Whenever I look up the news reports on the issues and problems of the Muslim community, I find that often the Muslim leaders addressing these matters are clerics. The question arises, why is the politics of the Muslim community in India dominated by clerics, many of whom are not even Islamic scholars? Why is the proportion of the community’s leaders from the Muslim intelligentsia so small?
Obviously when the topics are religious issues of the Muslim community, for instance interpretation of Sharia laws or Hadeeth or Fatwas or Personal laws or matters dealing with madrasas, the leadership belongs in the hands of the clerics and religious organizations. But when issues are of a non-religious nature, for instance Muslim educational institutions, or reservation for Muslims in educational institutions and jobs, or the need to address the community’s socioeconomic and educational uplift, or the political situation of the community, or the civil liberties, or the situation of Muslim women, the primary leadership role belongs to the Muslim intelligentsia and Muslim political leaders.
Firstly, most clerics’ background in subjects like economics, law, sociology and technology is not up to date for today’s issues. Secondly, because of their background, most of the clerics often look at even non-religious issues from a religious perspective. Thirdly, most of them are not very proficient in English language usage and oral communications with modern electronic media journalists. Altogether it reinforces in the minds of the mainstream media and the nation at large a stereotypical image of the entire Muslim community and its mindset as overtly religious. Often the entire politics of the Muslim community is painted as a mirror image of the BJP style religion-oriented politics.
The fact that a majority of non-religious issues of the Muslim community are being addressed by clerics has skewed the perspective of the community, and has created a stereotypical picture of the Muslims in the minds of mainstream Indians, the Indian media and the majority Hindu community. The mainstream’s perception is that the Muslim community is obsessed with religion and looks at most issues from a religious angle. Compare that to the Hindu community and you find a stark contrast. The number of mahants, sadhus, and Hindu clerics in the leadership of the Hindu community is rather small. Hindu clerics come in the picture when issues are related to Hindu temples, seminaries, places of pilgrimage or religious trusts. Otherwise most Hindu community leaders are from the intelligentsia and political background. This is true of even the BJP which is a Hindu fundamentalist party.
In contrast the Muslim intelligentsia in the country often remains invisible on the core socio-economic-educational-political issues of the community. With their broader and more pluralistic background the intelligentsia has a distinctly different perspective on issues, which should be the dominant perspective on mainstream issues, if the Muslim community wants to claim its due place in today’s resurgent and modernizing India. Often when the media wants an opinion on the issues of the Muslim community, it turns to the clerics. The result is frequent not- well- informed opinions communicated in a manner that creates a stereotypical image of the community. Whereas on the whole despite large number of Muslims being depressed in education and economic status, the community is reasonably vibrant, has a broad perspective, and is trying to move ahead in the nation’s mainstream.
I recall that after the demolition of the Babri mosque the Muslim intellegentsia held a well attended conference in New Delhi in 1993 where they pledged to take more active role in the political and socioeconomic affairs of the community. But after a few meetings they stepped back and left a vacuum in the leadership arena at a critical time for the community. The over all foot-dragging of the Muslim intelligentsia to get involved with the affairs of the community at the grassroots level is alienating them from large segments of Muslim masses.
Most Muslim intelligentsia comprises of practicing Muslims who have a healthy respect for Islamic scholars and learned clerics. Yet there is a communication gap between these two sections of the community that must be bridged. The need of the hour is not a leadership contest between the intelligentsia and the clerics, but cooperation and utilizing the strengths of both sections. The intelligentsia can guide the clerics on how to present Islamic elements in more acceptable modern jargon. The clergy can assist the intelligentsia with their grassroots contacts at the street level.
If we look at the leadership in various Muslim countries or Muslim communities in Western countries, we find that most leaders are from the intelligentsia or political background. Clerics assume leadership role only when issues are of a religious nature. So why should the situation in India be different?
