Hakim Syed Zillur Rahman
From Indian Science Information
Hakim Syed Zillur Rahman is well known for his contribution to Unani medicine. He founded Ibn Sina Academy of Medieval Medicine and Sciences in 2000. He has earlier served as Professor and Chairman, the Department of Ilmul Advia at Ajmal Khan Tibbiya College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, for over 40 years before retiring as Dean Faculty of Unani Medicine. Author of 55 books and several papers on different aspects of Unani, he also owns one of the largest collection of books on Unani medicine. The Government of India conferred him with Padma Shri award in 2006 and President of India Award in 1995 for his contribution in the field of Unani Medicine.
Contribution / Service to Society and Nation Hakim Syed Zillur Rahman by his personal efforts made the department of Ilmul Advia (Ajmal Khan Tibbia College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh) a center of excellance. A new building of the department with all modern facilities in the laboratories was constructed under his abled guidance and chairmanship. He raised both name and fame of this department at national and internation level. Former vice-chancellor, AMU, Aligarh, Prof. M. N. Farooqui, in his Autobiography, My Days at Aligarh, remarked (at page 40), "The Ministry of Health gave special recognition to the department of Ilmul Advia. Under the guidance of Prof. Syed Zillur Rahman the progress of the department was excellent".
Prof. Rahman represented India on Unani Medicine at various national and international gatherings. He assisted in the establishment of Ibn Sina Tibbia College at Beenapara, Azamgarh of which he laid the foundation stone on January 25, 1981. In 2000, Hakim Syed Zillur Rahman founded a national academy, namely, Ibn Sina Academy of Medieval Medicine & Sciences (Trust) at Aligarh. He established his personal library-cum-museum in early sixties of the twentieth century. After the establishment of Ibn Sina Academy, this Library and museum have now become a part of the Ibn Sina Academy Trust. The library of IAMMS at present houses one of the most precious and valuable collection of 15000 printed books, 500 manuscripts, some rare books, microfilms, compact discs and a large number of periodicals. Books in many languages like Arabic/ Persian/ Urdu/ Sanskrit and English, on a variety of subjects like History of Medicine and Sciences, Unani/ Greco-Arab Medicine, Ilmul Advia/ Pharmacology, Urdu Literature with special reference to Ghalib, Aligarh and Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, besides thousands of bound volumes of magazines are extant in the library of the Academy. On an average a dozen of people daily come in the library and avail its open access facilities. Scholars both from across India and foreign countries visit the library regularly. Apart from the library, various sectors in the Ibn Sina Academy also exists such as Karam Hussain Museum of Art, Culture & Fazlur Rahman Museum of History Medicine & Sciences Publication Division, Division of History of Medicine & Sciences (DHMS), Centre for Safety & Rational Use of Indian Systems of Medicine (CSRUISM), AIDS Cell & Ghalib Study Circle.
