I n d i a n M u s l i m s L e a d i n g E n g l i s h N e w s p a p e r , p u b l i s h e d s i n c e J a n u a r y 2 0 0 0

MG THE
Fortnightly
271 Vol. 12 No. 9

MILLI GAZETTE
1-15 May 2011 32 pages

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Inside
Saffron terror Waqf Welfare Party Urdu journalism Libya/Arab World Corruption Jerusalem-iii Bengal Muslims Muslim women History Gujarat J&K 4,6,11 6,7 3 12 6,22 2,5,8,13 24 9 8 4 7,13 15 Analysis 9,14 Special Reports 3 Issues 2,12-13 Books 27 National 3-22 International 23-26 Speaking Out 14 Newsmakers 18 19-22 Community News Islamic Perspectives 28 Classifieds 29 Letters 30-31

WELFARE PARTY LAUNCHED... p. 3

Are Muslims wholly responsible for their backwardness?

No. Political and administrative system largely bears the blame says SYED SHAHABUDDIN

ver since the presentation of the Sachar Committee Report and particularly after the publication of the Ranghanathan Mishra Commission Report, the spokesman of the political establishment has been repeatedly holding the Muslim community and its leadership themselves responsible for its deprivation, degradation and backwardness. Their purposes are obviously meant to shift the blame away from the governments which have been in power from 1947, particularly the Congress at the Centre and the states of Muslim concentration. Muslim backwardness is the con-

sequence of various political, social and economic changes on which the Muslims had little or no control. The Muslim rural elite, who held land, were adversely affected by the abolition of Zamindari; the urban elite particularly from north India moved to Pakistan. The Muslim intelligentsia was effectively barred from government employment. Muslim community had never been very active in commerce and industry. The Muslim community has never been able to accumulate a surplus to invest in their education and welfare, or to pay bribes for securing government

Where is civil society indignation seen earlier when a lecturer was attacked?
Palakkad (Kerala): A Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) activist was hacked allegedly by Bajrang Dal goons in Kerala. Kunhappu Marakkar (41), Ottappalam mandalam president of SDPI, was assaulted while he was on his way to Varode in the morning of 21 April. The motorcycle he was riding was hit by a car in which the assailants came and once he was thrown to the ground and injured, he was attacked with swords and knives. Marakkar, who had sustained serious injuries throughout his body, has been admitted at Kunhappu Marakkar at hospital Thrissur Medical College hospital. Both his hands received wounds while he tried to thwart the attacks on his head. Hospital authorities said that he is still in critical situation. Ottappalam town observed hartal on 2 April in protest against this brutal attack. It is believed that political rivalry is the reason behind the attack. SDPI and Popular Front leaders visited the victim at the hospital. They asked the authorities to bring the culprits to justice at the earliest and investigate the conspiracy behind this brutal attack. They also said that it was a fascist attempt to silence the political rivals by Hindutva forces. Politicians and human rights activists, who were very vocal when a lecturer was attacked allegedly by local PFI workers for his blasphemy, are now silent.
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SDPI activist hacked by Hindutva goons

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service. Confined to its ghettos and to petty occupations, devoid of education and access to bank credit, they just managed to keep body and soul together. In the era of planned inclusive development, they were deprived of even their proportional benefits of development even at the operational level. We do not have the figures of their per capita income but nearly 80% live on a daily expenditure of Rupees 20. Surely Muslims are very poorly represented in the upper and middle classes. Continuously they faced pressure against the exercise of their religious freedom and the adverse impact of the recurrent communal violence. Despite all these handicaps, it is a tribute to the resilience of the community that it maintained its religious identity and at least managed to keep alive a system for the religious education of its children and to open some schools wherever possible. It goes without saying that in a developing society, the physical infrastructure, roads, bridges, railways, electricity, irrigation and drainage etc. are provided by the government. So is the basic social infrastructure in terms of educational & health facilities and public housing. The government also subsidizes all industrial production, and agricultural and the distribution of essential goods. Because the Muslim community has consistently remained underrepresented in the legislatures, the governments and the bureaucracy, it never got its due share of fruits of development. One has only to visit the Muslim concentration areas, whether in cities, blocks or villages, he cannot miss the step-motherly treatment they have received from the powers that be in terms of their development and progress. Little attention has been paid by the establishment, though Muslims have become politically conscious, to give due attention to their habitats and their legitimate demands. The establishments as well as all political parties try to divide the country by caste and baradaris, though the Sachar Report has pointed out that, at the end of the day there are no substantial differences among the various baradaris (Ashraf, Arzal and Ajlaf) in terms of development. It is also a matter of fact that no political party has permitted Muslims to rise to the level of leadership. Yet the establishment continues to highlight that the Muslims have no leadership, but they all want Muslim votes & hire some unemployed Muslims at the time of elections or even give them tickets from non-winnable constituencies to maintain the facade of Muslim participation. With no surplus, no political representation, and no place in the administration, no access to higher education, it is not surprising that the Muslims have remained backward and the life of the community revolves around masjids and madrasas and performance of religious rites and observance of social customs. Objectively they were never in a position to do much for themselves. The government, the parties & the administration did not care for them or provide them their due. The conclusion

Ca st eis m

is that the responsibility for their backwardness is only 10% their own and 90% of the political system. The Muslim fault lies in putting faith in political manifestos and government schemes and in the Constitutional principles of equality and justice. Slowly, a Muslim middle class is coming up, some are taking advantage of Mandal reservation. They are themselves establishing primary schools in their areas. They are trying to find a place in the lower echelons of administration. But unless the Muslims community is provided with reservation in government jobs at all levels, subject to eligibility, access to higher education, bank-credit and proportional benefit in fruits of social and economic development as well as in the political system, unless the Muslim youth are coopted in the ranks and given due opportunities to grow into leadership positions, the gap between the Muslim community and the rest of the people is likely to grow. It may however be added that the Muslim community can now invest a little more for constructive purposes, by cutting out social and religious extravaganza. If the elite also direct their charity towards education and economic advancement, things would perhaps be better. The Waqf properties may be managed better & their surplus used for community welfare. The community may identity skills needed for national development and train its youth to take advantage of the market openings. In every district, Muslim educated youth may establish information and facilitation centres to enable the eligible to utilise the benefits from central and state schemes and if necessary monitor the progress of their applications. The Ulema and the Imams may voluntarily divert Zakat, Sadqat away from Masjids & Madrasas and religious functions towards community welfare. Yet no amount of community effort can be a substitute for institutional and systemic changes in a developing society and for government support. Logically, Muslims must receive at least 15% of the development outlay in all schemes. Why cant they have a Component Plan like the SCs and the STs. Finally, why cant the government lay it down that they should enjoy due share in the fruits of all economic & social schemes, targeted at individuals & families, in proportion to their local population. Let us remember that the Sachar Committee found all Muslims more backward than the non-Muslim OBCs and about as backward as SC/STs. And that after 60 years of independence!

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2 The Milli Gazette, 1-15 May 2011

ISSUES / OPINION

Corruption, Jan Lokpal Bill and the Rule of Law

NAVAID HAMID
Corruption has now become a major of issue of concern for a vast majority of Indians. Major scandals of recent past have shaken the ordinary people. But are we, as citizens, serious to confront this scourge once for all? This needs to be discussed with an open mind. Those who believe that corruption is a recent phenomenon live in illusions. Bhishma Pitamah of Indian politics, Chanakya, had commented, Corruption and governance are like fish and water. He is a political philosopher, who commands large following and admiration since centuries and is considered a political ideal by a majority of the politicians and by bureaucrats. The question arises who is not corrupt? For me anybody who got an opportunity to exploit the trust and loopholes of the system in ones own favour but refused to be tempted by greed and lust is a person of integrity. An individual who never got an opportunity to indulge in corruption may be a person of integrity only till he gets the chance to prove otherwise. During the last quarter of the century, the issue of corruption has become only an issue of politics. All those who have political aspirations exploited the issue to get either prominence or political power. Unfortunately, a majority of these voices got themselves exposed before taking the issue to a decisive stage. With the rise of the Indian middle class, the country unfortunately has seen the rise of corruption. According to an estimate, every 12th house in posh localities of Delhi and every 10th industrial unit, big or small, in Delhi had in past or still indulges in electricity theft. While travelling in public transport buses, one would usually listen from a good number of ticketless commuters, the word staff when asked to show their tickets. These self-proclaimed staff members are ready to react violently if asked to pay a fine or advised to purchase tickets. A majority of Indian newspapers furnish frivolous data to be placed in the category of top slabs in order to get government advertisements at higher rates. The menance of paid news has reached an alarming proportions and innocent Indians are forced to read and watch what the paid newspapers and channels offer as genuine news. One would be amused to see an advertisement of a tender notice by a government department for goods and projects in newspapers. Most of the time, the cost of the advertisements surpasses the estimated cost of the goods or work. Also, if one minutely follows tender advertisements, the inviting department also announces the estimate cost of the goods or the work. There have been known instances when the tender inviting departments have raised the cost of the goods or work in collision with the suppliers and the contractors but if one follows the tender mafia minutely there are more ways to plunder the taxpayers than that of raising the cost of the goods or work. Most of the times the tenders are awarded below the announced estimated cost. It is difficult to understand how government officials who had announced calculated estimated cost of goods or work, issue contract orders below the announced estimated cost. If a km of road stretch is estimated to cost a million rupees but a contractor offers to complete the same project at less than the estimated cost, then the officer who had calculated the estimate should be grilled for his incompetence. No doubt, any tender below the estimated cost is at the cost of quality because its an open secret that the supplier or the contractor needs to grease the palm of every officer in the department besides keeping the concerned local politicians in good humour in addition to his own profit. Former PM, late Rajiv Gandhi, had once commented that only 15 percent of the sanctioned amount in government schemes reaches the people. The process to get permission to initiate the prosecution of government officials and ministers is near impossible to complete. Most of the time the higher ups sit on the files for the permission submitted by the investigating agencies. Governments irrespective of parties at the helm, slowdown the process or ensure that offenders are never prosecuted. Between 2005-2009, on the recommendation of the Central Vigilance Commission, the premium institution to fight corruption at the central level, the Central Government had sanctioned just six percent of the cases and the remaining 94 percent of the cases were let off with departmental enquiries and minor penalties.
Indian Muslims Leading Fortnightly English Newspaper

The anti-corruption campaign is an important issue to safeguard the foundations of society and nation at large. But sincerity of all would be at stake if one fails to see the dangers of inequality, exclusiveness, criminalisation in politics and communalism. The denial of the rights to oppressed groups of tribals, scheduled castes and minorities is a major issue which would endanger the progress and unity of nation. Few talk about the important provision of fraternity enshrined in the Constitution. The concept of togetherness is missing just because of the indifferent and biased approach of the ruling class irrespective of its political colour. Sachar Committee had revealed that the country had failed in its paramount duty to do justice to the second largest section of our society, Muslims, who have become backward in every walk of life. Denying rights to the oppressed and the minorities is nothing but worst political corruption. If financial corruption would endanger the progress of our nation, the political corruption of exclusiveness and hate would endanger the unity of India.
As per the records available of the period till 2010, the central government not even responded to 236 requests of the investigating agencies to prosecute public servants on corruption. 66 percent of these 236 cases were pending before the central government for more than three months. Various state governments, irrespective of their political colours, have not responded to 84 requests of the investigating agencies for prosecuting officials on corruption charges during the same period. Slow criminal justice process has become one of the factors for the steep rise of the corrupt practices in public life. By the end of 2010, there were nearly 10,000 CBI cases pending in courts and close to a quarter, i.e., 23 percent, of these cases were pending for more than 10 years. In 1963, the idea of Lokpal or the office of the Ombudsman was first floated during a parliamentary debate. After the recommendation of the First Administrative Reforms Commission in 1968 under the chairmanship of Morarji Desai, who later became prime minister, there have been eight unsuccessful attempts to introduce the Anti-Corruption Bill in the Parliament but political parties failed to make a consensus on the powers of the Lokpal. The huge amount of wealth being exposed in recent scandals has prompted the civil society to initiate the process of having a Jan Lokpal Bill with a demand to have a strong and effective Lokpal to tackle the menance of corruption where citizens can directly file complaints about any omission or commission that constitutes an offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988, against any public servant including the prime minister, ministers, members of Parliament, Government servants and employees of statutory corporations with powers of enquiry, investigation, prosecution, enforcement of orders, tapping phones and intercepting messages, confiscating properties of the accused etc all proposed to be vested in one single window of Lokpal. But there are fears that the concept of a single authority with wide-ranging powers and functions to investigate and prosecute goes against the basic principles of separation of the two functions in the criminal justice system. The independence of the prosecutor would always be in question if the prosecutor and the investigating agency both are under the overall control of Lokpal.

Another highly contentious provision in the Jan Lokpal Bill is to limit the powers of the President to sign on the dotted lines of the recommended names of Lokpal, snatching the right of the President to satisfy him/herself that the procedure of selection as laid down by the law has been properly followed. The draftsmen of the Jan Lok Pal Bill have enthusiastically ignored another important independent side of fairness by insisting on videography of the selection procedure and making it public. There can be instances where if all candidates were qualified and received same marks in the interview process and there were deliberations to select the best from amongst them, the free deliberation is likely to be affected if discussions are allowed to be made public. Another surprising aspect of the Jan Lokpal Bill is the provision of having absolute discretion of the Lokpal over the use of the funds generated through the share of 10 percent of the confiscated money and of penalties. This provision is against the basic powers of the legislative checks on the spending of funds collected from the public. The second flaw in this proposed provision is that it is silent on its source of income in case Lokpal fails to reach any conclusion on the complaints against the officials and is not able to generate the required funds for its functioning. Also if the provisions of the bill are accepted in toto, there are fears that the provisions would encroach upon the independence of even the Supreme Court and thus the judiciary in general. Another anomaly in the Jan Lokpal Bill draft is the provision to cover the corruption of the Central government officials only. It is totally silent on role of Lokpal vis--vis the cases of corruption at the state level and its authority in case the state ombudsman fails in his duty to act or ignores the complaints against the politicins and the government officers of the state and that of the officials of the powerful municipal corporations where the level of corruption is unimaginable. The draft gives an impression that Lokpal would be an authority above all constitutional institutions. The anti-corruption campaign is an important issue to safeguard the foundations of society and nation at large. But sincerity of all would be at stake if one fails to see the dangers of inequality, exclusiveness, criminalisation in politics and communalism. The denial of the rights to oppressed groups of tribals, scheduled castes and minorities is a major issue which would endanger the progress and unity of nation. Few talk about the important provision of fraternity enshrined in the Constitution. The concept of togetherness is missing just because of the indifferent and biased approach of the ruling class irrespective of its political colour. Sachar Committee had revealed that the country had failed in its paramount duty to do justice to the second largest section of our society, Muslims, who have become backward in every walk of life. Denying rights to the oppressed and the minorities is nothing but worst political corruption. If financial corruption would endanger the progress of our nation, the political corruption of exclusiveness and hate would endanger the unity of India. No movement against corruption would succeed if we fail to educate people about the dangers of temptation to vote-for-note at times of elections. It is general public which, intentionally or unintentionally, encourages the malpractices and corruption by selling their votes to those who are desperate to get into the institutions of power for minting nothing but money and enjoy power. For free and transparent election, political parties and civil society should launch an agitation to have law for the state funding of the elections in order to eradicate the menance of financial corruption and nexus between leaders, officers and the corporate houses. It is an irony that in the past the campaigns against financial corruption were hijacked by the communal forces to pursue their own agenda to enter the corridors of power. Anna Hazare understood the anguish of the younger generations against corruption and proved himself to be the Pied Piper to start a campaign for the Lokpal Bill. It is the need of the hour that all those who are associated with Anna should ensure that he keeps his campaign away from the influence of the communal forces and their mukhotas (masks) because they are more dangerous than the cause for which he wishes to fight. The writer is Secretary, Peoples Integration Council and Member, National Integration Council, Government of India

THE MILLI GAZETTE

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The Milli Gazette, 1-15 May 2011 3

NATIONAL

Welfare Party of India launched

Vision and Values of the Party
Party shall try to promote an alternative politics in the country that is firmly rooted in high standards of morality and ethical values and that is free from crimes, corruption, selfishness and all kinds of narrow- minded prejudices Party will aim at the establishment of a welfare state. Party believes that sufficient nutritious food, decent clothing, proper shelter, essential health care and elementary education are among the fundamental human rights and it is the duty of a welfare state to fulfill these basic needs of each of its citizens. Party envisages speedy growth in industry, trade, commerce and the national economy. But it shall try to reform the economy in a way as to ensure that the processes of development and wealth creation are properly regulated by the obligations of justice and equality. Party shall promote the true spirit of democracy. Party believes in democracy not in the sense of mere majorityism but in the sense of inclusiveness and pluralism. A true democratic society is one that addresses the needs and demands of every section of the society and that ensures that every section contentedly fulfills its aspirations. Party envisages a society where all cultures have full opportunities to thrive and develop. The concept of federalism that party believes covers the cultural federalism along with geographic and linguistic federalism. The convention was addressed by the party leaders including its president Mujtaba Farooque, Ilyas Azmi, Dr. Zafarul -Islam Khan, Mrs. Lalitha Naik, Maulana Abdul Wahab Khilji, Dr. Rama Panchal, Fr. Abraham Joseph, Dr. S. Q. R. Ilyas and others.

New Delhi: A group of over a hundred concerned citizens from across the country came together and formed a new political party named the Welfare Party of India at a political convention held at the Mavalankar Hall here on 18 April. The convention was held under the slogan Towards value-based politics. A day earlier members of the new party from across the country had gathered at the Constitution Club and decided to form the party and elect Mujtaba Farooq as the all India President of the Party. Convenor of the meeting, Dr. SQR Ilyas said, people need a new political option as corruption in this field is rampant and therefore we decided to form a party which will be devoid of corrupt leaders. He asserted that the party will not represent Mujtaba Farooq Muslims only but also other minorities and weaker sections of the society. We will also raise issues of national interest and inclusive development, he said. The leaders who addressed the convention, included Mujtaba Farooq, Dr. SQR Ilyas, former MP Ilyas Azmi, Dr. Zafarul-Islam Khan, Maulana Abdul Wahab Khilji, Lalita Naik and others. The following statement was released in the partys launching programme: The Welfare party will be backed by reputed social and civil society movements and will strive for thriving an alternative politics and shall attempt to emerge on the horizon of Indian politics as the voice of voiceless, the hope for justice and as a harbinger of a new India. The hundred founders of the party belong to varied backgrounds, communities, classes and social groups and they will soon launch mass-contact campaigns to enroll people of outstanding moral repute and flawless character. Only those individuals will be allowed an entry into the party who can prove by word and deed, their commitment to the values and vision of the party. This will not be just another party engaged in power politics. This will be rather a movement for reforming the Indian Politics and will try to realise a welfare state based on moral values and governed by the principles of Justice, Freedom, Equality and Fraternity. It is not for short term political gains; it has rather embarked

Office Bearers of Welfare Party of India

on a long term mission to evolve an alternative political culture in the country. To achieve this objective, the Party will launch massive public campaigns and will awaken the socio-political public consciousness. It will try to inculcate in common man the self esteem, the self confidence and the ambition and courage to fight the oppression and exploitation. It will try to promote able and virtuous leadership among masses and shall try to advance alternative politics in the country through this social struggle. The Criminalisation of Politics, the Communalisation of Politics, the Commercialisation of Politics and the Sectarianisation of Politics are the biggest evils of our prevailing political culture. These evils have created such a rot in Indian body-politic that the people are disgusted with the whole class of politicians. This is a very dangerous situation and if unchecked, poses a serious threat to democracy. It is the high time a new freedom fight is launched and a mighty social and public resistance is raised against these evils. This only will cleanse the Indian polity and revive the faith and trust of people in the democratic institutions. For more information, contact: party.welfare@gmail.com For earlier report and text of Welfare Party vision, see MG(16-31 March, 2011)or visit: http://www.milligazette.com/news/815-welfare-party-to-emergenext-month-jih-indian-muslims
President: Mujtaba Farooque Vice Presidents: Ilyas Azmi (ex-MP), Fr. Abraham Joseph, Maulana A W Khilji, Dr. Zafarul-Islam Khan, Lalitha Naik General Secretaries: Dr S Q R Ilyas, Prof Sohail Ahmed Khan, Prof. Rama Panchal, Khalida Parveen, P. C. Hamza Treasurer: Abdus Salam M Secretaries: Prof. Rama Surya Rao, Akhtar
Ilyas Azmi

Husain Akhtar, Adv. Aamir Rasheed, Subramani.

Fr. Abraham Joseph

Dr S Q R Ilyas

Abdus Salam

Maulana A W Khilji

Sohail Ahmed Khan

Rama Surya Rao

Planning Commission contemplates sub-plan for Muslims

he Planning Commission is likely to include a sub-plan for the minorities on the lines of the Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Caste sub plan in the coming 12th five year plan (2012-2017). And in order to make it a reality various committees are working closely for the 12th Plan document. Recently, a delegation comprising of Muslim MP across India led by Rajya Sabha deputy chairman K Rahman Khan met the Planning Commission members including Montek Singh Ahluwalia and demanded the inclusion a sub-plan for the Muslims in order to address and resolve the issue of bacwardness. The delegation also gave a memorandum which says We

would like to reiterate the demands of having sub-plan exclusively for Muslims to address the issue of their backwardness above and beyond multi-sectoral development programme. This will facilitate to design focused schemes for the targeted group. Recently, Prakash Karat, CPI(M) General Secretary while addressing a convention on the Justice Rajinder Sachar Committees recommendations organised by the CPI (M) said that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has agreed to consider the CPI(M)s demand for a sub-Plan for Muslims on the lines of the sub-Plan for tribals (Mohammad Naushad Khan)

Zafarul-Islam Khan

Prof. Rama Panchal

Akhtar Husain

Lalitha Naik

P. C. Hamza

Aamir Rasheed

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4 The Milli Gazette, 1-15 May 2011

NATIONAL

Dalit girl thrown into fire by upper caste men

MADHU CHANDRA
finicy@gmail.com orld woke up to the gruesome and spine-chilling story of Kamlesh, a six-year-old little girl from Dalit community in UP. She was tossed into the burning fire by members of an upper caste community in her village three years ago. Her crime: she walked by the house of an upper caste family early in the morning to go to the open field, the only space the Dalit community has to heed the natures call. She was thrown into burning fire. Her pregnant mother Manju tried to rescue her from the flames but she was stopped by the culprits who stood there to prevent any rescue attempt. They thrashed and beat her up severely. She collapsed watching flames burning her daughter to death, and fell unconscious for a short while. Soon she regained consciousness and managed to pull her daughter out of the fire. But by then the little girl had suffered more than 80% burns and was at the brink of death. While little Kamlesh battled for her life, five critical hours were wasted at a government hospital. And after 36 hours she was moved to a bigger hospital before she was finally moved to the Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi. Lack of proper treatment at critical hours meant she wouldnt make normal recovery. Three years later, her right hand is a piece of dead rubber having lost mobility and function. Her left hand and right leg burnt severely and she suffers from searing pain. The scars inside her are fearsome and permanent. A tender, innocent life has been violated and nipped in the bud. The incident so traumatized her mother, Manju, that she suffered a mental breakdown and could not recover to testify in the court against the culprits. None of the neighbours who witnessed the brutal act would come forward to testify against the culprits fearing culprits muscle power, influence, money and connections in high places. Many were forced to compromise and others were intimidated into silence. Kamleshs father Saudan says, Names of four culprits were registered with police. But names of three were removed and only one was arrested. We were forced to withdraw the complaint. Justice was not only delayed but denied and subverted. It was made to serve the criminals. No fair investigation and no protection for the witnesses meant the case would fall apart and justice would never be served. A fact-finding team led by Dr. John Dayal (member of the National Integration Council), Madhu Chandra (Regional Secretary, All India Christian Council), Vidhya Bhushan Rawat (social activist) and Anil Chamadia, senior journalist and Dalit activist, visited the village two months ago. They were shocked to learn that the court had closed the case as there were no witnesses to testify against the culprits. Kamleshs mother Manju was so mentally unstable that she could not appear and testify in the court and so all the accused walked free. It was like rubbing salt into the wounds of Kamleshs family. No justice, no medical help, no future. Help from the state government was more a token gesture than real. The incident further deepened their bleak financial

Hanuman Jayanti now a tool to terrorize the Muslim community: CLMC

Hyderabad: Civil Liberties Monitoring Committee in a statement said that in the southern parts of India, especially in Hyderabad, Hindutva extremists are expanding their network and it has become the breeding ground for Hindutva terrorists. It is a matter of deep concern for the whole civil society that every now and then Hindutva extremist elements are organizing public meetings, conducting rallies with communal slogans, using loudspeakers in the name of religious festivals, creating havoc and spreading hatred among the common people by delivering instigating speeches by inviting people from Northern India especially from Madhya Pradesh. Last year an Acharya of Vishwa Hindu Parishad was invited. He delivered an inflammatory speech in Hyderabads Begum Bazar area instigating the Hindu community and creating communal tension in which many Masjids were targeted leading to the curfew. It is a highly condemnable matter, the CLMC said, that even after so much violence last year, again the same situation is going to be repeated this year and we may predict that the violence may erupt on a larger scale because this time a rally is being organized by forming a new committee named Bhagyanagar Shri Ramnavami Utsav Samiti and the firebrand Sadhvi Rithambhara will be addressing the gathering. It is also known that as many as 20,000 people are expected to participate in the rally of Hanuman Jayanti from Gowliguda Ram Mandir to Tadban Hanuman Temple in Secunderabad. CLMC is very much concerned about the life and liberty of Hyderabad people because of the past experiences that led to violence and curfew for more than ten days when houses of Hyderabad were turned into jails. Poor people who depend on their livelihood with day-to-day earnings suffered mostly. During that time the government of Andhra Pradesh had declared that the situation is under control whereas the reality was that people were starving and the government did not bother to provide basic facilities to the starving people and in turn clamped curfew. CLMC asked the government of Andhra Pradesh to curb the Hindutva forces which have planned a public meeting and rally with thousands of people to disturb the communal harmony of the Hyderabad city. On 12 April, on the eve of Ramnavami, a rally named Shobha Yatra was taken out in the city from Mangalhat and reached at the Ram Mandir, Gowliguda, Corporator Raja Singh lead the rally. While addressing the gathering Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti said that Muslims will not be allowed to live as the successors of Babur and Aurangazeb, instead they must live as Hindustanis and if they want to live in Hyderabad they should respect Ram and initiate the talks for building Ram Mandir by withdrawing the demand for the reconstruction of Babri Masjid and surrender it to the Hindus. She also said that Hindus do not want to fight small battles; instead they are ready for the big wars against Muslims. For the construction of Ram Mandir the power should come in the hands of Hindus then only the dream of Hindutva state will be fulfilled. She further said, for these purposes the Hindus are ready to even take lathis and bullets. Another Hindutva preacher, Swami Lahri Baba of Madhya Pradesh, while giving his speech in the sensitive area of Begum Bazaar Chatri, said that increasing the Hindutva strength is the need of time, and then only the Hindutva will become the most powerful weapon.

Kamlesh

condition. They borrowed money from friends and money lenders to treat their daughter which plunged them into another crisis. This is just an example of the discrimination and oppression millions of dalits suffer daily in India. They suffer in silence and submission. For them any form of challenging the system will be fatal and dangerous. Caste lines are not to be crossed or violated. A local Dalit activist and leader of All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations told the fact-finding team, For years, Dalit community in the village has been on the receiving end of caste discrimination and neglect. This is the first instance where police have at least arrested the culprits. Kamlesh is now nine years old and future doesnt hold much hope for her unless we step in and help. She needs proper medical treatment to regain the use of her hands and extensive plastic surgery to mend her scars before she can face the world. A civil society delegation met National Commission for Scheduled Caste chairman Dr. P. L. Punia on April 11, 2011 and submitted a memorandum, seeking justice for young Kamlesh. Commission took serious note on lapses committed by law enforcing agencies of the district and ordered Uttar Pradesh government to appeal the case in the high court against the session court judgment acquainting the culprit without fair trial. The commission also ordered the government to provide medial care and police security to young Kamlesh and her family as they could be attacked for appealing to higher authorities. Madhu Chandra is a social activist and research scholar based in New Delhi.

Contribution of secular Muslim rulers suppressed in India: Justice Katju

New Delhi: Indian masses are fed on a version of history which selectively projects cases of religious intolerance of Muslim rulers. The contributions of secular Muslim rulers like Tipu Sultan have deliberately been suppressed, said Justice Markanday Katju, senior judge of the Supreme Court of India. He was speaking at the concluding day of a conference on Towards Knowledge, Development and Justice Katju Peace - Outlining Roadmaps for the Future organized by the Institute of Objective Studies here on 17 April. You will get to read how Mahmood Ghaznawi demolished temples and how other Muslim rulers converted Hindus but you will never get to know that Tipu Sultan used to fund 153 temples, said Katju who is known for his deep interest in Urdu. Justice Katju also gave the example of the Nawab of Awadh who was known for his secular administration. Katju considered this kind of suppression of an important part of our history as the main cause of the growth of communalism in India. He said that India is a country which is very diverse and cant live without secularism. Calling India as the country of migrants Katju regarded the Indian culture as Sanskrit-Urdu culture. ends meet, but none of them had ever thought that they would be able to cope with this in just three months. Slowly and steadily these people have become independent, they have created their own sources of income and with unity they have become self-reliant. After the boyocott call by the dominant caste the Dalits were not allowed to travel in their tempos, not allowed to buy flour from their mills, as well as groceries. As a result the Dalits have got their own mills and Kala Chavda grinds flour for the Dalits. Another Dalit Naryan Chavda now drives a tempo only for the Dalit families. Caste discrimination and untochability is prevalent in this village even today. According to social worker Romila Parmar the upper caste grocers used to give us anything while keeping them at a distance and thereafter they washed their hands and even money given to them. Ratan Chavda recalls that the upper caste people never treated them like human beings. After receiving complaints the National Human Rights Commission has taken up the issue with the state government. PK Gadvi, district collector has denied reports of social ostracisation of Dalit families by upper caste people.

