Ammi life and times

2. Writer, linguist, broadcaster, TV personality, teacher, religious
scholar, Muhaddisa and above all …….most loving mother
poetry in motion …… a
powerhouse of knowledge
Dr. Atiya Khalil arab
1935 to 2016
Against all Odds ……

3. Family Of Scholars
Shaikh Hussain bin
Mohsin Al Ansari
Allama Khalil Arab
Atiya Khalil Arab
Grandfather, a Muhaddis, a religious
scholar moves to India on the
invitation of Nawab Siddique
Hassan Khan of Bhopal, India
Father, Arabic language expert and
religious scholar settles down in
India. Carries the tradition of
teaching…notable contemporary
student are Maulana Ali Mian
Nadvi, Sheheryar Mohammad Khan
and his own daughter Atiya
amongst other children

4. Parents
Salma Ameer Ali Malihabadi and Allama Khalil Arab
Atiya was their 6th daughter. Born in December 1935 in
Lucknow, India. Moved to Bhopal at an early aged and
eventually moved to Pakistan in 1951 ….Karachi

5. Family
With mother, elder sister Fatima and younger brother Yahya in 1950s

6. Journey of learning starts
from home. Masters key
languages of the era,
Arabic, Farsi and Urdu.
First book “Muhammad
Rasool Allah (PBUH)” is
published in 1950’s when
she was under 20 years
old.
…..a translation and research
based on the original written by
reknown Egyptian scholar
Tawfiq Hakeem.
Early Life ….some remarkable achievements

7. Certain Important Events
• Gets married to Iftikhar Azmi in 1958
• Naila, first daughter is born
• Things don’t work out, comes back to parents in
1965
• Starts working as a broadcaster, managing Arabic
service of Radio Pakistan and writes as well
• The pillar of her life, her father passes away in
1968
• Gets married to S. M. Owais in 1968

8. Life goes on……formal Education?
• Realises the importance of formal education
to advance
• With no formal schooling, appears in private
Matric exams in 1966. Becomes a unique
student who gets first class first but fails in
Math
• Matriculates in 1968, Bachelors in 1972 and
Masters in Arabic literature in 1974….all
private……throughout first class first

9. Broadcasting and Writing continues
• Appears on TV and various Radio programs on:
– Quran e Hakeem aur Hamari Zindagi
– Ramzan ki fazilat
– Hajjat ul widda
– Translated Hajj khutba (LIVE) on TV, various occasions
• Publications
– Waqia e Karbala
– Muatamad Ibn e Abbaad
– Ramzan aur Quran
– Mohammad bin Qasim Saqafi
Articles published in leading papers like Hurriyat, Jang, Nawa-
e-Waqt, Phool on many other various religious and social
topics as well

10. Major Breakthroughs
• Appointed as Lecturer in
Arabic Department of
Karachi University in
1977
• Becomes Chairperson of
the Department in 1979
• Obtains grants and
opens Allama Khalil Arab
Library / Chair in Karachi
University in 1980
But there’s more …..
International journey …
With her honorable teachers Dr. Mohammad Yousuf and Maulana Abdul Aziz Al Memoni.

11. Early Life
Attended and delivered numerous speeches on Islamic topics from various forums

12. Teaching, Broadcasting and Writing continues
• Managed Arabic service of Radio Pakistan
• Wrote articles in leading papers like Hurriyat,
Jang, Nawa-e-Waqt, Phool, Tameer e Hayat,
Afkar, Al Ba’as al Islami, Al Faisal (Arabic) on
various religious and social topics
• Grows ranks within Karachi University
Poetry…….
Is recognised as a leading poet in late 70s. Shared
stage with many seniors like Faiz, Faraz, Tabish
Dehlavi

13. Poetry
• Saya hai ke tum ho
• Hum ko toda
• To phir tum kam he yaad aao
• Kirchiyon mein
• Etc etc

14. International
• Nominated by the President Gen. Zia to
represent Pakistan in 1400 Hijri celebrations in
India
• Accompanied by her husband S. M. Owais
whose Audio translation of Parah – e- Amm is
also showcased in the conference

15. 1400 Hijra Conference

16. Thirst of Knowledge Continues
• Travels to Egypt, Jordan and Damascus for
research work on her PhD thesis “Wasf al
Marra fi Shair al Jahiliya”
With Shaikh ul Azhar Gad Eldin Gad and Pakistan Embassy Officer, 1982

17. Foreign Experience & PhD
• Appointed as Assistant Professor of Arabic
Literature in King Saud University in 1983 in
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• …..honor and another unique factor….
teaching Arabic to Arabs
• The most important year. 1988, Dr. Atiya Khalil
Arab is awarded Ph. D degree in ancient
Arabic poetry

18. Professional Life & Travels
• Comes back to Karachi in 1988
• Serves Arabic Department of Karachi University
as Professor and Chairperson as well on various
occasions
• Travelled to UK, Qatar and UAE on various
occasions. Participated in Mushairas (some held
in her honor).
• Enjoyed Pakistan Govt protocol frequently
• Retires from Karachi University in 2003
• Moves to UAE with children in 2004

19. People and Events
With Shanul Haq Haqqi With Syed Hashim Raza
Reciting a poem at Sham e Iqbal
Appreciating a Shair

20. People & Events
Dinner at home with Talat Hussain, Mubarak
Zaman and a Foreign dignitary
Presiding a Mushaira in Abu Dhabi,
Parveen Shakir ki Yaad mein
Another Adabi Nashist
Adabi Nashist

21. Only poetry compilation published
in 1998

22. Another Book
• Picture of “Quran e Hakeem aur hamari amali
zindagi” transliteration and research.
Originally published in Arabic by Dr. Yousuf al
Qardawi

23. Love For Family…..

24. Family

25. Love For Life….