Etched in my memory is this Peace Activist

This article is dedicated to Dr. Asghar Ali Engineer, “The man of God”, a theologian, secularism and communal harmony activist, R.L. Laureate (Alternative Nobel Prize) and Pioneer of the Centre for Study of Society and Secularism, who breathed his last on 14 May 2013.

Man Made Disasters and Religious Minorities was the topic for his session, on 14 December 2011, in Delhi, when he was invited as a guest speaker to the consultation on, 'Addressing Caste Based Discrimination in humanitarian Response', organized by the National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights.  I coordinated his participation from Geneva and during the course of coordination, in an initial email; I addressed him as “Mr”. A.A. Engineer, instead of “Dr”. A. A. Engineer. It was at this very first instance that Dr. Asghar’s humility struck me. He replied back with utmost humbleness and simplicity, enquiring about his travel and lodging. For him, the substance of consultation and the theme of his presentation were over and above that “not so important” issue of how he was being addressed.

I had the good fortune of hearing from Dr. Asghar about the communal strands of Indian politics and reason behind maintaining the status quo of communal disintegration in the country. Judgements pronounced over the Ramjanam Bhumi / Babri Masjid case and Gujarat riots have been the cases which I've keenly followed, and hearing Dr. Asghar’s personal account simply moved me. While he explained the intricacies of communcal and ethnic violence in India, The country has witnessed bloodshed not only when the religious minorities are targeted by fascist  powers, but these powers have also used the trick of mobilizing Adivasis against Dalits and vice versa, and caste minorities against religious minorities, something that unfolded during the Kandhamal riots in Odisha. He expressed his disappointment over the right wing objection to the Anti Communal and Targeted Violence Bill at its introduction in the Parliament.

After this consultation, my virtual association with Dr. Engineer continued in the area of understanding truth behind certain myths and ill-practices occurring under the garb of religious sanctions/norms of Islam. Owing to my curiosity, I clarified several issues located in the contemporary and traditional view of Islam, from Dr. Asghar over emails. It was such that my queries sought the most logical responses rooted in historical and scientific facts and reasons. I remember my last acknowledgement to him was for a reasoned out and contextual response to “Why (legal) adoption of child was prohibited in Islam?”, whereby, having cited the story behind such a mention in Qur’an, he maintained that no where adoption was banned, but the jurists drew this conclusion from an event and concluded from Qur’anic statement that 'Your adopted son is not like biological son'.

His views always influenced me, empowered me, ameliorated and elevated my views about Islam, with which most people on this planet suffer and love to live with. Thanks to media, international politics, the Big Brother, the religious leaders/clerics, restrained freedom of inquiry, dialogue and dissent on the subject, general insensitivity among the people, even within elite Muslims, let alone the marginalized majority.

What makes me revere him even more is the thought of how he must have worked for this nearly impossible mission of communal harmony, being assaulted by his own people, own community, at every step! I always feel that it is much easier to conquer the outside world but overcoming internal challenges, those within us and in our own families and communities is the foremost and greatest challenge for anyone. He was the one who stood by his faith and belief of Humanity and Equality, and acted out in true faith. He followed an approach by which he could stand up firmly before his community and enlighten them on the progressive aspects of Islam, a religion (among others) shunned for extremism penetrated by its followers in power positions.

His way of agitation was peaceful, on the vehicle of “Hidden knowledge” of his faith. Seldom have I found the most influential of figures use such approach and wisdom, because of which, I see the bridge leading to the marginalised communities, shaky or broken.  Many have abandoned their faith in pursuit of excellence, and numerous taken to liberal criticism of it, but few take pain to research and study well the subject of their criticism.

Dr. Asghar has certainly left his imprints on my mind which will continue to influence my zest to learn, love, expand and harmonise. His loss is certainly a huge loss for me personally. May his  legacy of rich knowledge and compassion for communal harmony continue to be inherited and guide the like-minded people, to have a place where all can unite and exist amidst diversity.

May his soul rest in peace