“Men wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in case of success.”
Sir Ernest Shackleton The Times, 1900
This is an advertisement published in The Times, London, 1900, by Sir Ernest Shackleton. He required a team for exploration of the Antarctic. As a result of this advertisement Shackleton’s epic voyage to within 100 miles of the South Pole (1907-1909) took place.
No commercial stunts or slogans, just a few lines of type, pulled answers far exceeded the requirements, so Shackleton had to make a selection from among them in order to form a team.
It was neither the subject of the advertisement nor the personality of the advertiser which produced such a great response; it was the nation to whom the appeal was made. It is a historical fact that during the 19th century the British nation was the most ambitious and ad-venturous nation in the world. On account of this it had established an empire which extended over such a vast portion of the globe that the sun never set on it. Indeed it was not only for Antarctic exploration, but for any adventure whatsoever, that this nation could produce highly dependable people.
The Islamic Centre and Al-Risala Monthly breathe the same spirit as the above advertisement. Our appeal, then, is addressed to those who have the same spirit of adventure and self-sacrifice as those who responded to Shackleton’s appeal. Our aim is to form a team which will set out, as Shackleton’s team did, on a grand adventure requiring self-denial and courage. This team, however, will have its sights set not on any worldly goal but on an eternal cause: it will strive to communicate the true message of Islam to the people of the world. The Muslim world today is engaged in all manner of activities; but it has neglected this all-important task.
This is a mission which demands the sacrifice of life and property; it calls for the relinquishment of desires and ambitions; it requires one to rise above thoughts of visible gain in this world for the sake of invisible gain that is promised in the life to come, for God has promised paradise to those who come forward to serve His cause. Eternal blessing and eternal comfort: they are there for the asking. Will anyone come forward? □
