Imom Buxoriy xalqaro ilmiy-tadqiqot markazi bukhari.uz
By Mohammad Aleem
Islam, unfortunately, as a great religion and philosophy of life these days is facing different kinds of onslaughts. Reasons are many and varied. Most of the time, it is economic, social and political. It has always been the history of the mankind that humanity is being governed and guided in the most civilised ways only by religions. The things started changing when the practitioners of all great religions started using it for their own narrow, nefarious and unethical purposes just to gain some worldly benefits. It happened with every religion and Islam was not an exception.
Distortions and misrepresentations of the original teachings of the religious texts brought such kinds of movements like Al Qaeda, ISIS, Taliban and Boko Haram etc. which misguided hundreds and thousands of Muslim youths in the name of holy war, Jihad and it did cost human lives dearly.
To make our misguided youths familiar with the original teachings of Islam and establish peace and harmony in the world, the Government of Uzbekistan has established a research centre in its very famous city and great seat of learning since the medieval ages, after the name of the most famous compiler of authentic Hadith (sayings of Prophet Muhammad P.B.U.H.), Imam Al Bukhari. The aim is to provide the research scholars and intellectuals from every corner of the world a unique platform where they could come and do research on Islam in right way with right intentions and right perspectives.
This research centre is headquartered at the Imam Al-Bukhari Academy in Samarkand and affiliated to the OIC.
I have received this information from reliable sources that well-known philanthropist, business leader, civic activist and writer, Frank Islam has been approached by the Uzbekistan Government to head this research centre as its esteemed chancellor or chairman. If it happens, I think, it will be a great opportunity not only for Mr. Frank Islam as a scholar to serve this great institute as a capable leader, but also to serve his own religion, Islam in this very tumultuous time and earn good rewards from Allah for his pious works.
Mr. Islam lives in America. He has spent so far millions of rupees on different kinds of charity works, especially on education and health. Of late, he has established the department of management in his alma mater, Aligarh Muslim University by spending a great sum of money from where he had earned his graduation and master degree in Mathematics many decades back. Later on, he moved to the dreamland of America where he not only made his visible mark as a successful entrepreneur, but also as an educationalist and civil activist.
His journey from India to America nearly two decades back is like the journey of a man from rags to riches. He comes from a very modest and humble background. He was born in 1954 in an unknown village of Azamgarh District of Uttar Pradesh.
After earning a good fortune in America, Frank Islam established The Frank Islam & Debbie Driesman Charitable Foundation in 2007. The sole purpose was to serve humanity in various ways like providing good and quality education to the deprived people, health care facilities where it was needed most and many such other works.
His immense zeal to serve the people inspired him to get associated with many organizations, universities and institutions of the world repute in various capacities from time to time. His only aim is to benefit the people in whatever good way they could be helped, seeing their capabilities and needs.
Mr. Islam has also made a distinct mark intellectually by writing two original books; Working the Pivot Points: To Make America Work Again (2013) and Renewing the American Dream: A Citizen’s Guide for Restoring Our Competitive Advantage (2010).
His immense interest in higher education and in assisting the youth becoming leaders of tomorrow encouraged him to get involved with various institutions and universities in many capacities like Member of the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) Johns Hopkins University Advisory Council (2013 to present); Member of the advisory board of the University of Maryland Smith School of Business (2009 to present); Member of the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School Dean’s Advisory Council (2014 to present); George Mason University School of Management Dean’s Council (2012 to present); American University School of International Service Dean’s Council (2013 to present); University of Malaysia (UTM) International Advisory Panel (2012 to present); Board of Trustees of the American University in the Emirates (AUE) etc.
He was closely associated at one time with the former USA Presidents Barak Obama and Bill Clinton. He has also worked with the former Foreign Secretary, Hilary Clinton.
I think a person of such rich background as an academician and educationist will help in a great way to take this institute, Imam Al Bukhari International Research Center to new heights. It will also provide a unique opportunity to Mr. Islam to serve not only this institute with his vast experiences, but also helping in bringing closer to his motherland, India and his new abode, America closer to Uzbekistan historically and culturally.
I wish Mr. Frank Islam great success and hope that his association with this esteemed institute will last long.
— Mohammad Aleem is a well-known novelist, playwright, scriptwriter and journalist, currently attached with the ICN Group, India as the Chief News Editor.
Course: albiladdailyeng.com
