0:00:09.665,0:00:12.195 [Hassan Ilyas] In the Name of Allah, the [br]Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate. 0:00:12.195,0:00:14.495 Assalamu alaikum I am Mohammad [br]Hassan Ilyas and right now 0:00:14.495,0:00:16.975 we are in Dallas at the Ghamdi Centre of [br]Islamic Learning. 0:00:16.975,0:00:20.735 ISNA which is the oldest organization[br]of Muslims in America. 0:00:21.610,0:00:25.301 ISNA is having its annual convocation but[br]physical participation 0:00:25.301,0:00:26.891 was hampered due to Covid-19. 0:00:26.891,0:00:30.201 The organizers requested that we should [br]record 0:00:30.201,0:00:34.171 some conversations with Ghamidi Sahab. 0:00:34.171,0:00:36.751 for the participants of this convocation [br]and 0:00:36.751,0:00:40.751 that these conversations are related[br]to the socio-religious challenges 0:00:40.751,0:00:42.821 facing Muslims within the United States. 0:00:42.821,0:00:45.701 Today we are here for this purpose [br]we are having with us 0:00:45.701,0:00:47.961 Mr. Javed Ahmad Ghamdi Sahab [br]Asalamu alaikum. 0:00:47.961,0:00:49.411 [Javed Ahmad Ghamidi] Walikum Asalam 0:00:49.411,0:00:51.661 [Ilyas] Ghamidi Sahab, thank you [br]very much for your time. 0:00:51.661,0:00:54.971 At this time, you are being heard by people[br]associated with ISNA all over the world 0:00:54.971,0:00:57.301 and especially the Muslim community in [br]America. 0:00:57.301,0:01:01.301 I would like to ask you first,[br]that 57 years ago today, 0:01:01.301,0:01:03.951 the foundation of this organization was[br]laid 0:01:03.951,0:01:05.965 as "The Islamic Society of North[br]America”, 0:01:05.965,0:01:09.445 which is a group of Muslims who settled [br]in Western countries 0:01:09.445,0:01:13.125 and then became part of the community [br]and through the systematic efforts 0:01:13.125,0:01:16.695 of their organization, they tried to [br]advance their mission and vision 0:01:16.695,0:01:19.525 by way of helping the people to develop [br]social capital and education. 0:01:19.525,0:01:22.595 How do you see this whole idea and[br]please help us with your 0:01:22.595,0:01:24.195 personal opinion about ISNA? 0:01:24.195,0:01:27.463 [Ghamidi] This is an extraordinary [br]achievement, and 0:01:27.463,0:01:29.413 it should be greatly appreciated. 0:01:29.413,0:01:34.933 Wherever we go, the needs of human society[br]come to the fore. 0:01:35.680,0:01:39.680 When we move to a foreign place or a [br]foreign society 0:01:39.680,0:01:46.280 or a place where our culture, tradition, [br]civilization is not being followed, 0:01:46.656,0:01:48.694 we will face difficulties there. 0:01:48.694,0:01:54.737 These problems can be social, cultural [br]and sometimes psychological. 0:01:55.373,0:02:01.413 The best way out of all these problems[br]for a Muslim or any other nation, 0:02:01.413,0:02:04.203 is to organize its own community. 0:02:05.190,0:02:09.190 People who are associated with it, who[br]belong to the same tradition, 0:02:09.554,0:02:14.704 who come from the same background, not [br]only understand their issues, 0:02:15.370,0:02:19.370 but also have a special background which[br]aids them in resolving them. 0:02:19.370,0:02:23.273 With all these things in mind, creating [br]such organizations and 0:02:23.273,0:02:28.743 creating a bond between them, even if it [br]is more than one, it does not matter. 0:02:28.743,0:02:34.133 However, the ideal situation is that [br]wherever Muslims go, 0:02:34.133,0:02:39.473 only one organization should come into[br]existence because such organizations 0:02:39.473,0:02:41.930 have no ideological aspect. 0:02:41.930,0:02:45.148 The reason for establishing these [br]organizations is to check, 0:02:45.148,0:02:48.251 if Muslims are in some sort of[br]problems as a community? 