Opinion

The Struggle within Islam
(Foreword to Dr Akbar Ahmed’s book ‘The Trial of Dara Shikoh’)
By Arif Zaffar Mansuri
President and Managing Editor
Pakistan Link, P.L. Publications LLC
Los Angeles, California

I don't remember the exact date, but it was not too long after 9/11. I was in Las Vegas attending a trade show. As I was walking down the trade show floor, I happened to come upon a large crowd. In fact, there were so many more people than the area was designed to accommodate that the crush of the crowd had caused some of the exhibitors in the surrounding areas to give up on commerce and temporarily shut down their booths. Out of curiosity, I asked one of the exhibitors what in the world was going on. He told me that someone was giving a fascinating speech on the teachings of Islam which was causing the pedestrian traffic jam in the aisles. My first reaction was to turn around and run!
I was totally flabbergasted and thought to myself that this guy must be a bona-fide nut! Standing in the middle of a large mainstream American crowd at a huge trade show in Las Vegas so soon after 9/11, he's talking about Islam? I thought the speaker must either be very brave or not so bright – but either way, I couldn't resist my curiosity and soon joined the throngs of people heading off to hear him speak.
I stood in the back of the large crowd and strained to hear the speaker talk about Jihad, 9/11 and other sensitive and emotionally-charged topics.
His speech was riveting and afterwards, as I waited patiently in a very long line of people for the opportunity to shake his hand, I talked to others who were waiting in line as well and discovered that many of them, like me, had not planned to attend this speech but were compelled to stay and listen to the words he spoke. Although I was familiar with his name and had read some of his work, this was my first meeting with Professor Akbar Ahmed and the beginning of our friendship as well as my personal journey into the exploration of the topics related to interfaith harmony and peace.
Dr. Akbar Ahmed is a prolific writer, distinguished anthropologist and the most sought-after commentator on Islamic affairs. The BBC describes him as the world's best-known scholar on contemporary Islam and he is the winner of the Purpose Prize for his work on interfaith dialogue. He has been promoting interfaith harmony long before the events of 9/11 and is a leading authority on these matters. Dr. Ahmad is the epitome of authority and vision regarding Islam today and is a role model of supreme grace and dignity.
It is hardly breaking news that the events of September 11 and other events of the recent past in both the global and local arenas have increased tensions and distrust between Muslims and non-Muslims. In the face of so much heated debate and violence, there is a distinct need for the promotion of interfaith harmony to defuse rather than ignite religious and ethnic tensions.
In Muslim history there are many examples of religious thinkers who promoted tolerance, mutual understanding and interfaith harmony. One of the most important thinkers in this regard was Prince Dara Shikoh, the heir apparent to the Mughal Dynasty of India in the 17th century.
Dara Shikoh learned the teachings of Islam from some of the best Muslim scholars of that time. He was inclined towards spirituality from the very beginning of his life and sought the company of Sufi saints. In later years, he read the Old and New Testaments, the Vedas and the Upanishads. Dara Shikoh devoted scholarly efforts to the comparison of the texts and philosophies of Islam and Hinduism, seeking to craft an innovative approach to interfaith relations and harmony.
Although he was the favored son of the mighty Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as well as the designed heir apparent, Dara Shikoh was challenged for the throne. A battle ensued and he was ultimately defeated by his brother, Aurangzeb, an orthodox Muslim, who then became the Emperor of India.
Historians have long speculated how very different India and the Muslim world would be today had Dara Shikoh prevailed over his less enlightened brother, Aurangzeb, over three centuries ago.
While history carefully records the role that Aurangzeb played, scribes have been unkind to Dara Shikoh. We are thus grateful to Dr. Akbar Ahmed for bringing him to life and reminding us all of the existence of a longstanding liberal Muslim philosophy.
“The Trial of Dara Shikoh” depicts the struggle within Islam between the orthodox or conservative philosophies represented by Aurangzeb and the more liberal philosophies represented by Dara Shikoh. The play is entertaining as well as thought-provoking. Scene by scene, the history of the Mughal era unfolds beautifully through well-woven dialogues. Reading the play truly makes history come alive and one feels as if the events are unfolding for the very first time.
Just like the other works of Dr. Akbar Ahmed, which include a long list of books, film, documentaries and plays, this drama is insightful, honest and inspirational. The issues and conflicts within Islam so deftly presented in this play are more relevant today than ever. This is a must read for anyone who wishes to understand the global conflict as it exists today between the Muslim and the non-Muslim world.
It is often said that no nation can move forward unless it faces squarely its past. Because of the importance of the message contained in this play and its implications to the modern day world, PL Publications is proud and delighted to publish “The Trial of Dara Shikoh”.
I wish Dr. Akbar Ahmed continued success. He is truly someone of whom it can be said that the world is better because of his endeavors

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