Ahmadiyya Muslims among Muslims

Sunday, March 7, 2010 - 10:00 AM
Allah knows best

http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2010/03/ahmadiyya-muslims-among-muslims.html

The following notes are about the attitudes of a few Muslims towards the Ahmadiyya Muslims. Take the time to observe a few Muslim discussion groups – you will find hundreds of judgmental pronouncements on stuff like this, while in the same groups intellectual articles barely get any discussion.

The ugliest thing that I have heard about Muslims;

A Christian Neocon told me; “Muslims are like dogs, throw them bones and they will go after it, as if that is the only thing they have in life to fight for. We have people among you to continuously throw bones like Hijab, Bidda, Haraam, beating the wife, Shia, Sunni, Ahmadi or Ismaili – and we keep them busy with those, we love it.” Unfortunately, a tiny minority of Muslims chew on the bones, and thank God, a majority of us mind our own business.

There is an ideological imbalance among those few; Prophet taught about the middle path a balance between Deen and Duniya, we need to be conscious of that. In the Parliament of World Religions conference, I attended a Jewish conference on future of Judaism, a Rabbi was clear, "We Jewish people focus on living the life while we are trustees of it until God takes it back and our focus is here, where we live". What about us? As Muslims, we focus on the life here after and betray the life here”. Is there meaning in it?

I am saddened to hear this petty stuff that we are getting entangled with, and I shall save this at http://www.worldmuslimcongress.com/ under the topic Ahmadiyya Muslims among Muslims, and just copy and throw at those who are involved in this non-sense who is and who isn’t a Muslim.

First of all what difference does it make? Secondly and most importantly the ones who talk ill about others, have not met with Ahmadiyya people, and if they have met, they have met their matching counterparts who harp on the perceived wrong, rather than volumes of goodness. They need to talk with the Ahmadiyya intellectuals or scholars. As Muslims, we need to develop standard response to educate the ill-informed amongst us.

I was going to write the notes, then just looked at Sura Hujurat and found the answers. By the way, those who are not Muslims and reading this, if you want to study Pluralism, read the Quraan with an open mind and you will find this to be documents written for co-existence.

49:6 (Asad) O YOU who have attained to faith! If any iniquitous person comes to you with a [slanderous] tale, use your discernment, [5] lest you hurt people unwittingly and afterwards be filled with remorse for what you have done. [6] -

49:9 (Asad) Hence, if two groups of believers fall to fighting, [9] make peace between them; but then, if one of the two [groups] goes on acting wrongfully towards the other, fight against the one that acts wrongfully until it reverts to God’s commandment; [10] and if they revert, make peace between them with justice, and deal equitably [with them]: for verily, God loves those who act equitably! -

49:10 (Asad) All believers are but brethren. [11] hence, [when¬ever they are at odds,] make peace between your two brethren, and remain conscious of God, so that you might be graced with His mercy. -

49:11 (Asad) O YOU who have attained to faith! No men shall deride [other] men: it may well be that those [whom they deride] are better than themselves; and no women [shall deride other] women: it may well be that those [whom they deride] are better than them¬selves. [12] And neither shall you defame one another, nor insult one another by [opprobrious] epithets: evil is all imputation of iniquity after [one has attained to] faith; [13] and they who [become guilty thereof and] do not repent - it is they, they who are evildoers!

49:1 (Asad) O YOU who have attained to faith! Do not put yourselves forward [1] in the presence of [what] God and His Apostle [may have ordained], but remain conscious of God: for, verily, God is all-hearing, all-knowing! -

INTERFAITH CONFERENCE BY AHMADIYYA MUSLIMS

The Ahmadiyya Muslim community held an interfaith conference on Sunday, March 6, 2010 at their Masjid in Allen, Texas. Imams, Rabbis, Pastors, Gurus and I spoke about the need for interfaith dialogue. Do you know that Prophet Muhammad was one of the first persons to have conducted interfaith dialogues? There was a Zoroastrian priest who has done that earlier. The oft repeated story of the Christians from Najran in Masjid -e- Nabwi has a point – Prophet offered them to pray their own prayers in his Mosque. Do you understand Prophet’s wisdom in that?

Insha Allah, I will compile a brief report of the meeting.

