ISLAMABAD: This is with reference to Ayesha Siddiqa’s article titled “An incomplete dialogue” (October 23) about Imran Khan’s book.
Expecting Mr Khan to engage in the task of “rationalising rabid discourse” is perhaps expecting too much. After all, he is a politician and taking part in what seems to be an election campaign. I think the job belongs to the world of academia and specialists such as the writer herself.
The problem is that the interpreters of Islamic philosophy who have extremist or militant views are prevailing in the current discourse on the subject. No academic or Islamic scholar is drawing upon Islamic history and philosophy to make the case for a progressive and inclusive approach. There is also no collaboration of any kind between academics or scholars with similar views to counter the extremist interpretation.
Why doesn’t Siddiqa take up the challenge, along with some of her colleagues?
Mueen Batlay
Published in The Express Tribune, October 25th, 2011.
