Srinagar, Aug 20: Noted international Islamic scholar, Prof. Omer Hassan Kasule has said that Quran was a continued source of guidance for the Muslim Ummah provided they were able to understand and interpret it in broader context and find solutions to their problems.
 Prof. Omer Hassan Kasule who is an expert in public health and Muslim Education and is presently associated with International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT), Herndon, USA said this while delving a lecture “Towards Muslim Excellence in Education” at Kashmir University. Prof Umar said Ummah today was weak because they were lacking education and were divided in sects. 
 Quoting from Quran, Prof Umar asked the participants at the lecture to understand Holy book in broader context.
 Saying that all great civilizations had touched zenith of progress and fallen also, and nothing remains static, he said  Ummah was bound to rise again provided it  goes  back towards education.  
 For the excellence in Islamic education we need scholars like, Shah Waliullah  Muhadith Dehelvi, Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi, Shibli Naumani and others like them who have inspired generations from their interpretative approach.
 Quoting  multiple examples from Quran where man has been told to ponder over the universe, Prof Umar said it was possible only through research and observation from which unfortunately we are away at present. 
 In Islamic epistemology, Prof Umar said we have three sources of knowledge Empirical , Rational and revelational and we must go back to Islamic epistemology to excel in education.
 In his welcome Address, Prof. Hamidullah Marazi said Prof. Kasule was an academician, an educationist, a scientist, having Doctorate from Harward University and having good hold on Islamic Sciences like Usul ul-Fiqh and Usul ul-Hadith.
 The lecture was presided by Prof. A. R. Yousuf, the Dean Academics, University of Kashmir, Srinagar. Prof. S Fayaz Ahmad, Registrar, University of Kashmir, Srinagar was the chief guest .

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