Santapuram: Sheikh Rashid al Ghannoushi, the renowned Islamic thinker, has called upon Muslims to make use of the democratic possibilities of the pluralistic society and participate in the political process. The fact that power and the community have so far proceeded on two different paths has brought great loss to Muslims, he said. Sheikh Ghannoushi was delivering the inaugural address at a seminar on “Islam in the New World,” held as part of the Convocation of Al Jamia al Islamiya at Santapuram, Kerala.
“Taking part in electoral politics makes it possible to influence decision-making forces. It is indeed better to be part of the decision-making process than to keep from power. At a time when democracy had elements of profanity and irreligiosity in it, scholars had reason to be afraid that democracy might contaminate the Islamic ideology. But in the new world there is no room for such apprehension any more since Islam is strong enough to withstand such elements. At the same time, the West does not encourage democratisation of Muslim countries. It takes this attitude because it is afraid that in a democratic set-up Islam will only grow,” he said.
Ghannoushi pointed out that the Islamic world has demonstrated the meaninglessness of the propaganda that technology and modern science are alien to Islam. Evidently, it is possible to acquire technology while being loyal to the faith.
Ghannoushi urged that jihad should not be used to tarnish the image of Islam. Jihad is meant for the fight against colonialism and for struggles for freedom. Islam is an ideology that respects pluralism. In a country like India, where freedom exists, there is no scope for jihad. Muslim organisations must resolve their mutual conflicts through compromise, and facilitate unity. Even the European Union could bring together 35 countries. Ghannoushi asserted that Islamic renascence would be impossible without accommodating women.
Former Education Minister of Kerala E T Muhammad Basheer, Nadwatul Mujahideen General Secretary Husain Madavoor, KNM Secretary Kunhimuhammad Parappur, Madhyamam Editor O Abdurrahman, former Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Hind and Chancellor of the Jamia Dr. M. Abdul Haq Ansari, and Member of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Central Advisory Council T K Abdullah also spoke at the function.