Prominent Islamic scholar and Director of Indian Institute of Islamic Studies Dr. Hasan Raza urged the Muslim community to think globally and act locally. He said that nowadays Muslims talk about all national and international issues but they are not aware of their local issues and they don’t participate in local activities. So, they should be active at the grassroots level. They should participate in local politics, of course with their issues, values and objectives. This is the way social change may be brought about.
He was addressing a public meet on ‘The journey of Islamic movement in the present situation’ at the headquarters of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind in New Delhi on 11 February.
Elaborating the idea of think globally and act locally further, Dr. Raza, who is on the Jamaat’s Central Advisory Council and is also president of Idara-e-Adab-e-Islami, said that this is the way democratic leadership will emerge among the Muslim community. Generally, Muslims wait for the guidance and prescriptions from political or religious leaders over the issues. They themselves don’t use their mind for that. They cast vote for those whom their religious leaders ask them to. They don’t have their own parameter to vote. They don’t think independently about their issues. This is a hurdle in making leaders. It is also the reason for absence of democratic atmosphere in the community.
Emphasising the involvement into local politics, he continued that since good people have distanced themselves from local politics, mafia and bad people have taken over it. And they run the society according to their sweet will and interest. While being aware about global situation, Muslims should participate in local politics with the help of civil society. They should consult with the common people and try to instil democratic ethos and Islamic values into the society.
Explaining the present situation, Dr. Raza, who is also Editor of Urdu magazine Pesh Raft, said that there is no doubt we are going through the most sensitive period of history. Islam is being targeted from all rounds. It is being targeted by fascist forces in the country. It is being attacked at the international level as well. At this time, working at the grassroots level will help improve the situation.
He also said there is a need for reviving three important institutions: Mosque, Family and Neighbourhood. These three institutions should be used for reform and Dawah purposes. Mosque should be made the centre for shaping the Muslim society with the help of Islamic values. Family should try to penetrate Islamic values into their members. And Neighbour should be used for Dawah and reform.