Religion is a resource of peace: Asghar Ali Engineer

HYDERABAD: Religion is often misused by people with vested interests, said noted reformist and social activist Asghar Ali Engineer, who was in the city on Tuesday.
Speaking at the release of his autobiography, ‘A living faith – My quest for peace, harmony and social change’, Engineer said that religion should unify people and not divide. He said his work of over 45 years had revolved around three causes, which he said were his priorities __ inter-religious peace or communal harmony, women’s rights, especially Muslim women’s rights, and the modern interpretation of Islam.
“I believe religion is not just a strategy or a tool, but a resource of peace. It has always been grossly misused by persons with vested interests, priests and politicians. Religion is meant to make us good,” Engineer said. Sharing what triggered his interest in this field of work, Engineer said, “I was a student in Indore when the Jabalpur riots took place. I was shocked to hear that people were taking lives in the name of religion. I didn’t find anything in Islamic teachings that encourages killing other people. I was convinced that there was another reason, hence, I began to investigate and this investigation went on till the Gujarat riots in 2002.”
Engineer said that Sufi Islam has had a great influence on him as it focuses on pure love which, according to him, is very important in one’s life. Drawing references from the sayings of Erich Fromm and Mahatma Gandhi, he emphasized on the need for truth, compassion, humility and non-violence. “I stand for social change and reform,” he added.
Speaking on the occasion, professor Javed Alam, former chairman, Indian Council of Social Science Research, said, “To truly secularise our country, separation of politics and religion is necessary.” He said that the state government should be made an autonomous institution, not guided or influenced by any external authority. “Even state functions start with an invocation. Religious rituals should be avoided in public life,” he said.
Discussing Engineer’s book, PM Bhargava, founder director CCMB and former vice-chairman of the Knowledge Commission, said, “The book contains a great anatomy of communal riots and throws light on the unreasonable suspicion on Muslims every time an incident occurs. I only differ with him on the point of religious terrorism as I believe is it a product of religious fundamentalism.”
Among those who spoke at the book release were G Haragopal, professor of Political Science at University of Hyderabad, Susie Tharu, department of ultural studies, Eflu, Mazher Hussain, social activist, and V N Rai, director, SVP National Police Academy.