By Aamina Qadir Bhat
Department of Islamic Studies, Govt. Degree College Sogam (Lolab), a far-flung but fertile area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, organized a one-day subject tour of 1st and 3rd semester Islamic Studies students on 29th November 2023 to the University of Kashmir (KU). On this subject tour, which was part of our syllabus, we were accompanied by Dr. Tauseef Ahmad Parray (Assistant Professor, Islamic Studies ), Dr. Rafiya Wali (our Urdu teacher) and other staff members, including Mr. Basharat Bashir, Mr. Aamir Sohail and Mr. Aamir Sohail Khan. The purpose of this tour was to enhance our understanding about this subject and to get first hand information about academic resources available at KU.
We started our journey at 8:00 am from the college campus and after travelling for about four hours, we reached KU campus at noon, where we visited different places. Entering KU campus was an experience which can’t be expressed in words. The first place we visited was Markaz-i-Noor/ Shaikh-ul-Alam Centre for Multidisciplinary Studies (SACMS). Here we were given a warm welcome by Prof. Adil Amin Kak (Chairman, SACMS) and Dr. Muhammad Ilham (faculty member, Islamic Studies at SACMS) gave us a brief introduction of the Centre. We got information about its library and the aim of SACMS. This Centre is for (multidisciplinary) research programme and focuses on exploring, compiling and disseminating the teachings of all sufi saints of the valley especially Shaikh-ul-Alam. This Centre also strives to digitise rare manuscripts. As a token of love, SACMS gave us complimentary copies of their annual journal, ALAMDAR.
After SACMS, we visited the Allama Iqbal Library and its museum. Dr. Sameer Gul (Librarian, Allama Iqbal LIbrary) and his team gave us a warm welcome and appreciated the steps of GDC Sogam, under the visionary leadership of our worthy Principal (Prof. Shamim Ahmad Dar), for giving us such a learning opportunity which proved much helpful in thinking about our future planning.
The museum in this library displays manuscripts, calligraphy, pictures, traditional dresses and ceramics that were used in the past. The library is known for its rich collection of books and resources for all subjects. The library provides a conducive environment for students and researchers to expand their knowledge.
After these two places, we visited Shahi-Hamdan Institute of Islamic Studies (SHIIS). Here we were given a warm and gracious welcome by Prof. Salahuddin Tak (Professor of Arabic; HoD, SHIIS) and other staff members and made us feel valued and appreciated. SHIIS offers a wide range of courses and research opportunities, by focusing on various aspects of Islamic studies. The library of SHIIS is well-stocked with a wide range of books, journals, research materials and rare manuscripts. We had a tour to this library and were briefed about its different sections by Dr. Bilal Ahmad Wani. We also had the opportunity to attend insightful and helpful interactive sessions by esteemed teachers of SHIIS, including Dr. Nasir Nabi, Dr. Abid Mushtaq, Dr. Bilal Ahmad Wani, Dr. Shahzad Bashir and Dr. Bilal Ahmad Malik, who gave us a brief historical introduction of this institute, courses and academic programs they offer, the course structure (especially under NEP-2020) and the opportunities available to the students after completing their graduation in Islamic Studies. On this occasion, our teacher (Dr. Tauseef Ahmad, an alumni of SHIIS, KU) also shared his experiences and narrated his academic journey to us. SHIIS had also arranged a delightful refreshment for us. As a token of love, SHIIS gave us complimentary copies of three issues of their annual journal, INSIGHT ISLAMICUS.
After SHIIS, we visited the Directorate of Distance Education (DDE), where Dr. Altaf Anjum (AP and coordinator of DDE), Dr. Mohammad Dawood Sofi (coordinator, Islamic Studies), Dr .Syed Ishfaq Ahmad Shah (AP, Education) and Dr. Towseef Ahmad Dar (coordinator urdu,DDE) interacted with us and gave us a brief introduction about the courses offered by DDE, admission procedure and other necessary guidelines. We were informed that DDE provides flexibility to the students to pursue their education goals in a way that suits their individual needs. The professors shared their experiences and our Urdu teacher (Dr Rafiya Mam) also spoke on this occasion.DDE also served us with refreshment.
As the tour came to an end, we left KU with a sense of fulfilment and a renewed passion for learning. The experience of visiting KU broadened our perspectives, ignited our curiosity and instilled in us a deep appreciation for the love and power of education. KU continues to be a beacon of knowledge and a hub of academic excellence; it is, indeed, a garden of knowledge filled with beauty and serenity. It stands as a testament to the dedication and passion of its faculty and administration, who are striving to shape the minds of the future generation.
- Aamina Qadir Bhat is BA 3rd Semester student (with Islamic Studies as Major) at Govt. Degree College Sogam (Lolab), Kupwara
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