Hello Kaleem,
Re: From your comment – “Kalam has NEVER WORSHIPPED any dieties of any religion (except Allah)”
I have read several articles in many newspapers that mention that Dr. Kalam is a self-confessed ‘Ram Bhakt’. If that is true has he not, then, committed shirk (I think by ‘humanisation’) as he would then be a devotee of a human being (i.e. if one goes by the Hindu belief of an Avatar).
Wouldn’t Dr. Kalam’s ‘Ram’ Bhakti be a violation of the first pillar (i.e. Shahadah) of Islam according to even an average muslim?
Also, the first pillar of Islam i.e. the Shahadah does not seem to (at least when translated) explicity say the Muhammad is the LAST prophet, please checkout Shahadah under Wikipedia. Although the first portion of the article says that Muhammad should be considered the last prophet the actual translation is something like:
“I testify that there is no god worthy of worship but God (Allah), and I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of God.”
So, if Dr. Kalam were reciting this in his namaz everyday he could be just accepting the statement that Muhammad is a prophet but not necessarily the LAST.
The “Seal of Prophets” verse is in Chapter 33 verse 40. Would a muslim recite that as part of his/her daily namaz?
Again I ask these questions just to understand your reasons/convictions behind recommending Dr. Kalam as a ‘role model’ for muslims.
Mr. Gulam Mohammad,
I am sorry for having joined your conversation with other so late. However, let me be a little clear about secularism. There are no 2 definitions for secularism. There is only one and that is “keeping religion out of representation, governance and legislation by a state/nation”. Its implication is that the state and law will be independent of any religious affiliation/influence.
In the Indian context this definition should be applied STRICTLY. Secularism is not recognition of ALL religions. It is the very opposite.
However, Secularism does not mean an essentially Atheistic state. For e.g. the US is a secular state. However, its national motto is still “In God We Trust”.
Also, Islam being holistic is very vague. What do you mean by holistic and why should people accept that Islam is holistic? Why are not other religions holistic?
If Islam were that holistic why are the so called Islamic states so backward in thinking? You may say they have forgotten their religion but none of these states have seperated religion from their governance. What have they achieved? Why then have they regressed?
Sudie and other friends,
I do not want to be misunderstood on this point. I do not mean that for a Muslim the role model can only be another practicing Muslim. At various stages in my own life most of my role models have been Hindus or Christians or Jews. One can have several role models; one for professional life, one for personal life, one for spiritual life, one for social life etc. Sometimes a person comes along (eg APJ Kalam) who can be a role model in various areas of your life.
As for the Bollywood Muslim personalities who succeded with hard work and merit, without having an uncle to help them, I certainly applaud them and admire their being tops in their respective fields. But I am disappointed when I see them not carrying that high standard of performance in other areas of their lives.
Sridhar,
1. News media that reported that Kalam has stated that he is a “Ram Bhakt” are circulating exaggerrated and erroneous rumours. What he said was that he agrees with the statement of famous Islamic poet of India, Iqbal of 1920s that “Ram is Imam-e-Hind” (translated in English to: Ram is one of the top leaders of India.). Most Muslims of India acknowledge that the character of Ram had many sterling qualities. In fact some Muslim think that the character of Ram is more sterling than that of Krishna. Also many Muslims, especially Sufis think that there is a possibility that both Ram and Krishna may have been prophets of Allah, since Quran says that Allah sent 186,000 prophets on earth and to all parts pof earth.
2. For some reason Indian media exaggerates the statements of those Muslims who are prominent and who try to take secular attitudes seriously. They try to make them look as if they have significant religious faith (not just appreciation) in several Hindu religious elements. This is to try to propel their image as “Mohammadiya Hindus”, and according to Indian media only “Mohammadiya Hindu” type of Muslims can be succesful role models in India, which they describe as “essentially a Hindu nation, and Hinduism is synonymous with Indian-ness”. But this is wrong. India is multireligious nation and so is Indian-ness multireligious.
