Kerala - Thrissur   

A pluralistic view of values

K. Santhosh

P.I. Sherief Mohammed: `Study of the Quran has widened my horizons.' - Photo: K. K. Najeeb

Thrissur: This Muslim lectures about Hindu scriptures. He speaks about the Bhagavad Gita and the Quran with equal felicity and understanding.

Organisations across the country regularly invite P.I. Sherief Mohammed, Assistant Commissioner, Commercial Taxes, for lecturing on spirituality. He spoke on `Advaita in daily life' at the Kanchi Paramacharya commemoration programme organised by the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in Chennai recently.

His lectures on `The relevance of Sanskrit' and `Yoga for stress management' in Thrissur recently were well-appreciated.

"I don't believe in a particular religion. I believe in the doctrine of non-dualistic reality, which most religions speak of. This is Advaita Vedanta, the principles of which were consolidated by Adi Sankara. Hindu understanding of the Prasthana Thrayi - Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita and

Brahma Sutra - aims at seeing Brahman in everything around and in oneself. This understanding can solve all the problems of the world. If man comprehends that he and his neighbour are part of the same reality, there will be no conflict in the world," he says.

In his speech at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in Chennai, Mr. Mohammed illustrated the point by a real-life story of a Christian doctor planting a vital organ, donated by a Hindu, on a Muslim to save his life. "If all of us are inspired by this incident, India will be a better place to live in."

Mr. Mohammed recommends Bhagavad Gita to anyone who faces crises in life.

"The entire West has realised the importance of the Bhagavad Gita. Foreign universities have included the Gita in their curricula. Management gurus borrow ideas from the Gita. The Gita tells you how to manage your life," he says.

A post-graduate in History from University College, Thiruvananthapuram, Mr. Mohammed is a voracious reader. "My interest in other religions was kindled by my study of Islam and the Quran. Islam respects other religions and tolerates other modes of worship. The Quran speaks about love and universal brotherhood. Study of the Quran has widened my horizons," he says.

Mr. Mohammed lectured at the Padma Seshadri institutions in Chennai recently. "Your talk was inspiring. If we, citizens of tomorrow, realise the practical use of Advaita Vedanta, India will grow to be a superpower," a student wrote to him.

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