British Muslim leaders mourn death of Dr. Syed Aziz Pasha

British Muslim leaders mourn death of the founder
of first Muslim Umbrella Organisation in the UK

Dr. Mozammel Haque

British Muslim leaders mourn the death of Dr. Syed Aziz Pasha, the founder of the first Muslim Umbrella Organisation in the UK, the Union of Muslim Organisations of UK & Eire (UMO). He was very disciplined, enlightened and organised leader the Muslim community of Britain had. He organised and held meetings, seminars, conferences, workshops and Summer camps and never missed recordings the proceedings of the conferences. Even he himself after the conferences sat down with his typewriter to write the press release and posted them to the newspapers and to the different departments and ministries, not only of the United Kingdom; but to other newspapers in other countries. I remembered very well as early as in the mid-70s, we used to get press releases of the conferences held by the UMO from Dr. Pasha for publication and as an editor of the Muslim World League Journal, we used to publish those press releases in our Magazine. Those press releases prepared, written and posted by Dr. Pasha are the primary source and documents of the Muslim community of Britain of those periods.

On the 7th of January, 2012 there was a recitation of the Qur’an programme at the Islamic Cultural Centre, London, organised by the UMO. In spite of my many efforts, I could not attend the programme at the ICC. I was in Saudi Arabia at that time. Though I was not physically present at the recitation of the Qur’an programme, I made special supplication at the Masjid al-Nabawi in Madina Munawwarah and also at Masjid-al-Haram at Makkah al-Mukarramah and also made dua after every prayer for the soul of Dr. Pasha.

Dr. Abdullah Omar Naseef
On Sunday, the 8th of January, 2012, I was in Jeddah in the office of Dr. Abdullah Omar Naseef, former Secretary General of the Rabita al-Alam al-Islami and present Secretary General of the International Islamic Council for Da’wah and Relief (IICDR). When Dr. Pasha passed away, Dr. Naseef was at that time in the United Kingdom and he attended Dr. Pasha’s Janaza at the London Central Mosque at Regents’ Park. I interviewed Dr. Naseef about Dr. Pasha. Speaking about Marhum Dr. Pasha, Dr. Abdullah Omar Naseef said, “Dr. Pasha was really an Islamic personality; he was spending all the time to the service of the Muslim community and nothing for his person.”

“He was hard worker and went from here to there and followed up the matters of the Muslims. He used to have good relations with the authorities in Britain. So he could manage to pass many things that are very useful for the Muslims,” observed Dr. Naseef and added, “He was very much really interested in Islam and worked accordingly, Alhamdo Lillah.”

Speaking about his personal relationship with Dr. Pasha, Dr. Naseef, who was Secretary General of the Muslim World League in those days, said, “As far as my relationship is concerned, Rabita al-Alam al-Islam is for everybody and he used to come and discuss the needs of the Muslims. Dr. Pasha put me on the Council of Muslim Education Trust as governor. I attended once or twice the meeting of the Muslim Education Trust as governor. He invited all shades of people from different communities, everybody; not only Indian or Pakistani community, everybody was there at the conferences.”

“As a person Dr. Pasha was really a wonderful man,” said Dr. Naseef and prayed to Almighty Allah by saying, “I ask Allah Subhanahu wa Taala to bless his soul and send him to Paradise.”

Recitation of the Qur’an Programme at
The London Central Mosque at Regents Park
The Recitation of the Qur’an programme for Dr. Syed Aziz Pasha Marhum, the former Secretary General of the Union of Muslim Organisations of the United Kingdom & Ireland (UMO) was conducted at the London Central Mosque at Regents Park on Saturday, 7th of January 2012 after Salatul Zuhr and it was concluded by the time of Salatul Maghreb. There were many lovers of Dr. Pasha present in this meeting. They were Mr. Noon, one of the executive members of the UMO, Sir Iqbal Sacranie, former Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) and present Chairman of the Muslim Aid Trust, Mr. Yousuf Bhailok, also former Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain; Mr. Mohamed Ali from Islam Channel, Maulana Dr. Shahid Raza, Chairman of the Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board Trusts (MINAB) and the imam of the Acton Mosque. There was an Imam from the Islamic Cultural Centre who participated at the programme and concluded the meeting with dua (supplication).

As I was not at the meeting and as I could not find any recordings of the proceedings or any press releases, I personally contacted those people who spoke on the occasion and I am grateful to those speakers who cooperated and helped me by giving an interview at the eleventh hour about their statements. First of all, I requested Sir Iqbal Sacranie about his speeches at the programme.

Sir Iqbal Sacranie
Sir Iqbal Sacranie said, “The first point the very presence of cross section of the Muslim community is a clear testament of the love and affection towards late Dr. Pasha. Dr Pasha gave his entire life for the betterment and unity of the Muslim community. He was a beacon of light and the principled man who stood firm on the teachings of Islam.”