After 2,000 years, temple allows women into sanctum sanctorum

Kolhapur (Maharashtra): Breaking a 2,000-year-old tradition, women were allowed entry into the sanctum sanctorum of the Mahalakshmi temple here on Friday, 15 April. The temple is dedicated to the goddess of power. The decision to allow women to enter the sanctum sanctorum of the temple from 10 am to 11.30 a m was taken at a high level meeting chaired by Maharashtras Minister of State for Home Satej Patil. The temple trustees, priests and other officials of the city were present in the meeting chaired by Patil, said Hanumant Suryavanshi, secretary of the Devasthan Management Committee that runs the temple. A group of 40 women activists of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), led by legislator Ram Kadam, had entered the sanctum sanctorum the previous day while on 13 April too 10 women led by Nita Kelkar, president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Mahila Morcha, had also trooped into the sanctum sanctorum which had barred the entry of common women during the past two millennia while there were no such restrictions on women from royal families as well as celebrities and wives of priests. Kelkar said several communities were not allowed to enter the temple until 1978. Then the members of Sahu community protested and that opened the gates of the temple for all communities, but only men were allowed to enter the sanctum sanctorum, she said. Considered one of the six Shakti Peethas of India, the temple is associated with Shakti, the goddess of power.

High Court directive ignored: animals sacrificed in Orissa

Kendupada: The Orissa High Court had imposed a ban on animal sacrifices at the Devi temples. Inspite of this ban, 122 animals were killed at a temple in the Mahakalpada police jurisdiction on the occasion of Sambadakshmi festival. The animals were sacrificed in a ruthless manner. According to ancient beliefs, orthodox devotees believe that such sacrifices ward off imminent calamites and make their lives happy and blissful. Boatmen belonging to Baharasai have been offering animal sacrifices for hundreds of years. An activist of an Organisation for protection of animals reports that the district administration, though aware of these practices, maintains a low profile.

Dalits ostracised for entering temple in Gujarat are now self-reliant

15 Dalit families at Rampar village in Surendranagar district of Gujarat were ostracised by the upper caste when they entered into a temple on 22 January. Initially these boycotted Dalit families had to bear the brunt. And it was difficult for them, to make

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The Milli Gazette, 1-15 May 2011

NATIONAL

Fight against corruption & communalism must go hand-in-hand

New Delhi: South Asian Minorities Lawyers Association (SAMLA) on 21 April called upon the government and civil society groups to give equal importance to the fight against communalism as has been afforded against corruption. In a resolution passed at the discussion entitled Corruption, Lok Pal and Rule of Law, SAMLA called upon all stake-holders to utilize consensus against corruption to find an effective solution to the problem, both at the Central and state levels, without defaming and denigrating personalities. Speaking at the discussion, Salman Khurshid, Union Minister of Minority Affairs and a member of the joint draft committee, expressed confidence that the committee would be able to prepare a draft which would be acceptable to all. He reiterated that Union government was committed to fight corruption and coming to a consensus on the draft Lok Pal bill. Eminent film maker Mahesh Bhatt said that there was deep anger against corruption among the public and Anna Hazare was able to magnify that anger. He further said that fight against corruption could not succeed unless the issue of communalism was given equal importance.

Eminent journalist Vidya Subramaniam pointed out that India had witnessed two anti-corruption movements in 1974 under J. P. and in 1989 under V. P. Singh but it did not result into checking corruption as these movements lacked ideological direction. She emphasized that the fight against corruption should not attempt to vitiate the atmosphere against politicians and personalities in

public life so that free discussion might be undertaken on the issue. Prof Afzal Wani, a professor of law at the Indraprastha University, said that a major factor behind the prevalence of corruption in the country was our failure to evolve into a society which lives by the values propounded by the Constitution. He further said that there was a need to develop a doctrine of separation of functions instead of separation of powers. Eminent human rights activist and lawyer Ashok Agrwaal said that Anna Hazare was a symbol of deep anger of the society against corruption. He added that his views on Narendra Modi were immaterial. He also said that expression of popular anger against issues affecting lives of citizens were legitimate and should be encouraged in order to strengthen democracy. He regretted restrictions on public places especially the ban of rallies at the Boat Club in Delhi and said such actions by successive governments were aimed at restricting popular expression and a move towards a regulated democracy. Navaid Hamid, a member of the National Integration Council, pointed out that de-linking of issue of corruption from the fight against communalism had given a boost to communal forces in the country. He cited JP and VP Singh movements as examples of such dangers as they strengthened Hindutva forces. He said that the fight against communalism must be an integral part of the struggle against corruption. Dr. Zafarul-Islam Khan, Working President of the All India Muslim Majlis-e Mashawarat, supported the anti-corruption movement and said that the fight must be taken to its logical conclusion by attacking the other most important form of corruption: communalism which harms both the victim and the oppressor. He said that the government should ensure that the institution of Lok Pal was free and independent. He said, we must strive to realize true democracy in the country wherein all the citizens may be able to enjoy equality, dignity and freedom. (Compiled by Salar Khan Advocate - salarnews@gmail.com)

Its Islam versus Muslims in UP Census 2011

HAIDER ABBAS
It isnt long back, as memory is still fresh, about how the erstwhile National Democratic Alliance (NDA) went to town, over the findings of the Census 2001, which was released in 2004, and it was declared that Muslim growth rate had increased, and that of Hindus had fallen! This had happened because Jammu and Kashmir data was merged together with the national data for the first time. The goof-up was intentional, only, to perpetuate the stereotype, that Muslims are increasing their numbers, to make India become a Muslim majority state, thereby, infusing a siege mentality, amongst the Hindus, for the inevitable polorisation in their voting pattern, which all this time had fallen! As United Progressive Alliance (UPA) led by secular Congress has been extra cautious, to camouflage it by making it that the number of those professing Islam has gone down automatically. The glaring mishap came to light when the much touted method used in the census process, a protg of Union Home Minister P Chidambaram, has gone down with Muslims who have the largest presence in Uttar Pradesh, as compared to the whole of India. The questionnaire put to them, in the column for Is Islam or Muslim their religion is now the big question! The issue is with the technical layout. It may be known that the census form, under Question 7 pertains to Household Schedule, which concerns religion-as a part of the questionnaire supplied to the respondents. It has a set of six choices under it. Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Buddhist and Jainwhich is supplemented by a code to be entered. In case the respondent ticks some other religion, then, it is automatically recorded as other. Now it is here that things have gone awry as it is not clear whether a Muslim, who professes Islam as a religion, has in the record, other as considered as his or her religion as the clause of Islam is missing! Obviously and as well understood, this has led to a great amount of unease amongst Muslims in the whole of UP, where the Muslim concentrated districts, as demarcated by the latest Rajender Sachar Report, are 22. Muslims are more than 37 million in numbers in UP. For this purpose, the government of India , had once initiated an electoral list in Urdu language, in the 125 (out of 403) Muslim concentrated assembly seat in UP along with 25 parliament seats (out of 80) where Muslims makes-up 20 percent to 50 percent of the overall electorates. Democracy is a game of numbers. Everything is derived (and now derided) from the census report. The Muslim weight in terms of their numeric strength is well charted in UP. This sequence gives an unprecedented sensitivity to the overall census process and no doubt the latest manoeuvring has yet again shown that the establishment is bent upon to anyhow disturb the Muslim equilibrium, says Professor Syed Shahid Akhtar Jafri. Jafri has for long been working with the Census of India and is today associated with Giri Institute of Development and Studies, Lucknow which is one of India's premier research institute. The anomaly stems from a deliberate intention, as I cannot discount the capabilities of those who fill the census-forms as they are all learned bureaucrats. How come they did not realise that Muslims follow the religion Islam. It has revived the memories of Britishers who called Muslims Muhammedans on the lines of Christians who worship Lord Christ, he said further. He also gave a suggestion which is as yet to be heard. Actually, the Department of Census should have been deservingly put under the Ministry of Human Resource Development, not under the purview of the Ministry of Home. The government should do this. The earlier the better or else the credibility of the government would continue to take a serious blow, he cautioned. It is indeed very irksome to find this institutionalised muddling with Muslim figures. Whether it is census or the election department the baseline is laced with the same contempt. Muslim names are not recorded in the first place, even if they are recorded, they are deleted or smudged off from the electoral lists. Examples of Muslim localities being deleted have been brought to light. Every election eve is the same old story, said Muhammad Azam Khan, a seven time MLA from Rampur. His constituency has more than 70 % Muslim voters. What warrants attention is that apart from the state capital-Lucknow, there have been 21 other districts in UP, namely, Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, Baghpat, Ghaziabad, Bulandshehr, Badaun, Barabanki, Kheri, Shahjehanpur, Muradabad, Rampur, Jyotiba Phule Nagar, Bareily, Pilibhit, Bahraich, Shravasti, Balrampur, Siddharthnagar, UdhamSingh Nagar, Bijnaur where there is a sizeable Muslim population ranging between 20 percent to 50 percent. There has been a huge slew of complaints by Muslims, from all these districts, for being listed under other instead of being under Islam, thus, forcing the Census Directorate of UP (CDUP) to take cognizance of the issue. CDUP has now decided to send a report to Registrar General and Census Commissioner, New Delhi. It has been learnt that Pradeep Kant, the Joint Director of UP Census Operations, has asked the respective District Magistrates (of the same districts) to identify survey blocks having Muslim population, in order to determine the veracity of the complaint, so that the work starts at the earliest. It might be reiterated that much before the census survey some Muslim organisations had sent representations to Registrar General of India and Census Commissioner highlighting the fact that Islam is their religion and not Muslim, and to which the RGI had directed that Islam be recorded as religion with a Code 2, but during the survey, Muslims found the census representatives recording Muslim or other as their religion! Despite the clear cut directives. We have also seen the census representatives, filling Hindi as mother tongue, of Muslims, all on their own, and when questioned, they would fill Urdu with a pencil, which can easily be rubbed-off before the survey goes into the grand software. We would never believe in this census report. There is a contemptuous attitude which mars the whole process apart from the official discrepancies, said Syed Mohsin Jamal, a senior journalist in Lucknow. Muslims have been staying in India since the past one millennium and still the establishment is ignorant. This is something which smacks of some civilisational turpitude which has come out from the persecution complex of the majority community. It is time to shed such coloured glasses or else India would continue to suffer, said Syed Muhammed Ahmed, the UP West and Uttaranchal chief of Jamaat-e-Islami-e-Hind. Lets see how the census department will now build its credibility in order to resuscitate its fast eroding image.

Christians in Madhya Pradesh are demanding probe by a Central agency over a police circular on 22 March that ordered profiling of Christians and churches in the state. The order has triggered alarm and anger in the community. The Madhya Pradesh government immediately revoked the order following protest from the Christian community. The state government while withdrawing the controversial order said that the circular had been issued accidentally and it was not aimed at profiling the community. Madhya Pradesh director general of police SK Raut in an interview said the order was a mistake and has ordered the state intelligence chief to investigate the source of the circular. On receiving complaint from the Christian community, the National Commission for Minorities has taken serious note and has assured that it would take up the case with the state government at the earliest. HT Sangliana, NCM vice president in an interview said, It has been decided that the full commission would visit Madhya Pradesh soon to take stock of the situation on the ground. We would like to know who ordered such a survey and what the intention behind it was. If it is done with an intention to harass and repress the Christian community then it is really unfortunate. The Catholic Bishops Conference of India, the highest body of Christians is also planning to send a delegation to the President, Prime Minister and Home Minister to address the controversial issue. John Dayal, secretary general of the All-India Christian Council in an interview said, The damage has already been done even if the police have withdrawn the order. Such orders are not born in a vacuum. The Madhya Pradesh government should explain from where the idea originated and the reasons behind it. Congress has termed the profiling issue as unfortunate. While, Badal Saroj of CPI-M said that it appears there is secret RSS cell within the police headquarters in Bhopal. In a statement issued on 22 April, Dr Zafarul-Islam Khan, Working President of the All India Muslim Majlis-e Mushawarat, the umbrella body of Indian Muslim organisations, described this as very disturbing. He said that though the state government has claimed to have withdrawn these orders and a low level probe is also said to have been ordered, the issue should not be allowed to die down as it is a clear indication that the Hindutva forces continue their sinister plans to hit communities and groups they do not like. A proper high level investigation is needed to uncover this particular malicious project whose results, no doubt, were to be used by Hindutva elements against the target community just as they did earlier in Gujarat during the 2002 pogroms when the Muslim community was meticulously targeted using lists prepared in advance. The information collected by the Census should be sufficient for any official and developmental needs. The Union home ministry should take notice and make sure that no such profiling of target communities and groups takes place in BJP-ruled states where Hindutva elements have a field day, Dr Khan said adding that in addition to the continuing attacks on Muslim communities, the Christian community and its institutions too are under constant attack in BJP-ruled states while the Central government failed to take notice to date. (Mohammad Naushad Khan)

Christians up in arms against profiling order in MP

6 The Milli Gazette, 1-15 May 2011

NATIONAL

Lucknow shows solidarity with Bahrain & Libya

HAIDER ABBAS
The echo of Middle East has reverberated through India and equally spilled over the streets of Lucknow where, on April 3, a procession of more than 25,000 people marched from Maqbara Saadat Ali Khan to Imambara Shahnajaf, covering in-between a distance of about 2 kms, and calling for an end of siege in Bahrain, Libya and Yemen. The call was given by Kalbe Jawad, the Imam-e-Juma of the historic Asifi Masjid. People from all walks of life, gender and age as well as women in their burqas along with children were part of the popular protest. The tumble in the Middle East had started by self-immolation (unIslamic act) of an IT trained vegetable vendor, in Tunisia, and which saw the end of a tinpot dictator President Zein-al-Abdeens rule of 23 years. Nothing can be more of a simile than of the Iranian revolution of 1979 when the Shah of Iran had to make a similar flight. The Arab masses have been through the worst raw deal by their kings, sheiks, emirs, sultans and other potentates, who perennially duped them of their resources, and thus filled the never satiating kitties of the West and US. Maulana Abul Irfan Firangimahli took the whole Saudi state to task as he called the annual Hajj pilgrimage to have become a tourist industry for the Saudi establishment. He called Saudi government to initiate wide welfare programmes, for the Muslims at large. The next speaker was Maulana Shah Fazlur Rehman Waizi, the Imam of the historic Tile Wali Masjid. He referred to the unity between the Shiites and Sunnites in Lucknow. There is no sectarianism amongst the Muslims of Lucknow when it comes to tow down the Bahraini establishment which has been overtly supported by the Saudi troops, as the Saudis have been able to realise that next is their chance to be trounced. In Libya it was the right of Libyans to bring down Colonel Qadaffi and not the disproportionate bombing of the NATO forces which are handpicked by US at will, to fulfill its imperialistic agenda alongside with its strong ally-Israel. Libya is an anathema to Israel so US wants to dismantle it to the advantage of Israel for all purposes, he said. Kalbe Jawad called for Muslims not to be cowed down by the enemys capability, but to believe in their own strength, and accordingly pounce on the enemy with their full might and leave the battle for Allahs help. Kalbe Jawad signaled that the present dark night of Middle East would soon be over by a false dawn of democracy and democracy can be as bad and even be worse than dictatorship. Yesterday there were American-sponsored dictators and tomorrow there would be an Americantutored democracy. Both ways it is advantage Pax Americana. We in India are a democracy and how well it has been through is all well known. Have we ever heard of a politician or a bureaucrat convicted of corruption, and even if yes, then not granted bail on the next date! He called Muslims to be aware, of the overall nefarious designs, and be there own-selves to follow the line of Prophet who was the spiritual and temporal head at the same time.

Amendment bill takes away Waqf from Muslim domain: Zafar Mahmood
Minority Ministry over-rules Sachar Committee and JPC While framing the Waqf Bill 2010, the Ministry of Minority Affairs has provided that where the line of succession of Mutawalli (person incharge of a certain waqf property) breaks, the income of the waqf shall be spent for education, development and welfare of the community. However, the word community has not been defined anywhere in the proposed Bill or the existing Waqf Act of 1995. This leaves scope for the judiciary to dilute the meanings of the word community. Dr Syed Zafar Mahmood, President, Zakat Foundation of India says that the word community must be replaced in the Waqf Bill 2010 by the group of words Muslim Community of India. Otherwise, the waqf properties, in addition to being widely encroached, shall no longer be available for Muslim welfare. Secondly, as per the existing Waqf Act of 1995, the CEOs of State Waqf Boards have to be Muslim. But the number of Muslims in Indian bureaucracy is not more than 2.5%. Hence, the CEO positions are manned by retired low level government employees, inexperienced men in public service or rarely by government officers but only with additional charge of the waqf board. This information was collected by the Sachar Committee in 2006. However, Zakat Foundation of India again collected from the State Waqf Boards fresh information in this regard in 2011 under Right to Information Act. The condition remains equally pathetic even now. Because of the CEO not being a high ranking officer, the work of the state waqf boards suffers. As per Sachar Committee, the CEO should rank with senior state government officers so that the Board enjoys sufficient clout with the government in day to day interaction. Therefore, the Sachar Committee suggested that a new cadre of officers, (may be named as Indian Waqf Service), should be created for which UPSC should select such candidates as are conversant with waqf related requirements. The proposal is well-considered and fully fits into the constitutional scheme. Yet, the Ministry of Minority Affairs over-ruled this vital Sachar recommendation without giving any cogent reason. No deep research was done on the subject. At the level of Waqf Minister, Prime Minister or the Cabinet the pros and cons of this issue were not discussed. A brief unthoughtful and prejudiced note of a few words written by a low level official of the Ministry was dittoed to the top without proper examination. The Joint Parliamentary Committee on Waqfs recommended that the CEO should be atleast of the rank of Director in the state government. But while framing the Waqf Bill 2010, the Ministry of Minority Affairs over-ruled even the JPC and doubly lowered the level of CEO down to Under Secretary in the state government. The Government must create Indian Waqf Service. Till that happens, as recommended by the JPC, the CEO must be of the rank of atleast Director in the state government (above the deputy secretary). Thirdly, the definition of the word encroacher as proposed by Sachar Committee has also been watered down by the Ministry of Minority Affairs. The following portion, proposed by Sachar Committee has not been included by the Ministry in the Waqf Bill: or who has altered the property leased out to or occupied by him without the prior written permission of the Wakf Board concerned. The Statements of Objects and Reasons submitted by the Minority Affairs Ministry to the Parliament alongwith the proposed Amendment Bill are silent on these vital issues of omission and commission. Zakat Foundation of India has demanded that the Select Committee of the Rajya Sabha currently looking into the Waqf Bill 2010, the Prime Minister and the UPA chairperson must prevail upon the Ministry of Minority Affairs and must ensure that necessary amendments are made in the Bill before it is considered by the Rajya Sabha.

Documentary Saffron War screened

Saffron War unveils Hindutva terrorism: Sandeep Pandey

Yogis politics is extremely dangerous for the social setup: Roop Rekha Verma Lucknow: Saffron War- A war against nation - a documentary based on the communal terrorist politics being pursuded by the BJP MP and the current head of the Gorakhnath Peeth Yogi Adityanath - was screened here on 16 April at UP Press Club. The film brings out the terrorist activities carried out by Hindutva organizations in the region (see review in MG issue 269, 1-15 April 2011, p. 3). Addressing the audience during the discussion following the screening of the film, social activist Sandeep Pandey said that this Hindutva experiment is being carried out in the whole eastern UP but the activities are being constantly ignored by the government. Yogi Adityanath, and the Hindu Yuva Vahini which is supported by him, are responsible for many riots and massacres in the area. Just a few days back, a Muslim youth, Sohrab, going to Khalilabad was brutally killed by the Hindu Yuva Vahini people. In such a situation, this film reveals the communal experiments that are being carried there. On this occasion, Advocate Shoaib said that Saffron War not only reveals the terrorist activities that are carried out by members of a specific community but also reveals how Dalits, women and children of the Hindu community are prepared and conditioned with communalism. Addressing the audience, Former VC of Lucknow University and Secretary, Saajhi Duniya, Prof Roop Rekha Verma said that eastern U. P. is completely trapped by lumpens. Communal forces have made the

Rahmania Inter College recognised as Muslim minority institution

Modha (Hamirpur): Rahmania Inter College of Modha, Hamirpur district (UP) has at long last, after 35 years of legal battle, been recognised as a Muslim minority educational institution but the bureaucratic class of the state is even now trying to create difficulties for appointments. According to Shafi Ahmad Khan, advocate who has been struggling for the past about 35 years to get it recognised by the government as a minority educational institution, this institution was founded in 1938 by Maulana Muhammad Saleem Jaffery and Muslims of Modha and all other neighbouring places had given all sorts of cooperation in its creation and from that time till date it has always been under the management and control of Muslims; but in 1980 when some people objected to its minority character, the Inspector of Schools at that time refused to accept it as a minority institution and with help of government its managing committee was abolished. He said that though it is clearly written in Art 30 of the Constitution that religious and linguistic minorities in the country have full right to set up and run their own minority educational institutions in accordance with their wishes and 9 judges bench of Supreme Court in their verdict have stated that minorities have full right to open and run their own minority institutions and that government should fully protect them but rulers of UP are doing just the opposite and because of this only it took this College 35 years to get it recognised as a minority institution and for which a petition for contempt of court had to be filed in Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court in 2010. The Court in its verdict of 22 April 2010 clearly said that Rahmania Inter College, Modha is certainly a Muslim minority institution. As a result of this verdict, UP government in an affidavit dated 15 December 2010 filed in the court said that this institution has been recognised as a Muslim minority institution. At the same time the Commission for Minorities Educational Institutions, Delhi while recognising it as a Muslim minority institution issued a certificate also to this effect but even then UP government officials are dilly-dallying in giving their approval for the appointment of its teachers. In any case it is hoped that in this case also success will definitely be achieved.

whole social set up of that area completely patriarchal and against women. Yugal Kishor Karan Shastri, a mahant from Ayodhya, said that Yogi Aditya Nath is running a tradition that is completely against real Yogi traditions. His practices reflect a yogi as a lumpen. He said that this film reveals the truth of such experiments and practices. The film is in Hindi and is directed by young film makers Rajeev Yadav, Shahnawaz Alam and Lakshman Prasad. The event witnessed the presence of Prof Nadeem Hasnain, Arundhati Dhuru, Sheetla Singh, Suman Gupta, Ambrish Kumar, Siddharth Kalhans, Randheer Singh Suman, Lal Bahadur Singh, Ekta Singh, Ravi Shekhar and many other intellectuals of the city. Saffron War is available at Rs 95 (postage extra) from: 632/13, Shankarpuri, Kamta, Post: Chinhat, Lucknow, UPTel: 09415254919, 09452800752 www.mediachargesheet.com)

With best compliments from

Kaleem Kawaja Washington DC

The Milli Gazette, 1-15 May 2011

NATIONAL

Waqf Development Agency a conspiracy

New Delhi: A news item published in an Urdu daily said that the ruling UPA government through its ministry for minorities affairs has been using, or proposes to use Waqf properties worth billions or even trillions of rupees spread throughout the country, which are meant to be used exclusively for the benefit of Muslims, for the benefit of other minorities also and has been planning for this since 2008. It is reported that in 2008 when Abdur Rahman Antulay was the minister for minorities affairs the central government had given its approval for the constitution of Waqf Development Agency. Secretary of this ministry at that time, Vivek Mehrotra had prepared broad features of this Agency according to which all Waqf properties in the country were to be brought under National Minorities Financial Development Corporation (NMFDC) and would be run under it like the banking system for the benefit of all minorities and in which 74% share will be private, though it was not made clear whether the share will be for Muslims or for others also and how much of each. This needed reconstitution of NMFDC. Central Waqf Council members Maulana Fazlur Rahim Mujaddidi, Syed Shahabuddin and Justice Nasimuddin had strongly objected to this proposal and in their meetings with Mrs. Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh and also in their joint letter dt. 21 April 2010 to them had expressed their fear that after development of Waqf properties the increased income accruing therefrom will be used, instead of exclusively for poor Muslims, widows, orphanages, madrasas etc, for other minorities also in contravention of Sharia principles, and as normally happens, the lions share would be used for other minorities and a very small part thereof will be given to or used for the benefit of Muslims. It may be stated here that just before the proposal for the formation of Waqf Development Agency was being considered, Central Waqf Councils governing body had drawn up a plan of its own for the constitution of a Waqf Development Corporation under Central Waqf Council with 51% government and 49% private share whose job would be to develop waqf properties and to use the increased income for usual activities of the Waqf i.e., for the benefit of poor Muslims and institutions in accordance with Sharia but the concerned ministry (minorities affairs) put this proposal in cold storage and instead proposed the formation of Waqf Development Agency, the brain child of Mehrotra. According to reliable sources, the plan behind the constitution of Waqf Development Agency (WDA) was doubtful because neither Waqf Development Council nor state Waqf Boards were consulted before the idea of WDA was mooted. However, when the conspiracy of WDA was finalised and sent to Waqf Development Council for formal information, its secretary opposed it, saying that it is illegal because benefits of Waqf properties are meant to be used for Muslims only and not for others. At this audacity, according to sources, the secretary was summoned by Vivek Mehrotra in his office and shabbily treated and transferred from his post. The secretary filed a petition in the High Court against his removal/transfer which the court upheld and he was reinstated to his post in the Waqf Development Council. The fate of Mehrotras brain child, Waqf Development Agency is not known and is still hanging in the balance. (NA Ansari)

Fight between Deobandis and Barelvis leads to the death of a person in mosque
Muradabad: Fight between Deobandis and Barelvis is nothing new. One such fight in a mosque in Dalpatpur in Muradabad district resulted in the death of a youngman and serious injuries to seven persons. According to police, tension and disagreement between the people of these two sects over Imam of this mosque had been going on for about four months though people of both sects were offering namaz in this mosque. On Friday 15 April this took a serious turn when after night prayer (Isha namaz) both groups came face to face. Physical fight between the followers of the two sects took a serious turn when lathis and stone were used. Twenty-four year old Kamil received severe lathi blows on his hand and face. He began to bleed profusely. He was rushed to the nearest hospital but succumbed to his injuries before reaching the hospital. At least seven persons from both sides were also seriously injured. Though the situation has been brought under control, tension is still there. Police in large number has been posted there. (NA Ansari)

Of Praise for Mr Modi

MUSTAFA KHAN
Calling the chief minister of Gujarat Nero by the Supreme Court was a way of describing the rule of Ravana that Gujarat has been undergoing even now. Modi may gloat over the praises showered on him by an American officer of the US embassy or Anna Hazare, etc.. He may cock a snook at the Centre or the Congress party, but it is time now for the nation to see through the kind of demagoguery he has tried to inculcate. This is quite serious. He is a true demagogue, a political agitator who appeals to the basest instinct of mobs. He did his act over and over again. It was evident in his repeatedly asking what the crowd would do to Sohrabuddin. Their encore of murder illustrates the point. The acolytes and associates of Modi are like the nine blind men who have discerned features which they perceive without fully comprehending of the whole behemoth he is. Major General I S Sinha of Golden Katara Division of Indian Army gave three cheers to Modi for having accomplished his work within a given time. Look at what Modi accomplished overnight. Wali Gujratis mausoleum was demolished and wiped off the surface and got a road built over it, overnight. If this was not done by Modi by his own hands he also did not personally kill the nearly two thousand Muslims in the pogroms of 2002. What he had done was to neutralise the police, set the target for Hindus to vent their anger for a full three days. He also moved around applauding the Chharra community women for giving birth to the valiant members who slaughtered Muslims in Naroda Patia. One of the most gruesome murderers (Suresh Richard) has gone on record telling how Modi visited his womenfolk in the evening of the first day of wholesale murder, slaughter and rape. A senior police officer at the same place refused to protect Muslim women and children and told them that he had orders from above that that day they should pay no heed to the pleadings of the Muslim victims. Police officer KK Mysorewalas utterance denying help to the Muslims became a title of a report which Human Rights Watch published. Why do those praising Modi choose to ignore all this? They have also not bothered that Mysorewala was the one who told Babu Bajrangi to go into hiding as there was shoot-at-sight order against him. When Modi wanted Bajrangi to surrender, Mysorewala was again used to convey the message. Mysorewala was superintendent of police of Modasa when Muslims were attacked by Abinav Bharat with bombs on September 29, 2008. He turned a Nelsons eye to it. Anna Hazares reason for praising Modi and Nitish Kumar is the so-called rural development in their states. This is a tinted vision of what actually is the case. Modis administration not only failed to do anything to stop the genocide of Muslims but over the years tacitly and criminally let the Hindus systematically boycott Muslims in rural parts of Gujarat. Most of them cannot even return to their farms and hearths although nearly a decade has passed since the fury he let loose upon them. Their humble professions and commercial establishments along with their homes were destroyed. Were not the Muslim transporters, motel owners and garage mechanics part of the wheel of development of rural Gujarat? Where was Hazare when this went on year in and year out? Modi did what Slobodan Milosevik did in former Yugoslavia, instigate Serbian mobs against the minority Muslims. The mobs did the rest. It is a national shame that the police never supplied CDs of his derogatory speeches and phone calls to courts. Why did all this fall on the deaf ears of Hazare and Sinha? It is amazing that a Muslim scholar like fellow Gujarati Maulana Ghulam Vastanavi saw the material development in Gujarat as worthy of praise. Islam does not prefer material development over the spiritual and moral development. Had it been otherwise, the Prophet could have started collecting interest on the money that many deposited with him because of his sterling moral character. Islam forbids usury and values sound moral character. Amitabh Bacchan chose to advertise the glory of Gujarat because of the material considerations. He collects money by advertising, because money is all important. This is his characteristic. A brother of his has got rich enormously and lives in Switzerland with the booty of the Bofors guns deal. Money and conscience are two different and contradicting things. Modi and Bacchan have set their standards. If Bacchan did not invite any of the Khans to the marriage of his son Abhishek, he is free to do so as a citizen of this country. A man is known not only by the company he keeps but also by the company he avoids. Choosing to bond with Modi and not bonding with Amir, Salman, and Shah Rukh Khan is truly melodrama in effect. But in public life there is need for introspection. Modi was against the secular-minded MP Ahsan Jaffri who had opposed his Hindutva ideology during the election at the beginning of Modis term in office. Modi chose to ignore and not take any notice of the pleadings of Jafri to save the life of the people taking shelter in his house. Modis party also did not want to pass a motion in Parliament to express grief over the brutal murder of the MP. Again, he like his party, is free in a democracy to hang a portrait of Savarkar in Parliament or bond with Swami Aseemanand or the likes of Babu Bajrangi. Conscience is a strange thing. It is activated in the case of corruption involving money but remains dormant in the corruption of other things. How many have even thought of Tulsiram Prjapati, a family friend and associate of Sohrabuddin Shaikh? Why does he deserve real praise? He was taken to identify Sohrab. Without losing time he informed Sohrabs brother Rubabuddin that he had seen Sohrab alive in the police station. Two days later Sohrab was killed. This was the notorious fake encounter that has failed to make any dent in our cussedness as you can see how Modi hobnobs with the fathers of industry like Mukesh Ambani and Ratan Tata and how he preens at the praise showered by the American diplomatic staff. Subsequently Tulsiram was brought to Gujarat and killed in cold blood as the Rajasthan police refused to oblige the Gujarat police. During this and since his inception as CM Modi has been the home minister. In 2007 election Modi justified the murder of Sohrab. Can the nation not recall that he went further and told his mobs that what he had done would deserve hanging him and he was ready for it?

