New Delhi: The contemporary Islamic world lacks the guts to question the European line of thinking and the discontent burst out in the form of Arab Spring, opined Prof. A.K. Ramakrishnan, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Though the Arab Spring has got economic and social implications, it is the protest and resistance of identity against the estrangement of Islamic world, that was visible in Arab Streets, he said while addressing the audience in the dialogue program‘Positioning Islam in the Changing Times’, organized by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Delhi and Haryana Unit.

Individualized comparison is disappearing in the Neoliberal restructuring of new world order.  Individual should not be treated as a mere condition to make society. Every individual is unique entity and the freedom of individuality is inviolable, he continued. The traditional knowledge contained in religious texts, and the modern knowledge are separated and compartmentalized. It is only when a judicious union of both is ensured, the Ijtihad (interpretation of laws) in Islam becomes meaningful and relevant. Islamic society should emphasize on the contemporarization of interpretation. A relevant interpretation is possible only with a deep comprehension of modern world and its ideologies.  The modern Islamic movements require an intellectual raw of this calibre, added Prof. Ramakrishnan.

Madhyamam Media One Group Editor Mr. O Abdurahman opined that the Islamic Shariah is not a mere collection of the punitive orders as is grossly misunderstood, but rather it is a plan of action to ensure social justice and social security. Punishment is applicable only in after establishing a just social order and meant only for those who still pause a real threat to societal order by gross violation of laws. The give and take of thoughts and ideas should result into healthy intellectual confrontation. God never wanted elimination of diversity, and has never intended to see the whole world as a uniform entity, he asserted.

At a time when the capitalism became synonymous of vulgarism and the socialism almost disappeared from scene, the leftist government in Kerala is now forced to come forward and support the interest free banking system, said Sheikh Mohd. Karakkunnu, Assistant Amir, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Kerala.

The time has gone when the political role of Islam was ignored and subjugated. The world has now been well recognized it as a revolutionary political alternative.  Tunisia, Yemen, Egypt and Turkey are testimony to this.  Along with a strong economic system, a moral and cultural system is inevitable. Beyond a superficial legal structure, human kind should imbibe a strong moral base. The Islamic rulers had well appreciated the necessity of diversity.  The Muslim population during Omar’s rule was just three percent.  Social Justice was the unique contribution of Omar. It was prophet, who presented the first comprehensive constitution to the world, reminded Sheikh.

Others who addressed the gathering include C. Chandran, President, Delhi Malayali Association, and Fr. Thomas, Former National Director Commission for Religious harmony, CBCI, New Delhi.

In the dialogue program organized by the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Delhi and Haryana zone, Mr. Pervez Rehmani, Secretary, JIH, Delhi and Haryana, delivered the welcome address, and Asst. Secretary, Mr. Waris Hussein delivered the vote of thanks.