Need stressed to assert Muslim identity with confidence

Globalisation is a fact and touches the life of every Muslim, but we need not be afraid of it, asserted Dr Tariq Rahman, a Geneva-born scholar and theologian, while presenting a lecture on 'Globalisation and Redefinition of Muslim Thought' at the Iqbal International Institute for Research and Dialogue (Islamic University) here on Friday.
The problem arises when globalisation is guided by western ideology, thus giving rise to confusion because the Muslim mind sees it different from the context in which it is used in the west.
Dr Rahman in his profound lecture argued Muslims should not cowed or become apologetic, rather, should derive strength from the universal principles of Islam. "Some western thinkers like Bernard Lewis, consider Islam as civilisation, not religion," he said adding that equating religion with civilisation would lead to problems.
The scholar attempted an explanation in the absence of Islamic philosophy from contemporary European history. The moral is that "we should not look ourselves from the eyes of others," he observed. Therefore, Muslims could easily surmount that challenge with more confidence in themselves after education, study of history and reflecting on the redefining our memory as well as knowing who they are.
Dr Rahman said, Islamic values and Ethics contain universal principles and we have complete acceptance of diversity within those values. "I have no problem in being a Muslim and European at the same time. "Muslims by definition have multiple identities. The solution is to apply the Islamic ethics and then we would come to exact knowledge," he added.
Speaking about media, he said we should not expect some thing against logic from the media. The solution is to depend on local media and local initiatives, and we need radical voices to assert our own view.
He said Muslims must be more consistent and courageous in asserting themselves armed with the knowledge of the universal values of Islam because the Muslim Ummah is inclusive of the entire human race.
Director General Islamic University Zafar Ishaque introduced Dr Rahman as a profound scholar on Islamic issues, and said he was recently denied Visa to the United States because of his guilt in contributing $1,000 to a Palestine charity. Furthermore, Dr Rehman was the son of Dr Syed Ramadan, a scholar who bore great love and passion for Pakistan.
Senator Khurshid Ahmad as well as Islamic University Rector Dr Manzur Ahmad paid eloquent tributes to the depth of Dr Rahman's scholarship and added that the content of his lecture should be studied in depth at Islamic education institutions. Dean of Social Sciences Dr Mumtaz Ahmad, Director General of the Iqbal International Institute monitored the lecture meeting.