Sacramento's Pakistani Americans declare war on terrorism

Three ways of looking at the situation;

As Muslims we need to continue to remain alert, if we have an inkling of some one who 'wishes' to hurt another being, it is our religious duty to pounce on him/her and stop it at once unequivocally. The Qur'aan says saving one life is like saving the whole humanity. The only sin God does not forgive is shirk, that is assigning some one to do God's job; one of them is to give life and take life. This is where we need to do our Jihad, to prevent a Bin Laden or another idiot to take over God's job. This is Shirk, unforgivable by God.

Continued: http://mikeghouseforamerica.blogspot.com/2010/05/pakistani-americans-declare-war-on.html

TODAY IS NATIONAL PRAYER DAY Let’s pray, reflect or wish;

TODAY IS NATIONAL PRAYER DAY Let's pray, reflect or wish;

Dear God, guide us do the right thing every moment of our lives.
Dear God, guide us open our hearts and minds to fellow beings;
Dear God, guide us the humility to respect your creation.
Dear God, guide us shed the arrogance in us that we are superior,
Dear God, guide us learn to respect and accept every which way one worships you.

Dear God, guide us to become conflict mitigators

Dear God, guide us to become good will nurturers

Dear God, guide to us create the kingdom of heaven for every one of the 7 billion of us

Amen

Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker, writer and an activist of Pluralism, Justice, Islam, India and Civil Societies. He is a conflict mitigater and a goodwill nurturer offering pluralistic solutions to issues of the day. http://www.mikeghouse.net/

National Prayer Day happenings on Thursday

An examination of different types of Prayers and Prayer happenings in Dallas Fort Worth followed by a Dinner event on Friday. Please note that a healthy change has occurred in the last few years due to the collective efforts of the community, there was a time when other denominations and faiths were excluded, but that is history now and Thank God for the inclusionary, pluralistic attitudes of Priests, Rabbis, Imams, Pastors, Pundits, Shamans and religious leaders across the world.

Continued at: http://wisdomofreligion.blogspot.com/2010/05/national-prayer-day-thursday-may-7-2010.html

Ghouse speaks at Dallas Mega Immigration March

May 1, 2010. "If you cannot stand up for the rights of others, why should any one stand up for you?" It was an honor to be among 10 civil rights leaders of Dallas to lead the March.

4 MINUTES VIDEO AT YOU TUBE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrjU0KULv-Y

Good Afternoon, I am standing here today because a lady by the name Rosa Parks stood up for her rights and her right to be treated with dignity.

I am standing here today as an immigrant because some one gave up his life to bring civil rights to America and it was this singular act that caused all of us immigrants to be here in America to enrich our nation.


Continued at: http://mikeghouseforamerica.blogspot.com/2010/05/ghouse-speaks-at-dallas-mega-march-2010.html

South Park incident with a Muslim

First of all the idiots who threatened the South Park producers must be condemned and rounded up without any delay. It is a law and order issue. One of the pieces of my conversation with Sean Hannity was about the South Park incident

2. Secondly, it is really not a Muslim or an Islamic issue, it is an issue of radicals who do not like the freedom of others, it is about the people who like to mess other's peace. It is not a Muslim issue because

Continued: http://mikeghouseforamerica.blogspot.com/2010/04/south-park-incident-with-muslim.html

Quraan 2:256 No compulsion in matters of faith

This is a critical issue and has a lot more implications than we apply it to. I take this internally and if we can expand on understanding the wisdom of Qur’aan that Allah has communicated, it will threaten the fat Muslim clergy establishment. It is coming though.

It is human nature or human fitra for one to be free, that's how God has made it. Islam, peacemaking, creating a world of harmony hinges on free will.

Prophet Muhammad shook the idea and removed the conflicts by bringing diverse people together from a point of view of "my own god vs. your own god" to "our common god". Now Muslims have created, "my own tradition (sunni, Shia, Ahmadiyya, and wahhabi) to become a God of theirs. Javed, you ask why this issue is brought up again and again... look at the idiot guardians of Islam issuing idiotic fatwa’s against each other. Sunnis claiming shias are no Muslim and vice-versa. We have to come to a common Islam, without losing our uniqueness.

