‘Don’t Practise Mental Slavery; Liberate Your Minds’: Prof Ibrahim Alladin
“Don’t practise mental slavery; liberate your minds,” said Prof. Ibrahim Alladin, former Professor at the University of Alberta, Canada, and Visiting Faculty in the Department of Sociology at Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU).
He was speaking during a one-day symposium organised by the Department of Sociology, MANUU, on August 18, 2026.
The symposium, titled “Global Changes, Multiculturalism and Reflections on the Critical Writings of Prof. Ibrahim Alladin over Four Decades”, was chaired by Prof. P. H. Mohammad, Dean, School of Arts and Social Sciences, MANUU.
Prof Alladin Calls for Independent Thinking
Reflecting on his four-decade academic and sociological journey, Prof. Alladin stressed the importance of independent and critical thinking, particularly in research and scholarship.
He said knowledge is meant to be shared and scholars should actively engage with society rather than remain limited to academic institutions.
Prof. Alladin also discussed the evolution of sociology and the emergence of important areas including development studies, sociology of education, urban sociology and criminology.
He placed particular emphasis on the need to decolonise the mind and knowledge, encouraging young researchers to question inherited ways of thinking and develop independent perspectives.
Describing India as a “sociological laboratory”, he encouraged young scholars to identify social problems around them, conduct meaningful fieldwork, understand social realities and offer practical recommendations for positive change.
Education and Multiculturalism Among Key Themes
Prof. G. Nagaraju, Head of the Department of Sociology at the University of Hyderabad, discussed major themes in Prof. Alladin’s scholarly work.
These included education, diaspora, international relations, the sociology of COVID-19 and multiculturalism, with particular emphasis on education and multiculturalism.
Prof. Nagaraju said Prof. Alladin takes a critical approach to education and questions the assumption that education alone can solve the major problems facing society.
He stressed the need for an inclusive educational approach that promotes critical consciousness and social justice while contributing towards a more equitable society.
Cultural Diversity and Transcultural Transformation
Prof. Ananta Giri of Woxsen University spoke about the scholarly contributions and ideas of Prof. Ibrahim Alladin.
He discussed themes including cultural diversity, multiculturalism and transcultural transformations.
Prof. Giri explained that engagement across cultural boundaries can lead to mutual learning and transformation while maintaining respect for cultural differences.
Education’s Role in Nation Building
Prof. Danish Moin, Department of History and Director, CSSI, MANUU, discussed the book’s focus on nation building.
He highlighted education as an important space for developing social values, citizenship and collective identity.
Prof. Moin also underlined the role of intellectuals in critically engaging with social issues and contributing to knowledge, social understanding and nation building.
Symposium Highlights Four Decades of Scholarship
In his welcome address, Dr K. M. Ziyauddin, Head of the Department of Sociology, highlighted Prof. Alladin’s significant academic contributions over four decades.
He noted his work in areas including education, multiculturalism, ethnicity, minorities and other related social issues.
Dr Ziyauddin said the symposium was organised to celebrate and critically examine Prof. Alladin’s extensive academic writings, engagements and contributions to global scholarship.
Scholars Discuss Contemporary Relevance
The symposium also featured a panel discussion in which scholars from different academic backgrounds critically examined Prof. Alladin’s writings and their relevance to contemporary social issues.
The discussions provided an opportunity for faculty members, researchers and students to engage with themes of multiculturalism, education, social change and critical sociology.
The programme was coordinated by Dr. Saheed Meo.
Faculty members, research scholars and students attended the symposium.
