Aga Syed Abdul Hussain is one of the leading religious figures in Kashmir, who is known for promoting unity in Muslim Ummah in our part of the world. He is also a known Media figure and Director of International Urdu News Agency Newsnoor.com. He is also the Bureau Chief for the Indian Sub-continent in Taghrib News Agency (taghribnews.com)
Aga is also Member World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought (Islamic Republic of Iran) and also Founder Member and trustee of Bulbul Shah University.
In an exclusive interview with The Kashmir Scenario, Aga Syed Abdul Hussain talks to Rameez Makhdoomi; Shahzad Hussain Hamdani & M. Kaiser.
What are the main challenges being faced by Muslim world?
Currently, the main challenge faced by Muslims world today is that we have deviated away from the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and this is leading the Muslim Ummah towards bigger problems. All we need is to be faithful towards the path set by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and shun ourselves against wrong deeds.
The enemy is attacking all the branches of this great religion of Islam and his aim is to attack the entire tree of Islam. We are slowly becoming prey in the hands of our enemies. We should know that the trap laid by enemies of Islam is to divide us and tragically most of the present day Muslims are getting hooked up into their trap.
We should all rise above sectarian lines in letter and spirit; follow the great path of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and only by this way we can succeed.
These black sheep have always been there even during the time of our Holy Prophet (PBUH). They were known as Munafiqs’. Our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has taught us how to fight these hypocrites and we tragically have forgotten and are heading away from the path laid by our Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and moving towards these evil forces whose aim is to harm the unity of Muslims.
Don’t you believe that within the Ummah there are blacksheep who are damaging the very spirit of our religion in comparison to other countries perceived as anti-Islam?
The enemies of Islam are worried about the return of self-esteem of Muslims. Look at Iran, after Islamic revolution it has shown how progress and development can be achieved via following the path of Islam. And after successful Islamic revolution these forces are wreaking havoc in countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq so that other Muslim countries do not revive lost prestige and some black sheep within Muslim community are aiding these evil efforts which is highly unfortunate.
How far the educational backwardness among Muslims especially the lack of quality educational institutes is hampering the growth of Muslims?
We need to bear in mind that the time when Turkey demolished the institution of Khilafat, the downfall and education backwardness among Muslims started. We once contributed to zenith of education and research. Even BretendRusell had lauded the role of Islam in developing education and research related paradigms.
If we follow path of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and teachings of Holy Quran we will achieve the advancements in education and research and the great achievements made by Iran after Islamic revolution bears testimony to this fact.
What we witness in Nigeria, Algeria, Pakistan, and Afghanistan the minorities have faced constant attacks and western propagandists are giving an impression quiet vocally that Islam believes in crushing other faiths. Your take on this?
This level of tolerance is a personal one. Islam clearly preaches and practices tolerance. Our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was epitome of tolerance and revolutionized the once barbaric Arabic society towards betterment and positivity. If we are faithful towards the path set by our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) than only we can be successful and develop tolerance.
If one finds any Muslim doing any destructive activity in the name of Islam, one should recognize that he is not amongst us because such Munafiqs are meant only to defame the Religion of Islam.
If one looks at Iran, it is not an Islamic government of a particular sect but Government of all Muslims. In Iran every minister and official follows teachings of Islam and ardently prays.
How do you view the recent Army Coup in Egypt?
Egypt as a country has now awakened. The President Morsi in his first speech stated that he is president of every Egyptian but then could not live upto his promises. Nevertheless, this coup is condemnable as they were afraid that Egypt should not develop into an Islamic state. Morsi and Ikhwan did commit some errors but those cannot justify this coup.
Do you feel that there is any ray of hope for Muslims in this era of darkness?
Yes, Muslims are awakening in all countries from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia and realizing that following path of Islam is the panacea of their problems. One needs to bear in mind the fate of Musharaf and Hosni Mubarak and we should take these as lessons for the future that American and anti-Islam dictators are no more acceptable in this part of the world.
In Qatar too, we are witnessing positive changes. Even in Kashmir all the puppet politicians and leaders will lose their power of tyranny if we are able to usher in an era of Islamic revolution.
Muslims have begun to understand that dictatorships are nothing but pro-western puppets.
In Iran one has seen under leadership of Imam Khomeni (RA) how a nation can prosper while following the path of Sunnah and Quran.
How do you view the pro west regime of Saudi Arabia?
Yes, Islam has been ushered via holy land of Saudi Arabia. The present scenario is a bit low, seeing the present government in Saudi Arabia acting as puppets in the hands of the west and Israel.
How do you view the slavery of Kashmiris since hundreds of years?
We have learnt through history that during the Islamic era from Bulbul Shah to Yousuf Shah Chak, we were the rich and proud class. But our own painful sectarian division landed us into clutches of slavery.
We need to learn from teachings of Islam that discipline is just for achieving success and lack of discipline has hurt us.
Why has Iran lend support to secular Bashrul Assad of Syria?
It is true that Assad is a secular leader and Iran has been his vocal critic in that context. But in present war of Syria, the Iran nation is behind Assad despite differences for many reasons. Under his leadership, Syria has been base camp for anti-Israeli freedom fighters of Hamas and Hezbollah. He has been the only Arab leader who has been vocal critic of the aggression and brutalities of Israel. Iran above all, believes that change have to be ushered via public revolution not through Western backed militias.
So Iran is bound to support the Syrian regime based on the principles of righteousness.
What you perceive is the Kashmir issue: Religious or political?
Yes, definitely the issue of Kashmir is Islamic in nature as it pertains to Muslims and although some leaders who call it secular should understand this fact as they themselves use religious platforms to highlight the grave issues pertaining to this conflict.
Calling the Killed one martyr and raising religious slogans suggest that this is purely Islamic issue.
We only need unity and no one has to leave his sect but we have all to respect the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). All the Muslims, be it Sunni, Shia, Hanafi, Shafi,Hambili, should offer nimaz at one mosque to revive lost unity. Muslims need unity to revive lost glory.