Syed Ahmed Quadri
Encyclopedia
Syed Ahmed Quadri was an administrator, educationist, and senior officer in the government of the Nizam of Hyderabad
and later on in the government of India
and the UNO.
in 1908. He was the son of the sufi Syed Mahmood Pasha Quadri and Amatul Fatima Shahzadi Begum.
His lineage traces back to the fourth Caliph Ali ibn Abi Talib. He was also a direct descendent of the famous Sufi Shaykh Abdul Qadir Gilani (1077–1166) and his great grandfather was the sufi shaykh of Tekmal
Sayyid Sahib Husayni
(1805–1880). Thus, he was brought up in a sufi tradition.
His ancestors migrated from Baghdad first to Allahabad
in north India, and then shifted south to Tekmal
adopting this town as their permanent native place.
became his immediate guardians henceforth and he spent his youth at their home.
Immediately after his schooling, he pursued higher education in science at Aligarh Muslim University
and Osmania University
, Hyderabad. With an excellent educational record, he was sent then to England for further higher studies, where he received B.Sc.(Hons) degree in Physics from Manchester University in 1933.
during 1924-1929. He held records in long distance swimming and represented the Muslim contingent in a quadrangular All India Water Polo Championship between Muslims, Christians, Hindus and Others (including Parsis).
He won 7 Gold Medals as a part of the Aligarh Muslim University
hockey and football teams in All India Championships.
He was also the Tennis Blue of Manchester University in 1933. Thereafter, he was presented with the honour of "BLUE" of all English Universities in 1933.
Syed Ahmed Quadri was more than six feet tall. WThe Osmania University
entrusted him with additional responsibilities as Warden of "A" Hostel and President of University Games. He was successful in this position as he commanded discipline and trained a number of good sportsmen at the university. Both of his own sons eventually gained national prominence in cricket and tennis.
The credit of introducing paramilitary training to the students at Osmania University
goes to Mr. Quadri alone. Once the program was approved, he was appointed as the first officer commanding of University Training Corps. After the independence of India in 1947, the Osmania University
Training Corps model was adopted all over India at all colleges and universities under the name of National Cadet Corps
or NCC in 1948.
In 1939, at the break of World War, his services were acquired as an expert in education and training by the Hyderabad State
for heading “Technical Training and Recruitment Scheme”. During this period, he developed this program on an institutional basis. As a result, these schemes were converted into permanent government departments in the Nizam’s government. After 1947, the government of India adopted this model and this exists in the form of the ITI (Industrial Training Institute) and Employment Exchange.
. In view of his services in the fields of education and allied areas, the British Government of the time in 1943 awarded him the title of “KHAN SAHEB”. This title was given to him in 1943 by the British government of India, which is equivalent to the title of “Padma Shree” of India today. After independence of India, Syed Ahmed Quadri decided to return this title in deference to the newly independent state of India.
and all over India, which created famine like circumstances. Syed Ahmed Quadri was chosen by the government of Hyderabad to form a new organization called “Hyderabad Commercial Corporation” to develop a strong logistics service for the movement of food grains and other commodities. He was appointed as the Chief Transport Officer of the corporation. With meritorious services over three years, the government honoured him with “NIZAM MEDAL” in 1946.
By that time, he was recognized as an expert in transportation and logistics. In 1947, he was moved to the Nizam’s State Railways. His services were specifically transferred to “Road Transport Department” which is currently known as Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC).
was invaded by the Indian troops, and annexed to India. Syed Ahmed Quadri subsequently became a part of the Indian government and continued to function in a similar capacity in the Road Transport Department.
During State reorganization scheme in 1957, he was transferred from Hyderabad State
to Mysore State
and appointed to the post of Chief Traffic Manager of Mysore State
. It was during his tenure that he reorganized road transport in the state, and was instrumental in nationalizing the road transport and converting it into “Mysore State Road Transport Corporation” (MSRTC), which is now known as “Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation
” (KSRTC).
At the age of 58, he retired from Mysore government service in 1966, and opted to return to his native Hyderabad city. He was already well known for his performance, and the Andhra Pradesh
government offered to take him as Director of APSRTC to reorganize the passenger services in Andhra Pradesh
. He served in this position for nearly a year until 1967 when he joined the UNO.
