Hilal-i-Quaid-i-Azam
Award Conferring Ceremony for Professor John L. Esposito
April 25, 2005
By
Aisha Chapra
On August 14, 2004, the Government of Pakistan announced the conferment
of Hilal-i-Quaid-i-Azam on Professor John L. Esposito—in recognition
of his valuable contribution in the field of Islamic literature and his
remarkable role in promoting understanding between the West and the Islamic
World. To confer Hilal-i-Quaid-i-Azam on Professor Esposito, the Embassy
of Pakistan in Washington arranged an award ceremony on April 25.
DCM Mohammad Sadiq initiated the award ceremony stating
that “Professor Esposito is one of the greatest scholars on Islam
and the Muslim world today.” Welcoming the guests, he spoke of the
Embassy building as quintessentially Pakistani in character. It seems
traditional from outside, but is modern and practical from the inside.
The DCM then invited the Ambassador to read out the citation and present
Hillal-i-Quaid-i-Azam to Professor Esposito.
Ambassador Jehangir Karamat introduced John Esposito,
Professor of Religion, International Affairs and Islamic Studies at Georgetown
University. Esposito is Founding Director of the Centre for Muslim-Christian
Understanding at the Walsh School of Foreign Service. Professor Esposito
had served as President of the Middle East Studies Association of North
America and the American Council for the Study of Islamic Societies. He
also held the Vice Chair of the Centre for the Study of Islam and Democracy.
Professor Esposito has devoted his entire scholarly career
to the study of Islam, focusing on its religious as well as cultural and
political dimensions. His works cover a vast area, from history of Islamic
civilization to the impact of the more recent Islamic movements across
the world. He has written over 30 books, ranging from Oxford History of
Islam to the four volumes of Encyclopedia of the Modern Islamic World.
Professor Esposito’s books and articles have been
translated into Arabic, Persian, Urdu, Bahasa Indonesia, Turkish, Japanese,
Chinese and several European languages.
Professor Esposito’s contribution to promoting
harmony and understanding between the West and the Islamic World has been
unparalleled. He presents objective and balanced analysis of contemporary
issues of vital significance such as Islam and democracy, the status of
women in Muslim societies and the regrettable tendency of linking Islam
with terrorism.
While accepting the award, Professor John L. Esposito
was moved to tears. He described how his studies in Islam and his connection
with Pakistan were both unplanned. He first trained in Catholicism, then
studied Hinduism and Buddhism, when a professor of his suggested that
he complete the world religions by taking a course in Islam. After that,
Professor Esposito worked mainly on Islam and the Middle East and also
lived in Saudi Arabia. In 1973 Professor Esposito went to Pakistan which,
“also came about by quite an accident”. In Pakistan he studied
and learned about Islam in South Asia.
Professor Esposito then moved on to discuss how people
must appreciate where America stands today when it comes to Islam. In
the 1960’s Islam was invisible in the U.S., but now one can find
mosques in all parts of the country. Also, Islam is the fastest growing
religion in the world, in the U.S. and in Europe.
However, Islam has been portrayed in the American media
by negative images and perceptions. America’s first introduction
to Islam was in 1979 through the Iranian revolution and the headlines
“America held hostage” by Muslim extremists in Tehran. This
brought Professor Esposito to the observation that since 1979, Islam has
consistently been seen in the U.S. through headline events. During the
1980’s the mention of a “green” menace came about with
countries like Iran and Libya on U.S’s radar. During the 1990’s,
the Gulf War and the post Gulf War period brought in the concept of “Clash
of Civilizations”. Since 9/11 the media headlines focus on a clash
between democratic and undemocratic—between civilized and uncivilized.
Even though President Bush distinguishes between extremist
Islam and Muslims, there are some post 9/11 realities. Initially, the
government was just after Osama Bin Laden. Then, the “wrongdoers”
were expanded to the Axis of Evil—then to terrorists in Iraq and
Palestine.
The challenge that democracy faces in the world today
is to show that it is not being created in strategic self-interest of
a greater power but truly in the pursuit of democratization. Another challenge
for democracy in the Middle East and Afghanistan is that it cannot be
configured to what America considers as ‘right’. Essentially,
this means that these countries must achieve true self-determination.
Today, the challenges for the Bush administration are
to match their rhetoric and policy with their actions. Professor Esposito
stressed that though the military can contain terrorists, terrorism can
only be effectively eradicated through public diplomacy and foreign policy.
He continued that the U.S policy of democratization should also apply
to allies that are not democratic.
In addition, there needs to be an evaluation of U.S.
aid to developing countries for improving economies and education. He
questioned, “what is educational reform?” and how is it actually
being carried out. “What about supporting Muslim governments and
building civil society through democratic institutions?” He pointed
out that democracy is not achievable just by a simple change of government—
from authoritarian to elected—it takes time for democracy to be
entrenched in the minds of the people living in previously undemocratic
conditions.
Professor Esposito then discussed the Islamic world and
the challenges it faces today. Firstly, the Islamic world needs to show
that it is democratic, pluralistic, tolerant and accepting. Most importantly,
the Islamic world needs to work with the ‘Ummah’— the
worldwide Muslim community and its identity. Because, the real threats
today are to the Muslim world and Islam. Lastly, he said that the Islamic
world needs to focus on reform, adding that it must concentrate on its
theology, its education and its legal structure to adapt Islam to the
threats it faces today.
Professor Esposito also spoke about Pakistan. There have
been successes and pitfalls in governance. Islam has been used as a political
tool, democracies have struggled to gain legitimacy and leaders have been
corrupt. There is sectarianism between Shittes and Sunnies, with its intolerance
and violence. Yet the positives are many too—the voices from people
who have lived in Pakistan and their ideas have been translated in education.
Not just to focus in on Iqbal, but the other Pakistani scholars who have
written great things about Islam and modernity.
Professor Esposito concluded with a statement about the
danger of an “unholy alliance in the U.S.— the neo-conservatives
with the militant Christian right.” America will not be the America
we all love and know if these people get into power and he urged the community
here to stand up against such a change.
In the Q & A session Professor Esposito was asked
his opinion on the new pope and the effect it will have on Muslim and
Christian understanding? Professor Esposito replied that he hopes the
Pope will genuinely be a great leader and take on the new circumstances
that face him.
Another question was about the media representation of
Muslims in America and what can be done to improve it? Professor Esposito
remarked that the U.S. media is largely at fault for a lot of misperceptions
and also that he has never seen such a tame media in American history.
The media has stopped challenging the president and government institutions
like it used to in the 1960’s and 1970’s. He said “I
was watching BBC the other day and a journalist kept on arguing with Prime
Minister Tony Blair, that reminded me of the Dan Rather of the 1970’s,
but we don’t see that in our media anymore”. There were several
other questions on Islam and the U.S.
The ceremony was followed by a dinner that was served
in the Jamshed Marker Hall. The distinguished guests of the evening included:
Former U.S. Ambassadors to Pakistan Nancy Powell and Robert Oakley; Ambassador
Dennis Kux; Professor Walter Anderson of Johns Hopkins; Professor John
Voll, Chair of Christian-Muslim Understanding Center at Georgetown University;
and renowned academics Professor Osman Bakar, Professor Robert Haddad,
Professor Shireen Hunter, and Professor Seyyed Hossein Nazr; officials;
community representatives and many others who admire Professor John L.
Esposito and his work.
Images of the Event
Pakistan
Has Many Positives – Prof. Esposito-- Pakistan Link
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