More Than A Leader

We need a vision statement more than we need a leader. It was argued earlier that we need more mirrors. The vision statement will serve as a leader and as a mirror. It may serve as a common thread.

Let us not mistake that it will be a vision statement for the AMU or Aligarh Movement alone. Far from it. It will, in fact, serve as a vision statement for the entire Muslims of India and ultimately for the entire Ummah.

Let us not confine the legacy of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan to Aligarh or to India alone. His slogan has the potentiality of becoming the watchword for the entire Muslim people. It is far easier today than it was earlier to internationalize his vision. (jo ubr yahaaN….) Let us not miss out on one thing, though: It is going to help our compatriots of other faiths as well. Strange!

As for the jigsaw puzzle, the vision statement will help in this regard, too. As soon as the final destination is clearly defined many parts of the jigsaw puzzle will fall in line – automatically. It always happens at our personal levels. May be I am oversimplifying. Yes, we need to oversimplify. Yes, we need to put it in fewer and unequivocal words. This is what a vision statement is all about.

If we are still in need of a leader (only to tell us that we do not need a leader – once and for all) then we should stipulate that the proposed leader should show us the mirror and should bring a clear vision statement first. We are not going to grope in the darkness. Not in this age of enlightenment.