Al-Hilal: A Reflection of the Politics of Bengal Muslims (1912-1915)

The year 1912 was a path-breaking year in Urdu journalism and as well as for the Bengal Politics also. Since the establishment of Colonial rule, Bengal played a significant role in national politics. Half of its total population was Muslims who were far-behind in the race of getting education or fetching job in compare to their Hindu brothers that led them to form a communal organization named Muslim League in 1906 that differentiate the whole population into two parts. In this critical scenario, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad emerged as a messiah for his community and raised his slogan against all this odds through his weekly journal, „Al-Hilal (1912-15). This journal carried the Azad‟s view and reflected the onset situation of Bengal Muslims. Through the pages of Al-Hilal, Azad wanted to create a political consciousness among his community and had to establish a political dialogue within the members of his community. From the very issue, Azad has drawn the attention of the Muslims towards the present political condition of Bengal which was roaming around Muslim League and Aligarh Movement.