Renowned Arabic language Educator, Dr. V Abdur Rahim, passes away at 90
In a significant loss to the academic community, Dr. V Abdur Rahim, the distinguished Arabic language educator, passed away at the age of 90 in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, on October 19, 2023.
Born in 1933, Dr. V Abdur Rahim displayed an early passion for the Arabic language. After completing his secondary education, he pursued his undergraduate studies at Presidency College, University of Madras, majoring in English Language and Literature. In pursuit of his love for Arabic, he furthered his education by obtaining his M.Phil. and Ph.D. in Arabic Philology from Al Azhar University in Egypt in 1964.
Dr. Rahim's career was marked by his innovative teaching methodologies and pedagogical approaches, which revolutionized the teaching of Arabic. He joined the Islamic University of Madinah in 1969, where he played a pivotal role in the Program of teaching Arabic as a foreign language. He also imparted his knowledge at various institutions, including the Islaamic University Omdurman Sudan, Khartoum University Sudan, and Arabic Institutions in Germany, Washington D.C., and British Guyana.
His most significant contribution to Arabic education was the development of the renowned Madinah Arabic Course. This comprehensive series of textbooks and audiovisual materials simplified the complexities of the Arabic language, making it accessible to learners from diverse linguistic backgrounds. His teaching not only facilitated learning but also promoted intercultural dialogue and understanding.
Beyond his teaching endeavors, Dr. Rahim served as the Director of the translations Section at the Quran Printing Press in Madinah, where he contributed to translating and interpreting the Quran into various languages, ensuring its accessibility to people worldwide.
In recognition of his exceptional contributions to Arabic language education, Dr. V Abdur Rahim was honored with the prestigious President of India Award. This recognition celebrated his tireless efforts in promoting Arabic language learning and fostering cultural understanding through linguistic knowledge.
The Madinah Arabic Course, a testament to his pedagogical brilliance, continues to set the benchmark in Arabic language education globally.
Dr. V Abdur Rahim's demise is mourned by the international community of Arabic language learners and scholars. His pioneering work in simplifying Arabic language education and promoting intercultural understanding through language will continue to inspire generations of scholars and educators.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Conspiracy afoot to 'tarnish' image of Dharmasthala: Deputy CM DK Shivakumar
Bengaluru, Aug 14 (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday said there was a “conspiracy” to tarnish the image of Dharmasthala.
His comments come amid an ongoing investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) into serious allegations of mass burials in the revered temple town in Dakshina Kannada district.
“A conspiracy is being hatched to destroy hundreds of years of legacy. It is not correct to tarnish someone just like that. It has all happened due to one complainant,” he said.
Noting that some Congress MLAs have called for action against those involved in the slander campaign at the legislature party meeting, he said, “ I have told them that action must be taken against those who are indulging in a slander campaign. The CM has also said that action must be taken against such people.”
“I have information on this case. Religious feelings should not be hurt in any manner. Culprits must be punished,” he told reporters, according to a release from his office.
Responding to a question, Shivakumar said the Congress party will not allow the image of any religious place to be tarnished.
“We see everyone equally when it comes to religion,” he added.
The SIT, formed by the state government, is probing claims of mass murder, rape, and mass burials in Dharmasthala over the past two decades.
The complainant, a former sanitation worker whose identity has not been revealed, alleged that between 1995 and 2014 he was forced to handle bodies—including women and minors—and that some showed signs of sexual assault. He has given a statement before a magistrate.
As part of the probe, the SIT has been conducting exhumations at multiple locations identified by the complainant-witness in the forested areas along the banks of the Netravathi River in Dharmasthala, where some skeletal remains have been found at two sites so far.
