Iqbal was awesome: The power of the West comes not from lute and rebeck, not from the dancing of unveiled girls, not from the magic of tulip-cheeked enchantresses, not from naked legs and bobbed hair; its solidity springs not from irreligion, its glory derives not from the Latin script. The power of the West comes from science and technology, and with that selfsame flame its lamp is bright. Wisdom derives not from the cut and trim of clothes; the turban is no impediment to science and technology. For science and technology, elegant young sprig, brains are necessary, not European clothes; on this road only keen sight is required, what is needed is not this or that kind of hat. If you have a nimble intellect, that is sufficient; if you have a perceptive mind, that is sufficient. If anyone burns the midnight oil he will find the track of science and technology. None has fixed the bounds of the realm of meaning which is not attained without incessant effort. The Turks have departed from their own selves, drunk with Europe, having quaffed honeyed poison from the hand of Europe; of those who have abandoned the antidote of Iraq what shall I say, except ‘God help them’? The slave of Europe, eager to show off, borrows from the Westerners their music and dances; he gambles away his precious soul for frivolity— science is a hard quest, so he makes do with fun. Being slothful, he takes the easy way; his nature readily accepts the easy alternative. To seek for ease in this ancient convent proves that the soul has gone out of the body.
Posted on: Fri, 28 Jun 2013 07:01:54 +0000
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