Draft:Alhaj Molvi Riyazuddin Ahmed.

Alhaj Molvi Riyazuddin Ahmed Alhaj Molvi Riyazuddin Ahmed (1906-1988) was a distinguished educationist and social reformer, renowned for his contributions to female education in the Indian subcontinent and later in Pakistan. Born in Agra, India, into a wealthy family with a lineage tracing back to the revered Sufi saint Hazrat Sheikh Saleem Uddin Chishty, Ahmed's early life was imbued with a rich cultural and intellectual heritage.

[[|]] Early Life and Education Ahmed's upbringing was marked by financial fluctuations. His father, Fayyazuddin, initially thrived in the leather business before transitioning to selling spectacles, earning a reputation as an "eye doctor." From a young age, Ahmed was exposed to religious and cultural traditions, regularly visiting religious shrines. By fourteen, he had joined the Naqshbandi Sufi order.

Ahmed's academic journey was mixed; he excelled in Urdu, Persian, and geography but struggled with English and mathematics. Financial difficulties compounded these challenges, leading to his failure in the matriculation exam in 1926. Despite these setbacks, he continued his education with support from his family.

Early Career and Social Work In 1928, Ahmed founded the Muslim Tennis Club and a library in Agra, which became a significant institution for the local Muslim intellectual community. This library, supported by friends and local dignitaries, grew rapidly, amassing around 8,000 books and receiving annual support from Agra's municipality and district board.

Ahmed's career also included a clerical job in Agra's municipality and later a position as a librarian in Mathura's civil court. His involvement in the Indian freedom movement under the Muslim League and his admiration for Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah greatly influenced his work. Jinnah's leadership inspired Ahmed to name a college he planned to establish in Agra after him.

Migration to Pakistan and Educational Endeavors Following the partition of India in 1947, Ahmed migrated to Karachi, Pakistan. Despite financial constraints, he remained committed to advancing education, particularly for women. He founded the Anjuman-e-Islamia Trust, which played a pivotal role in establishing around 17 educational institutions in Karachi, including the Jinnah College and Jinnah University for Women in Nazimabad.

Ahmed was a visionary who recognized the paramount importance of female education at a time when traditional values often opposed such progressive ideas. His dedication to this cause led to the establishment of the first girls' school at Pakistan Chowk, which later moved to Nazimabad. His efforts were revolutionary and laid the groundwork for the advancement of Muslim women's education in the region.

Recognition and Legacy In recognition of his significant contributions to education, especially for women, Ahmed was awarded the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, one of Pakistan's highest civilian honors. His legacy continues to inspire future generations, marking him as a pioneer in the realm of female education in Pakistan.

Literary Contributions As an author and general secretary of the UP chapter of Anjuman Islamia, Ahmed's first book, "Ruh-e-Akhlaq," aimed to instill moral values in students through various anecdotes. This book was intended as a valuable resource for both Muslim youth and the general student population.

Ahmed's life and work underscore his unwavering commitment to education and his transformative impact on society. His dedication to promoting female literacy and empowerment has left a lasting legacy in both India and Pakistan.

References

1:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jinnah_University_for_Women 2:https://jpikhi.edu.pk/al-haaj-maoulvi-rayaz-uddin-ahmad/ 3:https://www.google.com/maps/place/Jinnah+University+For+Women/@24.924883,67.027389,17z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x3eb33f91751192b9:0x7d44a810d3040989!8m2!3d24.924883!4d67.0299639!16s%2Fm%2F02w8zm2?hl=en&entry=ttu 4: https://www.edarabia.com/28152/jinnah-university-for-women/ 5: https://web.archive.org/web/20130401021105/http://www.jocation.com/institution_profile/Jinnah_University_for_Women_94 6: https://roohanidigest.online/?p=2541#google_vignette 7:https://www.rekhta.org/ebooks/rooh-e-akhlaq-riyazuddin-ahmad-ebooks?lang=ur 8: https://dunya.com.pk/index.php/pakistan/2015-03-23/542479 9: http://54.144.255.133/index.php?p=show_detail&id=31035&keywords= 10: http://54.144.255.133/index.php?p=show_detail&id=31035&keywords= 11: https://dunya.com.pk/index.php/city/karachi/2014-08-15/414184