Make Full Use of Friday Sermons for Social Reform: Dr M. Rafat

An Islamic society rests on the strong foundations of righteousness and piety, mutual love and care, brotherhood and sacrifice. But these values are eroding fast; we have to restore them in order to mould our society on sound and healthy grounds. This was the consensus that emerged at a symposium on “Towards an Islamic Society: Roadblocks and Remedies” organised by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Delhi and Haryana at Ghalib Academy auditorium in the Capital on December 9.
Presiding over the symposium, the organisation’s zonal president Professor Muhammad Rafat summed up the views expressed by the participants of the symposium and underlined the need for removing the roadblocks on the path of an Islamic society.
“Muslim Ulema can play an important role in this regard. They can make full use of Friday sermons to effect public awareness of Islamic teachings on the various social and family issues and thus lead the society in accordance with Islamic teachings,” said Dr. Rafat, who is also on the Jamaat’s Central Advisory Council.
Earlier, setting the tone of the symposium, Zonal Advisory Council member Er. Z.A. Mansoorie said, “The roadblocks begin right from setting of priorities at the time of arranging marriages and continue to hamper the creation of an Islamic society at its every stage.”
He also pointed out some of the major roadblocks such as general unawareness of Islamic teachings, criminal negligence towards them, un-Islamic traditions and customs, blind following of the West, etc.
Participating in the seminar, Dr. Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas pointed out lack of collective consciousness in Muslim society as one of the important impediments in the way of making an Islamic society. He also laid much emphasis on the need for re-establishment of collective institutions such as Darul Qazas and Zakat system.
“Unless we make concerted efforts in this regard, we can’t succeed in creating an Islamic society,” said Dr. Ilyas, who is Editor Afkar-e-Milli and Jamaat’s CAC member.
Shia Alim Syed Aqeelul Gharvi drew the attention of the audience towards having the “power” that can help man solve his problems.
“The Qur’an guides man to solve his problems on the basis of tawheed (monotheism). If the light of tawheed is there in the heart, it is enough to enlighten every sphere of our life,” he said.
Imam Masjid Fatehpuri Delhi Mufti Mukarram Ahmed emphasised the need of sacrifice and sympathy towards the poor and needy in society.
“It is a tragedy that in spite of the presence of about 30 crore Muslims in the country we are now discussing the ways and means of creating an Islamic society,” he lamented.
The programme commenced with the recitation of Qur’anic verses by Dr. Tabish Mahdi. And Dr. Waquar Anwar, who was conducting the symposium, extended vote of thanks to the participants as well as over 200-strong audience.