I have been to the Ahmadiyya Mosque a few times, they use the same Qur’aan we use do, and their beliefs are about the same. Even if they have a different version so what? Do we, as Muslims understand what prophet meant and predicted 72 groups within Islam? Didn’t he acknowledge variations are bound to happen given the human Fitra (nature)? Why would he even say that? Didn’t he understand us all some 1400 years ago?

A Major correction to Muhammad Irtaza’s note: They do not claim that Muhammad was not the final prophet. However, they do believe that the promised Messiah is Mirza Ahmed from Qadian. I just looked up Wiki to double check, please note that Wikipedia is not a reliable and scholarly referential site, but it gives a good start. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirza_Ghulam_Ahmad


A suggestion to the Ahmadiyya community, not to the scholars, but the ordinary folks among them; Please do not make the mistake of pointing that it is the” other Muslims” that have the Madrasas who teach violent Jihad.” The attendees laugh at it, that you are playing politics to gain support by denigrating the other, to the Neocons we are all the same. Just like any community, the majority of them do the right thing, a few make a mess for every one. Let’s keep our Jihad to correct them from rumors, gossip and false information.

Let’s uplift every one, and all of us go up.

To be a Muslim is to mitigate conflicts and nurture goodwill.

Mike Ghouse is a thinker, writer, speaker, optimist and an activist of Pluralism, Interfaith, Co-existence, Peace, Islam and India. He is a frequent guest at the TV, radio and print media offering pluralistic solutions to issues of the day. His work is reflected at three websites and 22 Blogs at http://www.mikeghouse.net/

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The thread below prompted me to write this essay. Some Anwar Haque had written the dumbest comments;

Qadyanis are creation of Zionists for their perpetual service

Salaam Mr. Haq.

You know very well that the Prophet Mohammad did not create Shia or Sunni. So, tell me who created them?! I am not Qadyani, nor Shia nor Sunni. How about you?! As far as I know Qadyanis claim that Mohammad was not the final Prophet ,and that was not in line with the teaching of the Quran.

But, you claim that Mohammad was the final messenger, and that was also not in line with the teaching of the Quran! So, why do you think you are better than Qadyani?! Please know that, according to the Quran, Abraham was neither Jewish nor Christian, but was a monotheist Muslim.

[3:67] Abraham was neither Jewish, nor Christian; he was a monotheist submitter. He never was an idol worshiper.

Similarly, Muhammad was neither Sunni nor Shia ...nor..., but was a monotheist Muslim.

[16:123] Then we inspired you (Muhammad) to follow the religion of Abraham, the monotheist; he never was an idol worshiper.

We need to remember that we cannot be a divider, nor can be a compromiser. A divider or a compromiser cannot be a Submitter (in Arabic, Muslim).

[15:90] We will deal with the dividers.
[15:91] They accept the Quran only partially.
[15:92] By your Lord, we will question them all,
[15:93] about everything they have done.

Thank you and may God guide me,

Muhammed Irtaza
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Anwar Haque <>

Subject: Qadyanis are creation of Zionists for their perpetual service
Bismillah hir Rehman nir Raheem

Qadyanis are created by the English Zionists for their service. They are thus thriving in Israel. Israel and India have very cordial relations and very close cooperation in global terrorism. Qadyanis have occupied key positions through unjust practices and utter nepotism. Their loyalty is with enemies of Islam. Pakistan is created for Islam and not for enemies of Islam. Qadyanis reject Allah’s clear verdict that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the final messenger and that there would be no new Prophet of Allah after Muhammad (PBUH). Qadaynis made false prophets and attributed to Allah what He did not say. Hence how can they be trusted? Only idiots of highest grade can trust them. They have destroyed Pakistan. Look At M. M. Ahmed, Shaukat Aziz etc what they did to Pakistan. They made Pakistan a slave of Zionist IMF and World bank and devalued Pakistani currency from 4 to a dollar to 85 a dollar. We are all paying the price for their thefts and evil acts. In the case of Ajmal Kasab the role of our own interior ministry, navy and ministry of foreign affairs can not be totally ruled out. They are playing in the hands of India. - Anwar Ul Haque
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YOUR COMMENTS:
http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2010/03/ahmadiyya-muslims-among-muslims.html#comments
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Fatwa against terrorism

The time for the Fatwa against terrorism is now

Fatwa may not be a deterrent to terrorism, but it begins a process of creating a norm of explicitly expressive disdain towards extremism. My comments follow the article below.

