Two-day IOS international meet on “Life and Contribution of Ismail R. al-Faruqi”
April 20-21, 2018, at the conference hall, FTK-CIT, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi
Prof. Abul Fadl Mohsin Ebrahim
Professor Emeritus, School of Religion, Philosophy and Classics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Prof. Sami Sener
Head, Deptt. of Sociology, Dogus University, Istanbul, Turkey
Prof. Yusuf Ziya Kavakci
Former Dean, Faculty of Theology, Ataturk University, Erzurum & Founding President, Islamic Tribunal, A.K.A. Sharia Court, Texas, USA
Prof. Meer Monjur Mahmood
Deptt. of Islamic Studies, Asian University of Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Dr. Aris Widodo
Lecturer, State Institute of Islamic Studies, Sukarta, Central Java, Indonesia
A two-day international conference on The Life and Contribution of Ismail Raji al-Faruqi (1921-1986) was organised by the Institute of Objective Studies on April 20-21, 2018, at the conference hall, FTK-CIT, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. The conference drew delegates from different parts of the country and abroad.
Prof. Z. M. Khan, Secretary General, IOS
The countries that were represented at the conference included Turkey, South Africa, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Bangladesh. Opening the conference, Dr. Saeed-ur-Rahman Azmi, chancellor of Integral University and principal, Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulema, Lucknow, described Prof. Ismail Raji al-Faruqi as one of the shining stars who rose on the firmament of knowledge and scholarship in the 20th century and illuminated the world with erudition.
Mr. Ml. Saeed-ur Rahman Azmi, Chancellor, Integral University, Lucknow & Principal, Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama, Lucknow
He was born in Palestine, but he came into prominence in the United States, where he spent most of his time till his martyrdom in 1986. Prof. al-Faruqi received higher education at al-Azhar University in Cairo and studied at several US universities before being appointed as professor of religion at Philadelphia. He also worked at Chicago University, and was credited with the presentation of a complete framework of Islamic studies.
The maulana said that Prof. al-Faruqi’s major contribution had been the Islamisation of knowledge. He coined various new English terms for their equivalents in Arabic. He carved out a name for himself as a pioneer of the Islamisation of modern knowledge. In his early career, he evinced keen interest in language and literature, but switched over to Islamic studies later and devoted his entire life to delivering lectures, writing articles, books and making presentations.
He wrote more than two dozen books on Islamic philosophy and Islamic thought, both in English and Arabic. His vision about Islam included endeavour to restore confidence among younger generations which were gradually drifting away from religion under the impact of European culture. He had the apprehension that the great Islamic legacy would erode if planned efforts were not put in place to check European cultural influence over young Muslims.
He felt that if it went unchecked, the Ummah would suffer an irreparable loss due to the rising trend of denial of God’s entity. This trend was reigning supreme in Europe during those days. In order to arrest the trend, or minimise the impact, he founded a students’ union, “Jamiatul Ulema al-Ajtamayeen al-Muslimeen”, in 1972. He expounded the concept of “Islamiatul Maarifa” (Islamisation of contemporary knowledge). He always underscored the importance of education and believed that, being a powerful tool, it could never be blunted. He was opposed to the classification of knowledge as religious and temporal, and thought that this distinction could hamper progress.
Dr. Azmi pointed out that Prof. Faruqi’s engagement with several U.S. universities helped him delve deep into the study of different religions, particularly Judaism and Christianity. This led him to the belief that, Allah never called a person to account until the teachings of a prophet reached him. He also veered round to the view that Islam recognised all previous religions as Kalima-i- Tawhid (Word about Oneness of God), which was a binding force. Besides Islam, Judaism and Christianity were two other religions which were revealed to their prophets. He was also favourably disposed to inter-faith dialogue for a better understanding among different religions.
Besides underlining the importance of education, he attached much importance to the study of social sciences and regretted the indifference of ulema to them. The other area in which he made significant contribution was the Islamisation of English language, especially the usage in the holy Quran and Hadith, the maulana said. The message of Maulana Syed Rabey Hasani Nadwi, rector, Nadwatul Ulema, Lucknow, who could not make it to the conference on account of his indisposition, was read out by the finance Secretary, IOS, Prof. Ishtiyaque Danish.