I take this further (Muslims are not ready for this) - in an evening party gatherings, I would not want any one even to remind the other to join up for Salat (namaz), it is individuals responsibility. If you want to pray go do it, it is your duty and you are the one to answer God, not me or anyone else. Who knows what she or he is going through? Social compulsions and embarrassments about asking are you fasting.. will fade away in the next two generations giving true value to no compulsion in religion. If Muslims can understand that, there is no compulsion in Islam, they would have understood Islam. when people get this, the establishment gets threatened, as if Islam is taken away from them, if Islam is not an internal idea of submission to god and external idea of acts, then they would lose it.

I have to put some research work together on this, Insha Allah, one of these days. I know you will not do it, as you are afraid of losing your support from the likes of guardians of establishment. Javed, let's have the freedom to express the truth of creating a world of peace, submission to peace of humanity; God's will. It is not just you; it is the same story with the Christians, Hindus, Jews, Buddhists and others. Hold on to status quo or what is dished out to us, we fear them and not the Creator who wants us to get along and accept and respect each one of his creation.

May we learn about all religions and the beauty they offer to create a peaceful living. Mazhab nahin sikhata aapas may bair rakhna.

Iftekhar is on the right track, this non-sense about Abrogation of one verse against the other must be summarily discarded. Just because the Imams of yester years did not comprehend the wholeness of Qur’aan, which is a beautiful document for co-existence of humanity, they took exceptions and start abrogating one or the other. With all due respect to those great imams, they understood the Qur’aan that worked for them, their understanding does not work for us living in free societies where there is no compulsion, a real Qur’anic way of life.

We need to develop our own understanding and I know it frightens many; the change is coming. At least the American Muslim kids will not take some of the crap developed and thrown on Muslims as if it were Islamic.

Mike Ghouse
-----------------------------

What is meaning of 2:256 "NO COMPULSION IN RELIGION."

various interpretation of verse 2:256, "There shall be no Compulsion in Religion" there are various interpretation. See below:

Abrogated: The passage was overridden by subsequent Quranic verses (such as 9:73: "O Prophet! Struggle against the unbelievers (Jews & Christians) and hypocrites (Jews & Christians) and be harsh with them").

Purely symbolic: The phrase is a description, not an imperative. Islam's truth is so obvious that to coerce someone to become a Muslim does not amount to "compulsion"; or else being made to embrace Islam after defeat in war is not viewed as "compulsion."

Spiritual, not practical: Governments may indeed compel external obedience, though they of course cannot compel how Muslims think. (This is evident in Saudi Arabia )

Limited in time and place: It applied uniquely to Jews (only) in Medina in the seventh century.

Present day Jews, Christians, Hindus and Buddhists have no choice but to read the Quran and covert. They must convert to Islam for salvation.

Limited to non-Muslims who live under and accept Muslim rule: Some jurists say it applies only to "Peoples of the Book" (Christians, Jews and Zoroastrians); others say it applies to all infidels.

Excludes some non-Muslims: Apostates, women, children, prisoners of war, and others can indeed be compelled. (This is the standard interpretation that has applied in most times and places).

Limited to all non-Muslims: Muslims must abide by the tenets of Islam and may not apostatize.

Limited to Muslims: Muslims may shift from one interpretation of their faith to another (such as from Sunni to Shia), but may not leave Islam.

Applied to all persons: Reaching the true faith must be achieved through trial and testing, and compulsion undercuts this process.

There is massive disagreement among the various school of thoughts among Muslim scholars, ulemas and maulanas: The debate over the no-compulsion verse has several important implications.

Ibn-e-Arabi says (12the century scholar) 200 verses have been abrogated and Shah Waliullah (18th Century scholar) says only 5 verses. There is total confusion and chaos among present day "Hafiz-e- Qurans." This leaves more confusion in the minds of modern day Muslim youth of internet generation.

