To commemorate its 10th anniversary, Millat Times organised a day-long media conclave at the India Islamic Cultural Centre, New Delhi, bringing together political leaders, academicians, journalists, legal experts, and members of civil society.
The conclave began in the afternoon and continued until late evening. The opening session featured a recitation from the Holy Quran by Faizul Bari, followed by introductory remarks from Millat Times Founder and Editor Shams Tabraiz Qasmi, who outlined the vision behind the conclave and thanked the audience, guests, and the management of the India Islamic Cultural Centre.
Reflecting on the journey of the media house, Founder and Editor Shams Tabraiz Qasmi said: “Millat Times has completed ten years, and we chose to celebrate this milestone by organising a media conclave. What began as an individual initiative with an Urdu website has, over the past decade, grown into a multilingual platform with a wide and active social media presence. We are now preparing to expand our operations, grow in professionalism, improve quality, and produce powerful stories. Our focus will be on establishing reporters in towns and cities across the country, strengthening ground reporting, and emerging as a strong national voice.”
Reshma Farooqi of DD News anchored the event.
The keynote address was delivered by Prof. Akhtarul Wasey, who praised Millat Times for emerging as a strong and credible voice in Indian media over the past decade.
A series of one-on-one discussions and panel sessions followed. Congress leader Rajya Sabha MP Imran Pratapgarhi engaged in a conversation with Shams Tabraiz Qasmi on contemporary politics, minority issues, and the Congress party’s approach, followed by audience interaction.
The first panel discussion featured Mani Shankar Aiyar, Najeeb Jung, Salman Khurshid, and Advocate Haris Beeran, and was moderated by senior journalist Bhasha Singh. The discussion focused on democracy, governance, and constitutional values.
Another one-on-one session with Agha Ruhullah, Member of Parliament from Kashmir, addressed issues related to Jammu & Kashmir, federalism, and the evolving political landscape of the country.
A subsequent panel discussion, moderated by Maroof Raza and Shruti Sharma, included Justice Iqbal Ansari, Yasir Jilani (BJP), and Nadeem Khan (APCR), and witnessed a sharp exchange of views on civil rights, nationalism, and constitutional accountability.
Historian and author Ruchika Sharma was interviewed by Shams Tabraiz Qasmi on historical narratives, textbook revisions, and the politicisation of history. This was followed by a discussion between Iqra Hasan Chaudhary, Samajwadi Party MP, and journalist Shruti Sharma, focusing on issue-based politics and inclusive representation.
In the closing session, Maulana Burhanuddin Qasmi, Director of Markazul Ma’arif Education & Research Centre, Mumbai, spoke on the rise of digital and alternative media platforms. The conclave concluded with an address by renowned Islamic scholar and social thinker Maulana Khalilur Rahman Sajjad Nomani, who called for unity, dialogue, and collective efforts to uphold constitutional values.
The conclave marked a decade of Millat Times as an independent media platform and reaffirmed its commitment to responsible journalism and democratic discourse.
Awards and Felicitations
As part of the 10th anniversary celebrations, Millat Times honoured individuals from across the country for their contributions to journalism, education, social service, entrepreneurship, and community leadership. The awardees included:
- Jawaid Hussain Khan – Director, ZAFCO Human Resource Management, Delhi
Award presented by Iqra Hasan Choudhary
- Maulana Burhanuddin Qasmi – Director, Markazul Ma’arif Education & Research Centre (MMERC), Mumbai
Award presented by Maulana Sajjad Nomani
- Mohammad Akram (Abu Aimal) – Youth Leader & Founder, Azad Reporter, Hyderabad
Award presented by Maulana Sajjad Nomani
- Maulana Mohammed Wasiullah – Chairman & Founder, MAKACET, Andhra Pradesh
Award presented by Maulana Sajjad Nomani
- Akbar Khan & Mohsin Khan – Al Quds Umrah Service
Award presented by Maulana Sajjad Nomani
- Nauman Khalid – Founder & CEO, Splitmoon Studios | Founder, Muslim Forever
Award presented by Syed Agha Ruhullah
- Qari Mahmood – Principal, Madrasa Tajweed-ul-Qur’an, Azad Market, Delhi
Award presented by Justice Iqbal Ahmad Ansari
- Dr. D. Haider Vali – Chairman, Barney Stars Group of Schools
Award presented by Justice Iqbal Ahmad Ansari
- Alviya Karim – Director, Centre for Career Information & Counselling (CCIC), Patna
Award presented by Iqra Hasan Chaudhary, Member of Parliament
- Shahji Sweet – Entrepreneur & Social Contributor
Award presented by Iqra Hasan Chaudhary, Member of Parliament
- Dawood Khan – Founder & Chairman, ALine7
Award presented by Iqra Hasan Chaudhary, Member of Parliament
- Mohammad Minhaj – Technical Head, Millat Times, Kolkata
Award presented by Imran Pratapgarhi, Member of Parliament
- Maulana Lukman Dauva – Social Activist & Businessman
Award presented by Imran Pratapgarhi, Member of Parliament
- Noorul Huda Ansari – Chairman, Travel Bazar Global
Award presented by Imran Pratapgarhi, Member of Parliament
- Qari Mohammad Sohaib – Member, Legislative Council (MLC), Bihar | Senior Leader, RJD
Award presented by Syed Agha Ruhullah
- Syed Farooq Ahmad – Founder, Tasima Education Trust
Award presented by Najeeb Jung, Former Lieutenant Governor of Delhi
- Hammad Rahman – Founder, NikahForever, Delhi
Award presented by Salman Khurshid, President, India Islamic Cultural Centre & Former Union Minister
- Rizwan (Rijvan) – Director, Indian Institute of Languages & Jamians Global Academy
Award presented by Mani Shankar Aiyar, Former Union Cabinet Minister