Shia scholar Syed Kalbe Jawad spoke against the unchecked trend of oppression of the Shia community in Pakistan and Afghanistan. He feels education is the most important for improving the condition of Muslims. Malick Asghar Hashmi, Editor, Awaz-the Voice, Hindi, spoke to him about a range of issues. Excerpts from the second part of his interview:

The passing of Kalbe Sadiq sahib is a big loss for the community. It’s certainly not possible for anyone to take his place. How are you taking his loss?

He was my uncle; nobody knew him better than me. He spent his life helping fellow humans. He never restricted his help to Muslims or Shias; he believed in helping whosoever came to him. He helped everyone. He was in the field of education and made efforts to ensure that education reaches everyone, whether it is Muslim or non-Muslim. It's impossible for anyone to be like him; the only possibility is that we fulfil his mission. His mission was that the message of humanity reaches the whole world; education touches everyone’s life and poverty is eradicated.

Humanity has two enemies: one is poverty and the other illiteracy. If both are overcome then this world will become a paradise. 

For this mission, he set up schools and pushed people in trade and business. He encouraged people to get into business to improve their financial position; asked them to open small shops. He told people that if they work sincerely their small ventures will become big. The only possibility for us is to follow on his footprints and fulfil his mission.

Kalbe Sadiq Saheb was considered a liberal religious leader. He acted as a bridge between Hindu and Muslims; Shia and Sunni. Do you see yourself in his shoes after him?

It’s my duty to carry on his mission. My father was also a very popular person. When he died in an accident almost 10 lakh people participated in his funeral. And when my uncle left this world, people of all religions came to say prayers at his funeral. Our mission is to spread love; narrow down differences and work for peace. This is the culture of India. This country has always won over its enemies by embracing them with love. We, the Indians, continue to give the message of friendship to the world at large. China is continuously unleashing its nefarious designs, and yet we aren’t tempted to respond in the same manner. The effort is to resolve the issue through dialogue. Pakistan has been behind the incidents of terrorism in India and yet India is not paying it in the same coin. India is not into bleeding anyone and is trying to end bloodletting. This is also our mission. I believe this should be the mission of every religion and each religious head.

How has your uncle’s passing away impacted the representation of the Shia community in the Muslim Personal Law Board?

I am also one of the founding members of the Muslim Personal law board. Besides a number of Shia Ulema are also members of the board. In fact, my father was the founding vice-president of the Muslim Personal Law Board. It was set up by five men including Maulana Tayyab and my father. After my father passed away, my uncle was appointed in his place. Although it doesn’t have a vice-president at present, there are a number of Shia members. I am also one of them. We are continuing the mission of my father.

You formed the organization Tanjim-e-Pasdaran-e-Hussain in 2000, what is its status now?

Actually, we faced a problem as a number of wakf properties were in illegal possession of people. To tackle this I formed a youth organization to recover these properties. Bada Imambara and Chota Imambara are Waqf properties. And there are big properties like the one in Secunderabad, which is used for mourning during Muharram as Tajiya is kept there. That too was in private possession. The volunteers of Pasdaran-e-Hussain also removed encroachers from the Imambara of Sikandarbagh. Now with Allah’s grace, we are able to have congregations there. Imambara is a very beautiful place. The best Imambara, after the small Imambara, is that of Sikandarbagh, which we also been freed of encroachers. I wish more young people join Pasadran-e-Hussain. In the same way, about 25 bighas of land in Alam Nagar, belonged to Waqf that we rescued. At present, the group is not very active, yet the organization remains intact.

There is a very big Dargah in the centre of Delhi called Dargah-a- Saheb Markaz, it is on about 10 acres. We also got this freed from illegal occupation. The land is so precious that there in no way it should have gone into private hands. We have plans to establish a University on this land. It will be named Karbala University. Inshallah, it will be a very big university and come into being soon. People of every religion will be able to study at this university

What more can you tell us about Karbala University project?

The foundation stone of the university has been laid. People of all religions can take admission in it. We will make sure, Shia people make use of this to spread education in the community. This university will become operational within two-three years.

What will be the USP of this University? Will Islam be on the curriculum?

Religion will also be one of the subjects. Besides, it will offer courses in all the modern-day subjects. Our sixth Imam Jafar Sadiq had established a university in Medina, 1,350 years ago. Quran and hadith were taught there. You may be surprised to know that subjects like Chemistry, Geography, Astronomy and Geology were studied there. We would also like knowledge of all subjects to be imparted in the University.

What are community works are you involved in these days?

We have limited resources. We have an organization called Noor-e-Hidayat and another one Imam-e-Damana Trust. Through these institutions, we help people in education. If a child is unable to get admission, we extend our help to him. We also offer medical facilities to people. Both education and healthcare are very important for people. Poor people cannot go to big hospitals, so we help them in getting treatment. We have signed an agreement with big hospitals for giving 40 to 50 per cent rebate to those people who go through us. Also, this facility is extended to all poor people, irrespective of their religion.

You always said the Shias are not interested in getting the doles; they want their rightful share in everything? What kind of right are you referring to here?

We feel that if there is reservation in jobs, the Shia community should also be entitled to it. If Muslims get reservations then as per the population, 20 per cent should go to Shias. Secondly, are working towards managing Aqauf land and properties in a manner that Muslims become self-reliant. 

How correct is it to dismiss every criticism of Islam as Islamophobia?

Islam is a liberal religion; and religion of love. The prophet says that if you have saved the life of even a dog, then you have reserved your place in heaven. Allah tells the followers of Islam that they are a great community; born to help others. The other side of it is that He tells us not to harm others. Islam's teachings go beyond harming others; it asks Muslims to work for the good of all. If your neighbour is a Hindu and is hungry, then it is your duty to feed him. When you find someone is sick or in trouble extend a helping hand; it’s a duty. Maybe you don’t understand all this but at least make sure you don’t raise a wall high enough not to let the rays of sun reach you. Also do not build a house so high that it blocks the flow of wind of the neighbour. If delicious food is being made at your home and its smell is going to the neighbour, then it is your duty to share the food with him. This is Islam.

If you follow these basics of Islam then people will realize what this religion by simply meeting and interacting with a Muslim. It is not that you kill someone and say this is jihad and this is being a true Muslim. People who indulge in such activities are enemies of Islam.

what is your view on the ongoing efforts on modernizing the madrasas? Would it be appropriate to link Madrasas with the modern education system?

Islam has a history of coexistence of religious teaching with modern scientific knowledge. Is Muslim don’t go for modern education we will get isolated from the rest of the world. Madrasas should have computers. 

Do you find Muslims are getting adequately represented in educational institutions in proportion to their population? How should more Muslims get into education?

The difficulty is that education has become very expensive. People come to us with issues like they can ill afford the annual school fees of Rs 40,000. At times, we help such people for one child. What if someone has three children? The poor man is not able to afford good education and the standards of the government school not up to the mark. It’s his compulsion to send the child to a private school. However, the fees in these institutions are exorbitant and the poor can’t afford them. The government should upgrade the public schools for the benefit of poor people.

Many children stay away from good education because parents are unable to pay the fees. The cartel of educational institutions is also involved in hiking the fees every year; they manage to the structure of the courses and books every year. The material remains the same but it’s a ploy to make the students pay more for the same. Some government employees are also involved in this. To provide good education to the poor, it is important that the course material does not change. The standard of government school should be elevated so that poor children get an education at affordable fees.