.
During the course of 1967, the security siutation in Yemen
went out of control with the rebellion against the British in South Yemen, which also led to independence of South Yemen in November 1967. As a result, Mr. Quadri was evacuated from Yemen with other UN staff to Cairo. During the next few months, he was posted temporarily to Cyprus and Rome before he was posted to Amman
, Jordan
where he remained for three years until 1971. He was then posted to Baghdad
until 1975 when he retired from the UNO.
During this period, he was also appointed as UN Advisor to the developing countries of the Middle East of Yemen
, Egypt
, Jordan
and Iraq
.
He thus served in the Middle East for a period of 8 years. During this period, he developed a number of schemes which were approved and implemented by United Nations as well as the concerned countries.
While he served in the Middle East, he performed Hajj
thrice. During the Hajj of 1972, he was pained to see the loss of lives of some pilgrims due to indiscipline and disorder. As a service to the Hajj authorities and the Muslims at large, he prepared a detailed report in English and Arabic with suggestions on a number of issues to improve services for the Hajj
pilgrims. This report was sent through the offices of the United Nations to Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries. In subsequent years, most of his proposals were accepted and implemented by the Saudi government. Some of his suggestions included:
1. Construction of two floors over Al-Safa and Al-Marwah
to allow maximum number of pilgrims to perform the ritual with ease.
2. Establishment of separate paths for the passage of to and fro traffic between Al-Safa and Al-Marwah
.
3. Arrangement of wheel chairs for aged, elderly, weak and handicapped pilgrims for their rituals inside the holy mosque.
4. Construction of a number of roads to Mina
and Mount Arafat
instead of only one that existed then, by carving different obstructing hillocks to for ease of the ever-increasing Hajj
traffic.
5. Establishing separate incoming and outgoing paths and constructing floors over the Jamarat at Mina
.
6. Packaging the sacrificial meat for distribution to poor people in other Muslim countries.
One suggestion of late Mr. Quadri has yet to been fulfilled. He wanted to develop a mini-train running over a circular rail fixed around holy Kaaba with special type of compartments facilitating aged, weak and handicapped Hajj pilgrims during their Tawaf
around the Holy Kaaba
. This suggestion is in line with his great experience in the field of transportation.
Dargah and shrine. The masjid, shrine of Sayyid Sahib Husayni
and other sufis, the school and other buildings were in ruin. The minarets had been dismantled due to disrepair and the town was in poor shape.
Thus, upon his return, he dedicated his entire attention and efforts towards the rehabilitation of Tekmal
. He spent the rest of his life to bring about a transformation in this small remote town which was his greatest achievement in many ways. Not only did he convert the Tekmal
shrine and its environments into a booming area spiritually and intellectually, but he also rendered immense socio-economic services through reforms, public welfare projects and construction of schools, hospitals and other facilities for the poor people of the area.
He raised funds for the projects through family members and friends which helped in alleviating poverty, and providing means of livelihood to orphans, widows and other poor people of the area. He also arranged stipends and other forms of assistance to the aged and the handicapped people, arranged funds for marriages of poor girls and for the burial of the dead.
One of the key projects he undertook was the rehabilitation and extension of the Madrassa-e-Hussainia Tekmal, free education and vocational training institution for boys and girls. This was a step in building such institutions for the children of tomorrow.
There are many other services that he developed and provided for that area. It was due to his efforts that bank facilities were introduced at Tekmal
for the first time in its history providing a means for farmers to obtain seasonal loans and to flourish agriculture. In addition, regular RTC bus services were established with a bus terminal at Tekmal
. Electricity, water and telephone infrastructure was laid at his behest by the authorities.
Syed Ahmed Quadri had a number of mosques also constructed in the nearby areas. Apart from reconstruction and extension of Tekmal Dargah Masjid, he also constructed the Neechay Gali Masjid and other new Masjids in the nearby villages of Salajpalli, Timplur, Chitlur and Raipahad. New religious schools were opened attached to each of these masjids.
Syed Ahmed Quadri died of natural causes after a short illness on Wednesday, 16 May 1990 at Hyderabad, and was buried at the ancestral graveyard at Tekmal
, astronomy and numerology in Urdu and English. Some of his books include:
, and Syed Arif Quadri. Mehrunnisa Begum returned to the UK after 18 years of marriage, and the couple were divorced in 1950.
