This refers to Dr Javid Iqbal's write up Geelani-Hina Interaction (GK August 8, 2011).
US, after USSR disintegration, had to create an imaginary enemy to call the shots and browbeat Europe. It may be of interest that post  Berlin Wall collapse there was murmur in Europe for unification of Europe. In an address to united German Assembly  Chancellor Kohl said that unification of Germany is a first step towards United States of Europe. This was not taken kindly by strategic community in US as this leaves them bereft of control of oil and gas reserves in North Africa, middle East and Central Asian republics which had attained independence from Russia. In spite of unprecedented repression having failed in their machinations to control South America into submission US realized its total isolation between Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.The only way they devised to counter this was to create Islamophobia. Osama Bin Laden became a tool in their hands. A sustained effort was launched to project Islam as terrorism. Lack of unity among Muslims coupled with their economic and scientific backwardness complicated the problem even further. In this context its secular appeal got lost in today's information technology din.
To establish the concept of secularism in Islam I would like to bring readers home to the edict Hazrat Ali (RA) issued to Maalik Al Ashtar while appointing him as the Governor of Egypt ( "Lost History"  by Michael Hamilton Morgan page 256) .This is reproduced  here under:-
-"Let it be known to you that I'm sending you as governor to a country which has seen many regimes before. Some of them were benign, sympathetic and good while others were tyranical, oppressive, cruel. People will judge you critically ....and will criticize you as you have censured or approved other rulers.
-Remember Maalik, that among your subjects there are two kinds of people. Those who have the same religion as you. They are brothers to you, and those who have religion other than yours, they are human beings like you....Let your compassion come to their rescue and help them in the same way and the same extent that you have except Allah to show mercy and forgiveness to you....
-Never say to yourself that I must be obeyed submissively and humbly because such a thought will unbalance your mind, will make you vain and arrogant, will weaken your faith in religion and will make you seek support of any power other than that of Allah....
You must adopt a policy neither too severe nor too lenient.
Remember that the displeasure of common people, the have nots and the depressed persons more overbalances than the approval of important ones. While the displeasure of big people will be excused by the Lord if the general public and the masses of your subjects are happy with you.....
-You must know Maalik, that people over whom you rule are divided into classes and grades, and the prosperity and welfare of each class of society individually and collectively are so interdependent upon the well-being of other classes that the whole set up represents a closely woven net and reciprocal aspect.
Remember Maalik, the thing which should most gladden the heart of a ruler is the fact that his state is being ruled on the principle of equity and justice and that his subjects love him. Your subjects will love only when they have no grievances against you...........
-Appreciate the good deeds done by the people and let these good actions be known publicly.
It is why I don't quite agree with Dr sahib that the secular concept of Islam and political plurality doesn't rule out the role of religion in state affairs.

Er S D Shangloo
saifuddinshangloo35@yahoo.co.in

Lastupdate on : Wed, 10 Aug 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 10 Aug 2011 18:30:00 GMT
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