For a long time, Muslims have remained unable to rise from the depths of decline, despite the Muslim world being rich in material resources and wealth. This decline does not stem from a lack of such resources, but from certain traits that foster a mindset comfortable with regressive thinking and fearful and insecure about progress.
Such mindset is bound to produce its ill-effects in people resulting in passivity, mental lethargy, intellectual timidity and a willingness to tolerate oppression in exchange for security and stability. For centuries the history of Muslim world has been the history of oppression and authoritarianism. It has left little space for free or critical thinking and has stifled the growth of knowledge that could inspire new interpretations and ideas. Muslims’ contributions towards betterment of humanity in any field sadly have unfortunately been negligible.
· The Spark challenges Muslims intellectually urging them to emerge from their cozy hibernation in the cocoon of regressive traditionalism. It challenges them to look the world and its problems in the eyes and seek effective solutions suited to the modern world.
· The Spark aims to provoke and stimulate Muslims to think critically and reinterpret the age-old concepts especially those related to their faith.
The Spark symbolizes progress and transformation.
We welcome your suggestions, input and critique, and hope you’ll feel inspired to pick up a pen and share your thoughts on a topic aligned with the mission of ‘The Spark’. We’ll gladly give your work serious consideration for publication.
Masood N. Khan M.D.
EDITOR