Subsequently, Syed Ahmed Quadri married Azeemunnisa Begum (a distant cousin of Mr. Quadri and a widow) in 1953 who remained his life partner until her death on 21 February 1983. They were inseparable, and she brought up his sons as her own. Azeemunnisa Begum had a son from her previous marriage who died at the age of 17 shortly before she was widowed.
His third sister was married to Kazi Zainul Abedin
.
Hyderabad State
-After Indian independence :When India gained independence in 1947 and Pakistan came into existence in 1947, the British left the local rulers of the princely states the choice of whether to join one of the new dominions or to remain independent...
and later on in the government of India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and the UNO.
Ancestry
Syed Ahmed Quadri was born in TekmalTekmal
For the district information, see Medak district.Tekmal is a city, Mandal headquarters and a municipality in Medak District in Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is 140km to the north of Hyderabad.-Geography:...
in 1908. He was the son of the sufi Syed Mahmood Pasha Quadri and Amatul Fatima Shahzadi Begum.
His lineage traces back to the fourth Caliph Ali ibn Abi Talib. He was also a direct descendent of the famous Sufi Shaykh Abdul Qadir Gilani (1077–1166) and his great grandfather was the sufi shaykh of Tekmal
Tekmal
For the district information, see Medak district.Tekmal is a city, Mandal headquarters and a municipality in Medak District in Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is 140km to the north of Hyderabad.-Geography:...
Sayyid Sahib Husayni
Sayyid Sahib Husayni
Hazrat Sayyid Sāhib Ḥasani , was a famous Sufi saint from Hyderabad State, India and had a great influence over spiritual developments in the Deccan area...
(1805–1880). Thus, he was brought up in a sufi tradition.
His ancestors migrated from Baghdad first to Allahabad
Allahabad
Allahabad , or Settled by God in Persian, is a major city of India and is one of the main holy cities of Hinduism. It was renamed by the Mughals from the ancient name of Prayaga , and is by some accounts the second-oldest city in India. It is located in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh,...
in north India, and then shifted south to Tekmal
Tekmal
For the district information, see Medak district.Tekmal is a city, Mandal headquarters and a municipality in Medak District in Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is 140km to the north of Hyderabad.-Geography:...
adopting this town as their permanent native place.
Early life and education
Syed Ahmed was barely ten years old when his parents died. His eldest sister Ghousia Begum and her husband Mr. Syed Abdul Quader Hussaini, ex-Collector GulbargaGulbarga
Gulbarga is a city in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is the administrative headquarters of Gulbarga District. It was formerly part of Nizam's Hyderabad state...
became his immediate guardians henceforth and he spent his youth at their home.
Immediately after his schooling, he pursued higher education in science at Aligarh Muslim University
Aligarh Muslim University
Aligarh Muslim University ,is a residential academic university, established in 1875 by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan as Mohammedan Angelo-Oriental College and later granted the status of Central University by an Act of the Indian Parliament in 1920...
and Osmania University
Osmania University
Osmania University , , since 1918, is a public university located in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. It was established and named after the last Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan. It is one of the oldest modern universities in India. It is the first Indian University to have Urdu and...
, Hyderabad. With an excellent educational record, he was sent then to England for further higher studies, where he received B.Sc.(Hons) degree in Physics from Manchester University in 1933.
In university sports
Quadri also enjoyed some success in sports. He was captain of the hockey team, a member of the Football Team, and swimming champion of Aligarh Muslim UniversityAligarh Muslim University
Aligarh Muslim University ,is a residential academic university, established in 1875 by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan as Mohammedan Angelo-Oriental College and later granted the status of Central University by an Act of the Indian Parliament in 1920...
during 1924-1929. He held records in long distance swimming and represented the Muslim contingent in a quadrangular All India Water Polo Championship between Muslims, Christians, Hindus and Others (including Parsis).
He won 7 Gold Medals as a part of the Aligarh Muslim University
Aligarh Muslim University
Aligarh Muslim University ,is a residential academic university, established in 1875 by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan as Mohammedan Angelo-Oriental College and later granted the status of Central University by an Act of the Indian Parliament in 1920...
hockey and football teams in All India Championships.