“I was privileged to have attended the very first meeting of the formation of UMO and was fortunate to work closely with Dr. Pasha in the UMO committees for many years. I learnt a lot from him and was able to utilise that experience and knowledge in my work for the community,” mentioned Sir Iqbal.

Sir Iqbal concluded by saying, “His mission in life was to ensure that Muslims in the UK were united so that they can have effective voice. The most appropriate way to show our appreciation to this wonderful personality is first of all to remember him in our daily prayers and to work for the unity of Muslims in the UK.”

Sir Iqbal also observed, “It is now very important that over the last 25 years, time has changed and it is about time that major organisations, such as Muslim Council of Britain ( MCB), British Muslim Forum (BMF) and Union of Muslim Organisations (UMO) should seriously consider how they can work together for the benefit of the Muslim community of UK.

Mr. Yousuf Bhailok
Mr. Yousuf Bhailok, former Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) said, “The late Marhum Haji Dr. Syed Aziz Pasha was a God-fearing man; above all, of such taqwa! Man of integrity and a man of service to the deen of Islam. Right to the last breath.”

“Dr. Pasha was a wonderful human being, an old-fashioned charm and sharp intellectual with vision for the future,” observed Mr. Bhailok and mentioned, “We held for the UMO 25th anniversary in 1990 an international three-day event at Earls Court. We lobbied at many political conferences and attended many international functions.”

Mr. Bhailok said, “Dr. Pasha always said blunt truth, without fear or favour, even to the highest dignitaries he reminded them of duty and accountability to Allah swt.”

Recollecting to his last visit to the hospital, Mr. Bhailok mentioned, “Dr. Pasha was a decent man, in the last visit to him in hospital, he said to me, first do your salaat, then sit with me. He trained many of us, we were young men then, who later took prominence in UK, but without doubt he was our senior Statesman. He had commitment, passion and energy to serve.”

“He inspired me and was my mentor. I had great respect for him as a good human being and an example in this modern society,” said Mr. Bhailok and added, “We had a selfless individual, whose lifetime and dedication to UK Muslims is second to none. He was the conscience and voice of UK Muslims.”

Mr. Bhailok concluded by praying, “May Allah Subhanahu wa Taala accept his services. I will surely miss him.”

Maulana Dr. Shahid Raza
I interviewed Maulana Shahid Raza about Dr. Pasha. Speaking on the life and services of Dr. Syed Aziz Pasha Marhum, Maulana Dr. Shahid Raza said, “Since I came in this country in 1978, from that time until the end Dr. Pasha always advocated unity among the Muslims and I considered it as one of the great contributions to the life of the Muslim community in this country. Perhaps he was the only Muslim leader who genuinely and in reality made all possible efforts in order to achieve unity of the Ummah in this country.”

“Dr. Pasha never supported or never favoured any of the groups. This country has so many groups, so many organisations, different Mazahebs and different Sects; but he was, in my opinion, loved by all, respected by all. In his programme, I have seen all the groups, all the schools of thoughts present, even the non-Muslims. But among Muslims, all the Muslim groups were represented in his programme. That was in my opinion one of the unique features of Dr. Pasha’s life that he was the symbol of unity; he was great advocate of the unity of Muslims in this country,” said Maulana Raza.

Speaking about another quality of Dr. Pasha, Maulana Raza mentioned, “The second thing I have very strongly and distinctly noticed in the life of Dr. Pasha is that he was a very bold person, a very courageous person. He used to speak in front of Prime Minister, Home Minister and other Ministers and whatever he felt truth, he never compromised. I can tell you that he never compromised. Look that I am sitting with the Prime Minister and if I say something he might be upset, he might be angry. He did not care about it. Whatever he believed to be correct, he used to speak boldly and clearly.”

Maulana Raza said, “Dr. Pasha was a messenger of truth. The Hadith (the Tradition of the Prophet peace be upon him) of the Prophet says: “If you say the truth in front of a ruler, this is one of the biggest Jihad. Dr. Pasha was a Mujahid. He continued this Jihad throughout his life in front of Prime Minister Tony Blair, in front of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, in front of Home Minister Jack Straw and whenever he used to meet the ministers in front of many other Muslims and in front of many other non-Muslims, he always used to say what he believed to be correct and true. So this is something I believe everybody will agree that Dr. Pasha was a true bold courageous leader in the Muslim community in this country.”

