Muslim Personalities

Ibn Sina would influence philosophers and scientists for centuries after his lifetime (Wikimedia)   Known as Avicenna in the West, the Persian polymath had a huge impact on the study of disease, astronomy and logic Born in 980 CE to a Persian family near the city of Bukhara in modern day Uzbekistan, Abu Ali al-Hussain ibn Abdullah al-Balkhi would go …

At the time of gaining political freedom the question of the national flag became an issue among the political leaders of the day. On Friday January 16, 1948 when the parliament met after lunch A. Sinnalebbe (Batticaloa) rose in parliament and moved, “That this house is of opinion that the Royal Standards of King Sri Wickrama Raja Sinha depicting a …

Hilali Noordeen has the interesting distinction of being the only living Sri Lankan President of the Oxford Union (1983); the other two, Lalith Athulathmudali and Lakshman Kadirgamar were both assassinated. Mr. Noordeen is now a reputed and highly sought after consultant spinal surgeon who lives in London. He is also a lecturer and medical consultant who publishes regularly in his field. He …

Athinker, orator, mujtahid, writer, leader, politician, and seasoned organiser, Abul A’la Maududi (also known as Maulana Maududi) has left a lasting impression in shaping Muslims in South Asia and beyond. His role in founding the Jamaat-e-Islami and his vision for the larger Muslim Ummah provided a unique framework and vision for Muslims to unite at a time when the Muslim identity …

The Latinisation of legendary Muslim stalwarts’ names –  whose pathbreaking contributions in different aspects of human life enlightened the world – has probably eroded the sense of affinity the Muslims ought to have with their legendary coreligionists. The incessant decline of Muslims on one hand and the process of orientalism effected the whole set-up, leading to changes in names and …