He was also the Tennis Blue of Manchester University in 1933. Thereafter, he was presented with the honour of "BLUE" of all English Universities in 1933.
Career in education
Immediately on his return from England in 1933, he opted to go into the field of education. He was appointed a Lecturer in Physics at Osmania University.Syed Ahmed Quadri was more than six feet tall. WThe Osmania University
Osmania University
Osmania University , , since 1918, is a public university located in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. It was established and named after the last Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan. It is one of the oldest modern universities in India. It is the first Indian University to have Urdu and...
entrusted him with additional responsibilities as Warden of "A" Hostel and President of University Games. He was successful in this position as he commanded discipline and trained a number of good sportsmen at the university. Both of his own sons eventually gained national prominence in cricket and tennis.
The credit of introducing paramilitary training to the students at Osmania University
Osmania University
Osmania University , , since 1918, is a public university located in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. It was established and named after the last Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan. It is one of the oldest modern universities in India. It is the first Indian University to have Urdu and...
goes to Mr. Quadri alone. Once the program was approved, he was appointed as the first officer commanding of University Training Corps. After the independence of India in 1947, the Osmania University
Osmania University
Osmania University , , since 1918, is a public university located in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. It was established and named after the last Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan. It is one of the oldest modern universities in India. It is the first Indian University to have Urdu and...
Training Corps model was adopted all over India at all colleges and universities under the name of National Cadet Corps
National Cadet Corps (India)
The National Cadet Corps is the Indian military cadet corps with its Headquarters at New Delhi. It is open to school and college students on voluntary basis....
or NCC in 1948.
In 1939, at the break of World War, his services were acquired as an expert in education and training by the Hyderabad State
Hyderabad State
-After Indian independence :When India gained independence in 1947 and Pakistan came into existence in 1947, the British left the local rulers of the princely states the choice of whether to join one of the new dominions or to remain independent...
for heading “Technical Training and Recruitment Scheme”. During this period, he developed this program on an institutional basis. As a result, these schemes were converted into permanent government departments in the Nizam’s government. After 1947, the government of India adopted this model and this exists in the form of the ITI (Industrial Training Institute) and Employment Exchange.
National award of “Khan Saheb”
Syed Ahmed Quadri’s contribution was recognized beyond the boundaries of the Hyderabad StateHyderabad State
-After Indian independence :When India gained independence in 1947 and Pakistan came into existence in 1947, the British left the local rulers of the princely states the choice of whether to join one of the new dominions or to remain independent...
. In view of his services in the fields of education and allied areas, the British Government of the time in 1943 awarded him the title of “KHAN SAHEB”. This title was given to him in 1943 by the British government of India, which is equivalent to the title of “Padma Shree” of India today. After independence of India, Syed Ahmed Quadri decided to return this title in deference to the newly independent state of India.
Career in government
1943 brought a major change in Syed Ahmed Quadri’s career. He moved on from the field of education to government service. That year, there was a food shortage in Hyderabad StateHyderabad State
-After Indian independence :When India gained independence in 1947 and Pakistan came into existence in 1947, the British left the local rulers of the princely states the choice of whether to join one of the new dominions or to remain independent...
and all over India, which created famine like circumstances. Syed Ahmed Quadri was chosen by the government of Hyderabad to form a new organization called “Hyderabad Commercial Corporation” to develop a strong logistics service for the movement of food grains and other commodities. He was appointed as the Chief Transport Officer of the corporation. With meritorious services over three years, the government honoured him with “NIZAM MEDAL” in 1946.
By that time, he was recognized as an expert in transportation and logistics. In 1947, he was moved to the Nizam’s State Railways. His services were specifically transferred to “Road Transport Department” which is currently known as Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC).
Government career after independence
In 1948, the State of HyderabadHyderabad State
-After Indian independence :When India gained independence in 1947 and Pakistan came into existence in 1947, the British left the local rulers of the princely states the choice of whether to join one of the new dominions or to remain independent...
was invaded by the Indian troops, and annexed to India. Syed Ahmed Quadri subsequently became a part of the Indian government and continued to function in a similar capacity in the Road Transport Department.