Mike Ghouse;
To be a Muslim is to be a peace maker; to mitigate conflicts and nurture goodwill.

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Update March 5, 2010 - Fatwa is 90 pages in pdf, hence the link
http://www.minhaj.org/images-db2/fatwa-eng.pdf

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Is this a triumph for the Islamic peacemakers?
By Allegra Mostyn-Owen, London Evening Standard

On Tuesday in London, a revered Muslim scholar will announce a fatwa against suicide bombing in the name of Islam. Here, Allegra Mostyn-Owen talks exclusively to Dr Tahir ul-Qadri as he outlines his historic vision...

I meet Dr Tahir ul-Qadri in a neat, terraced house in Barking where he emerges from his studies resplendent in an elegant silk striped grey and white juba and a black woollen hat.

I am honoured to be in his presence because he is considered a living saint by his followers. All Sunni and mainly Pakistani, they celebrate his birthday and his photograph adorns all the mosques which are part of Minhaj-ul-Quran, the movement which he has spent years raising into an international organisation. It now operates in 33 countries and advises the British Government on how to combat youth radicalisation.

Minhaj-ul-Quran welcomed, for example, the news last month that plans to build Europe's biggest mosque close to the Olympic site had been blocked. Weeks earlier, the group urged police to prevent Islamic extremists marching through Wootton Bassett. “These kind of extremists do not represent the British Muslims,” they said. Dr ul-Qadri is impressively ecumenical in his relations with other faiths such as Shia and Christian. He gets a lot of flak for this from those who do not agree with his views.

On Tuesday, in central London, Dr ul-Qadri, friend of former prime minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto who was assassinated in 2007, will declare suicide bombings and terrorism un-Islamic. Taken from a 600-page document published in Pakistan last month, Dr ul-Qadri will use texts in the Koran and other Islamic writings to argue that suicide and terrorist attacks are “absolutely against the teachings of Islam and that Islam does not permit such acts on any excuse, reason or pretext”.

I first met Dr ul-Qadri five years ago at his headquarters in Lahore, where I was for a wedding. I was recently married myself for the second time — as the former wife of Mayor Boris Johnson I'd wed again in secret to my 23-year-old Muslim lover, himself from Lahore. His parents knew nothing about it. Since 2005, I have been giving art classes for women and children at the Minhaj-ul-Quran mosque in Forest Gate.

Today, in Barking, Dr ul-Qadri is focusing on the problems of how many young British Pakistanis are being radicalised. Although the Government is working hard, says Dr ul-Qadri, they are working on the wrong lines. In other words, he believes, that the Government has not kept abreast of the multi-culturalism of its own people. “England is the hub of the Western world. There is a big community here of around two million with a Pakistani background. The communities are in great numbers.” As Dr ul-Qadri sees it, no terrorists have emerged from a Sunni or Sufi background: instead, they have come from the Salafis (Wahhabis) or Deobandis. The Deobandis are a South Asian variant which is close to the Gulf-orientated Wahhabis.

“Every Salafi and Deobandi is not a terrorist but I have no hesitation in saying that everyone is a well-wisher of terrorists and this has not been appreciated by the Western governments,” he said.
Dr ul-Qadri, who has the authority of a Sheikh–ul-Islam, a title given to those who have superior knowledge of the principles of the faith, is coming out with his statement now because the Wahhabis and Deobandis have been silent in condemning the killings in Pakistan and abroad.

They dominate much of the apparatus of state in Pakistan — as well as most of the mosques in London — which is why in the West we receive mixed messages: the military launches vast offensives while the religious and education ministries say nothing. As a result, many in the West believe that the church in Pakistan is not doing enough to counter the violence.

British-Pakistanis lured into extremism present a peculiar problem because, when they go to Pakistan to further their murderous ambitions, they have mixed loyalties. They do not feel British but nor do they feel wholly Pakistani and yet they are a diplomatic nightmare for both countries. Terrorism is, Dr ul-Qadri says, an intellectual phenomenon as it applies to British-Pakistanis. They have been groomed from an early age in their Deobandi-leaning mosques where they are taught that they are living in a kafir society where they cannot integrate.

It is an “us and them” way of thinking and the narrow-mindedness starts when children attend mosque from the age of five. But, as Dr ul-Qadri says: “isolation is not the Islamic model — integration was the practice of the Holy Prophet in the society of Medina”.

