Opinion | Breaking Language Barriers: Khusro Foundation’s Mission to Democratize Knowledge

“The mission of Khusro Foundation shows that true progress lies in making knowledge accessible to all, across languages, regions and communities, so that ideas can inspire collective growth and understanding.”

In an ambitious effort to democratize access to critical scholarship, Khusro Foundation has taken the lead in translating some of the most significant works on politics, history, and religion into Urdu and Hindi. By doing so, the foundation is opening new intellectual horizons for readers who were previously excluded from global academic discourse because of language barriers. The foundation has launched three landmark translations: Islam, Authoritarianism and Underdevelopment by Prof. Ahmet T. Kuru, Fault Lines in the Faith by Prof. Iqbal S. Hasnain, and The Shade of Swords by veteran journalist and author M. J. Akbar in the current year. Each of these works, originally written in English, has now reached Urdu-speaking audiences while Kuru’s book has also been made available in Hindi. The translations were released at prestigious literary platforms including the World Book Fair in New Delhi and the Chinar Book Festival in Srinagar, where they attracted wide attention from scholars, students, and the general public.

For Khusro Foundation, the project is not merely about producing books but about bridging gaps. The organization’s vision is to make authentic, humanitarian, and rational literature available in all of India’s 22 scheduled languages in coming years. Convenor of the foundation Dr Hafeezur Rahman says. “By making these works accessible in regional languages, we are trying to promote inclusivity, social harmony, and critical thinking especially among the youth.” Dr Rafeezur Rehman informed that “ Book currently being translated is Mustafa Akyol’s famous work Reopening Muslim Minds, which will be released at the upcoming World Book Fair.We hope to have at least 100 titles in the coming five years, as we currently have 33 titles in total. We also hope to expand our literature further into regional languages. So far, in the last four years of our work, we have published in Urdu, Hindi, and English.”

Islam, Authoritarianism and Underdevelopment: A Groundbreaking Translation

The foundation’s first major achievement came with the Hindi edition of Islam, Authoritarianism and Underdevelopment by Prof. Ahmet T. Kuru, an internationally recognized political scientist. The book offers a bold analysis of why many Muslim-majority countries have struggled with authoritarian rule and economic underdevelopment. By releasing the Hindi edition at the World Book Fair, the foundation brought Kuru’s scholarship to a vast audience in the Hindi-speaking belt. Later, the Urdu edition was unveiled at the Chinar Book Festival in Srinagar, ensuring access for another large linguistic community. Readers have responded enthusiastically. Political science students, in particular, have praised the translation for providing them with material that had previously been accessible only to those fluent in English.

Fault Lines in the Faith: Exploring Divisions Within Communities

The second major translation project was Prof. Iqbal S. Hasnain’s book Fault Lines in the Faith. Prof. Hasnain, former Vice Chancellor of Calicut University, investigates the internal divisions within religious communities—examining how doctrinal disputes and sectarianism weaken collective identity and social cohesion. The Urdu edition, published by Khusro Foundation, was launched at the Chinar Book Festival and has since been received with great interest. For Urdu readers, many of whom engage deeply with questions of faith, this work provides a critical lens through which to view the challenges facing religious communities today. “This translation allows us to reflect on issues that we often ignore,” says Danish Aisha, Convenor of the Centre for Public Interest. (Kashmir-based independent, non-partisan think tank working on governance, policy reforms, and community empowerment through research and advocacy).

The Shade of Swords: A Historical Narrative Made Accessible

The third significant contribution is the Urdu translation of M. J. Akbar’s The Shade of Swords. A sweeping historical narrative, the book traces the complex relationship between Muslims and Christians across centuries from early encounters to colonialism and beyond. By making this important work available in Urdu, Khusro Foundation has given South Asian readers direct access to historical insights that were previously confined to English-speaking circles.The launch of this edition at the Chinar Book Festival was one of the highlights of the event, drawing attention from both academics and general readers. “History is often told through selective lenses,” says Dr Naveed Sultan from Srinagar. “Akbar’s book, in Urdu, allows people to engage with a broader and more nuanced account of interfaith relations.”

Why These Translations Matter

The initiative comes at a time when language accessibility remains a major barrier to knowledge in India. While fiction and poetry are often translated into regional languages, serious non-fiction particularly works of political science, sociology, and history rarely reaches beyond English. By translating such works, Khusro Foundation is not only democratizing knowledge but also empowering marginalized linguistic communities. The effort is especially significant in regions where youth populations are eager for rational, fact-based literature but lack access due to language limitations.

A central focus of the foundation’s mission is the empowerment of young readers and authors. The translated books are intended not just as sources of information but as tools to stimulate critical thinking among young people. The foundation is also planning to identify and mentor emerging authors in regional languages, ensuring that new voices contribute to India’s literary landscape. By nurturing young talent, Khusro Foundation hopes to build a sustainable ecosystem of rational, inclusive literature in multiple languages.

Towards 22 National Languages

The ultimate goal is ambitious: to publish the foundation’s catalogue in all 22 scheduled languages of India. The process will be gradual, with each language community receiving carefully tailored translations that maintain both accuracy and cultural sensitivity. The foundation believes that this step-by-step approach will ensure quality while allowing each project to create meaningful impact before moving on to the next. The launch of these three translations marks only the beginning of Khusro Foundation’s journey. With plans to expand into other regional languages and formats including e-books and digital platforms the initiative is poised to reach readers far beyond metropolitan centers. At its core, the project reflects a belief in the power of literature to bring people together. By making authentic works available in Hindi, Urdu, and eventually every major Indian language, the foundation is working to strengthen inclusivity, foster social harmony, and build bridges of understanding across communities.

About the Author:

Advocate Tahir Majeed, a policy analyst from Jammu & Kashmir and Content Director of the North Kashmir Gazette, is recognized for his thought-provoking writings on governance, economic development, and cultural harmony. His perspectives draw from ground realities and a vision for an inclusive and progressive future. He can be reached at lawtahirmajeed@gmail.com