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.
Reputable Saudi newspaper “Watan” has published a comprehensive article titled “What we read in books we live in Uzbekistan”, reports Dunyo IA.
Publication, intended for readers across the Arab world, highlights the place of Uzbekistan’s rich Islamic civilizational and cultural heritage in the history and contemporary development of Central Asia.
As the author notes, in an era of globalization and digital technologies, when it is becoming increasingly difficult to experience genuine wonder and appreciate true uniqueness, a journey to Uzbekistan offers an opportunity to rediscover knowledge once known only through historical sources - and to see it come to life.
“In Uzbekistan, you do not simply recall historical knowledge; you experience a unique journey through time between the past and the future. In the ancient cities of Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, names familiar from history books - Mawarannahr, Shash, the Fergana Valley, Jayhun, and Sayhun - take shape in magnificent architectural monuments and a living culture”, the author writes.
Publication also highlights the conference organized in Tashkent by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) jointly with the Center of Islamic Civilization, which houses the Uthman Mushaf. It also speaks highly of the architectural beauty of the Imam Al-Bukhari and Imam Al-Maturidi complexes in Samarkand, the Registan and Shah-i-Zinda ensembles, as well as the mausoleums of Qutham ibn Abbas and Amir Temur.
The author particularly emphasizes the contribution to world science made by such eminent scholars as Imam Al-Bukhari, Muhammad Al-Khwarizmi, the founder of mathematics and astronomy, and Imam At-Tirmidhi. The article also highlights the historical significance of the cities of the Fergana Valley - Andijan, Namangan, Margilan and Kokand and their centuries-old cultural and scholarly ties with the Arabian Peninsula and the Islamic world.
In conclusion, the author notes that the sincere greeting extended by young people of Uzbekistan - students and volunteers to the guests in Arabic, “Welcome, guests of Imam Al-Bukhari!”, made a particularly profound impression on the Saudi delegation.