While Prof. Hamid Naseem Rafiabadi, dean, School of Social Sciences, Central University of Kashmir, presented the profile of Prof. Faruqi, Prof. Abul Fadl Mohsin Ebrahim, Professor Emeritus, School of Religion, Philosophy and Classics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa, delivered the key-note address. In his speech, Prof. Ebrahim said that the philosophy of education propounded by al-Marhum al-Shahid al-Faruqi, was derived from the Quran and Sunnah which, in essence, reflected the core of Islamic worldview. With the establishment of the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) in 1981, he formulated his vision for the Islamisation of disciplines in social sciences. He advocated intellectual revival of Muslims with the end of reclaiming cultural identity and scientific legacy in the modern world. He maintained that Prof. Faruqi also envisaged the provision of continuing free education for all, without an institution, hinged upon the instruction of the teacher and guide.
IIIT had implemented that form of education through its summer schools in America, Europe, Turkey and Africa, with the aim of promoting its objective to reform Islamic thought in order to bridge the intellectual divide between Islamic tradition and Western civilisation. Prof. Ebrahim regretted that today students did not get the opportunity to question. They just imbibed what the teachers told them in the classroom. They memorised the conversation with the teacher without applying their mind by fielding questions. Prof. Faruqi wanted the younger generation, irrespective of its profession, to look back at Islamic legacy in history and revive it, he added.
The guest of honour, Prof. Akhtarul Wasey, vice-chancellor, Maulana Azad University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, remarked that the chairman, IOS, Dr. Mohammad Manzoor Alam paid the tribute owed to Prof. Faruqi by organising the seminar. He said that Prof. Faruqi was born in the British mandate’s Palestine, but never accepted the dominance of Zionism, and left Palestine. He travelled to Egypt for pursuing higher education in Islamic studies. He never dissociated himself from knowledge and advocated the cause of Arabs as Islamic culture took roots in their land. He advocated strengthening of the inalienable relationship of Saudi Arabia with Islam.
He lived a form of nationalism which was entirely different from the nationalism of Colonel Gamal Abdel Nasser’s. Recalling his visit to Temple University, Philadelphia, US, after 22 years of Prof. Faruqi’s death, he said that his name had become a living legend among the students of the department where he used to teach. Prof. Wasey observed that Prof. al-Faruqi used Tawhid as a tool to popularise Islamic thought among intellectuals. He was not opposed to Jews, but certainly disdained Zionism. His endeavours to present the message of Islam to the world could never be consigned to oblivion, Prof. Wasey noted.
Brigadier S. Ahmed Ali, director, Jahangirabad Institute of Technology, Barabanki, and former pro-vice chancellor, AMU, Aligarh, who also spoke as a guest of honour, held that Prof. Faruqi was proud of being from the Arab stock and remained so till the end. Calling upon the Ummah to present views based on the Quran and the Hadith, he said that compassion must form the basic tenet of Islam which was propounded by the Prophet (PBUH) as commanded by Allah. He recalled an old woman, who used to throw garbage on the Prophet (PBUH) regularly. The Prophet (PBUH) visited her when she did not turn up one day due to illness, to enquire about her condition.
Referring to the concept of war in Islam, he said that it was permitted only when it was imposed or became unavoidable. War could be fought only for self-defence. Similarly, Islam made no distinction between black and white-skinned people and between Arabs and non-Arabs. There was the illustration of Hazrat Bilal Habshi, who was assigned the job of a muezzin (caller to prayer) of Islam, was dark-brown complexioned. Brig. Ali asked Muslims to unequivocally condemn terrorism in every form and counter the anti-Islam virus being injected into the polity. He also called for engaging with those who looked at Muslims with suspicion.
In his presidential address, Dr. Mohammad Manzoor Alam described Prof. Ismail Raji al-Faruqi as an intellectual giant and an encyclopedia of Islam. Recalling his meeting with Prof. Faruqi in Saudi Arabia in 1978, he said that the former was one of the great persons who inspired him. Prof. al-Faruqi was never lost in mere philosophical abstractions; he was acutely conscious of the realities of the time and the condition of the contemporary Ummah. His works on Christianity, Judaism and contemporary religious thought were unique. Rarely had a scholar been able to contribute so deeply to the understanding of Abrahamic faiths. He said that Prof. Ismail Raji al-Faruqi attempted to articulate an Islamic worldview by fortifying it with rational and scientific arguments. He noted that al-Faruqi took on the challenge of developing institutions which could bring about a genuine reformation of Muslim thought and academic methodology.