Speaking about Dr. Pasha’s contribution, Maulana Raza said, “Dr. Pasha’s contribution is something which we will never forget; about organising Summer camps for the training of Muslim young boys and girls and I personally know many Muslim boys and girls who attended his Summer camps of moral, spiritual and Islamic training and after attending those camps these young Muslim boys and girls became practising Muslims and they came back from his camps as genuinely interested in learning Islam. I know some of those who attended these Summer Camps, now are doctors working with big companies, in big organisations, but they still practise Islam. So Dr. Pasha, through his company, through his discourses, through his trainings put Islam and love of Islam in the hearts of thousands of young Muslim boys and girls. He also trained so many young people who later on became leaders of the Muslim community in this country.”

I enquired whether someone has suggested how to remember the services of Dr. Pasha. Maulana Raza said, “Unfortunately, there were no suggestions about how Dr. Pasha needs to be remembered regularly by us all; it could be an annual memorial lecture, it could be, for example, an annual conference dedicated to Dr. Pasha.”

I mentioned that throughout his whole life Dr. Pasha never missed the celebration of the Birthday of the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him; it was a sort of interfaith conference where people of all different religious communities were invited, people from the government and political parties participated and attended in the celebration. Maulana Raza said, “This is something Dr. Pasha was unique that he celebrated Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi all the years as an interfaith programme. I think it was the first Milad-un-Nabi in the history of Muslims in the United Kingdom to be celebrated in that way where representatives from political parties, from the government, from the police and from other faith communities, they used to join Muslims and we used to share with them the great miracles and message of our great Prophet peace be upon him. So it was a wonderful programme and he was the founder of this programme and he took it at the peak and I think it would be something wonderful if the UMO can carry this programme of Milad-un-Nabi exactly as Dr. Pasha designed it. It would be a great tribute to Dr. Pasha if UMO can continue with this programme.”

Problems faced by World Muslim Community and Solutions

An interwith with WMC President
Problems faced by World Muslim
Community and solutions

Dr. Mozammel Haque

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: A Two days five yearly assembly of the World Muslim Congress (Motamar Al Alam Al Islami) was held on 13th and 14th November, 2011 at Hotel Ramada, Colombo, capital of Sri Lanka. This international conference was organised by Sri Lanka Islamic Centre-Maligawatta in association with Motamar al-Alam al-Islami (World Muslim Congress), Islamabad, Pakistan. The theme of the conference was “Problems faced by the World Muslim Community and Solutions”.

The opening session was addressed by the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Mr. D. M. Jayarathna and Minister for External Affairs, Prof. G. L. Peiris. The delegates included Field Marshall Abdul Rahman Sowar Al-Dahab, former President of Sudan, Dr. Abdullah Omar Naseef, former Deputy Chairman of the Shoura Council of Saudi Arabia, M.H.Mohammed, Senior Vice President, Sri Lanka Islamic Institute; Senator Raja Muhammad Zafar-ul-Haq, Secretary General of the World Muslim Congress, Senior members of the executive council of the Motamar, eminent scholars and a large number of Muslim religious and political leaders from all parts of the world.

As an executive councillor of the World Muslim Congress, I was supposed to be present at the Conference, but I could not attend the conference because I received King Abdullah’s invitation to perform Hajj this year and I was in Saudi Arabia from 3rd November onwards upto 23rd of November, 2011. So I met Dr. Abdullah Omar Naseef in Jeddah when he returned back from the conference in Sri Lanka and I discussed and interviewed him about the meeting.

An Interview with Dr. Abdullah Omar Naseef
President World Muslim Congress
Dr. Naseef said, “The theme of the conference was what we shall do under the present situation of the Muslim world? How to help the people to overcome the difficulties and to cope with the very good changes that are taking place? The conference discussed this besides the five yearly affairs of the Motamar. People spoke about how the Muslims should be able to adapt to the Islamic principles with the changes that are happening in the Muslim world and the Arab world. People were also discussing that we have to keep in our mind that Islam has solution to all affairs of the people for all the time. So we should be able and be careful about to adhere to our Islamic principles as far as the future of the Muslim Ummah is concerned politically, socially and economically and so on.”

The conference also discussed, said Dr. Naseef, the economic situation today internationally; the fall of the western system of capitalism and what Muslims can offer, the Islamic economic system of banking, finance and all the related subjects in this situation. He also added we encourage people to introduce whatever knowledge they have about Islamic economics to offer to solve the problems of the west and the east.

Referring to the problems of both the societies of the east and that of the west, Dr. Naseef said, “We should be modest to show that we have very important and valuable system to overcome the interest problem. Because Riba (interest) is the source of all which are happening today. We can introduce the Islamic finance system which has no interest (Riba) involved. This kind of interest-free financing system should be introduced and encouraged and should find its way towards media and to the people in action in the west.”

Palestine issue
The conference discussed about the general issues such as Arab spring, Palestine issue and others. Speaking about the Palestine issue, Dr. Naseef said, the conference urged people “to aid the people in Palestine to cope with whatever and to bring real unity to overcome the differences happening between Hamas and Fatah.” Dr. Naseef said, “It is the time they should be united towards their cause, because Israelism is eager to spread their settlements there and continue to divide people particularly the Palestinians and we urge them to be united and complete the process of peace between the factions there and to struggle for their cause in a proper manner.”

