ALIGARH, October 7: The Department of Arabic, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), organised an Extension Lecture under the auspices of its students’ association, Al-Nadi Al-Arabi. Prof. Nasim Akhtar, former Chairperson, Department of Arabic, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, delivered the lecture on “Fundamentals of Arabic Prosody” in Arabic.
Prof. Akhtar introduced students to the significance, history and basic principles of Ilm al-Arud, explaining its terminology, scansion (Taqti) and prosodic notation through practical exercises. He also compared the basic similarities and differences between Arabic and Urdu prosody and briefly introduced Ilm al-Qawafi, the science of rhyme. He observed that although prosody may initially appear difficult, systematic study makes it an accessible and fascinating discipline.
Prof. Mohammad Faizan Beg, Chairperson, Department of Arabic, thanked the speaker and urged students to benefit from the expertise of eminent scholars. He said the lecture was the first in a series planned for the current academic year, with more lectures by experts in language and literature to follow.
Mohd Anas, a fourth-year B.A. Arabic student, recited the opening verses, while Research Scholar Muhammad Shahid conducted the proceedings. Zarreen, a fourth-year B.A. student, proposed the vote of thanks.
Dr. Abdul Jabbar, Dr. Arafat Zafar, Dr. Shabbir Ahmad, Dr. Abu Zar Mateen, Dr. Abdul Hadi and Dr.Sumaira Ajmal, along with research scholars and students, attended the programme.