He always wanted the younger generation to possess Islamic knowledge and disseminate it. Referring to the challenges facing the community, he said that it was time to think over the ways to do good to the Ummah. Sharing his experience with the audience about the meetings he held with several envoys of Muslim countries, he expressed dismay that 90 percent of them were not worried about the plight of the Ummah.
He said that the Indian Constitution was there to protect the rights of Muslims. He also laid stress on the need for equal importance to religious and modern education. He informed that a few more conferences on national and international figures would be organised by the IOS in the near future. IOS had also decided to set up a centre for historical studies to counter the attempt of its opponents to distort history of India in pursuance of the resolution adopted at the Chennai conference held late last year. He suggested that a chair in the name of Prof. Ismail Raji al-Faruqi be instituted either in Kashmir University or in the IOS, and a proposal to this effect would be sent to the IIIT shortly.
Earlier, the conference formally opened with the recitation of a verse from the Holy Quran by Maulana Ajmal Farooq Nadwi, incharge, Urdu section, IOS, who also translated it into Urdu.
The proceedings were conducted by Prof. Ishtiyaque Danish.
The vote of thanks was extended by the assistant secretary general, IOS, Prof. M. Afzal Wani.
The inaugural session was followed by three business sessions on day 1.
Business Session-I
The first business session was focused on the theme “Prof. Ismail Raji al-Faruqi - His early life and education”. The session was chaired and co-chaired respectively by Prof. Abul Fadl Mohsin Ebrahim and Prof. Hamid Naseem Rafiabadi. Prof. Mohsin Usmani, former head, deptt. of Arabic, The EFLU, Hyderabad presented his paper on “Prof. Ismail Raji al-Faruqi key nazdeek Islami tahzeeb ki asal rooh”. Dr. Mohd. Fahim Akhtar Nadwi, HoD, deptt. of Islamic Studies, MANUU, Hyderabad, spoke on “Dr. Ismail Raji al-Faruqi aur Islami tahzeeb ka tanazur”. Dr. Javed Akhatar, guest faculty, deptt. of Islamic Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, who read the paper on “Ismail Raji al- Faruqi: A trailblazer of Islamic studies in the modern era (A critical analysis of his life, major works and thought)” was followed by Ms. Kehkashan Naz, research scholar, deptt. of Islamic Studies, Aligarh Muslim University, who focused on “Ismail Raji al-Faruqi’s life, major works and contributions” and Mohammad Rafique, research scholar, deptt. of Islamic Studies, Aligarh Muslim University, who shed light on “ Life and achievements of Prof. Ismail Raji al-Faruqi”.
Business Session-I1
The second business session centered on “Prof. Ismail Raji al-Faruqi’s Concept of Islamisation of Knowledge and Formation of International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT)”. Prof. Meer Monjur Mahmood, deptt. of Islamic Studies, Asian University of Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh, was in the chair and Prof. Ishtiyaque Danish co-chaired the session. Prof. Saud Alam Qasmi, deptt. of Sunni Theology, Aligarh Muslim University, spoke on the main theme whereas Prof. Muzaffar Alam, deptt. of Arabic, EFLU, Hyderabad, based his discussion on “Ismail Raji al-Faruqi: Pioneer of Islamisation of Knowledge”. While Prof. Abdul Rashid Bhat, head, deptt. of Islamic Studies, University of Kashmir, presented the paper on “Ismail Raji al-Faruqi’s Islamisation of Knowledge: Background, nature and scope”. Dr. Shakeel Ahmad, asstt. professor, deptt. of Islamic Studies, MANUU, Srinagar, based his talk on “Bainul aqwaami idara: Fikre Islami key Project Islamisation of Knowledge ki ahmiyat wa afadiyat”. Dr. Bilal Ahmad Kutty, asstt. professor, deptt. of Islamic Studies, Aligarh Muslim University, read his paper on “Prof. Ismail Raji al-Faruqi: His approaches of Islamisation of Knowledge”, while Dr. Aaesha Siddiqua, post-doctoral fellow, deptt. of Islamic Studies, Aligarh Muslim University, spoke on “An analysis of the criticism of Islamisation of knowledge project and its contemporary relevance in a pluralistic society”.