0:02:48.251,0:02:51.753 Such organizations are formed keeping in[br]view the aforementioned objectives. 0:02:51.753,0:02:57.153 So in my opinion it is difficult to create[br]unity in the organizations that are 0:02:57.153,0:03:01.710 formed on the basis of Ideology or in [br]which there are ideological discussions 0:03:01.710,0:03:04.223 and perhaps there is no need for it[br]as well. 0:03:04.223,0:03:05.183 [Ilyas] okay 0:03:05.183,0:03:09.183 [Ghamidi] Their goal is that they address[br]your mind and in this respect, 0:03:09.183,0:03:13.183 for example, there are different [br]groups, sects among Muslims, 0:03:13.183,0:03:18.392 there is a difference in thinking, which [br]leads to formation of an organisation, 0:03:18.392,0:03:20.734 as well as institutions. 0:03:20.734,0:03:26.623 but as a community, Muslim too face [br]some challenges. 0:03:27.227,0:03:31.227 For instance to help Muslims in managing[br]their mosques, guiding them in matters 0:03:31.227,0:03:36.300 of fasting and prayers, and meeting their[br]needs in regard to Hajj and ‘Umrah. 0:03:36.419,0:03:38.721 As in the case of funeral arrangements, 0:03:38.721,0:03:42.721 if all these needs are put in front of [br]them and their general education 0:03:42.721,0:03:46.721 is made the goal, that is, something on [br]which there is no disagreement. 0:03:46.721,0:03:51.978 As we usually say, elementary education is[br]broad-based. 0:03:51.978,0:03:56.716 If an organization is formed, I think it [br]if of paramount importance. 0:03:57.381,0:04:01.381 You may be aware, we in India[br]once had reputed scholars 0:04:01.381,0:04:07.211 who put forward the view that now that[br]Muslims' political system has collapsed 0:04:07.660,0:04:12.600 so, there should be a collective system[br]for Muslims of the subcontinent. 0:04:13.570,0:04:15.807 This dream could not be[br]achieved, 0:04:15.807,0:04:19.807 but when the Muslims have come out of [br]one place and they have started residing 0:04:19.807,0:04:23.807 in different countries, I think that [br]such organizations 0:04:23.807,0:04:29.397 must exist and in my opinion they [br]should try to transcend themselves 0:04:29.397,0:04:31.807 from differences of opinion as regards[br]ideologies, 0:04:31.807,0:04:35.537 whether there are intellectual [br]differences, juristic differences or 0:04:35.537,0:04:38.174 differences of any kind. 0:04:38.174,0:04:43.154 The topics that should be discussed here [br]are those that the whole community needs, 0:04:43.154,0:04:46.204 what the Muslim society as a whole[br]needs. 0:04:46.619,0:04:51.669 what their cultural traditions need, what [br]they need regarding agree-upon festivals. 0:04:51.669,0:04:54.889 Keeping all these things in view that [br]are agreed upon, 0:04:54.889,0:04:58.919 establishing such a system is a necessity [br]to me as air and water are needed. 0:04:58.919,0:05:00.549 [Ilyas] So we will continue this topic. 0:05:00.549,0:05:03.819 I will state that most of your listeners [br]are Muslims 0:05:03.819,0:05:05.519 in the United States at this time. 0:05:05.519,0:05:09.919 I will also ask you a few questions [br]which we have received from them 0:05:09.919,0:05:13.399 so that you can put forward your point of [br]view about those who immigrated 0:05:13.399,0:05:15.962 to the United States in large [br]number during 1960 -1970’s. 0:05:15.962,0:05:19.962 They brought their religious and cultural [br]traditions here, but for the new generation 0:05:19.962,0:05:25.292 we see that their is a crisis about [br]religious tendencies, cultural aspects, 0:05:25.292,0:05:27.962 cultural backgrounds, clothing, [br]everything. 0:05:28.203,0:05:34.173 Please, tell me that how parents should[br]persuade their children in these issues, 0:05:34.173,0:05:37.263 so that they should stick to the [br]same ideas and principles. 