Javed Akhtar: Illustrating An Atheist's Integrity

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 31 August 2024 Javed Akhtar is right on the money when he recently stated that, "All the religions, without exception, belong to the Dark Ages. Their roots are in the Dark Ages. You bring the Dark Age with you. Your umbilical cord hasn't been cut from the Dark Ages." Javed Akhtar ---- Javed Akhtar has hit the nail on the head, but I won't dwell on it lest a few religiously sensitive individuals accuse me of promoting atheism on an Islamic site. My point is to underline the integrity of a steadfast atheist like Javed. Integrity also means remaining true to one's stand and not letting it get affected or compromised. One who has integrity is true to oneself. A person of integrity doesn't impose his or views on others. One remarkable example will prove this. Bombay's leading dental surgeon and Urdu poet Dr Navroze Shavak Kotwal participated in a mushaira ( poetic gathering) at St. Xavier College, Bombay. Javed Akhtar presided over it. This happened immediately after the terrorist attack on November 26, 2008. Dr Kotwal recited his Ghazal in which there was a beautiful couplet, "Ab Toh Khuda Ke Vaaste Jhagde Karein Tamaam/ Ho Hindu Ke Lab Pe Allah/ Pukaarein Musalmaan Ram" (For heaven's sake, put an end to this perennial bad-blood / There should be the name of Allah on the lips of Hindus and Muslims should say Ram). A few Muslim poets objected to Dr Kotwal saying, "Pukaarein Musalmaan Ram." But, Javed egged Dr Kotwal on to read this particular couplet. Javed knows that Ram, Sita, Krishna are all fictional and mythological characters. But, they're also religious metaphors for scores of people. So, he encouraged Dr Kotwal to read his couplet that emphasized religious unity at a very sensitive juncture. This is integrity. You may have your own individual beliefs but you respect majoritian beliefs without subscribing to them. The same can be said about Sahir Ludhianvi, who was also an avowed atheist but he said ( and he meant it): "Qura'an Na Ho Jis Mein Woh Mandir Nahin Tera/ Gita Na Ho Jis Mein Woh Haram Tera Nahin Hai" ( From 'Tu Hindu Banega Na Musalmaan Banega, ' Film: Dhool Ka Phool, 1959). Integrity is truthfulness and acceptance of alternative viewpoints. Yet, some over-intelligent Imam Ghazalis of modern era erroneously think that all atheists lack integrity. Let them bask in the warmth of their rank ignorance. Their outlandish beliefs are etched on the granite of obstinacy. ------ A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/javed-illustrating-atheist-integrity/d/133088 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism