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NEW DELHI: The untimely demise of renowned scholar and votary of India minority rights, Dr. Omar Khalidi is being widely mourned across the globe. Special prayers are being done for the departed soul. TIA here publishes some of the condolence messages that are pouring in through e mails. You can also share your grief here :-
May his soul rest in peace.
Loss of a great unifier
Dr. Khalidi was the type of person for whom it was said that, “you can get out of India, but India can never get out of you”. Without him, the Indian community in and around the Boston area can never be the same again. It was an honor and a privilege to know a person of his caliber. I came across him in early nineties, when the Babri Masjid in India was demolished by the religious zealots. At that time he was one man army, doing all by himself, for a good cause. It was his sheer determination and friendly personality, that people in the United States, although from different corners of India with diverse backgrounds, flocked to him. And yes, the rest is history.
He believed in high thinking and simple living. He was a great unifier and always went the extra mile to ensure that two persons, if they have something in common should meet. He was constantly providing me information about people originally from Gorakhpur, in case I may want to get connected with them. In him, I found a friend and a well wisher. He was the first one to arrive at the gatherings at my house and always was the last one to leave. Our interests were same, so the conversation could never end. From now on, without his company, I will be at loss at the gatherings.
Although he was originally from Hyderabad, but his knowledge of Uttar Pradesh was quite comprehensive. He was very much attached to AMU and its affairs, and was an avid participant in the AMU related activities here in USA. He was well travelled and impressed many and was quick in making friends everywhere. His books can be found at many book stores. I was surprised to see that he was widely quoted by the intelligentsia in India and elsewhere (i.e., “Confession of a Secular Fundamentalist”, by Mani Shankar Aiyyar). He was equally challenged by his opponents. I remember Advani once saying in an accusing sense that “people like Omar Khalidi and Arundhati Roy who lives abroad…” This is a manifestation of the fact that he was successful in making the life miserable for the ones who were not playing as per the dictates of the Indian constitution. He campaigned hard to ensure that the architect of Gujarat pogrom Modi is not allowed to keep his foot in USA and elsewhere. With him gone, the mischief mongers may breath in relief. But he has set the standards, which will ensure that the down trodden and the ones taken for granted are not taken for a ride. Now it is up to us to keep his legacy alive. But for any of us, it will be an impossible act to follow.
He will be missed by all. His was an untimely departure. May Allah provide him a place in the heaven.
Inna Lillahe Wa Inna Elaihe Rajeoon.
TANVIR SALIM
30 Skyline Circle, Canton, MA 02021, USA
A firm believer in the idea of India
The untimely death of Dr. Omar Khalidi leaves a huge void in the field of Indian Muslim studies in general and in Hyderabad studies in particular. The author of more than two dozen books and scores of academic articles, his contributions are many. The subjects of his books include minority rights, history, architecture, economics, demography, politics, Urdu education, military history, library science, cataloguing, etc. But he will forever be remembered as the man whose incisive writings inspired the Sachar Committee to seek a community wise census of the Indian armed forces. This fact even though officially unacknowledged is widely known.
Born in 1953 in Hyderabad Dr. Khalidi was initiated into the scholarly world by his father, Abu Nasr Muhammad Khalidi, who was a specialist in the fields of Islamic studies and Urdu literature at Osmania University. He studied at the famous Madrassa-e-Aaaliyah High School in Hyderabad. He later on completed his BA in history at the Wichita State University, Kansas (1980), ALM from the Harvard University School of Extension Studies (1991), and his PhD from the University of Wales-Lampeter, UK (1994). During the 1980s he worked at the King Saud University in Riyadh and then moved back to the United States, eventually joining the staff of Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston. At the time of his death he served as the librarian at the Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture at MIT.
His scholarly venture began when he wrote ‘The British Residents at the Court of the Nizams of Hyderabad’ in 1981. From then on he wrote or edited more than twenty five books. The most memorable book edited by him continues to be ‘Hyderabad After the Fall’ published twenty two years ago. The book documents the fall of the independent state of Hyderabad and its impact on the Muslim community. Before the publication of this book the events surrounding Operation Polo and its aftermath were long forgotten and undocumented. It was Khalidi who had dug up excerpts from the Pandit Sunderlal Commission report which for the first time offered a glimpse into what really happened in 1948 as Hyderabad was amalgamated into the Indian union.
Broadening his scholarly horizon Khalidi began researching the socio-economic and political issues from the early 1990s. This culminated with the publishing of Khaki and Ethnic Violence in India: Army, Police, and Paramilitary Forces During Communal Riots (2003) and ‘Muslims in Indian Economy’ (2006). With meticulous documentation these two books were instrumental in shining the light on the institutional discrimination against Muslims in India. L.K. Advani had personally held Khalidi responsible for the Sachar Committee’s request for a community wise census and attacked him for allegedly tarnishing the secular credentials of the army.