0:05:37.525,0:05:42.295 I'll offer an example: we know in western[br]countries the dress code is different 0:05:42.295,0:05:45.525 and our Muslim cultural backgrounds have[br]different dress codes. 0:05:45.933,0:05:49.623 So how will the Muslim parents who[br]have settled here, convince their children 0:05:49.623,0:05:54.923 wear simple and decent clothes as[br]was the traditions back home? 0:05:54.923,0:05:58.923 [Ghamidi] The first thing is that wherever[br]the parents come from, 0:05:58.923,0:06:02.923 they have brought their tradition[br]with them, their way of life, 0:06:02.923,0:06:05.793 their way of conversing and [br]how they live. 0:06:05.793,0:06:07.883 The child observes this same [br]manner. 0:06:07.883,0:06:13.392 In the first stage, I always say that [br]the way parents want children to become 0:06:13.865,0:06:19.675 they should become an example of the same[br]in their home and their society, 0:06:19.675,0:06:23.675 because children will see their parents [br]and when they will see them, 0:06:23.675,0:06:26.975 after that the first thing they do when [br]they see them, 0:06:26.975,0:06:30.305 and what they may not feel the need [br]to do in their home countries, 0:06:30.305,0:06:33.135 is to create awareness of their own [br]cultural traditions. 0:06:33.135,0:06:38.135 One thing is for sure, whether you [br]were born in Morocco, or 0:06:38.135,0:06:42.935 in the subcontinent or somewhere in[br]the Arab world, and 0:06:42.935,0:06:46.795 you have lived in the traditions that [br]were there and we automatically tend 0:06:46.795,0:06:50.045 to adopt these traditions and there is [br]not much hesitation about accepting 0:06:50.045,0:06:52.855 the things that are going on [br]in a society or its surrounding. 0:06:52.855,0:06:54.963 But every time you go to another [br]society, 0:06:54.963,0:07:01.359 whatever you choose or insist on, requires[br]a reasoning and an argument behind it, 0:07:01.890,0:07:05.890 so everyone should know when he is [br]going to another country. 0:07:06.465,0:07:09.595 If it has a religious tradition, what is [br]the reason behind it? 0:07:09.783,0:07:13.353 If he’s following certain ethics, what [br]is the reason behind it? 0:07:13.564,0:07:18.774 The way one dresses, engages with people,[br]and blends in, it should be known 0:07:18.774,0:07:21.094 what are the foundations of that? 0:07:21.094,0:07:25.094 The first thing is that the parents [br]themselves should create 0:07:25.094,0:07:26.254 awareness about it. 0:07:26.254,0:07:29.414 In other words, they should educate[br]themselves. 0:07:29.414,0:07:31.596 They should arrange for their education[br]in these matters. 0:07:31.596,0:07:35.596 In our case, I have submitted to you that [br]these things are usually adopted 0:07:35.596,0:07:39.596 by observing the society, hearing from the[br]parents, which is not 0:07:39.596,0:07:44.366 a conscious decision, so it should [br]be turned into a conscious activity. 0:07:44.785,0:07:49.645 Once upon a time, some of our scholars[br]used the term that Muslims need not to be 0:07:49.645,0:07:54.505 just Muslim but a conscious Muslim, that [br]is, if he renews his faith, 0:07:54.691,0:07:57.431 then the renewal of faith has not been [br]said here in 0:07:57.431,0:07:58.991 any jurisprudential sense. 0:07:58.991,0:08:02.241 Rather, it is being said in the sense[br]that you have to know yourself, 0:08:02.241,0:08:05.115 you have to develop self-knowledge [br]and self-identity. 0:08:05.115,0:08:06.715 If you are a Muslim, [br]Why you are a Muslim? 0:08:06.715,0:08:09.816 If you have a cultural background, then [br]what is the state of it? 0:08:09.816,0:08:12.681 What arguments do you have for accepting[br]those cultural conditions? 0:08:12.681,0:08:15.811 You should have knowledge [br]pertaining to these things. 