Visitors check out the exhibits at Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library in Patna on Wednesday. Picture by Ranjeet Kumar Dey

Patna, Dec. 21: Mushirul Hasan, a former vice-chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia, today focused on Mahatma Gandhi’s appreciation of Islam at the annual lecture organised by Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library.

On the topic, Gandhi and Islam, Hasan said: “Gandhiji portrayed Islam as a religion of peace.”

Hasan, also the director of National Archives of India, focused on Gandhi’s appreciation of Islam, the Prophet and four Khalifas.

He said: “Gandhiji attempted to bring together the everyday lives of Hindus and Muslims. This he regarded as a mission. Gandhiji in all his life made it known that Hindus and Muslims were sons of the same soil. He pointed at their common ancestry.”

According to Hasan, the time and consideration Gandhi extended to Muslims indicated his desire to learn and interpret the Quran and its teachings.

The lecture series of the Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library has been an annual event since 1969. A number of eminent scholars have come to the library to deliver lectures on topics like Islamic studies, history and Indo-Islamic culture.

During his visit to the Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library today, Hasan saw the rare documents and manuscripts kept at the library.

Important judgments delivered during the British era also have a place at the library and Hasan saw a 1804 judgment delivered by William John Sedson, a British judge.