'The Future of Civilisation' launched at ACP

Express Tribune

26-05-2025

Intellectuals, writers, and admirers gathered at the Arts Council of Pakistan on Sunday to celebrate the launch of "The Future of Civilisation: Exploring the Profound Impact of the Role of Sacrifice in Building a Noble and Humanitarian Society," the English translation of Syed Muhammad Taqi's seminal 1980 Urdu work "Karbala: Tehzeeb Ka Mustaqbil."
The event brought together a panel of academics and thinkers to reflect on the book's philosophical themes - moral collapse, the crisis of modernity, and the civilisational power of sacrifice.
Translated by journalist and writer Sumera Naqvi, Taqi's granddaughter, the book reintroduces to a global readership the late scholar's exploration of how modern civilisation's moral drift can be confronted through an ethical re-engagement with historical legacies — especially the enduring symbolism of Karbala.
"The modern age is faced with a serious societal crisis and conflicting intellectual approaches," Taqi writes. "Thinkers seeking solutions will encounter great challenges The key to solving this problem can be found in humanity's vast cultural heritage."
Held at Auditorium 2 of the ACP, the evening featured prominent voices from diverse fields. Dr Azra Raza, acclaimed oncologist and literary scholar at Columbia University, appeared via video link, describing the book as "philosophically rich and beautifully written." She praised Naqvi's translation as a rare literary achievement, stating, "Translation is a mysterious act Sumera Naqvi has remained faithful to tone and intention."
Wasif Rizvi, president of Habib University, offered a trenchant critique of modern epistemology. "Epistemic hegemony, rooted in logical positivism, has created binaries in us," he said. "This may be the most non-philosophical age in human history." Dr Nomanul Haq, a literary historian and editor at Oxford University Press, lauded Naqvi's ability to convey her grandfather's complex prose into accessible English. He endorsed Taqi's central argument, stressing the urgency of universalising the moral weight of Karbala beyond sectarian confines.
Veteran educationist Abbas Husain, reflecting on his personal encounters with Taqi, recalled, "His Urdu vocabulary could be overwhelming, but his philosophical insight was unparalleled. He set a standard for intellectual discourse."
Renowned poet and scholar Iftikhar Arif delivered a particularly memorable address. He noted the precision and fidelity with which the translation had captured Taqi's intellectual rigor. "The language and diction in his discourse, public or private, were consistently elevated," he said. "Sumera Naqvi must be congratulated for masterfully translating a demanding text."
The event concluded with a Vote of Thanks from Sumera Naqvi, who stressed the book's relevance in a world increasingly detached from humanitarian values. The Future of Civilisation is now available in bookstores and online, offering readers a timely meditation on the intersection of sacrifice, ethics, and the civilisational crisis of our age.