Missing books at OU raises eyebrows

‘Dairatul Maarif’ the institute that preserves Arabic manuscripts, claimed it translated four books under Hamari Dharohar scheme last year. However, the books are not available with the institute

​Hyderabad: Storm is brewing around the functioning of Dairatul Maarif (OU), the institute for preservation of Arabic manuscripts, after the management had failed to make available the books which were released by former Union Minority Affairs Minister, Najma Heptulla in May 2016.

Alleging that the funds under Central government scheme Hamari Dharohar were being misappropriated, the civil society groups demanded a high-level probe. While on the other hand, the officials have maintained that the project which was undertaken during the previous year had hit the roadblock due to various reasons.

The four books which were claimed to be translated by the institute and released by Najma Heptullah as part of the project worth approximately Rs 37 crore under Hamari Dharohar (a Central government scheme to preserve heritage of minority communities), remained unavailable.

The books Kitab Al-Kawn Wa Alfasaad (The Book of Universe and its Disorders), Kitab Munazaraat (Polemics), Kitab Al-Haawi Fi Al-Tib IX & XX volumes and Risalah Fi Al-Musiqa (Book of Music) were officially released in New Delhi; but remained unavailable for general public.

When The Hans India enquired, it was found that none of the above mentioned books are available. “I shall let you know, when they would be available. They might be available in about a month,” said the official, in-charge of stores at the institute.

The lovers of medieval literature and science are up in arms over non- availability of books. “The above four books are neither available for sale in the Institution nor available for online purchase, though these books are placed on the official website of the Institute for sale.

Khaja Atheruddin, an RTI activist said that these works were translated in less than a year. I believe that these books were not translated by the scholars, but construed by an application such as Google. In fact, these books were removed from the sale counter so that no one can point out the mistakes and raise objections in translation. Hence, I demand a probe into the project under prestigious scheme of Hamari Darohar,” he said.

The activist, who complained to Union Minister for HRD, alleged that the book titled ‘Al Hind fi Alahad Al Islami’, which was already translated by a scholar and published by a publishing house from Lucknow long back was being claimed to have been translated as part of the project by the institute.

He questioned the logic of translating a book which has already been translated by an Indian scholar. Interestingly, the senior officials claim that books translated in first phase are available and even were gifted to current Union Minority Affairs Minister, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, during his recent visit. Head Department of Arabic & Director Dairatul Maarif, Dr Mehjabeen Akther said that the project was on hold due to the impact of demonetisation.

She said that Ministry under Naqvi sought the Institute to forward new proposals. “We received Rs 2 crore for first phase from the Ministry and completed translation of 10 books bilingual and reprinting of 25 books were completed and digitalisation is in process.Rumours are being spread by the detractors within the institute, as we brought them out of comfort zone” she said.