Do muslim reformers really make a difference?
A peek at Sir SyedThe most common comments I have received after writing about Muslim reformers is that they are unable to really do much to reform, liberalise or effect change. That is a fair comment and to reply to that, the only way is to look at what happened to the reformers and liberals of the past, and see what has been their impact on life in the Muslim world today, what can we learn from them and what lessons can the modern living reformers take from the wins and losses, threats and opportunities which faced our ancestors. In this first of a series of essays on muslim reformers of the 18th and 19th century, I explore the remarkable story of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, a polyglot, agricultural scientist, lawyer, judge, scientist, author, publisher, political leader, and most of all an educator (his greatest achievement which has survived up till now). Before we talk about Sir Syed (1817 – 1898), a bit of background is important. Sir Syed was born in Delhi, India, the dying and decayin
