Important Scholar Alert: Shayk Javed Ahmad Ghamidi

Over in West Bangladesh there is a scholar with precious guidance. He is a theo-centred teacher who joined then left Jamat-e-Islami, came out the other end better and does his own significant thing. Qualitively I understand that he shares certain understandings with other Asian greats like the Malaysian Syed Naquib Al Attas (Its all about the adab) and Indonesian Nurcholish Madjid (Islamic parties are a dumb idea).

Its great to hear about another great thought leader in the Ummah, for who the be all and end all isn't politics and state power.

Wiki on him

Wiki on the constellation of linked institutions

Boston Globe Article

Muslim states, he says, cannot be theocracies, yet they cannot be divorced from Islam either. Islam cannot simply be one competing ideology or interest group that reigns supreme one moment and is gone the next. He instead argues for the active investment of the state in building institutions that will help create a truly "Islamic democracy."

"I challenge liberal and conservative thought at the same time," he told me recently at his home in Lahore. "The liberals in Pakistan are confused by me. The religionists are fuming and have called me everything short of an infidel."

Journal, unambitiously called 'Renaissance'