The maulvis (untutored clerics) give a misguided concept of Jihad: “This is the burning issue of the whole world,” says Dr ul-Qadri. Once these children have been groomed into intellectual conservatism, they are very susceptible to extremism especially if they are not attached to society by a job. “Those who still have contact with [such clerics], whether they act out their ideas or not, they will be well-wishers of the Taliban,” he says. Since the governments and agencies working on anti-terrorism are not brought up in Muslim culture, Dr ul-Qadri believes they do not understand. “Still their policies are not on the right track.” I ask him about the role of art in children's education. It is commonly thought that Islam is contrary to art. He has no quibbles: he sees art as helping to satisfy one aspect of the human personality. “Islam wants a balanced personality,” he says.

“We teach children intellectually and academically. The fight against the darkness of ignorance, the fight for charity: this is the true jihad.”

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MIKE GHOUSE COMMENTS:

1. Fatwa may not be a deterrent to terrorism, but it begins a process of creating a norm of explicitly expressive disdain towards extremism. Dr. Qadri can fortify this fatwa with signatures from imams representing each of the major Muslim populations around the world. I am hosting a luncheon meeting at my home for 12 visiting Imams and heads of Waqfs from 12 Middle Eastern countries, and I hope to get them to endorse it as well, if I can get the text before March 24th.

2. The traditional approach of slapping the bad guys with a religion has got to go, and when those criminal boys are arrested, keep the religion out, do not treat them as Muslims. They are bad boys and need to be treated as criminals. I hope the Muslim community cheers when these extremists are rounded up. They need to feel that, bad acts don’t get cheers, no houris and no respectful burial ground either. I hope he adds in the Fatwa that terrorist will not be given a space for burial in the common Muslim cemeteries. And if the religious law permits, throw them to the vultures. They need to feel used.

3. No matter what you do, critics will be always be there and it should be. It keeps every one on their toes. Dr. Qadir needs to build a critical mass of a movement, enlist the Imams around the world, and let the Friday Sermons include that and hope the process will have its full effect within a decade.

4. This however will not change the minds of hard core Neocon Jews, Neocon Christians, Neocon Hindus and Neocon Muslim from doing what they do best; frightening the crap out of the the constipated clientele (yes) and asking Money. But a majority of them see the change and work together in creating societies of co-existence.

5. Thank you Dr. Qadri, just do it, but get at least 100 Signatures to your Fatwa, it will be more effective.

6. May Allah bring a positive change with this Fatwa, Amen!

Mike Ghouse is a frequent guest at the TV, radio and print media offering pluralistic solutions to issues of the day. He is a thinker, writer, speaker, optimist and an activist of Pluralism, Interfaith, Co-existence, Peace, Islam and India. His work is reflected at three websites and 22 Blogs at http://www.mikeghouse.net/

Washington Post - http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/panelists/muqtedar_khan/2010/03/a_fatwa_that_might_work_a_loud_voice_from_the_silent_majority.html

Link: http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2010/03/fatwa-against-terrorism-is-now.html

Comments: http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2010/03/fatwa-against-terrorism-is-now.html#comments

Religious Conversions or Recruitment

Religions are beautiful, if every one gets it as Jesus intended, Mohammad wanted, Moses taught, Krishna explained, Nanak practiced, Buddha enlightened, Zathustra showed or the native traditions point out... there would be no problem. All they wanted was a better world by following a few basic principles. They were looking at the end result and not the means. Religion is not the problem.

The purpose of religion is ......... Continued at: http://wisdomofreligion.blogspot.com/2010/03/religious-conversions.html

Taslima's article sparks violence in Karnataka, 2 killed

Taslima's article sparks violence in Karnataka, 2 killed, the article is followed by my commentary and Quotes from Quraan.

The Indian Muslim clergy and the leadership needs to jump in on this. As an individual she has the right to express her opinions whether we agree or not, as much as any one has a right to condemn her statements.

