Islamabad, July 19, 2021 (PPI-OT):Religion can be a central part of one’s identity. Different people have different experiences with their religions. When writing about the history of Muslims or history of issues related to Muslim societies, there is nowadays a tendency to call this entire area of study ‘Islamic’ without much thought as to the use of this important lable.”
“For example, in modern times, there has developed a tendency to show all caliphs and sultans, governors and generals as ‘Islamic’ heroes. Islamic denotes something / somebody as mandated by Islam or having Islamic credentials to reflect Islamic character. The word Muslim, on the other hand, denotes an individual who happens to be a Muslim. It does not show what that individual did that was Islamic”, observed renowned historian Prof Dr Aslam Syed on Saturday while responding to a question during a Webinar on Weakends of Discourse on History.
Prof Dr. Aslam Syed has been currently serving Center for Religious Studies, Ruhr Universität, Bochum, Germany. He remained Chairman, Department of History, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad and served the NIHCR as its Director.
Responding to a question on history’s relationship with religion, Dr Syed answered that the study of history has long been connected to the history of religions. Historical thought is integral to religious practice. Religions have been a basic factor of human history in all places and times, and remain so in our own world today, he said.
“Religion is too important to be left in the hands of people who believe in it. Finally, historians are coming to grips with this simple truth,” he remarked.
The Webinar was arranged by the National Institute of Historical and Cultural Research, Centre of Excellence, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad which was online attended by over 500 participants ranging from students, teachers and researchers to have greater insights into the valuable views of the guest speaker.
Replying a question on history’s relation with philosophy, he remarked that writing of history has a ‘border crossing’ character meaning that history writing involves border crossings between history and philosophy, and between history and politics in a broader sense.
The NIHCR Director Dr Sajid Mahood Awan moderated the Webinar by introducing the participants and presenting their questions to Dr Syed for answering. He said that this inclusive activity would be taken up every week for the benefit of students in general and capacity-building of the teachers and researchers in particular.
For more information, contact:
National Institute of Historical and Cultural Research (NIHCR)
Quaid-e-Azam University, New Campus, Shadara Road,
Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-2896153-54/102
Fax: +92-51-2896152
Email: dirnihcr@gmail.com, nihcr@yahoo.com
Website: www.nihcr.edu.pk