Syed Abdullah Tariq

Abdullah Tariq was born in 1953 in a Syed family in the city of Rampur, Uttar Pradesh.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Syed Abdullah Tariq|url=http://syedabdullahtariq.in/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015012625/http://syedabdullahtariq.in/|archive-date=15 October 2020|access-date=2020-10-08|website=|language=en-US|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|title=Allama Syed Abdullah Tariq – Work|date=11 March 2019 |url=https://workglobal.in/allama-syed-abdullah-tariq/|access-date=2020-10-08|language=en-US}} He received a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from the Aligarh Muslim University in 1974. He was significantly influenced by Indian Muslim scholar Shams Naved Usmani,{{Cite web|last=TwoCircles.net|date=2008-05-16|title=An innovative approach to Hindu-Muslim dialogue|url=http://twocircles.net/2008may15/innovative_approach_hindu_muslim_dialogue.html|access-date=2020-10-08|website=TwoCircles.net|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=Acharya Maulana Shams Naved Usmani – Work|date=10 March 2019 |url=https://workglobal.in/acharya-maulana-shams-naved-usmani/|access-date=2020-10-08|language=en-US}} and was Usmani's chief disciple for six years (until Usmani's death in 1993).{{Cite book|last=Sikand|first=Yoginder|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/26199763|title=Muslims in India Since 1947: Islamic Perspectives on Inter-Faith Relations|date=2004-07-31|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-134-37825-8|location=|pages=|jstor=26199763|language=en}}

In 1987, Tariq formed the World Organisation of Religions and Knowledge (WORK) under the guidance of Usmani, with Tariq appointed its president.{{Cite web|last=admin|date=2020-07-15|title=Concerns raised over persecution of religious group in South Korea {{!}} Colombo Gazette|url=https://colombogazette.com/2020/07/15/concerns-raised-over-persecution-of-religious-group-in-south-korea/|access-date=2020-10-08|language=en-GB}}{{Cite web|title=History of WORK – Work|url=https://workglobal.in/history-of-work/|access-date=2020-10-08|language=en-US}} WORK promotes unity through a message of peace and harmony.{{Cite web|title=Mission – Work|url=https://workglobal.in/mission/|access-date=2020-10-08|language=en-US}} WORK has arranged relief programs such as offering first aid, food, and evacuation services irrespective of communal affiliations.

WORK was actively involved in relief activities for the 2001 Gujarat and 2005 Kashmir earthquakes. It also assisted people during the 2002 riots of Gujarat. In 2020, WORK volunteers undertook social work to help the economically challenged during the COVID-19 lockdown. They co-organized a peace procession with Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) in Rampur in 2018.{{Cite web|title=एकता और भाईचारे को निकाला शांति जुलूस|url=https://www.jagran.com/uttar-pradesh/rampur-shanti-march-18099528.html|access-date=2021-03-12|website=Dainik Jagran|language=hi}} WORK also commemorates Mawlid as Compassion Day every year.{{Cite web|title=Women Wing – Work|url=https://workglobal.in/women-wing/|access-date=2020-10-09|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=Yaum e Rehmat – Work|url=https://workglobal.in/portfolio-item/yaum-e-rehmat/|access-date=2020-10-09|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=176 रोगियों ने कराई जांच|url=https://www.jagran.com/uttar-pradesh/rampur-8859910.html|access-date=2021-03-12|website=Dainik Jagran|language=hi}} An annual medical camp is organized by the NGO in partnership with Hind Bhaichara Samiti,{{Cite web |date=2018-11-21 |title=Uttar Pradesh: Hindus join Muslims to celebrate Milad-un-Nabi as 'compassion day' in Rampur |url=https://news.abplive.com/news/india/uttar-pradesh-hindus-join-muslims-to-celebrate-eid-milad-un-nabi-as-compassion-day-782723 |access-date=2020-10-08 |website=news.abplive.com |language=en |agency=ABP News Bureau}} with the presidents of both organisations encouraging social welfare work on that day.

Tariq created a platform for interfaith dialogue which, in 2020, condemned attacks on a Gurudwara in Nankana Sahab.{{Cite web|title=कुछ लोगों की हरकतों से मजहबों में पैदा हो जाती है नफरत : तारिक|url=https://www.jagran.com/uttar-pradesh/rampur-pakistan-attack-on-gurudwara-cursed-by-sarv-dharm-sanvad-manch-19921918.html|access-date=2021-02-26|website=Dainik Jagran|language=hi}} He has spoken in various Islamic and interfaith conferences and seminars in India and abroad.{{Cite web|title=Introduction of IERO {{!}} Islamic Educational & Research Organization|url=http://ieroworld.net/en/index.php/introduction-of-iero/|access-date=2020-10-09|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=iqna.ir|title=Quran Conference for Character Building Held in Delhi|url=http://iqna.ir/en/news/2614244|access-date=2020-10-09|website=en|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Our Time is Running Out at Outdoors, Delhi|url=https://www.eventshigh.com/detail/delhi/0d20d341bfc5bd2c45fecf263cdecbcf-our-time-is-running-out|access-date=2020-10-09|website=Events High|language=en}}{{dead link|date=February 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} He has also been invited as the chief guest to an exhibition held in the Durbar Hall of Rampur Raza Library.{{Cite web|title=धूमधाम से मनाया गया सर सैयद अहमद खां का जन्मदिन|url=https://www.jagran.com/uttar-pradesh/rampur-sir-sayyad-ahmad-khan-ka-janamdin-16880828.html|access-date=2021-02-26|website=Dainik Jagran|language=hi}}