0:08:16.074,0:08:20.074 Obviously, not all people have the same [br]aptitude for knowledge, 0:08:20.074,0:08:25.254 so they should try to understand as [br]much as they can. 0:08:25.254,0:08:30.233 They should try to educate their children about the same and[br]they should rationally present these things to their children. 0:08:30.611,0:08:33.931 To suggest that they will forcefully [br]convince their children may not be possible today. 0:08:33.931,0:08:36.020 Perhaps those times have passed. 0:08:36.020,0:08:40.760 These things are no longer possible [br]in our own countries or even globally. 0:08:41.588,0:08:46.468 We have entered a world in which each [br]and every culture 0:08:46.468,0:08:52.308 is becoming part of a global civilization[br]in spite of their differing identities. 0:08:52.308,0:08:59.205 And when such a [br]situation arises, then you have to explain 0:08:59.205,0:09:02.395 why you have adopted all those[br]things that you have. 0:09:02.395,0:09:04.895 In this scenario, you can no longer [br]rely on parental authority. 0:09:04.895,0:09:09.017 Then you should try to find out what [br]background you are from. 0:09:09.447,0:09:14.257 You may be from a non-Arab background [br]or you may be from an Arab background, 0:09:14.257,0:09:16.433 you may be from the subcontinent. 0:09:16.433,0:09:21.603 Wherever you are from, your Islamic language...[br]however you would wonder how a language 0:09:21.603,0:09:23.543 can be divided into Islamic and [br]non-Islamic. 0:09:23.543,0:09:25.073 Of course it is.. 0:09:25.073,0:09:26.423 How is it so? 0:09:26.423,0:09:30.423 Just as we urge people in our own countries [br]to learn the English langue 0:09:30.423,0:09:33.153 What is the reason behind that? 0:09:34.773,0:09:37.697 The reason is that it has [br]become the language of modern science. 0:09:37.697,0:09:41.697 There are other languages of modern [br]knowledge too but we are referring to that language 0:09:41.697,0:09:45.697 through which many new sciences [br]are now reaching us 0:09:45.697,0:09:49.697 and we If we want access those sciences, [br]then we too must master that language. 0:09:49.697,0:09:56.657 In the same way, our religion [br]came to Arabia, that is, 0:09:56.657,0:10:00.657 I mean the form of Islam that we[br]have received through 0:10:00.657,0:10:02.467 Muhammad, the Messenger of God (pbuh) 0:10:02.467,0:10:06.467 It is the religion of all the Prophets, [br]and it has always been Islam. 0:10:06.467,0:10:10.467 But when it was renewed by the [br]Prophet (pbuh) and then it was 0:10:10.467,0:10:14.427 given to the world and The Quran [br]was revealed in Arabic, 0:10:14.427,0:10:20.456 the Prophet (pbuh) himself addressed us [br]in this language. Hence, all our sciences began in this language. Then came the second period 0:10:20.456,0:10:24.568 of Persian language and then after that [br]Urdu language got this status. 0:10:25.095,0:10:28.245 It is also a case with some other [br]languages that they have their 0:10:28.245,0:10:32.245 own religious background but if you [br]look carefully whatever knowledge 0:10:32.245,0:10:36.245 has come about with respect to religion[br]those great people have 0:10:36.245,0:10:40.245 written in these languages only and it has [br]come into existence through them. 0:10:40.650,0:10:44.650 So, at least, one of the languages must be[br]taught to children. 0:10:44.650,0:10:50.300 It is also important because you want to [br]explain your religion, because 0:10:50.300,0:10:52.920 you also want to transmit your culture, 0:10:52.920,0:10:56.920 and you want to keep them connected to [br]your traditions. 0:10:56.920,0:11:02.240 It is also important because a person’s [br]memory is shaped by his past 0:11:02.240,0:11:05.830 and you don’t want to see them alienated [br]from the past. 0:11:05.830,0:11:09.830 These things have their respective [br]background and 0:11:09.830,0:11:12.370 they embody themselves in[br]the fabric of language. 