A Car as an Example

By Dr. Wasim Ahmad

It is an attempt to illustrate our situation in terms of the educational set-up that we have and which allows the two streams of traditional and modern learning flow separately – perpetuating disdain and self-doubt.

The example of these two systems functioning separately and the Muslim Ummah is that of a vehicle which requires some pushing to get started. Luckily there are many people around who can help the car move but they took two opposite positions. Some of them went to the rear of the car and others to the very front. With all sincerity and devotion both the groups are trying their best to push the car forward (or backward!) – from the opposite directions.

The driver (the Book) is calling the sincere pushers to work together (3: 103) but a huge majority does not understand this message. There are many who don’t know what the driver is saying as it is in a different language. The others who know the language are not able to figure out the real call either. They are busy repeating exactly what the driver is saying and are busy only memorizing the call and beautifying it – instead.

On the top of that there is loud noisy confusion all around created by the mostly politically motivated media. Additionally, there is darkness of ignorance as well as conditioning. It is a legacy that both the groups, traditionally and modern educated, have inherited from many generations.

No matter what amount of force both the groups are applying the car isn’t really moving. And as long as we will keep pushing the car from the front and the rear both – at the same time – there is little chance of making any progress towards the second half of the vision. We will only be countering our own efforts.

The author is Department Head of Islamic Studies, Preston University, Ajman, UAE.