Khalidi’s thesis that India is not a secular state because of entrenched Hinduism in the country’s official machinery caused an uproar. Similarly, there was a nasty campaign initiated against him by right wing groups when he organised a seminar entitled ‘Group Violence, Terrorism, and Impunity—Challenges to Secularism and Rule of Law in India’ on April 9-10, 2010 at MIT. The right wing extremists called him anti-India and anti-Hindu. He was none of that sort and was often heard reciting ‘khaak-e-watan ka mujh ko harr zarra dewata hai.’ At a panel session on Indian Muslims at the Islamic Society of North America convention this year he spoke on the resilience of Indian Muslims and how they can serve as role models for other Muslim communities living as minorities. Most recently Khalidi had written a piece calling the Archaeological Survey of India as a ‘Handmaiden of Hindutva’ for its distorting of history. Despite his strong critiques of the Indian state machinery he had a firm belief in the idea of India as a secular, democratic, and progressive nation where the rights are guaranteed for all.
Apart from his scholarly work Khalidi was also an activist and participated in the activities of all Indian Muslim organizations in the USA including the American Federation of Muslims of Indian Origin (of which he served as the regional Vice president), the Indian Muslim Relief and Charities, the Indian Muslim Council, and the Association of Indian Muslims. When the right wing Hindu leader Sadhwi Rithambara was scheduled to speak near Boston Dr. Khalidi wrote an article titled ‘No room for extremist hate in Waltham’ which was published in the Metro West Daily News. He regularly wrote for the Economic and Political Weekly, the Outlook, India Abroad, Two Circles, and other print and internet media outlets.
For myself Dr. Khalidi’s death is a personal loss for he was a friend, mentor, and guide. Despite being much senior he was always eager to know my thoughts on various issues. He had no hesitation in revising his own opinions and discussed all issues in a jovial and friendly manner. In our lengthy conversations never once did he discuss personalities. He always talked about issues and the ways of rectifying them.A bridge builder he worked on uniting the people. His visits to various countries, sponsored by the US State Department, were a part of this effort.
The last time we spoke he informed that he was working on a book on Urdu medium schools in India and was eagerly looking forward to attend a conference organized by the history department of Osmania University. He was also planning on bringing out a book on Hyderabadi Muslims since 1948 and had asked me collaborate on it. His unfinished work will be greatly missed.
The void left by Dr. Khalidi will be long felt by the global Indian Muslim community. For quite some time there will be no one to take to task the might of the anti-secular forces in India on an academic level. May God bless his soul and grant him the highest stations in jannah.
MOHAMMED AYUB KHAN
Committed to welfare of Muslim community
It is extremely sad to know that Khalidi sahab is no more. His work and writings are ample proof of his commitment and dedication to the welfare of the Muslim community. I had the good fortune of being in touch with him though very recently.
He provided me his telephone number and also enquired about my interests after he went through my blog. As a young man, I feel his passing away will leave many youngsters bereft of guidance and direction. May Allah provide him a place in Jannah.
DANISH KHAN
urdufigures.blogspot.com
the best speaker
I could not believe it when yesterday night a local person called to give bad news. For a long time, I was almost lost and could not believe the message, then my wife called his house to confirm the sad news. I met him a few days ago at a local function. He always invited and insisted that my family and I should attend whenever he held seminars at MIT on Muslims in India. He always forwarded or CC’ed to me ,his emails related to Urdu and AMU. A couple of time, I requested to help him gather some data on Muslim educational issues. He was always the best speaker at our local AFMI and other functions. There are so many memories attached to him. I am still having a hard time to believe this sad news.
Allah SWT grant him Janat-ul-Firdoos and forgive his mistakes.
SUHAIB M. SIDDIQI, Ph.D.
Wakefield, MA 01880, U.S.A.
Sad news
It is sad to hear about the demise of Dr Khalidi. I had never met him but in response to my article in Tehelka earlier this year on the celebrations IAS, IFS, IPS, IRS, IFoS, etc probationers did in Dec 1992 on the demolition of Babri Masjid at the IAS Academy; Khalidi Sahab sent me an email. I exchanged notes with him about my personal experience as a faculty member then in the academy. On getting this news I pulled out his emails and relived those moments spent with him though he is no more in this world now. It is really unfortunate to learn about his death. May God give his family members strength to bear this loss, Ameen!
