either in the documentary or at the golden jubilee programme. One was dismayed not to hear a few words experience straight either from the mouth of Dr Ausaf Vasfi who served it since its first issue of July 28, 1963 or others serving for some time at the function.—-A U Asif, Associate Editor, Chauthi Duniya Weekly and former Sub Editor, Radiance
sir what is the readership of Radiance now and how Radiance contributed to the muslim cause.
So far as function to mark the golden jubilee of Radiance is concerned, I still hold the view that it lacked so many good points. However, I was today overwhelmed to go through its golden jubilee special. It’s, no doubt, superb.
Jamaat Secretary General Nusrat Ali’s interview is very balanced, transparent and informative. Nusrat Sb has rightly appreciated its pre-Emergency period as the golden period and hoped for the bright future.
Similarly, one comes to know in detail about its contribution through the pieces of Khan Yasir and S Ausaf Saied Vasfi. Going through Ausaf Sb’s piece was to know Radiance straight from the horse’s mouth as he is the only surviving person who has served Radiance since its first issue in one way or the other. It’s the moment not to celebrate the golden jubilee of Radiance only but of its oldest surviving servant as well as a journalist with Islamic background in English print media with consistency. I wish Ausaf Sb a long life and hope he would definitely celebrate his and Radiance’s platinum jubilee also, Insha Allah.
The impression by Financial World resident editor Abdul Wasey is too heartening. This Special is, in fact, the finest tribute to Radiance on the occasion of its completion of 50 years.
However, one misses description of the contribution of A A K Soze who is missing since 1985. To talk of Radiance without Soze would always remain incomplete.
I also feel proud to start my career 34 years ago from Radiance as a sub editor during the editorship of late S Ameenul Hasn Rizvi. It was the training I got here under the stewardship of Rizvi Sb and also Ausaf Sb for 14 years that enabled me to serve the mainstream media since 1993. Having served a number of dailies and other periodicals, including Sunday Observer and Observer of Business and Politics, I am now associate editor in weekly Chauthi Duniya–A U Asif, New Delhi, Mobile: 09891225971