Link: http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2010/03/taslimas-article-sparks-violence-in_01.html

The major mistake Muslims are making is not to have a debate with her on the issues, that's the civil and democratic thing to do. She will lose debate "She told the Muslim women to burn the Burqa" as if she will start wearing a skirt if a westerner says "Burn the Saree, it is a sign of backwardness". Neither is a sign of backwardness, it is a culture that has evolved and no one will drop what they are used to on the sound of a word 'drop'. In a democracy, people should have the freedom to speak; the best way to combat a bad idea is to offer good ideas to compete.
The major mistake Muslims are making is not to have a debate with her on the issues. They did not have enough faith in their culture or religion to debate. Taslima would have easily lost in a debate from a few intellectuals and most likely she would not have gone on the attack binge.

Ms. Nasreen is a bellyacher and not a reformer. A reformer brings solutions to the issues and presents his or her research and asks the scholars to review and build consensus for a gradual acceptance of the proposed ideas. Instead, she agitates and builds resentment and does exactly opposite of what she claims to do; reform. Her approach is wrong and her statements may please the Islam-bashers and earn some circulation. However, her opinion does not affect the world or the religion of Islam.

Ref: http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2007/11/asylum-for-taslima-nasrin.html
The role of a Muslim is to mitigate conflicts and nurture goodwill.

Mike Ghouse is a thinker, writer, speaker, optimist and an activist of Pluralism, Interfaith, Co-existence, Peace, Islam and India. He is a frequent guest at the TV, radio and print media offering pluralistic solutions to issues of the day. His work is reflected at three websites and 22 Blogs at http://www.mikeghouse.net/
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QURAAN ON THE ISSUE

The Quran teaches us precisely how to deal with the ignorant people like Salman Rushdie or Taslima Nasreen. The Quran never suggests beheading, killing or attacking such people!

[4:140] He has instructed you in the scripture that: if you hear GOD's revelations being mocked and ridiculed, you shall not sit with them, unless they delve into another subject. Otherwise, you will be as guilty as they are. GOD will gather the hypocrites and the disbelievers together in Hell.

[5:57] O you who believe, do not befriend those among the recipients of previous scripture who mock and ridicule your religion, nor shall you befriend the disbelievers. You shall reverence GOD, if you are really believers.

[6:68] If you see those who mock our revelations, you shall avoid them until they delve into another subject. If the devil causes you to forget, then, as soon as you remember, do not sit with such evil people.

[18:106] Their just requital is Hell, in return for their disbelief, and for mocking My revelations and My messengers.

[23:96] Therefore, counter their evil works with goodness; we are fully aware of their claims.

[10:99] Had your Lord willed, all the people on earth would have believed. Do you want to force the people to become believers?

[2:190] You may fight in the cause of GOD against those who attack you, but do not aggress. GOD does not love the aggressors.

[42:48] If they turn away, we did not send you as their guardian. Your sole mission is delivering the message. When we shower the human beings with mercy, they become proud, and when adversity afflicts them, as a consequence of their own deeds, the human beings turn into disbelievers.

The Quran also precisely warns us against hypocrite Mullahs who disobey the Quran and initiate anarchy:

[9:31] They have set up their religious leaders and scholars as lords, instead of GOD. Others deified the Messiah, son of Mary. They were all commanded to worship only one god. There is no god except He. Be He glorified, high above having any partners.

[42:21] They follow idols who decree for them religious laws never authorized by GOD. If it were not for the predetermined decision, they would have been judged immediately. Indeed, the transgressors have incurred a painful retribution.

[2:170] When they are told, "Follow what GOD has revealed herein," they say, "We follow only what we found our parents doing." What if their parents did not understand, and were not guided?

[9:34] O you who believe, many religious leaders and preachers take the people's money illicitly, and repel from the path of GOD. Those who hoard the gold and silver, and do not spend them in the cause of GOD, promise them a painful retribution.

[63:4] When you see them, you may be impressed by their looks. And when they speak, you may listen to their eloquence. They are like standing logs. They think that every call is intended against them. These are the real enemies; beware of them. GOD condemns them; they have deviated.

[14:21] When they all stand before GOD, the followers will say to the leaders, "We used to follow you. Can you spare us even a little bit of GOD's retribution?" They will say, "Had GOD guided us, we would have guided you. Now it is too late, whether we grieve or resort to patience, there is no exit for us."

Thank you and may God guide me,

Muhammed Irtaza

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Taslima's article sparks violence in Karnataka, 2 killed

SHIMOGA/BANGALORE/HASSAN: Two persons died and eight others were injured in Shimoga district of Karnataka on Monday following violent protests over the publication of an article by Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen on the burqa in a vernacular daily. While one of the victims died in police firing, the other died during the clashes.