Khuda Hafiz,
AHMAD CAMERON
Quite Shocking
The news of Dr.Omar Khalidi’s passing away is extremely sad and quite shocking. We all will remember his scholarly works exposing and arguing on many matters concerning muslims and the Indian State. Many among us did not agree with some of his arguments and understandings, nonetheless ,he remained resolute, firm, principled and untiring in speaking and writing about those issues. Two of his books made quite a big news in the indian press; ‘Khaki and the Ethnic Violence in India’ and ‘Muslims in Indian Economy,’
I had a chance to meet him when he came to deliver a lecture at the Muslim community center, Maryland. Indian Muslim community feels deprived due to his passing away. May Allah rest his soul in peace.
RAZI
A scholar and a gentleman
I have know Dr Omar Khalidi for number of years. We met in many seminars and lectures organized by various organization.
He was a scholar and a gentleman. He will surely be missed. May God bless his soul and give courage to family and friends to bear the loss.
-ABDULLAH
Washington, D.C.
A big tragedy: CIM
Council of Indian Muslims—UK (CIM) has expressed deep sense of loss and sorrow at the tragic death in a train accident of the US based Indian Muslim scholar Dr Omar Khalidi.
Dr Khalidi’s death has been described as a loss not only of Indian Muslim community but everyone who believed in justice, fairness and impartial study of sociological and political issues related to Muslim community in India.
Dr Khalidi was born in 1954 in Hyderabad. With a BA degree from Wichita State University, ALM from Harvard University School of Extension Studies and PhD from University of Wales-Lampeter, UK, Dr Khalidi served as a staff member at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is survived by his wife and a daughter.
Author of several scholarly books and articles including “Khaki and Ethnic Violence in India: Armed Forces, Police and Paramilitary During Communal Riots”, Dr Khalidi had devoted himself to the study of the plight and problems of Indian Muslims and has left behind monumental work on the subject. May Allah SWT grant him maghfirat and bless his family with the courage and patience to bear this loss.
A great loss for Hyderabad
It is indeed a great loss for the Indian muslims specially from Hyderabad. he was a great scholar & an articulate speaker. We at Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad, had organized his lecture on the topic "Muslims in America: Obama election & after" on 14th December last year. He spoke so well & responded a volley of questions with utmost ease. we still cherish the fond memories of his visit to MANUU. I express profound grief & condolences to his family on behalf of my collegues at Manuu. May Allah honour him with Jannatul firdaus……..ameen.
Abid A. Wasay.
P.R.O.MANUU.
BOOKS WRITTEN BY DR. OMAR KHALIDI
Muslims in Indian Economy (2006). Publisher: Three Essays Collective.
Muslims in the Deccan: A Historical Survey (2006). Publisher: Global Media Publications.
An Indian Passage to Europe: The Travels of Fath Nawaz Jang (2006). Publisher: Oxford University Press.
The British Residency in Hyderabad: An Outpost of the Raj (1779-1948). Publisher : British Association for Cemeteries in South Asia.
Between Muslim Nationalists and Nationalist Muslims: Maududi’s Thoughts on Indian Muslims (2004). Publisher: Institute of Objective Studies.
Khaki and Ethnic Violence in India: Army, Police, and Paramilitary Forces During Communal Riots (2003). Three Essays Press.
A Guide to Arabic, Persian, Turkish, and Urdu Manuscript Libraries in India (2003). Middle East Librarians Association.
Romance of the Golconda Diamonds (1999). Publisher: Mapin Publishing.
Suqut-e-Hyderabad: Chashm Deed Aur Muasir Tahreeron Par Mushtamil Manzar Aur Pesh Manzar (Edited with Dr. Muinuddin Aqil) (1998). Publisher: All India Majlis Tameer-e-Millat.
Indian Muslims Since Independence (1995). Vikas Publishing House.
Islamic Literature in the Deccani Languages: Kannada, Marathi, & Telugu (1995). Publisher: Hyderabad Historical Society.
Memoirs of Sidney Cotton (1994). Publisher: South Asia Press.
Shama-e-Faroozan: Chand Ilmi Aur Adabi Shakhsiyatoon Ke Halaat-e-Zindagi Aur Karname (1992). Publisher : Azmi and Sons.
Memoirs of Cyril Jones: People, Society, and Railways in Hyderabad (1991). Publisher: Manohar Publications.
Factors in Muslim Electability to Lok Sabha (1991). Harvard University Press.
Indian Muslims in North America (1990). South Asia Press.
Hyderabad After the Fall (1988) Publisher: Hyderabad Historical Society.
African Diaspora in India: The Case of the Habashis of Deccan (1988) Publisher: Hamdard National Foundation.
Deccan Under the Sultans, 1296-1724: A Bibliography of Monographic and Periodical Literature (1987). Publisher: Hyderabad Historical Society.
Hyderabad State Under the Nizams, 1724-1948: A Bibliography of Monographic and Periodical Literature (1985). Publisher: Hyderabad Historical Society.
The British Residents at the Court of the Nizams of Hyderabad (1981) Publisher: Hyderabad Historical Society.