Jerusalem: Contending that Islam in South Asia has been far more vibrant and dynamic, an Indian scholar has said that one does not need to wear turban and flowing gowns to interpret the tenets of the religion.
"I have spent the last one decade in making people aware of liberal and soft voices in Islam. One does not need to wear turban and flowing gowns to interpret Islam.”
"I consider myself no less an authority to do the same and it has been my effort to strengthen moderate voices in Islam," Mushirul Hasan former vice chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia`s said while addressing a seminar here.
Hasan is in Israel to participate in a three-day conference on Religious Movements and Transformations in Judaism, Christianity and Islam organised by The Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities.
Speaking on ‘Interpreting Islam and Modernism: Purdah, Polygamy and Women Rights’, the Indian historian highlighted the works of 19th century novelist, Nazir Ahmed, to bring out reformist voices in Indian Islam centuries ago.
"The work of Nazir Ahmed has been translated in German English and French, meaning it reached the larger audience and they clearly reflect openness to alternative stream of thoughts," Hasan asserted. His work clearly voice opposition to polygamy and even though it talks about the role of women as a homemaker, raring and bearing for the family, they present a totally different image of women from the conservative trend, he noted.
During his earlier visit in July 2008, the JMI vice chancellor had expressed his desire to introduce courses on Judaism in his university`s programme on comparative religion and talked about the possibility of an Israeli professor teaching there during discussions with Hebrew University president Menachem Megidor.
Hasan had also called upon for cooperation in the field of museology and possible exchange programme between JMI and Israeli universities.
PTI