Business Session-III
The third and last business session of the first day was devoted to the theme,
“Textbook writing in social sciences and its importance for integration of knowledge”. Prof. Saud Alam Qasmi chaired the session and Prof. Sami Sener, head, deptt. of sociology, Dogus University, Istanbul, Turkey, was the first paper presenter who dealt with the topic “Alternative approaches to sociology and Prof. Ismail Faruqi”. While Dr. Aris Widodo, lecturer, State Institute of Islamic Studies, Sukarta, Central Java, Indonesia, discussed “Making beauty into reality: Promoting integrated knowledge in a fragmented modern life through a textbook writing project”, Prof. (Mrs.) Nasrin, deptt. of education, Aligarh Muslim University, dwelt on “Textbook writing and its importance for integration of knowledge”. Dr. Shaista Parveen, asstt. professor, deptt. of theology, Womens College, Aligarh Muslim University, who spoke on “Ilme jadeed ki Islami tashkeel-e-nau mein al-Faruqi ki khidmaat”, whereas Mr. Tazeem Haider, research scholar, deptt. of Islamic Studies, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, touched upon “Seeking the solution to challenges for Muslim immigrants to the West through Prof. Ismail Raji al-Faruqi’s Islamic Ideals in North America.” The last speaker of the session was Abdul Mannan Khan, research scholar, SHIIS, University of Kashmir, who spoke on “Revival in the context of Islamic epistemology: A study of Ismail Raji al-Faruqi’s Islamisation of Knowledge”.
One of the highlights of the day was the display of books written by Prof. Ismail Raji al-Faruqi.
Day 2 (April 21, 2018)
Business Session-IV
The fourth session focused on “Prof. Ismail Raji al-Faruqi on world religions and interfaith dialogue”, with Prof. Hamid Naseem Rafiabadi in the chair. The first speaker was Mr. Ayaz al-Shaikh, vice president, Islamic Heritage Foundation and Chairman, Imam Ghazali Research Foundation, Hyderabad, who spoke on “Prof. Ismail Faruqi key Nazariyae Bainul-Mazahib Mukalime mein Akhlaqiyat ka Markazi Kirdar”. He was followed by Ms. Sumaiya Ahmed, research scholar, deptt. of Islamic Studies, Aligarh Muslim University, who focused on “Interfaith dialogue: Perspectives of Ismail Raji al-Faruqi’s Islam and Other Faiths. The third speaker was Dr. Arshi Shoaib, asstt. professor, Womens College, Aligarh Muslim University, who was followed by Brigadier Syed Ahmed Ali. He dwelt on “The concept of universal brotherhood in Islam as propounded by Prof. Ismail Raji al- Faruqi”.
Dr. Mohammad Ajmal, asstt. professor, Centre of Arabic & African Studies, School of Languages and Literature and Culture Studies, JNU, New Delhi, presented his paper on “Ismail Raji al-Faruqi and his contributions to the study of comparative religion”. At the end of the session, Dr. M. Manzoor Alam observed that the process of inter-religious dialogue must go on. Differentiating the dialogue in the West from that in India, he said that while interfaith dialogue in the case of the former was between Muslims, Christians and the Jews, in India it was between Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists. He maintained that in 2016, IOS had organised an inter-faith dialogue at Bodhgaya, Bihar. A two-day conference focusing on inter-faith dialogue was also organised by the Institute some five years ago. He informed that an inter-religious dialogue was being planned to be organised in Banaras Hindu University in near future.
