KARACHI, March 16: Speakers at a seminar here on Saturday stressed the need for differentiating between westernization and modernization and underscored the exigency of eradication of sectarian and political conflicts in all Muslim countries.

The seminar on “Muslim Ummah — In the Past, Present and Future”, was organized by the Islamic History Society, University of Karachi, on the eve of Islamic History Day at Arts Auditorium of the university.

Former KU vice-chancellor Dr Manzooruddin Ahmed gave a detailed account of Muslim history and attributed internal conflicts as the major cause of decline of Islamic rule in the world.

“It is quite explicit that internal conflicts, including sectarianism, and deviation from the laws taught by holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) led the Muslims into destruction”, he observed, adding that internal weaknesses of Islamic world paved the way for others to get control on their lives.

Citing example of Turkey, he felt that approach adopted by its leader, Kamal Attaturk, to turn the country in accordance with the Western values had completely failed and even European Union was reluctant to grant it the status of a member.

Dr Manzoor criticized the existence of parallel systems of madressahs and schools in the country, saying that both the systems of education were far from meeting the present day requirements. “Muslim scholars and intellectuals should bear the responsibility of spreading knowledge among Muslim masses,” he added.

Noted scholar Shahnawaz Farooqui said that if anything had been changed since September 11, it was the presumed moral superiority of the West, which is now openly confronting the fundamentalist Muslims all over the world.

“Islamic history transpires on us that despite having complete control on the lives of minorities, Muslims neither forced unbelievers to adopt Islam nor they were restricted to practice and preach their religion of thoughts,” he said.

Contrary to that, he said, the so-called Western civilization forces nations, even individuals, to adopt its norms, values and culture and anybody who defied it, is termed orthodox, extremist or fundamentalist.

He maintained that there was a need for having a complete analysis of westernization and how badly it has been affecting the natural and physical laws of Almighty Allah.

Dean, Faculty of Science, Dr Abu Zar Wajidi; President Islamic History Society Dr Shakeel Siddiqui, and Prof Nigar Sajjad Zaheer also spoke on the occasion.—PPI