In this connection, Dr. Naseef mentioned about the Palestinian camps in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Jordan and other places. He said, “We urge people to give attention to the Palestinian camps in Lebanon, in Syria, in Iraq and Jordan and in other places. There the Palestinians are living under the level of inhuman treatment and there they need the support of Muslims, individuals and organisations to support their infrastructure and to support in so many ways so that they can live standard human lives.”

Somalia
Dr Naseef also mentioned that the World Muslim Congress (the Motamar) talked about Somalia. He said, the things in Somalia are little bit improving but it needs help from Muslims. In next eight month, there will be new election for the Parliament and the President of Somalia. Dr. Naseef said, the conference urged the government of Somalia to make the process changes and hoped the new election for the Parliament and the President should be normal and the conference wishes them good luck.”

South Sudan
Referring to the southern Sudan which was discussed in the conference, Dr. Naseef mentioned, “The Conference talked about the creation of the southern state of Sudan. The Muslims in the southern Sudan needs support, help and guidance because they are not educated and they have no place in the society. May be, they have very few people in the Parliament; there was not a single Muslim Minister and we have to encourage Muslims to involve themselves in the political, economical and educational life of their country. The conference asked Muslims to support projects there: they have schools, centres for the Muslims. We should encourage Muslim countries, Muslim individuals and organisations to donate aid to help and support Muslims in southern Sudan.”

“This is generally all about the conference,” said Dr. Naseef.

In reply to my query what the conference discussed about Arab spring, Dr. Naseef said, “The conference expressed concern and asked people to keep their Islamic system of life and we urged Syria and Yemen to stop bloodshed and transfer power smoothly.”

Condolences to King Abdullah
Dr. Naseef also mentioned that the Conference passed and sent the condolence messages to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, condolences, first to King Abdullah and later on to the Crown Prince, Prince Naif bin Abdul Aziz and wishes them good luck.

Dr. Naseef also mentioned that there was another item which was that the Motamar appreciated the establishment of a Centre for Dialogue and anti-terrorism in Vienna.

Statement of Policy
The conference declared the statement of policy: “We as Muslims believe in the equality of all human beings as the off springs of Adam and Eve. This principle of universal fraternity ensures equality of all nations and states. Mutual recognition, coexistence and cooperation for the welfare of all mankind regardless of race, religion, colour or creed is an article of faith, based on the eternal teachings of the Holy Quran.”

Declaration
At the conclusion of the Two-day meeting, the Conference passed the following resolutions:

“World Muslim Congress deeply appreciates and eulogise the establishment of a centre for dialogue and anti terrorism in Vienna by King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz besides International Conferences on this topic in the United Nations Headquarters and in Spain for promoting the cause of International Peace and Understanding. World Muslim Congress will fully cooperate with these noble efforts and would continue with renewed vigour, the efforts for Interfaith Dialogue and understanding, as a basic creed of the organisation.

“Islam’s agenda for human life is founded on the establishment of justice amongst all human being, strengthening the values of mutual respect and generosity.

“The conference noted with concern the attitude of some of the establishments and societies against Muslims which displays prejudice and utter lack of understanding. The conference hoped that with the passage of time and efforts of Muslim individuals and organisations based on a positive and constructive attitude will improve the atmosphere.

“The conference reviewed the popular uprising termed as “Arab Spring” in some of the Muslim countries and hoped that the new leadership would bring peace and stability in their societies without further violence and come up to the expectations of their general public.

“The conference of the World Muslim Congress also reviewed the situation in and around Sudan and observed the necessity of good neighbourly relations and cooperation between the two new entities, in the interest of their peoples and calls upon the neighbouring countries to help both of them to overcome their economic and political difficulties. We also hope that the Muslim minority in South Sudan will have their legitimate rights protected including their representation in the democratic setup.

“The Conference observed that Somalia is slowly coming back to normalcy and the new general elections are to be held within the next eight months. This devastated country deserves humanitarian relief from International relief organisations. Motamar Al Alam Al Islami is already playing its role under the umbrella of the OIC. These efforts need acceleration.

“The Conference discussed in detail the issue of Palestine and took stock of negative and positive developments. The demand for the recognition of Palestine as the full member of the United Nations is a legitimate demand and we appreciate the support by a large number of members of the United Nations, to admit Palestine as a full member and also expect a positive response from the members of the UN Security Council.

“The Conference expressed its disappointment at the reaction of the United States in stopping its contribution towards UNESCO after the admission of Palestine in this organisation with the support of one hundred and seven members.