During State reorganization scheme in 1957, he was transferred from Hyderabad State
Hyderabad State
-After Indian independence :When India gained independence in 1947 and Pakistan came into existence in 1947, the British left the local rulers of the princely states the choice of whether to join one of the new dominions or to remain independent...
to Mysore State
Mysore State
The Kingdom of Mysore was one of the three largest princely states within the erstwhile British Empire of India. Upon India gaining its independence in 1947, the Maharaja of Mysore merged his realm with the Union of India...
and appointed to the post of Chief Traffic Manager of Mysore State
Mysore State
The Kingdom of Mysore was one of the three largest princely states within the erstwhile British Empire of India. Upon India gaining its independence in 1947, the Maharaja of Mysore merged his realm with the Union of India...
. It was during his tenure that he reorganized road transport in the state, and was instrumental in nationalizing the road transport and converting it into “Mysore State Road Transport Corporation” (MSRTC), which is now known as “Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation
Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation
Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation or KSRTC is the state owned road transportation company in Karnataka.-About:KSRTC was set up in the year 1961 under the provisions of Road Transport Corporation Act, 1950. It is wholly owned by the Government of Karnataka. The Government of India is also...
” (KSRTC).
At the age of 58, he retired from Mysore government service in 1966, and opted to return to his native Hyderabad city. He was already well known for his performance, and the Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
government offered to take him as Director of APSRTC to reorganize the passenger services in Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
. He served in this position for nearly a year until 1967 when he joined the UNO.
Career with UNO
In the meantime, he was already being considered as a key technocrat by the United Nations Organization. In January 1967 United Nations Organization (UNO) obtained his valuable services as the “World Food Project Officer”. His first assignment that year was based out of YemenYemen
The Republic of Yemen , commonly known as Yemen , is a country located in the Middle East, occupying the southwestern to southern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the north, the Red Sea to the west, and Oman to the east....
.
During the course of 1967, the security siutation in Yemen
Yemen
The Republic of Yemen , commonly known as Yemen , is a country located in the Middle East, occupying the southwestern to southern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the north, the Red Sea to the west, and Oman to the east....
went out of control with the rebellion against the British in South Yemen, which also led to independence of South Yemen in November 1967. As a result, Mr. Quadri was evacuated from Yemen with other UN staff to Cairo. During the next few months, he was posted temporarily to Cyprus and Rome before he was posted to Amman
Amman
Amman is the capital of Jordan. It is the country's political, cultural and commercial centre and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The Greater Amman area has a population of 2,842,629 as of 2010. The population of Amman is expected to jump from 2.8 million to almost...
, Jordan
Jordan
Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing...
where he remained for three years until 1971. He was then posted to Baghdad
Baghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
until 1975 when he retired from the UNO.
During this period, he was also appointed as UN Advisor to the developing countries of the Middle East of Yemen
Yemen
The Republic of Yemen , commonly known as Yemen , is a country located in the Middle East, occupying the southwestern to southern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the north, the Red Sea to the west, and Oman to the east....
, Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
, Jordan
Jordan
Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing...
and Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
.
He thus served in the Middle East for a period of 8 years. During this period, he developed a number of schemes which were approved and implemented by United Nations as well as the concerned countries.
While he served in the Middle East, he performed Hajj
Hajj
The Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is one of the largest pilgrimages in the world, and is the fifth pillar of Islam, a religious duty that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so...
thrice. During the Hajj of 1972, he was pained to see the loss of lives of some pilgrims due to indiscipline and disorder. As a service to the Hajj authorities and the Muslims at large, he prepared a detailed report in English and Arabic with suggestions on a number of issues to improve services for the Hajj
Hajj
The Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is one of the largest pilgrimages in the world, and is the fifth pillar of Islam, a religious duty that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so...
pilgrims. This report was sent through the offices of the United Nations to Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries. In subsequent years, most of his proposals were accepted and implemented by the Saudi government. Some of his suggestions included:
1. Construction of two floors over Al-Safa and Al-Marwah
Al-Safa and Al-Marwah
Al-Safa and Al-Marwah are two small mountains now located in the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, Saudi Arabia between which Muslims travel back and forth seven times during the ritual pilgrimages of Hajj and Umrah.-History:...
to allow maximum number of pilgrims to perform the ritual with ease.
