By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net,
New Delhi: The Institute of Objective Studies (IOS) is organizing an International Conference on “India and Muslim World in the 21st Century” on February 15-16 at the Constitution Club in New Delhi.
IOS Chairman Dr. Mohammad Manzoor Alam in a statement has said that the conference would be fostering proximity between India and the Muslim world, which had enjoyed close relations for centuries, but had drifted apart in the 19th century because of colonial intervention. The relations, however, had been on the mend since India’s independence in 1947.
“We want to hasten the integration now,” Dr. Alam said. He predicted the coming decades would see the end of the present uni-polar dispensation and the emergence of a multi-polar one. The US, EU, India, Japan, China, the Muslim world, Southeast Asia, Latin America and Africa would have a role to play in the creation of a new world order.
In a world of new geopolitical, economic and strategic realities, NGOs would have a bigger role, he added. Islamic finance and bank’s role, too, would expand in years ahead. A full session at the conference would be devoted to it.
Apart from inaugural and valedictory functions the conference would have five business sessions on “Islam in India: Historical Context and Cultural Heritage”; “Economic and Financial Relations”; “Islamic Banking and Finance: Global Trends and India”; “Prospects for Educational Cooperation”; “Foreign Policy and Diplomatic Issues” and “India and Saudi Arabia: World Peace through Dialogue.”
Dr. Alam said Union Minister of Minority Affairs K. Rahman Khan would inaugurate the conference, The two-day conference would among others be graced by former Supreme Court Chief Justice A. M. Ahmadi, Union Minister of Water Resources Harish Chandra Singh Rawat, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit, Saudi Arabia Ministry of Islamic Affairs Endowments Under-secretary Abdul Rahman Ghannam M Al Ghannam, Riyadh-based King Fahad Medical City Senior Faculty of Medicine Prof. Omar Hasan Kasule, Jeddah-based Islamic Development Bank representative Essam Mohammad Fadil, Massachussetts-based Concord Capital Partners founder Rudy Yakscik, Kuwait-based Centre for Strategic Studies chief Dr. Sami Al Faraj, Malaysian scholar Datuk Seri Mohammed Iqbal, Qatar-based Centre of Islamic Legislation and Ethics Deputy Director Dr. Jasser Auda, Jakarta-based World Muslim Solidarity Forum of Dawah Islamiyah, Gulf Studies expert Aftab Kamal Pasha.
Meanwhile, according to the Approach Paper of the end of cold war has brought about a fundamental change in India’s attitude of looking at the Middle East through an economic prism. Political rhetoric of the past gave way to strong economic interests as the driving force behind India’s interaction, especially with the oil-rich Gulf region. Economic growth since early 1990s and resultant surge in energy demand meant that India is now looking to Muslim world as its principal partners. The Middle East represents a new and interesting learning curve for India as it aspires to be a major actor on the world stage.
The International Conference the Muslim world needs to be understood in its broad parameters. It generally means those nations and territories where Muslims form the majority their system of governance is diverse and their socio-cultural milieu diverse. However, their consciousness of being the part of the Muslim world is profound and enduring. On the basis of rough estimates, two-third of the Muslim population is related to emerging democracies like those of Indonesia, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Turkey, Nigeria and India. Arab Middle East represents one-third of the Muslim world and there is considerable evidence of willingness to participate in development processes. Globalisation and technological advancements have opened new areas of cooperation and partnership. The 21st century has witnessed a clear shift in India’s policy towards Middle East as it must be governed more by economic and energy considerations and less by political rhetoric of the past. This scenario has to be worked out in terms of preparing a roadmap to achieve the desired goals.
The Muslim world is spread over the Afro-Asian landscape. India is also considered as part of the Muslim world because of the size of Muslim population in India and Islam’s historical presence and role in shaping the Indian nation and society. India’s importance can be accessed on the basis of (a) its strategic significance as it is a leading country of South Asia and it has proximity to China, Pakistan and Iran; (b) its acquisition of substantial military apparatus; (c) its growing economy, industry, education, agriculture etc.; (d) its liberal democratic political set-up; (e) its civilization continuity and role of Islam in shaping Indian philosophy, culture and society; and (f) its balanced diplomatic endeavors in conducting its foreign policy.
Besides, Muslim world has faced serious question in the post-9/11 international scenario. Islamophobia dominates current perspectives on the Muslim world. It is urgent to find friends and solutions for the Muslim world. India is a traditional friend that stands with the Muslim world in crisis situations and it may provide opportunities for reciprocal benefits in select areas. The present situation calls for strengthening linkages between the Muslim world and India with a vision and programme, the Approach Paper stated