INTERVIEW WITH MAULANA WAHIDUDDIN KHAN

So, are there any special ways of saving ourselves from distraction that we can employ in our daily lives? Activity of the mind is the only approach. See there is no technique to bring about change in man. It is the mind that governs all your activities. Activate your mind. Train your mind. As soon as an event of distraction occurs, your mind should instantly become aware that this is where distraction is taking place. Then quickly return it to the right path. There is no technique. I do not believe in any techniques that are presented in this regard. I believe in activating the mind. Intellectual awakening is the biggest technique. We are in conversation with eminent scholar of Islam, Maulana Wahiduddin Khan Saheb. Maulana ji! Centre for Peace and Spirituality. What kind of organization is this? The idea for this organization is not new, I had this idea since 1950. However, I developed it as an organization in January 2001. So, from 1950, it had been in my mind that the biggest thing is peace. I searched for a relevant verse in the Quran. The Quran says: “And God calls to the home of peace.” (10: 25) That is, God says build a peaceful society, build a peaceful home, create a peaceful atmosphere. I attended an exhibition in Azamgarh. I put up a stall there with a big sign board. On the board was written: “And God calls to the home of peace.” This is how I started my journey, from 1950. I became an ambassador and an advocate of peace. My call was: O people peace is the greatest thing, peace is the summum bonum, at home, in society, in the environment, on the national and the international level, everywhere. Since then, I have based all my life on peace. About the centre, i.e., CPS, what do you do at this centre for peace, like seminars? See the issue at hand is about methodology. People generally think that peace workers should hold meetings, organize stages, organize seminars, etc. I do not believe in this methodology. Peace does not come in the world through stage activism and street activism. I believe in re-engineering of the mind. Re-engineer the minds of individuals in such a manner that it nurtures peaceful thoughts. You might be aware of the formula of UNESCO, that violence begins from the mind. Violence begins from the mind and from the mind itself peace can be cultivated. I believe in re-engineering