AhlulBayt News Agency: A three-day international conference on the cultural and literary connections of the Global South commenced at Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU), highlighting the historical exchanges and intellectual interactions that have shaped different languages and civilisations.
Titled “Networks and Entanglements: Exploring Civilizational Intertextuality in the Global South,” the conference brings together scholars to examine the literary, linguistic and cultural relationships connecting societies across the Global South.
Addressing the inaugural session, Dr. Alexander Jabbari of the University of Minnesota said that the etymological study of Persian words reveals fascinating connections between languages and civilisations. These relationships reflect centuries of linguistic exchange, cultural interaction and intellectual dialogue.
Delivering his first keynote lecture, titled “Persian Grammar in Early Modern India,” Dr. Jabbari explained how the study of Persian vocabulary and etymology uncovers literary and linguistic connections between Persian, Sanskrit, Hindi, Arabic, Syriac, Coptic and Hebrew.
He highlighted the extensive role of Persian scholarship, literature and intellectual traditions in Mughal-era India, particularly its intellectual and literary engagement with Sanskrit.
Dr. Jabbari also examined the development of Persian grammatical and linguistic traditions in India, the Ottoman Empire and China, while discussing the mutual relationship between Urdu and Persian.
Emphasis on cultural and intellectual exchange
The inaugural session was chaired by Professor Syed Ainul Hasan, Vice-Chancellor of Maulana Azad National Urdu University.
In his address, Professor Hasan highlighted the contributions of British Orientalist Sir William Jones, who translated outstanding works of Persian and Indian literature into English.
Reflecting on the significance of cultural interconnectedness, he remarked that if Dara Shikoh, the author of *Majma-ul-Bahrain*, were alive today, he might have presented his work at the confluence of not just two seas, but many.
His observation underscored the diversity of civilisations and the importance of understanding their interconnected intellectual and cultural traditions.
Professor Ishtiaq Ahmad, Registrar of MANUU, delivered the welcome address, while Professor Syed Imtiaz Hasnain, the conference convenor, introduced the objectives and major themes of the event.
The international conference is being organised from November 2 to 4, 2026, through academic collaboration between Maulana Azad National Urdu University and the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL), Mysuru.
Books released during the conference
On the occasion, a book containing abstracts of research papers presented at the international conference held in November 2025, titled *“Urdu, Hindi, Arabic and Persian: Cultural Harmony in the Context of Linguistic, Literary, Cultural and Intellectual Exchange,”* was also released.
Books authored by Dr. Peggy Mohan, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad, Professor Panchanan Mohanty and Professor Sangeeta Bagga Gupta were released as part of the event.
Professor Gulfishan Habib, director of the conference, delivered the vote of thanks, while Professor Mohammad Al-Sami Siddiqui, the conference co-convenor, conducted the proceedings.
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