Ahmedabad: A senior police officer from Gujarat, Sanjiv Bhatt, has accused Chief Minister Narendra Modi of wanting to teach Muslims a lesson after the Godhra train attack in 2002 killed 59 Hindus. Modi reportedly told senior officials that emotions were running high among Hindus following the burning of the Sabarmati Express at Godhra, the Indian Police Service (IPS) officer said in an affidavit to the Supreme Court. Most of the dead were ticketless Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) activists, returning to Gujarat from Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh. The train burning led to communal violence that left at least 1,000 people dead across Gujarat. This time the situation warranted that the Muslims be taught a lesson to ensure that such incidents do not recur ever again, Bhatt quoted the chief minister as saying in his affidavit. The chief minister expressed the view that the emotions were running very high among the Hindus and it was imperative that they be allowed to vent out their anger. Modi reportedly made these remarks when a section of officers told him that bringing the bodies of the train burning victims to Ahmedabad from Godhra would only inflame passions. Bhatt, presently principal of the State Reserve Police Centre in Junagarh, said in the affidavit: The effects of these directions given by the chief minister were widely manifest in the half hearted approach and the evident lack of determination on the part of the police while dealing with the widespread incidents of orchestrated violence (from Feb 28, 2002). Bhatt was then based in Gandhinagar as deputy commissioner of intelligence in the State Intelligence Bureau.

Modi wanted Muslims to be taught a lesson: top cop

Shibli Academy releases Hindi biography of Shibli

Azamgarh: Shibli Academy commenced the programme of Hindi translation of its books with the publication of the Hindi version of Rahmat-i Alam famous biography of the Prophet (SAWS). There has long been a demand for a biography of Allama Shibli Nomani in Hindi. Shibli Academy is happy to inform our well wishers that Shibli Academy has just published a Hindi biography of Allama Shibli Nomani. We hope to proceed with the Hindi translation of large number of the books of the academy as the necessary resources become available.

Anjuman Taraqqi-e Urdu Bihars old demand fulfilled partly

Patna: Abdul Qaiyyum Ansari, secretary of Anjuman Taraqqi-e Urdu, Bihar said in a press statement that the decision taken by Bihars chief minister Shri Nitish Kumar to appointment Urdu teachers in 67,000 primary and middle schools of Bihar is laudable and with this decision, the old demand of ATU, Bihar is fulfilled. According to ministry (Raj Bhasha) secretariats letter No. 53/Ra dt. 31/01/10 orders have been issued that names of all government offices, officers, roads and highways should be written, along with Hindi, in the second official language Urdu also. At the same time names of all official residences and quarters, places, roads and parks etc. must be shown, alongwith Hindi, in Urdu also. This is a positive step for justice to Urdu. He said that we should also in fulfilment of the right of our mother tongue Urdu, write the names of our residences, shops, marriage invitation cards etc. in Urdu and should use Urdu to the maximum extent in our daily life and make Urdu the medium of education of our children. He further said that after Urdu getting the status of second official language of Bihar, Urdu staff such as Urdu translators, assistant translators and typists etc. were to be appointed in all 38 districts, 102 sub-divisions and 538 blocks of Bihar but this could not be implemented fully. For this he has made a demand to Bihars chief minister to kindly ensure the appointment of Urdu translators, assistant translators and typists at the earliest and at the same time ensure the supply of computers together with Urdu software to all government offices so that the law regarding the use of Urdu could be fully implemented.

MG NEWS DESK

8 The Milli Gazette, 1-15 May 2011

NATIONAL

Congress and BJP want to grab a share of the pie from Annas crusade

nna Hazare virtually highjacked the corruption issue from the BJP. But towards whom he is tilted or who encouraged him to do so is a wild guess for every one of us to make. Congress and BJP want to extract political mileage out of Anna Hazares Satyagraha against corruption. But the Big question: which party will aim the most from it. Or will Anna Hazare toe the line of Jayprakash Nayayan or VP Singh. The movement is likely to sail through if it is not jeopardised half way either by the planting of CDs or by dummy people. A controversial CD that allegedly showed Shanti Bhushan talking to Mulayam Singh Yadav and Amar Singh about fixing a judge for Rs 4 crore. There are two reports now: in first place it was found to be fake and doctored but now police claim it is genuine which is why it is subject to further investigation? Both Congress and BJP have opened cans of worms to make their points heard and acknowledged. The CD was sent to various media houses by an anonymous sender and the blame game is on as to who is behind it and with what motives. People against it will use all in their might to scale down the rising graph of civil society. From here onwards the onus lies squarely on civil society to keep their flocks together till the marathon against corruption is over. The civil society is likely to face obstacles in various forms during the course of their action at regular intervals. The seeds aimed at dividing the civil society and downplaying their rising clout have been sown at the initial stage and many more might be in store in the days ahead. The smear campaign against Annas close aides is also believed to have taken root in the aftermath of Annas all out praise for Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi. Certainly those kind words for Narendra Modi even surprised the die hard followers of Anna Hazare. Some might suggest that Anna could have been launched by the Congress in order to snatch away the issue of corruption from the BJP. One can also speculate that BJP and RSS after having seen that the issue of corruption was not gaining momentum could have rubbed shoulders with Annas to thwart Congress attack on Hindu terror. Only Anna will have the answer. Another implication of Annas crusade in the long run as mentioned by Jawed Anand in his article in Indian Express on 14 April as Havent we lived through two nationwide anti-corruption movements before, the JP movement in the early 70s, the V.P. Singh movement in the late 80s? Neither of them succeeded in rooting out corruption. But both, however innocently and unwittingly, contributed to the poisoning of national politics. JPs movement and the Janata government that followed gave respectability to Hindu communalism. The V.P. Singh government, opportunistically supported by the BJP from the outside, paved the way for the meteoric rise of the BJP from two seats in the Lok Sabha in 1984 to 79 in 1989

- which in turn laid the foundation for the first ever Hindutva-led government in New Delhi. What should one expect from this movement towards the end. Some could say that BJP may gain from Annas agitation while some believe that Anna seized the opportunity from the BJP and the party is now the biggest loser. BJP in all its might tried to highlight the issue of corruption and also forced the Congress to agree for a JPC on 2G Spectrum scam. Although there was anger in people over corruption yet BJP failed to tap peoples anger unlike Anna Hazare. People were not that impressed by the BJPs tirade against corruption because they wanted it to be taken up by someone who is not tainted and is least corrupt as compared to others. Annas total land holding is 2.53 acres and out of which he has donated 2.46 acres. His total bank balance at present is Rs 67,188.36 and had Rs 1,500 in cash at the time when he disclosed his assests. People got impressed by his simplicity and his integrity. He may not be a saint but it is beyond doubt that he is more honest than the rest. And it was because of his credential people joined him in large numbers and the turn out from across India even surprised him. On the level of corruption all parties in one way or the other are on the same radar. And that is why their anti corruption appeal was not taken seriously by the people of India. It was only when Hazare took the plunge it became a nationwide protest. But some may believe that government agreed to his demand as a tactical move and has been providing them with the ladder to climb up and at the same time trying to pull it down as well. Both the BJP and Congress want to manipulate the fallout of this agitation to their advantage and its implication would be put to test in the assembly elections, particularly in Uttar Pradesh in 2012. Nitin Gadkari, who has caricated his persona with loose talk and abusive language unlike any other BJP president in an election rally on 18 April in Varansi, said that politicians grovel like a dog when Mayawati sits on her chair. Now Gadkari wants to fight elections in Uttar Pradesh on the Gujarat model. Annas appreciation for Modi might have been in Gadkaris mind when he said during an election rally recently at Meerut that Uttar Pradesh will grow like Gujarat if BJP is voted to power. All parties and people for sure may not ever wish to make Uttar Pradesh like Gujarat which is also notorious for the 2002 pogrom. BJP may try to convince people that the corruption issue raised by the BJP was ultimately taken forward by Anna and his men. BJP forced the Congress to agree to a JPC on scam while Anna forced the government to accept a joint committee on Lokpal Bill. Congress on the other hand will try to cease the opportunity by claiming to have facilitated a Lokpal Bill after Right to Information Act 2005, which was pending for decades.

Bangalore: A two-day workshop was held here during 9-10 April on awareness and capacity-building of Muslim Women organized by the Indian Social Institute, Centre for Study of Society and Secularism and the Talent Promotion Trust. Dr. K. M. George, Director, Indian Social Institute, Bangalore inaugurated the workshop. He said the situation of Muslim women was miserable as they were neither opinion-makers nor decision-makers. Dr. Asghar Ali Engineer delivered the keynote address in which he said that the Holy Quran has two types of verses: 1. Normative and 2. Transcendental. Arab society was not culturally monolithic when the Prophet began to address and reform it. Makkah was religiously and commercially important centre and the Quraysh tribe was the custodian of the Holy Haram and the Kaaba, the pivot of sanctity. There was tussle between migrants and natives. The Bedouins used to earn their living either by grazing animals or by raiding and looting commercial caravans. Status and position of women varied between tribes and communities. Womens status was bad due to patriarchy (dominance of men). The Prophet was tasked with transforming a society from tribal culture to a family based system. The main purpose of the religion was to change and reform the society. The Quran was pragmatic in the process of reform. It did not implement reforms in a haphazard way. So, although, the slavery was not abolished with one stroke, but enough indication was given that it was undesirable by asking the followers of Islam to set free slaves as a way of penance. Media today looks upon Muslim society, not the real Islam. So they malign Islam. Quran has extended equal rights to men and women both. The Holy Quran has not prohibited women from anything. Our ulama say that women should not work outside their homes. This is a cultural statement, not the religious one. Women can participate in even as combatants in the battle. Holy companion Umme Ammara shielded the Holy prophet saw when a contingent of the Makkans surrounded him in the battle of Uhud and took the direct hits on her body. The Quran does not say anything about assigning the role of cooking, washing and upbringing of children to women. Marriage is a social contract in Islam (meethaqan ghaleeza). You can place terms and conditions with your husbands, except that it should not be un-Islamic. In matters of divorce, custody of children, lactation, meher, Islam ensures women get a more than a fair deal. It will be womens and childrens prerogative to decide with whom they would like to stay upon divorce. In matters of nursing of infants, it will be women who decide who should feed the child, the mother or a privately hired nurse. Meher is absolute right of wife. The second speaker was M. A. K. Tayab IAS (Retd), former Secretary, Govt. of India, who said that Talaq was a liberative piece of social engineering. But the way it is interpreted by the Hanafi school of ulema, it may come as a shock to know that it is unknown to the Quran. Much of this owes itself to male- centric and patriarchal reading of the Quran. The third lecturer was Kaneez Fatima who said that the Mecca Masjid blast in 2007 woke us up when we found that despite Muslims being the victims, were being accused of triggering the mayhem. Hundreds of innocent Muslim youth were picked up from Old city parts and detained without filing FIRs and were tortured. It was then that we, a group of few women formed a group called Nisa Resource and Research Centre for Women. We began to document such cases, helped the families overcome the trauma, presented such family people before the media and trained them in expressing their woes. We launched the advocacy sessions to teach the simple folk about their civil rights and how to build up pressure on the government to either launch trials or release the youth. The released youth were rehabilitated in various occupations and were even provided monetary assistance to set up businesses. Nisa has recently launched its magazine Nisa Quarterly Research magazine. The fourth speaker was A. Faizur Rahman who said that both words Iman and Islam have connotations of peace. Aman is derived from Iman while Salam is derived from Islam. Religion of Islam ensures peace in every sector of life and development. A Muslim is supposed to get peace from his marital life. It is why all the Quranic rights and duties have the element of peace embedded in them. The fifth speaker was journalist Maqbool Ahmed Siraj who said that most of our underprivileged families are caught in indebtedness, deep psychological tensions and often enmeshed in family discords. In more than 95 per cent cases, the students needing help, approach us in company of mothers, not fathers. Familys ailments generally owe themselves to economically irresponsible fathers who are alcoholics and spendthrifts...

Workshop on awareness and capacitybuilding of Muslim Women

MOHAMMAD NAUSHAD KHAN

MG NEWS DESK

IOS silver jubilee celebrations

GHITREEF SHAHBAZ
New Delhi: India will be ahead of the US in knowledge and development in the next three decades. At a time when it is emerging rapidly as a country having the greatest population of youths in this world, it is very necessary to put in great effort, like that of the freedom movement to make this knowledge accessible to each and everyone, said Veeraappa Moili, Union Minister of Law and Justice while inaugurating a 3-day Institute of Objective Studies conference on Towards Knowledge, Development and Peace-outlining Road maps for the Future, here on 15 April at IICC, marking the institutes silver jubilee celebrations. Speaking at the inaugural session chaired by Justice AM Ahmadi, Mrs. Puran Deshwari, Union Minister for Human Resources Development, said that the modern concept of knowledge and development is based on economy and consumerism, because of which inequality and injustice are prevalent in the world and establishing peace has become very difficult, so it is imperative to give globalization a human face. In her message, Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson of UPA, hoped that the IOS would continue its positive efforts for the development of the country. On the occasion Prof. AR composite one. He said that Indias Muslim rulers in general and the Mughals in particular, had inculcated an atmosphere of common friendship and communal bonhomie and not of sectarian violence, which was badly damaged by wrong writing of history and distortion of facts. Other speakers at this conference included Maulana Jalaluddin Umri, JIH chief, Maulana Saidur Rahman Azmi, chancellor of the Integral University of Lucnow, Prof Kamal Hasan, former rector of the International Islamic University of Malaysia, Prof. Sameer Fakhro, Vice Chancellor of Arab Open University, Dr AR Qidwai, former governor of Haryana, Prof. Faizan Mustafa, Vice Chancellor Law University Orissa, economist Abu Saleh Sharif, Dr Arshi Khan, Dr Ausaf Ahmad and Mr. Walson Thumpo of Church of North India and others. Thirty scholars and social activists were also awarded mementoes during these celebrations. The conference concluded with the adoption of a 9-point resolution, which demanded that the government promote education especially amongst minorities and deprived sections, to set up more educational institutions and also set up equal opportunities commission. It also demanded the end of injustices in every field for the sake of establishing peace and understanding.

Momin, Prof Vinai Shil Goutam, founder director of IIM, IOS chairman Dr Manzoor Alam, Prof. ZM Khan, and Christian leader Dr John Dayal also expressed their views. On the second day of the conference, Justice Rajender Sachar, former chief justice of Delhi High Court, said that the main cause of conflict and strife in the world is social inequality and injustice, so the troubled world now is in search of a deliverer, and Islam as a major ideological power can preach this ideology of deliv-

erance. It is the right time to present the Islamic concept of peace and development, and Islam itself being a religion of peace, there is no contradiction in doing so. On the third day of the conference Justice Markundey Katju of the Supreme Court of India, delivering his address at the valedictory session, said that all Indians are progenies of Bahar (foreign) and not of Babar, because India is the home of migrants. It is an abode of different nations and cultures, so its culture is a

The Milli Gazette, 1-15 May 2011

Why WB Muslims left the Left?

Kolkata: The Sachar Committee report, which exposed the real socio-economic and educational condition of Muslims in West Bengal, ignited the fire that is now set to burn down the 33-yearold regime of the Left Front. Other major factors why Muslims and other poor sections of the society left the Left during the last three years is the forced land acquisition drive by the state government for industrialization, say senior Muslim journalists in the state capital. Why Muslims left the Left? Sachar Committee Report is the answer, says Abdur Rauf, assistant editor of Sakalbela daily. Very analytically and with documents, the report has proved that throughout the three decades of Left regime in West Bengal, the Muslim community has been neglected - in the government service, social sector, development, said Rauf. He further elaborates, Earlier when we would present the real ground the Left government would refuse and brand us as communal. But Sachar is not Muslim. When he and his team presented the report they had no answer. Initially though they tried to reject the report but the facts were so real and down to earth that they were not successful. This report proves what kind of clandestine attitude they have had towards the minority here. Actually in the name of progress, nocommunalism and in the name of no-division among the people, they were neglecting the minority community. And this is very much clear now to the community as the report has been discussed and propagated. Simply the community is not satisfied with the Left government. Parwez Hafeez, resident editor of Asian Age, says, As Sachar report pointed out, Muslims here have remained backward educationally, economically and socially. Ahmed Hassan Imran, executive editor of Azad Hind Urdu daily, echoes Hafeez. Thanks to Sachar Committee report, nationally and internationally people now know how Muslims in Bengal have fared in jobs and education. Before that report, the communist rulers of the state would say they were secular and did not discriminate between Hindus and Muslims but the Sachar report proved that Muslims were targeted for discrimination. During the Left Front rule, the fortune of the community has further diminished. As Sachar report pointed out, there are more than 1100 Muslim-dominated villages which have no primary school. Worse is the case of health and electricity in those areas. Their share in job is just 2.1 percent. Muslims were beaten by Left Front government with the stick of secularism. But it is not only Muslims but people in general are going away from the Left, says Hafeez. It is not just the Muslim community, people in general are deserting the Left. There has been significant erosion in the CPI-Ms own vote bank in the last three years. That votebank comprises labourers, poor, farmers and marginalized sections of the society that include Muslims also. Both Hindus and Muslims have started deserting Left. Left is losing not only because Muslims are not voting for them but other communities too have gone away from them, he explains. Apart from Sachar report, Hafeez points out, there are two big factors that have led people to move away from the ruling Left regime. Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjees overzealous industrialization drive is one. It is true he went to poll in 2006 on this very issue and got huge majority - 235 seats out of 294. Its an irony that he got huge mandate on industrialization drive then but five years later the same issue is going wrong for him. He thought he could do anything and when the opposition objected to his forced land acquisition drive and other coercive measures he would say we have 235 seats, you just 30. So how can they create any hurdle in my path? He wanted to bulldoze his way. Thats where the problem started. People of West Bengal are politically conscious. They turned away from Buddha. They saw he has gone away from the grains of Marxism. Communists are land givers but here they were land grabbers. CPI-M came to power on the slogan of Birla, Tata ke dalal dur hato dur hato. Ironically, when they started acquiring land for Tata in Singur, people started seeing them as Tata ke dalal. The other important factor which brought this scenario into reality, says Hafeez, is the decision of CPI-M central leadership decision to withdraw support from the UPA-1. Had Prakash Karat not insisted (remember this was done by him alone) for withdrawal, the situation would have been different. Bengal CPI-M leadership including Jyoti Basu who was on deathbed had cautioned him. Karat had met him twice before he took the decision and he had cautioned him. This was the decision which dearly cost the CPI-M. Had they not withdrawn support, the Trinamool and Congress would not have joined hands. And had they not joined hands, the result of Lok Sabha election 2009 in West Bengal would not have been the same, Hafeez says. In all elections, from local body to Lok Sabha, in the last three years, the Left Front has lost to Trinamool Congress of Mamata Banerjee and Congress thanks to the huge shift of Muslim vote from the Left. Will the shifting continue in the ongoing Assembly poll? More than 60% of Muslims today are supporting TrinamoolCongress alliance. I think the alliance will form the next government, says Shahidul Islam, senior journalist now working for Aaj Kal daily. I think the Left Front does not have the support of Muslims, he says. Parwez Hafeez adds that there is an anti-incumbency wave in the state. However, he points out the fact that in the Lok Sabha poll in 2009, Left Front got just 11 lakh votes less than the entire opposition parties - indicating the result may not be sweeping or landslide. Ahmed Hassan Imran avers: Over some years Muslims have been in search of an alternative. Earlier the heavy Muslim-dominated areas like Murshidabad, Malda and Dinajpur were electing Congress, an alternative of the Left, now other parts of the state also want an alternative and we have seen that 90 percent of Muslims across the state have voted against the Left in the last three years. People of West Bengal, not only Muslims, want change. They are not bothered about which party is coming to power. They just want to throw the Left first, adds Imran who also brings out Kalom, a Bengali weekly. However, Abdur Rauf says the anti-incumbency wave, to an extent, has been checked by the ruling Left. To some extent, I think, says Abdur Rauf. Actually this could have been a total shift but how much reliable is the Trinamool-Congress alliance has become a question in the minds of the community. In fact, there are many people in the party and the combine who in their attitude and past records are communal. What are the specific programs of the alliance is not very clear. If Trinamool chief is willing to implement the recommendations of Sachar and Ranganath commissions then why in Railways service sector she is not announcing a quota for minorities? She is not ready to give jobs to the minority. And this is being raised by the ruling Left Front also. It is six years when the Sachar report came but what are the programs of the central government to uplift the minority, this question is being raised by the Left, says Rauf adding that the minority welfare measures announced by Left Front government in last 2 years will also help in checking the landslide. Their propaganda machinery is strong. Their organization is much stronger than the opposition. So with some populist measures they will confuse a good number of Muslims, says Rauf. He adds that Bengali Muslims never voted en bloc. They do not carry the psyche and sentiments like the Urdu-speaking Muslims. In different districts, the voting pattern was different. When there was swing at some places there was no swing in favor of Left in Murshidabad. It went against the current. Bengali Muslims do not react homogeneously. They are more individualistic than a community-minded people. Yet it is true a good number of Muslims have voted against the Left in the last few elections. However, I think the shifting is not community decision rather individual. (Mumtaz Alam Falahi, twocircles.net, 16 April 2011)

According to the data from the National Crime Records Bureau, in 2008, of the 8,554 cases that came up for investigation with state anti-corruption/vigilance departments under the PCA and related IPC sections, only 268 persons were punished by the respective departments and 65 sacked. Compare that with China where in 2010, its war against corruption resulted in as many as 5,000 higher-level government officials - mostly above the county head level - being punished for corruption. Not only that, some 1,44,000 cases of corruption were investigated, leading to penalties for more than 1,46,000 lower-ranking government officials. Any surprise that we are at an abysmal 87th position in Transparency Internationals ranking of the most corrupt nations? (tribuneindia.com - 20 April 2011)

NATIONAL Corruption galore

BJP suspends 7 J&K MLAs for cross-voting

New Delhi: The BJP Parliamentary Board on 20 April suspended its seven MLAs in Jammu & Kashmir Assembly, including Leader of the Opposition and veteran party leader Chaman Lal Gupta, for defying party whip and voting for the ruling National Conference-Congress candidates in the recently held Legislative Council elections. BJP general secretary Ananth Kumar said Deputy Leader in the Assembly Jugal Kishore Sharma will now lead the remaining group of four MLAs. This way the BJP has managed to contain the rebellion brewing against state president Shamsher Singh Manhas, while not really throwing out the guilty MLAs. Under the rules, the suspended MLAs will continue to be governed by the party whip till expelled. After April 13 voting, Gupta had defiantly obtained the letters of resignation from all 11 MLAs, addressed directly to the Speaker, and handed them over to state in-charge OP Kohli. They were to be forwarded to the party high command for necessary action. Simultaneously, Manhas had served an ultimatum on the Central leadership to either accept their resignation or his. Apart from Chaman Lal Gupta, other suspended legislators are: Jagdish Sapolia, Master Lal Chand Prof Garu Ram, Baldevraj Sharma, Durga Das and Bharat Bhushan. Ananth Kumar said they have also been issued show-cause notices asking them why they should not be expelled from the party for six years. The party has taken a very serious view of the cross voting by its MLAs in the legislative council elections.... After deliberating over the issue, the Board decided that action should be taken for this indiscipline. Court orders to produce eleven inmates of Sabarmati jail A Delhi court on 6 April issued fresh orders to produce before it eleven inmates of Sabarmati Central Jail of Ahmedabad on 6 May for framing of charges against them in the 2008 case of serial blast. Special CBI court had earlier asked the in-charge of Sabarmati jail to appear before it on April 7 to explain as to why they could not produce 11 accused in court for framing of charges against them in the 2008 Delhi serial blasts case. Additional sessions judge, Santosh Snehi Mann said, The court is constrained to summon the officer in-charge of Sabarmati Central Jail, Ahmedabad to explain the non-production of the 11 accused before this court despite production warrants. Physical production of the 11 accused is required in this court only for the limited purpose i.e. to record their plea on charge and there is no reason why they should not be produced for this purpose by the Superintendent of Sabarmati Central Jail, the court said. The court had earlier decided to frame charges against the accused for waging a war against the state and killing people in the serial blasts on 13 September 2008, which left 26 people dead and 135 others injured. The charges are to be framed against Mohd. Shakeel, Mohd. Saif, Zeeshan Ahmed, Zia-ur-Rehaman, Saquib Nisar, Mohd. Sadique, Kayamuddin Kapadia, Mohd Hakim, Mohd Mansoor Ashgar Peerbhoy, Mubin Kadar Sheikh, Asif Bashiruddin, Mohd Akbar Ismail Chaudhary and Shahzad Ahmed. MG NEWS DESK sage of peaceful coexistence as Torah and Bible do. Though, compared to Judaism and Christianity, roots of Islam are not deep in non-Arab areas, it does not mean that the concept of submission to one God and the message of human brotherhood does not exist in Islam. It is because of the commonality of these views in all the three religions that Hazrat Ibrahim had broken all the idols in the first abode of God and in place of inhuman practices and traditions prevailing then he founded human civilisation. It may be borne in mind that the new practice of sacrifice of human life for propitiation of God in olden days was brought to an end by Gods miracle in replacement of Hazrat Ismail with an animal. It is therefore incumbent on all of us who are the descendents and followers of Abrahamic faith to understand the objective of God in creating the universe, have faith in the Day of Judgement, reward and punishment, surrender our differences to God and get united for the sake of human welfare. It is not surprising that this may be Gods objective also. In this small book running into 56-page, containing 12 chapters and published by Minorities Initiative for Learning and Partnership (MILAP), effort has been made to make it easily understood by all so that the followers of all the three religions, instead of the fruitless rivalry for proving ones superiority over another, should follow the teachings and messages of our respective religions for peaceful coexistence in the world, all of which lead us to path of righteousness for attaining the proximity to God. (NA Ansari)

Peaceful coexistence possible with unity among the followers of Abrahamic faith

ew Delhi: Asad Mirza, Urdu journalist who was at one time associated with BBC and now with the British High Commission in Delhi as the editor of its Urdu magazine British Jaaiza (British Review), points out in his book The Abrahamic Religions that the common and basic teaching of all the three scriptures, i.e., The Torah, The Bible and The Quran is that love to God lies in love with human beings. He says in this book that the reason of present days, or in fact of all times, unrest, differences and wars lies not in Judaism, Christianity and Islam but in the followers of these heavenly guided religions. Though they believe in God and the teachings of these Divine Books, they contradict themselves by their behaviour in their daily life which gives rise to all vices of the world. Therefore, without making a comparative study of these religions and inspite of a number of major and minor differences, he ignores them in his book and lays emphasis on similarities and oneness in these religions without which any kind of unity or peaceful coexistence in the world is not possible. He argues that difference of opinion is necessary for a healthy and democratic living but differences in peoples sayings and doings are the main causes of riots and conflicts and because of such differences (in sayings and doings), inspite of their basic

unity they become so much strangers, nay inimical, that peaceful coexistence among them becomes impossible. Describing Hazrat Ibrahims, pivotal role in all the three scriptures he says that in the Middle East in olden days people used to sacrifice human beings to propitiate God. But to stop such inhuman practices, he says, the sacrifice of Hazrat Ismail and his replacement by an animal was Gods decision and hence after that the sacrifice of human beings to propitiate God was discontinued. For this, he says, all peoples or civilizations of the world should be thankful to Abrahamic religion. He emphasises the point that prior to Muslims, Christians believed that Christ was the last prophet of God and did not believe Prophet Muhammad as the last Prophet in the same way Jews had thought that Moses was the last prophet of God and did not recognise Christ as His last prophet and do not also believe in the Christians faith that Christ was born from virgin Mary and that he was taken to God alive; but despite this disbelief, Jews respect Christians faith. In the same way Jews and Christians, though not believing in the prophethood of Muhammad respect him (Prophet Muhammad) because of Muslims strong faith in the Quran and in him because the teachings of both Torah and Bible are complemented in Quran which also preaches the same mes-

10 The Milli Gazette, 1-15 May 2011

NATIONAL

Muslims are an asset: Madni

ABDUL HAFIZ LAKHANI, Ahmedabad
Under the ageis of JUH, Gujarat Jamiat Ulama had organise a general session in Ahmedabad on 17th April, 2011 in which many famous speakers lashed out at the Modi government for gross human violations against people in general and Muslims in particular. Swami Agnivesh was in the most attacking mood during the conference. While around 3,000 Muslims listened attentively to Maulana Syed Mahmood Asad Madanis call for communal harmony, film director Mahesh Bhatt attacked Modi government for its attitude towards minorities. Swami Agnivesh said that he would bring Anna hazare to Gujarat within a couple of weeks and would show him the misdeeds of Modi. It must be mentioned that Anna, praised Modi for development in Gujarat During the conference, several resolutions were passed for the betterment of Muslims in the country. The Jamiat Ulema demanded that, in the light of the Sachar committee report, Muslims be given representation in all spheres of public life in proportion to their numbers in society. A senior representative of the Jamiat said that, to avert communal riots, a law must be enacted making senior officials and the district administration responsible. There was more criticism for the state government, this time from the filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt. It is said that there is 10% growth in the state but money alone cant buy happiness and solidarity, Bhatt said. He also questioned Anna Hazare for praising the Gujarat chief minister and called on Muslims to unite to spread love. You have to unite to spread love like Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King, Bhatt said. But Mukul Sinha, a senior lawyer who has represented riot victims in the Gujarat high court and the Nanavati commission, said the message of love has had no effect on the state government. We have been trying that for the last 10 years but it has had no effect, he said. Maulana Mahmood Madani in his speech asked Muslim youths to contribute more to society and religion. There is no better place for Muslims in the world than India. However, at the same time, it cannot be denied that they have suffered, he said. He even asked Muslims to introspect. Muslims are an asset. Yet, at times, people find it discomforting to see a Muslim next to them. Our image has been distorted by others. It is time youngsters come forward and changed the image, he said.