First, it shows that Islam - like all religions - is whatever believers make of it. The choices for Muslims range from Taliban-style repression to Balkan-style liberality. There are few limits; and there is no "right" or "wrong" interpretation.

Muslims in USA and Europe have a clean slate to resolve what "no compulsion" means in the 21st century We have yet to come up with a good "translation" of our Holy Quran that will take the global village concept into consideration addressing the global challenges for humanity.

Iftekhar Hai
UMA Interfaith Alliance
Tel: 650-872-2578 www.umaia.net

---------------------

Mohtaram Iftakhar Sahib

ASAK

I can’t understand why you keep on discussing the issue of “compulsion” in Islam. Do you find anywhere in the world Muslims forcing others to accept Islam? If you have a project or you are helping any organization in this regard better tell them the real problems of the world, most of which are related to irreligion rather than religion, and illuminate them abut how these problems can be tackled by following the socioeconomic system of Islam.

Both you and I think globally. But there is a clear difference. I study and analyse the modern developments in the light of Qur’an and want to change the world in accordance with Fundamental Rights, duties and Prohibitions enshrined in the Book. On the other hand you want to reinterpret certain Quranic verses to make them suit the demands of the current world order, which is largely based on un-Islamic principles.

As far as the verse “La ikraha fid deen is concerned, in my humble view, “Ikraha” is traditionally being erroneously translated as” compulsion” and “Deen” as “religion”. Ikraha to me means something reprehensible as it is derived from karaha and its well known derivative is ”makruh”

The translation of these verses in my opinion should be: “There is nothing reprehensible in System (of Islam). Guidance has become clearly distinguishable from Misguidance. So one who rejects the Taghut (forces of corruption) and is convinced about God, he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. “

Religion relates to one’s internal beliefs and personal actions; system also includes the external conditions including the law and environment. Islam is not a religion; it is System that does not only want the people to have a right belief system and personal righteousness but also establishes a system that protects people and helps them attain their rightful goals without fear.

Dr Javed Jamil
--------------------------------

Dear Javed Saheb:

We need good interpretation and translation of Quranic verses in English because there is a great need. This is the reality in America, UK, India & Europe.

You have said: On the other hand you want to reinterpret certain Quranic verses to make them suit the demands of the current world order, which is largely based on un-Islamic principles.

My answer: Almost all the Muslims who have settled in West and also in the Islamic world say, "There is more Islam in Western countries with the exception of "sexism and Banking system." Your writings on both this subject also seconds this facts. But in all reality....I have lived in Pakistan and also visited almost all the Islamic countries. I find lots of Muslims but no Islam. This is said by many Muslims...I am merely repeating what has already been said before.


The Arab world treats Indian-Pakistani Muslims as third class citizens. There are numerous reports of abuse of power by the Arabs. There is so much hypocrisy and see what the Quran says, "The arabs of the desert are worst in hypocrisy and unbelief and most suited to be ignorant of the message that Allah has send to His messenger. " 9:97 and in 9:101 the hypocrisy gets very obstinate and the punishment gets more severe.

There are no individual rights in Muslim world as you find individual rights in Western world. They know Arabic and the Quran but what they practice is, "corrupted and sensual policies."....why

JAVED SAHEB...IT IS FOR THIS REASON WE NEED TO RE-INTERPRET THE QURANIC VERSES TO REVERSE THE PATH THAT MUSLIMS ARE FOLLOWING......IT IS SELF - DESTRUCTIVE AND ARROGANT TO THE CORE.

IN THE AREA OF SEXUAL HABITS THE MUSLIM WORLD IS ALSO NO LESS AND THERE IS SO MUCH CORRUPTION IN EVERYDAY LIFE:

JAVED SAHEB...IT IS FOR THIS REASON WE NEED TO RE-INTERPRET THE QURANIC VERSES TO REVERSE THE PATH THAT MUSLIMS ARE FOLLOWING......IT IS SELF - DESTRUCTIVE AND ARROGANT TO THE CORE.