The police opened fire after protesters, who were taking out a procession, burnt 12 two-wheelers, two tractors, two autos and pelted stones at buses and buildings. The deceased were identified as Mustafa and Ataulla.

According to home minister P V Acharya, there was trouble in Hassan too, with protesters burning two-wheelers, shops and raining stones on buses and buildings. But the situation there was more under control. About two dozen persons were arrested in connection with the incidents.

Curfew has been clamped until Tuesday morning in both districts. The police force was meagre in Shimoga with most of the personnel being deployed in other parts of the state on account of Holi. The intelligence wing is also said to have erred in assessing the situation when the protesters began attacking shops and went on a burning spree.

One of the victims of the violence in Shimoga, Karanataka, died after the police opened fire in the air to prevent loss of property during the protests over an article by Taslima Nasreen.

In fact, the district administration had appeal to community leaders not to go ahead with their procession plans, in vain. In Hassan, minority committee members gathered in large numbers and forced the closure of shops belonging to members of their community. Hassan additional SP Yellappa told TOI that a section of protesters turned violent after submitting a memorandum to the deputy commissioner.

But IGP (southern range) Jeevenkumar V Gaonkar said the situation was limping back to normal, but they would continue intensive patrolling across the town for the next couple of days. KSRP men and additional forces from other districts have been pressed into action.

Meanwhile, the Mysore police tightened security by erecting pickets at many spots. Police commissioner Sunil Agarwal said, "So far, no incident has been reported in the city, but we don't want to take chances."

Karnataka home minister P V Acharya said the government has taken all possible steps to check violence from spreading in the state. "We have ensured an elaborate bandobust in all 30 districts of the state and prohibitory orders have been clamped in several sensitive districts," he said.

FROM ABDUSSALAM PUTHIGE, EDITOR OF A KANNADA DAILY

Last 2 days have witnessed a lot of turmoil in the state of Karnataka. ' Kannada Prabha' a prominent Kannada Daily news paper in the state (belongs to the Indian Express group) carried translation of an article written by Thasleema Nasreen on the Islamic practice of Hijab or the female dress code( Issue dated 28th Feb 2010). The article contained extremely derogatory and provocative remarks against Allah, the Prophet ( S), his wives, the holy Quran and the entire Islamic tradition.The fact that it appeared on the very next day of Meelad clearly indicated the intention of the publishers to deliberately hurt the sentiments of the Muslim community. Many of our friends immediately tried to contact the editor to register their protest. But the editor or the management did not take it seriously.

In the evening that day a meeting of the Muslim leaders was held and an appeal was issued requesting all Muslims to control their emotions and not to resort to any violent protest. But in spite of these efforts from our side people in many parts of the state came to the streets to express their disapproval. As expected the situation went out of control in many places and the situation took a violent turn. 0n 1st Feb Police fired at a group of protesters and killed two persons. We in the meantime were trying to persuade local leaders to register complaints in the local police stations against the editor and publisher of the newspaper and also made arrangements to file a suit in the state High court. Memorandums were presented to all the concerned authorities both in the State and the central government. We met the Director General of Police who assured us that every possible action will be taken against the newspaper. In the evening we met the state Chief Minister , expressed the feelings of the community and requested him to take a few specific measure. He assured us that those measures will taken.

Today our delegation also met the management of the Indian Express group and after detailed talks, presented the following four demands before them:

1.They should publish an unconditional apology in the front page and in a very clearly visible manner.( earlier experience is, they agree to apologise but the apology is published in smallest possible letters and size and printed in some remote corner of an inner page)
2. They should take stringent disciplinary action against the person (in the editorial Board) responsible for the appearance of the said article.
3.They should publish a 4 page supplement with positive articles on Prophet (S).
4. They should assure as in very clear terms that they wont repeat such mischief.
The management conceded to all these demands.

The news of this talk with the management, assurance of the Chief Minister and of the DGP was communicated to the local leaders in various parts of the state. As a result the situation in the state is improving now.