Jamiat Ulama Conference resolutions

(1) Muslims Reservation The managing committee of the Jamiat Ulama-i-Gujrat expresses its concern on the nominal presence of Muslims in educational institutions and legislative institutions like the Parliament, state assemblies and the village panchayats, due to a persistent discrimination against them. As per government figures, Muslims constitute more than 13% of the Indian population but their representation in various spheres is less than 2%. This has resulted in their extreme poverty and socio-economic and educational backwardness. The discrimination against the Muslims in the official, semi-official and representative institutions has been going on for the last 63 years. Their recruitment in the army, intelligence and other important institutions is almost totally banned. It is believed that they are discriminated against in the UPSC and other administrative exams too. The Justice Sachar Committee report has proved that the economic, educational, political and social condition of the Muslims in India is worse than that of Dalits... (2) Resolution for the Release of Innocent Persons Jamiat Ulama-i- Gujrat strongly demands that Muslim youths implicated in false charges by prejudiced and communal officials should be released immediately and cases against them withdrawn. The government must provide financial compensation to those Muslims languishing in jail for a long term; for more or less eighteen years as a result of which their careers have been ruined and their family members have suffered economically too besides emotionally. The government should learn a lesson from the Australian government which has given adequate financial compensation to Dr Haneef. Since several outfits belonging to the majority community are known to have been involved in serial bomb blasts, therefore members of the minority community arrested on mere suspicions, should be set free because no evidence has been found against them. This act of the government will instill a sense of confidence and goodwill among the members of the minority community. (3) Resolution of problems of Haj pilgrims Every year a huge number of Haj pilgrims head for Saudi Arabia for performing Haj by spending their hard earned money. Centre and state level Haj committees are constituted with the aim of providing these pilgrims facilities and correct guidance, but unfortunately the magnitude of their problem is getting bigger day by day and these committees do not bother to solve their problems... (5) Resolution to Protect Islamic Identity and Social Reform Movement Degeneration in the Indian society has affected every community. Muslim community in particular, has been the target of various cultural malpractices. They indulge in superstitions and rituals and rites passed on by the age of ignorance. It is a fact that the decline of the ummah is due to wanton avoidance of Islamic rules and social values. All religious injunctions are forsaken for the sake of material desires. It is therefore and benefits the duty of all Muslims, especially the ulama, to devote themselves to amr bil maroof and nahi anil munkar (command for good deeds and negation of objectionable practices)... (6) Resolution to fight against activities of turncoats The managing committee of Jamiat Ulama-i-Gujarat warns against the apostasy movements launched by Qadyanis and other elements. Qadyani evangelists and other misguided factions are trying to turn Muslims of Assam, Manipur, Tripura, Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan and Kashmir into turncoats by providing them the means to luxuries of all types. They mostly trap those who are ignorant of the teachings of Islam, and lure them in the web spun of dreams of better job opportunities, availability of cash and easy loan. Incidents of unrest and disorder are also taking place due to Qadyani activities. Jamiat Ulamai- Hind does not deem it appropriate to take any action by taking the law in their own hand, but it surely would like to alert Muslim masses not to be deceived by them... (7) Resolution on Muslim Awqaf This Managing Committee of Jamiat Ulama-i-Gujrat strongly expresses its concern that despite implementation of Awqaf Act 1995, illegal tampering with and unlawful encroachment on the waqf properties is still going on. Neglecting the intentions and the will of the donor, the income of the waqf properties is being used for personal benefits... (8) Resolution for Establishment of Makatib in Backward Rural Areas This Managing Committee of Jamiat Ulama-i- Gujrat feels it very necessary to establish makatib (religious institutions) in backward rural areas of the country. In remote rural areas, ignorance of religion is very common in Muslim society. There are many who cannot recite even the kalema. Children getting education in common schools are usually not aware of the basics of the religion. There is information of the prevalence of polytheism in their society. They are unable to distinguish between right and wrong. With that in view, this general session of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind emphatically appeals to all the Muslims to put in efforts to establish makatib in backward areas where at least primary religious education could be imparted... (9) Resolution on Communal Violence This Managing Committee of Jamiat Ulama-i-Gujrat expresses its deep concern that despite the recurring communal violence in the country, no law for prevention of riots has been introduced so far. The United Progressive Alliance had promised to bring an effective and comprehensive legislation to deal with the communal riots but despite having completed more than 2 years in office in its second stint, it has done nothing hopeful in this direction... In order to avert the communal riots, a law must be introduced to hold higher officials and district administration responsible for the outbreak of violence. This law must also have provisions to provide uniform compensation to the victims irrespective of their caste, creed or community. Protection of life and property of citizens is the prime responsibility of the government, and therefore this house demands from the government to come out with an effective law to combat existing situation so that the life and property of the innocent citizens could be well protected and justice is ensured for the victims. (10) Resolution on anti Muslim activities by communal outfits The Managing Committee of Jamiat Ulama-i- Gujrat expresses its deep concern over anti- Muslim activities of communal outfits and demands of the central and state governments to take effective action against them. In several parts of the country the RSS and its affiliated organizations have been spreading hatred against Muslims. After the verdict on title suit of Babri Mosque was delivered, several activities by communal outfits have been launched in urban and rural areas. VHP has launched cow protection movement to spread hatred and animosity against the Muslims. Hate literature is being circulated and those who champion the cause of secularism have become special target of attack. The managing committee of Jamiat Ulama Hind demands that the Government should take effective action for taming the activities of the communal forces. The session appeals to all organizations, political parties etc to launch mass awareness programme for maintaining peace and solidarity across the country. Chief Minister Narendra Modi for the delay in the appointment of Lokayukta in the state and demanded that the governor take action against Modi for this unconstitutional act. Gohil pointed out that the Governor had asked Modi to appoint Justice S D Dave as Lokayukta, but Modi was sitting over the file for over one year. Citing the provisions of the Lokayukta Act, he said that it makes it clear that Chief Minister or council of ministers had no say in it. Explaining the logic of the provision, Gohil said, this is to safeguard the institution of Lokayukta because Lokayukta has power to investigate against Chief Minister and his ministers. Despite this Modi has not announced the name even after three

reminders by the Governor. Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court had last year suggested the name of Justice S D Dave and as leader of Opposition, Gohil had also given his consent. On the basis of this, Governor had forwarded the name of Justice Dave to the government. But Modi preferred to sit over the file. He claims to be honest. But he is preventing the appointment of Lokayukta. This shows that he is indulging in corruption at a massive scale and all this is to prevent exposure of his multi billion rupee scandals. Pointing out that under section 3(1) of the Lokayukta Act Governor has all powers to appoint Lokayuka, Gohil demanded that the Governor should assert his right of appointment of Lokayukta invoking powers of Article 355 and in case the need arises, Governor should send a report to the President against Modi under Article 356 for his unconstitutional Act. He described as false propaganda the statements of government spokespersons painting the Congress as a villain in the appointment of Lokayukta in Gujarat. Interacting with media Gohil gave details that tore into pieces, the government stand on the issue and established that it was the Chief Minister who has stalled the appointment. This is just because Lokayukta can probe corruption by the Chief Minister and his council of ministers. For this reason, he said, Gujarat does not have Lokayukta for the past eight years. No appointment has been made since the retirement of Justice S M Soni in 2003.

Muslims meet Modi

A delegation of Muslims from Ahmedabads Juhapura area called on Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi in Gandhiangar. According to an official press release of Government of Gujarat, this was a courtesy visit. The Muslim delegation consisted of a lawyer, social worker, businessmen and was led by Shri Habib Mansoori. The Chief Minister told the delegation that all have to play the role of a partner in Gujarats development with only one goal that of development of the state.

Amit Shah in trouble

Three officers shunted

Three senior Gujarat Police officers, whose names figured in the Mumbaibased girl Ishrat Jahans alleged staged killing case, were transferred on Tuesday, on the Gujarat high courts orders to prevent them from influencing the investigation. Additional Director General of Police P.P. Pandey has been shifted to CID(Crime) and Intelligence Bureau under him has been transferred to ADGP Shri Sudhir Sinha. Superintendent of Police G.L. Singhal has been transferred to Vadodara as DySP zone - 1. DeputySuperintendent Tarun Barot has been shifted to Mehsana as DySP. All these officers were with the Ahmedabad Crime Branch in 2004, when Ishrat and three others including a Pakistani were gunned down.

Modi hides corruption: Gohil

Leader of Opposition in Gujarat Shaktisinh Gohil blamed Gujarat

Though Former Gujarat Home Minister Amit Shah defended his CM Narendra Modi in Supreme Court, but he is once again in trouble for Tulsi Prajapati encounter. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has accused the former Gujarat home minister with conspiring with policemen to kill Prajapati, the main witness of the fake encounter of Sohrabuddin Sheikh. The investigating agency told the Supreme Court on 9 March that there were many phone calls between Shah and IPS officer Rajkumar Pandian before Prajapati was eliminated. The CBI counsel KTS Tulsi said that Shah was the head of the extortion racket involving politicians, police and criminals. This was strongly objected by Shahs counsel Ram Jethmalani. The SC was hearing a petition moved by Narmada Bai, mother of Prajapati, to hand over the investigation of the case to CBI. Tulsi said that Sohrabuddin and Prajapati encounter killings were part of the same conspiracy and should be considered as one. He said that the Gujarat police was trying to treat the two cases as different. Prajapti was the only witness in the Sohrabuddin fake encounter and for that reason he was killed, he told the court. Appearing before a Bench of Justices P Sathasivam and B S Chauhan, senior counsel Ram Jethmalani said the Central government was targetting Modi due to political reasons and Shah was only a medium through which it could achieve it. It is just an illusion to say that CBI is a premier investigating agency. It was initially conceived as an anti-corruption agency. There is evidence to prove that there is a conspiracy between CBI and the Central government to target a democratically-elected government. Jethmalani told the apex court.

The Milli Gazette, 1-15 May 2011 11

HUMAN RIGHTS/TERRORISM

Sohrab of Gorakhpur murdered by members of Hindu Yuva Vahini: PUCL

Allahabad: Peoples Union for Civil Liberties of Uttar Pradesh in a letter to President, National Human Rights Commission has informed of the murder of Sohrab (son of Jameel Khan) of Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh on 24 March 2011. PUCL in its own investigation has learnt about the possible role of people associated with Hindu Yuva Vahini in the murder of Sohrab along with the motive: intension to loot and dacoity. Member of PUCL during their investigation came to know that Sohrab was working with Rathi Hechri in Haryana. One branch of Rathi Hechri is also at Bargadwa in Gorakhpur. Sohrab on 24 March left for his home to attend the marriage of his buwa (sister of father) on 26 March. At that point of time he was carrying Rs 40000, new clothes and some other baggage. He began his journey on 24 March by a truck which belonged to Rathi Hechri. When he reached Khalilabad around 7 in the evening Sohrab talked to his elder brother Nadeem on the mobile of the driver to inform him that he would possibly reach Gorakhpur around 10 pm. When Sohrabs brother went to receive him he came to know that Sohrab had already left from there. His brother Nadeem thought that he might have left before he reached there or he went to meet his friends or relatives nearby. But, on 25 March, he came to know that Sohrab was killed. On 25 March, Vijay Kumar son of Kailash in his written complaint registered at Bhagwanpur Thana (Chiluwatal) (number 1821/11) which says that at around 3 am, an unidentified man entered the house of Ram Bhawan and the people of the area thrashed him for they thought that he had entered to steal and thereafter allowed him to go. He was seen walking along the compound of the nearby mandir. At around 2 pm he was found dead. PUCL during investigation came to know that members of Hindu Yuva Vahini active in Gorakhpur for a long time involved in his murder and members of this group are also believed to be involved in various cases of a similar nature in the past. Police at Chiluwatal arrested Chandan Gorakhpuri and some others in this connection but later on let them off at the instance of Yogi Adityanath, BJP, MP from Gorakhpur who is patron of Hindu Mahasabha and Hindu Vahini. Recently he is alleged to have been involved in some terror activities in one way or the other. PUCL in this regard demands from the National Human Right Commission to set up a high level inquiry in order to ascertain the nature and motive behind the crime. (Shahnawaz Alam & Rajeev Yadav)

New Delhi: A man implicated by Delhi Police in the death of a senior citizen by rash and negligent driving has after a decade of trial succeeded in demolishing the prosecution theory in the court and proving that the victim died in an accident between two buses. Much to the embarrassment of the Delhi Police, the court said its version has been proved wrong by its own witnesses for giving benefit of doubt to the accused. All the facts show that the defence taken by the accused that there was an accident between two chartered buses is proved by the prosecution witnesses. Thus, this erodes the credibility of the prosecution version, Metropolitan Magistrate Ekta Gauba said. All the facts of the case show doubt on prosecution story. Prosecution has miserably failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt and no specific role has been alleged against the accused. The benefit of doubt goes in favour of the accused. Hence, the accused is hereby acquitted of the charges levelled against him by giving him the benefit of doubt, the judge said adding there was no incriminating evidence against the accused. Mohammed Shariq was accused of hitting an old man Sunder Lal on July 16, 2001, with his motorbike near ITO causing his death. The only eye witness Shankar Thakur cited by the prosecution turned hostile. This fact throws doubt on the prosecution story, the judge said. Thakur had told the court that the old man, who died in the accident, was crossing the road without using the zebra crossing when it was not a green light. Shafiq, in his defence, had said that on July 16, 2001, the accident took place between two chartered buses but the investigating officer came to his house and took his signature on some documents saying a case would be registered against the person by whose vehicle he had sustained injuries. Later on, I came to know that I was falsely implicated in the case by the police, Shariq added.(PTI, 14 April).

Implicated by Delhi Police, man comes clean after 10 years

Senior BJP & RSS leaders had a role in Joshi murder

Indore: Congress General Secretary Digvijay Singh said some senior BJP and RSS senior leaders had a role in the murder of RSS pracharak Sunil Joshi allegedly involved in Ajmer dargah blast of 2007. An RSS leader, who declined to be identified, sought to dismiss Singhs remarks saying he keeps making all kinds of statements and nobody even in Congress takes him seriously while a BJP spokesman said it would go through his remarks and may react later. The people made accused in Joshi murder case were just members of the ground force,.. shooters (small fry). The real culprits will be found when National Investigation Agency (NIA) probes it, Singh said. I dont want to name anyone but BJP and Sangh senior leaders hand will figure in it and I will prove my point correct, Singh, former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, said (Indian Express, 16 April).

Impunity in disposing off rape case of a Muslim girl

Malegaon: The rape and murder of Rukhsana of Partur Hathdi, Jalna district, is dreadfully gruesome. She was pregnant and was raped by some unidentified Hindus. From the gory details of the circumstances it is clear who had raped her. The police Patel of the village Sadashiv Jurekar and the sarpanch (village head) Ramesh Shyam got the death of Rukshana registered as suicide and then burnt her dead body in the Muslim graveyard of the village. What can be inferred without any doubt is that both administrative officials of the village tried to cover up the matter. They could not be so nave as to believe that Muslims burn their dead in their cemetery! The rural Muslims are the most penurious of our population. Their being indigent helps them survive at the sufferance of the Hindus. Crimes committed against them have little chance of seeing the light of day let alone registration in any administrative office of the state. The way her body was disposed off shows that the rapists and killers were not from the Muslim community. The deafening silence of their identity is eloquently telling the story of that identity. The hand to mouth existence of the rural Muslim makes it unthinkable that they would ever have enough to grease the palms of the officials. However, some Muslim leaders came to know the murky circumstances. One of them was Abu Azmi who condemned the event and spoke about the plight of the rural Muslims. But on Saturday April 9, 2011the Maharashtra Assembly legislative council member Hussein Dalwai entered the hall with an earthen pot containing the ashes and bones of Rukhsana. He along with other leaders like Manikrao Thakere protested. That forced Home Minister RR Patil to pacify them that an inquiry by the crime investigation department would be conducted and the guilty would be brought to book. This case of rape and murder of a Muslim girl could not have drawn even this much attention in the legislative council but for the sudden change in the time schedule. Two important matters were on the agenda but the concerned members and ministers were absent when the assembly session began. The third item was the case of Rukhsana. The Home Minister casually assured that an inquiry would be conducted. The matter was hushed up. But Dalwai came to know of it in a hospital of Mumbai. He rushed to the assembly hall and along with the congress party president Manikrao Thakere forced the speaker to restart the debate on the issue. Hence, the dramatic entry of Dalwi! Sachchar commission says Muslims constitute majority in the prison population of India. However, some crimes like rape have become so expensive that they are beyond the reach of some. In the absence of a healthy civil society and strict adherence to the rule of law the women and the minorities suffer alike. But for women from the minority it is virtual hell. Even the dead body gets no peace (courtesy Zora Neale Hurston, Their Eyes Were Watching God). The mainstream papers have no space for the Rukhsanas as they are preoccupied with the weighty matters of corruption. (Mustafa Khan)

Enough evidence to nail the saffron brigade in 2006 Malegaon blast

Mumbai: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is re-investigating the 2006 Malegaon blast case after Aseemanands confessions, has found enough evidence to establish the role of saffron brigade into the incident, a media report said. Though the Hindu fundamentalist has retracted his confession, CBI investigations have found enough - forensic evidence, witnesses, and circumstances - to establish the role of the saffron brigade in the attack, said Mumbai-based English daily Mumbai Mirror, published by the Times of India group, on 16 April. Swami Aseemanand who was arrested in Hyderabads Mecca Masjid blast case had told the court in January that his slain associate from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Sunil Joshi, was behind the 2006 Malegaon blast. Investigations have now found that the blasts were conducted by the same set of people which executed attacks in Purna, Jalna and Nanded districts of Maharashtra, Mumbai Mirror said. Joshis associates have been found to be involved in all these blasts including the one at Malegaon, Mumbai Mirror quoted an unnamed CBI official. The planning, bomb-making and execution are similar. We have also found witnesses who have corroborated that this group had visited Malegaon before the blast for a reconnaissance, the paper quoted the official. We have also identified the places they stayed in. As of now there are strong indications that Aseemanands confession is true. Our investigations, however, are on to gather more evidence to this effect, the paper added. A series of blasts had struck Malegaon on September 08 in 2006 ahead of Shab-e-Barat, a Muslim festival when thousands of people were busy offering Friday prayers at the Hamidia Masjid. Another blast occurred at nearby Mushawerat chowk few minutes later. 32 people had been killed and more than 300 were injured in the blasts, most of them being children. As was the customary for the investigating agencies those days, the blast was immediately blamed on Muslim youths and the police force swung into action arresting the Muslim youths one by one who are still in jail. Ironically one of the accused who is in jail and has been chargesheeted as one of the planters, was some 600 kms away from Malegaon when the blast occurred on September 8, 2006. Moreover, Abrar Ahmed, one of the accused, who later became approver but turned hostile, said in a detailed affidavit filed in the court that the arrested Muslim youth are innocent and were framed in the blast case. Hence local residents demanded CBI enquiry. After much of an outcry the state government handed over the investigation to the CBI. But it was done only after the ATS had filed its chargesheet accusing the Muslim youths of masterminding the terror attack. The case took a dramatic turn when Swami Aseemanand, one of the accused arrested in Mecca Masjid and other blast cases, admitted in his confession made before a magistrate that the Muslim youths arrested in 2006 blast case were not guilty. Meanwhile, Dr Farogh Makhdoomi, one of the accused in the case, is observing hunger strike inside the jail since 5 April. Pleading innocence, he is demanding speedy trial of the case.

Court reinstates youth expelled on false terror claim

A Jaipur court has ordered the Infosys to take back Electronics engineer Rashid Hussain whose services were wrongfully terminated after his detention by Rajasthan police on suspicion of being involved in 2008 Jaipur blast.The Special Operations Group (SOG) of Rajasthan Police had picked up Mr. Hussain on 1 June 2008, and had detained him for nine days. Later on he was released without framing any charges. Rashid while speaking at a press conference in Jaipur on 13 April said that the humiliation of being branded antinational and terrorist haunts me even today. I am just one among hundreds of educated Muslims across the country whose life and career were ruined because of false charges after every blast that takes place in the country. Rasheed was swarwaraly sacked following his detention but he claims that he was harassed by his employer because of his religious identity in the aftermath of his illegal detention. Mr. Hussain felt he was a victim of communal profiling and thereby had challenged his dismissal in a labour court. The court not only asked Infosys to reinstate him but also pay all his wages and salaries, and benefits retrospectively Kavita Srivastav, general secretary of PUCL in Rajasthan, who had provided legal aid to Hussain, said, Rashid was one of the few who refused to be cowed down. After his release and then termination, he stuck with us; helping out others detained, and crafted a new career for himself. Kavita also said that his detention had revealed a nexus between government and corporate sector to target innocent and qualified Muslims in the run up to the war against terror. By recalling his odd days after he was expelled from his service Rashid said, It made the people believe that I indeed did something seriously wrong and people started ostracising me. I had come to a dead end and my career was at the crossroads as nobody gave me a job.

SC orders CBI probe into Prajapati encounter case

In a setback to Narendra Modi government, the Supreme Court on 8 April ordered a CBI probe into the encounter of Tulsiram Prajapati, a close associate of Sohrabuddin, while turning down Gujarat governments opposition to a CBI probe. The bench comprising Justice P Sathasivam and BS Chauhan while accepting CBI argument that both these encounters are closely linked directed the state police to hand over the case to the CBI within 14 days while fixing the time limit of six months for the CBI to complete its investigation. The Supreme Court order might bring more trouble for former Gujarat Home Minister Amit Shah who is already facing a CBI probe in Sohrabuddin fake encounter case. The Apex Court also criticised over slow investigation process by the Gujarat police in this case. The CBI shall investigate all aspects of the case relating to the killing of Tulsiram Prajapati and file a report to the concerned court/special court having jurisdiction within period of six months from the date of taking over of the investigation, the bench said.

MG NEWS DESK

12 The Milli Gazette, 1-15 May 2011

ISSUES

Birth of Urdu Journalism in the Indian Subcontinent

Discussing the difficulties in tracing the developments in the language press, J. Natarajan, in his pioneering and famous History of Indian Journalism, said that an important impediment was that no coherent connected record of progress and growth of the Press was available in each of the languages. The case of Urdu Press, which is the second oldest language press of the Sub-continent after Bengali (the mother tongue of Bengal), and the first in the rest of India, is no exception. Its observers and researchers have resorted to premises, hypotheses and even oversight wherever they could not lay their hands on some definitive record. But the field is not without omissions. Jam-I-Jahan Numa, the first printed Urdu newspaper of the Subcontinent, is an outstanding example of oversight. Those who had written about it had dismissed it as an attendant of East India Companys Administration merely because it carried the insignia of the British Government in its masthead for the first six years of its long existence. This assumption has been effectively defused by Mr. Gurbachan Chandan, a former head of the Urdu Desk in G.O.Is, Press Information Bureau, in his 248-page Urdu book Jam-i-Jahan Numa, Urdu Sahafat ki Ibtida. He spent over two years in researching the particulars of the book whose original record lay buried in the National Archives of India, New Delhi and the Oriental Section of the former British Library, London. On the basis of his findings, Mr. Chandan says, the very first brick of the edifice of Urdu Journalism was laid amiss by its historians who dismissed this firster as of no consequence. He has traced and vastly quoted from an official review of the paper, prepared by the then Chief Secretary of the Government, Mr. William Butterworth Bayley who found Jam-i-Jahan Numa to be capable of turning into an engine of serious mischief. A product of deep research, the book, published by Maktba-i-Jamia Ltd., New Delhi, brings out, for the first time, the facts about the birth of printed Urdu journalism in the sub-continent. Incidentally, it is the only full-length publication available on the subject in any language. Indias Urdu Press is the successor of the oldest manuscript journalism which appeared in Persian in the sub-continent under the Mughal Administration and earlier. With the advent of the printing press and western journalism a little after the establishment of the British government in Bengal, a brainy entrepreneur of Calcutta, Hari Har Dutt by name, floated the first Urdu newspaper under the title of Jam-i-Jahan Muma (a Persian term meaning Mirror of the World) in March 1822, just six years after the first short-lived Bengali journal, Bengal Gazette was published. Jam-i-Jahan Numa, the first-ever attempt to inscribe Urdu prose for the new faculty of print journalism, set the format, column arrangement, the front page make-up and the editing pattern. This pattern was followed by almost all the Urdu papers which appeared in the first half of the 19th century in other parts of the country. The language at that time was called Hindostani and the publisher of Jam-i-Jahan Numa gave the same name in his application for license (declaration) for publication of the paper. He simultaneously got it for Persian also which was at that time the language of the nobility, the intelligentsia and the literate society, for the last nearly 300 years. Hari Har Dutt, however, chose to launch his paper in Hindostani which was the medium of conversation of the common people, whom he was keen to serve. The paper consequently suffered an initial setback because there was no readership in Hindostani proper. So about two months after the launching of his Urdu paper, the founder switched over to Persian but his love for Urdu did not wane. A year later, he added an independent and regular 4-page supplement to his Persian edition and continued it for about five years. The Persian version, however, survived for over 60 years, a record-run during the period. The papers founder was an employee of the East India Company, friendly with William Hopkins Pears Company, a British trading group. The papers professional appearance led the observers to assume that it was a semi-official gazette, a protg of the Companys Administration or a toady paper. The result has been that for over a century, the scholars and votaries of Urdu journalism have looked down upon this pioneer as a satellite. Dubbing it as an appendix of British establishment, they have sought to dump it in the dustbin of history. Perhaps that is why the stakeholders, both in India & Pakistan, have so far failed to observe March 27, 1822 the day when the first issue of the Jam-i-Jahan Numa saw the light of the day, as Urdu Journalism Day. Mr. Chandan dispels this trend with documentary evidence. His discovery of the official review, prepared by the then Chief Secretary of the Govt, vests this precursor with a new identity and status. Mr. Bayleys assessment, based on direct monitoring of the first six months issues of the paper, shows that though cautious, it was an instrument of political awakening. Perturbed by its writings, Mr. Bayley was convinced that the only way to curb the trends evinced by the Jam-i-Jahan Numa and other native papers was to enforce a stringent law for the Press. This led to the issuance in 1823 of the first Press Ordinance against which Raja Ram Mohan Roy fought a legal battle and then closed down his Persian paper, Miraet-ulAkhbar, in protest against the British Govts refusal to withdraw the ordinance. This was the first protest, by a language paper, against a curb on the Press. The author also presents the background and milieu of the birth of Urdu journalism and society in India touching substantially on the contribution of the Mughal bureaucracy which had a sizeable strength of Hindu scribes who actively took to Persian which was the sole official language under Todar Mai, the Revenue Minister of emperor Akbar. He revised his predecessor, Sher Shah Suris order favoring both Persian and Hindi (Devnagari) for maintenance of official records. The Mughal rulers established a regular cadre of newswriters who reported on events of direct and special interest to the imperial administration. Their newsletters were meant only for the ruler and his chosen ministers and there was no public distribution of these newsletters ok Waqai (reports), formally called Akhbars. Their reporters were called Waqai Nigar (events writers) and Akbhar Navis (news writers). The author has given quite a few examples of these reports and claims that if the printing apparatus, which was brought in India in 1575 for propagation of Christianity by the Portuguese missionaries, had been in common vogue here, language journalism would have started nearly 300 years before it actually did and was euphemistically credited to the boons of British rule. A group of Portuguese missionaries had presented a set of newly invented printing machine to Mughal emperor Akbar but he was not impressed with this metallic gift after observing its somewhat clumsy specimen of printing in English. Though bereft of consumer printing press, India, however, had a network of seasoned Waqai Nigars or reporters till almost the end of the 18th century operating for their local rulers and chiefs in various parts of the country. After the fall of the Mughal empire, several of these reporters were employed as local informants by the British East India Companys officials who did not know Persian. The book does not rest at the birth of Urdu journalism in the sub-continent but also gives a lot of new and interesting information on the evolution of Urdu Society and the roots of several important language and communal problems of today. It explains how the British imperialist fostered and encouraged internal dissensions here to reap harvest of their nefarious designs. It further unfolds how the first Persian printed papers, which emerged out of the mature manuscript journalism, daringly denounced the British designs. Perhaps for the first time, we find a sizeable survey of Persian newsletter journalism in this book. The originators of this Persian Press later founded the Urdu Press which was the guiding light of many other sections of language Press for about the first three quarters of the 19th century. Jam-I-Jahan Numa led the caravan of the new consciousness. After six years of its birth, it established its own printing press and also cast off the insignia of the British Govt. from its masthead. A secretary of the then Govt., Mr. A. Sterling, described it as the best native newspaper of its time, cautious and intelligent. Its copies reached the offices of Urdu and Persian newspapers in various parts of the country which made good use of it. One reason why Jam-i-Jahan Numa had been ignored was the near non-availability of its record. The author, inspite of his strenuous efforts and inquiries from leading figures of the Urdu world, has been unable to come across the dates of birth and death of the founder of the paper, Hari Har Dutt. However, it is established that he was the son of Tara Chand Dutt, a close media associate of Raja Ram Mohan Roy. The grateful people of Calcutta named a street in Tara Chand Dutts name in their town. The author, whose research has been confined to the Urdu edition of Jam-i-Jahan Numa, however, is not disheartened at his inability to find these dates and believes that efforts should continue on the long Persian record of the paper and in the early history of Bengal journalism. However, the wealth of material presented in the book, out of the record inquired into by the author, throws abundant light on the origins of Urdu journalism It goes a long way to expose the unconcern, indifference and oversight of our researchers and historians have been extending towards certain aspects of Urdu journalism. This is particularly evident in Pakistan where basic material on such subjects is extinct. Being nearly as old as Bengali journalism, Urdu journalism has been the nursing ground of the temper and consciousness of the most important part of the 19th century which shaped the minds of new India. The book has won two Academy Awards namely Urdu Academy, Delhi, and Urdu Academy, UP. The book Jam-i-Jahan Numa was published in 1992. Since then, Mr. Chandan has published several path-breaking books on Urdu Journalism, the latest Urdu Sahafat Ka Safar being released in 2007 by two G.O.I. Cabinet Ministers: Mr. Priya Ranjan Das Munshi, Minister, Information, Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs and Mr. Sushil Kumar Shinde, Minister, Power. This Book covers the period from the origin of Urdu Journalism to 2005, marking early 21st century and offers latest statistical data on Urdu Press.
GD Chandan alias Gurbachan Chandan is a veteran Urdu journalist. He retired as head of the Urdu Desk in Press Information Bureau,

Babri Masjid vs Taj Mahal

Babri Masjid (BM): I came into existence when perhaps on the order of Mughal Emperor Babur, Mir Baqi completed construction in the year 1528. Babur, who established Mughal Empire in India after defeating Ibrahim Lodhi, was very considerate to the religious sentiment of his subjects. He advised his son Humayun to respect the prevailing customs, like taking care to avoid cow slaughter as it will hurt the sentiments of Hindus. Taj Mahal (TM): I am a symbol of extreme love of an Emperor for his queen who bore him a number of sons. Isa Effendi took great care to translate this exemplary love between man and woman into marble. Among the progeny of Babur, my mentor Shah Jahan was the one who richly decorated India with architectural marvels culminating in the ultimate in beauty and form i.e. myself. It took 17(22) years for my completion in the year 1648. BM: People came to worship Almighty and sing His praise inside my premises. I was a source of spiritual enhancement and my visitor got purged of all vices by bowing to the Creator five times a day (Namaz). Everyone had a great respect for me as an important historical religious place. TM: A huge labour force of 20,000 workers led by Muhammad Hanif, the head of the masons, was employed in my construction and it cost the Mughal exchequer 32 million rupees. Poet Sir Edwin Arnold described me as, Not a piece of architecture, as other buildings are, but the proud passions of an emperors love wrought in living stones. Though an Indian poet thought of me as An Emperor by building the beautiful Taj Mahal has made fun

of the love of poor people like us. BM: Conspiracy to destroy me was hatched in the year 1949 when idols were surreptitiously planted inside my premises in the night of 22-23 December. This was to stop the Namaz being offered. The district administration of Faizabad got the matter registered under IPC 145(Cr.) but I was acquired by the administration and handed over to a receiver on 29th December. Later on 16th January 1950 a civil suit requesting permission to wor-

ship planted idols was filed. TM: Originally, the land where I stand belonged to the Kachhwahas of Ajmer (Rajasthan). The land was acquired from them in lieu of four havelis as is testified by a court historian, Abdul Hamid Lahauri, in his work titled the Badshah-Namah and the firmans (royal decrees). A historian has claimed that a grand Shiva Temple stood at my site but his rhetoric was not given much importance.

