Draft:Muhammad Bin Qassim Library
The Muhammad Bin Qassim Library, located in Ward No. 10 Near Noor Masjid in Sujawal, Sindh, Pakistan
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The Muhammad Bin Qassim Library, located in Ward No. 10 Near Noor Masjid in Sujawal, Sindh, Pakistan (24°35'57"N 68°04'48"E), stands as a vital center for education and cultural development in the region. Established in 1967 by renowned historian and educationalist Mr. Aziz Jafrani, this library has been a cornerstone in the fight against illiteracy and in fostering intellectual growth among the people of Sujawal. It was officially inaugurated on February 14, 1968, by Moulvi Haji Abdullah Memon, Chairman of the Town Committee Sujawal. The foundation was supported by the then Deputy Collector Mr. Mazhar Abbas, who provided initial space at the District Council Shopping Centre. From just 320 books donated by local supporters, the library now holds more than 25,000 volumes spanning diverse subjects, making it the largest and most active public library in the region.
Run by the Organization for Sustainable Development and Education (OSDE), the library operates on a self-help basis without government funding. All operational expenses are covered through voluntary contributions, and the staff consists entirely of unpaid volunteers. Mr. Farouque Jafferany, Chief Executive Secretary of OSDE, also serves as the library’s Honorary Secretary General.
The Muhammad Bin Qassim Library has made remarkable strides in enhancing literacy and access to knowledge. It maintains a Free Reading Room stocked with 17 daily newspapers and 113 periodicals, catering especially to students and teachers from institutions where resources are outdated or limited. In addition to lending books free of charge, the library organizes storytelling sessions, offers guidance to children, and distributes free books to students from primary to college levels, particularly in remote areas. It has collaborated with NGOs to host reading festivals and book exhibitions in local schools, though many such activities have been suspended due to financial constraints.
MISSION
The library’s core mission is to promote reading habits among youth, provide access to diverse educational materials, support student career development, and serve as an intellectual hub for the community.
GOALS OF THE MUHAMMAD BIN QASSIM LIBRARY
The Muhammad Bin Qassim Library is dedicated to achieving the following objectives, reflecting its commitment to education, community development, and cultural preservation:
1. Promote Literacy: Cultivate a culture of reading and literacy among younger generations, empowering them with essential skills for lifelong learning.
2. Provide Access to Knowledge: Offer a diverse range of subjects and resources, catering to the needs of students, teachers, research scholars, and the general public, thereby promoting intellectual growth and development.
3. Support Education: Facilitate career development, groom students, and foster community engagement, ultimately contributing to the holistic development of individuals and society.
4. Preserve Cultural Heritage: Collect, preserve, and provide access to rare books, manuscripts, and other cultural materials, safeguarding the region's rich cultural legacy for future generations.
5. Community Outreach: Engage with the local community through various programs and services, promoting social cohesion, awareness, and collective progress.
6. Promote Reading Habits: Encourage reading and learning among children and adults, instilling a love for knowledge and fostering a culture of intellectual curiosity.
7. Facilitate Research: Provide resources and support for research and scholarship, enabling individuals to pursue their academic and professional interests with rigor and excellence.
By pursuing these goals, the Muhammad Bin Qassim Library aims to make a meaningful impact on the community, promoting education, cultural preservation, and intellectual growth.
SCOPE OF MUHAMMAD BIN QASSIM LIBRARY, SUJAWAL, SINDH
Muhammad Bin Qassim Library, situated in Sujawal, Sindh, serves as a vital center of knowledge, cultural enrichment, and educational support for the local community. Despite facing financial limitations, the library continues to deliver a wide array of resources and services through the dedicated efforts of its volunteer-driven administration. The following outlines the comprehensive scope of the library's functions:
Collection Scope
a. Types of Materials:
The library maintains a diverse and ever-growing collection that includes printed books, academic journals, newspapers, digital materials, and audio-visual content. A special focus is given to Sindhi literature, local history, and academic texts relevant to the region.
b. Subject Coverage:
Its holdings span a wide range of disciplines including history, literature, science, religion, social sciences, and current affairs, with particular emphasis on materials that support both formal education and general literacy.
c. Level of Expertise:
The collection serves users across multiple levels of expertise — from young learners and general readers to university students and independent researchers.
d. Age/Grade Level:
Books and resources are curated for all age groups, including children, youth, adults, and senior citizens. School and college students benefit from subject-specific academic materials.
