Before the World War II, Britain, Germany and France were big brothers of the world. But, the United States of America superseded them because of its advancement in science and technology. Today, the USA alone has 180 think-tank to design future not only for America but also for the whole world. These views were expressed by Dr Zafarul Islam Khan, President All India Muslim Majlis Mushawarat while presiding over a session at the two-day seminar on ‘Role of Islam in Culture and Politics’ at Idara Tahqeeq-o-Tasneef Islami in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh on 23-24 February. Dr Khan, who also edits English fortnightly Milli Gazette, added that the Muslims pass the buck to other’s court for their deprivations in the country. However, the fact is that they are also equally responsible for the same. “There are 18 think-tanks in India. But none of them belongs to Muslims,” claimed Dr Khan.
Speaking on the occasion, Parwaz Rehmani, Editor-in-chief of Urdu biweekly Dawat, said that all the combating forces in the pluralistic society has stopped struggling and now it is the turn of Muslims to multiply their efforts with the message of Islam as people are in search of such ideology and religion as can guide them in every walk of life and help them succeed here and in the hereafter. Mr Rehmani added that one should reach out to even the remotest areas of the country and present the divine message of Islam before those living there.
Renowned economist and social thinker, Hamid Abdul Rahman Al Kaaf said that the West knew its ideology has come to an impasse and it could no more blanket its contradictions and paradoxes. He made a point by saying that even the West, despite its extreme hatred and animosity with Muslims and Islam, could not stop itself from endorsing and praising the methodology of the deposed president of Egypt Mohamed Morsi. Other dignitaries who spoke on the occasion include Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Umari, Prof Zafarul Islam Islahi, Prof Abdul Kalam Qasmi of Aligarh Muslim University, Prof Iqbal Masood Nadvi of Canada, Prof Ishtiyaz Zilli of Shibli Academy, Azamgarh, Dr. Raziul Islam Nadvi of Islami Academy, New Delhi and Omama Salma of Aligarh.