BM: In February 1986, District Judge of Faizabad allowed worship of idols below my central dome. A strong propaganda of my site being the birth place of a revered Hindu mythological figure Ramchandra ji was started and panderers for their own political aggrandizement ignited the passion of innocent Hindu masses. This whipped up frenzy resulted in my deliberate demolition watched by the whole world. 6 December 1992 was the day when I was razed to the ground. Sane minds termed it as not simply the demolition of a built up religious structure but the demolition of our secular ethos. Narrow minded cultural nationalism shred to pieces our Unity in diversity and reaped rich political dividends through divisive politics. Derogatory terms like Babar Ki Aulad were used for those who used to worship Almighty in my precincts. TM: People from all over the world come to admire my pristine beauty and flawless form. Though I was built by Babar ki Aulad (progeny of Babur) but I was not only protected, great care was taken to preserve my structure and beautiful faade. In 1983, I became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Though I just have two graves under the marble canopy but because of my material importance as a great revenue earning source my mentor, Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan is revered. Strangely, he is the one who is Babur ki Aulad BM: 30th September 2010 was the saddest day for me as on this day occurred my spiritual death through a court decree. Physically I was gone on 6 December 1992 but at least I had the hope that vandalism, unruly behaviour, lies and deceit will not go unpunished.

SALMAN SULTAN
sultan_salman@rediffmail.com

The Milli Gazette, 1-15 May 2011 13

ISSUES

Anna Hazare and Anti-Corruption Upsurge

RAM PUNIYANI
ram.puniyani@gmail.com The nation has witnessed a huge spectacle from a section of visible population with Anna Hazares fast for getting the Jan Lok Pal bill being drafted and implemented. His fast unto death was an event in which not only did we witness the Tsunami of Sentiments but was also used by the media to create an atmosphere as if it was a second freedom struggle. While one can see that the dissatisfaction of the people from the system was overflowing, one also registered that this is a response to the massive corruption scams which have been unearthed during the last few years. While the Government succumbed to the mass pressure and the media projection, the whole episode also raised many a question about the message which the fasting and Jantar mantar protest gave. In the whole event, the backdrop was provided by Hindu imagery of India as Bharat mata, a Goddess. One hoped that such issues which need worldly grounding can have icons like Gandhi as the central projection. Gandhi as the central backdrop of the movement would not only have given a correct moral message but also would have been equally welcoming to all the citizens of the country irrespective of their religion. Gandhi as the backdrop would also have reminded the leaders that corruption cannot be isolated from other political dynamics which is leading to gross injustices to the poor and marginalized of society. Unfortunately the criticism of elected leaders and the doubting of the democratic system itself were taken to cynical extremes. People writing on their hands Mera Neta Chor Hai (My leader is a thief) was one such example where the attempt to denigrate the elected representative along with the electoral process could be discerned. One concedes that there are serious flaws in the electoral system, the money power, muscle power and Corporate influence, but to paint all the leaders with the same brush shows the warped understanding of a section of the leadership of Jantar Mantar movement. At the same time all the voters were insulted by stating that people cast their vote just for the goodies they get in advance as if these goodies are the core deciding points of election. Surely our electoral system needs serious reforms but this type of projection also needs to be seriously questioned. Then we have the issues of leadership of the whole event. We saw Anna Hazare as the Supreme commander with associ-

...while the ruling party and politicians as such were being humiliated, the other component of the corruption phenomenon, the Corporate World and the industrial houses, were really the beneficiaries of the way anti-corruption drive was projected. Corporate World got exonerated by default, of all their crimes of getting around laws by the corruption route...
ates like Baba Ramdev trying to moralize the nation in the politics which is not so hidden by now. Baba Ramdev is a partisan of a particular type of politics which bases itself on religion and Baba in the clothes of a yogi is playing the role, which does not promote democratic values. Baba was accompanied by RSS leader Ram Madhav. Sri Sri Ravishanker was also there. Both these Godmen are for the construction of a grand Ram Temple at Ayodhya, and that should be enough to tell us their political leanings. Others in the core committee surely have more objectivity but one does not know as to how much influence they could exercise on the tilt being given by Annaji, Ramdev, Ravishanker and Company. Anna Hazare, at the centre of the whole event also projected his pro right wing politics by praising Narendra Modi. One learns that Annaji has worked in his village in an authoritarian way, keeping the caste and gender hierarchical notions intact in Ralegaon Siddhi. His praise for Modi does let the cat out of the bag. Narendra Modi has successfully created an image of an honest administrator but those who know the state better like Malika Sarabhai, Chunibhai Viadya, Rohit Prajapati and Trupti Shah have pointed out that in Gujarat the villages are suffering the rot, poverty levels are abysmal, people are migrating to cities in large numbers and their lands are being given to the coterie of Industrialists who are in the good books of Modi. Lakhs of villagers are yet to get the compensation for the land which has been taken away from them. The very definition of corruption needs to be looked at while talking of Gujarat, as Industrialists are plundering with both hands and the state exchequer is the major victim of Modis policies. Instances of this abound, the massive subsidy to Nano being one major example. Same Narendra Modi not only refused to appoint the Lokayukta in his state and there are multiple unadvertised scams which are away from the media glare. There are criminal accusations against this person who has been called the Nero by the Supreme Court, and who is authoritarian to the core. With the role played by Modi in the Gujarat carnage, with blood on his hands, if someone can praise his work, it is not out of naivety, and it is part of the political agenda of that person. Same Anna Hazare had praised Raj Thackeray, the architect of violence in the name of language. As per Annaji, Raj Thackerays ideas are correct but violence should not be resorted to, forgetting that violence is just an outcome of these political formulations which Modi and Thackerays have. The massive mobilization and channelization of middle class angst is at one level an indicator of the deeper levels of frustration in the system. In this whole upsurge there was a spontaneous expression of dissatisfaction and also a planned mobilization all across to take advantage of the situation to enhance the politics of those who have ridden rough shod on a section of society, mobilized earlier also. One recalls that Jaya Prakash Naryans movement was much more broad based still it came to be controlled by the RSS, and its Swayamsevak Nanaji Deshmukh became the central person. The JP movement, irrespective of its noble intentions gave respectability to the organization, whose member had killed the Father of the nation, and which till that time was looked down upon. In the same way V.P.Singhs tirade against corruption was usurped by the politics of those who were out to demolish Babri Masjid. Sitting on the waves of anti Corruption movement, both time RSS and its political progeny became stronger to the extent of becoming the second largest party in the country. Ironically in the whole episode while the ruling party and politicians as such were being humiliated, the other component of the corruption phenomenon, the Corporate World and the industrial houses, were really the beneficiaries of the way anti-corruption drive was projected. Corporate World got exonerated by default, of all their crimes of getting around laws by the corruption route. During earlier decades when the economy was controlled by state, the so-called license-permit raj, it was said that corruption is due to state control of economy. Now in the globalized economic scenario, corruption has gone up to unimaginable levels, and the role of Industrial Houses as being equal partners to the game remains hidden from the scene. Corruption is the biggest scourge of the system. We do need to look beyond the leaders and parties to realize that Corruption is primarily due to lack of transparency of the system, lack of accountability of the elected representatives and the very nature of our economic system and injustices inbuilt in the social system. While one lauds the tremendous response to the anti corruption movement, one can just hope that the sectarianism of Anna Hazare be totally bypassed and the religious tilt of the images should be done away with. One hopes that while working on the Lok Pal Bill, the collective leadership of the movement will take note of these points to ensure that this movement does not meet the fate of two similar earlier ones and that Right wing divisive forces are kept at bay. (Issues in Secular Politics)

India Rejuvenation Initiative demands SIT probe into cash for vote scam
JM Lyngdoh along with 13 others moved the Supreme Court on 11 April demanding SIT probe into the cash for vote scam after the WikiLeaks expose. India Rejuvenation Initiative is a non political social organisation working primarily to wipe out corruption from the country. Lyngdoh also wants the court to direct the Centre to set up an independent SIT to probe and complete investigation within six months. The petitioner said a free and fair investigation into the scam was possible only if an independent probe by a Special Investigation Team, or SIT, constituted by the court to investigate the cash for vote scam. Mr Lyngdoh in his petition has also mentioned that investigation has not made any progress since 2009.

Milli Information Network

Time to network the community
The Muslim communitys many ills and problems stem from the fact that there is a marked lack of informationsharing and dissemination. The leadership is limited to some big cities while the majority lives in thousands of towns and lakhs of villages across the country. ... This makes it difficult to manage the two-way circulation of information, from the leadership to the masses and from the masses to the leadership. To tackle this problem, a network of information centres should be established all over the country. There should be one at least in each district headquarter, and more in larger towns and cities. These information centres will function from the offices of community organisations or in libraries and reading rooms... Acting upon the above editorial published in MG 16-31 Dec. 2007 we registered a website www.millinetwork.com. We are in the process of developing a large network of milli NGOs. Kindly get yourself listed on the network. Each listed organisation will have its own webpage on the network. Fill in the below form and send it to us by email or post. Name of Organisation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pin Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Phone (std code) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Email . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Website . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Name of Main Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Geographical Reach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brief note of Nature of Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................ ............................................................................................ ............................................................................................ Category of Work: [Please encircle] Charity / Child Guidance Clinic / Children / Communal Harmony / Community Development / Disabilities / Slum Children / Human Rights / Family Welfare / Literacy / Education (scholarships/coaching) / Media / Medical / Orphan children / Religious / Social care / Social Justice / Social Welfare / Vocational Training / Volunteer Mgmt / Widows / Women / Others

Eight million children do not go to school in India

New Delhi: Union HRD minister Kapil Sibal said while addressing the students and teachers of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) through tele conference on the occasion of its 22nd Convocation that it is regrettable that 81 lakh children of the country do not go to any school at all and only 13 million boy and girls students take admissions in higher educational institutions. His ministry is working to take the number of such students to 4045 million by 2020. He said that the total number of boy and girl students of IGNOU in the country is 2.15 lakh of whom 78 students were given gold medals on this occasion at IGNOs Headquarters in New Delhi on 2 April. Of the 2.15 lakh students 44,928 were conferred Bachelors Degrees, 20,775 Masters Degrees, 3 students were awarded PhD degrees, 59,042 were given Diplomas and 90,618 were given certificates. Four students were given cash [Masjids and Madarasahs will also be listed on the network] prizes. Of the 78 gold medallists, 10 belong to Delhi. IGNOUs VC, V.M. Raj Shekharan Pillai said while speaking on this occasion that 120 districts in the country have been identi- Any literature (brouchure, leaflets, audited accounts etc) may also be submitted. fied by this University where total number of admission seekers is The Milli Gazette, D-84 Abul Fazl Enclave - I, New Delhi 110025 Tel.: 2694 7483 mg@milligazette.com between 3 and 7 percent and in 8 districts there are no arrangements for higher education. Cut or photocopy MG NEWS DESK

14 The Milli Gazette, 1-15 May 2011

ANALYSIS
Speaking Out
N I L O FA R S U H R AWA R D Y

Anti-Corruption Drive: Already De-railed

ven before the so-called anti-corruption movement has actually begun, questions are being raised over credentials of some members supposedly seriously involved in the same. And this raises the question, should this phase be genuinely considered as a movement? India has of course been witness to many movements, the most outstanding of which was the freedom movement. Among others, history stands witness to movements calling for greater rights for women, against discrimination spread by caste-n-class system and that of secularism against communalism. While the freedom movements success was marked by independence by India, though the others have certainly achieved success, it would be wrong to assume that they have all reached the desired peak. This is despite the fact that they have continued for decades, spreading over centuries. Certainly, this indicates that even if numerous voices are raised over one issue, over a span of few days, weeks, months or even years, it would be wrong to instantly label the same as a part of some movement. Be it one or several demonstrations, gatherings, going on hunger strike for a few days, holding protest marches and other similar exercises, their prevalence for a brief phase does not justify the same being labelled as a movement. Yes, the mistake often made in using the label of a movement for such exercises is silently accepted as soon as the

bubbles raised for a brief phase burst. At this point, one may draw attention to hype raised about so-called Hindutva-movement, targeting Muslims and other minorities with the aim of transforming secular India into a Hindu state. Demolition of Babari Masjid, riots during the demolition-phase, the Gujarat-carnage and also the political prominence gained by Bharatiya Janata Party are certainly reflective of communal activities engaged in by promoters of Hindutva-movement. Yet, the participants in these activities were at no point representative of the entire Hindu community. Nor did they ever receive total and absolute support from all members of the Hindu community. In fact, from the very beginning, these communal exercises have received strong opposition from a large number of Hindus. The last point in itself raises questions about usage of the label- Hindutva. This also increases doubts about the promoters and participants of these exercises having labelled their activities as a movement. What a few decide and act upon, without being totally representative of the community they claim to represent, cannot be defined as a movement. It is well-known, the movement-bubble burst when the same promoters had to put their own Hindutva agenda on the backburner for the sake of political power. The faade raised over the same has been blatantly exposed in recent past with their associates being held responsible for terrorist-operations, for which several Muslims had earlier been charged. These points also suggest, howsoever much noise is made or even communal violence is provoked, lack of strong foundation and grass-root support built over a long period of time is bound to lead to collapse of the same, even if utmost energy is used for labelling them as movements and gaining active support of a select few. A similar mistake is exercised in grouping terrorist incidents taking place in different places for varying reasons as

symbols of Islamic movement. Even if Muslims are genuinely held as responsible for several terrorist incidents, with each being provoked for different reasons, which may have little to do with their religious identity, certainly they cannot be held as symbols of any Islamic or even Muslim movement. Ironically, wrong usage of label- as a movement- for such activities, whether hunger strikes, communal violence, demonstrations or even terrorist incidents, only adds to the hype needed by participants for promoting their agenda and also gaining publicity. Coming back to hype raised about anti-corruption movement with Anna Hazare at the helm, even before a debate has been actively indulged in on whether it should be called a movement or not, it appears to have already gone off-track. This is marked by smear-campaigns being indulged in over credentials of several crusaders of this socalled movement. Besides, with each passing day, greater noise is being made over the manner in which participants off and on-stage indulged in building public opinion about their stand against corruption. They are alleged to have also been engaged in using the opportunity to spread some literature against minorities. Now, in addition to Hazare having praised Narendra Modi, criticism of this movement being sponsored and supported by associates of saffron brigade, more dust is being raised over its negative points. Without doubt, the country needs a strong movement against corruption. This, however, does not justify labelling of any opportunistic or even genuinely motivated exercise as a movement. A few-days hunger-strike, demonstrations, formation of a committee and some smear campaigns are hardly sufficient for any anti-corruption drive to be labeled as a movement. Not surprisingly, the Hazare-drive has gone offtrack even before it has built up the necessary base and support to be called a movement!

Preliminary fact-finding report on the Chintalnar massacre of 11-16 March 2011 in Chhattisgarh
A 13-member fact-finding team visited the Chintalnar Area of Dantewada district in Chhattisgarh to probe into the incidents of atrocities perpetrated by the Salwa Judum and the state forces on the adivasis living in this area during 11-16f March 2011. The incident was touted by the police as an encounter between the CRPF and Maoists in which according to the police 36 Maoists were killed while 3 SPOs got killed and 9 other SPOs were injured. The police had celebrated this incident in the media to prove their dominance over the Maoists in this region. However, media persons and fact-finding teams were prevented from going inside on the pretext that it is a war zone and the socalled war between the state and the Maoists is still going on hence it is risky for any outsider to go inside. The fact finding team which comprised of various civil and democratic rights activists and other individuals, went inside this area on the 26th and 27th of March 2011. This is what they had to say We spoke extensively to the villagers and the victims of the incident. We were shocked to find that once again the police version propagated by the state is completely hoax and far from reality. What exactly happened? On 11 March a huge contingent of 300 paramilitary and Salwa Judum forces attacked Morupally Village in the Chintalnar area after they got prior information that a big meeting of adivasis will be held there. In Morupally village they burnt 33 houses, raped two women: Ilme Mude and Marvi Bimey. They also brutally assaulted another woman Lakke along with her father Marvi Bhima. Marvi Sula, an old adivasi was also killed. From Morapally, the forces advanced towards Timmapuram, on 13 March, after ravaging Morapally village. The next day Maoists came and tried to stop them. In the armed clash, that lasted for two hours, one villager Bhima alias Sudarshan was killed while two other got injured. Three SPOs were killed while 9 others got injuries, of whom one died later. The CRPF and Salwa Judum SPOs were forced to retreat after the prolonged encounter. They came to Timmapuram village and took shelter there. They made bunkers inside the village to quell probable Maoist attack. Before leaving the village they set fire to 55 houses. Bursey Bhima was picked up by these forces from Pulampad village on their way to Timmapuram. After setting the villages on fire, they hacked Bursey Bhima to death with an axe. This is probably due to the fact that Bhima was an eye-witness to their entire carnage. From Timmapuram on their way back, they entered Tadmetla village and it became their next target. In Tadmetla, they burnt a total of 207 houses. These houses were simply gutted to ashes. They raped Marvi Jogi and beat her till she lost consciousness. When she came to her senses, she found her cash and jewellery worth Rs. 12,000 missing. Around 20-25 other people in Tadmetla were beaten up including children as young as 12 years old. Marvi Anda and Marvi Ayita of this village were picked up by police and are still missing. They have not been even produced in a police station. People of Timmapuram have identified several Salwa Judum members who were the leaders in this carnage. They saw, Mantam Bhima alias Ramesh (from Jannaguda village), Telem Anda (of Lekapor village), Wanjan Peva (of Charpan village),

The attack by the state forces and the Salwa Judum was heinous and the state and its mercenaries have persistently attacked the innocent adivasis in the name of Operation Green Hunt. These villages were particularly targeted as they have undertaken alternative development works like digging ponds, distributing lands among the landless, providing irrigation facilities which the state has failed to provide in all these decades.
Dasaru (from Villampally village), Mara (of Monipally village), Ramlal (of Bodikal village), Keche Nanda (of Korapad), Kartam Dula alias Surya (of Misman village), an SPO and one woman SPO Payake from Timmapuram itself.This clearly shows that the Salwa Judum is active and functioning like always. The states branding them as Koya Commandos is bogus. Despite the Supreme Court directive to disband Salwa Judum, it is fully functional and actively promoted and sponsored by the state. This one-sided ruthless attack by the state forces and Salwa Judum on innocent unarmed adivasis was projected in the media by the police as an ongoing encounter with the Maoists. The rampage by the salwa judum and state forces continued for almost five days. Two people were murdered cruelly, while 3 women were raped. Almost three hundred homes were set on fire and completely gutted. They looted everything the adivasi people had including domestic animals like goats, cows, chicken and pigs along with their money, jewelleries and other belongings. More than fifty people have been grievously injured that includes children as young as 12 years old and women. We spoke to the affected villagers like the rape victim from Tarmetla village Marvi Joga. No case has as yet been registered against anyone and not even a medical test has been done. Two people from Tarmetla Muchaki Anda and Muchaki Ayita have gone missing and villagers claimed they have been taken by the forces but are yet to be produced. These rampages took place with full consent and active support of the state. In the middle of these unilateral atrocities, the state air-dropped rations and other food supply to the forces while taking away the dead and the injured. On 24th March, the SDM had visited these villages with some relief material. But even after he spoke directly to the villagers and saw the evidence of the atrocities, no case has been registered against anybody. Even now instead of taking action against the perpetrators of these atrocities, the state is still preventing civil rights activists and individuals from visiting the area. People in Morupally and Timmapuram are living in very dire conditions. People in these two villages have received no relief from the state. They said that they have got some interim relief from the Maoists. Many of them are staying under trees. After the fact finding team left, one local newspaper reported of six starvation deaths in Morupally village which is to be confirmed. We had been inside these areas for two days, only to see that there was no encounter with the Maoists as claimed by the police, which is nothing but a myth propagated by the state to justify these atrocities.

The attack by the state forces and the Salwa Judum was heinous and the state and its mercenaries have persistently attacked the innocent adivasis in the name of Operation Green Hunt. These villages were particularly targeted as they have undertaken alternative development works like digging ponds, distributing lands among the landless, providing irrigation facilities which the state has failed to provide in all these decades. As we saw, these areas are still the most underdeveloped regions of the country and all that the state has done is to violate the fundamental rights of the adivasis, denied them of their basic means of livelihood and life and now they are perpetrating such monstrous atrocities, together with Salwa Judum and paramilitary forces. We condemn these outrageous acts of state violence and demand: Registration of the cases of rape, murder, atrocities and kidnap against the CRPF and Salwa Judum Exemplary punishment for the perpetrators of the crime. Immediate provision of medical facilities to the injured and medical tests of the rape victims Compensation to the people according to their specific losses Allowing more civil rights organisations and media persons to go inside the area. As per direction of the Supreme Court the salwa judum must be disbanded immediately and functioning of the Salwa Judum in the name of Koya Commandos must be stopped. Operation Green Hunt must be stopped immediately Members of the fact finding team: C.H. Chandrashekhar, V. Chitti Babu, R. Rajanandam, V. Raghunath, G. Ravi, K. Viplav Kumar, K. Sireesha (Andhra Pradesh Civil Liberties Committee APCLC), R. Murugesan CPCL (Centre for Protection of Civil Liberties), Ashish Gupta CDRO Convenor (PUDR Delhi), U. Sambasivarao, Dalit Bahujan Social Activist, Banojyotsna Lahiri, Democratic Students Union, JNU, Chandrika, Research scholar and activist, Wardha University.

NGOs doubt effectiveness of NHRC

Some 200 non-governmental and civil organisations under the banner of All India Network of NGOs and individuals working for human rights institutions at various levels have strongly raised their protest and at the same time have also questioned the effectiveness of the Human Rights Commission in providing justice to the victims and being a watchdog for the rights of people of India. The protest has come at a time when National Human Rights Commission is to seek re-accreditation before the International Co-ordination Committee of National Human Rights Institutions in Geneva in a month from now. The points on which these groups are raising question marks are on the very structure of the NHRC, its functioning, composition and appointment procedure at various levels. The report released by former Chief Justice of India JS Verma said, The NHRCs failures stem from a failure to act from a relentless refusal to plan. (Mohammad Naushad Khan)

The Milli Gazette, 1-15 May 2011 15

JAMMU & KASHMIR

DATELINE SRINAGAR: AFSANA RASHID

Dogra Certificate becomes bone of contention

The state government on April 8 said the issue of Dogra certifiHowever, Hurriyat Conference (G) led by Syed Ali Shah Conference, he said around 50 participants including academia, cate would be discussed and deliberated upon in the cabinet to Geelani on April 18 organized an awareness campaign on the civil society, political parties and media participated. They dispel apprehensions of alleged attempts to change the demog- certificate issue. Issuance of Dogra certificate is a well thought- emphasized their commitment to democracy, rule of law and raphy of state. The issue will be discussed in the cabinet. Well out conspiracy. Communal forces want to divide the state on reli- respect for pluralism. They rejected use of violence, religious also consider inserting a column in Permanent Resident gious lines. They want to convey to the world that Kashmir move- extremism, regional chauvinism and hegemonic ambitions of any Certificate (PRC) to declare ethnicity of residents of state. Under ment was pursued by limited number of people, said Geelani, community to attain political ends. They sought compensation for no circumstances would Dogra certificate form the basis for issu- who called for a shutdown call on April 11. river waters and hydel power flowing out of the state. ing PRCs, says senior Congress leader and Minister for Prof. Radha Kumar said given re-deployment of secuPublic Health Engineering (PHE), Irrigation and Flood rity forces in the state it is important that these people are Control, Taj Mohiuddin, while addressing the media here. taken on board while arriving at any solution to the Kashmir He was accompanied by Revenue Minister Raman Bhalla issue, adding that they too are stake holders in the issue. and minister of state for Revenue, Nasir Aslam Wani. However, Hurriyat Conference (M) led by Mirwaiz Dogra certificate is nothing, but it would provide Umar Farooq suspended Itihaad-ul-Muslimeen from its fold relaxation in recruitment of paramilitary forces and help to The state of Jammu and Kashmir shows a drastic fall in child and female sex ratio after interlocutors met Ansari. Ansari while maintaining his curb unemployment. There is a provision in recruitment as per the provisional census data released here on April 7. innocence said that interlocutors dropped at his residence rules for paramilitary forces where Dogras, Kashmiris and The child sex ratio (0 to 6 years of age) has fallen to 859 in 2011 from 941 without informing him. He said Hurriyat Conference has Marathas get relaxation in height and chest width, said in 2001. Female sex ratio in 2001 was 892 and this time it is 883, says Farooq already taken a stand not to meet interlocutors. Our party PHE minister. He assured that the certificate wouldnt form Ahmad Factoo, Director Census Operations. stands by that. Meanwhile, scores of Ansaris supporters the basis for any other benefit. Kulgam in south Kashmir shows the highest sex ratio whereas Leh shows took to the streets in Mirgund-Pattan, Baramulla on April 21 The minister said we dont want anyone to instigate the lowest. Sex ratio (females per 1000 males) in Kulgam has been found to be asking Mirwaiz to reconsider his decision. people. We respect the opinions and sentiments of peo- 951 followed by Shopian with 951 and Anantnag with 937. Doda has 922, Killing of political workers decried ple. Some people want to play politics on this issue but we Kishtwar 917, Pulwama 913, Bandipora 911. Similarly, Ramban shows 901, Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS), a wont let that happen. Reasi 891, Poonch 890 and Samba shows 886. Budgam shows 883, Srinagar Clarifying further he said we arent going to issue 879, Kathua 877, Baramulla 873, Jammu finds 871, Ganderbal 869, Udhampur human rights group here, on April 11 demanded an impartial and independent probe into the killing of political workDogra certificate to a Dogra from other parts of country and Rajouri both show 863, Kupwara 843 and Kargil 775. like Himachal Pradesh. We dont want misinformation and It also shows a decline in child sex ratio. The ratio in district Srinagar has fall- ers across the valley. We are concerned at the spate of rumours to prevail. Weve amplified the order. He adds en to 869 and 795 in Jammu. Other districts too follow suit. Ratio in district killing of such workers belonging to different religious and that it was desirable and not mandatory for Revenue min- Kupwara has fallen to 854 and 832 in Budgam, in Leh it has fallen to 944 and political parties. Five such workers have been killed, so ister to put the order before the cabinet. 978 in Kargil. Baramulla shows a decline to 866, Bandipora 893, Ganderbal 863, far, this year, says a spokesperson of JKCCS in a statePertinently, the Revenue minister during an Assembly Pulwama 836, Shopian 883, Anantnag 832 and Kulgam 882. Jammu division is ment issued here. Demanding a probe into the killings of session in February-March at Jammu asked people of no exception. Poonch shows the ratio at 895, Rajouri 837, Kathua 836, Doda these workers, he said such killing only creates a culture Jammu division to avail benefits of Dogra certificate as 932, Ramban 931, Kishtwar 922, Udhampur 887, Reasi 921 and Samba 787, of intolerance and chokes dissent. JKCCS has urged all sanction for its issuance has already been given by the respectively. Pertinently, population in state has grown to 1.25 crore from 1.1 combatant forces including security forces and members government. He informed Government vide Order No. crore in 2001. The literacy rate of state too has gone up. It is now 68 percent of United Jehad Council to refrain from killing of, any civilian political workers. Political killings here have always Rev. (LB) 69 of 2011 dated: 25-03-2011 has accorded compared to 55 percent in 2001. (Afsana Rashid) remained an enigma. Every time it results in a blame sanction for issuance of such certificates. All such resigame that has only helped perpetrators to escape respondents of Jammu and Kashmir who are otherwise eligible for grant of PRC in terms of Jammu and Kashmir Grant of Terming governments willingness to amend Dogra sibility. Meanwhile, disposing off a complaint by independent legislaPermanent Resident Certificate (Procedure) Act and rules made Certificate as acceptance of its wrongdoing independent legisthereon, can get the certificate. lator, Engineer Sheikh Abdul Rashid from Langate in Handwara tor, Engineer Sheikh Abdul Rashid from Langate in Handwara, State Human Rights Commission, on April 5 asked government to He added that concerned Tehsildar (Territorial) shall be com- on April 8 demanded its complete cancellation. petent to issue such certificates to eligible desirous persons irreBy conceding to amend controversial Dogra certificate, gov- pay a compensation of Rs. one lakh and give a job each under spective of his or her ethnicity, religion, cultural background and ernment has accepted its wrongdoing and thus, the doubts SRO 43 to kin of victims of Machil fake encounter case wherein mother-tongue. For the purpose of issuing the Certificate, all res- expressed by various quarters are proved genuine, says the three civilian were allegedly killed by the army in Kupwara in May idents of Jammu division irrespective of ethnicity, cultural back- MLA, in a statement issued here. He added governments will- last year. The legislator had moved an application before the ground and mother tongue should be classified as Dogras, pro- ingness to make amendments in certificate has proved there is Commission in May last year after the encounter was exposed. Pertinently, three youth; Shahzad Khan, Riyaz Ahmad Lone vided their forefathers were residents of Jammu division prior to really something fishy about the issue. In the presence of a PRC, and Mohammad Shafi Lone of Nadihal-Baramulla were kid1944, the Minister said while quoting the procedure set by gov- there is no need of any other certificate for people. ernment. However the cutoff date of 1944 shall not apply to disInterestingly, Army has categorically denied Bhallas asser- napped by security forces in connivance and after hatching a conplaced persons of Pakistan occupied Kashmir, who will also be tion that Dogra certificate was aimed at to help Jammu Dogras to spiracy with Bashir Ahmad Lone and Fayaz Ahmad Ikhwani, eligible for the certificate. get recruited in the Army. Army spokesman made it clear in a SPOs working with the army, were killed in a fake encounter at The chief minister Omar Abdullah here on April 15 said the statement that there was no question of any relaxation in the mat- Machil sector of Kupwara. issue has been blown out of proportion. Its basic purpose is to ter of recruitment on basis of a particular region or community and Murder of Maulana Shawkat facilitate the entry of Dogra knowing people of the state in the that the recruitment in Army is made purely according to merit and A week after Jamait-e-Ahlee Hadith (JAH) president, Maulana armed forces. He added that he would take up the issue with the other prescribed qualifications. Showkat Ahmad Shah was killed in an IED blast, police claimed Union government. Interlocutors meet Abbas Ansari to have arrested three militants belonging to Tehreek-eExuding confidence that Dogra certificate issue would be soon solved, Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief, Prof. Interlocutors appointed by the Centre for Jammu and Kashmir Mujahideen (TeM) in connection with it. The whole operation, Saif-ud-din Soz here on April 19 said that there is no need for any met senior separatist leader Maulana Abbas Ansari here on April police says, was planned by Ashiq Hussain Factoo alias Dr. agitation from any quarter. The issue would be resolved without 20. Ansari has shown his willingness to enter into a dialogue with Qasim, husband of Dukhtaran-e-Millat chief, Syeda Asiya any agitation. There is no reason for people to carry out any agi- Union government provided some confidence-building measures Andrabi. IGP Kashmir, S M Sahai, while addressing the media tation. There is relaxation for Muslims and Ladakhis and same is are taken. Chief interlocutor Dileep Padgaonkar said here that here on April 16 said police arrested three militants, Javed Ahmad applicable for Dogras. The Dogra certificate is needed by people Ansari, chairman of Tehreek-ul-Muslemeen and executive coun- Munshi, Abdul Gani Dar and Nisar Ahmad Khan on charges of cil member of Hurriyat Conference (M) during an hour-long meet- murder of Shah. More arrests are expected. Initial plan to assasfor entry in paramilitary forces and nothing more. National Panthers Party (NPP) chairman, Prof. Bhim Singh ing said that perceptible changes on ground are imperative to sinate Shah was made last year. Sahai added immediately after the killing, investigation here on April 14 said that his party has no objection over issuance inculcate a spirit in the trust of state. He said he favoured talks of Dogra certificate as it would facilitate entry of Dogra knowing with Government of India to arrive at a peaceful settlement. It had began, during which a criminal conspiracy was unearthed. people in the army. He however, added government cant amend to be held at an appropriate level with representatives of sepa- Members of a radical religio-political outfit, Sout-ul-Haq and some PRC for inclusion of column of ethnicity as the same would lead ratist groups and in the presence of interlocutors, said other radical elements have been found behind it. Padgaonkar, adding that the meeting was arranged by an interHe added Shah was perceived as one against sectarianism to a change in the Constitution. Youve to change constitution for introducing such a column mediary. He said Ansari emphasized that government should ini- and helped to defuse sectarian clashes. His work in field of eduin PRC, says Singh, adding Dogra certificate is a non-issue but tially focus on the four-point agenda of Hurriyat (M). He stated cation, especially trying to get a university approved by the govstill there are people who want to gain political mileage out of it. that the separatist leader hoped that government would allow ernment was perceived by them as a compromise with governThe certificate is required by people who wish to join the army. Hurriyat (M) to visit Pakistan to persuade authorities, as well as ment when they failed to dislodge him through elections, a conleaders in Pakistan occupied Kashmir, Jammu and northern spiracy was hatched to eliminate him. Also his proximity to certain This will not dilute importance of PRC. Singh said that Dogra certificate used to be issued in the past areas to take them on board to work for a settlement that would separatist leaders wasnt liked by them. The IGP said that Dar alias Abdullah Gazalli and Dr. Qasim by the Tehsildar, Station House Officer (SHO) and even by mem- satisfy all stakeholders. The primary stakeholders, he said, are bers of Legislative Assembly. I myself would have issued many people of Jammu and Kashmir on both sides of the Line of who is presently lodged in central Jail Srinagar discussed broad such certificates and same was done to facilitate entry of Dogras Control. In response to a question, Padgaonkar said better contours of a plan during a visit by Gazalli to him. Actual execuinto the armed forces. He alleged politicians in the state have lost sense would prevail upon other separatist leaders and they would tion of plan was left to Munshi alias Bill Papa, who is a former TeM join the dialogue process. Referring to the two-day Round Table militant. He sought help from Lashkar Commander Abdullah... sense of direction.