Abdullah suggests that India is the land of the origin of Islam, believing that the first prophet Adam descended there.{{Cite web|last=Farooqui|first=Ayaz|date=2018-02-16|title=Muslim leadership responsible for dragging Babri dispute for three decades: Islamic scholar Abdullah Tariq|url=https://news.abplive.com/news/india/muslim-leadership-responsible-for-dragging-babri-dispute-for-three-decades-islamic-scholar-syed-abdullah-tariq-652362|access-date=2020-10-08|website=news.abplive.com|language=en}} He refers to the country as Punya Bhoomi which translates to 'Holy Land'. He also maintains that interfaith dialogue between Hindus and Muslims is crucial to uphold peace in India.

In 1988, Tariq wrote an article for Urdu weekly Akhbar-e-Nau that discouraged the Muslim community from aggravating the Ayodhya dispute. He used the Quran and Sunnah to outline principles that instructed the community to refrain from taking the issue to the level of a clash. He maintains that the issue has worsened because of the stance of the Muslim leadership. In 2018, he publicly supported Salman Hussain Nadvi’s stance on the dispute.{{Cite web|author=Arshad Afzal Khan|date=15 Feb 2018|title=Babri Masjid: Another Sunni cleric backs Nadwi {{!}} Lucknow News - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/another-sunni-cleric-backs-nadwi/articleshow/62924430.cms|access-date=2021-02-26|website=The Times of India|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2018-02-15|title=Morning Breaking: Syed Abdullah Tariq supports Maulana Salman Nadvi on Ayodhya dispute case|url=https://zeenews.india.com/video/india/morning-breaking-syed-abdullah-tariq-supports-maulana-salman-nadvi-on-ayodhya-dispute-case-2081252.html|access-date=2020-10-08|website=Zee News|language=en}}

Tariq's works include:

• Agar Ab Bhi Na Jaage Toh (Now or Never) – a collection of the ideas of Shams Naved Usmani with a commentary by Tariq.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Interfaith Relations- Islamic Voice|url=https://islamicvoice.com/JUNE2008/INTER-FAITHRELATIONS/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417121038/http://islamicvoice.com/JUNE2008/INTER-FAITHRELATIONS/|archive-date=17 April 2016|access-date=2020-10-09|website=islamicvoice.com|url-status=dead}} It encourages Muslims to view Sanatan Dharma in a different light and asserts that Hindus are the descendants of the people of Noah.
• Ekta Ka Aadhar
• Gujarat Ke Baad Haalat Aur Hal and Yug Parivartan – Islamic Drishtikon.

Allama Syed Abdullha Tariq was conferred with the Ramkinkar Award in 1992 by Ramayanam Trust Ayodhya.{{Cite web|title=Allama Syed Abdullah Tariq – Work|date=11 March 2019 |url=https://workglobal.in/allama-syed-abdullah-tariq/|access-date=2020-10-09|language=en-US}} In 2020, The Delhi Minorities Commission announced an award for him, for his contributions toward promoting communal harmony.{{Cite web|title=Delhi Minorities Commission announces Awards in various fields {{!}} Mpositive.in|date=11 September 2020 |url=http://www.mpositive.in/2020/09/11/delhi-minorities-commission-announces-awards-in-various-fields/|access-date=2020-10-09|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=Delhi Minorities Commission announces Awards in various fields {{!}} The Indian Awaaz|date=9 June 2020 |url=https://theindianawaaz.com/delhi-minorities-commission-announces-awards-in-various-fields/|access-date=2021-02-26|language=en-GB}}

In 2012, Islamic scholar Syed Shahid Ali Rizvi demanded that Tariq be arrested for belittling the Quran.{{Cite web|title=कुरान की बेहुरमती सहन नहीं|url=https://www.jagran.com/uttar-pradesh/rampur-9915648.html|access-date=2021-02-26|website=Dainik Jagran|language=hi}} Tariq dismissed the allegations by clarifying his stance and faith in the Quran.{{Cite web|title=तारिक अब्दुल्लाह ने दी सफाई|url=https://www.amarujala.com/uttar-pradesh/rampur/Rampur-17975-47|access-date=2021-02-26|website=Amar Ujala|language=hi}}

{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tariq, Syed Abdullah}}

Category:1953 births

Category:Indian Sunni Muslim scholars of Islam

Category:People from Rampur, Uttar Pradesh

Category:Aligarh Muslim University alumni

Category:Interfaith dialogue

Category:Living people