Learn why Chief Justice Munir's most famous book is responsible for misleading an entire generation of Pakistanis into believing that Pakistan's founder was a secularist.
"(Jinnah) wanted Muslims to work for a more humane social order, one that would reflect the core Islamic principles of justice and compassion for all." Prof. Sheila McDonough, Adjunct Professor, Department of Religion, Concordia University
"... an important contribution." Prof. Akbar S. Ahmed, Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies, American University, Washington D.C. - American University
"(A) masterpiece book, one of the best I have read this year." Dr. Shabbir Ahmed, Islamic scholar and author - OurBeacon.com
The late Chief Justice Muhammad Munir is perhaps best known for his highly controversial book, From Jinnah to Zia (1979), in which he openly stated that Mohammad Ali Jinnah was a secularist. To support this claim Munir used two quotes attributed to Jinnah. One of these quotes has become the prime favourite of the pro-secularist
writers because it provides seemingly indisputable proof that Jinnah was a
secularist. However, the quote is a fake. The interview it is sourced from is
real, but the words that Jinnah supposedly said are nowhere to be found.
In her new book, Secular Jinnah: Munir's Big Hoax Exposed, a young British writer tells the story of how a point of curiosity - based on little more than an issue of grammar - led her to the startling truth. Saleena Karim shows us how much damage the 'Munir quote' has done over the last 26 years, not only in terms of
twisting the facts of history, but now in exposing the intellectual dishonesty of Pakistani scholarship. The author names those who have cited the Munir quote, and discusses the various myths about the founder of Pakistan, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, then sets the record straight.
Saleena Karim is a British Asian writer with a BSc (Hons) in Human Biology from Loughborough University. She has worked as a literary columnist and editor, and has also translated some Urdu Islamic works into English, including Economic System of the Holy Quran (2005) and Liberty as defined in the Quran (2004). She is the founder and Director of the recently launched Jinnah Archive.
REVIEWS/COMMENTS
The study of Mr. Jinnah, the Quaid-i-Azam of Pakistan, is crucially important in understanding the debate about Islam and Democracy in our post 9/11 world. Saleena Karim's book is essential reading to understand Jinnah. I strongly recommend it.
Prof. Akbar S. Ahmed, Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies, American University, Washington D.C. (Prof. Ahmed is an authority on Jinnah, best known for his 'Jinnah Quartet'.) American University
Saleena Karim’s close reading of Jinnah’s speeches concludes that the father of Pakistan was not an ideologue who demanded that the new nation be an exact model of a western capitalist society. She claims he rather wanted Muslims to work for a more humane social order, one that would reflect the core Islamic principles of justice and compassion for all.
Prof. Sheila McDonough, Adjunct Professor, Department of Religion, Concordia University (Prof. McDonough is one of the foremost scholars of Islam in South Asia)
(The book) is a
well-documented and thoroughly researched treatise about the views of
the Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah as to the future setup of Pakistan.
The book demolishes convincingly Chief Justice Munir’s assertion in his
book from Jinnah to Zia that: 'the pattern of Government which the
Quaid-i-Azam had in mind was a secular democratic government'. ... (The) Quaid opposed theocracy and did not talk of secularism but pleaded for an Islamic State. The author must be congratulated on this publication which will be welcomed by all, especially the scholars and intellectuals.
Syed Sharifuddin Pirzada, former Honorary Secretary to Jinnah (1941-44) and Legal Advisor to the President, Pakistan
… In her heart and mind (Saleena Karim) is firmly Pakistani, and she has a great faith in the Quaid-i-Azam. ... She has concluded that the Quaid-i-Azam was absolutely not a secularist. The author has thoroughly pursued (the claims in) Justice Munir’s book on the Quaid-i-Azam, and has labelled its baseless hypothesis a hoax. If anyone were to make such a statement in Pakistan, he/she would be accused of being backward and ignorant … (Yet) this book has been written by a young scholar who was born and raised in a liberal environment, educated in England, and who therefore cannot be accused of narrow-mindedness or ignorance. (Translated from Urdu)
Dr. Safdar Mahmood, eminent historian and columnist at Jang, in the article Jazbay, 10th February 2007 - DAILY JANG Read full Urdu text here
... you have brought forth a highly professional little book, from the get-up to the content. You are a blessed and gifted lady with much promise for the future. ... (The book) will be revered by scholars and future researchers, thereby making a lasting room for itself in the realm of knowledge, especially about Quaid-e-Azam and "PAKISTANIAAT".
Dr. Shabbir Ahmed, Florida, renowned Islamic scholar and author - OurBeacon.com
Your book is excellent. Every page has the impress of thorough research and careful documentation. The source material that you have used and have mentioned in the book is reliable and intelligently selected. ... I hope more books on the Quaid and Pakistan
will follow from your pen.
Qutubuddin Aziz, former Pakistani diplomat and distinguished journalist and broadcaster
Well done - I may not agree with certain views but you make interesting points. ... However I'm an ardent supporter of Voltaire's famous saying and am always willing to agree to disagree in total amity.
Ardeshir Cowasjee, Senior Columnist at DAWN - DAWN
Saleena Karim's book has come as a bombshell ... The book could be a guideline to the people of Pakistan.
Ghulam Asghar Khan, former Inspector General of Police - Frontier Post Pakistan
I found your book to be very interesting ... it certainly opened my eyes, and it just goes to show how people can interpret things wrongly. Once people take the time to read your book they will see that Mr. Jinnah only wanted the best for (the people of) Pakistan regardless of who they are and what religion they are.
Terry Davies, a reader, United Kingdom
It is really unfortunate and rather strange that a person of (Chief Justice Munir's) stature should have gone astray so grossly in comprehending a person, i.e. Jinnah Saheb, who was not at all ambiguous in his expositions. His view about the Great Leader could only be regarded as a slander ... your book which is highly analytical and well-documented, leaves no room for defence of the position taken by the Chief Justice. In fact, your book has exposed his hoax boldly and exquisitely. I congratulate you for a frank and irrefutable presentation.
Sirajuddin Ahmad, author, "Understanding Islam"
(Saleena Karim) has brought to light some interesting aspects of Jinnah’s life. ... Her interpretation of Islam carries a modern outlook shunning the idea of theocracy. She also emphasised the social and economic equality as a basic tenant of Islam. The image of the Quaid that emerges from this book is that of modern Muslim leader who endeavoured to create a system where there could be equal rights for all the citizens having any faith or creed.
VISTA Magazine (The Post), 14th February 2006 - VISTA
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