Kalam ‘is nowhere an icon for an ordinary Muslim’, whose mindset is being shaped by lumpentariat tendencies, fundamentalist propagandas and communal politics.
Late President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam could be considered as the antidote to the controversial, but highly popular Islamic preacher Dr Zakir Naik. His personality, public life and ideology was a product based upon the fine mixture of Sufi Islam, scientific education and brighter elements of Indian culture. He was the epitome of the ‘moderate’ Indian Muslim, whose faith commands him to be loyal to the motherland, and respect his ancestral roots as much as the reverence shown to it by the majoritarian community.
Despite Kalam arguably being the most intellectual Muslim personality of Independent India, there are limited fans of the late President from within his community. It would not to be an astonishing statement to note that Kalam ‘is nowhere an icon for an ordinary Muslim’, whose mindset is being shaped by lumpentariat tendencies, fundamentalist propagandas and communal politics.
Kalam was accused of being an RSS agent, faking a Muslim identity
In India, a mass leader who attempts to appeal to a cross section of the society often ends up losing support within his own community. This is the reason why hardline Brahmins hate Mahatma Gandhi, and it is precisely the reason why hardliners among the Muslims level such charges against Kalam. The latter used to recite Bhagavad Gita, practice cultural music, visit local temples to pay tribute to indigenous deities (a reciprocal practice of Hindus visiting Sufi shrines). This made many fundamental Muslims call him a fake Muslim. However, close confidantes of Kalam claim that he was highly spiritual when it came to practicing the tenets of Islam, and used to spend time with the Quran alone early in the morning.
Meanwhile, Zakir Naik came across as intellectual warrior of Islam
Although Naik’s real contribution to his motherland, India, has been nothing except for booming the conversion business and propagating the Saudi-backed Salafist agenda, he has earned far more followers from this soil as compared to a nationalist like Kalam. His theory of Islamic supremacy, his ridiculation of Hinduism and Sufi Islam, and his pseudo scientific justifications to prove the universal and eternal validity of Shariah, has turned him into a hero for a new generation of Muslims, who want to live with the idea that their faith is far more stronger than the ‘pagans’ living alongside them.
To sum up, Kalam would never be an icon for someone who is a diehard fan of the undergraduate level debates championed by Zakir Naik. The tragedy of the legendary man is that he evokes adoration from even the far-right elements of our society, but members of his own community find it apt to ignore him.
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| APJ Abdul Kalam vs Zakir Naik |
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Source: India
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