The problem lies nowhere else but right inside our minds: Shaz

“The problem lies in our mind which is failing to comply with Islamic guidelines and we the Ummah at large, are divided into sectarian groups which is hurting the spirit and the very purpose of Islam,” said Dr. Rashid Shaz, a faculty member of India’s famous Aligarh Muslim University at an Iftar party organized by the Riyadh Chapter of India Islamic Cultural Center (IICC).
Shaz, who is currently visiting the Kingdom, is an internationally acclaimed author known for his reform writings on Islam and was formerly president of the Milli Parliament. He applauded the role of IICC to promote mutual understanding and amity among the people and to depict the true face of Islam which is a tolerant, liberal, progressive, rational and forward-looking religion.
Shaz, author of more than twenty five books in English, Urdu and Arabic, further emphasized that there was a need for a paradigm shift in our thinking as traditional approaches will lead the Muslims nowhere.
“The future depends not on Islamic evangelism, or any other evangelism for that matter, as many of us would like to believe, but on Islamic intellectualism, on our rediscovery of the great prophetic mission,” Shaz underlined.
He further noted: “It really pains one to see the divided Ummah, when you know that the person killed in the fight and the one who killed him, both declare Allahu Akbar (Allah is Great).”
Earlier, IICC convener Murshid Kamal welcomed Shaz, conveyed the best wishes of IICC president Sirajuddin Qureshi and extended all the support on his behalf required for any debates or seminar on the Muslim issues highlighted by Shaz.
Since IICC provides a forum where scholars from all fields of learning can interact with each other to promote brotherhood, friendship, peace and amity among the groups, he announced that a brain storming session would be organized to support such a noble cause.
Kaunain Shahidi, IICC life member conducted the program and thanked the audience for making the event successful.