AKU-ISMC Seminar on Pluralism

Recognising pluralism within Muslim societies and respecting differences should form the bedrock of intellectual and social outlook among Muslims. This was one of the central conclusions of a seminar on 'Pluralism in Muslim Contexts' organised by Aga Khan University Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations (AKU-ISMC) in Karachi on Saturday, October 25, 2003. This was the third in a series of seminars on Pluralism in Muslim Contexts, two of which have previously been held in London.

Left to right: Dr. David Taylor, Vice Provost, AKU; Dr. Abdou Filali-Ansary, Director, AKU-ISMC; Dr. Elizabeth Frazer, Oxford University; Professor Tariq Rahman, Quaid-e-Azam University; and Professor Aziz Al-Azmeh of the Central European University.

Three eminent national and international scholars from Oxford University, UK; Central European University in Hungary; and Quaid-e-Azam University, Pakistan, addressed the seminar theme from philosophical, historical and comparative perspectives. Shamsh Kassim-Lakha, President of AKU, welcomed the audience consisting of academicians, professionals and students from diverse backgrounds. Outlining the objectives of the Institute and its current activities, he quoted from the 1994 AKU Chancellor's Commission Report, that "the University must seek ways to combine disciplined, objective inquiry with imaginative efforts to use its heritage to provide visions of the meaning of life in the modern world." He said the study of Islam as a set of civilisations is a new field, not only within the Muslim Ummah, but across the world.

Shamsh Kassim-Lakha, H.I., S.I., President of AKU, welcoming an audience of academicians, professionals and students to the seminar.

Dr. Abdou Filali-Ansary, Director of AKU-ISMC, in his introductory comments, highlighted the importance of the seminar in building bridges among scholars, professionals, opinion-makers, and community leaders. He stressed that this first public event of AKU-ISMC in Karachi is part of the Institute's objective to provide an academic space that will bring together scholars of various persuasions to jointly address the challenges faced by Muslims today.

Dr. Elizabeth Frazer of Oxford University reflected on the concept of pluralism and its place in contemporary intellectual discourses, tracing its roots to counter enlightenment, philosophical scepticism and politics. In her speech, Dr. Frazer explored the multiple definitions of pluralism and highlighted its consequences for relationships between the 'self' and the 'other'. "By pluralism we mean any normative theory of values, or any moral way of life, or any system of authority and government, in which there are many values which compete or are in tension with one another" she said.

Syrian-born Professor Aziz Al-Azmeh of the Central European University, in Hungary, argued that although Muslim civilisations in the past had often been tolerant societies, pluralism in the contemporary world needed to draw on new intellectual resources. Concepts of democracy, pluralism and civil society, although originally western, are now universal.

Approaching the topic from an empirical perspective, Professor Tariq Rahman of Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad, discussed the forces fostering or hindering pluralism in the Pakistani context. In his speech, he drew upon his research on various educational systems in Pakistan, including Urdu and English language schools as well as 'madressas' (religious schools), noting the intricate link between social conditions, such as poverty and attitudes towards pluralism.

With the establishment of AKU-ISMC in London in 2002, AKU has taken a step towards the humanities in addition to its existing programmes in medicine and nursing, and educational development.

The goal of AKU-ISMC is to strengthen research and teaching on the diverse heritage of Muslim societies. The Institute will study systems of moral and ethical thought, structures of governance and public life and artistic and creative expressions in all forms. The activities of the Institute include: educational programmes; research and publication; and a bibliographical project. These activities reflect AKU-ISMC's aim to foster new attitudes among Muslims and non-Muslims toward the concerns of contemporary societies.

In the question-and-answer session, participants, including the eminent scholar and historian, Dr. Hamida Khuhro, and Dr. Masooma Hasan, former Cabinet Secretary, Government of Pakistan, appreciated the relevance and timeliness of the Institute's initiatives, saying they looked forward to participating in such future seminars.

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