Delhi Diary: Ibn Sina Academy: Preserving History Of Medicine And Islamic Heritage

By Shakir Husain ALIGARH (India), March 8 (Bernama) -- No serious discussion on the history of medicine is possible without exploring the legacy of Ibn Sina, the famous Muslim physician and philosopher known to the West as Avicenna. In the university town of Aligarh, 136 kilometres from India's capital New Delhi, a library and museum pays homage to the Central Asian-born 10th century luminary. With a collection of more than 26,000 books, the 20-year-old Ibn Sina Academy of Medieval Medicine and Sciences attracts scholars and researchers from India and abroad. The museum's medicine-related collection is modest, but it aptly complements the library treasure, which includes 1,260 manuscripts in Arabic, Persian, and Urdu. The entire project, though centred on Ibn Sina, has judiciously included Urdu literature, Islamic heritage, and Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) founder Sir Syed Ahmad Khan to widen its appeal. "We have one of the best collections on Ghalibiyat (works related to the Urdu poet Mirza Ghalib) and other literary icons. There is one section dedicated to the erstwhile Indian Muslim rulers, Aligarh's history, Sir Syed, and former AMU students," Syed Ziaur Rahman, honorary treasurer of the academy and a professor of medical pharmacology, told Bernama. "It is a matter of pride for us that many scholars from abroad have visited us to study these subjects," he added. Ibn Sina Academy is the brainchild of his father Syed Zillur Rahman, a retired professor of Unani medicine and author of many books, who wants to create an enduring resource that would help students and researchers. Meticulous efforts have been made to gather material on Ibn Sina's influence and contributions as the father of early medicine as well his thoughts and philosophy. Ibn Sina's most famous works are Kitab Al Shifa (The Book of Healing) and Al Qanun Fi Al Tibb (The Canon of Medicine). Translations of Al Qanun in Urdu, Japanese, Russian, Persian, Hebrew and English are available at the academy. Other major collections include Greek physician Galen's works translated by Arab scholar Hunayn Ibn Ishaq, and Ainul Hayat, written by Muhammed Ibn Yusuf Al Harawi in 1532. The four copies of Ainul Hayat in Persian believed to exist worldwide were collated by Syed Zillur Rahman and then edited and translated into Urdu. The book deals with behavioural and lifestyle issues related to ageing. The academy organised its translation into Urdu and English, and later it was translated into Bahasa by an Indonesian university. It works as a non-governmental and non-profit organisation with multiple aims and objectives. The academy has published 50 books, many on the Unani system of medicine, since its inception. It also regularly hosts lectures, seminars and academic events. Private donations of items and books have been instrumental in building the sizable museum and library collections. The academy building houses two museums, one dedicated to medieval medicine and sciences, and the other focuses on Islamic culture and heritage. "What we collect or acquire through donations has to fit within those themes. Donors are duly credited for the gifts," Syed Ziaur Rahman said. His family's dedication has created a valuable cultural asset, but the academy needs more resources to grow its stature matching Ibn Sina's reputation. -- BERNAMA