Business Session-V
Chaired by Prof. Sami Sener and co-chaired by Prof. Ishtiyaque Danish, the fifth business session discussed “Prof. Ismail Raji al-Faruqi - Educational Reforms and the Malaise of the Ummah”. Prof. Meer Monjur Mahmood first spoke on the subject, followed by Prof. Hamid Naseem Rafiabadi, who made his observations on “Ismail Raji a-Faruqi - An Educationist Par Excellence”. Ms. Deepti Kavathekar, doctoral research scholar, IASE, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, focused on “Critically analysing al-Faruqi’s educational philosophy in contemporary times”. She was followed by Mujtaba Farooq, research fellow, Idara-e-Tehqeeq-o-Tasneef Islami, Aligarh, who spoke on “Ismail Raji al-Faruqi ka tasawwur-e-Ilm wa taleem”. Nazar Muhammad Rather, research scholar, deptt. of Islamic Studies, SHIIS, University of Kashmir, concentrated on “Distinction of al-Faruqi’s thought for reforming the educational system in Muslim World.”
Business Session-VI
The sixth business session was devoted to “Prof. Ismail Raji al-Faruqi and his major works”, with Prof. Arshi Khan, deptt. of political science, Aligarh Muslim University in the chair. Prof. Yusuf Ziya Kavakci, former dean, Faculty of Theology, Ataturk University, Erzurum, and Founding president, Islamic Tribunal, A.K.A. Sharia Court, Texas, USA, also a student of Prof. Faruqi, focused on the “Crisis of Ummah and al-Faruqi’s efforts for its solidarity”, Dr. Ehsanullah Fahad, asstt. professor, deptt. of Islamic Studies, Aligarh Muslim University, presented his paper on “Tawhid: Zindagi aur sonch mein iska nafaz : Eik muta’ala.” Dr. Mushtaq Ahmed Tajarwi, asstt. professor, deptt. of Islamic Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, discussed “Tawhid-e-Ilahi uloom ki Islami tashkeel ka nuqta-e-aghaaz”, whereas Dr. Khursheed Afaq, guest faculty, deptt. of Islamic Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, read his paper on “Tareekh-e-Islami mein muta’ala-e-tawhid aur Ismail Raji al-Faruqi ki Kitaab al-Tawhid ka ek jayeza”. Tanjeel Ahmad, research scholar, Aligarh Muslim University, spoke on “The Book ‘Islam and the Problem of Israel’: An Overview”.
Business Session-VII
Prof. Yusuf Ziya Kavakci chaired the seventh business session devoted to “Prof. Ismail Raji al-Faruqi and his contemporaries: Their contribution to Islamisation of Knowledge”. Prof. Syed Jamaluddin, former professor of history, Jamia Millia Islamia, was co-chairperson. Dr. Najmus Sahar, guest faculty, deptt. of Islamic Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, initiated the discussion by speaking on “Prof. Ismail Raji al-Faruqi’s contemporaries: An appreciation of Abdul Hamid Abu Sulayman’s work ‘Crisis in the Muslim Mind”. Dr. Sahar was followed by Mohd Ziaul Bashar, research scholar, deptt. of Islamic Studies, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi. He read his paper on “Prof. Ismail Raji al-Faruqi’s contemporaries: An appreciation of Abdul Hamid Abu Sulayman’s work ‘Towards an Islamic Theory of International Relations: New Directions for Methodology and Thought”. While Lubna Naaz, research scholar, deptt. of Islamic Studies, Aligarh Muslim University, focused on “Contributions of Ismail Raji al-Faruqi’s contemporaries to Islamisation of knowledge: A study of Prof. Nejatullah Siddiqui’s ideas on Islamic economics”, Mohd. Masiullah, guest faculty, deptt. of Islamic Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, spoke on “The concept of Ummah in Islam and its implementation in society: According to Ismail Raji al-Faruqi”.
Valedictory Session
The valedictory address was delivered by Prof. Yusuf Ziya Kavakci, who laid stress on primary education to raise future ulema. Detailing his activities and participatory role in the affairs of Muslims in the United States, he said that he was closely associated with Muslim Shura and other Islamic organisations. Lauding the role of several Islamic scholars of India who contributed to Islamic education in the US, he said that Muzammil Siddiqui from Uttar Pradesh in India excelled there. He was actively involved in serving the Ummah with his rich knowledge of Islam. He was a learned person who never argued. He also remembered Prof. Mohammad Hamidullah for translating the Quran into French. He said that several scholars of Syria, Bosnia and Iraq, who were sent into exile, made significant contribution to Islamic learning in other countries, like France and Saudi Arabia. Describing Prof. Ismail Raji al-Faruqi as “a man of action”, he said that a number of Arabic terms with their equivalents in English were coined by him. He called for the establishment of an institution at the international level to produce high-calibre ulema.