2. Establishment of separate paths for the passage of to and fro traffic between Al-Safa and Al-Marwah
Al-Safa and Al-Marwah
Al-Safa and Al-Marwah are two small mountains now located in the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, Saudi Arabia between which Muslims travel back and forth seven times during the ritual pilgrimages of Hajj and Umrah.-History:...
.
3. Arrangement of wheel chairs for aged, elderly, weak and handicapped pilgrims for their rituals inside the holy mosque.
4. Construction of a number of roads to Mina
Mina, Saudi Arabia
Mina is a location situated some 5 kilometres to the east of the Islamic holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. It stands on the road from Mecca's city centre to the Hill of Arafat....
and Mount Arafat
Mount Arafat
Mount Arafat or Mount Arafah is a granite hill east of Mecca. It is also known as the Mount of Mercy . The hill is the place Muslims believe the Islamic prophet Muhammad stood and delivered the Farewell Sermon to the Muslims who had accompanied him for the Hajj towards the end of his life...
instead of only one that existed then, by carving different obstructing hillocks to for ease of the ever-increasing Hajj
Hajj
The Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is one of the largest pilgrimages in the world, and is the fifth pillar of Islam, a religious duty that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so...
traffic.
5. Establishing separate incoming and outgoing paths and constructing floors over the Jamarat at Mina
Mina, Saudi Arabia
Mina is a location situated some 5 kilometres to the east of the Islamic holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. It stands on the road from Mecca's city centre to the Hill of Arafat....
.
6. Packaging the sacrificial meat for distribution to poor people in other Muslim countries.
One suggestion of late Mr. Quadri has yet to been fulfilled. He wanted to develop a mini-train running over a circular rail fixed around holy Kaaba with special type of compartments facilitating aged, weak and handicapped Hajj pilgrims during their Tawaf
Tawaf
Tawaf is one of the Islamic rituals of pilgrimage. During the Hajj and Umrah, Muslims are to circumambulate the Kaaba seven times, in a counterclockwise direction...
around the Holy Kaaba
Kaaba
The Kaaba is a cuboid-shaped building in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and is the most sacred site in Islam. The Qur'an states that the Kaaba was constructed by Abraham, or Ibraheem, in Arabic, and his son Ishmael, or Ismaeel, as said in Arabic, after he had settled in Arabia. The building has a mosque...
. This suggestion is in line with his great experience in the field of transportation.
Back to Sufism and Voluntary Service
In 1975, the life of Late Mr. Quadri took a new turn when he retired from the UN “World Food Project”. He was in Baghdad at the time. He narrates in his autobiography that his holy ancestor Hazrat Ghous-e-Azam Abdul Qadir Gilani appeared in a dream and directed him to take care of the spiritual project of TekmalTekmal
For the district information, see Medak district.Tekmal is a city, Mandal headquarters and a municipality in Medak District in Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is 140km to the north of Hyderabad.-Geography:...
Dargah and shrine. The masjid, shrine of Sayyid Sahib Husayni
Sayyid Sahib Husayni
Hazrat Sayyid Sāhib Ḥasani , was a famous Sufi saint from Hyderabad State, India and had a great influence over spiritual developments in the Deccan area...
and other sufis, the school and other buildings were in ruin. The minarets had been dismantled due to disrepair and the town was in poor shape.
Thus, upon his return, he dedicated his entire attention and efforts towards the rehabilitation of Tekmal
Tekmal
For the district information, see Medak district.Tekmal is a city, Mandal headquarters and a municipality in Medak District in Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is 140km to the north of Hyderabad.-Geography:...
. He spent the rest of his life to bring about a transformation in this small remote town which was his greatest achievement in many ways. Not only did he convert the Tekmal
Tekmal
For the district information, see Medak district.Tekmal is a city, Mandal headquarters and a municipality in Medak District in Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is 140km to the north of Hyderabad.-Geography:...
shrine and its environments into a booming area spiritually and intellectually, but he also rendered immense socio-economic services through reforms, public welfare projects and construction of schools, hospitals and other facilities for the poor people of the area.
He raised funds for the projects through family members and friends which helped in alleviating poverty, and providing means of livelihood to orphans, widows and other poor people of the area. He also arranged stipends and other forms of assistance to the aged and the handicapped people, arranged funds for marriages of poor girls and for the burial of the dead.
