GANDHI: His Engagement with Islam and the Arab World
by - Abdulnabi Alshoala
About the Book
How Gandhi viewed Islam and his legacy in the Arab world The Arab world has witnessed, during the last decades not long ago, the ugliest and most horrifying images of extremism, violence and terrorism, fueled and reinforced by ideas and speeches of mobilization in the name of religion. These ideas and speeches incite hatred, and bloodshed, fragmenting society and putting the very foundations of civilizations at stake. If these ideas are not addressed, they will inevitably result in the establishment of a dangerous intellectual deviation, pushing the whole Arab nation to the abyss of despair, frustration, crisis and decay. In the midst of these harsh and desperate circumstances, the author revisits Gandhi’s intellectual heritage and ponders over Mahatma’s two focal points—gandhi’s decisive stance against any and all forms of injustice, discrimination, violence and terrorism, whether they are apparent or hidden under the guise of politics, religion, nationalism or racism; and his fair and equitable attitude on the issues relating to Arabs and Muslims, stemming from his appreciation of Islam and the persona of Prophet Mohammed. This position is apparent in support for the rights of Indian Muslims in South Africa and then in India, as well as, in his reluctant understanding and sympathy for the idea of Muslims separating from India to establish Pakistan. The topic then continues to address Gandhi’s opposition to zionism and his refusal to the establishment of a Jewish state in Palestine, a stance that boldly drew the lines of Indian policy which continue to support the overall Arab and Islamic cause. Through these different stages in the life of Gandhi, the author sheds some light on some of the briery and paradoxical precursors that paved the way for the separation of Muslims from India, such as the issue of the caliphate and the apprehension of Muslims towards some of Gandhian stances. Gandhi: his engagement with Islam and the Arab world is an effort seeking to address issues faced by Islam and the Muslim countries in a Gandhian way.
About the Author
Born in the Kingdom of Bahrain, the author visited India for the first time in 1969 during the celebrations commemorating the 100th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth. He continued to live in India over the next four years, completing his studies in the fields of Political Science and Public Administration from University of Mumbai (St Xavier’s College), all the while continuing to practise his journalistic passion. During his professional career, the author was elected in the Board of Directors of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry after which he became a member of the Advisory Council in the Kingdom of Bahrain. From 1995 to 2005, the author was appointed as Minister of Labour and Social Affairs and later served as Minister of State. After completing his ministerial mandate, he went back into business in the private sector, founded the Bahrain India Society and became the Chairman of Dar Albilad for Journalism, Publishing and Distribution.
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