0:11:12.761,0:11:16.761 In other words, language is not just [br]a means of communication. 0:11:16.761,0:11:21.071 It is a big mistake of people to think[br]that there are such-and-such facts 0:11:21.071,0:11:24.081 and If you translate them into such-and- [br]such language, the issue will be resolved. 0:11:24.081,0:11:28.554 It doesn't end there. It means that when an advanced [br]level of knowledge is created, 0:11:28.554,0:11:32.554 it is expressed via the pens and mouths of [br]highly intellectual people. 0:11:33.136,0:11:37.136 And unless and until people are in [br]a position to benefit from them directly, 0:11:37.501,0:11:42.681 after reaching a certain level of [br]knowledge, an individual is not influenced by their thought. 0:11:42.681,0:11:47.021 Parents will play a role in teaching their children, [br]People will learn from their surroundings, 0:11:47.021,0:11:51.811 People will learn from thier teachers. Then [br]once thosse big questions arise, 0:11:51.811,0:11:56.657 then it is important that they are aware [br]of the intellectual heritage of Muslims. 0:11:57.170,0:12:05.370 and get to know its great people so that they [br]can benefit from the intelligentsia. 0:12:05.370,0:12:10.960 It is the intelligentsia that keeps you connected to[br]it's customs, religious traditions and to it's 0:12:10.960,0:12:15.830 ideology, if it has one. I always give my [br]own example that when 0:12:15.830,0:12:21.190 I was trained by my parents, I understood [br]some things and observed other things. 0:12:21.190,0:12:26.930 Right from the beginning I got acquainted with [br]Abul Kalam Azad, Iqbal, Syed Abul A’al Sahab Maududi 0:12:26.930,0:12:30.930 and Shibli Nomani. These were the elders [br]with whom I got acquainted, 0:12:31.283,0:12:36.899 whose writings came to light and I [br]had access to their for writings. 0:12:36.899,0:12:43.313 As a result, there was no need for me [br]to fall back on may parents for my doubts. 0:12:43.919,0:12:47.919 We must also realize this need and provide[br]educational opportunities 0:12:47.919,0:12:50.109 to our children accordingly. 0:12:50.392,0:12:52.536 [Ilyas] Totally, I would like to conclude [br]with last two questions. 0:12:52.536,0:12:56.536 The children nowadays studying in[br]High school Universities and College; 0:12:56.536,0:13:00.536 they have a common question to which [br]parents have no answer which 0:13:00.536,0:13:07.446 is that if they are choosing a partner for marriage, [br]they argue that there are non-Muslims just as 0:13:07.446,0:13:11.446 there are Muslims, in that they have good [br]morals , they are also doing good deeds, 0:13:11.446,0:13:15.446 they are also doing charity work, so what [br]is the reason that a Muslim boy 0:13:15.446,0:13:20.266 or girl at the time of getting married,[br]should choose a muslim partner 0:13:20.266,0:13:22.516 as religion has made it obligatory[br]for them to choose only from the Muslims. 0:13:22.728,0:13:26.728 Is their any rational explanation to it [br]which the parents can present? 0:13:26.893,0:13:30.893 [Ghamidi] You said that they have [br]good morals and good training. 0:13:31.077,0:13:33.047 Why do they need these things? 0:13:33.358,0:13:42.890 Because these are some values on [br]which you are not ready to compromise. 0:13:42.890,0:13:48.040 Which means that a functional home [br]would be possible only with good etiquettes. 0:13:48.323,0:13:52.323 It means that morality is a [br]an issue for you. 0:13:52.323,0:13:56.323 You value it. You want to find it. 0:13:56.323,0:13:58.713 You call it a necessity of life. 0:13:58.713,0:14:00.793 Same is the case with religion. 