The 5th Islamic Seminar 2020, organized by KKIC, is being held at Farwaniya Garden Grounds from February 25 – 28, under the aegis of Dr. Fahad Mohammad Mohsin Afasy, Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, Kuwait

The seminar is themed ‘Religion, Nationhood and Humanity’ and is the fifth in a series of events held in 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2017. The event aims to tackle the challenges created by narrow religious fundamentalism and muscular nationalism that are threatening the religious harmony in our social fabric.

In addition to providing awareness on Islam to the Malayalam speaking community in Kuwait, the seminar also features a 4-day exhibition for a wider audience titled Science 2.0. The event is open for all visitors, irrespective of religious and other partisan differences.

Religion, Nationhood and Humanity

Religion, nationhood and humanity are hot topics in our current political climate. Religion is the way to salvation for mankind. Islam is the guidance provided by the creator to humanity, and is valid for all times.

However, manmade ideologies are time bound, and are relevant only for a certain period, tackling only a limited range of human issues. They cannot triumph over the test of time. Ironically, some modern day thinkers like to argue that religion is the root cause of all of mankind’s problems.

Nationalism is a double-edged sword. Historically, it has been invoked by political powers to sow discord and divide the people with ulterior motives. Nationalism has served to polarize communities, stoke hatred, oppress the masses and trigger innumerous wars and conflicts, leading to the redefinition of national boundaries.

Nationalism is the emotion that arises in a population driven by a combination of virulent patriotism and pride. In a pluralistic country like India, any attempt to build a monolithic structure will only endanger its social fabric. Further, when a religion becomes the defining theme of nationhood, the problems get compounded.

The inability of our current political dispensation to understand the real idea of India is the crisis facing us today. Patriotism is innate in every man. Islam doesn’t deny this natural tendency in all of us.

In a country that gives freedom of religion, every Muslim is bound to be faithful to it. In Islam, nationhood is founded on humanitarian values. Human values cannot be based on manmade ideologies. The human intellect is incapable of figuring out the values that ultimately benefit mankind. Values cannot change based on time, place or other factors. Which is why we are in need of divine guidance.

What raises a person’s rank in the eyes of Allah are not his nationality, color, wealth or other worldly criteria, but it’s only his moral uprightness.