Aligarh: In a celebration of cultural heritage and scholarly achievements, the Maulana Azad Library of Aligarh Muslim University joined hands with the ‘Ali Society’ to organize an exhibition of rare manuscripts and books commemorating the ‘Ali Day'—the birth anniversary of Hazrat Ali ibn Abi Talib.

The exhibition showcases a treasure trove of historical artifacts, including a 900-year-old copy of Nahj-al-Balagha, a collection of speeches and aphorisms of Hazrat Ali, making it the oldest existing copy in the sub-continent. The event, inaugurated by Prof Mohammad Gulrez, the Vice-Chancellor of AMU, took place on January 25.

Prof Gulrez displayed keen interest, inspecting the various old hand-written manuscripts and diverse copies of the Holy Quran. Prof Nishat Fatima, the University Librarian, and Dr T S Asghar, Incharge of the Oriental Section, briefed the Vice-Chancellor on the historical and academic significance of the exhibited manuscripts.

Among the rarities displayed is the “Qasida-i-Hafiz,” an ode in praise of Hazrat Ali, intricately written with sharp fingernails in the unique style of Khatt-i-Nakhun. The exhibition also features a fragment of the Holy Quran, believed to be handwritten by Hazrat Ali in Kufic style on parchment. Books in various languages describing Hazrat Ali's life and virtues, as well as different types of leather covers used for decorating manuscripts, add to the richness of the display.

In attendance at the event were Prof Abid A Khan (President, Ali Society), Proctor of AMU Prof. Waseem Ali, Prof. Ali Nawaz Zaidi (Deputy Proctor), Omar S Peerzada (PRO, AMU) Dr. Jafar Abidi, Prof. Parvez Q Rizwi, Dr. Husain Haider, Prof. Tayyab Raza, Prof. Tawqeer Alam, Dr. Raza Abbas, Ghazala Tanveer and  Dr. Haider Husaini.