"He Teaches By Means Of The Pen"  

In his recent message to commemorate Ash Wednesday (Lent) Pope John Paul II chose to address the issue of illiteracy. Some may feel that the Pope could have used the opportunity to discourse on more profound issues or at least about something immediately concerning his faith.

But in the midst of everyone already trying to contribute their portion of complexity to the world, it is comforting that there are people who can focus on those matters that although straightforward, are crucial for the up-liftment of the human race.

The Pope's "Popularum Progressio" reads in part:

"...I would like to reflect with all of you on the hidden evil which deprives a great number of poor people of many possibilities for progress. It likewise deprives them of victory over marginalization and hinders them from attaining true freedom. I am speaking of illiteracy.. "

"This terrible affliction helps to keep vast multitudes of people in a state of underdevelopment, with all the scandalous misery which that brings. Where there is illiteracy there is more hunger, disease and infant mortality, as well as humiliation, exploitation and all kinds of suffering, than there is elsewhere.."

"Actions undertaken to favor access to reading and writing are the first condition for helping the impoverished to mature intellectually and to lead their lives more independently. Literacy and education are an essential duty and investment for humanity's future, for the fulfillment of the whole man and of every man."

"In the midst of the people, the greater the number enjoying a sufficient education, the better will the people be able to take their destiny into their own hands. In this, literacy training helps cooperation between nations and peace in the world."

The equal dignity of individuals and peoples requires the international community to take steps-to overcome the damaging inequalities, which the illiteracy of millions of human beings still causes. "

Literacy will definitely uplift the poor to a better position in life. But even literacy may not be a panacea for all the world's ills. The highly learned West fought two world wars and many other wars in this century, causing too much death and destruction. The Jews, another group, of literate and learned people, are lording it over the Arabs up to this very day. In fact throughout history, people have usurped the rights of others after becoming economically and militarily strong - which usually comes with literacy and learning.

More than mere literacy then, a needed to thwart the human mind from regressing to base level.

But as a primary issue, the crux of the Pope's message holds true for millions of people, especially in the Islamic World, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan have literacy levels of below 40%. In the Muslim countries of the African continent, the literacy levels may be even lower.

And yet it is already stated in the Quran,
"Read in the name of the Lord who created.
He created man from a cloth.
Read. Your Lord is most honorable.
He teaches by means of the Pen.
He teaches man what he never knew"
Quran 96:1-5

Obviously the Pope's message is in tune with the Quran. Muslims may tend to feel proud that the Pope's message has taken a leaf from the Quran. But what have the Muslim leaders done to educate their own people? The Islamic world spends billions buying weapons which, are then hoisted on the shoulders of illiterate teenage boys to be used to kill and maim other illiterate Muslims.

One can never forget the image of a half-starved 12-year-old in Africa with a grenade launcher on his shoulder. And sorrow is not a sufficient emotion we feel about the recent murder of a 1 2-year-old child in Pakistan for speaking up against child slavery.

The Pope is doing his best to serve his community. But where are the Muslim intellectuals? Despite the fact that only God can judge who is straying or on the right path (Quran 6:117), they are still busy debating the degrees of deviation among themselves.

Despite God's promise that no falsehood can ever enter the Quran (Quran 41 :42), they are busy debating about safeguarding Islam from falsehood.

Illiteracy certainly afflicts the Muslims. And among their intelligentsia, there is a never-ending urgency for them to start thinking.

Muslim intellectuals may not celebrate mass with the Pope on Ash Wednesday. But they can certainly celebrate the Pope's message. After all, the majority of our people cannot read.

And those who can must become learned.