Created by Tomorrow&tomorrow&tomorrow
Last edited March 18, 2021

Professor Emeritus

Akhtarul Wasey
Born (1951-09-01) 1 September 1951 (age 74)
NationalityIndian
CitizenshipIndia
OccupationProfessor
Years active1977-present
Known forContribution to Islamic studies
TitleProfessor emeritus
AwardsHonorary D. Litt., Henry Martyn Inst., Hyderabad (2020)
Padma Shri (2013)
Sir Syed Ahmad Khan Award for Interfaith Understanding
Maulana Mohd. Ali Jauhar Award (1996)
Urdu Academy, Delhi and UP (1985)
Fulbright Fellowship (2008)
Academic background
EducationB. A. (Aligarh), 1971
B. Th. (Aligarh), 1975
M. Th. (Aligarh), 1976
M. A. (Aligarh), 1977
Diploma in Turkish Language, (Istanbul), 1983
Alma materAligarh Muslim University]
Istanbul University
ThesisEducation of Indian Muslims: A study of the All-India Muslim Educational Conference, 1886-1947 (1977[1])
Academic work
DisciplineIslamic studies
InstitutionsJamia Milia Islamia, New Delhi
National Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities in India[2][3][4]

Akhtarul Wasey (born September 1, 1951) is the president of Maulana Azad University, Jodhpur, India, and a former professor of Islamic Studies. He taught at Jamia Millia Islamia (Central University) in New Delhi, where he remains professor emeritus in the Department of Islamic Studies.

Early life and education[edit | edit source]

Wasey was born on September 1, 1951, in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh to Hairat bin Wahid and Shahida Hairat. He is the oldest of six children. Wasey attended Primary School No. 16, the City High School of Aligarh Muslim University, and Aligarh Muslim University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Islamic studies in 1971, a Bachelor of Theology in 1975, a Master of Theology in 1976, and an Master of Arts in Islamic studies in 1977. He also completed a short-term course in the Turkish language from Istanbul University in 1983.[5][6][2]

Career[edit | edit source]

On August 1, 1980 he joined Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi as lecturer and worked there till 31 August 2016.Wasey was a lecturer, reader and professor at Jamia Milia Islamia University in New Delhi from 1980-2016,[7] serving as the director of Zakir Husain Institute of Islamic Studies and later becoming head of the Department of Islamic Studies and Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Languages. He is currently the president of Maulana Azad University in Jodhpur and remains a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Islamic Studies at Jamia Millia Islamia.[8]

In March 2014, Wasey was appointed by Indian President Shri Pranab Mukherjee to a three-year term as Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities in India, and became the first Urdu-speaking commissioner since 1957.[8]

Wasey is the editor of four Islamic journals: Islam Aur Asr-e-Jadeed; Islam and the Modern Age; Risala Jamia; and Islam Aur Adhunik Yug.[8]

Awards and honors[edit | edit source]

  • 1985 Award from Urdu Academy, Delhi and UP Urdu Academy on "Sir Syed Ki Taleemi Tehreek"
  • 1996 Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Award
  • 2008 Fulbright Fellowship
  • 2013 Padma Shri award from President Pranab Mukherjee of India
  • 2014 Makhdoom Quli Medal from the President of Turkmenistan
  • 2014 Daktur-e-Adab from Jamia Urdu, Aligarh[8][6]


References[edit | edit source]

  1. "Education of Indian Muslims: a study of the All-India Muslim Educational Conference, 1886-1947". Hathi Trust Digital Library. Retrieved 15 March 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Akhtarul Wasey Padma Shri Awarded In 2013". Edubilla.com. Retrieved 15 March 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  3. Khan, Ali (6 April 2013). "Padma Shri Prof. Akhtarul Wasey". The Siasat Daily. Retrieved 15 March 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  4. "Department of Islamic Studies Faculty Members: Prof. Akhtarul Wasey". Jamia Millia Islamia: A Central University. Retrieved 15 March 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  5. Zaidi, Mehek Shabih (16 August 2013). "A new turn". The Hindu. Retrieved 15 March 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  6. 6.0 6.1 Kawaja, Kaleem. "Prof. Akhtarul Wasey is among the Recipient of Padamshree Awards 2013". HalalinIndia. Retrieved 15 March 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  7. Hashmi, Rasia (25 June 2019). "Prof Akhtarul Wasey talks about Islam & politics". The Siasat Daily. Retrieved 15 March 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 "Padma Shri Prof. Akhtarul Wasey, President". Maulana Azad University, Jodhpur. Retrieved 15 March 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)

External links[edit | edit source]