Service Scope
a. Reference and Research Support:
Librarians and volunteers assist users with locating information, conducting research, and understanding citation practices — playing a key role in supporting academic pursuits.
b. Information Literacy Initiatives:
The library hosts occasional workshops and informal sessions aimed at improving digital literacy, research skills, and the responsible use of information.
c. Access and Circulation:
Though primarily a physical library, members enjoy borrowing privileges, access to reading rooms, and exposure to digital reference materials. Expansion to digital cataloging is a future goal.
d. Community Programs and Engagement:
The library regularly organizes literary discussions, storytelling sessions for children, cultural events, and basic computer literacy classes, fostering community involvement.
User Scope
a. Target Audience:
Muhammad Bin Qassim Library caters to a broad and diverse demographic, including students, educators, government employees, and the general public of Sujawal and its adjoining areas.
b. Meeting Community Needs:
With its user-centric approach, the library strives to provide both educational support and recreational reading, aligning its services with the evolving needs of the local community.
c. Specialized Services:
Services are inclusive, with a focus on providing access to differently-abled individuals and those seeking vocational or career guidance through curated materials and counseling support.
Scope of Library Management
a. Management Functions:
The library is managed through organized planning, resource coordination, and community involvement. Functions include acquisitions, cataloging, user support, and event organization.
b. Administrative Structure:
Operations are overseen by an Executive Council comprising volunteers and community members, who collectively guide the strategic direction of the library.
c. Resource and Financial Management:
Notably, the library receives no formal funding from public or private sectors. Instead, it operates solely through voluntary contributions made by members of its Executive Council. This model of self-sustained operation is both a testament to community dedication and a challenge for future growth.
1. Infrastructure and Development Needs
While the library boasts a vast and valuable collection, the current building is no longer adequate for its proper functioning. Space constraints limit both user comfort and operational efficiency. Recognizing this, the library has secured a plot on the outskirts of Sujawal for the construction of a purpose-built facility. However, the lack of funding remains the principal barrier to moving forward with this much-needed development. Support from donors, philanthropists, and cultural organizations is actively sought to realize this vision.
Despite these contributions, the library faces major challenges. It lacks adequate space, preservation facilities, and access to current newspapers and international publications. Efforts to bind and preserve old newspapers and manuscripts have halted due to a lack of funds. Many valuable materials, including rare books on Thatta and Sindh, remain at risk due to inadequate preservation.
Muhammad Bin Qassim Library stands as a resilient symbol of educational commitment in Sujawal. Despite financial hardships, it continues to thrive through community involvement, volunteerism, and a shared passion for knowledge. With proper support and investment, the library has the potential to grow into a modern knowledge center, serving generations to come.
SPECIAL COLLECTION
Muhammad Bin Qassim Library is distinguished by its rich and rare Special Collections, which reflect the intellectual, historical, and cultural heritage of the region and the wider Islamic and global community.
1. The Holy Quran Section:
A cornerstone of the library's holdings is its prestigious Holy Quran Collection, which features rare translations and tafsir (commentaries) in multiple languages. This section includes distinguished gifts from prominent global figures, including King Shah Faisal of Saudi Arabia and Shah Reza Pahlavi of Iran, among other dignitaries from the Gulf, Mediterranean, and North African regions. These contributions underscore the library’s standing as a respected institution of learning within the Muslim world.
2. Audio-Visual Archives:
The library maintains a curated Audio-Visual Section comprising historically significant recordings. Highlights include documentary footage from the 50th anniversary of the United Nations, audio renditions of national anthems from various countries, and rare educational and cultural recordings. These materials serve as a valuable resource for researchers and educators alike.