0:14:00.793,0:14:04.793 If you think that the decision is to be[br]based on religion and this decision 0:14:04.793,0:14:11.113 is to be made on the Day of Judgment and [br]my children have to adhere 0:14:11.113,0:14:15.113 to a religion and my society has to [br]be molded by a religion 0:14:15.113,0:14:18.233 then that means that religion is [br]an issue for you. 0:14:18.496,0:14:22.496 If religion matters to you, then it [br]should matter to you 0:14:22.496,0:14:28.106 in marriage as well. It is a very simple [br]intellectual issue. And should be looked at like that. 0:14:28.215,0:14:35.005 There are those things that I consider important,[br]those that I consider to be a cause for concern, 0:14:35.231,0:14:41.051 are the sort of things that I analyse. I will analyse [br]the values of the other person whom I have to marry 0:14:41.051,0:14:42.551 I have to marry.[br]I want to build a home. 0:14:42.551,0:14:44.081 It’s a lifelong decision. 0:14:44.081,0:14:45.381 I will have children. 0:14:45.381,0:14:46.806 They have to learn. 0:14:46.806,0:14:51.726 So the real issue is that religion is no [br]longer relevant for children. 0:14:52.040,0:14:58.220 Religion is no longer a part of [br]their intellect, their thoughts and their life. 0:14:58.481,0:15:02.481 They see that the parents want [br]to force them to adhere to their religion 0:15:02.481,0:15:08.221 and this again raises the question in front[br]of them as to why religion 0:15:08.221,0:15:11.031 should become an obstacle in the way [br]of what they like and what they love. 0:15:11.825,0:15:15.825 This question will continue to come up [br]until we present religion to our children 0:15:15.825,0:15:22.325 in such a way that it does becomes [br]constitutive in a moral way 0:15:22.325,0:15:24.555 of their intellectual and cultural being. 0:15:24.920,0:15:27.739 When that happens, they will stop [br]posing such questions. 0:15:27.739,0:15:31.739 [Hassan] Please will you also shed light [br]on whether Muslims 0:15:31.739,0:15:34.419 should be involved in the local or [br]national politics of the United States, 0:15:35.919,0:15:39.919 It is often suggested that there are a few[br]major parties that have their own 0:15:39.919,0:15:46.639 manifestos and there are things in those [br]manifesto that are also against Islam, 0:15:46.639,0:15:49.631 so if a person becomes a part of these [br]parties and 0:15:49.631,0:15:51.261 becomes active in local politics, 0:15:51.261,0:15:53.511 then is that an issue from a [br]religious point of view? 0:15:54.385,0:15:58.385 [Ghamidi] Of course, that should be the case.[br]I ask you to consider the countries you visit 0:15:58.385,0:16:02.385 as your own country when you [br]have acquired their citizenship. 0:16:02.385,0:16:04.775 You should be associated with that land. 0:16:04.775,0:16:07.515 You should be loyal to that land. 0:16:07.515,0:16:12.505 You should think about the development of that country[br]and when you have all theses things in mind, 0:16:12.505,0:16:16.505 then if you have a political acumen in you, [br]then you will definitely 0:16:16.505,0:16:20.505 participate in politics. In our culture, [br]most people are still associated 0:16:20.505,0:16:23.335 with the politics of their former [br]countriesand mentally 0:16:23.335,0:16:24.385 they are still living in the countries[br]of their birth. 0:16:24.385,0:16:28.385 They should know everything in terms of [br]the land they have chosen. 0:16:28.385,0:16:32.775 They must understand the politics of the [br]land they belong to and 0:16:32.775,0:16:34.085 participate in parties. 0:16:34.085,0:16:39.535 If there’s democracy and It is known that[br]you can live with differences of opinion. 0:16:40.127,0:16:44.127 Explain your differences of opinion and if[br]you have a large number, 0:16:44.127,0:16:48.127 then it will start to affect this [br]manifesto as well. 0:16:48.380,0:16:50.870 It will also affect its cultural outcome. 