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10 August, 2026, 27 Ṣafar, 1448

Gandhi Praised Caliphs Abu Bakar and Umar as Role Models in His 1937 Newspaper

28.10.2025   109682   2 min.
Gandhi Praised Caliphs Abu Bakar and Umar as Role Models in His 1937 Newspaper

In the July 27, 1937 issue of his weekly journal Harijan, Mahatma Gandhi praised Islamic Caliphs Abu Bakar (RA) and Umar Farooq (RA) as examples of humble and responsible leadership.

In a rare reference to Islamic history, Mahatma Gandhi praised Caliphs Abu Bakar and Umar Farooq as examples of simple and honest leadership.

He made this statement in the July 27, 1937 issue of his weekly journal, Harijan, offering advice to Indian National Congress leaders as they began to hold public office.

In that issue of Harijan, Gandhi wrote:

“I cannot give you the reference of Ram Chandar or Krishna, because they were not considered as historical figures. I cannot help it but to present to you the names of (Hazrat) Abu Bakar (RA) and (Hazrat) Umar Farooq (RA). They were leaders of a vast Empire, yet they lived a life of austerity.” Harijan – Dated: 27.07.1937

This statement came during an important moment in India’s history. In 1937, the Indian National Congress formed governments in several provinces for the first time under British rule, following elections held under the Government of India Act, 1935.

Gandhi, always cautious about the moral health of leaders, urged Congress members not to be consumed by power or luxury. He used the examples of Caliphs Abu Bakar and Umar Farooq to remind them that true leaders live simply and serve the people.

Harijan was Gandhi’s weekly newspaper, launched in 1933 to support his social reform campaigns — especially against untouchability. The journal regularly featured Gandhi’s views on religion, politics, and ethics.

The journal was published in English, along with versions in Hindi (Harijan Sewak) and Gujarati (Harijanbandhu), and ran until 1955.

This was not the only time Gandhi showed appreciation for Islamic values. He often quoted the Quran, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and his companions in speeches and writings.

Gandhi Praised Caliphs Abu Bakar and Umar as Role Models in His 1937 Newspaper
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Saudi Minister: “I express my gratitude to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev for this important initiative”

30.07.2026   32615   3 min.
Saudi Minister: “I express my gratitude to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev for this important initiative”

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Health, Fahad Al-Jalajel, who visited the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan, emphasized that the complex, established at the initiative of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, is creating a new environment for learning by seamlessly integrating history, science, and enlightenment in a modern format for future generations.

During his visit to the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Health, Fahad Al-Jalajel, toured the museum’s exhibitions, rare manuscripts, displays on the history of Islamic civilization, the rich scholarly legacy of great Muslim scholars, and exhibitions featuring advanced digital and interactive technologies.

During the visit, the distinguished guest explored the Center’s exhibitions showcasing the centuries-long development of Islamic civilization, its traditions of science and enlightenment, the invaluable contributions of scholars from Central Asia, particularly present-day Uzbekistan, to the advancement of global knowledge, as well as the large-scale reforms being implemented in New Uzbekistan to preserve and promote the nation’s cultural heritage.

Sharing his impressions of the Center, the senior Saudi official noted that the complex, established at the initiative of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, plays a significant role in presenting the rich intellectual and spiritual heritage of Islamic civilization to the international community through modern museum practices and innovative exhibition concepts.

“Seeing the history of science and enlightenment that has evolved over centuries at the Islamic Civilization Center filled me with a profound sense of pride and admiration. Here, one can witness how civilization has developed in harmony with the passage of time. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev for making it possible to present this museum and its rich historical legacy to the world in a language that is accessible and understandable to all.

This Center provides the younger generation with a profound understanding of past civilizations, connects them with their own history, and demonstrates the enduring link between every historical era and today’s progress. We, your brothers and sisters in Saudi Arabia, are truly delighted to witness the remarkable reforms and achievements being realized in Uzbekistan,” he said.

According to Fahad Al-Jalajel, initiatives of this kind serve as an important foundation for strengthening cultural dialogue among nations, fostering a deeper appreciation of our shared civilizational heritage, and expanding international cooperation in the fields of science and enlightenment.