3. The Islamic shahadah: You are right in saying that the words of shahadah do not say that Mohammad is Allah’s last prophet; that has been said elsewhere in Quran. I added that just to elaborate. But as Kalam believes in the entire Quran he believes in Mohammad being the last prophet of God.
Hello Kaleem,
About your statemetn the Dr. Kalam only agreed with the poet Iqbal. Do you have any references?
As for Dr. Kalam’s religiosity one can only say it is ‘uncertain’. No one has explicitly asked Dr. Kalam if he was a Ram Bhakt or not? There have been several speeches in which he has refered to Ram as Lord. Here’s one of them:
http://www.drabdulkalam.org/2008/03/12/address-at-the-function-karpoor-chandra-kulish-international-award-for-excellence-in-journalism-organized-by-rajasthan-patrika-new-delhi/
Whether he really believed that he was Lord is a matter of speculation.
As he for believing in the Quran ENTRIRELY is also a matter of speculation as no one has asked him that question (as far as I could find out) either?
Again for search for his ‘regular prayers’ bring up articles which also mention that he is a ‘Ram Bhakt’.
Here’s another post that says he ‘joined’ in offering prayers at a sacred image:
http://www.mandir.org/news&events/2007/10/apjvisit/index.htm
Nevertheless, I personally consider him to be a role model though I don’t agree with everything that he says (as I with all other leaders , religions and traditions of this world be they Indian or otherwise, past or present). In my opinion, TRUE knowledge is that which is rational (i.e. understood by the mind). For, what is not understood is UNCERTAIN and therefore not the truth.
His life is an inspiration for all those who want to change their lives and his behavior, irrespective of his religious/spiritual belief, is worthy of emulation.
Whether Indians accept him as a role model or not is immeterial. What matters is whether they can make his ‘Vision 2020′ come true…atleast they should strive for it. For starters, Indians should SERIOUSLY start considering meeting the very challenging MDGs (Millenium Development Goals) put forth by UN one its primary goals being cutting the world’s hungry by half. I consider this together with CLEAN WATER and AIR to be THE MOST IMPORTANT goals for entire mankind. All other concerns are simply secondary.
Here’s a quote from Albert Einstien on whether he believed in God:
“A knowledge of the existence of something we cannot penetrate, of the manifestations of the profoundest reason and the most radiant beauty, which are only accessible to our reason in their most elementary forms—it is this knowledge and this emotion that constitute the truly religious attitude; in this sense, and in this alone, I am a deeply religious man”
At that I stop with my ‘questioning’ and thanks for you patient answers.
Rafiq Zakaria’s had a point when he asked “what is so Muslim about Kalam”.
For many non Muslims this trait of Mr. Kalam was a plus.
I don’t understand why is everybody fighting over what some hold as their opinion. It all matter when a person as an individual succeeds. No religion has a problem with that. And it is further stupid to even discuss over whose religious and whose not. These are all matters of personal faith. As for muslim leadership, ulema’s need to understand a broader perspective of Indian muslims and secular leaders must understand the religious inclination of average muslim. Some one rightly said in earlier post that individual excellence is the answer. If muslims want a piece of success, let them compete and so is for anybody from all the other religions. More than 70% of muslim population is unaware as to what is Islam and what are its important principles. No one has a right to blame on anybody saying that these people are lesser muslims, for God alone knows best.
One must follow these advices:
“Love thy neighbour as thyself.” Jesus (PBUH).
“To you your religion and to me mine ” The Noble Quran – translation (surah 109).
This is how our nation can live harmoniously. As for muslims. who think that politics and religion are one (which is as a matter of fact true, according to islamic perspective), however; must understand that such ideas are from the times when prophet become a statesman and the leader of Medinite people. Similarly, Indian constitution is not about sharia law, so let alone politics and concentrate more on one’s own religion or ideals in terms of identity, practices and beliefs. Why are Brahmins, muslims or anybody to be blamed for the current situation. Its like crying over spilled milk. Don’t waste time on that and think about where do we go from here. I hope I am understood properly.