0:16:50.870,0:16:56.000 If you will remain unrelated, then you [br]will only suffer the consequences. 0:16:56.000,0:16:57.910 You will have no share in it. 0:16:57.910,0:17:01.530 That’s why in my opinion if people are [br]having a taste for politics, 0:17:01.530,0:17:02.970 they must participate. 0:17:03.193,0:17:06.853 [Hassan] Yes, at the end of the day I [br]would like to ask you for a message 0:17:06.853,0:17:08.444 and we will end with the same message. 0:17:08.444,0:17:12.444 As we know Muslims have come a long way. 0:17:12.444,0:17:15.634 The Muslims that come from western[br]culture. 0:17:15.634,0:17:21.324 Do you think that Muslims should learn [br]something from them and if so, what is it? 0:17:21.643,0:17:25.643 [Ghamidi] They have come because there [br]is some attraction for them here, 0:17:25.856,0:17:29.856 that is, how these societies have made [br]their journey, 0:17:30.552,0:17:34.552 how they have gone through different [br]stages, how they got rid of whatever 0:17:34.552,0:17:38.552 was their past. What happened to them [br]when the Renaissance 0:17:38.552,0:17:42.552 took place and a situation of revival of [br]science arose in it? 0:17:42.963,0:17:50.993 What are the consequences of modern [br]science in the same way? 0:17:50.993,0:18:00.113 They have to learn how to reach our [br]societies. They have a lot to learn. 0:18:00.113,0:18:08.443 The fact is that it’s not just inventions,[br]it’s not only airplane,the Internet,radio, 0:18:08.443,0:18:14.933 and television. Extraordinary work has [br]also been done 0:18:14.933,0:18:17.423 in the social sciences or sociology. 0:18:17.423,0:18:21.103 similarly, how should the organization of [br]the society be? 0:18:21.103,0:18:24.793 How should the political system be [br]established from the bottom to the top? 0:18:24.793,0:18:29.413 The institutes that are constituted for[br]running a political system like 0:18:29.413,0:18:32.823 legislature, judiciary and what will be[br]the possible mutual aspects. 0:18:32.823,0:18:34.892 There is a lot to learn from these things. 0:18:34.892,0:18:37.732 A believer pious person should always be [br]willing to learn. 0:18:37.732,0:18:41.022 Knowledge cannot be divided into [br]West or East. 0:18:41.351,0:18:45.351 The correct rule is that the Al hikmatu[br]zalatul moomin, 0:18:45.571,0:18:50.997 The job of a believer is to understand [br]everything in the light of his religion, 0:18:50.997,0:18:56.914 to understand it in terms of his cultural[br]values, 0:18:56.914,0:18:59.919 and take whatever is right in it as his[br]legacy. 0:18:59.919,0:19:07.424 And if there is something wrong, [br]it is out moral duty 0:19:07.424,0:19:09.031 to point out the shortcomings. 0:19:09.031,0:19:12.153 Same is the case here in our society, 0:19:12.153,0:19:20.273 We call things wrong, even if we [br]understand the right and 0:19:20.273,0:19:26.079 stand with it and explain the mistake, [br]then this society and 0:19:26.079,0:19:29.059 its future generations will also be [br]grateful to us. 0:19:29.059,0:19:31.389 [Hassan] We are out of time. 0:19:31.389,0:19:36.858 We tried to include Ghamidi sahab via [br]distant online mode in the annual convocation 0:19:36.858,0:19:40.568 of Islamic Society of North America ISNA, [br]and presented his view to the participants. 0:19:40.568,0:19:44.118 We’re thankful on behalf of the [br]organization as well, 0:19:44.118,0:19:46.108 for enlightening us with your views. 0:19:46.108,0:19:49.978 Insha’Allah, if we ever get a chance, we[br]will listen directly to this convocation 0:19:49.978,0:19:51.558 of Ghamdi Sahib. Thank you very much [br]for your time. 0:19:51.558,0:19:52.988 [Ghamidi] Thank u so much.