De-Fusing the Tension

De-Fusing the Tension

1985 8 August 7 De-Fusing the Tension (261) On the 11th of December, 1984, the Pakistani Ambassador, Mr. Abdul Wahid, laid the foundation stone in Rome of what will be the biggest mosque in Europe, its builders having fought and won a 10 year battle with Italian bureaucracy and special interest groups.

The $30 million mosque, sprawling over an area of 7.4 acre, financed by 24 Arab countries, and designed by an Arab and an Italian, will have a prayer room for 2000 people and a library and study centre for Islamic students.

For several years now, we have been coming across news items of this nature. Big new mosques and spacious Islamic centres are being set up in various parts of the world. This marks a revival of religion after a lapse of a few centuries.

The modern world has ushered in vast and hitherto unconceived opportunities for the propagation of Islam. They are there simply waiting to be seized. The only thing required from Muslims now is, unilaterally, to de-fuse the existing tension with non-Muslim nations. By putting an end to the hostile atmosphere based on political, financial and other such worldly consideration, they can bring about an environment conducive to greater receptivity to the ideas of Islam. It is the duty of Muslims all over the world to smooth relationships. This would enable listeners to lend a serious ear to the message conveyed to them. The day Muslims realize the importance of de-fusing tension will mark the dawn of a new era.

* Based on an AFP report in the Times of India 13 December 1984