Kayalpatnam.com>Congratulations, you recently received an award at a public function for
your services. Tell us about that.
Dr.K.V.S. Habeeb Muhammad>Yes, it was the Communal Harmony Award given by the
Indian Union Muslim League. It was as recognition for my Television programs and other works in the
sphere of Communal Harmony. Two other people also received the award along with me (a Hindu and a Christian).
Mr.Anbazhagan (Finance Minister of Tamil Nadu) gave the award.
Kayalpatnam.com>People identify you through the program Manuda Vasantham. How did this program
come about?
Dr.K.V.S. Habeeb Muhammad>The program was launched in 1999 and since then it has been broadcast in
Vijay Tv, Raj Tv and presently Tamizhan Tv. It is being broadcast every Wednesday on Tamizhan Tv
between 10:00 pm and 10:30 pm. It is also broadcast Fridays between 4:30 pm and 5:00 pm.
We (IFT) also do another program Andrada Vaazhvil Islam on Tamizhan TV every Thursday between
10:00 pm and 10:30 pm.
Manuda Vasantham program has been conducted in over 25 cities across Tamil Nadu. We have done this
program in Bangalore, Kolar, Pondicherry also. In addition to these Indian cities, Dubai, Kuwait,
Dammam, Jeddah, Riyadh, Bahrain and Muscat have also hosted our program.
About 600 - 700 people attend each program, 1/3 of which would be Non-Muslims. The questions are permitted
from Non-Muslims only. Over 600 questions have been handled. We make it a point not to entertain same
questions again and again.
The idea is not to win arguments, but to win hearts - by being polite, by not hurting; at the same time,
not compromising on principles too. Some of the other Daaees make it a debate - which I think is a
mistake.
The questions handled are wide-ranging, I don't just answer criticisms about Islam, but also talk about
solutions Islam has for today's world.
The feedback I receive is that a lot of misconception about Islam is dispelled through these
programs.
We also invite leaders from other religious communities to these programs as well Bureaucrats and other
prominent persons in that locality. We intend to do a program in Bangkok in March and in Sirkali in
April.
These programs are available through CDs and are also broadcast on local Cable Channels ( on IIM Tv in
Kayalpatnam, some cable channels in Kanyakumari etc). It is also available on
YouTube.
Kayalpatnam.com>You are a career doctor. How did you get interested in religious works?
Dr.K.V.S. Habeeb Muhammad>Every Muslim must get interested in religious work. You are a Muslim first,
Doctor next. You are a Muslim first, Software Engineer next.
God created us to worship Him and spread His message. That is the primary purpose of our creation.
Everything else we do - like job, family etc - are in support of that. I understood this by reading the works
of Moulana Moudoodi, who is my inspiration. Also my involvement with Jamaat-e-Islami Hind
gave me the opportunity to do religious work.
Kayalpatnam.com>How do you balance your professional career and the religious work?
Dr.K.V.S. Habeeb Muhammad>It is a question of Time Planning, Time Management. Ali (RA) said on
Prophet (Sal) - that he (Prophet) always had time for his prayers, his family and administration.
Time we give to each of our works must be clear cut. I allot 1.5 hours to study and I don't do any other work at
that time. I allot time for my practice and I do no other work at that time.
I find many people being at two extreme ends - either it is personal work 100% of time or religious work
100% of the time. Both are wrong. Islam is a natural religion. It doesn't ask you to sacrifice your entire
life and become a sanyasi. It allows you to lead a balanced life. Look at our dua -
rabbana aathina fithdunya...
In this work, only if you balance your life, you will get the co-operation of your family. Otherwise even
your closest ones will not support you.
Kayalpatnam.com>Jamat-e-Islami organised a conference in Trichy at the end of January.
Tell us about that conference.
Dr.K.V.S. Habeeb Muhammad>The conference was being organised after a long time. It was for 2 days
(January 30 and January 31). The theme of the conference was Establish Deen, Do Not Get
Divided.
A wide range of issues were addressed. It included topics such as Living in a plural society, Imperialism,
Terrorism and Islam, Women's issues and solutions and so on. Speakers from all over India and abroad
pariticipated. There were women speakers too.
Leaders from various other organisations (Mr.Abdul Basith MLA from IUML, Dr.M.H. Jawahirullah from
TMMK, Mr.S.M.Bakker from INTJ) also spoke.
The conference was attended by nearly 30,000 people. We estimate about 40% of them were women,
alhamdulillah. In future, Insha Allah, we intend to organise such (day long) programs at District
levels.
Kayalpatnam.com>With accusations of terrorism flying, do you feel the image of Islam is
under severe threat in India and abroad?
Dr.K.V.S. Habeeb Muhammad>Islam's image has been damaged, there is no doubt about that.
Opposition to minarets in places like Switzerland are clear signs of that. Airport harassments,
difficulty in renting houses in certain areas, visa problems, employment difficulties are all real. It is
also bad time for inter-faith relationships. We have been weakened. Islam is being portrayed as a
violent religion - putting us on the defensive.
Constant negative media report has also turned large section of public against Muslims. As a consequence,
abuses by the governments are tolerated by the public (some saying we deserve it).