Guest of honour, and president of All India Milli Council, Maulana Abdullah Mughesi, said there was no replacement for the Prophet (PBUH). So was Prof. Raji al-Faruqi, who was a scholar beyond par. He asked the younger generation to give due respect to their elders as Allah had promised that the Ummah would never be deprived of ulema and true believers. Referring to the significance of martyrdom in Islam, he said that it was divinely ordained and, according to the Quran, a martyr never died. Prof. Raji al-Faruqi, too, was a martyr who secured an exalted position like other martyrs in the eyes of Allah. He said that in all, there were 40 Abdals (sufis of highest status) in the world at a given time, with 30 in Syria alone. One Abdal lived in India and so long as an Abdal was alive, no other Abdal would replace him.
He observed that the last day of earth’s existence would be unimaginably terrifying when the earth would be wrapped up like a bedding. Even the Prophet (PBUH) refrained from elaborating on the day the earth would be destroyed, he added.
Another guest of honour, Prof. Akhtarul Wasey, lauded the effort of the chairman of the IOS in tapping budding talent. Dr. Mohammad Manzoor Alam was performing a job which was incumbent upon the universities, he added.
Presiding over the conference, the IOS chairman exhorted the younger generation to learn Arabic to understand great scholars of Islam. He said that great men were recognised by their companions and it was Prof. Ismail Raji al-Faruqi, who was recognised by his companion, Abdul Hamid Abu Sulayman. He expressed happiness that the IOS had a very good team of intellectuals and other professionals.
It was creditable for an institution like IOS to have hosted 1,200 national and international conferences and published 400 titles of high order during the past 30 years. He announced that a forum for the study of history was being planned to refute the charges against Muslims of fostering terrorism intellectually. He called for developing a course as per current academic standards for the purpose. The younger generation had a duty to coordinate such efforts. Emphasising the need for the writing of Islamic textbooks, he said it was an ideal time to debate the present-day issues. He also asked Muslim scholars to come up with an Islamic political theory which was one of the areas of challenge. Intellectual activism with commitment among Muslims was the need of the hour. This was possible only when the Ummah fully understood the Quran and Hadith to serve humanity. With a view to making law graduates more articulate, he had planned a meeting with them. He remarked that Muslims would weather the current storm intellectually.
Two books published by the IOS were released. While the Hindi book Sabhyata par Malik Bin Nabi ke Vicharon ke Samajik-Bauddhik Aadhar (Hindi translation of the book-in-brief “Socio-Intellectual Foundations of Malek Binnabi’s Approach to Civilisation”) was released by Prof. Yusuf Ziya Kavakci, the Urdu book Muslim Khawateen aur Hijab - Fikr ke Naye Goshay [Taarikhi wa Jadid Manfi Tasawwarat ka Muhaakema] (Urdu translation of “Rethinnking Muslim Women and the Veil: Challenging Historical and Modern Stereotypes”) by Maulana Abdullah Mughesi.
Proceedings of the valedictory session were conducted by Prof. Arshi Khan. Prof. Ishtiyaque Danish proposed a vote of thanks.
Prof. Z M Khan, Secretary General, read out a 9-point resolution, unanimously adopted at the end of the session. Following is the text of the resolution:
1. It is emphatically put forward that Islam condemns violence in all forms and stands for justice based on legal systems.
2. Education and research are to be put in right perspective and these need to relate with change and its implications.
3. The Islamic paradigm of Tawhid has to be understood and disseminated in all forms so that it builds the bedrock of theory and practice of Islam.
4. Efforts should be made to promote research and innovation within the parameters of Islam so that the message may be spread in right quarters in the right spirit.
5. Efforts should be made to promote education comprising religious and contemporary inputs as a complete package.
6. It is recommended that the IIIT should create a chair in the name of Ismail Raji al-Faruqi in India.
7. Suitable courses may be developed to emphasise fundamentals of Islamic message and their role in guiding the civilisational march.
8. Islamic civilisation may be undertaken for developing literature and material for creating a balance in society, and for fighting out extremism in all forms.
9. A campaign to write and translate books on relevant themes along with developing effective dissemination mechanisms for concerned ideas should be accelerated.
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