3. Historical and Archival Documents:
The library is home to a substantial collection of rare and original documents. Among them are colonial-era correspondences from British India, records pertaining to the ancient seaport of Keti Bunder, handwritten manuscripts, and historical press clippings. These documents provide critical insight into the socio-political and maritime history of Sindh and South Asia.
4. Philatelic and Cartographic Holdings:
The collection includes a variety of cultural artifacts such as vintage stamps, postcards, and historical maps. These items are of significant value to philatelists, geographers, and historians.
5. Rare Books and Antiquarian Collection:
One of the library’s most prized possessions is a first edition book published in 1665, preserved in its original condition—a rare and distinguished artifact by any measure. In addition, the library safeguards approximately 2,000 antiquarian books dating from 1668 to 1945, encompassing early publications, official reports, memoirs, and the complete Imperial Gazetteers of India series. This rare corpus provides invaluable primary sources for scholars engaged in historical, political, and colonial studies.
The Special Collections at Muhammad Bin Qassim Library are not only a testament to its historical depth but also a vital scholarly resource. They serve researchers, students, and heritage professionals seeking to explore the region’s past and its connections with the broader Islamic and colonial histories.
BOOK DONATION AND OUTREACH INITIATIVES
In alignment with its commitment to promoting literacy and educational development across the region, Muhammad Bin Qassim Library has played a proactive role in the dissemination of knowledge beyond its own collections. Over the years, the library has facilitated the distribution of thousands of books to educational institutions throughout Sindh, significantly contributing to the intellectual enrichment of underserved communities.
In 2008, the library distributed 5,500 duplicate volumes generously provided by The Asia Foundation, alongside an additional 3,500 books in Arabic and Persian, supporting both general education and the study of classical languages.
From 2009-2024, this outreach effort expanded substantially, with the donation of over 15,500 books covering a wide range of subjects—including science, medicine, literature, and the humanities—to schools and public libraries in Thatta, Badin, and Karachi. These strategic distributions have played a vital role in strengthening local educational resources and fostering a culture of reading and inquiry.
PUBLICATIONS AND SCHOLARLY CONTRIBUTIONS
Muhammad Bin Qassim Library has made significant strides in documenting and preserving the rich history and cultural heritage of Sujawal and the surrounding regions through its publishing initiatives. To date, the library has published three seminal works chronicling the historical and socio-cultural landscape of the area:
Tareekh-e-Sujawal 1800–1986
Tareekh-e-Jati Ja Nawan Warq
Sujawal Ji Siyasi, Samaji aen Saqafati Tareekh 1800-2008
All three publications were meticulously edited by esteemed historian and educationist Aziz Jafrani and made possible through the generous support of local philanthropists. These works serve as vital reference sources for scholars, educators, and students interested in the regional history of Sindh.
Expanding its role in knowledge production, the library has recently established Indus Dolphin Books, a small-scale publishing house dedicated to promoting literature focused on the history, culture, and arts of Sindh. Its inaugural publications include Sarriya Mathee Sach by journalist Zahid Ishaque Soomro, which explores contemporary socio-political narratives with deep cultural insight, and From Care to Culture: A Tapestry of Thought by Dr Ashraf Jafrani.
From Care to Culture: A Tapestry of Thought takes readers on a thoughtful journey, showing how simple acts of care can shape stronger communities and richer cultural values. In a clear and conversational tone, Dr. Jafrani connects everyday experiences with bigger social ideas, making complex concepts easy to understand. The book encourages readers to reflect on their role in building a more caring and culturally aware society.
Several additional titles focusing on Sindh’s history, art, and cultural traditions are currently in the printing process. Looking ahead, the library also plans to launch a peer-reviewed academic journal, aimed at fostering scholarly discourse and research dissemination within the humanities and social sciences.
