Prof Iqbal Mujjadadi donates rare manuscripts, unique royal titles to PU

Lahore: Renowned historian, researcher, author and former Chairman of History Department, Government Islamia College Civil Lines Prof Muhammad Iqbal Mujjadadi has donated rare manuscripts, unique royal titles and thousands of books worth crores of rupees to Punjab University Library.

In this regard, an inaugural ceremony was held at PU Library in which PU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran, Prof Emeritus Prof Dr Syed Akram Shah, Prof Dr Zahoor Ahmed Azhar, Prof Dr Khurshid Ahmed Rizvi, Dr Mazhar Mahmood Sherazi, Chief Librarian Haseeb Paracha, Deputy Chief Librarian Hamid Ali, renowned professors of oriental learning, researchers and students were present on the occasion. The treasurer of manuscripts and books donated by Prof Iqbal Maujjadadi included over one thousand manuscripts, rare magazines, photographs and over 10,500 books worth crores of rupees.

The collection also includes the oldest manuscript published in Samarkand in 8th Hijri century titled “Kanz-al-Ibad fe Sharh-al-Oraad” (Hazrat Bahauddin Zakriya Multani) and initial correspondence and Royal orders with regard to Masjid Wazir Khan. The collection also includes dozens of exclusive and unique royal titles which are not available in other parts of the world. A few manuscripts include valuable and unique information regarding Lahore city. It is pertinent to mention here that Prof Muhammad Iqbal Mujjadadi has collected these manuscripts and books from various parts of the world.

Addressing the ceremony, PU VC Dr Mujahid Kamran paid tribute to Prof Mujjadadi and lauded his courage as he had donated his asset collected in his whole life. He said that it was our collective responsibility to promote reading habit in our society and next generations would benefit from the manuscripts and books donated by Prof Mujjadadi. Chief Librarian Haseeb Paracha thanked the PU VC for providing funds for conserving the manuscripts and books. He said that manuscripts would be digitized for the benefit of researchers and students.

On this occasion, renowned academic personalities paid tribute to Prof Muhammad Iqbal for his donation.