Feroze Bhai, Dr.Thaha Matheen and myself, apart from some other friends personally participated in the talks with the Chief minister and the Indian Express management.
Thanking You,
Abdussalam Puthige

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"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." --Margaret Mead

Prophet Muhammad's birthday celebrations

Prophet Muhammad’s whole life is strewn with examples of mitigating conflicts and nurturing goodwill. Indeed, in the Qur’aan God says, to every nation and every community I have sent a peace maker (call it a Messenger, Avatar or a Prophet) and then adds, I have created you into nations, tribes and different communities, the best among you is the one who does good to the creation; life and matter and then he advises mankind to get to know each other. I believe knowledge leads to understanding and understanding to acceptance and appreciation of the other.

Continued at:
http://wisdomofreligion.blogspot.com/2010/02/prophet-muhammads-birthday-celebrations.html

Taslima's article sparks violence in Karnataka, 2 killed

The Indian Muslim clergy and the leadership needs to jump in on this.

As an individual she has the right to express her opinions whether we agree or not, as much as any one has a right to condemn her statements.

The major mistake Muslims are making is not to have a debate with her on the issues, that's the civil and democratic thing to do. She will lose debate "She told the Muslim women to burn the Burqa" as if she will start wearing a skirt if a westerner says "Burn the Saree, it is a sign of backwardness". Neither is a sign of backwardness, it is a culture that has evolved and no one will drop what they are used to on the sound of a word 'drop'. In a democracy, people should have the freedom to speak; the best way to combat a bad idea is to offer good ideas to compete.

The major mistake Muslims are making is not to have a debate with her on the issues. They did not have enough faith in their culture or religion to debate. Taslima would have easily lost in a debate from a few intellectuals and most likely she would not have gone on the attack binge.

Ms. Nasreen is a bellyacher and not a reformer. A reformer brings solutions to the issues and presents his or her research and asks the scholars to review and build consensus for a gradual acceptance of the proposed ideas. Instead, she agitates and builds resentment and does exactly opposite of what she claims to do; reform. Her approach is wrong and her statements may please the Islam-bashers and earn some circulation. However, her opinion does not affect the world or the religion of Islam.


Ref: http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2007/11/asylum-for-taslima-nasrin.html
The role of a Muslim is to mitigate conflicts and nurture goodwill.


Mike Ghouse is a thinker, writer, speaker, optimist and an activist of Pluralism, Interfaith, Co-existence, Peace, Islam and India. He is a frequent guest at the TV, radio and print media offering pluralistic solutions to issues of the day. His work is reflected at three websites and 22 Blogs at http://www.mikeghouse.net/

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Taslima's article sparks violence in Karnataka, 2 killed

SHIMOGA/BANGALORE/HASSAN: Two persons died and eight others were injured in Shimoga district of Karnataka on Monday following violent protests over the publication of an article by Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen on the burqa in a vernacular daily. While one of the victims died in police firing, the other died during the clashes.

The police opened fire after protesters, who were taking out a procession, burnt 12 two-wheelers, two tractors, two autos and pelted stones at buses and buildings. The deceased were identified as Mustafa and Ataulla.

According to home minister P V Acharya, there was trouble in Hassan too, with protesters burning two-wheelers, shops and raining stones on buses and buildings. But the situation there was more under control. About two dozen persons were arrested in connection with the incidents.

Curfew has been clamped until Tuesday morning in both districts. The police force was meagre in Shimoga with most of the personnel being deployed in other parts of the state on account of Holi. The intelligence wing is also said to have erred in assessing the situation when the protesters began attacking shops and went on a burning spree.

One of the victims of the violence in Shimoga, Karanataka, died after the police opened fire in the air to prevent loss of property during the protests over an article by Taslima Nasreen.

In fact, the district administration had appeal to community leaders not to go ahead with their procession plans, in vain. In Hassan, minority committee members gathered in large numbers and forced the closure of shops belonging to members of their community. Hassan additional SP Yellappa told TOI that a section of protesters turned violent after submitting a memorandum to the deputy commissioner.

But IGP (southern range) Jeevenkumar V Gaonkar said the situation was limping back to normal, but they would continue intensive patrolling across the town for the next couple of days. KSRP men and additional forces from other districts have been pressed into action.

Meanwhile, the Mysore police tightened security by erecting pickets at many spots. Police commissioner Sunil Agarwal said, "So far, no incident has been reported in the city, but we don't want to take chances."

Karnataka home minister P V Acharya said the government has taken all possible steps to check violence from spreading in the state. "We have ensured an elaborate bandobust in all 30 districts of the state and prohibitory orders have been clamped in several sensitive districts," he said.
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