“The Conference reiterates its appeal to different factions of the Palestinian people for internal unity and mutual cooperation as a national imperative in their struggle for achieving their national rights and providing protection to life and property of their people. This would also enhance International support for their legitimate demands including the right of the Palestinians to return to their homeland.

“The Conference expressed its solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir who are struggling for their legitimate right to self determination, as the only peaceful and democratic method of resolving this issue.

“The conference appreciates the role of All Parties Hurriyat Conference. This conference demands the inclusion of the true representatives of the people of Jammu and Kashmir in the negotiations to resolve this issue.

“The conference appeals to the human rights institutions to take practical steps to protect life and honour of the Kashmiri men and women being violated under the protection of draconian emergency laws.

“The conference observed that the basic decision of the OIC Summit for setting apart a specific amount for the work of Islamic Dawah by each member state should be revisited with the purpose of fulfilling the responsibilities of the member states in the field of Dawah and also to improve the methods as well as coordination.

“The conference took note of the demonstrations in several capitals of the world, especially in the US and Europe, against the negative effects of the capitalistic and exploitative economic system. There is a general rejection of the present economic order. It is the time that Muslim scholars and economic experts put forth a blue print for the third option based on the principles of Islamic economic system. Many economists have already made substantial contribution under this title. Boards have been established to advance usury free banking modes but there has to be a comprehensive Islamic economic order. World Muslim Congress would encourage efforts in this direction.

“The conference also expressed its concern over the pitiable condition of the stranded people in Bangladesh, who need generous international relief and support.”

Dr. Naseef attends Islam and The West Conference in Brussels

Dr. Naseef attends Conference on Islam and
The West: A Partnership for the Future in Brussels

Dr. Mozammel Haque

I had the privilege to meet Dr. Abdullah Omar Naseef, President of Karachi-based World Muslim Congress and Secretary General of the Cairo-based International Islamic Council of Dawah and Relief (IICDR) at the Heathrow airport while he was passing through London to Saudi Arabia after attending the Conference on Islam and the West: A Partnership for the Future in Brussels. I had the opportunity to interview him about the conference.

Islam and the West: A Partnership for the Future
The three-day International Conference on Islam and the West: A Partnership for the Future, was organized by the Paris-based Organization, “Islam and the West” headed by Dr. Francis Lamand in Brussels from 10-12th of November, 2009. The theme of the Conference was "Islam and the West: a Partnership for the Future." The Conference was supported by the European Commission, the Pontifical Council for the Inter-religious Dialogue, the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), the Muslim World League (MWL), the World Muslim Congress (WMC) (Karachi), the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), the Islamic Institute of the Paris Mosque, the Al-Azhar University (Cairo), the Oxford Center of Islamic Studies and the Jeddah-based International Islamic Forum for Dialogue.

"This is not just another conventional forum but rather a valuable encounter that seeks to build a genuine partnership founded on common international, social, cultural and economic values that are shared or could be shared, with a view to generating real cooperation between Islam and the West," said Dr. Lamand to the press about the upcoming conference and added, "In a world which is in the grip of the globalization- related hazards and turmoil, this encounter may be a gateway to a new era of mutual understanding, fellowship and solidarity."

Dr. Lamand also mentioned about the focus of the Conference: “Our conference in Brussels will focus on the common inheritance of shared Abrahamic foundations, the convergent social values, the challenges of the new world order for Islam and the West, the economic stakes for the two entities and the spiritual dimensions," said Dr. Lamand.

Invitations for the conference have been extended to all those seeking a mutually beneficial rapprochement between the two worlds. "Come, let us join this debate on the future and participate in the construction of a great arch of reconciliation and exchange between Islam and the West, which aims to bring together in the same spirit of concord Jews, Christians and Muslims," he said.

Representatives of the international Muslim community and of Western Countries participated in the Conference. The Three-day conference has three parts: such as 1.Two worlds reaching out for an interchange; 2.Towards renewed solidarity between Islam and the West and 3. Rekindled partnership opportunities. Thus the three days were devoted to three Rs: Reaching out; Renewed solidarity and Rekindled Partnership opportunities. .

On the first day on Tuesday, the 10th of November, under the broad topic on “Two worlds reaching out for an interchange,” the following subjects were discussed: i) A common inheritance of shared Abrahamic foundations; ii) Evolution of the Islam and the West dialogue since 1965; iii) Convergent societal values and iv) Towards a multi-polar better understanding

On the second day on Wednesday, the 11th of November, under the broad topic of "Towards renewed solidarity between Islam and the West," the following subjects were discussed: i) Complementarity and interdependence; ii) Western and Islamic legal systems interface; iii) Economic stakes: Islam and the West facing the new world order; and iv) The spiritual dimension: shared pathways

On the third day on Thursday, the 12th of November, under the broad heading of “Rekindled partnership opportunities,” the following subjects were discussed: i) Mediterranean space and Islamic value; ii) Globalization and inter-civilizational rapprochement; iii) Neutrality of the media: current status and perspectives; and iv) The new bilateral pedagogy of societal values.

