The author describes a meeting with Dr Umair Ahmed Ilyasi, chief imam of the All India Imam Organisation, as unusual: faith without isolation, religion without rigidity, patriotism without hostility—Quran and Hadith tied to youth, society, and conduct, not only texts.

Today’s imams, the piece says, should use the pulpit on addiction, jobs, loneliness, misinformation, violence, and women’s dignity. Interfaith work (including Buddhist–Muslim dialogue) is held up so difference does not become hatred, and so no community is blamed for crimes of a few.

Kashmir is asked to lean on Sufi habits plus education and jobs; India–Pakistan rows should not become hatred of ordinary Pakistanis. The close the author takes away: scholarship is the character it forms—humility over hate, bridges over walls.

Most meetings end when the conversation ends. However, a few do stay with you long after the farewell, and my interaction with Chief Imam of the All India Imam Organisation Dr Umair Ahmed Ilyasi was one such encounter.

What impressed me was not simply his position as a religious scholar, but the amazing range of his outlook. He spoke about faith without isolation, religion without rigidity and patriotism without hostility. His conversation moved naturally from the Quran and Hadith to society, young people, national responsibility and the larger question of humanity.

For me, it was more than a conversation-it was an eye-opener.

Dr Ilyasi represents a form of religious leadership that recognises that true strength of faith lies not merely in its knowledge, but in how that knowledge is translated into human conduct. A scholar may possess command over scriptures, but the greater challenge is to convert its moral teachings into compassion, justice, humility and service.

The Quran places great emphasis on justice, mercy, truth and human dignity. The life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) offers enduring lessons in compassion, forgiveness, coexistence and fairness. These principles cannot remain confined to books or places of worship. They must find expression in everyday life.

That is where the role of a religious leader becomes particularly important.

The........

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