Few days back, my wife brought a book ‘Saints and Sinners’ from the university library for her research work on political charisma. Usually being a person associated with academics and literature; i asked about the content of that book from my wife.
She told me 2 things:
- Book was written by a Pakistani Author.
- Books is to understand the world history, its development with Islamic Context.
Why this Book is Special
Since a long time, i was reading and listening Tarek Fateh & many prominent voices of Islamic Reformist. These people gave me a very different outlook towards the real Islam.
World has obviously turned Islamophobic but these people have special interpretation about Islam who sincerely & at-least changed my own prospective.
I didn’t know, Ali Mahmood will be the next person [Islamic Reformist] after reading this great piece of writing.
About the Book
No rule of governance is absolute for this world. There are countries where democracy destroyed the nations meanwhile Arabic autocracy managed to survive.
We also have example where autocracy and religious fundamentalism killed the essence of freedom meanwhile democracy like India survived profusely.
- We have example of Egypt where women in mini-skirt were the traffic officer before Islamic fundamentalism ruined the nation.
- Turkey, the nation with a great confluence of European and Asian cultures, a strong economy and political power of the world. This is an example of progressive Islamic nation.
- Likewise Malaysia is an example of Islamic country where democracy has strong roots. This nation is an example for those who believes that democracy cannot survive in Islamic world.
But Syria, Sudan, Libya and many Asian & African countries have different tale to tell. How these countries became puppet of strong economies? What is the real story behind fall-down of great Islamic nations like Iraq?
Yes this is the book dealing with all these questions!!!
Saints and Sinners: Why some countries grow rich, and others don’t is a wonderful book i have ever read in my life regarding Islamic societies and world political history. This book talk about every major country with Islamic population.
Talking about democracy & Islam, Ali Mahmood quoted Maulana Sufi Mohammad.
“True Islam permits neither election nor democracy”.
Later he also quoted Sr. Syed Hussain Pasha.
“Democracy is Islam”.
Irony is about 1 billion Muslims across the world that wants both democracy and Islam. Every intellect of this world is encountering with this question. Ali describes this beautifully.
European History
He also discusses Europe horror stories and for me, it was difficult to read about Arkan – The Military commander of Yugoslav War.
This is important to read by those people who blame only Muslims for ruthlessness in war. Read Arkan, every myth will be washed away.
They don’t have to rape anybody. Serbian women adore my Tigers.
Arkan
There was always a clash of culture and religion between different countries. This book is not unilateral to defend someone. It is putting forth the facts of history without any prejudice & discrimination.
It is not necessary to be a historian or a scholar of Political Science to read and understand this book. This is an essential piece of writing deserved to be in your library.