Anjuman-i-Himayat-e-Islam

Introduction:

Aligarh Movement and Darl-Ul-Uloom Deoband adorned the Muslims lives with modern and Islamic education. Anjuman-i-Himayat-i-Islam also did the same job but in a different way.


Establishment Of The Anjuman-i-Himayat-i-Islam:

On September 24, 1884 Anjuman was found in the mosque Bakan Khan gate, Lahore. Anjuman-i-Himayat-e-Islam was based on uplifting the Muslim glory and respect by its own means and source without the support of the British government. When this Anjuman was found there were about 250 members of it. Khalifa Hameed-ud-Din was the founder of this Anjuman Abdur Rahim, Dr. Mohammad Din Nazir, Maulvi Charagh Din, Maulvi Ghulam Mohammad, Haji Meer Shams-ud-Din and Khan Najam-ud-din were other active members of the Anjuman-i-Himayat-Islam Lahore. The objectives of the Anjuman were as follows.


Objectives Of The Anjuman:

The renaissance and betterment of the Muslims by its own means was the chief objective of the Anjuman, other were as under:
i) To furnish modern and Islamic education to the Muslims.
ii) Prevention of the propaganda of Christianity.
iii) Establishment of an Islamic Society on sound foundations.
iv) Protection of orphan children and to give them education.
v) Protection and development of the Muslims’ social, political, economic, and educational rights.

Educational Services:

Anjuman-i-Himayat-i-Islam was a pragmatic institution to achieve its objectives; the Anjuman took some practical steps.
In 1884, two schools were established under the administration of this Anjuman. The primary school for girls was also established. In 1925, a girl’s primary school was upgraded to high school. In 1938, Islamia college for women, Cooper road, Lahore was started by the Anjuman.
In boys sector, in 1889, a boy’s school named Madrassa-tul-Musalamin in Sheranwala Gate, Lahore was established. In 1905, Islamia College Railway Road, Lahore for boys was also established by the Anjuman.
Islamia College Civil Line, Lahore, Islamia college Lahore Cantt, Himayat-i-Islamia college, Lahore and Islamia Degree College, Kasur were other institutions really quenched the thirst of education of the students of the Punjab.
Sir Syed, Allama Iqbal, Nawab Mohsin-ul-Malik, Sheikh Abdul Qadir, Justice Shah Din and Maulana Altaf Hussain Hali attended its sessions and supported its activities.

Muthi Bhar Atta Scheme:

Muthi Bhar Atta Scheme was introduced for raising funds for the Anjuman. In every Muslim’s home a small quantity of the flour (Muthi Bhar Atta) was saved to support the Anjuman. After one week, members of the Anjuman accumulated that flour from every house and disposed of it for raising funds.

Political Services:

Anjuman-i-Himayat-i-Islam also rendered invaluable political services under the flag of Muslim League. It played a major role in the freedom of the Muslims of the Sub=Continent by arranging its annual meetings which were presided over by the leading Muslim personalities like Sir Syed, Allama Iqbal, Abdul Qadir, Maulana Hali. Later on, the students of Islamia College Railway Road, Lahore played a significant role in Pakistan Movement. They spread throughout the country and propagated the Two-nation theory. In March 1940, these students played a leading role in organizing the annual session of the Muslim league Minto Park, Lahore.

Social And Religious Services:

Anjuman established an orphanage and two centres for adult education. Moreover, it published error-free Quran and introduced the Islamic education in its institutions.

Conclusion:

The Anjuman-i-Himayat-i-Islam was a more middle class body that represented a spontaneous desire on the part of middle-class Muslims of Lahore to cooperate with each other for common good. The Anjuman also played a vital role to provide a political platform for Indian Muslims