Page 7 - Pakistan Link - July 16, 2021

OPINION JULY 16, 2021 – PAKISTAN LINK – P7

n By Dr Akbar S Ahmed A Great Christian Friend flects some of that. Waking up and

American University thinking, ‘I don’t know what my

Washington, DC neighbor’s thinking. They could
be thinking anything. They could

n October 2012, I had the be planning anything.’ A panic
honor of travelling to Lam- reaction. When you realize that
Ibeth Palace, the Archbishop you’ve not really got close with
of Canterbury’s official residence your neighbors, you can either

in London, and panic, or say, ‘Well I guess it’s time
attending the fi- I started, isn’t it?’ Either you react

nal major public by projecting all sorts of mysteri-
event of the Most ous and terrible things onto them,
Rev Rowan Wil- or you sit with them and listen.”
liams as the Arch- Even given these divides,
bishop of Canter- though, Williams was still able
bury. to point the way forward for us

The event, which focused on in building bridges and fostering
the relationship between Chris- peace. In particular, he explained
tianity and Islam, brought some it vital that Europeans take the
of Britain’s top figures together in time to understand both Islam

celebration, including the arch- and the stories of their Muslim
bishops of Wales and Ireland and neighbors. He explained, “We in
Baroness Sayeeda Warsi. It was Europe … simply need to edu-
a day that, on its own merit, not cate ourselves about what Islam
only brought Muslims deeper into really is. We need to listen really
the heart of British society, but hard to the average Muslim neigh-
also served as another example bor … to the real variety that you

of Williams’s great efforts to bring can see outside any mosque on a
together Christians and Muslims. College at Cambridge University. society. He recalled, “I remem- and we agreed that what we really Friday. So listen to the experience

The archbishops of Canter- He has continued his outreach to ber a conversation with a British needed to do was to reinvent the of those who unobtrusively, but
bury may well be best known for the Muslim community through Mediterranean, in the sense that faithfully, living ordinary Muslim
their high-profile clashes with many avenues, including lectures Not only did he see a strong around that great inland lake, the lives fully within our society. Lis-

English monarchs, always in ear- to such Cambridge establishments legacy in the Golden Age great sea, as it was called in classi- ten to them.”
nest striving to defend the power as the Cambridge Muslim College. of Andalusia for Christian- cal culture, there was this extraor- As we parted ways, Williams
and honor of both their post and He has also written a critically ac- Muslim harmony, he also dinary melting pot and interac- prayed to God to enable mem-
the Anglican Church. Williams claimed analysis of the theology tion, by the classical, Islamic and bers of different religions to come

himself may be best remembered of Augustine of Hippo, one of the viewed Sicily, Eastern Europe Byzantine civilization. And it is together: “May God … open our
for a more peaceful legacy. His foundational Christian theolo- and the entire Mediterranean one, it’s one conversation, it’s one hearts and our ears to one anoth-
tenure as archbishop is fondly re- gians, titled “On Augustine”. basin as key examples of story, that’s part of Europe too.” er. And may God … whose will is

membered for his strong outreach Rev Williams has gracious- Islam’s positive influence on Williams was keenly aware for our peace and our well-being
to the Muslim community and ly granted me several sessions European society. He recalled, of the harmful effects of stereo- lead us hand in hand towards a

his bold initiatives in bringing the throughout his storied career to “I remember a conversation typing and the extent to which true worldwide community in
Muslim and Christian communi- discuss Christian-Muslim rela- with a British politician a few the negative image of Islam and which none is forgotten, none is
ties closer together — initiatives tions. When conducting research years ago, just as the Arab Muslims was making it difficult oppressed, none is humiliated.

that at times challenged Britain’s for my latest project, Journey into for non-Muslims to accurately un- Amen.”
status quo. Williams stirred a Europe, Williams agreed to sit Spring was beginning, and derstand Islam. In our discussion, It is precisely in this spirit
hornet’s nest during his tenure with me and discuss on camera we agreed that what we really Williams said, “Even at the level of that we, whether Christian or
when he made the argument that Christian-Muslim relations, par- needed to do was to reinvent government and educated public Muslim, should reach out and
the sharia and English laws were ticularly in the context of Euro- the Mediterranean, in the sense discourse, you still hear strange embrace each other. As Paki-
in fact compatible. The statement pean identity, and how he believed that around that great inland words like ‘Islamist,’ and I’m a bit stanis, it is well worth remember-

