19 chapter 18

About Author:

Dr. Rashid Shaz (born February 5, 1963) is a highly prominent Indian Islamic scholar, cultural ideologue, prolific author, and Professor of English at the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). Born in Darbhanga, Bihar, he completed his higher academic education at AMU and later pursued advanced Arabic and Islamic education in Sudan. Recognized globally for his contributions to contemporary Islamic philosophy and interfaith dialogue, he has notably served as an ISESCO Ambassador for Dialogue among Cultures and Civilizations. Professor Shaz is widely celebrated—and often debated—for his fiercely independent and radical reformist approach to the civilizational revival of the global Muslim community. He heavily advocates for a total "shake-up" of the traditional Muslim mind, calling for the transcendence of centuries-old Shia-Sunni sectarianism, a departure from blind clerical imitation (*Taqlid*), and a return to a progressive, Quran-centric ethos. Over his dynamic career, he has authored approximately twenty groundbreaking books in English, Urdu, and Arabic. His landmark publications include *Idrak Zawal-e-Ummat* (Realizing the Decline of the Ummah), *Lastam Pokh*, *Kitab-ul-Urooj*, *Where is the Crack?*, and *Manifesto of United Islam*. Beyond his literary work, he has founded several media and intellectual platforms, including the Milli Parliament, *Milli Times International*, and *Future Islam*, all aimed at bridging intellectual gaps and fostering meaningful cultural coexistence.

---