In the field of education, scienctific research, inventions and discovery. We Muslims are 1.5 billion. There is no noble price winners. Muslims have not contributed in the field of science, inventions and technology as they should be doing. We are the most ignorant people. We rely on handouts from the Western countries, our economic system is broken.....WHY...We read the Quran and Arabic is our mother tongue still we are the most illiterate people of the world. The Chinese, Hindus, Jews, and even the Communist world is ahead of us..why

JAVED SAHEB...IT IS FOR THIS REASON WE NEED TO RE-INTERPRET THE QURANIC VERSES TO REVERSE THE PATH THAT MUSLIMS ARE FOLLOWING......IT IS SELF - DESTRUCTIVE AND ARROGANT TO THE CORE.

The way the Quran is explained to the Muslim world is based in the mind-set of 6th century Arabian culture of "jahaliyah."
We have to set ourselves free from that 6th century mind-set and come in this fast changing jet-set, technologically changing world. Globally we are behind everybody...if we have "correct interpretation" of our moral and our character why do you think we have sunk so low.....that everyone is walking over us.

JAVED SAHEB...IT IS FOR THIS REASON WE NEED TO RE-INTERPRET THE QURANIC VERSES TO REVERSE THE PATH THAT MUSLIMS ARE FOLLOWING......IT IS SELF - DESTRUCTIVE AND ARROGANT TO THE CORE.

Please do not take this personally.......I want to make a forceful point that our "ummah" is sinking because of several reasons. The only thing left with us is the Quran..........and Muslims have faith in God...there is hope. But you have to re-polish the wheel, rust off "mental arrogance" and role up your sleves and look at Quran from global perspective where Muslims are a minority facing annihilation. We cannot even control our own resources and refine our own oil. We need Western minds and Western technology....there is something drastically wrong here. The oil will soon be gone and we will be left to die and beg for survival. That is why I am saying:

JAVED SAHEB...IT IS FOR THIS REASON WE NEED TO RE-INTERPRET THE QURANIC VERSES TO REVERSE THE PATH THAT MUSLIMS ARE FOLLOWING......IT IS SELF - DESTRUCTIVE AND ARROGANT TO THE CORE.


Iftekhar Hai
UMA Interfaith Alliance
Tel: 650-872-2578 www.umaia.net

one Islam for Ahmadiyya, Bohra, Ismailia, Shia, Sunnni, Deen Muhammad and others...

There is only one Islam for Ahmadiyya, Bohra, Ismailia, Shia, Sunnni, Deen Muhammad and others...

Article at: http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2010/04/there-is-only-one-islam.html

There is only one Islam

http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2010/04/there-is-only-one-islam.html


This column is dedicated to Imam Dr. Yusuf Zia Kavakci. The following two pictures were from the Unityday USA event, which was an inter-faith and intra-faith event. 


There is only one Islam, but each one of us sees it differently. While there is hardly a disagreement on "many" a key issues, we certainly disagree on some. I dedicate this to our Imam Dr. Yusuf Zia Kavakci, who has encouraged me to do my individual share of work in bringing the ummah together, those words have constantly motivated me and I continue to strive towards that goal.


We have to learn to accept that God has created us as unique beings; each one of us has his own different thumb print, his own DNA and his own ID. He did not punch us out like the Farishtas (angels) on his mass production machine, each one of us was made unique; one at a time.

Among Muslims of all hues we will get 100% consensus on the subject of Tauheed (Oneness of creation), Muhammad (pbuh) the last Prophet, and several other items that most will agree. However there are areas we differ and perhaps partially agree, such as the format of Hijab, Prayers, women leading the prayers, Public Sharia (deals when more than one person is in the equation), divorce, conversions and a few other issues, we have the God given right to have a different perspective. No one should even dream of compelling anyone to conformity, it simply goes against the human Fitra (nature). God loves his creation and shares his wisdom with us in Qur’aan that there is no compulsion in matters of faith.


