FROM MAULANA'S DESK

I believe that India, Bangladesh and Pakistan must form a joint federation under which whilst fully preserving the independence of these three states, their mutual relations will be relaxed. For instance, visa-free travel should be allowed between these countries, as is the case with various Arab countries or in the European Community. Free trade between these countries should be allowed, as well as educational and cultural exchanges. It is true that these three countries have certain bilateral problems that have been unresolved for decades—a destructive situation for all of them. These issues must be addressed on priority and cannot be ignored any longer. The general approach must be to solve such problems on the basis of acceptance of the status quo. Given the current political relations, these countries spend much of their precious economic resources on defence or preparations for war. As a result, the entire region is mired in horrific economic and educational backwardness. This warrants an immediate solution. The race towards destruction must be replaced by a race towards constructive progress. A major reason for the mutually destructive policies of these countries is ‘religious politics’. Let us not deceive ourselves: this ‘religious politics’ is a masquerade for the politics of power and pelf in the guise of religion. It has been rightly said, ‘Politics is the art of the possible’. In the present conditions, the only feasible politics is what is called ‘secular politics’. The state or political activities must focus only on those aspects that are of common, secular or of worldly concern—for instance, promoting literacy, economic development, proper use of natural resources, ensuring high-quality infrastructural facilities and establishing peace. Let every religious group have the freedom to act on the teachings of its faith, provided their religious activities do not become a problem for others. On the condition that they remain within peaceful limits, every person should enjoy religious freedom and live in peace and harmony with each other. o Maulana Wahiddudin Khan editor@thespiritofislam.org A major reason for the mutually destructive policies of these countries is ‘religious politics’ which is only a masquerade for the politics of power and pelf in the guise of religion.