In 1981, when Syed Jamaluddin Afghani, the great champion of Pan-Islamism, was in Istanbul, the Japanese Emperor Magi sent a letter to the King of Turkey, Abdul Hamid II. Expressing his friendship he wrote:
“We are both Eastern rulers. It is in our interests that we should be familiar with and have closer contacts with one another. There should develop between us a strong bond so that we can defend ourselves against nations and empires; for they see us all in one light. I have noticed that Western nations send their missionaries to our country, for there is religious freedom here; but I have not noticed you doing the same. I would like you to send missionaries to Japan to preach Islam here. Perhaps in this way a stronger, meaningful relationship can be established between us.”
(Jamaluddin Afghani by Mahmood Aburia)
On receiving this letter, King Abdul Hamid gathered several Islamic scholars, including Syed Jamaluddin Afghani, and showed the letter to them. But no one showed any particular interest in taking up the Japanese Emperor’s offer. The official envoy who had brought the letter returned with a mere formal note of thanks.
At this time, Syed Jamaluddin and other Muslim leaders were engaged in meaningless and fruitless political conflict with their adversaries. It was a time of great activity in the Islamic world. On all sides, Islamic movements were arising. These movements, though seemingly different, had two basic things in common: they were all essentially political in their nature, being reactions against the long period of colonial domination; they all failed in achieving their objectives,
This letter from Emperor Magi, however, shows that had Muslims cared to make constructive efforts toward preaching the word of Islam, instead of engaging in fruitless conflict, their aims would have been better served.
It is highly regrettable that open invitations to preach Islam go unheeded, or are met with apathy. We need to shake ourselves out of our lethargy, and go out with energy and enthusiasm to preach the word of God. □
