Islamic Scholar Mufti Shamail Nadwi and Javed Akhtar Clash in Public Debate Over Existence of Allah
Prominent Indian lyricist and poet Javed Akhtar and an Islamic scholar Mufti Shamail Nadwi recently participated in a public debate where a discussion surrounding faith, belief and the existence of Allah, sparked strong reactions from the audience.
The debate took place in front of a mixed audience and examined differing perspectives in the debate. Akhtar’s opposing secular, rationalist perspective and the scholar’s Islamically theologically based faith-positivist perspective. Both parties exchanged and elaborated on their concept pertaining religion, spirituality and a higher power.
Javed Akhtar and his atheistic perspectives on organized religion also on occasion spoke about his skepticism toward organized religion and Akhtar’s secular outlook on life. to which the Islamic scholar approached Islam and philosophically to which he defended Allah in Islamic scholarly fashion and teachings in a way that a portion of the audience greatly appreciated.
Along the progression of this exchange, the calm but assertive manner in which the scholar spoke was warmly received by a number of attendees. Applause and other enthusiastic reactions during parts of the discussion reflected the audience’s appreciation of his clearly sound positions. Although Akhtar was peaceful during the exchange as a whole, the audience’s response to the scholar’s points of rebuttal was particularly noticeable to observers.
These items included the function of religion in the present-day world, the sense of faith within a less devout, secular society, and belief systems that provide the foundation for a set of morals and a social order. Such issues have been a hallmark of public discourse in India, often regarded as a nation with great religious and intellectual diversity and debate.
Parcels of the academic event and responses by some participants were quickly transferred to different social media platforms and further discourses on various subjects ensued. Some social media participants commended the Islamic scholar for his clarity, calmness and confidence, while some others were in defense of Akhtar religious beliefs and uphold secular principles. These different reactions are but a reflection of the social divisions in the sphere of faith, ideology and the social order.
The debate has since become part of a larger conversation about freedom of expression, respectful dialogue, and the coexistence of differing beliefs in pluralistic societies. Analysts note that such public exchanges, while controversial, play an important role in encouraging dialogue and reflection on deeply held convictions.
As discussions around religion, spirituality, and secularism continue to evolve in India, the debate between Javed Akhtar and the Islamic scholar stands as a reminder of how passionately these subjects are felt and how they continue to shape public conversation both on stage and online.
