FROM MAULANA’S DESK

out, both in the present as well as in the future. A key prerequisite for the proper functioning of a democratic system is good education. Education is as important as the democratic framework itself. Without good education, a good democracy cannot be established. Therefore, the most important agenda for the winning party should be to provide good education to the citizens of the country. Democracy is a political boon for a nation, but to turn this potential into actuality, we need such masters of democracy who can fulfil their responsibility with complete sincerity and honesty. o Maulana Wahiduddin Khan editor@thespiritofislam.org Sailing Safely We must never lose sight of the fact that we are not lone travellers on this earth. There are always others who are trying to race ahead of us in this world of competition. The resulting situation can be approached in two entirely different ways. One is to collide with anything which obstructs our path. The other is to circumvent obstacles and then to go on our way. Clearly, the first is self-destructive, while the second in avoiding confrontations, is much more likely to prove advantageous. A ship which sails straight at a rock or an iceberg is doomed. It is the ship which veers temporarily off its course to avoid the reefs which will eventually sail safely into harbour.