Over the centuries we have learned to accept different perceptions of the same "fact" as to what prophet said in his last sermon. While the Shia believe that the prophet assigned the role of leadership to his family members, the Sunnis believe that no one was assigned to lead them and their version is “I am leaving the book to you to read and understand” whereas the Shia version adds the progeny to the book. How does that matter, when both agree that on the day of judgmeent ( or reflection in solitutude) it is what we do to others, how we treat others that matters.


Among Shia’s we differ and hence we have the Shia, Bohra, Ismaili and a few more classifications. Among the Sunnis we have the progressives, moderate, Barelavis, the Deobandis, the Nahadtul ulamas, the Wahhabis, Salafis etc, and within each we have several others like Ahle Sunnat, Sufis, Kurds, and a few more. Then we also have the Ahmadiyya and Warith Deen Muhammad Branches. Each group is claiming to be rightly guided by the Quraan.


Please note that I am using the language of "we" , a few comments rolled in and said that they thought I was Shia, and few that I was a Sunni, which is Ok, but do you think Prophet Muhammad would recognize these labels? He will not, however, he knew that there will be differences and made it easy for us - by acknowledging with a metaphoreic number of 72, meaning there will be a large number of divisions. Quraan is bold about it when it says, we have created you into different nations, tribes and communities, then adds, so that you may learn to know each other to figure out creating a conflictless world,which is usually referred to as Kingdom of Heaven, a Christian term which translates into Tauheed (oneness) in one sense.


Who is really right then? Should the large numbers among Sunnis give them the right to be right? Didn’t prophet have only two people supporting his mission for a while? Did their numbers make them wrong? Does Shia’s claim to the family of Prophet make them right? Guess what, all of us are right, we have to have the humility in us to respect other point of view. No one has to be wrong for us to be right; it is a difficult thought for those binary people who see things in black and white, it is like pulling the earth from beneath them, they feel threatened to even consider the idea that all of us could be right, some how they are conditioned to believe some one has to be wrong for them to be right. We have to get out of the mode of seeing others from our limited point of view without giving them the same right.


The differences are legitimate and we must accept them instead of fighting who is right, only Allah will decide that, not now, but on that elusive Day of Judgment. Indeed, we differ on some issued but not all, and we must be cognizant of this. We need to fight the temptation that acknowledging other Muslims's tradition as good as ours, will somehow diminish our own tradition, it does not.


When God calls on us on the Day of Judgment, it is our deeds that matter. In Islam, the idea of Munkir- Nakir, the angels (your own conscience) who register your bad and good karma exists; signifying the freedom one has to pile up either side and live with its consequences in terms of anguish (Hell fire) and serenity (Jannah). A good deed is your clear responsibility to the creation; life and matter.


Our Unity should be based on the Shahada (Pledge) to bring justness and peace to the world at large, also referred as Aalameen. We are Muslims, the peace makers, and when we band together, it is to do “good” and not to be against some one, such unions are false and won’t last.


What you do with your Deen is your responsibility as what I do is mine. Neither of us is answerable to any one but God. Islam is large enough to accommodate all our differences.


The Neocons of all faiths (http://hatesermons.blogspot.com/2008/03/neocons.html ) have successfully created hostility between Iran and Saudi Arabia, between Hamas and Fatah, between Shia’s and Sunnis and between us. Do we need to blame them? Absolutely not, we need to understand our own dumbness in allowing others to place wedges between us. It is time for us to wake up and join in with our differences to repair the world. God has given us this opportunity to be the peace makers of the world, first let’s have peace between us and extend that to the world.


Would you pledge to yourselves, that when some one highlights the differences within us, you would say;

• The differences are God given” so is the “free will” and as an individual I am committed to peace within and peace for all, that is what Islam means.
  
• God guides me to know each other, so together we can create a kingdom of peace for all the seven billion of us.
  
• I understand that my safety hinges on safety of others that surround me and I cannot have peace when others around me aren't.”

