Interview with Mr. Adnan Ghaffar, Principal at The Aura School
PAGE: Tell me something about yourself, please:
Adnan Ghaffar: I work as the Principal at The Aura School which provides education from pre-school to matriculation. I have over 25 years of teaching experience, including teaching at the matriculation, intermediate levels, graduate and undergraduate levels.
PAGE: How do you celebrate Independence Day at your school?
Adnan Ghaffar: At our school, we celebrate Independence Day in much the same way as other schools by hanging Pakistani pennants inside and hoisting the national flag on the rooftop. Students dress in white and green, while teachers and students deliver speeches and perform tableaus related to the significance of independence. However, what makes our celebration different is that we strive to inculcate the deeper Islamic concepts of true independence and shahadat (martyrdom), helping students understand the spiritual and ideological meaning behind the day. Unfortunately, this year, due to the international tensions between America and Iran, fuel shortages have created challenges in regularly opening schools, so our celebration may have to be held online instead.
PAGE: Could you describe significance of Independence Day this year in particular.
Adnan Ghaffar: This year, Independence Day holds special significance because it coherently coincides with Pakistan’s name appearing in the international media as key mediator for peace efforts, making the occasion more celebratory and uplifting for the nation.
This year’s atmosphere is noticeably more enthusiastic and patriotic. This renewed spirit is particularly crucial as the ongoing war against terrorism requires exactly this kind of national unity and patriotism to boost the morale of Pakistan’s security forces, enabling them to carry out their duties with greater focus and determination. Ultimately, the day serves as an important reminder of why the Muslim community strived for and demanded a separate homeland, reinforcing the ideological foundations of the nation
PAGE: What is your perspective on two nation theory?
Adnan Ghaffar: The Two-Nation theory is the concept that Muslims and Hindus are distinct nations due to fundamental differences in religion, culture, and social customs, with the core argument being that living together could lead to the erosion of both communities’ distinct ways of life. While this was a significant step, and the demand for Pakistan was based on the sound idea of being able to follow one’s religion separately, it was not enough to simply partition the subcontinent; a lasting challenge emerged because Muslims in the new state focused on their own nation-building without actively conveying the true message of Islam to the Hindus who remained in India. Although the creation of two separate countries was intended to avoid conflict, the reality is that both nations now consider one another as competitors and continue to fight over the remaining disputed territories, such as Kashmir, which has prevented the lasting peace that partition was meant to achieve. Ultimately, the real need that remains is for Muslims everywhere to focus on gaining true knowledge of Islam and implementing it in their own lives, as this personal reformation can make future interaction with others a more effective means of dawah (inviting people to Islam).