Nawab Mohammed Abdul Ali, the Prince of Arcot, lives in the historic palace Amir Mahal in Chennai. His family, which ruled south India as Nawabs of Carnatic, traces its lineage from the second Caliph of 
Islam, Hazrat Omer bin-Khattab. Abdul Ali, a staunch secularist, is also the founder-Secretary General of the ‘Harmony India’ association, formed in 1990. In conversation with TSI’s N Asokan, the prince let us know his ideas on Islam in India
As compared to north India, communal violence and prejudices against the Muslim community is very muted in southern India. What are the reasons for this?
If you compare north India with the neighbouring countries, I would say that Muslims are safe and happy in India. And south India, particularly Tamilnadu, is very cordial and peaceful, even more than the north. In the south, Hindus and Muslims live together and are least bothered about communalism. Even when my ancestors ruled southern India as Nawabs of Carnatic, they contributed for our Hindu brothers. The nawabs donated land to build temples, and even today these temples stand there. For example, the Nawabs of Arcot donated a vast area of land for Srirangam Temple, near Trichirappali. Land was also given for constructing Kapaleeswar temple tank in Chennai, and also for Christian institutions. The St Bishop Heber College and St Joseph’s College in Trichirappalli also received our family's contribution. Around 250 to 300 years ago, the word ‘secularism’ did not exist and the nawabs and maharajas had a good rapport with subjects. In spite of all that happened - from Ayodhya to Bombay - India remained united. Only a handful of people are harmful, the whole religion should not be made responsible for an act. If a particular group is involved in terrorism, only that group should be blamed, arrested and brought to public. If Muslims are caught, why do you say Islam is a religion of terrorism? If Hindus are caught, would you say that Hinduism is a religion of terrorism?
A few days ago, opposition leader LK Advani said in Parliament, “Spiritual Islam is to be respected, but political Islam of this kind has to be countered and combated.” Some feel Islam cannot be separated from its political projection. Do you agree?
In India we are intolerant. So, politics and religion should be kept separate, because if both are combined, there will be major chaos. India is a great country. Allow a Hindu to be a better Hindu and the same goes for Muslims. Why should we go and destroy other religions’ places of worship? I don’t think a Hindu will ever say that one should go and destroy the place of worship. If he says so, he is not a Hindu, for Hinduism does not preach that. But what Ayodhya witnessed was 100 per cent political. If you ask me whether Islam has any political project, I don’t have any answer. Ask any politician …
Till the end of the 12th century, science, technology and mathematics flourished in the Arab world, which was much ahead of medieval Europe. But later, Europe grew by leaps and bounds whereas the Arab world got stagnated. The major reason, scholars say, is the decisive victory of secular forces over clergy in the European world. In your opinion, what needs to be done to change the present condition of the Muslim world? It is a very technical question. I’m afraid I can’t answer that one. But I can say that Arabs have done a lot in the fields of geography, algebra, etc. Muslims all over the world should wake up and apply their minds and most importantly, stand united. Throughout the world, Muslims are not united, even though some of the world’s wealthiest countries are Islamic.
The Rajendra Sachar Committee Report says that deprivation of the Muslim community is widespread in India and the worst compared to all other communities except Dalits. Is this self-inflicted or externally influenced?
It is true. If you consider the Muslim community in Madras, many are living in abysmal conditions. Unless they are educated they can’t move forward. I believe it is a self-implicated situation and not caused by external forces.
There are a lot of Tamil-speaking Muslims in TN. Is there any identity clash between Tamil-speaking and Urdu-speaking Muslims?
Both are good in their own ways. One thing is for sure, that Tamil-speaking Muslims are much united than Urdu-speaking; you can see the solidarity within them. But I feel that we are only Indians. Our religion should not be brought out of our homes.
Do Muslims need separate reservation in this country?
When other backward classes are getting reservation benefits why not Muslims? Theirs is also a backward community.
In Tamilnadu, places like Ambur and Vaniyambadi had great hubs of Urdu literature. but not any more. Why?
I also feel bad about this. Urdu is not only Muslim’s language; it is a national language. Many Hindus speak and write Urdu. Our premier Manmohan Singh, and former prime minister Vajpayee sahib write and read Urdu. The reason for the decline is that people feel studying Urdu no longer benefits them. Urdu-speaking people should come forward to save the language.
Do Muslims need a separate political party?
I used to tell my Muslim friends - you go and join national mainstream parties. Muslims can do great service to the nation if they join hands and work in national mainstream parties. Otherwise what have they achieved?
