Saad Qaisar
Today (October 17, 2008) marks the 191st birthday of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan (1817-1898).
In the history of Indian Sub-Continent, the role Syed Sahib played for Muslims of India deserves golden words. Sir Syed was the most influential leader and social reformer of his time. He felt that the socio-economic future of Muslims was threatened by their orthodox aversions to modern science and technology. He made significant contributions in this regard that had long term implications for the Muslims of India that eventually lead to creation of state of Pakistan.
Either it be his advocacy for Urdu to be recognized by British empire as second language of India & a symbol of Muslim heritage or establishment of a ‘Muslim Cambridge’ in form of MAO college at Aligarh, he is seen as a most vocal figure for the rights of Indian Muslims in the second half of 19th century under British Raj. At Aligarh, Sir Syed formed Scientific Society of Aligarh, the first scientific society of its kind in India that assembled Muslim scholars from across India, held annual conferences, disbursed funds for educational causes and regularly published a journal on scientific subjects in English & Urdu.
His views, at times, challenged orthodox clergy who appeared averse to his message of ‘change’.
Today, as we find our nation amidst divergent schools of thought, when one segment of society is bent towards ultra-liberalism & appear to blindly follow western civilization, more of its bad than good and on other end, there are those who are hell bent to stick to age-old orthodox philosophy, do we await another Syed Sahib that would channelize our energies to the middle path. Or can we revive spirit of Syed Sahib’s life as a guideline in all the issues that confront us as a nation? Men like Syed Sahib are born once in decades, or perhaps, centuries! Are we ready to wait centuries for that to happen or reformulate our thought in-line with modern demands, choice is ours!
As Iqbal rightly put it:
aaen-e-nau say darna, tarz-e Kuhan pe aRna
manzil ye hi katthan hai, qaumoN kee zindagi meiN
‘To be afraid of modern ways, to get stuck on age old patterns, is the biggest hurdle in the life of Nations’.
Photo Credits: Khurram Ali Shafique and Wikipedia.com
PMA, you say: It is in the nature of Mullah to appose modern education. Once educated in modern educational system His
Dear Rashad: I thought readers will know what I meant by ‘modern educational system’. Obviously I was not right. But there is nothing wrong with ‘well structured buildings’ and ‘books in English’. Just look around. Those educated in English-medium schools, as a group have greater opportunities in life compared to those educated in Urdu-medium schools and Madrassas. These are simple facts of life in Pakistan. And about ‘our Chinese friends’. Well, are we in a position to compare ourselves with Chinese? Chinese are hard working nation equipped with modern education. That is why they are where they are today. Let us not fool ourselves. But I agree with you on one point. There is a lot Pakistani effluent classes could do for the less privileged. But they do not. It is a sad situation which only people like you and I can correct.
PMA, You didn’t define “Modern Education” here. If Modern education means education in well structured buildings with the help of imported books in English then our Chinese friends should be cursed since they didn’t get rid of old and traditional acupunture method as yet.
Ironically those who are religiously in favor of “modern” education could not provide examples which were helpful to prosper Pakistan with the help of modern education system. Instead of that I read Pakistanis committing suicide for not having job even doing Masters in different disciplines. Will such advocates issue Visas for these poor products of Modern education system? I know now these guys will not say a word.
It’s old hobby of Pakistani expats to give lectures like oldies of any family who are usually rejected by their own family members due to their intolerant attitude. Today Pakistan has been suffering a lot due to financial crisis but these Pakistani expats preachers are not willing to help Pakistan by sending their money back to home. Yes they do have money to spend on Internet so that they can share their frustration rather doing something to help Pakistan.
Thank you Syed Ahmed Khan and thank you my fellow Ravian ‘Watan Aziz’. Your comments are very appropriate and much needed here. Many of us can relate to your narrative regarding lack of education among Muslims in South Asia and in fact all over the Muslim World. It is in the nature of Mullah to appose modern education. Once educated in modern educational system His ‘flock’ tends to reject His narrow interpretation of Islam. Hence Mullah will always appose modern education. But let us move beyond Mullah. My question is: Why there is no Renaissance among Muslims today? To paraphrase Iqbal: Why are we unable to produce ‘thousand paths at each milestone’? Where are the Syed Ahmad Khans of our time?
Well, Wiki is an amazing resource. I am not sure if all the information is correct, but their hyperlinks keep you going and going.
This post has certainly brought education, the needs and the long term dividends of good deeds into perspective.
Government College Lahore (I am a Ravian) was established about the same time as MAO College and in the heartland of Muslims. But it