Khaliq Qureshi: The Lone Crusader for the Unity of Muslims

February 4, 2016 

By Saeed Qureshi

Soft-spoken and modest Khaliq Qureshi Sahib the founder of “One Man Mission for the Muslim Unity” is a remarkable person. His paramount dream is the Islamic renaissance with its pristine glory. His heart pains over the decline of the Muslims and their persecution in the present times. He is grieved over the occupation of Muslim lands by others. His main focus is on Kashmir under the Indian occupation, Chechnya under Russia and Palestine land occupied by Israel.

Yet he sternly believes that by emulation of the life and teachings of the Holy Prophet of Islam Muhammad (peace be upon him), Muslims can regain their splendid past. Khilafat-e-Rashida is the model of Islamic governance which Khaliq Qureshi exhorts the Muslim rulers to establish in their territories. This is the only route to the salvation of the oppressed, tyrannized and in some instances enslaved Islamic nations, he emphasizes.

Khaliq Qureshi has an intellectual approach towards the debacle of the Muslims continuing for the past several centuries. He has therefore, contemplated for years to explore as to how the Muslims can overcome this calamitous phase and rediscover their lost or faded grandeur and redeem their status of a noble fraternity.

Irrespective of what others do for this pristine cause, he launched in 1995, a solo yet monumental “One-Man Mission”. Since then he has steadfastly embarked upon that course. With an unshakable faith in the divine help coupled with an indomitable will, he has not spared any effort towards the dissemination of his universal message for the salvation of the Islamic world from the prevailing downfall. 

        

 The epic mission of Mr. Qureshi takes precedence over many other similar organizations aimed at and geared towards the uplift, emancipation and welfare of their communities. Usually, the humanitarian movements and welfare missions sustain upon and operate from contributions and donations.

Yet Mr. Qureshi has been funding his mission all by himself. Except the house that will be the property of his family, the rest of his possessions are dedicated to this mission. Perhaps there can be a rare parallel of such a spirit of sacrifice, sincerity and selflessness as demonstrated by Khaliq Qureshi. Thus Mr. Qureshi is on a much higher pedestal than others like him in pursuit of his noble cause.

Temperamentally, Mr. Qureshi is a pacifist. Therefore he cannot imagine of employing violent or aggressive methods for dissemination of his momentous program that is so inextricably linked to the destiny of Muslims around the world. That is why he implores the Muslims around the world to understand that terrorism, extremism and fundamentalism cannot bring them back their glorious past or help in addressing their miseries, chaos and crises both of internal and external import.

As such he kicked off his mission some 20 years ago by writing countless letters to the rulers of Islamic states and on the grave challenges faced by the Islamic world. He beckoned and appealed to some of them to take up the onerous responsibility of steering the Islamic countries out of the prevailing impasse.

Originally, he pinned his hopes on former President Suharto of Indonesia and Prime Minister Mahatir Muhammad of Malaysia to spearhead the movement for resurgence of the Islamic glorious past and to forge unity among the Islamic countries. He went all the way to Indonesia and Malaysia in order to personally plead with the top leaders the inevitability and dire need of pulling the Muslims out of the abyss they were sunk in.

Unfortunately, he could not deliver his vital message of Muslim unity to these leaders personally owing to their preoccupations. However, he continued his ‘crusade with pen’ which definitively brought about to a fair degree, the salutary changes in the perceptions of those whom he addressed. Not only did they readily respond to his thoughtful reflections on the woeful plight of the Muslim in various parts of the world, but also agreed with him on the imperative of such a unity.

But the Muslim world is so deeply torn apart and its Islamic fabric is so fragile that despite pious platitudes little has been done practically. But Mr. Qureshi remains undaunted and least despaired. He has divine intuition which constantly impels him to steadfastly pursue his noble mission without caring for the outcome. But outcome would be there. This is what Mr. Qureshi staunchly believes.

He believes that sufferings and hardships in life are also a part of the human destiny. These ought to be there and therefore accepted and endured with gratitude and pre-ordained by God almighty. This is the kind of unshakable belief in the compassion of the Creator that keeps Mr. Qureshi unswerving on his chartered path of forging unity and brotherhood among the Muslims all over the world. Once it is done and once Muslims revert to their glittering past, no country how strong or antagonistic could inflict any harm to them anymore.

In the course of his passionate crusade for Islamic revivalism and to bring into limelight the grave atrocities being perpetrated by the oppressors on their Muslim populations, particularly in Kashmir, Palestine and Chechnya, he wrote important and rather inspirational letters to the UN Secretary General, the heads of OIC countries as well as the non Muslim states. His letters written to several heads of states including the American Presidents particularly Bill Clinton and Obama, make impressive, passionate and persuasive reading.

Mr. Qureshi wants the Muslim leaders to engage the non-Muslim leaders in civilized dialogues and seek help for ending the occupation of Muslim lands by others. He feels that even if the world leaders particularly of the Islamic states are not serious in liberating the Muslim occupied territories or articulating their sufferings, then at least the search for such a leader or leaders should continue.

He earnestly counsels the Muslims to emulate, imbibe and follow the life and character of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his righteous followers whose tenure is known as Khilafat-e-Rashida. Besides, he emphasizes that the Muslims should have unflinching faith in Allah and try to build the sterling character of a true Muslim. He says that the reward of deeds depends upon the real intentions of a person as the success and victory come through the divine will. 

His correspondence, letters, communications and their replies are now compiled in his recently published book, “A ONE MAN MISSION FOR THE MUSLIM UNITY”. Mr. Qureshi has presented this invaluable book to almost all the heads of states and governments, the ambassadors of the Islamic countries as well as to the international organizations including OIC.

The front page of this precious book carries the image of the spacious valley of ARAFAT in Makkah also known as “JABAL E- ARRAHMA”. It is a fascinating book that brings into sharp focus the Muslim tragedies all over the world particularly in Chechnya, Kashmir and Palestine.

Mr Qureshi enunciates and rightly so, that his mission is non-violent, a civil dialogue and a friendly persuasion. The Muslims are encouraged to read his book for understanding the depth and significance of Mr. Qureshi’s message. The book is available on his website: onemanmission.org 

Note: Mr Khaliq Qureshi resides at Dallas, Texas (USA)