Drastic fall in male-female ratio

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THE MILLI GAZETTE

16 The Milli Gazette, 1-15 May 2011

NEWSMAKERS
MEN & WOMEN IN NEWS
FAUZIA, a resident of Hauz Rani locality adjacent to Malviya Nagar won two gold medals in schools national judo champions, again won gold medal two times in junior national judo championship and won a silver medal in All India Inter-University Judo championship. At present she is imparting training as judo coach in DAV Public School, Kailash Hills. She aspires to do much more in life. IRSHAD HUSAIN FAROOQI, a known artiste of calligraphy in wood carving was honoured with an award by Rajasthans minister for industries, Rajinder Parikh. He is the lone artiste in the country who was honoured with National Award by Govt. of India in recognition of his 3-dimensional calligraphy on wood. Earlier, he had been honoured with many other awards including Kala Nidhi Award given to him by Haryana governor A.R. Qidwai and Maulana Qazi Sajjad Husain Award by Hamd-o-Naat Academy, New Delhi. Six-year-old MUHAMMAD SAALIK, son of Muzaffar Ali of Amroha is a class I student in school but at home he has completed naazira Quran i.e., simply reading of Quran as most of Muslims do, without understanding the meaning of the text. He was taught Quran by Ms. Shama Shoaib. SHEIKH MUJTABA FAROOQ, an active social worker has been elected President of the newly formed Jamaat-e Islamis political party, Welfare Party of India which was launched on 18 April, for a period of two years. General Manager of NORTH-EASTERN RAILWAY, K.B.L. Mittal while inaugurating Railway Week at the Headquarters at Gorakhpur on 20 April awarded 156 railway employees for good and efficient work. Of these 156, 14 are Muslim employees who were honoured with awards. SAEED AKHTAR MIRZA, Director of the Society for Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), who is also winner of National Award has been appointed by the government President of FTII, Pune. The Society has been reconstituted for a period of 3 years with effect from March 11 or till further orders. Dr. TAJUDDIN ANSARI, former Zonal Chairman of the ministry of food and civil supplies, has been appointed National Coordinator of OBC. He played an important role in the loans of bunkars being written off. He has been assigned the task of working for the welfare of other Backward Classes and to advise government about their welfare schemes. Mrs. YASMEEN ABRAR, a member of National Commission for Women (NCW) since 2005 has been appointed interim chairperson of this Commission in place of former chairperson Mrs. Girija Vyas whose term expired on 8 April. Mrs. Yasmeen Abrar, who has taken over her new charge, will be holding this post till a permanent incumbent is appointed under National Commission for Women Act, 1990. Wife of late Dr. Abrar Ahmad, former Union minister, she was also a MLA from Sawai Madhopur assembly constituency of Rajasthan. Maulana MUHAMMAD WALI RAHMANI, Chairman of Rahmani Foundation of Munger and secretary of All India Muslim Personal Law Board has been elected Vice Chairman of Maulana Azad Foundation by the Foundations general body. Prof. TAUQEER AHMAD KHAN, an expert on Allama Iqbal and author of many literary books has been appointed President of Delhi Universitys Department of Urdu for a period of 3 years in place of former President, Prof. Irtiza Kareem whose term expired in the first week of April. Prof. Tauqeer took over has new charge on 10 April. MUHAMMAD ADEEB, Rajya Sabha MP, has been appointed a member of AMU Court till the period he is Rajya Sabha MP. In addition to him two others namely Dr. MUHAMMAD P, Director of AMUs Mallapuram Centre and Dr. MUHAMMAD YASEEN, Director of AMUs Murshidabad Centre have also been appointed to AMU Court. The appointments of Dr. P. Muhammad and Dr. Yaseen are for one year or as long as they are Directors of their centres. MAULANA NUSRAT ALI who has been working as general secretary of Jamaat-e Islami for the past 4 years has again been appointed general secretary by the Jamaats Ameer Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Umri for a further period of 4 years from 2011 to 2015 after the expiry of his term in 2011. President Pratibha in her capacity as Visitor of Aligarh Muslim University has appointed Prof. VALERIN RODRIGUES of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)s Centre of Political Studies as her nominee in AMUs Court for a period of 3 years with immediate effect. M. SHAHID ZUBERI and Dr. ABDUL MAAJID ZUBERI were elected President and Manager respectively of Madrasa Makhzanul Uloom, Saharanpur. Both these people were elected unopposed. Dr. Abdul Maajid Zuberis election/appointment was in place of former manager, Hafiz Ayaz Zuberi who died recently. Prof. MASOOD ANWAR ALVI, Head of the Department of Arabic in AMU has been appointed a Member AMU Court in his capacity as senior President of the Department for a period of 3 years or till the period he is Head of this Department. presented to him at a function held at Anjuman Islam grounds, Mumbai on 3 April and given by Syed Tahir Mian, Sajjada Nashin of Khanqah Taiyaba, Bilgram Sharif (U.P.). Dr. HAMIDULLAH BHAT, Director of NCPUL, Dr. PARVEZ AHMAD, CHAUDHARI MATEEN AHMAD, MLA and former chairman of Delhi Waqf Board, SHAHEB SINGH CHAUHAN, Maulana EJAZ URFI QASMI and ABDUL MAJID NIZAMI, a young Urdu journalist have been honoured with Maulana Usman Farqleet Awards which were given to them by Congress Partys general secretary Oscar Fernandes at a function held at Constitution Club, New Delhi on 03 April. Gujarat government has decided to honour YUSUF PATHAN and MUNAF PATEL, cricketers of the World Cup Winning Indian team, both of whom hail from Gujarat, with Eklavya Puraskar, states highest sports Award. Announcing this, chief minister Narendra Modi said that Gujarat is proud of Yusuf Pathan and Munaf Patel and they would be given the award. The Award consists of Rs. One lakh in cash, a citation and a memento. Well known artist and former dean of faculty of arts, University of Rajasthan at Jaipur, DR. SHABBIR HASSAN QUAZI won the Bronze Medal at National Des Beaux Arts,Salon-2010 in Paris. More than 950 participants took part in the exhibition which was organized in Carrousel Du Louvre, Paris, from 16 to 20 December, 2010. Six participants from India took part in the exhibition. They include Dr.Quazis wife Mrs. Nikhat Quazi who is also a well known artist. Dr. Shabbir Quazi was born on 16 August, 1946 in Ajmer. He received his early education at Jodhpur and PhD in fine arts from Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Udaipur. Earlier, he won the international award for outstanding painting in the Second Asian Biennale Art Exhibition in 1983 at Dhaka, National Academy Award in 2005-06, Lalit Kala Academy award in 1972, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1984 and 1998. Many of his works are displayed in Presidents House, Prime Ministers House, Mrs. Sonia Gandhis Residence, Taj Hotel, Mumbai, Ashoka Hotel, New Delhi etc. Syed ALI SHAZI, a class IV student of Central Public School, Shakarpur, who participated in the 3-day training camp of NCC at Ghaziabad was honoured with a medal and commendation certificate for his grand performance. For the honour brought to his School, he was further honoured with an Award by the founder of this School.

OBITUARIES
SHAKIR ANSARI, a senior poet preaching Hindu-Muslim unity and promoting Indias composite culture, died on 6 April after a prolonged illness at Sikandarabad (UP) at the age of 85 years. His 7 anthologies of poems have been published and on one of them a cash award of Rs. 25,000 was given to him by former governor of UP, Moti Lal Vohra in 1996. He is survived by three sons and two daughters. IZHAR ASAR, a prolific writer, noted Urdu novelist, fiction writer, poet and, strangely enough, a Kathak dancer, a rarity among Muslims, who is reputed to have written as many as a thousand detective novels and at least three scientific novels and other books containing more than 300 scientific, social and other stories and articles died on 15 April at the age of about 82 years after a prolonged illness. These detective novels were first published in Urdu and subsequently translated into Hindi. He had lost his eyesight almost completely about two years ago after which he was incapacitated to write anything, though he was desirous, and also capable, of writing more. Though not very educated, he kept himself in touch with scientific developments in the West and introduced science to his readers through fiction. Winner of as many as ten literary awards including Ghalib Award and Delhi Urdu Academys Scientific Award, his first scientific novel Aadhi Zindagi was published in 1955. Two years earlier i.e. in 1953 he had written Mashinon ki Baghaawat in which machines appear to work like human beings like modern day robots. His another sciencebased work is La Shareek which means one having no companion or partner. He also wrote a poem titled Dinosaur about 50 years ago. He appeared to be much ahead of his time vis--vis his contemporary authors of other Indian languages. Born in Kiratpur town of Bijnor district of UP, at the time of Partition he was employed in Lahore but preferred to live in India. So he came back here. He is survived by wife, three sons and one daughter. During his last days when he was having financial problems, publishers were trying to blackmail him by compelling him to write not under his name but under pen names of Prof. Diwakar or Dr. Raman. It is ironical that barely a week before his death, Urdu litterateurs and intellectuals had assembled at Urdu Ghar in Delhi to find ways and means to render financial and medical assistance to him. Health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad was approached who had promised all possible medical assistance to him. They were planning to write to prime minister also for providing a special fund for him but before that he expired. HAFIZ AYAZ AHMAD ZUBERI, manager of Madrasa Makhzanul Uloom of Saharanpur, a religious scholar, successful businessman and freedom fighter died of heart attack on 13 April at the age of 78 years. His death took place under abnormal circumstances. It is said that some bad characters forced their entry in his house and attacked his son Shahnawaz Zuberi. When he helplessly saw his son being mercilessly beaten by the bad characters he was greatly shocked, had a heart attack and fell unconscious. He was rushed to hospital where doctors declared him dead. A large number of people of all religions, including many political leaders, attended his last rites. The condition of his son is reported to be out of danger and he is improving.

AWARDS
NOOR AMROHVI, a popular poet and chairman of Al Noor International, Amroha was recently honoured with award in an Indo-Pak mushaira held at Texas (USA) in recognition of his literary and social services at a function sponsored by Idara Tabligh-e Islam, New York. In celebration of the award given to him in New York and also for his efforts to popularise mushaira in America, Amroha branch of Anjuman Taraqqi-e Urdu has decided to honour him with Hashmi Award on his return to Amroha. Hashmi Award consists of a shawl, a memento and a cash prize of Rs. 11,000. Haji WASEEM SAIFI, chairman of Muslim Ekta Trust was honoured with Saifi Award 2011 alongwith many other emerging Saifi youths on the occasion of Saifi Day by All India Saifi Association (Regd)s national president, Zaheer Ahmad Saifi. Thirty-fifth annual Maatr Shri Awards for journalists, press photographers, correspondents etc. were announced at New Delhi on 14 April by Maatrshri Awards Committees coordinator Dinesh Sharma. In all, names of 23 award winners representing different newspapers were announced and among them AAMIR SALEEM KHAN, chief reporter of Urdu daily Hamara Samaj was the lone award winner from Urdu journalism. Dinesh Sharma said that the awards will be presented to the winners at a function to be held on 24 April at Russian Cultural Centre at Delhi in which BJP leader L.K. Advani will be the chief guest. A quiz competition on career counseling sponsored by AMUs Womens College was held on 15 April in which 200 students participated. First prize in the competition was given to TOOBA NOMAN of B. Com. (Final year). Second and third prizes were given to BAAD-E SABA of B. Sc. and SAABIA of B. Com. (First year) respectively. Consolation prizes were given to HERA SYED MAHBOOB of B. Com. (1st year) and INDU CHOWDHARY of the same class. SHAZIA TALIB daughter of late Abu Talib Khan, a social worker of Sitapur district (Uttar Pradesh), has won Pandit Govind Vallabh Pant award for 2010-11 for her book in Hindi language on Persian Administration in India. The award is given every year by the Bureau of Police Research and Development, union Ministry of Home Affairs for the best books in Hindi language on the subjects relating to police science / prison administration etc. Shazia Talib, presently a student of B.Ed at Kanpur University, is a postGraduate in Sociology. Allama QAMRUZZAMAN KHAN AZMI RIZVI, General Secretary of World Islamic Mission has been honoured by Raza Academy, Mumbai with Muftie Azam Gold Medal in recognition of his religious and milli services by making a comparative study of Islam and science. By deeply studying modern sciences he has proved that Quran is the true and complete Book which contains the knowledge about all modern natural sciences. The Award was

SHAH MUHAMMAD USMANI

GHITREEF SHAHBAZ
New Delhi: Shah Mohammad Usmani, father of the well-known scholar Professor Muhsin Usmani, was born at Seemla village in Bihars district Gaya. His education started at the hands of Maulana Muhammad Sajjad, founder of Imarate Shariah. He received his early education at the Jamia Millia Islamia in New Delhi, thereafter he received his English education up to high school in Calcutta. After that he served Indias freedom movement and came in contact with prominent Jamiat Ulama leaders as well as Maulana Azad and Dr Zakir Husain. In his book Toote Hue Tare, he has mentioned them all. He served as editor of Naqib, organ of the Imarate Shariah Bihar & Orissa. Later he served some news papers in Calcutta. In 1968 he migrated to Makkah and settled there permanently. He died there on 22 April, 2011 at the age of 100 years,

having spent nearly half a century in the holy Makkah. He was buried in the holy city after funeral prayer in the Haram. He was connected to the Chishti sufi silsilah. To his credit, he has five books apart from a work on Sirah of the Prophet in Milad form. These books are: (1) Husne Hayat, life story of his brother and mentor Qazi Ahmad Hasan, former MP and Nazim of Imarate Shariah; (2)Toote Hue Tare; (3) Ishare Manzil ki Taraf (collection of articles); (4) Muhabbat ka Paigham (Forty Ahadith); (5) A book on Tajweed. He was blessed to perform Hajj 20 times in his lifetime.

The Milli Gazette, 1-15 May 2011 17

SPECIAL REPORTS

Leadership Development Workshop

AFROZ ALAM SAHIL
Mumbai: Movement for Peace and Justice (MPJ), Maharashtra, organised a two-day leadership development workshop in Mumbai. The aim of the workshop was to build up excellence and confidence among MPJ cadre by focusing on Public Distribution System (PDS), health care and Right to Information Act (RTI). Public Distribution System: The Right to Food figured prominently during the workshop. India has one of the worst records of malnutrition. More than 47% of children are malnourished in India as compared to Sub-Saharan region, which has 27%. More than 55% women suffer from anaemia while 57% of the pregnant woman, who are more prone to this disease, suffer from anaemia. It is even higher among adolescent girls with 90% suffering from it. The workshop advocated the universalization of the PDS. The MPJ supports many fair price shops across Maharashtra which facilitate access to food for the poor and needy. Many slum dwellers in cities do not have BPL cards. Such unorganized labour force needs BPL cards. MPJ is running a campaign for these groups to enable them get BPL and Antodaya cards. Justice Wadhwa patiently interacted with MPJ cadres who believe that the government's plan to directly transfer cash to the needy would not be successful. The PDS should be based on provision of protein-energy so that edible oil, pulses, millet and sugar are included in the diet of the poor. They also want that in rural areas slums, Aganwadis should be set up based on population size for proper uptake of children and pregnant or lactating women. Health care: A cause of concern at the workshop was the recent Maharashtra government decision to hike the fees of hospitals attached to medical colleges. The hike varies from 100 to 300% for diagnosis, case papers, medical tests, surgeries, medicines, etc. The government aims at generating revenue. MPJ demands that this hike should be withdrawn as it will only leads to the agony of the poor and creates more hurdles in health care access. MPJ also argued that emphasis should be laid more on clean drinking water, sanitation, hygiene and diet in all poor localities of the state. "Accountability and transparency should be made especially in areas of health care system". MPJ has appealed to the government to "universalize PDS and healthcare so that leakages are plugged and there is no exclusion among the poor."

MPJ also emphasized on awareness of the Right to Information (RTI) as an important tool to empower people in getting their due rights.

Encouraged by its success, MPJ is planning many similar programmes in several parts of the state in the near future. (beyondheadlines.in)

Disabled boy defies all odds

Belgaum district in Karnataka state says that he had first noticed the fractures in his sons body when he was almost nine months old. As his age progressed he develWhen asked what he wants to oped more fractures. On consulting become when he grows up, the doctors, Moin was diagnosed with words that come out of this Indian OI, and after spending tens of thouboys mouth are more of a reflection sands of rupees on medical consulof his strong will than his fallible tations, Moins parents stopped body. Sometimes I want to become going to doctors as they were told a telecom officer, other times I want that there was no cure for the disorto become a police officer. My wish der. They were also advised for list is very long; I have more than utmost care. 100 wishes! One cant imagine a On seeing the seriousness of 13-year-old boy with head seated on the disorder, schools were not willan extremely fragile body such as ing to admit him. It was a Herculean his, can speak like a seasoned oratask to live with such a disorder for tor. Moin Junaidi is suffering from the boy as well as his parents. Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) - a Moins mother realized the potential very rare genetic disorder. Also of her son, who had a strong head called Brittle Bone Syndrome, the on lifeless shoulders, and started disorder has made Moins bones tutoring him at home. Mothers delicate like an eggs shell - a gentle efforts started showing results within blow would fracture them. The boy no time. can neither stand on his feet nor Belonging to an Urdu-speaking hold a little weight in his hand. His family, Moin has started picking up arms are curved and his growth is other languages, such as English, retarded giving him dwarf-like height and short-lived, uncoordinated movement in his limbs. With very fast when taught, observed his father. A loud, clear and ankle and knee joints coiled through the skin they look like virtu- warm, Good evening sir, how are you sir? greeted this writer ally hanging from a barrel shaped rib-cage. This is due to lack of when he met Moin for the first time. Moin can barely manage to write, but he can read fluently. collagen in his connective tissues, the glue that holds the body When asked whether he reads the Quran, he replied, I have together. Mushtaq Junaidi, Moins father and a poultry merchant from recently completed my Al-Qaida, and started reading the Quran. Moin also knows how to operWho is corrupt? ate computers and is fond of computer games and the program MS Paint. To secure a future for the acutely handicapped Media child, when the parents of Moin Govt queued up to meet the visiting state chief minister for help, little did they realize that they had something else lined-up for their Aam Aadmi son. They couldnt meet the chief minister as officials Bureaucracy denied them an Judiciary entry, but an

SYED SUJEEL AHMED

onlooker showed interest. Umesh Kalghati, a swimming coach, invited the parents to citys Corporation swimming pool. Kalghati invited us to the pool by just overhearing my sons conversation with us and nothing else, recalled Moins father. Relying on his gut feelings, Kalghati offered to train Moin as a swimmer. On hearing an unusual and almost impossible to achieve proposal, Moins parents were initially reluctant to accept, especially that he had suffered no less than 1000 fractures all over his body. But later they made up their mind. Today, Moin can swim for more than an hour and float for more than one and half hours at a stretch. When his legs become immobile on continues swimming, he adapts to the situation with alacrity and uses his hands to push the water backward Moins training started around January 2009 and he was trained for seven months before participating in several state level competitions, many of which he won. In October 2009, he participated in the National Paralympics Swimming Competition held in Kolkata. He won gold medals in 50 meters free style and backstroke categories. When asked how he was feeling before entering the pool in a national level competition, Moin quipped, I was very happy and excited, and I was not scared. The wonder kid is now eyeing for International Paralympics and IPC World Swimming Championship. There are a number of awards to Moins credit. The Indradhanush Samman, B R Motage Award, and Sagar Prashasti are but a handful of awards he has won so far. He was also presented with a laptop computer by one of the legislators of the Karnataka state assembly. Moin has appeared on the Shabhash India reality show on Zee TV. He has also appeared in a provincial television channel, Surana TV. (onislam.net)

MG/Yusuf

Kashmiri photojournalist wins award

Srinagar: Showkat Nanda, a young Kashmiri photojournalist has won the National Press Photo Award 2011 organized by the Media Foundation of India. Showkat's picture of three Kashmiri sisters widowed in the ongoing conflict in Kashmir was selected as photo of the year by a threemember jury which included award-winning photojournalists Pablo Brtholomew, Arko Dutta and the AP Chief Photographer for South Asia, Kevin Frayer. Apart from the top title, Nanda also won first and third prizes in General News category. The jury selected 97 prize-winning images in six categories. "This picture is not only beautiful and quiet, but haunting, the jury said about his photograph. Showkat Nanda who has done Masters in Masscom & Journalism from Kashmir University's MERC in 2007 is a freelance photographer.

18 The Milli Gazette, 1-15 May 2011

COMMUNITY NEWS
Hashim Qidwais book reviews released New Delhi: Though it is not easy for me to comment on Hashim Qidwai Sahebs reviews, yet I have learned much from his vast knowledge and profound studies as his student during my student days at AMU. What I have learned from him about the politics of Central Asia has helped me in my entire life, said Hamid Ansari, Vice President of India while releasing a book comprising Hashim Qidwais book reviews, here on 8 April. Hashim Qidwai not only reads thoroughly every book he reviews but he also reads about its author and compiler, the Vice President said, adding that the alertness and commitment of Hashim Qidwai is very rare now. Presiding over the function, Prof. Sadiqurrehman Qidwai said that Dr. Hashim Qidwai reads everything very deeply and whenever he finds any historical or factual fault he cant help pointing it out. On this occasion, Mohammad Adib, MP, said that he always seeks guidance from Hashim Qidwai on political, social, national and community issues, because his opinion has always proved to be correct. Citing his uncle Maulana Abdul Majid Daryabadi, a famous Urdu litterateur, and his training, Qidwai said that what Daryabadi taught him regarding book reviews has been a guide for him and has become a must for a reviewer to read deeply the book under review, and highlight its hallmarks and virtues. And if the book deviates from facts and accepted moral values, then no favour should be shown to the writer. But making personal attacks should be avoided. He said that he has tried his best to abide by this principle. On this occasion, journalist Masoom Muradabadi said that Dr Qidwai is a personality with a deep historical, social and civilisational sense. And he is a living encyclopaedia of his age. The unwavering of faith he has is very rare these days. Arif Iqbal, compiler and publisher of the book, said that Hashim Qidwai is not only a daring and bold reviewer, but his pen doesnt hesitate in saying the right thing and supporting the wronged and the oppressed. He is against all kind of moral turpitude. These basic qualities of his pen, make him a unique reviewer, a rare critic and an affectionate counsellor. Lecture on Shiblis Persian Ghazals Azamgarh: On March 25, Shamsur Rahman Farooqi, Urdu critic, delivered a memorial lecture on Allama Shiblis Persian Ghazal, at Darul Musannifin, Azamgarh. Convener of the function Umairus Siddiq Nadwi said that Shiblis Persian poetry, though not a lot, is equal to that of famous ancient poets. He is one of the four vital pillars of Indian Persian poetry of the last century. An appraisal of his Persian poetry reveals that had he fully devoted himself to it, his poetry would have been superior to that of Ghalib and Iqbal in Persian. Introducing Farooqi, Dr Abdullah said that Farooqi has taken forward the Modernity movement which was started by Khalilur Rahman Azami, to its zenith. His criticism is marked with creativity, a quality which is rare in earlier critics. Farooqi said that it is his privilege to deliver a memorial lecture at Darul Musannifin because whatever he has achieved is due to the parental training and frequent visits to Shibli Academy which played an important role in shaping his life. In his lecture, pointing out in depth the unfair criticism of and injustices done to Shibli by critics and researchers, Farooqi said that Shiblis Persian verses were highly appreciated and held in high regard in his lifetime. Some scholars were even of the opinion that Shiblis poetry is at a higher level than that of Shaikh Ali Hazins. Likewise, several scholars are of the opinion that regarding the capability of composing verse in Iranian style and sticking to the Iranians idiom as well as its poetic taste, no one could be compared with Shibli. The flow of Shiblis Persian verse reminds one of Hafiz at every step. Farooqi narrated the causes due to which Shiblis Persian verse was ignored. And mentioned the statements of his critics too. Comparing Shibli with Talib Amli, Amir Khusro and Ghalib, the giants of Persian poetry, Farooqi mentioned the salient characteristics of his Ghazal. He said that it is not proper to associate minor incidents of the personal life of a poet to his poetry, rather it is injustice and highhandedness, because with this neither does ones understanding power of the poetry increase nor does it help in explaining poetry. Therefore, putting aside ones mindset Shiblis verse should be studied. Director of Shibli Academy, Prof. Ishtiaq Ahmad Zilli, said that Allama Shibli had a vast and deep knowledge of Persian language and literature. He also quoted Abul Kalam Azads words that Persian poetry, in India ended not with Ghalib but with Shibli. Convocation function at Zakir Hussain College New Delhi: The fourth convocation function of the Zakir Hussain College was held here on April 9. On this occasion 392 successful students of the year 2009 were given certificates by the chief guest. Haroon Yousuf, Delhi Governments minister of energy, food and civil supplies and himself an alumnus of this college was the chief guest. He said in his speech that Zakir Hussain College is a brilliant example of the composite culture of the country. This institution is a fountainhead of tolerance, brotherhood, and higher values. He said that the future of the country is in the hands of younger generations. If the youth keep distance from the positive politics, entry of corrupt and criminal elements into power cannot be stopped. The need is not only that our youth support social activists, like Anna Hazare, but it is also necessary that they should hold processions in election times, so that half of our indifferent population, which stays at home at the time of voting, comes out and elects honest and sincere leaders. Otherwise, such corruption will go on. Dr Mohammad Aslam Pervez, Principal of the College, presented a memento to the chief guest on behalf of the college. In order to further strengthen the Old Boys Association, registration of alumni was also arranged.