sent British politics into an up- the two religions could be brought lake, the great sea, as it was puzzled by a word like that. You ing that the Quaid-i-Azam spent
roar. Yet, this sharia controversy, closer together. When asked about still hear this curious distinction his only Christmas as Governor
in continuing a storied tradition European identity, Williams al- called in classical culture, there between ‘moderate’ and ‘radical’ General with the Christian com-
of Archbishops challenging the most immediately discussed the was this extraordinary melting Muslims, that is ‘nice’ and ‘nasty’ munity in a church in Karachi. In
English status quo, went on to key role Islam has played in Euro- pot and interaction, by the Muslims.” a world where Muslims feel under
confirm Williams’s place as an ex- pean history and civilization. Not classical, Islamic and Byzantine Yet, in his eyes, such simple siege, wise and compassionate

traordinary intellect prepared to only did he see a strong legacy in civilization. And it is one, it’s categorization in attempting to friends like Williams are crucial
see out a logical path on the basis the Golden Age of Andalusia for one conversation, it’s one story, understand the Muslim commu- to build bridges of understanding

of his own intellect and intuition, Christian-Muslim harmony, he that’s part of Europe too.” nity in the West reflect a deeper between the religions.

not mere public opinion. also viewed Sicily, Eastern Europe issue at hand — a wider sense of (The writer is Ibn Khaldun
Since his retirement, Williams and the entire Mediterranean alienation that one feels from one’s Chair of Islamic Studies at the
has returned to academia and now basin as key examples of Islam’s politician a few years ago, just as neighbors. He explained, “The American University, Washing-

serves as Master of Magdalene positive influence on European the Arab Spring was beginning, phenomenon of Islamophobia re- ton, DC)

Kurti’s Momentous Opportunity to Transform Kosovo
n By Dr Alon Ben-Meir gration into the EU. But for Kurti to tions will not only punish the perpe-
NYU succeed where his predecessors have trators but send a clear message to
New York failed, he must focus on what is ail- all government officials that corrup-

rime Minister Kurti has ing his country while demonstrating tion has consequences.
come to power fortified by a his willingness to have a continuing

Plandslide victory that allows dialogue with Serbia as long as such Human rights
him to have greater maneuverabil- a dialogue does not compromise in Protecting human rights is one
ity and latitude to any way Kosovo’s independence. of the utmost requirements that al-
initiate bold poli- Kurti must tackle several major low the citizenry to feel safe, secure,
cies – be they do- domestic problems to help Kosovo and live without fear or intimida-
mestic or foreign stand on its feet and considerably tion. Human rights must be blind to
– to advance his enhance its chances to integrate into color, ethnicity, sexual orientation,
country’s national the EU, which he and his fellow citi- and religion, and all must stand
interest. Another zens strongly aspire for. equal before the law. Moreover,
big advantage children, in particular, have an
Kurti enjoys is that US President Corruption inherent right to health care, free
Biden has a special affinity to Addressing the endemic cor- education, and adequate nutrition

Kosovo and has already demon- ruption in Kosovo from within gov- to grow cognitively healthy. Indeed,
strated his wholehearted willing- ernment strata as well as the private social equality is the bedrock of hu-
ness to assist Kurti to overcome sector should top his agenda. To man rights.
many of the problems facing his weed out corruption is a monumen- spections should be men and wom- prospective integration into the EU Citizens who are not abused,
nation since its inception in 2008. tal task and cannot be dealt with en of impeccable reputation and in- will dramatically improve. whose rights are not violated, and

Whereas any newly-born coun- in a wholesale fashion. The State tegrity who enjoy the public’s trust. The recent arrest of seven offi- who are treated fairly and with dig-

try goes through the painful pro- Inspector General office should be Dealing with corruption will have a cials at the Agency for Agricultural nity become more productive and

cesses of becoming economically adequately funded and given the direct effect on foreign investments, Development, suspected of taking patriotic, caring deeply about their

viable, self-reliant, and at peace, authority to inspect the working of as investors shy away from countries bribes in exchange for receiving country and often going out of their
Kosovo faces the extra burden of not any ministry or private companies where corruption is widespread, es- grants, and the pending arrest of an way to contribute to the welfare and

being recognized by its neighbor, at will and with no advanced notice. pecially when government officials additional 23 people provide a good wellbeing of their society.

Serbia, which is impeding its inte- The persons involved in the in- are on the take. In addition, Kosovo’s example. These arrests and prosecu- KOSOVO, P24
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