Every day under the broad subjects, Social, Economical and media, four different aspects were discussed. In total forty papers were presented.

No doubt, it is an ambitious goal, but Dr. Lamand and his organization have accomplished much in the last three decades. During that time "Islam and the West" has played important roles in representing the interest of European mosques and creating an atmosphere in which the European Muslim community could have its own religious television programming. The organization also helped to organize the first tête-à-tête at the Vatican between Pope John Paul II and Dr Abdullah Omar Nasseef, secretary-general of the Muslim World League.

The organization has also sought to re-establish the historical presence of Islam in Cordova, Spain, hosting the first world conference there in 1991 on Pakistani philosopher Allama Muhammad Iqbal and organizing the first Islamic art exhibition there in centuries. Dr. Lamand also played a leading role in the initiative to re-open the "mihrab" of the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordova.

An Interview with Dr. Naseef
“Islam and the West headed by Dr. Francis Lamand held the conference on how to create a new alliance between West and the Islam. There is no point that we should continue to fight. Creation of such cooperation is very very important for everybody. The world has become very small and we have to do that,” said Dr. Naseef and added, “Dr. Francis Lamand organized this conference Islam and the West. There were four sessions everyday: i) economic, ii) social; iii) interfaith and dialogue and iv) Media. Forty papers were presented.”

Dr. Naseef also gave his point of view. He mentioned that he gave some short hints. Dr. Naseef said, “There was an alliance between Islam and the West; between The Muslim World and the West during the Cold War period when there Communist domination on some part of the world; because it was convenient for them to have an alliance with Muslims so that they can fight against Communism and they succeeded in toppling Communism and disintegrating the Soviet Union. And the Jihad in Afghanistan during that period was so successful. That cooperation was very ideal. But after the disintegration of Soviet Union and the fall of Communism, they broke the alliance and turned the guns toward Muslims. There are many writers who claim that Islam is the enemy. But they don’t have any foundation nor any proof.”

“Those people who attended the conference in Brussels said that we have to appeal and to strive hard to create a new alliance which is for everybody’s interest; not to benefit one side and not to other. Everybody will benefit from it; because the common factor which combines us is much greater than the differences. The differences are there historically, the colonization of the Muslim world, the Crusades, and many other things. But the cooperation between the Muslims and the West has been proved successful before; we have to regenerate it.”

Dr. Naseef also mentioned that there are many misunderstanding. "There needs to be a sustained campaign to remove these misunderstandings,” said Dr. Naseef

Historical background
The “Islam and the West” is a non -governmental, non profit-making institution set up in Paris on 6th of February, 1980, with the aim of developing cultural, social and economic relations between the Islamic and Western worlds, both in France and overseas.

Since the formation of this Organization, it is managed by Dr Francis Lamand, an international lawyer, a scholar, a former French diplomat in the Arab States of the Gulf and a professor of the Islamic Law Faculty at the University of Kuwait (1970 - 1975).

In a country with more than 6 million Muslims the largest Muslim community in Western Europe,”Islam and the West” is the only organization of its kind, trying to encourage communication and exchange to bridge the gap between the two communities as a whole: the Western community and the international Islamic Community, which is not limited to the Arab world, but extends to sub-Saharan Africa, central and south-eastern Asia. This organization emerged as the pioneer movement, created in 1977, in order to establish a multipolar dialogue and a better understanding between the two worlds.

It was a unique initiative of eminent Muslim and non Muslim personalities joining first in Geneva (1977), then in Paris (1980), determined to establish between Islam and the West a new and fruitful communication, based on the common or inner values of both civilizations, issuing from their common Abrahamic tradition. Thus, “Islam and the West” is thus a platform for communication and exchange between the two communities.

"For the last 30 years my organization has been working vigorously in favor of rapprochement between Islam and the West in religious value as well as cultural, social and economic values," Lamand told the press and added, "I may add that when we established our association in February 1980 with the objective and mission of acting to better the understanding between the two worlds, the public opinion in Europe followed us with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism. We felt the need to establish bridges between the two parties rather than seeing Islam and the West confronting each other and viewing one another as a threat."

Speaking about how he developed his interest with the Islamic world, Dr. Lamand said: "I was a professor at the French Faculty of Law and in 1970 I was appointed a diplomat in Kuwait where I worked until 1975. This was the first time I had traveled to the East. I began teaching in 1971 and taught international law to graduate students at the Faculty of Law and Shariah of Kuwait University. I had students from all over the Muslim world. In this atmosphere, I got a new image of Islam. I compared Islamic ethical values with those in the Western countries and it was in this context that I was attracted to Islam. I wrote a number of articles comparing the Islamic and Western legal systems. I now believe that the Western legal system could be enriched by incorporating Shariah law."

