Historical Society Recommends Naming Lilong Haoreibi College Library as “M.A. Wahab Library”
The Manipuri Muslim (Meitei Pangal) Historical Society held a significant meeting on July 16 at the residence of the late M.A. Halim Khan, a noted historian and the founding secretary of the society. The meeting was presided over by Alhaj Md. Islamuddin, retired Assistant Professor of Lilong Haoreibi College, Usoipokpi, and attended by eminent scholars including Dr. Badaruddin, Dr. Md. Serajuddin, Yumkhaibam Shahjahan, Md. Allaudin, Fm Mustafiz Khan, Dr. Mk Washima Begum, and Dr. Syed Ahmed.
A major highlight of the meeting was the resolution to organize the first M.A. Halim Khan Memorial Lecture in the last week of August 2025 at Lilong Haoreibi College. The lecture is dedicated to commemorating the contributions of Halim Khan, who passed away on November 4, 2019.
As part of the memorial event, the Society will also officially release two important English translations:
- “Meitei Pangal Hourakpham (2025)” by Dr. Badaruddin & B. Kullachandra, translated by Dr. Badaruddin and Jakir Barrot.
- “Nongsamei Puya” by M.A. Janab Khan, translated by the late M.A. Halim Khan.
The meeting further resolved to propose the introduction of certificate and diploma courses in Arabic, Islamic, and Quranic studies at Lilong Haoreibi College. A memorandum will be submitted to the Principal to this effect.
Another major resolution includes the refurbishment and modernization of the College library, with a proposal to name it after the college’s founding principal and educationist Md. Abdul Wahab. Dr. Badaruddin emphasized the need to include rare historical documents, photographs, Islamic texts, and essential books for competitive examinations. A committee is expected to be formed to oversee the initiative.
The Society also proposed to utilize a room at the college as its temporary office, ensuring a base for future research activities.
A notable cultural-historical resolution involved tracing the burial site (kabarsthan) of Muslim freedom fighter Sher Shah alias Chibandokhut, who died in the 1891 Anglo-Manipuri War at Laimanai Ching, Pallel. Dr. Badaruddin, who had earlier visited the site, informed that the Society has already identified the names of 30 Muslim fighters who fought at Khongjom under Paona Brajabashi. He urged the Society to continue this effort to trace more such figures and their contributions.
In line with this initiative, the Society will organize a special lecture program on the theme “Revisiting the Battle of Khongjom,” aiming to broaden understanding of Muslim participation in Manipur’s anti-colonial history.
Lastly, the Society resolved to invite research scholars to become members, encouraging broader academic participation in reconstructing the rich and complex history of Muslims in Manipur.
Founded in 1991, the Manipuri Muslim (Meitei Pangal) Historical Society has consistently worked to promote historical research and awareness. The founding executive committee was led by M.A. Janab Khan as Chairman and M.A. Halim Khan as Secretary, alongside several distinguished members.
President Alhaj Md. Islamuddin concluded the meeting with a call for unity and academic engagement in preserving the community’s heritage and honoring its overlooked contributions to Manipuri history.