Religion must be studied by the 'best brains', says scholar

The gist of religions is not being effectively interpreted, may be due to dearth of 'best brains' studying the subject, says an acclaimed Islamic and interfaith scholar.

President of the Interfaith Coalition for Peace (IFCP), Dr S Zafar Mahmood, Friday said the message of religions could be more luminous if the best brains study the topic.

Addressing a two-day conference of the IFCP, the senior civil servant who has spoken at umpteen national and international interfaith conferences in India and abroad, said, "Mostly poor students choose religion as a regular subject. At this critical stage what is needed is that best young brains be sent for religious study."

Dr Mahmood explains that it would "enable them to proclaim the message of God in an effective manner" and the central idea of religions would appear more juxtaposed in this chaotic time.

The Gold Medalist who holds a PhD in Public Administration is the prodigy behind several successful programs aimed at boosting interfaith bonhomie.

He also computerized the entire Indian Haj Management, pioneered the now well-known Annual Indian Haj Plan and modernized the educational syllabii in 500 madarsas in 36 districts.

The Interfaith Coalition he leads has representatives of all religious groups and is actively involved in promoting peace and harmony through dialogues and interfaith programmes.