Dr. Francis Lamand, the President of the Paris-based "Islam and the West" rganization, has a mission and his mission is to promote understanding between Islam and the Western world. Since the organization's inception in 1980, the former French diplomat and international law expert has sought to develop cultural, social and economic relations between the Islamic and Western worlds, both in France and overseas.

According to Lamand, the answers that each side seeks come in part from a better understanding of the other side. "The West and Islam are traversing simultaneously, and for the first time in their history, a period of critical crises: a value crisis in the West ..., an identity crisis in Islam. Yet they can both find a reciprocal remedy to their malaise," he said. "Today, the West and Islam are two wounded worlds in need of each other's comfort, before they resume their common and long, onward march on a shared path of humanism."

Interview with Dr. Abdullah Omar Naseef

Do good to humanity for peaceful
world – Dr. Naseef

Dr. Mozammel Haque

Promote service to humanity, to do good to the Mankind is the best thing you can do to make this world a peaceful world,” said Dr. Abdullah Omar Naseef, the Secretary General of the International Islamic Council of Da’wah and Relief (IICDR) in reply to my question - what his message to the Muslims is in general. For more than thirty years, I have been watching Dr. Naseef traveling from east to west and north to south and engaged in humanitarian activities, helping the poor, orphans, and disadvantaged people and doing his utmost to spread the light of education to those who have not seen the light.

Dr. Abdullah Omar Naseef, the former President of Jeddah-based King Abdul Aziz University, the former Secretary General of Makkah-based Muslim World League and the ex-deputy chairman of the Saudi Parliament (Majlis-e-Shoura of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) has been involved in so many humanitarian activities besides his own field of activities, education, teaching and preaching (Da’wah).

Dr. Naseef, the present President of the World Muslim Congress and Secretary General of the Cairo-based International Islamic Council of Da’wah and Relief (IICDR) were passing through London in the first week of July, 2009. I had the opportunity to meet him and to interview him about his recent activities, particularly the last two/three months, from April to June.

On the 9th of April 2009 Dr. Naseef was in Cairo, Egypt where he attended the meeting of the Supreme Council of Da’wah and Relief (IICDR) as its Secretary General. The IICDR usually meets many times a year to discuss how it works and how to coordinate its work and also discuss its budget and other things. It was a normal meeting. The meeting was attended by all the members under the chairmanship of Sheikh-ul-Azhar, At-Tantawi.

On the 13th of April, Dr. Naseef went to Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, where many young people have started their own projects: schools, centres and other activities. “These young people invited me and I promised to go there,” said Dr. Naseef who went to the south-west of the country on the state Arsi. “It is a Muslim majority area. There are many Imams and Dais and other institutions. On our way, we visited a big centre established by Khalid Dawud who was also working in Rabita (Muslim World League). He has also established college, mosque and clinic and other institutions. Fifty per cent of the students are Muslims and out of other 50 per cent, 40 per cent are non-Muslims. They teach Islamic education besides regular curriculum. They also teach the national government curriculum,” said Dr. Naseef.

“It is a degree college. Mr. Khalid also set up a Centre of Tahfizul Qur’an where people are memorizing Qur’an and Hifz and perfecting their recitation and reading,” said Dr. Naseef and mentioned, “They have very good teacher from Yemen.”

From Addis Ababa, Dr. Naseef went to Jamboora, the capital of Burundi on the 17th of April. Dr. Naseef visited this place before. The area was facing a lot of ethnic conflicts and problems between Hotu and Tutsi tribes and others. But this time Dr. Naseef went to Burundi for two days on 17th and 18th of April to visit the University of Peace and Reconciliation. “The University of Peace and Reconciliation is to bring unity among the people of the country. It was in the capital Jamboora. Mohammad Rokara was the initiator but donations came from several individuals, government and the Islamic Banks,” said Dr. Naseef.

The initiator of the project, Mohammad Rokara, was in Tanzania, Uganda and part of Africa. He is still the representative of the Motamar al-Alam al-Islami (World Muslim Congress) in that part of the world. Dr. Naseef said, “He is our representative in Africa, he is the initiator of the project. He is a Member of the Parliament and the Vice-Chairman of the Senate.”

Dr. Naseef was officially invited by the Government of Burundi, so it was an official visit. Dr. Naseef was given a big reception by the Government; the chairman of the Senate came to receive him at the airport. At that time, the President of Burundi was in the village border of Rwanda. Dr. Naseef went there to see the President of the Burundi at the north. Dr. Naseef and the President of Burundi knew each other from before; so they exchanged ideas. Dr. Naseef said, “He (the President of Burundi) promised support and continued to support to the Islamic projects and so on.”