SGEL celebrates 1st anniversary

Purnia (Bihar): Sunshine Global Education Ltd (SGEL) celebrated its 1st anniversary on 17 April at Hotel Rajlaxmi in Purnea with fanfare. The celebrations consisted of its success story, presentation of business plan, speeches of dignitaries, MDs account regarding the progress of the company and the emerging trends in the educational sector in India. The company was established on 14 April last year to contribute to make our society fully computer-literate, which stands today at 15%, providing low cost services and reaching the rural masses. For this purpose, SGEL prepared a video tutorial on how to operate computers. Thus at the very onset the companys product made education easy to be acquired through elearning without Internet access. The company created its virtual institute to provide Education in Residency. The programme was started by the welcome speech of Mr. Jalal Hassan, manager operations, SGEL. He presented the business plan of the company which is based on the binary system of earning following the principle of Earn-while- youLearn. Special guest Hardeo Misra, renowned advocate of Purnea, expressed his gratitude to the organisers of the function and praised the company for empowering the underprivileged classes. Top ranking associates of the company, coming from across Bihar, Jharkhand and W Bengal, shared their happiness with the audience, participating from all walks of life, and expressed how the company brought socio-economic development for lakhs of people belonging to the poor segments of society through different plans. Kits containing the literature about the company and the business plan CDs were presented to the associated leaders and aspiring associates. Encyclopedia on Islam released in Bangalore

While explaining the objectives of the company, Minhajuddin of Kolkata, Chief Operating Officer of SGEL, said that the company launched its business plan designed to meet the educational needs of the poor segments of the society. He said that there are many challenges and opportunities before a company dealing with online education as on one side students feel isolation and a lack of in-person connection but its availability at low cost any-

where any time attracts a large segment of the population which wants to enhance its knowledge and skills for better prospects in life. The online course of computer operation which is designed by the company is available now at the cost of Rs. 5000 which is being provided offline by reputed institutes at Rs. 50,000, said an official of the company. SGEL used this opportunity to discuss the emerging trends in educational sector with its peers and practitioners besides the capacity building of the associated leaders and workers for upcoming challenges before the company. (Tameemuddin Humble) Chowk, Ranchi (Ph: 2532060); Shahid Jamal, secretary, Jharkhand Rabta Committee, Jharkhand Computer Centre, Sulaiman Colony, Hazari bagh, (Mob: 9708517276) or website: www.metdelhi.org or can be downloaded from www.sit.india.org. Last date for submission of forms is 15 August 2011. Markaz-e Adab-o Science Markaz-e Adab-o Science, an educational and charitable trust was established in the year 1995 at Ranchi to promote social, economic and educational awareness among minorities and weaker sections of civil society. In its annual report the trust has highlighted its progress and efforts taken to accomplish its long term goals in the field of education. In a short span of time 64 students were rewarded DCA, MDPT. 69 students from weaker section received financial assistance worth Rs. 98090. The trust activities are mainly in the fields of literature, comparative religion, career guidance & training, research & publications and looking forward to expand its horizon in other fields as well. In its future plan the trust has planned to establish a residential school up to 10+12 level, an online Islamic University, a software development wing and to start B.Ed. course from different universities. The trust is imparting higher education through recognised bodies such as DOEACC, IGNOU, MANUU and SITD. So far the trust has established seven institutions and has planned to expand it further in the coming days. The trust is presently running all its institution on rented premises. Urdu newspapers essential for promotion of science New Delhi: Director Engineer of Vigyan Prasar, Anuj Sinha said while speaking at a workshop organised for Urdu journalists that the services of Urdu newspapers are essential for the promotion of science and technology. Taking the help of Urdu newspapers is an important need of the time for spreading the knowledge of technology and science among common people, particularly among Muslim youths. Another noted scientist, T.V. Venkateshwar said that today it has become essential that all activities and knowledge of science should be published in Urdu newspapers. Not only this but the latest articles on science and scientific matters must be published in Urdu newspapers. In this workshop questions were raised, as to why after all scientific articles or articles about scientific information are virtually non-existent in Urdu newspapers and scientific magazines also are rarely found and if at all there were some previously, their number is shrinking and at people's level no reaction is being expressed among Muslims. Convener of the workshop, Dr. Irfana Begum said that the objective of this workshop was to associate the activities of Vigyan Prasar with Urdu newspapers. According to her, it was decided in this workshop that according to the programme laid down by Vigyan Prasar, questions based on science will be provided to Urdu newspapers for three months. Urdu Newspaper readers who furnish correct answers will be given prizes. Scientific questions will be given to Urdu newspapers every week and every week two persons who provide correct answers will be selected. This will create interest among readers of these newspapers about science and they (Vigyan Prasar people) will also get a feed-back. After three months scientific articles will be published in Urdu newspapers. She said that help of NCPUL and Centre for Promotion of Science, AMU etc. is proposed to be sought. Dr. Irfana said that preparations for this are going on and a team is being constituted for this.

Islamic encyclopedia written and prepared by a handful of scholars and edited by Syed Iqbal Zaheer compiled in two volumes in English was released in Bangalore. Broadly, it covers religious aspects of Islam and its progress over the centuries. The contents in encyclopedia cover a wide range of topics like definitions of Islamic terms, life of Prophet Muhammad (saws), social and political movements in Islam across the globe, Islamic jurisprudence, Muslim scholars and scientists, Muslim minorities and history of Islam, etc. Encyclopedia was released by Justice Mohammad Anwar, judge of Karnataka High Court. Iqbal Zaheer while speaking at the launch of the copy of encyclopedia said that it took nearly 15 years for team from East West Educational Tools to finish the gigantic task. The need for this encyclopedia was felt in order to negate the earlier efforts in the West through encyclopedia on Islam and Muslims primarily aimed to distort the originality and the true essence of Islam. Islamic Development Bank scholarships Ranchi: As in past years, Students Islam Trust (SIT), New Delhi has announced IDBs (Islamic Development Bank) scholarships which will be given to all boy and girl students who are pursuing graduation in medical (MBBS), BDS Pharmacy, all branches of engineering department, Dentistry, Nursing, Unani, Ayurvedic, Microbiology, Agriculture, Fishery, Forestry, MBA and Accounts. The boy and girl students getting scholarships are given 40 Dollars per month and in addition to this, they are given additional amounts equal to three months scholarships for books, clothes and other requirements. It should be made clear that these scholarships are in fact loans which have to be returned to Muslim Education Trust without any interest, after completion of graduation and after getting employment. All students (boy or girl) who have secured more than 60 percent marks in 10+2 or ISC and have secured admission in any one of the above mentioned courses can apply for this scholarship. It may be stated that after doing +2, students of 1st year only are eligible to apply for this scholarship. Application forms for this scholarship can be obtained from: Sajjad Computer Training & Guidance Centre, 2K/3 Biryato Housing Colony, Ranchi (Ph: 2543838); Sajjad Institute of Information Technology, Syndicate Lane (near Kaanta Toli

The Milli Gazette, 1-15 May 2011 19

COMMUNITY NEWS
Humane behaviour should be adopted New Delhi: Hurting a human being is a sin in Islam. If you cant please a man, you should not trouble him as well. In this age full of strife and troubles, it is necessary to revive those humane values, practised and preached by the Prophet of Islam and his companions. This was the message of Maulana Zulfiqar Naqhbandi, a Pakistani Naqhbandi Pir and spiritual leader, who was recently on a visit to India. Addressing a gathering on 12 April at Jama Masjid Zakir Nagar and citing a Hadith he said that when a man does some thing pleasing to another man, an angel is deputed by Almighty Allah to pray for him. And against this, when someone harms or hurts another mans feelings Allah makes his good deeds null and void. Therefore everyone should be very careful and not hurt anybody physically or emotionally. Sincere and selfless service of human beings, charity and love of humanity are the key to success here and in the hereafter, he said. Pir Zulfiqar Naqshbandi also visited Darul Uloom Deoband and addressed a huge gathering at Masjid Rashid, where he said that sincerity and devotion are a must for any deed to be accepted, and love of Prophet is linked with the love of his companions and without love for the Prophet, ones belief and Iman is incomplete. The Maulana also visited Maulana Saalim Qasmi, rector of Darul Uloom Wakf. Warmly welcomed there he called on the gathering to understand the Quran. It may be noted that very recently Imame Kaaba visited India on an invitation of JUH(A) chief Maulana Arshad Madni. And Pir Zulfiqar Naqhbandi was invited by Maulana Mahmood Madni, Secretary General of JUHs M group. So the question arises; is that power politics between uncle and nephew or some thing else? 95 percent benefits of minorities go to Sikhs and Jains New Delhi: Maulana Abdul Hameed Nomani, secretary of Jamiatul Ulama-e Hind said, while talking to mediapersons here on 14 April, that Delhi State Minorities Commission and Minorities Financial Development Corporation etc. are simply to befool Muslims because Muslims have not benefited from them in any way. Rather, he said, only people belonging to Sikh and Jain communities are deriving the benefits from all the welfare schemes set up and meant for Muslims. He said that inclusion of Sikhs and Jains among minorities itself is beyond comprehension, adding that minorities can be declared those communities which have their own personal laws but Sikhs and Jains do not have their personal laws. He said that the ministry for minorities affairs was created at the Centre to identify and understand the problems and difficulties of Muslims and for their solution and progress but Muslims are not getting any benefit from this ministry also. He said that the government had appointed Sachar Committee to assess the situation, problems and difficulties of Muslims but after the submission of its report, the then minister of minorities affairs Abdur Rahman Antulay changed the word Muslim to minority. Today, he said, the position is that 95 percent benefits of the schemes made for the welfare and development of minorities are derived by Sikhs and Jains whereas Muslims are not getting the benefits of even the remaining 5%. He said that if the government wants to take Muslims out of backwardness, it should prepare schemes not in the name of minorities but solely in the name of Muslims. On the other hand, nationalised banks, which are all government banks, have blacklisted Delhis Muslim-populated localities like Jamia Nagar, Jama Masjid, Seelampur, Mustafabad etc. and because of this, Muslims do not get loans from them. He demanded that the Reserve Bank of India should issue strict instructions to all banks in this connection so that Muslims also should derive benefits from banks. Restriction on building of Arabic-Persian University Lucknow: Allahabad High Courts Lucknow Bench has imposed a ban on building of Arabic-Persian University which is presently under construction in Lucknow because of non-availability of No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the ministry of environment. The bench consisting of Justices Pradeep Kant and Ved Pal said in response to a petition filed by one Shatrughun Lal that building and construction work of the University cannot be undertaken without the grant of NOC by the said ministry. The petitioner had stated in his petition that the land on which the state (UP) government is building the Arabic-Persian University near IIM is green belt and is a reserved land. Moreover, the petitioner said, the ministry of environment has also not given the NOC for building this University. The Court said that unless the NOC is obtained from the environment ministry, construction work cannot be undertaken. Jayalalitha favours increased quota for Muslims Jayalalithaa, general secretary of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in an election rally at Srirangam and Tiruchi cities recently said that if voted to power this time her party will increase reservation for Muslims. Recounting her effort during her partys rule Jayalalita said she had restructured the Tamil Nadu Backward Classes Welfare Commission. Jayalalita also accused/alleged that when Chief Minister Karunanidhi had restructured the Commission in the year 2006 he did not include any Muslim representation. Jayalalitha in her campaign also said that her party would not only increase the quota but at the same time would also see to it that it is properly implemented. Indonesia to assist in the power plant project in Bihar Indonesias Ambassador to India Andi M Ghalib during his visit to Patna on 5 April offered to help the Bihar government by providing electricity for its power plant projects in the state. After an

AMUs seminar on Islam and modern challenges

Aligarh: A two-day national seminar on Islam and Modern Challenges, organized by Department of Islamic Studies, AMU, Aligarh, was held during 7-8 April. Themes of papers presented by various scholars, Ulama, and research scholars include Islam and its relation with globalization, democracy, nation-states, human rights, rationalism, modernism and post-modernism, interfaith dialogue, pluralism, Islam and the ills of modernity, woman and hijab issues. There were six business sessions. The inaugural session opened with the Welcome Address by Prof. Zafarul Islam, chairman of the Department of Islamic Studies at AMU. He offered an overview of the various achievements of the department during the session 2010-2011. It was followed by the Introduction of the Seminar, by Dr. Abdul Majid Khan, the convener of the seminar. And then two books and two journals of the department were released. In this session, the Inaugural Address was delivered by the Vice-Chancellor of AMU, Prof P. K. Abdul Azis. Noted Islamic scholar Prof. Nejatullah Siddiqui was the Chief Guest. Keynote address was delivered by Prof K. M. Yusuf Amin. Prof. Nejatullah Siddiqui also addressed the session. In this session, Salman Naseem Nadwi of Darul Ulum Nadwatul Ulama read a message of Maulana Syed Rabey Hasani Nadawi. In the seminar, 53 papers including three power-point presentations were presented over six business sessions. On the first day, there were two business sessions in addition to the inaugural session. On the second day, there were four business sessions followed by the valedictory session. These sessions were presided by Prof Asmer Beg, Prof Mahmudul Haq, Prof Abdul Qadir Jafri, Dr Muhammad Amir Hayat, Prof Ali Ahmad Naqvi, hour long meet with the Indonesian Ambassador the chief minister of the state Nitish Kumar while talking to reporters said that Bihar is in urgent need of coal for its power plants and Indonesia is ready to help Bihar in this regard. Indonesia is rich in natural resources like coal, copper and wood. Andi M Ghalib also said that his country could also help Bihar in the agricultural sector. Indonesia has ancient ties with Bihar dating back to the days of Nalanda University. Indonesian Ambassador also invited Nitish Kumar to his country to promote cultural ties between his country and the land of Buddha. Hindus & Muslims build temple and mosque at Latur People of Rui village in Latur district of Maharashtra have constructed a temple and a Mosque for each others community in order to promote unity and tolerance between Hindus and Muslims. Ram temple which was destroyed nearly 275 years ago during a conflict between the Peshwas and the Nizam of Hyderabad and a Masjid/Dargah which was destroyed 63 years ago by some members of Hindu community while protesting their anger for the violence under the Razakar Movement in 1947-48 have been rebuilt by both these communities. The inauguration of these newly built masjid and mandir was held on 9 April with a National Conference on Communal Harmony. Vishwanath D Karad while talking to reporters on 5 April said, The people belonging to all religions, as well as all castes and communities have willingly come together for the renovation and reconstruction of the Shri Ram Temple and the Jama Masjid/Dargah Sharif. This is nothing but historic. S.N. Pathan former VC of Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj Nagpur University said that people of the area have set an example and it should be emulated by the people of India in order to promote peace and tranquillity. VP Zuhara has indomitable zeal to serve Muslim women Zuhara wants to provide a platform to Muslim women with the help of a voluntary organisation popularly known as Nisa for fighting gender inequality and malpractices prevalent in the Muslim community such as polygamy, triple talaq, dowry, domestic violence, equal property rights and also guardianship rights for the Muslim women. Ever since Nisa was founded Zuhara has been persistently toiling hard to highlight all issues being faced by the Muslim women in Kerala. It is believed that Zuhara after having personally experienced the

Prof Muhammad Salahuddin Umari, and Prof Shah Muhammad Waseem, respectively; and the compares of each session were Bilal Ahmad Kutty, Dr Ghazanfar Ali Khan, Dr Abdul Hamid Fazili, Dr Tauqeer Ahmad and Dr Ziauddin in addition to Dr Abdul

Majid Khan. Each session was followed by a question-answer session in which students, research scholars, teachers and other personalities participated. All business sessions witnessed discussions on the papers presented by the scholars. The sessions were well attended by respective participants. In the Valedictory session, research scholars of the department, professors and teachers of various faculties and departments of AMU presented their impressions. It was followed by the address of Prof Zafarul Islam, in which he thanked all the participants and speakers, teaching and non-teaching staff, and especially the research scholars who took active part and keen interest in making the seminar successful. This seminar on Islam and Modern Challenges yielded a memorable array of papers that furnished provocative and insightful scholarship that should contribute greatly to the existing knowledge, research work and observations of Muslim scholars, thinkers and researchers. A selection of the papers presented will be published in a book form. agony of gender malpractices, is aware of the ground reality and works to provide solace to all aggrieved women of the community with the the help of her organisation. The need for, and the idea to constitute a forum of progressive-minded Muslims, came into being following a seminar organised in 1997 at Kozhikode by Kerala Womens Commission, which was chaired by poet and social activist Sugathakumari. Zuhara was also a victim of such malpractices prevalent in the community. She got married at the age of 14 and after 4 years she was divorced and by that time she was the mother of two children. She recalls, I was too young to know why I was divorced and at that time I thought that I was under curse from women who had been divorced by elders in my own family. Although it took a long time for her to come out of that trauma and eventually decided to give voice to Muslim women. According to Zuhara her campaign has led to the arrest of an Arab national from a hotel in Kozhikode with the practice of Arabi kalyanam came to an end. New Course in Jamia Hamdard New Delhi: Jamia Hamdard has introduced new bachelor and masters courses in Islamic studies. These courses are open to candidates having intermediate or equivalent degree, i.e., Alim/Alimiat and for M.A, BA or Fazil from Madrasa Board and Fazilat certificate of madrasas recognised by Jamia Hamdard. Candidates for these courses must have at least 50% marks. For further details Jamia Hamdards web site may be visited: www.jamiahamdard.edu Helpdesk call Number: 0938995648. Email-jamia@gmail.com. The last date of submission of forms for the next academic year was 15 April 2011. JMI complains against doctors giving fake certificates New Delhi: Jamia Millia Islamia University lodged complaints against as many as 12 local doctors at the police station for giving bogus medical certificates to students who were otherwise ineligible to sit for examinations because of short attendance. The University also made written complaints to Medical Council of India against these doctors for giving medical certificates which were inconsistent with the dates on which the students were absent. The University had found last year that about 500 students had a short fall in attendance and they were warned that they would not be allowed to appear for examinations in December 2010 and January 2011. In March this year many had made up the shortfall, many others had submitted medical certificates on the basis of which they were hoping to be allowed to appear for examinations. On closer scrutiny of these certificates the University authorities found that in many certificates there were discrepancies in the dates mentioned in the certificates and the dates when they were actually on leave or absent. In a few cases it was found that the period of leave mentioned in the certificate was when they were actually attending the classes. The doctors who had issued these certificates were those whose clinics were located in the localities near the University such as Batla House, Jamia Nagar etc. As a result of such bogus certificates which showed discrepancies, about 200 students were not allowed to appear for examinations.

20 The Milli Gazette, 1-15 May 2011

COMMUNITY NEWS
Demand for CBI enquiry into Police officer murder case
Jaipur: About 300 Muslim and social organisations took out a rally in Jaipur on 11 April in support of Thana Incharge/SHO Phool Muhammad and made a demand to Rajasthan's home minister Shanti Dhariwal to arrest at the earliest all those responsible for his brutal murder and an enquiry into his murder by CBI. There was a good number of Muslim youths in this rally. Dissatisfied with state government's negligent attitude in this case the crowd raised slogans asking for the home minister's resignation. The rally, held by organisations, among many others, like Popular Front of India, Social Democratic Party of India, Muslim Forum, Jamaat Islami Hind (Rajasthan state branch) and so forth. It may be recalled that last month, Inspector Phool Muhammad, SHO of a police station in Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan was burnt to death by some persons after one of the protesters in a different case had climbed a water tank, set himself afire and tried to commit suicide by jumping from the water tank which lead to his death. Jamia Millia to provide education to street children New Delhi: Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi has now decided to impart free education to poor street children who roam aimless and while away their time. Under this plan this institution has recently admitted 27 such children in its school through 'Umeed Aman Ghar', a voluntary organisation which is working under Jamia Millia's Centre for Quality Study. Through this organisation these children will be provided free residential accommodation and meals. Jamia's Vice Chancellor Najeeb Jung is the moving spirit behind this programme, who said that it is one of the priorities of Jamia that poor boys and girls should not face any difficulty in getting education and it will be our efforts in future also to use all possible ways to ensure that these children get education. Jamia's spokesperson Dr. Seemi Malhotra said that Balak Mata Centres are being run in Qasab Pura (near Sadar Bazar), Matia Mahal (Jama Masjid area in Old Delhi) and Beri Wala Bagh. Ibn Sina Tibbia College of Azamgarh a beacon of light Azamgarh: Rajya Sabha MP, Muhammad Adeeb said at a function held at Ibn Sina Tibbia College, Bina Pura (Azamgarh) that after 1857 war of independence the lone enemy of the British was Islamic Umma or Muslims. At that time Sir Syed Ahmad Khan had decided that war now, would be fought not by the sword but by the weapon of knowledge and with this idea he had laid the foundation of Aligarh Muslim University. He said that he had thought that the torch of Muslims education is extinguished but after seeing the things here 'I am surprised to find that you have tried to light the lamp of education and knowledge which Islam had ordained', adding that in the 11th century our ancestors in the Arab world had raised the banner of education and knowledge so high that the entire scientific system of the world was in the hands of Muslims. After making a round of the College and seeing its progress he praised the efforts of its manager Abu Sufiyan and announced an amount of Rs. 10 lakh for the College and said that from such institutions we can produce generations of students about whom our coming generations will say that God has sent Muslims in the world as blessing not as a curse. He said that he has always donated funds for schools and madrasas, not because he wants to win elections from these places but with the idea and desire that our children and students should acquire education and training with the help of which our (Muslim) ancestors had ruled over the world. All India Muslim Majlis Mushawarat's general secretary Muhammad Ilyas Malik, Chaudhary Zarar Ahmad and others also spoke on this occasion and showered their praise on Muhammad Adeeb for fighting for the minority status of Jamia Millia Islamia, for implementation of Sachar Committee's recommendations and for raising many issues of Muslims in Parliament. It is significant to note that during Muhammad Adeeb's tour of many villages and constituencies of Azamgarh district which is the stronghold of Ulama Council and Peace Party, and where leaders of other political parties are not only unwelcome but are also not allowed to hold meeting he was welcomed everywhere. In recent times even Digvijay Singh and UP Congress chief Mrs. Rita Bahuguna Joshi were not allowed to speak and Rahul Gandhi's helicopter also was not allowed to land but Muhammad Adeeb did not face any opposition from them and wherever he went, to about a dozen places of the district, long caravans of cars of local people, even bigger than the fleet of cars accompanying CM Mayawati's entourage, had accompanied his team.

AIMPLBsponsored Womens Conference

New Delhi: A 2-day Conference of Muslim women sponsored by All India Muslim Personal Law Board's Social Reforms Committee was held in Delhi on 16 and 17 April at New Horizon School near Humayun Tomb. In the first session on the last day Dr. Asma' Zohra spoke on the aims and objectives of the Board. After her Mufti Fuzailur Rahman Helal Usmani said that Shariat laws are not man-made but these laws are laid down by Allah and its explanation and exegesis was given by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) which we call Hadith. He said that main laws of Shariat are ordained by Allah and hence no body has been authorised to make even the slightest change in them. Women speakers like Samina Tabish, Sarah, Dr. Halima Sadia, Dr. Zehra Asma' spoke on different topics, which ranged from Moral values in Islam, importance of education in Islam, introduction of Islamic Shariat, Aurat ka Maqaam, Training and Progress of Muslim girl students, Responsibilities of Muslim girl students in the field of Da'wat and service, Need of Education from Birth till Death etc. The speakers emphasised the point that all problems can be solved and all challenges can be met within the framework and scope of Islam. Imam of Fatehpuri Masjid Maulana Mufti Mukarram Ahmad speaking at this conference said that Islamic history is witness to the great sacrifices made by women for Shariat-e Muhammadi and that our mothers and sisters played important roles in the character and personality development of great saints and preachers through whom this religion has reached us. He laid emphasis on the point that students (girl) must receive education and knowledge by remaining MoU between AMU and Saudi Emb. for promotion of Arabic Aligarh: Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University, Prof. P.K. Abdul Azis said here at a function to inaugurate two additional rooms and Library Hall for AMU's Department of Arabic that this University will soon sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Saudi Arabian embassy in Delhi for the further promotion of Arabic language. Speaking about the need for further promotion of Arabic language he said that it is one of the most important languages of the world, it is the official language of 40 countries of the world and also one of the official languages of United Nations in which all official business and proceedings of UN are transacted (alongwith other official languages like English, French, German, Spanish, Russian etc.) in addition to it being the language of the Holy Qur'an, adding that opportunities of employment with a knowledge of this language are increasing. He said that AMU's Department of Arabic is the first one among all Indian universities which has been granted the status of Centre of Advanced Studies by University Grants Commission. He said that in this age of information technology his cherished desire is that smart class rooms are established where teaching may be on epattern. University Registrar Prof. V.K. Abdul Jaleel said that two new class rooms have been built for Arabic department in addition to a Library Hall at the cost of Rs. 15 lakh. Prof. Kafil Ahmad Qasmi, CAS coordinator said that the Department of Arabic is making rapid progress in teaching and research fields and because of good progress in this field, it has been given the status of the Centre of Advanced Studies by UGC. within the limits prescribed by Islam. After the speeches there was a question answer session in which women asked some penetrating questions. One question was that more than one marriage is allowed but what is Islam's injunction on this? In reply Mufti Fuzail Helal Usmani said that this law is made by Allah so probably we with deficient (naaqis) intellect or understanding, may not be able to understand it, only permission has been given to men for this (four marriages), but with conditions. In reply to another question: after the father's death, some sons turn out their mothers from the house, render them helpless and deprive them of patrimony. What is Islam's order about this? Mufti Fuzail said that it is the husband's responsibility that during his life time he should make such arrangements that she should not face any problem. There should be a fund in society through which helpless women could be taken care of. All the women speakers, most of whom were from Delhi except a few from outside Delhi like Hyderabad, Meerut, spoke about following the principles of Islam in our daily life, avoid acts which are forbidden in Islam and removal of social evils like dowry. Among the male speakers, in addition to Mufti Fuzail Helal Usmani were Mufti (Dr.) Mukarram Ahmad, Imam of Fatehpuri Masjid, Maulana Abdul Wahab Khilji, Dr. Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas, Prof. (Dr.) Muhammad Saud Alam Qasmi, former Dean of AMU's Deptt. of Theology etc. Finally, the Conference ended with a prayer by Maulana Wali Rahmani, secretary of All India Muslim Personal Law Board. (NA Ansari) of thought have started coming together on one platform. Western educated people of modern outlook are developing the feeling of understanding religion and ulama too want to know and understand modern sciences. He further said that efforts being made by IOS in this connection have started bearing fruits. He said IOS which has completed 25 years of its existence, had organised an international conference on ijtehaad in its early years. He also said that Islam does not preach intellectual, physical, economic, social, educational, national, international or any other kind of slavery and considers man as the best and greatest of all Gods creations and men of the faith have been given the responsibility of liberating man of all kinds of slavery and present an alternative system under which every one should be able to decide whether he should lead his life according to the principles ordained by God or in his own misguided ways. About his organisation, Alam said that IOS which was started on 13 April 1986 has now developed into a towering tree and in view of the review and research work it has done and is doing in different fields of life, it can undoubtedly be considered a valuable asset of the community and nation. He said that the information provided by IOS to Sachar Committee had played an important role in the preparation of its report. In addition to this, he said, bringing together ulama, experts and intellectuals on a single platform and laying down future strategy and action programme has been its fundamental objective. Rahmani 30: 5 students successful in Physics Olympiad Patna: Rahmani 30 which is an extension of the objectives of Rahmani Foundation founded by Maulana Muhammad Wali Rahmani has achieved another success in its efforts to prepare and train minority students for the all India competitive examinations for civil and other services. 5 of its students succeeded in Physics Olympiad, examinations for which were held at 830 centres in different cities all over the country. A total of 39,100 students from different states of the country had appeared for this examination in which, with only 1 percent result, 391 student were successful, 5 of whom are of Rahmani 30. This was in fact the regional competition of Olympiad and those successful in this will now have to appear for the still tougher International Physics Olympiad. Earlier, Rahmani 30 students had also achieved grand success in Mathematical Olympiad. Successful candidates of Physics Olympiad are: Shadab Naseem, Kamran Ashraf, Saddam Husain, Amanullah Ansari and Inaam Jameel. Rahmani 30 owes its success to the illustrious efforts of Maulana Wali Rahmani and its promoter and moving spirit Abhyanandji, retired AD G.P. and of course, sincere efforts of its tutors as well as the hard work of students themselves. Training in Urdu journalism to Madrasa students Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Madrasa Board of Education has started imparting training to madrasa students in Urdu journalism in order to associate Urdu with a language of mass communication in addition to other languages. According to the Registrar of Madrasa Board of Education, Javed Aslam, Hindi and English journalism have developed very much but virtually no attention has been paid to Urdu journalism. Hence we have decided to impart training in Urdu journalism to Aalim and Kaamil, which is equivalent to 12th class pass students and this training is already being imparted. He said that the response from such students is good and more than 110 students have taken admission in it. He said that most of these students belong to madrasas who have got their names registered in the first batch. He said that with this initiative, a double purpose will be served because students who are reading Urdu will get employment opportunities and secondly Urdu also will be promoted and preserved.