Muslims are indeed passing through difficult times.
On our part, we must also think. There are real problems before Muslims, no doubt about that. But
Violence is no answer to that. We must fight Injustice through Justice. Killing innocents is
not correct. Kidnapping journalists is not correct. It is not Islam.
On the positive side though, I do see lot of people - because of this negative publicity - becoming curious
about Islam. They want to learn more about Islam. I see this through large attendances in my programs too.
This crisis has thus provided an opportunity to open many eyes and spread the truth about Islam.
Kayalpatnam.com>Who is to blame for this rise in Islamophobia? Is it the Muslims, the
non-Muslims or both?
Dr.K.V.S. Habeeb Muhammad>As for Islamophobia, I would say both are responsible, but it is
primarily the non-Muslims. It began with the Crusades. Europe has had dislike of Muslims right since Islam
entered Spain. So Islamophobia is not just because of Terrorism.
Muslims started to decline from around 12th Century. With the advent of Industrial Revolution, Colonialism
began to rise. Things got worse. Muslims were used to supress fellow Muslims. Puppet regimes were put in
place. As a result, movements like Ikhwanul Muslimeen (Muslim Brotherhood) in Egypt, Jamat-e-Islami
in India sprang - to fight the supression. When the governments started supressing them too, things
began to go out of control.
Some misguided youth started indulging in activities that are not supported by Islam. This has come handy
for those regimes - which had always wanted to control Muslims. This is State Terrorism vs Group
Terrorism.
But I do believe, if Palestine problem is solved, there could be a major change.
Kayalpatnam.com>Are Muslims doing enough to address this image problem?
Dr.K.V.S. Habeeb Muhammad>No, we are not. We are being too emotional and we are not handling it
properly.
Kayalpatnam.com>What do you suggest as the steps necessary to address this problem?
Dr.K.V.S. Habeeb Muhammad>Firstly, we must practise Islam correctly. That itself would
give the true image about us to the outside world.
Secondly, we must be patient. Islam is not a weak religion. An insult from someone is not going
to destroy our religion. We can answer all criticisms about Islam, most confidently. Only when arguments fail,
abuses start. Few years back, there was a cartoon in The Hindu paper
- depicting the Prophet and Abubacker (ral) as best examples of friendship. It was drawn by Keshav
(the resident Cartoonist of The Hindu). Instead of seeing the positive side to it, some people
started agitating.
In our actions, sometimes I see more heat than light. I also fear some of us are waiting for an opportunity
to agitate on one issue or the other.
Thirdly, we must interact - with others, especially media - inviting them to our programs so that
misconceptions about us can be addressed and explained. We don't own big media houses. We must atleast
have the media behind us. Further, we should do things we can easily do (and which we are not doing
enough) - organise seminars, meet opinion makers and other important individuals. Through this route, we
can build communal harmony and understanding.
Kayalpatnam.com>How do you see the state of Kayalpatnam - in terms of its religious and
moral values? Is it satisfactory or are you worried?
Dr.K.V.S. Habeeb Muhammad>On the one hand, I cannot forget the Islamic environment the town
provided me and shaped me when I grew up there. On the other hand, my feelings are 50-50, satisfied,
but also not satisfied.
We must also recognise our anger at the current state of Kayalpatnam is due to our disappointment in finding our
town not living upto our expectations.
I believe not everything is lost. There may be stray incidents. We must not generalise out of those
incidents. We shouldn't give up. We must also seriously analyse why the problems are happening.
To find a solution, what is needed is unity. Like we come together on education, on KMT Hospital,
we must also come together on moral issues. These ahlak issues must also be given prominence in Jumma
platforms along with aqeedah issues.
Issues like talaaks must be addressed seriously. I remember - years ago - when discussing talaak
issues, a solution was proposed to increase the Mahr amount. The idea was to make talaak and
subsequent remarriage (for men) difficult. What would have happened was dowry demand would go up to match
Mahr!
We have to analyse why talaaks happen - is it due to forced marriage or dowry or is it for some other
reason.
Same holds good for other issues also.
Kayalpatnam.com>Where did you do your school and college studies?
Dr.K.V.S. Habeeb Muhammad>I completed my SSLC in L.K. School in 1966, followed by
P.U.C. in St.John's, Palayamkottai. I studied M.B.B.S. in Tirunelveli Medical College and
did my D.Ch. in Madras Medical College (MMC).
Kayalpatnam.com>Tell us about your family.
Dr.K.V.S. Habeeb Muhammad>My father is Mr.K.V.Shahul Hameed (hailing from Saduckai Street) and
my mother is Mrs.M.K. Hawwa Beevi (Deevu Street). I am married to Mrs.Zeenath, daughter of
Mr.S.A. Sulaiman (LKS family).
I have four children:
Faizal, who is
an Engineer working in USA. He has completed his B.E., M.S., M.B.A.
Fahmida, who is a
B.Sc. Graduate
Shanaz, who is a B.C.A. Graduate and
Yasir, who has completed his B.E.
I am a Child Specialist, practising in Pallavaram, Chennai. I am also the Vice-Chairman of
Islamic Foundation Trust (IFT), Chennai.
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