Kulliyat-e-Maulana Azad first two volumes released in Kolkata by Al-Hoda Research Publications. Scholars hail the project as a historic effort to preserve Maulana Abul Kalam Azad’s intellectual and literary legacy.
Qalam Times News Network
Kolkata | May 25, 2026
Kulliyat-e-Maulana Azad Receives Grand Reception at Academic Gathering
Kulliyat-e-Maulana Azad took center stage at a prestigious literary and academic event held in Kolkata, where the first two volumes of the long-awaited collection were formally unveiled before an audience comprising scholars, writers, researchers, educationists, and social leaders from across India.
The publication marks a major effort to preserve and organize the intellectual, literary, and ideological contributions of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, one of the foremost leaders of India’s freedom movement and a pioneering architect of modern India. Remembered not only as a political visionary but also as a distinguished journalist, author, and thinker, Maulana Azad’s writings influenced generations through their depth, clarity, and progressive outlook.
A Historic Effort to Preserve a Vast Intellectual Legacy
During the early decades of the twentieth century, Maulana Azad stirred political consciousness across the country through his revolutionary journals Al-Hilal and Al-Balagh. These publications became powerful voices against British colonial rule and developed into influential platforms discussing politics, religion, sociology, literature, and culture.
Because of his multidimensional contributions, much of his literary work remained scattered across archives, publications, and historical records for decades. Bringing all these writings together into one organized academic collection was considered an enormous scholarly challenge. It is here that Kulliyat-e-Maulana Azad has emerged as a groundbreaking initiative.
The project has been undertaken by Al-Hoda Research Publications under the leadership of Maulana Zaki Ahmed Madni, in collaboration with researcher and editor Dr. Rafiullah Masood Taimi. Nearly seventy years after Maulana Azad’s passing, the publication of these volumes is being viewed as a remarkable academic achievement.
Jamia Al-Hoda Hosts Prestigious Launch Ceremony
The grand release ceremony was organized at the spacious auditorium of Jamia Al-Hoda, where prominent academicians, literary personalities, journalists, and intellectuals gathered to celebrate the occasion. Speakers at the event praised the dedication and vision behind the project and described it as a valuable contribution to Urdu literature and modern academic research.
The audience acknowledged the efforts of Al-Hoda Research Publications, its director Maulana Zaki Ahmed Madni, and editor-researcher Dr. Rafiullah Masood Taimi for initiating such a large-scale scholarly undertaking.
“A True Patron of Knowledge”
Speaking at the event, Prof. Dr. Mohammad Shakil Ahmed Qasmi of Oriental College, Patna, drew a historical comparison with the publication of Seerat-un-Nabi by Allama Shibli Nomani. He stated that great scholarly works often succeed because of visionary individuals who support them with commitment and foresight.
Prof. Qasmi remarked that Maulana Zaki Ahmed Madni has played exactly such a role in making this project possible. He described him as both a patron of knowledge and a visionary institution builder who has successfully established educational and research platforms alongside managing Al-Hoda International School and related institutions.
He further noted that selecting Maulana Azad’s intellectual heritage as the institution’s first major academic project reflects exceptional scholarly vision. He also praised Dr. Rafiullah Taimi’s balanced academic background, shaped by both traditional Islamic scholarship and modern university education.
Research, Editing, and Compilation Involved Major Challenges
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Rafiullah Masood Taimi explained the research methodology and editorial process adopted for the collection. He said the objective was to compile Maulana Azad’s scattered speeches, essays, letters, and writings into a comprehensive repository for future generations.
He added that earlier, the absence of a unified collection made it difficult for scholars and researchers to fully understand Maulana Azad’s intellectual approach. This project aims to bridge that gap through careful documentation and scholarly editing.
Dr. Taimi also revealed that detailed footnotes have been included for readers and researchers, containing explanations of difficult words, references to Qur’anic verses, and source verification of Hadith narrations.
Scholars Discuss Relevance of Maulana Azad in Modern India
The ceremony also featured addresses by Prof. Imtiaz Wahid and Prof. Umar Ghazali, who highlighted the academic quality and editorial standards of the newly released volumes.
Other speakers, including Shaikh Khurshid Alam Madni, writer Abuzaffar Hashmi, Prof. Mansoor Alam, and Prof. Tanveer Ahmed, emphasized the continuing relevance of Maulana Azad’s ideas in present-day India.
Renowned physician and social activist Dr. Fuad Halim stated that many of the challenges faced by modern India can still find solutions in the political and ideological vision of Maulana Azad. He stressed that national unity, communal harmony, and genuine social progress could be strengthened by following the principles advocated by the great leader.
Ceremony Ends on an Inspiring Note
The program concluded in an atmosphere filled with intellectual enthusiasm and appreciation. Participants from Kolkata and several other states described the project as a milestone for Urdu literature and academic scholarship.
The launch of Kulliyat-e-Maulana Azad is now being regarded as an enduring contribution toward preserving one of the richest intellectual legacies in Indian history.