For Complete IIPM Article, Click on IIPM ArticleIslam, Hazrat Omer bin-Khattab. Abdul Ali, a staunch secularist, is also the founder-Secretary General of the ‘Harmony India’ association, formed in 1990. In conversation with TSI’s N Asokan, the prince let us know his ideas on Islam in India
As compared to north India, communal violence and prejudices against the Muslim community is very muted in southern India. What are the reasons for this?
If you compare north India with the neighbouring countries, I would say that Muslims are safe and happy in India. And south India, particularly Tamilnadu, is very cordial and peaceful, even more than the north. In the south, Hindus and Muslims live together and are least bothered about communalism. Even when my ancestors ruled southern India as Nawabs of Carnatic, they contributed for our Hindu brothers. The nawabs donated land to build temples, and even today these temples stand there. For example, the Nawabs of Arcot donated a vast area of land for Srirangam Temple, near Trichirappali. Land was also given for constructing Kapaleeswar temple tank in Chennai, and also for Christian institutions. The St Bishop Heber College and St Joseph’s College in Trichirappalli also received our family's contribution. Around 250 to 300 years ago, the word ‘secularism’ did not exist and the nawabs and maharajas had a good rapport with subjects. In spite of all that happened - from Ayodhya to Bombay - India remained united. Only a handful of people are harmful, the whole religion should not be made responsible for an act. If a particular group is involved in terrorism, only that group should be blamed, arrested and brought to public. If Muslims are caught, why do you say Islam is a religion of terrorism? If Hindus are caught, would you say that Hinduism is a religion of terrorism?
A few days ago, opposition leader LK Advani said in Parliament, “Spiritual Islam is to be respected, but political Islam of this kind has to be countered and combated.” Some feel Islam cannot be separated from its political projection. Do you agree?
In India we are intolerant. So, politics and religion should be kept separate, because if both are combined, there will be major chaos. India is a great country. Allow a Hindu to be a better Hindu and the same goes for Muslims. Why should we go and destroy other religions’ places of worship? I don’t think a Hindu will ever say that one should go and destroy the place of worship. If he says so, he is not a Hindu, for Hinduism does not preach that. But what Ayodhya witnessed was 100 per cent political. If you ask me whether Islam has any political project, I don’t have any answer. Ask any politician …
Till the end of the 12th century, science, technology and mathematics flourished in the Arab world, which was much ahead of medieval Europe. But later, Europe grew by leaps and bounds whereas the Arab world got stagnated. The major reason, scholars say, is the decisive victory of secular forces over clergy in the European world. In your opinion, what needs to be done to change the present condition of the Muslim world? It is a very technical question. I’m afraid I can’t answer that one. But I can say that Arabs have done a lot in the fields of geography, algebra, etc. Muslims all over the world should wake up and apply their minds and most importantly, stand united. Throughout the world, Muslims are not united, even though some of the world’s wealthiest countries are Islamic.
The Rajendra Sachar Committee Report says that deprivation of the Muslim community is widespread in India and the worst compared to all other communities except Dalits. Is this self-inflicted or externally influenced?
It is true. If you consider the Muslim community in Madras, many are living in abysmal conditions. Unless they are educated they can’t move forward. I believe it is a self-implicated situation and not caused by external forces.
There are a lot of Tamil-speaking Muslims in TN. Is there any identity clash between Tamil-speaking and Urdu-speaking Muslims?
Both are good in their own ways. One thing is for sure, that Tamil-speaking Muslims are much united than Urdu-speaking; you can see the solidarity within them. But I feel that we are only Indians. Our religion should not be brought out of our homes.
Do Muslims need separate reservation in this country?
When other backward classes are getting reservation benefits why not Muslims? Theirs is also a backward community.
In Tamilnadu, places like Ambur and Vaniyambadi had great hubs of Urdu literature. but not any more. Why?
I also feel bad about this. Urdu is not only Muslim’s language; it is a national language. Many Hindus speak and write Urdu. Our premier Manmohan Singh, and former prime minister Vajpayee sahib write and read Urdu. The reason for the decline is that people feel studying Urdu no longer benefits them. Urdu-speaking people should come forward to save the language.
Do Muslims need a separate political party?
I used to tell my Muslim friends - you go and join national mainstream parties. Muslims can do great service to the nation if they join hands and work in national mainstream parties. Otherwise what have they achieved?
Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008
An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative
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