Inamullah Khan
Encyclopedia
Inamullah Khan was a Muslim activist who symbolised the World Muslim Congress
, Al-Motamar al-Alam al-Islami, for almost four and half decades. He was awarded the Templeton Prize
in 1988.
, India, and he migrated to Pakistan in 1948.
He organised a worldwide signature campaign on the question of Jammu and Kashmir and, in 1950 presented to the UN secretary general, a mile long scroll signed by one million people in support of the people of Kashmir.
He also played a major role in helping to settle the war between Iran and Iraq.
opposed awarding of Templeton Prize
to Khan claiming that Khan had supported antisemitism, and that the World Muslim Congress' newsletter had supported antisemitic propaganda such as the Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion and The International Jew
. Khan denied being anti-semitic. The ADL also noted Khan's longstanding links to the anti-communist World League for Freedom and Democracy. Khan said he participated in their conferences because "as a religious person, I am opposed to all atheistic creeds."
World Muslim Congress
The World Muslim Congress is an Islamic organization based in Karachi. Its co-founder and Secretary-General for over four decades was Inamullah Khan...
, Al-Motamar al-Alam al-Islami, for almost four and half decades. He was awarded the Templeton Prize
Templeton Prize
The Templeton Prize is an annual award presented by the Templeton Foundation. Established in 1972, it is awarded to a living person who, in the estimation of the judges, "has made an exceptional contribution to affirming life's spiritual dimension, whether through insight, discovery, or practical...
in 1988.
Early years
Inamullah Khan was born in Rangoon, Burma, in 1912. His family originally hailed from ZamaniaZamania
Zamania is a city and a municipal board in Ghazipur district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Zamania, as quoted by the historians is a name originated from Jamadagni Rishi .It is located on the banks of river Ganges. It is divided into two main towns Zamania tehsil and Zamania Railway station...
, India, and he migrated to Pakistan in 1948.
Contributions
Inamullah Khan was the founder and former secretary-general of the Modern World Muslim Congress in Karachi, Pakistan. He devoted his life to working tirelessly to advance peace among Muslims, Christians, and Jews. He also desired to promote Islamic unity and concern to help end the oppression and subjugation of Muslims in the world.He organised a worldwide signature campaign on the question of Jammu and Kashmir and, in 1950 presented to the UN secretary general, a mile long scroll signed by one million people in support of the people of Kashmir.
He also played a major role in helping to settle the war between Iran and Iraq.
Awards
Inamullah Khan received several awards for his work. He was awarded the Japanese award in 1987, Niwano Peace Prize and the Templeton Prize for progress in Religion in 1988.Allegations of antisemitism
The Anti-Defamation LeagueAnti-Defamation League
The Anti-Defamation League is an international non-governmental organization based in the United States. Describing itself as "the nation's premier civil rights/human relations agency", the ADL states that it "fights anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry, defends democratic ideals and protects...
opposed awarding of Templeton Prize
Templeton Prize
The Templeton Prize is an annual award presented by the Templeton Foundation. Established in 1972, it is awarded to a living person who, in the estimation of the judges, "has made an exceptional contribution to affirming life's spiritual dimension, whether through insight, discovery, or practical...
to Khan claiming that Khan had supported antisemitism, and that the World Muslim Congress' newsletter had supported antisemitic propaganda such as the Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion and The International Jew
The International Jew
The International Jew is a four volume set of booklets or pamphlets originally published and distributed in the early 1920s by Henry Ford, an American industrialist and automobile manufacturer....
. Khan denied being anti-semitic. The ADL also noted Khan's longstanding links to the anti-communist World League for Freedom and Democracy. Khan said he participated in their conferences because "as a religious person, I am opposed to all atheistic creeds."