Besides this, Dr. Naseef visited some of the Mosques and the Centres. This time Dr. Naseef did not visit the War Museum in Rwanda which he visited last time; because this time he did not go to Rwanda.

On the 13th of May, Dr. Naseef went to Istanbul, Turkey, to attend and participate in a meeting of the strategy and development of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies. Dr. Naseef said, “This meeting was discussing about the difficulties, the futures of the Oxford Centre and how to increase the finance and how to cover the expenses and so on. So it was an administrative and financial meeting; of course strategy looking for the future. I think it was a very successful meeting. The President of Turkey was very happy and the people were enthusiastic that this Centre will carry on very well.”

On the 17th of May, Dr. Naseef went again to Cairo, Egypt to attend a meeting of the Follow-up Committee of the Ten-year Plan of the OIC. Dr. Naseef is the chairman of this Follow-up Committee, which is a NGO, a non-governmental committee to follow up the Ten-year Plan in the field of Da’wah. Makkah-based Muslim World League, Karachi-based World Muslim Congress and others are its observers. Dr. Naseef said, “This Committee is under the OIC. This is a committee of joint work in the field of Da’wah, Relief and Education. It is a non-governmental committee under the OIC. Rabita Al-Alam Al-Islami (Muslim World League), Motamar al-Alam al-Islami (World Muslim Congress) and others are its observers. They have been meeting for twenty years. This committee meets regularly; but this is not meeting itself; it is only to follow up part of it in preparation of the meeting of the Committee itself. It was also very successful meeting.”

Dr. Naseef said, “It is supposed to meet regularly but it is not. Sometimes it meets and sometimes it doesn’t. Now we have started a new movement in the field of Da’wah and coordination. This committee also prepared annual report and that report is only for the OIC. This is for their benefit.”

On the 5th of June, Dr. Naseef went to Geneva and from there he went by car to the town called the Black Lake to attend the meeting of the Swiss-Islamic Cultural Association. It is a new organisation. About this meeting, Dr. Naseef said, “There was a meeting to establish that Swiss-Islamic Cultural Society. Its aim is to take care of the social needs of the orphan and deprived people. The people in Switzerland, mainly the Muslims, are in very bad shape. The requirement to establish the Society is that we meet and sign papers and give money to the Charity Commission there in Switzerland.”

Besides that meeting, there was a Conference on Financial Crisis of the World on the 6th of June, 2009. Many organizations attended the conference. Speaking about this Conference, Dr. Naseef said, “This was one-day conference on the 6th of June, 2009. Our meeting was on the 5th of June and on the next day, there was this seminar. It was very good. What is happening today is due to lack of sincerity and honesty and also due to the people who are in charge of that are not following rules and regulations and ethics of the work. It will continue like that until something big is changed. Of course, the western system of interest and all those problems. Big people are taking loans to build houses and buy cars and to finance projects and they cannot pay because the rate of interest is increasing.”

“Anyhow, this is not our job. We thought very little is being affected to us; because the people who are donating they are not banks or the people who have been suffering from credit crunch,” said Dr. Naseef.

On the 10th of June, 2009, a meeting of the International Union of Muslim Scouts, the Supreme body of the Union of Muslim Scouts, was held in Kuwait. Dr. Naseef is the President of the International Union of Muslim Scouts. So he went Kuwait to attend the meeting. About this meeting, Dr. Naseef said, “We meet in Kuwait to discuss all the affairs of the Union of Scouts. Besides that, there was a meeting of those who are concerned with media in the field of Scouting. The meeting also discussed how to develop media and how to improve the publicity about the Scouting in preparation of the workshops which will take place later on.”

Then on the 19th of June, Dr. Naseef went to Tripoli, the capital of Libya where all other organizations including, Riyadh-based World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY) was there. Dr. Naseef attended the meeting of the Committee of the Coordination of Islamic works under the OIC as Secretary General of the International Islamic Council of Da’wah and Relief. Speaking about this meeting, Dr. Naseef said, “We are not meeting regularly; we should improve it. Finance is the main problem. The OIC does not have the finance. OIC has its own difficulties. Somebody has to do that.

On the 24th of June, Dr. Naseef went to Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia to attend the meeting of the trainers for National Dialogue. Speaking about this meeting, Dr. Naseef said, “It was a very successful meeting. The total number of trained people is 100,000 which include school boys and girls, community workers and others. But the trainers are 400 people - 200 boys and 200 girls. The meeting was addressed by the Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Sheikh. He said, ‘I don’t know that national dialogue is so important.’ He is supporting that. The Minister of Culture and Information, Mr. Abdul Aziz al-Khoja and the Minister of Religious Affairs and Endowment, Mr. Saleh Ali Sheikh were also present at the meeting.”