“The life of Najmuddin Erbakan is exemplary for Islamic Movements across the globe. His life taught us a lesson that it would be disastrous for an Islamic movement to change its mission and objectives with time. But it would be equally disastrous not to change strategies in order to achieve that mission”, said Dr. Obaidullah Fahad, Associate Professor of Islamic Studies, AMU. He was addressing a Lecture on Islamic Revivalism and Evolution of Islamic Movements on 28th February 2014 at SIO Headquarters in New Delhi. The lecture was organised in remembrance of pioneer of Islamic ovement in Turkey, Najmuddin Erbakan who passed away on 27 Feb 2011. The program was presided over by Jb. Nusrat Ali, Secretary General of Jamaat e Islami Hind.

Abul Ala Subhani, Editor of Rafeeq-e-Manzil, briefly presented the life history of Prof. Erbakan. Jb. Nusrat Ali, in his presidential address said that, “To gain proper understanding of modern Turkey and the role of Islamic movement, a thorough study of three personalities, Ottoman caliph Abdul Hamid II, Said Nursi, and Najmuddin Erbakan is inevitable.” He pointed out that the distinction of Erbakan lies in his tactical dealing with opposition and army and the politically-correct language that he used in a staunchly secular society. He also lauded the web of social service that Erbakan spun throughout the Turkey with which he practically showed the world the relevance of the Islamic ideals in socio-political arena.

In the end, a question-answer session was also held for the greater benefit of the audience.