I further pledge that;


I would resist all temptations to mis-represent the otherness of other traditions. No matter what any one tries to get me to say negatively about Sunni or Shia, Ismaili or Bohra, Ahmadi or Wahhabi or any faith for that matter. I will refrain from talking ill about others (applies to all faiths and traditions) and present them not to make them look bad or make mine look better, but for people to know what is that they believe without classing them.


No matter where I go, I want people to see me as a peace maker, some one who is bent on mitigating conflicts and nurturing goodwill.


I don’t want people to be afraid of a Muslim or his beard or her Hijab, instead they should say OMG, here comes a Muslim, a peace maker, the truthful, the trustworthy and the Amin.” Amen!

It will take ten years to change the world around us. Would you do your share?
We can take this message to the world, each one of us have to do our part.


Dedicated to Dr. Imam Yusuf Kavakci. The following two pictures were from the Unityday USA event, which was an inter-faith and intra-faith event. Written and sent to Dr. Kavakci on 2/4/2010 1:20:58 A.M. Central Daylight Time and he responded back, that efforts will take time.


Original at: http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2010/04/there-is-only-one-islam.html


ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:


All divisions are motivated by "me, me and my way". usually differences are political in the sense "my understandiang is the right one". they find safety in a environmnet that subscribes to their ideas.


Adam was the first man who conquered the element of fear and accepted the diverse enviroment around hiim and figured out co-existence over the illusory environs of the paradize, where no conflict or thereat existed for his survial. Other species were bent on destroying the others for survival. Adam turned this around and learned to co-exist and manage the diversity without destroying it. Adam perhaps may be the first man from an evolution and creation perspective. He could fit in both places, we have to learn not to resrtict God's words to creation.... See More


On the other hand, God has intentionally created us to be diverse, look at each aspect of our biology, it is unique, so should our emotions be and our beliefs be. The different traditions are in place and we have to learn to respect them, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge. ...


There is no need for any one attempt to make all Muslims think, act, talk and look alike - that is not human nature and Quraan addresses that very well. Like there is no compulsion in belief, I have created different people so that you learn to know each other


----

The easiest thing for me was not to write about this topic at all; some responses are belligerent and some are naïve; the first thing that came to my mind was the Fox News and the Christian Neocons, who incessantly itch to hate someone with vengeance, Muslims at this time conveniently fill that vacuum for them. It was interesting to observe that Muslim Neocons also have the same need to fill that hate vacuum and the Ahmadiyya Muslims fill right in for them.


Some wise man said, no one will criticize you, if you are dead. It is politically expedient to go along, that is precisely the problem in the world today. I’d rather speak up and speak out and take some crap instead of letting things go. The need for us, intra-faith and interfaith is to step up the work for creating a better world to live; an inclusive world is the right formula at the end of the day.



Jazak Allah Khair.


Mike Ghouse
(214) 325-1916
www.WorldMuslimCongress.com and
http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/