RECOGNITION AND INTERNATIONAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT
In acknowledgment of its enduring intellectual contributions and community-centered educational services, Muhammad Bin Qassim Library has received international recognition from esteemed global institutions. Its prominence as a cultural and educational hub has been affirmed through inclusion in several prestigious directories and reference works, underscoring its role in the preservation and promotion of knowledge within the Islamic and South Asian contexts.
Key recognitions include:
- “A World Guide to Organizations of Islamic Activities” – Muslim World League, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
- “International Directory of Islamic Cultural Institutions” – Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA), Istanbul, Turkey
- “Guide to the Sources of Asian History, Vol. 8.2, Vol. II: Pakistan” – International Council on Archives (ICA) in collaboration with UNESCO and the National Archives of Pakistan, Islamabad
- “Directory of the Peace Education Commission” – International Peace Research Association (IPRA), University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, USA
- “UNESCO Directory of Cultural Networks” – UNESCO Networks of Cultural Networks, Zagreb, Croatia
- “A Short History of Libraries in Sindh” – Sindh Publishers, Hyderabad, Sindh
- “Libraries of Sindh” – Mehran Academy, Shikarpur, Sindh
These recognitions not only highlight the library’s commitment to cultural preservation and educational advancement but also place it among the leading institutions contributing to intellectual life in the Islamic world and the global South.
1. Iqbal Khawaja, Thatta once a City of Libraries, now has None, Daily Dawn, Karachi, Tuesday, February 5, 1985
2. Farouq Jafrani, Muhammad Bin Qasim Library of Sujawal, Morning News, Karachi, Monday. Feb 18, 1985
3. Daniela Angelina Jelincic, Edited and Compiled, Guide to the Culturelink Network, Institute of International Relations, Zagreb, Croatia, 2002, p-166
4. A World Guide to Organizations of Islamic Activities, Muslim World League, Makkah, Saudi Arabia, 1978 p-63
5. International Directory of Islamic Cultural Institutions, Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA), Istanbul, Turkey, 1984, p-113
6. Ian Harris and Cathy Nelson, Directory of the Peace Education Commission, International Peace Research Association (IPRA), University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, USA, p-52
7. Guide to the Sources of Asian History, Vol. 8.2, Vol. II: Pakistan” – International Council on Archives (ICA) in collaboration with UNESCO and the National Archives of Pakistan, Islamabad, 1993, p-224-242
8. Aftab Jafrani, Muhammad Bin Qasim Library Sujawal, Daily Tameer-e-Sindh, Hyderabad, Tuesday, First December, 2009
9. Hussain Amir, Muhammad Bin Qasim Library Sujawal, Daily Hilal-e-Pakistan, Karachi, 16 August, 1980
10. Aziz Jafrani, Muhammad Bin Qasim Library Sujawal, Daily Nawa-i-Waqt, Karachi, Sunday, 7 August, 1983
11. Munir Abro, Muhammad Bin Qasim Library Sujawal, Daily Jang Karachi, 31 August, 1983
12. Muhammad Yousuf Soomro, Muhammad Bin Qasim Library Sujawal, Daily Nawa-i-Waqt, Karachi, Sunday, 10 September, 1980
13. Hussain Amir, Muhammad Bin Qasim Library Sujawal, Daily Jasarat, Karachi, Tuesday, 19 July, 1983
14. Hussain Amir, Muhammad Bin Qasim Library Sujawal, Daily Jang, Karachi, Tuesday, 15 June, 1983
15. Aziz Jafrani, Sujawal Ji Siyasi, Samaji aen Saqafati Tareekh, 1800-2008, Muhammad Bin Qasim Library, Sujawal, 2009, p-493
16. Aziz Jafrani, Tareekh-e-Sujawal, 1800-1984, Muhammad Bin Qasim Library, Sujawal, 1986, p-258
17. Aziz Jafrani, Sujawal joon Librariyon, in Dr. Abdul Rasool Qadri, Sindh ja Kutub Khana, Mehran Academy Shikarpur, p-581
18. Allah Rakhyo Bhutt, Sindh mein Kutub Khanan ji Mukhtasar Tareekh, Sindh Publishers, Hyderabad, p-157
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