One of the key projects he undertook was the rehabilitation and extension of the Madrassa-e-Hussainia Tekmal, free education and vocational training institution for boys and girls. This was a step in building such institutions for the children of tomorrow.
There are many other services that he developed and provided for that area. It was due to his efforts that bank facilities were introduced at Tekmal
Tekmal
For the district information, see Medak district.Tekmal is a city, Mandal headquarters and a municipality in Medak District in Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is 140km to the north of Hyderabad.-Geography:...
for the first time in its history providing a means for farmers to obtain seasonal loans and to flourish agriculture. In addition, regular RTC bus services were established with a bus terminal at Tekmal
Tekmal
For the district information, see Medak district.Tekmal is a city, Mandal headquarters and a municipality in Medak District in Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is 140km to the north of Hyderabad.-Geography:...
. Electricity, water and telephone infrastructure was laid at his behest by the authorities.
Syed Ahmed Quadri had a number of mosques also constructed in the nearby areas. Apart from reconstruction and extension of Tekmal Dargah Masjid, he also constructed the Neechay Gali Masjid and other new Masjids in the nearby villages of Salajpalli, Timplur, Chitlur and Raipahad. New religious schools were opened attached to each of these masjids.
Syed Ahmed Quadri died of natural causes after a short illness on Wednesday, 16 May 1990 at Hyderabad, and was buried at the ancestral graveyard at Tekmal
Tekmal
For the district information, see Medak district.Tekmal is a city, Mandal headquarters and a municipality in Medak District in Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is 140km to the north of Hyderabad.-Geography:...
Publications
Syed Ahmed Quadri wrote a number of books on TekmalTekmal
For the district information, see Medak district.Tekmal is a city, Mandal headquarters and a municipality in Medak District in Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is 140km to the north of Hyderabad.-Geography:...
, astronomy and numerology in Urdu and English. Some of his books include:
- History of Takemal Dargah, Hyderabad, 1985
- A New Lease of Life to Tekmal, Hyderabad, 1982
- Shajar-i Ghawsiya Tekmal mein, Hyderabad, 1977
- Karamat o Halat, Hyderabad, 1978
- Mysteries of the Hand (a book on palmistry)
Family
Syed Ahmed Quadri was married first to Mehrunnisa Begum (d. Dec 10, 2001), who was a British woman. He had met her during his days as a student in England and brought her back to Hyderabad as his wife in 1933. She bore him three children: Amina, Syed Asif QuadriSyed Asif Quadri
Syed Asif Quadri was a top seeded tennis player of India and outstanding sportsman. He was the number 1 in tennis in Hyderabad State and Mysore State and number 2 in all of India during the 1950s and early 1960s. He also represented India at the Wimbledon championships in 1954...
, and Syed Arif Quadri. Mehrunnisa Begum returned to the UK after 18 years of marriage, and the couple were divorced in 1950.
Subsequently, Syed Ahmed Quadri married Azeemunnisa Begum (a distant cousin of Mr. Quadri and a widow) in 1953 who remained his life partner until her death on 21 February 1983. They were inseparable, and she brought up his sons as her own. Azeemunnisa Begum had a son from her previous marriage who died at the age of 17 shortly before she was widowed.
His third sister was married to Kazi Zainul Abedin
Kazi Zainul Abedin
Kazi Mohammed Zainul Abedin was a famous Urdu poet and a very senior officer in the government of the Nizam of Hyderabad. He was also the last Kazi of Udgir under the Hyderabad State....
.
Other Wikipedia references
- List of Indians
- Sayyid Sahib HusayniSayyid Sahib HusayniHazrat Sayyid Sāhib Ḥasani , was a famous Sufi saint from Hyderabad State, India and had a great influence over spiritual developments in the Deccan area...
- Kazi Zainul AbedinKazi Zainul AbedinKazi Mohammed Zainul Abedin was a famous Urdu poet and a very senior officer in the government of the Nizam of Hyderabad. He was also the last Kazi of Udgir under the Hyderabad State....
External links and reference books
- Muqaddas Tekmal, by Syed Azam Ali Sufi Qadri, Hyderabad, 1985
- A New Lease of Life to Tekmal, by Syed Ahmed Quadri, Hyderabad, 1982
- History of Takemal Dargah, by Syed Ahmed Quadri, Hyderabad, 1977