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New Delhi: In the light of the
world-threatening multiple but inter-related global crises affecting
all countries of the world, in particular the poor and the weak
states as well as Muslim countries, it is imperative that the
Islamic alternative paradigm of al-Falah (well-being in this world
and in the Hereafter) be studied, understood, disseminated and
finally implemented, first in Muslim countries and later as a model
to be emulated by other communities across the globe.
The above observation was made by internationally renowned scholar
and Kuala Lumpur-based International Islamic University of
Malaysia’s former rector Prof. M. Kamal Hassan while presenting a
paper entitled "The Path Towards a Truly Holistic and Comprehensive
Development of the Individual, the Society, and the Nation: Shifting
from the Conventional to the Transcendental Vision of Development".
He was expressing his views on the second day of the three-day
international inaugural conference on “Towards Knowledge,
Development and Peace---Outlining Roadmaps for the Future” to mark
the year-long silver jubilee celebrations of think tank Institute of
Objective studies, (IOS), being held here at the India Islamic
Cultural Centre.
Prof. Hassan said realizing the shortcomings and failures of the
dominant secular paradigms of development, either in economics,
politics, culture or education, Muslim scholars and intellectuals
have come up with the alternative models of “development”. The
writings of scholars such as Khurshid Ahmad (1979, 1980), Nejatullah
Siddiqui (1972), Aidit Ghazali (1990), Umer Chapra (1993), Ata-ul-Huq
(1997, 2006), Muhammad Shukri Salleh (1987, 1995, 2009), Abulhassan
M. Sadeq (2006) are some of the examples of the attempt by Muslim
scholars known to him who disagree with both the Liberal Capitalist
as well as the Socialist-Marxist models of “development”.
He said one of the latest writings on the Islamic perspective of
development that one would strongly recommend is by Umer Chapra with
the title “The Islamic Vision of Development in the light of the
Maqaasid al-Sharii’ah (2008). One of the higher objectives of the
Divine code of life is the preservation of faith in and servitude to
the Creator, Sustainer and Master of mankind.
Thus, no development efforts of mankind can be considered to be
truly just, holistic and comprehensive if they do not address the
moral, spiritual and transcendental aspects and needs of human
beings and societies, he observed.
Prof. Hassan said the current uprising or social unrest brewing in a
number of Middle Eastern societies today had its roots in
long-standing economic, social and political discontent which was
suppressed by the greedy and autocratic leaders whose strong grip on
the political system was, nonetheless, endorsed and sustained by the
Western promoters of democracy and human rights protectors
themselves.
He also said that the intelligent and educated Arab youth and
intelligentsia could no longer bear the hypocrisy of both national
leaders and international forces of global hegemony. Quoting a
number of economists, he emphasised on achieving human welfare
involving the enlargement of all human choices whether economic,
social, cultural or economic which had today become the overall
objective. He concluded with the view that the most important goal
of development was human freedom.
Meanwhile, Prof. Faizan Mustafa, Vice Chancellor of National Law
University, Orissa, presenting his paper on “Towards Knowledge –
Outlining Roadmaps for the Future” said knowledge means knowing with
certainty. Belief means uncertainty. Islam was a knowledge
revolution as the very first verse revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
was "read".
Prof. Mustafa said: “Islam wants us to reason and explore. So long
as we were following this, we were world leaders. Islam was
conquering minds and not mere territories. However, this period of
rise of Islam is known as period of dark ages in Europe.
Subsequently, the doctrine of “Taqlid” replaced knowledge revolution
and downfall of Muslim Ummah started. Doors of “Ijtihad” were closed
and our laws are hanging in 11th century when the digression
started.
He said that the future of knowledge lies in integration of
knowledge. Knowledge is at intersection of disciplines and subjects.
Knowledge revolution in India will fail if minorities do not get
access to knowledge. Inclusion is necessary.
Rights of minority institutions play very important role. Our
examination system must be radically changed and continuous
evaluation must replace end of the year examinations. Curricula must
be regularly revised and Teacher's evaluation by the students is of
utmost importance. Big university bodies like Court and senate must
be replaced by the smaller bodies of experts with no politicians
presence there. More infra-structure grants be given universities,
he opined.
Dr. Tahir Baig, Chairman of Institute of Islamic
Economics & Developing Studies, Bareily, (UP), presented a paper on
"Development Challenges in Middle East and North Africa, (MENA),".
Presenting his paper Dr. Baig said MENA region is under the impact
of three integration frameworks which are globalisation, greater
Middle East initiative and Islamic integration.
He quoted David Ben Gorian, Israel’s founder and first Prime Minister, who while
promoting Zionist colonial aspirations had said: “It is not in
distant future that One World system shall be established, presided
over by Jerusalem in which all continents of the world will become
united in a world alliance on whose disposal will be an
international police force. All armies would be abolished and there
will be no war. A United Nations, a truly United Nations will build
shrines of prophets to serve the federated union of all continents.
This will be the Supreme Court of mankind, to settle all
controversies among the federated continents as prophesied by
Isaiah”.
Dr. Baig quoted from the book “The New Middle East” authored by
Shimon Peres with Arye Naor which said:“Ultimately the Middle East
will unite in a common market – after we achieve peace. And the very
existence of common market will foster vital interests in
maintaining the peace over long term”.
To counter such ill designs of the Zionists Dr. Baig said the need
of the hour is a paradigm shift in approach to governance and
regional frameworks – strengthening sense of common history and
common destiny as based on Islamic identity and mission towards
humanity. He said that it is necessary to promote people’s in
governance; promotion of ecology for entrepreneurship; Islamic
venture capital Funds and banks; a common market based on Islamic
traditions, not on Zionist capitalism; Developing economic and
financial inter-dependence with insight on the model of European
integration; Institutions and infra-structure for promoting
cross-border trade; intra-industry and intra-regional trade.
Besides, three business plenary sessions on knowledge, development
and peace as well as three parallel sessions on prospects of
creating knowledge societies in the 21st century, development
strategies in contemporary world and peace in
the era of
globalisation were addressed by a galaxy of eminent scholars. The
conference participated by delegates from inside and outside the
country, would end on Sunday. A number of personalities were
felicitated also on the second day. They included Maulana Mufti
Arshad Ali Baqvi, Prof. Singh, Prof. Z. M. Khan, Prof. Abdul Mannan,
Prof. A. R. Momin, Dr. D. Prempatiji, Mr. Santosh Bharti, Maulana
Khalid Saifullah Rahmani, Prof. Haseena Hashia etc. At the outset,
Maulana Sultan Islahi recited verses from the Holy Quran to herald
the start the proceedings of the day. According to IOS Chairman and
economist Dr. Mohammad Manzoor Alam, besides the inaugural and
concluding functions, 12 other conferences would be held in the
various state capitals of India during 2011-12.
(pervezbari@eth.net)
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