Mike Ghouse is a thinker, writer speaker 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 websites and Blogs are listed on http://www.mikeghouse.net/
~~~


Comments: http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2010/04/there-is-only-one-islam.html#comments

Honoring Imam Dr. Yusuf Zia Kavakci today

Honoring Imam Dr. Yusuf Zia Kavakci today

Honoring Imam Dr. Yusuf Zia Kavakci today

Saturday, April 10, 2010
Dallas, Texas

I am pleased to share a few interfaith moments about Imam Dr. Yusuf Zia Kavakci, a scholar of Islam, a lawyer and an Imam. He has now established an institution with his name to impart education to the youth born and raised here in the D/FW Metroplex.


Tonight, April 10, 2010, he is being honored for the international recognition he has brought to the Dallas Forth worth Metroplex. He is listed among the 500 influential Muslims around the world.

When we initiated the Unity Day program in 2005, a 9/11 memorial event to bring Americans of all hues together to rededicate our pledge for the safety and prosperity of our nation, I ran into a conflict, one of my volunteers wanted additional time be given to Muslims in the interfaith prayer sequence of 10 religions, a suggestion was even made, that since it is a Muslim initiative, they should have the floor first.

However, as a Muslim deeply committed to the pluralistic values of Islam, I strongly believed in the egalitarian values embedded in every aspect of Islam including the rituals, and I was having difficulty with the idea of being treated special. I wanted every one of the ten religions be given equal time, and to avoid conflict of priority, we put them in an alphabetical order. A few of the volunteers were making it difficult for me for not listening to them.

So, I go to Imam Yusuf before the situation gets out of handle. He listened to me intently and offered this brilliant choice:

“Brother Mike, Religiously you are right, that is the right thing to do, we have to believe and practice equality, but if you want their support, you decide what you want to do, but do the right thing."
That was exactly what I wanted to hear and I asked him if I could put those words, " Islamically it was right to treat all faiths on par" that in the email and send it to the group, he said go for it, and with that conflicts faded and solutions emerged.

I cherish that moment with Dr. Kavakci.

In another personal incident about 15 years ago, when I was marrying my late wife Najma, I wanted my friends Mr. Maini and Mr. Sharma, who are Hindu by faith, to be the required witnesses of the wedding ceremony as I considered them my elder and brother, but the tradition was for the Father, Uncles or brothers to be the witness, generally Muslim, in my case they were the ones for me.

So, Imam Yusuf, Najma and I went for a walk in Dr. Asif Syed’s ranch and being an out of box thinker he was, he suggested that we increase the number of witnesses to five and include two of my friends with the other three. I adored him for that and have been admiring him since then.

Last year at the SMU, the students hosted a talk on Human rights in Islam, and one of the greatest moments of my life came upon me when I found out, I was the co-speaker with Dr. Kavakci, what an honor! A humble man by nature, he wanted me to sit right next to him during the Q& A session, and goaded me to answer the questions first, I found an unusual safety in it, after my response to the students, he would start saying perfect and then quote Qur’aan to support my response. He made my day.

Imam Yusuf calls himself a Khaksaar, a humble soul and a person who serves the humanity. I recall my Grand father also used the same title with his signature in his correspondence with Allama Mashriqi.
Imam Yusuf has been on my Radio show several times, one of them was a daily show called the Wisdom of Religion, all the beautiful religions and the other was a Saturday program called Festivals of the world, where we shared the essence of every festival you can imagine in that given week. He and I have shared many delightful moments on the radio. He is an amazing orator.

I have always enjoyed walking into his office and hear him say that, I am one of the Muslims he can speak without guards. He also gives me immense value in saying that I could bring the communities (intra and inter) together. I am proud of that. A few months ago, I wrote an article about intra faith and dedicated that to him. Today, I have reserved a table with great enthusiasm and labeled it “Islam intra-faith table” and have invited two Muslims each from Ahmadiyya, Bohra, Ismaili, Shia, Sunni and Warith Deen Muhammad traditions to start a conversation.

I am delighted to see this great scholar, Imam Dr. Yusuf Zia Kavakci has been recognized as one of the 500 influential leaders in the world.

Here is an article written in February honoring him: http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2010/04/there-is-only-one-islam.html

A few Pictures from the dinner event and some old pics: A few dinner pictures and other pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeghouse/sets/72157623704109391/show/

Jazak Allah Khair

www.WorldMuslimCongress.com
Good for Muslims and good for the World
To be a Muslim is to be a conflict mitigater and goodwill nurturer

Mike Ghouse, Mike Ghouse is a frequent guest at the 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, India and Civil Societies. His work is reflected at 3 websites & 22 Blogs listed at http://www.mikeghouse.net/

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/

# # #

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
~~~~~~~

YOUR COMMENTS:
http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2010/03/ahmadiyya-muslims-among-muslims.html#comments
~~~
~~~

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.

______________________________________________

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

______________________________________________

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.”

# # #

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/
~~~~~

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

~~~~~~~~~
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

= = = = = = = = = = =
"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/

~~~~~~~~~
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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