20000228

Khurram Murad

remembered

RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: Mankind is once again in search of a new practical and pragmatic order whilst capitalism, communism and other isms failed miserably.

This was observed by Sharifuddin Pirzada, a prominent lawyer and adviser to the Chief Executive while delivering his address to pay tribute to the Khurram Murad, a late Muslim scholar.

The Institute of Policy Studies organised the annual lecture to commemorate the services of Khurram Murad which he rendered through his many books and writings.

Prizada said that in contrast of the failure of other 'isms' Islam is a complete code of life: embracing all spheres of human activity. "It is universal for all peoples of all times, he said and added that challenges of times are addressed and mankind accepts the universal appeal of Islam. (But) the present crisis is that those who possess knowledge are devoid of ideology, whereas those who uphold an everlasting ideology in the shape of Islam are lagging far behind in the pursuit of knowledge.

He also said the world is in search of civilisation paradigm and it is yearning for ideology. The adherent of Islam are bestowed with this and should extend to others.

Dr Murad Wilfried Hofmann, a convert German Muslim and a western orientalist scholar in his lecture on the Crisis of Ideology and Islam, stated that shrewd western observers already a generation ago came to the bitter conclusion that mankind would destroy itself and the globe with it, unless it rediscovers religion. He said that they discovered that no human civilisation ever survived without spirituality.

Against this background, he said, it is of the highest significance that Islam made an unexpected, spectacular comeback as from the 70s of the 20th century.

Dr Murad Wilfried said that his diagnosis is that these (western) people, mostly from younger generations, are seekers of religion in transit. They are sick of the meaninglessness, the spiritual vacuum in their lives and looking for certainty in a world in which 'anything goes', he said.

He saw Islam as religion which could fulfil the requirement of the coming times as Christianity and other religions in Europe are beyond repair.

Professor Khursheed Ahmed, the chief of IPS, also addressed the gathering and paid tribute to late Kuhrram Murad.