Solution of world problems possible through ijtehad only New Delhi: Chairman of Institute of Objective Studies (IOS), Dr. Manzoor Alam said while talking to mediapersons that the solution to challenges and problems being faced by the world can be found through deep study of Qur'an and Hadith, and this is possible only through ijtehad i.e., proper interpretation of Qur'anic commands, verses etc. but, he said, in today's times of 'knowledge explosion' this task can be better performed by collective efforts, rather than by individual efforts. He said that God has not made the world static but mutative and changing and consequently, with changing times, new problems and requirements also crop up and will continue to crop up. Now we cannot approach any prophet to seek guidance or solution of our problems and difficulties but yes, solutions lie in Qur'an and Hadiths of Prophet (SAW) which can be found by deeply studying and correctly understanding them. He said that in today's world science and knowledge have become so exhaustive and complicated that it is not possible for a single intellectual or scholar to master all fields of knowledge. Hence the intellectuals, ulama and experts should jointly perform the task of ijtehaad. It should be clarified in this connection that ijtehaad too should be within the framework of Qur'an and hadiths, and not beyond their scope. In reply to a question as to how unanimous ijtehaad is possible when even on minor matters ulama and intellectuals seldom are unanimous and all hold different views, Dr. HE ILLI AZETTE Alam said that conditions are D-84, Abul Fazl Enclave-I, Jamia Nagar, changing and New Delhi-110025 India Tel.: (+91-11) 2694 7483 now ulama and Email: mg@milligazette.com intellectuals of different schools

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The Milli Gazette, 1-15 May 2011 21

COMMUNITY NEWS
Muslim rulers subservient to western powers
New Delhi: Prof. Ahmad Alqadi, President of the Department of Urdu in Cairo's Jamia (University) Al Azhar who is also the president of India-Egypt F r i e n d s h i p Association and who was recently in Delhi said that our rulers in Arab countries are subservient to America and its European allies in order to protect their throne and to keep themselves in power. He said that conspiracies of western powers are at work behind all that is happening in Afghanistan, Iraq and Palestine. About the recent revolution in Egypt he said that it was because of the dictatorship of Hosni Mubarak and his government which had suppressed people's wishes and aspirations but the youth of that country consolidated and united themselves through the internet. He said that Hosni Mubarak and his government had not the least idea that such an organised and large scale revolution against him could take place. About Urdu he said that in addition to Jamia Al Azhar, Urdu is taught in four other universities of Egypt and in Al Azhar there is a separate department of Urdu and in other universities Urdu is being taught as an eastern or an east Asian language. He said that in Al Azhar there are more than 100 students of Urdu at present. In reply to a question about himself he said that he has done PhD with Urdu and though he himself is not a poet, he is translating Arabic poetry in Urdu and has also translated many Urdu books into Arabic like Shibli No'mani's Siratun Nabi, Syed Sulaiman Nadwi's Arab aur Hindustan ke Ta'alluqaat and Mufti Ataullah Qasmi's Dehli ki Taarikhi Masjid. He also said that he is an admirer of Ghalib and that people in Egypt are interested in Urdu. Hajis of age 70+ to go for Hajj without draw New Delhi: Ministry of foreign affairs has taken a decision on 31 March 2011 that there will be no draw of lots for intending Hajis who are 70 years old or above and they can proceed for Haji after applying for it. The ministry has also decided that one more person can accompany such a Haji to take care of him. This means that such Haji's spouse/wife can also go for Hajj even if she is less than 70 years of age. Such Hajis have simply to apply for Hajj and they will be allowed to proceed if other conditions are fulfilled. This information was given by Dr. Shakir Husain, CEO of Haj Committee of India. This decision of the ministry is in fact in response to a request made by a delegation of some Muslim MPs and members of Haj Committee of India to the external affairs minister S.M. Krishna who met him in the month of March and requested that Hajis of 70 years and above, because of their advanced age, may be deprived of Haj if their names do not come in the draw. Hence they may be allowed to go without a draw. The minister accepted their request and his ministry took this decision. This is yet another concession to some of the intending Hajis. First concession was made last year (2010) when it was decided that if the name of an intending Haji does not come in the draw of lot for three consecutive years, for the fourth year he will be allowed to go for Hajj automatically. Now this year (2011) such a concession has been made in case of intending Hajis who are 70 years old or above. It may be stated that distribution of Haj application forms for the year 2011 has started from 16 March and last date of submission of these forms is 30 April, 2011. IOS to set up a private university in Haryana New Delhi: Institute of Objective Studies (IOS) has decided to set up a university at Palwal in Haryana state and the required land for this has been purchased. IOS chairman Dr. Manzoor Alam said in Delhi that the university will be named Objective University and its foundation stone will be laid in April 2012 when the Silver Jubilee celebrations of IOS will come to an end and academic session will start in 2013. He said that the job of preparing feasibility and viability reports has been given to Adshell firm. He said that this university will be residential and in the first stage departments of medicine, technology, management, law, social sciences, engineering etc. will be set up. In reply to a question he said that under certain provisions of the law, 75% seats will automatically be reserved for minorities. However, legal experts are considering this aspect. He further said that the university will be private but a Trust will also play a role. Efforts are also being made to set up Regional Media Studies in Bangalore and at a place in West Bengal so that the problems of local Muslims in particular and other communities in general could be solved and also training and orientation could be provided to young journalists, he said. Nawaz Deobandi's ghazals translation in Gujarati imposed a penalty of Rs. 21,000 each on Zafar Masood and Mohd Asif and a penalty of Rs. 11,000 on Rahis Quereshi, said Islam. World Health Day For the last few years the Ibn Sina Academy of Medieval Medicine and Sciences (IAMMS) has been observing and celebrating World Health Day on 7 April in collaboration with other institutes and organizations such as Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Ajmal Khan Tibbiya College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh; and Indian Medical Association (Aligarh Branch). On 7 April this year a function was organized in the Academy to celebrate the World Health Day and to organize Professor Nasim Ansari memorial lecture. Padma Shree Professor Syed Zillur Rahman, President of Ibn Sina Academy welcomed the dignitaries and the guests. He also recalled his association with Prof. Ansari and gave some insights into his towering personality. Dr. M. Athar Ansari, Chairman, Dept of Community Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, delivered a lecture on the theme of World Health Day -2011 'Antimicrobial resistance: no action today no cure tomorrow". He emphasized that drug resistance occurs due to widespread use and misuse of antibiotics in both humans and animals. He said that antimicrobial resistance and its global spread threaten the continued effectiveness of many medicines used today to treat the sick, while at the same time it risks jeopardizing important advances being made against major infectious killers. Prof. Ashraf Malik and Prof Syed Zillur Rahman Prof. M.H. Beg, Dept of Surgery, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College delivered Prof. M. Nasim Ansari Memorial Lecture. He threw some light on the personality of Prof. Nasim Ansari and his association with the university and the medical college. He also presented other aspects of his multifaceted personality. Prof. Beg said that Prof. Ansari was one of the founders of the medical college, a great teacher and administrator and great social activist. Apart from being a deft surgeon and a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, he made significant contributions in the field of literature and health communication. Prof. Beg recounted several anecdotes, some emanating from personal association with Prof. Ansari to illustrate the different facets of his personality. Prof. Beg delivered the memorial lecture on 'Chest Trauma, its management and Prevention". He emphasized that due to overcrowding of roads, accidents are very common and large number of patients is coming to hospitals. He also gave some valuable suggestions to prevent the chest trauma by taking certain precautionary measures such using seat belt and not using mobile phones while driving. Dalit officer's car and furniture 'cleansed' The Kerala Human Rights Commission has registered a case and sought an explanation from the secretary, taxes department, after the office and car used by a Scheduled Caste state government officer was allegedly cleansed with cowdung after his retirement from service. Former Inspector General of Registration A K Ramakrishnan, who retired on March 31, petitioned the rights panel, saying the "inhumane behaviour" had insulted him and all backward communities. The panel has sought a report by May 7. Ramakrishnan said the incident took place on April 1, after the new IG assumed office. On the first day, a section of officials reportedly sprayed cowdung-mixed water on the office furniture, the threshold and the official vehicle. Ramakrishnan claimed that in order to refute allegations that this was done because he was a Dalit, cowdung-water was sprayed in the entire office the next day. Advisory Committee for Muslim affairs in Delhi Commission New Delhi: Chairman of Delhi State Minorities Commission, Safdar Husain Khan has constituted an advisory committee for Muslim affairs. Members of this committee are: Dr. Aslam Parvez, Khwaja Khalilullah, Sikandar Hayat, Wasi Ahmad No'mani, M. Shahnawaz, Haji Nasimuddin, Badruzzoha Siddiqi, Farooq Engineer, Maulana Neyaz Ahmad Farooqi, Dr. Akhlaq Ahmad, Mirza Javed Ali, Haji Hifzur Rahman, Prof. Zahoor Muhammad Khan, Dr. Mrs. Shaheen and Abdul Wadood Sajid. The chairman said that a meeting of this committee will be convened soon so that a strategy regarding solution of important problems of Muslims could be prepared. IOS awards on the occasion of its silver jubilee New Delhi: Institute of Objective Studies (IOS), famous Delhibased, 'think tank' of Muslims, will be completing 25 years of its existence on 12 April 2012 and its silver jubilee year started on 12 April 2011. In celebration of its silver jubilee IOS in addition to many other functions, announced names of as many as 200 important personalities, experts, intellectuals etc. in the country in different fields irrespective of their caste or creed for being honoured with awards. In Delhi 30 persons were honoured with its awards whereas others were honoured at functions held at other state capitals. Among those who were honoured with awards at Delhi included Maulana Syed Rabey Hasani Nadwi, Maulana Syed Nizamuddin, Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Umri, Dr. Kalbe Sadiq, Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani, Maulana Syed Wali Rahmani, Maulana Abdul Wahab Khilji, Maulana Abdullah Moghisi, Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan Barelvi, Saiyid Hamid, Syed Shahabuddin, Shabbirbhai Nooruddin (Daudi Bohra leader), John Dayal, Swami Agnivesh, Prof. Singhsen Singh (expert on Buddhist affairs), D. Prem Pati (expert on Dalit Studies), Santosh Bharti (journalist) Sirajuddin Quresh and others.

New Delhi: Ghazals of famous poet Nawaz Deobandi have been translated into Gujarati by Kishan Maheshwari and published by Vinayek Communication (P) Ltd, Rajkot. The Gujarati translation is becoming very popular and a ghazal programme was held at Hindi Bhawan, in New Delhi on 12 April. This programme, 'Saaz aur Awaaz' was sponsored by Rex Remedies (P) Ltd at night in which ghazal singers Veena Narula, Zulfi Khan, Navneet Verma, Sanjeev Jhingran and Ruby Parvez entertained the audience with their recitals of Deobandi's ghazals. Book on Origin and Evolution of Health Journalism in Urdu Aligarh: A programme of book release was held at Ibn-e Sina Academy of Medical Sciences on the occasion of World Health day. The book Hindustan Mein Urdu Tibbi Sahafat: Aghaz wa irtiqa was released by Nawab Ibn-e Saeed Khan Chattari. The book is written by Asad Faisal Farooqui. It has a compilation of 200 Urdu health magazines published during 1842-2010. Speaking on this occasion, Professor Hakeem Syed Zillur Rahman give the brief introduction of the book and said that this was unique as earlier nothing has been written on the history of health journalism in Urdu. He said that author took great pain for this research work and consulted the Maulana Azad Library, AMU, Raza Library, Rampur, and Ibn-e Sina Academy Library, Aligarh, and many others. Malegaon accused on hunger strike, pleads innocence Malegaon: Dr. Farogh Makhdoomi, one of the accused in the 2006 Malegaon blast case, is on a hunger strike since 5 April 2011 demanding speedy trial of his case. "Dr Farogh who has been lodged in Mumbais Arthur Road Jail is observing hunger strike since April 5 demanding decision on his discharge application", Iqbal Makhdoomi, father of Dr. Farogh, told ummid. com on 15 April. Iqbal Makhdoomi is in Mumbai for the hearing in the Special MCOCA Court on the discharge application filed by the accused about a year ago. "Since he has not taken any food since April 05, his health has deteriorated. Today, when he was brought to the court, he was walking with the help of two persons", he added. According to Iqbal Makhdoomi, Dr Farogh had written a letter to the authorities in March this year pleading innocence and demanding decision on his discharge application by April 04. Failing which, he had written, he would go on hunger strike. "He waited till April 04. But when he did not receive any response, he started his hunger strike from the next day", he said. Dr Farogh and other accused had filed the discharge application pleading innocence about a year ago and the arguments from both the sides were completed four months ago. However the case took an unexpected turn when in January this year Swami Aseemanand's confession appeared in the media. Consequently, the accused filed bail application in the special MCOCA court. The court, however, rejected their application on March 15. (ummid.com - 15 April 2011) Three get life term for killing Aligarh student Ghaziabad: A special CBI court on 21 April awarded life imprisonment to three people for killing an Aligarh Muslim University student in 2007, a lawyer said. Zafar Masood, Mohd Asif and Rahis Quereshi shot dead Kaushar Salique Mazhar April 25, 2007 and robbed his motorcycle, said Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Public Prosecutor S. Islam. Special CBI judge S. Lal after hearing the arguments pronounced the quantum of sentence and awarded life imprisonment to all the accused. The court also

22 The Milli Gazette, 1-15 May 2011

COMMUNITY NEWS
Al Askari Charitable Clinic
New Delhi: Delhi Minority Commission chairman Safdar Husain Khan inaugurated the Al-Askari Charitable Clinic here on 18 April. He said that he is pleased to see the work of Safinatul Hedaya Trust which runs the clinic as service to humanity is the greatest service in all ages. He exhorted other community organisations to likewise serve humanity. Maulana Zeeshan Hedayati, chairman of the Safinatul Hedaya Trust, said that as part of the Al-Askari centenary celebrations, Madrasa Imam Hasan Askari has been established in Aligarh and other projects will be accomplished soon. Muslims in West Bengal are worse off: PM Kolkata: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed his concern over state of Muslims in West Bengal and called for a political change in the state. Addressing a joint campaign with Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee at Dum Dum before the third phase of Assembly elections in the state, the prime minister said on 23 April that Muslims in West Bengal were among the worst off in the country. Referring to the Sachar Committee report, he said that members of the community in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat and Assam had better representation in government jobs than those in West Bengal. He said the Left Front government was responsible for that condition. Demand of Bharat Ratna for Ghalib New Delhi: A demand for awarding Bharat Ratna, the countrys highest civilian award, to Mirza Ghalib was first made by no less a person than Justice Markande Katju of the Supreme Court at the Jashn-e Bahar Mushaira held in Delhi on 8 April. Justice Katjus demand was supported by Mrs. Meira Kumar, Lok Sabha Speaker and Y.S. Qureshi, Chief Election Commissioner who were also present at the Mushaira. In the history of independent India, Bharat Ratna has been awarded to about 40 jewels of the country but has not been given to anyone posthumously with the exception of Maulana Azad. Ghalib died about 150 years ago. If in compliance of this demand, Bharat Ratna is awarded, it will open a Pandoras box. Already there are demands from various quarters for award of Bharat Ratna to Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, Hakim Abdul Hameed (of Hamdard Dawakha), Maulana Hasrat Mohani, Pundit Motilal Nehru, Pundit Uma Shamkar Dikshit. If at all, the government accedes to the request of so many people to honour Ghalib with Bharat Ratna, there will be a flood of demands from many more quarters to award BR to many more personalities, past and present. Interestingly, no body proposed Gandhijis name for this honour. There will also be strong oppositions from many other quarters at this award being given to Ghalib if there is even a rumour or a hint that government is thinking of honouring an Urdu poet with this prestigious award. Already there is an attempt to belittle Ghalibs standing in an English magazine by describing him inferior to Hindi poets Tulsi Das and Kabir! Imams of UP demand decent salaries Lucknow: Imam Council of India (ICI) organised a rally imams of Masjids of UP at Qaisarbagh Baradari, Lucknow on 17 April to demand decent salaries and better terms and conditions, in which about 500 Imams participated. One of the participants was like an odd man out, a beardless person with tilak on his forehead. He was involved with making arrangements of electricity, seating and was looking after the convenience of the participants. He was Pundit Amarnath Mishra, special invitee of ICI and a member of the Brahmin Sansad which was formed in 2006 by 16 Hindu divines including four Shankaracharyas. The Brahmin Sansad had approved his participation in the Imams rally/conference. His important achievement, as far as this conference is concerned, was to bring together Imams of different schools of thought and sects i.e., Shia, Sunni, Deobandi, Barelvi, Nadwi, etc. on a single platform for the first time. For forging this unity he had travelled and met leaders and Imams of different sects at different places for six months. One of the reasons of his success in bringing about unity among them, even though temporarily, was that the interests of all were common, i.e. better salaries, allowances, facilities etc. Pundit Mishra said that his Sansad was starting a public awareness campaign about the poor condition of Sanskrit schools and institutions in UP. The condition of madrasas and Imams was also the same, and he hoped that Imam Council will support the Sansads cause also. He wanted the state government to implement the Supreme Courts 9-year old order for providing relief to Imams of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and UP Imams too. The Imam Council of India also demanded of the government, to make better arrangements, in addition to better salaries and facilities for Imams, management and protection of Waqf properties so that Waqf properties could be vacated of illegal occupants and with increased rent and income, salaries of Imams may be increased. For this the Imam Council will also seek public support.

Thoughts alone do not bring revolution: Nadwi

New Delhi: Islamic Dawah Centre, a newly established institution for training and assistance of reverts, organized a two-day Alumni Get-Together programme for graduates of Markazul Maarif Education and Research Centre (MMERC) and associated institutions set up mainly to train graduates of madrasas in English, computers and other contemporary subjects in order to help them preach Islam in a positive manner. The inaugural programme was held at the Conference Hall of Nehru Guest House, Jamia Millia Islamia on 26 March. MMERC, an offshoot of a well-known registered NGO, Markazul Maarif which is led by the famous perfume baron and president of All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), Maulana Badruddin Ajmal, was established in 1994 in Delhi with the objective of providing training to graduates of madrasas. The MMERC Delhi has been dysfunctional after training four Umar Gautam batches of madrasa graduates while it started a similar programme in Mumbai. This alumni get-together programme was called to share the work and experiences of the graduates of MMERC and its associated institutions. Speaking on the occasion Maulana Salman Husaini Nadwi of Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama, said that the two streams of what we call modern and religious education must be bonded. That was the system of Islamic education in the past. While referring to some scholars, he said that thoughts alone cannot bring change in the world. All languages are created by God and hence they are innocent, Maulana Nadwi said while referring to a verse in the Quran which says that among the sings of Almighty are creation of Heavens and Earth and diversity of languages and colours. He referred to another Quranic verse that states that all prophets were sent to people with the language their people spoke and understood in order to prove that those messengers were from amongst themselves who understood and spoke their language. He suggested teaching other international languages like Japanese, Russian, French, Spanish, etc to students of madrasas in order to enable them convey the mesCBI to probe irregularity in AMU Human Resource Development Ministry is at the moment considering a CBI probe into the irregularities and graft allegations against AMU Vice-Chancellor P K Abdul Azis. Charges against him are that he made AMU pay his and his registrars income tax, there is irregulariy in purchase of furniture worth Rs 50 lakh from Kerala. The earlier Visitors inquiry committee was dissolved very soon because of differences between members in the panel. HRD ministry as a result constituted a second two member panel comprising Justice BA Khan and Justice A N Devicha. And even they could not come to any satisfactory conclusion. Both panel members had different version and their findings was equally contradictory. According to HRD Ministry, Accepting one view would mean it would ultimately be challenged in court. On the other hand, setting up yet another committee will invite considerable criticism. It is now being considered that maybe; the issue should be referred to the CBI so that it is put to rest. rmohi Akhara severs its 21 year old ties with VHP Nirmohi Akhara, the oldest litigant from the Hindu side in the Ayodhya title suits has severed its 21 year old ties with the VHP by saying that that Vishwa Hindu Parishad is trying to take over the site of janmabhoomi. Mahant Das chief priest of Akhara in an interview said, Nirmohi Akhara is pursuing the case in different courts since 1959 and Nirmohi Akhara is struggling for Ram Janam Bhoomi even before the VHP was born. Nirmohi Akhara is a caretaker of Ram Janam Bhoomi since Treta Yug, and at present Akhara has spent lots of money in the legal battle of Ram Janma Bhoomi and now the economic condition of Akhara is not strong. Akhara officials alleged that VHP was conspiring to take possession of the Ram Janmabhoomi in a fraudulent manner. Mahant Das also said that over the years VHP created communal riots and disturbed peace in the country and it does not have any claim over Ram Janmabhoomi. Foreign intervention in Muslim countries condemned New Delhi: Several Muslim organizations condemned foreign intervention of any kind in Libya, Yemen, Bahrain etc. They also condemned atrocities perpetrated by the autocratic rulers of these countries on peaceful protesters, demanding for democracy. While they condemned America and other western powers, they also condemned their Arab stooges, Ali Abdullah Saleh of Yemen, King Hamad bin Khalifa of Bahrain and their supporter Saudi Arabia. Protest meetings were held in Amroha, Nogawan, Lucknow, Mumbai and Delhi and Press conferences were also called. In a press conference held in Amroha more than 100 scholars participated and condemned Bahrains regime. A major demonstration on 17 April was held in New Delhi and AISPLB participated in it. All India Shia Sunni Front, Misam Tammar Foundation, Shia Natioal Front, All India Majlis Ulmai Hind and many activists and religious leaders of a particular comsage of Islam. Abdul Naseeb Khan, a former teacher of MMERC, who teaches English at Jamia Millia Islamia, said that during his teaching at MMERC he too had benefited from his students. Khan termed his past experience with MMERC as dynamic and alive. In his message to the chairman of IDC, Muhammad Atiqur Rahman Qasmi, an alumnus of the first batch of MMERC and a senior manager with its sister organisaiton in Mumbai, said that the establishment of IDC was actually a reflection of the vision behind establishing MMERC. Sharing his experience with others, Maulana Saeed Anwar, teacher at the Department of English, Darul Uloom Deoband, said that Islam is meant for the entire universe, therefore its preachers should train themselves for the whole world. He stressed the need for teaching English to products of madrasas as it had also become a de facto national language in India. Dawah is an obligatory task for all Muslims and its a special responsibility of ulama, said Sikandar Azam Qasmi, a graduate of MMERC and student of Jamia Millia Islamia. He added that there should be a one-year teacher training course for madrasa graduates. Around forty participants expressed their views, shared experiences of their respective fields and came up with suggestions to improve teaching and learning of English for madrasa graduates and also for training them in best possible ways to enable them do Dawah effectively. Mufti Obaidullah Qasmi, lecturer of Arabic at Delhi University, who also studied at MMERC, coordinated the programme. Participants from different states shared their experiences and put forward suggestions to revive the Delhi branch of MMERC. Mohammad Umar Gautam, chairman of Islamic Dawah Centre and former director of MMERC, thanked all the alumni and other participants at the end of the two day programme on 27 March. (Manzar Imam - manzarkhalil@gmail.com) munity from several metros of the country and cities and towns of UP also participated. This demonstration, from a sit-in at Raj Ghat marched to Jantar Mantar and was addressed by Maulana Ali Taqwi, imam of Shia Jama Masjid Delhi, Maulana Kalbe Jawad , Anwar Ali Qasmi, Tahir Mazahiri and Asif Mohammad Khan, MLA and others. A press conference at Press Club of India on April 15 simultaneously condemned NATO attacks on Libya and government atrocities and torture of Shia majority in Bahrain. Sehyog Cultural Society and Milli Forum jointly held a seminar in Mumbai addressed by Prof. Mahmoodur Rahman, former VC of AMU, also criticized US as well as Saudi Arabia. Tanzim Abnai Ashrafia, or Old Boys Association of Mubarakpur (UP) based Brelvi Seminary, held a press conference on. 3 April and while condemning NATO attacks on Libya they also asked Muammar Gaddafi to step down. NiAdibi Mehfil lifts Jashn-e-World Cup Allahabad: The unique spectacle of a mushaira in a cricketing fashion titled Jashn-e-World Cup was organised here with much fanfare. Adibi Mehfil team won the mushaira match defeating rival Jauhar Academy. The players did not fight with bats and balls. Instead, they utilised their literary power in form of verses. They shed their traditional attire of sherwani-pyjama and donned black pants and T-shirts in tune with the apparels worn by cricketers. Even players names were inscribed on their T-shirts. Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, Zeeshan Rabbani, captain of Adibi Mehfil, asked his counterpart Qamrul Hasan Siddiqui to bat first and present the verses. Following this, the match started with full momentum, as members of the Jauhar Academy started presenting verses in the audience. The lines of Qamrul Hasan Siddiqui, Adawat Se Dil Yoon Hee Maile Rahenge, Mohabbat ke Mele Hamesha Rahenge (There is no need to cultivate animosity in our hearts, as feeling of love would remain everlasting in the world) earned huge applause. Later on, members of the rival team, Adibi Mehfil, recited various verses. The panel of judges comprised of Pandit Buddhasen Sharma, Dr Zameer Ehsan, Dr Abu Lais and Sahle Nadeem. The judges assessed the quality of the composed verses and awarded grades to the players. The parameters on which grades were given included tarrannum (recital), bahr (metre of the verse), and talaffuz (pronunciation). Besides, other literary tools of judging were also employed, while awarding runs. As the Adibi Mehfil got A grade and the Jauhar Academy got B, Adibi Mehfil was declared the winner. Speaking on the occasion, SMA Kazmi, former advocate general of U.P., said that it is seldom that cricketers and poets are on the same platform. Cricketers show their prowess with the help of bat and ball while the poets exhibit their literary prowess through the quality of their verses. But whenever question arises about national pride, both the cricketers and poets rise to the occasion and express their creativity before the nation.

The Milli Gazette, 1-15 May 2011 23

INTERNATIONAL

US knew Gitmo detainees were innocent: WikiLeaks

OLIVIA HAMPTON OLIVIA HAMPTON

ashington: The United States held hundreds of inmates who were either totally innocent or low-risk for years and released dozens of high-risk Guantanamo inmates, according to leaked classified files. The new leaks reveal that inmates were held without trial on the basis of often seriously flawed information, such as from mentally ill or otherwise unreliable co-detainees or statements from suspects who had been abused or tortured, The New York Times reported. In another revelation, a top detainee reportedly claimed that a nuclear bomb has been hidden somewhere in Europe to be detonated if Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden is ever caught or killed. The Times was among a group of US and European media outlets that also included The Daily Telegraph, NPR, El Pais, Le Monde, Der Spiegel and La Repubblica to receive 779 documents from the whistle-blowing website WikiLeaks. At least 150 Guantanamo detainees were innocent Afghans or Pakistanis, including drivers, farmers and chefs, according to the Telegraph. They were rounded up as part of frantic intelligence-gathering in war zones and then detained at the US naval base in southeastern Cuba for years due to mistaken identity or simply for being at the wrong place at the wrong time, the British daily said. It said that overall, US military analysts considered only 220 of all the suspects in the George W. Bush-era war on terror ever
Yusuf/MG

detained at Guantanamo to be dangerous extremists. Another 380 were deemed to be low-ranking foot soldiers who traveled to Afghanistan or were part of the Taliban, the Telegraph reported. In dozens of cases, senior US commanders were said to have concluded that there was no reason recorded for transfer to Guantanamo Bay. Prison officials were aware in at least two cases that they were holding innocent men behind bars and even acknowledged that in writing in their prison files, and yet it took months for them to be returned to their home countries, according to the public radio station NPR. Meanwhile, about a third of the 600-some men who have been transferred to third countries were branded high- risk before being released or handed to other governments, The New York Times noted. Of the 172 prisoners who remain at Guantanamo, 130 have been rated as posing a high-risk threat. The Times said the files, which detail the background of each of the 779 people who have passed through the prison facility since 2002, revealed little about harsh interrogation tactics used at Guantanamo that sparked widespread condemnation around the world. According to the paper, the best-documented case of an abusive interrogation at Guantanamo was the questioning in 2002 and 2003 of Mohammed Qahtani, a Saudi believed to have taken part in plotting the September 11 attacks. Qahtani was leashed like a dog, sexually humiliated and forced to urinate on himself, the paper said.

Although publicly released records allege detainee was subject to harsh interrogation techniques in the early stages of detention, Gahtanis file noted, his confessions appear to be true and are corroborated in reporting from other sources. However, a number of other prisoners were said to have made false claims of torture. Meanwhile, according to the Telegraph, senior Al-Qaeda commander Khalid Sheikh Mohammed claimed that the terrorist group has hidden a nuclear bomb in Europe and unleash a nuclear hellstorm if Bin Laden is ever caught or killed. In their top-secret detainee assessments, military analysts also provided fresh information about the self- proclaimed September 11 mastermind.

He was said to have ordered a one-time Baltimore resident in 2002 to wear a suicide bomb vest and perform a martyrdom attack against then Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf. The assignment turned out to simply be a test of Majid Khans willingness to die for the cause. President Barack Obamas administration, which has struggled to shutter Guantanamo, denounced the unfortunate release of the classified documents, part of a massive cache of secret memos leaked to WikiLeaks last year. In a statement, the government said the Obama and Bush administrations had made every effort to act with the utmost care and diligence in transferring detainees from Guantanamo. (AFP - 25 April 2011)

Americas international military bill is more than China, Britain, France and Russia COMBINED
Fighting the good fight: The U. S. spent $698billion on defence in 2010, 42 per cent of the total worldwide expenditure

LEWIS BAZLEY
Being the greatest superpower in the world was never likely to be an inexpensive business but new figures reveal just how costly the battle for international war and peace can be. Military spending in Europe has fallen by 2.8 per cent in the last year as governments tighten their belts in the search for economic recovery. But for the U. S., international conflict and peacekeeping has become staggeringly expensive, with $698billion spent in 2010. The figure is a 2.8 per increase from the previous year and around six times the expenditure as China, Americas nearest rival when it comes to military spending. Incredibly, U. S. military spending has almost doubled in the last ten years as operations in Iraq and Afghanistan have dragged on - last years outlay represented an 81 per cent increase on the 2001 figure. The U. S. spending figures are not matched worldwide, however, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute said. Global military spending hit an all-time high of $1.6trillion in 2010, but spending increased by 1.3 per cent in real terms, a steep drop from a 5.9 per cent drop the previous year. The biggest defence budget cuts came in small central and Eastern European economies, as well as financially troubled nations like Greece. In many cases, the falls or slower increases represent a delayed reaction to the global financial and economic crisis that broke in 2008 the institute said in a statement. Further cuts are expected in most of Europe in 2011 and subsequent years, although these are likely to remain relatively modest in the major spending countries. The U. S., however, continues to be exceptional in terms of its military spending, SIPRI said. Its defence expenditure comprised 42.8 per cent of world military spending in 2010 - the second biggest spender, China, had just a 7.3 per cent share. The UK had the third highest spending, with France and Russia narrowly behind. The institute also revealed that spending in South America increased by six per cent to $63billion, buoyed by the strength of Peruvian and Colombian insurgents, while African expenditure rose by five per cent. Exceptional military spending: U. S. defence expenditure has increased by 81 per cent since 2001 (dailymail.co.uk - 11 April 2011)

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Exploitation of women

Prostitution Obscenity

Nudity

Rape

Impudence

Why is the relationship between Muslims and Jews troubled in the US?
KALEEM KAWAJA
kaleemkawaja@gmail.com

ince the awful terrorist attack on September 11, 2001 quite a few Muslim organizations, Islamic Centers and mosques in North America (US and Canada) have begun a host of interfaith activities with Christian and Jewish religious and social organizations. Muslim community leaders in a variety of cities across the vast North American continent have stepped out and have held joint interfaith harmony programs with churches and synagogues. The initiative towards building harmony with the Jewish people has been particularly noteful due to the fact that in middleast the Jewish state of Israel continues to behave with injustice towards the people of Palestine, most of whom are Muslim. That has caused much tension between Muslims and Jews across the globe. Thus ten years ago the Muslims of North America hoped that building harmonious relationship with Jews will help reduce this global Muslim-Jewish tension and will help individuals from these two communities that are indeed cousins, work to reduce individuals from both communities from working against the political and social interests of each other. The larger hope of the Muslims was that the rapprochement of Muslims and Jews in North America

may help resolve the Israeli-Palestinian-Muslim dispute in an equitable manner. Also it was hoped that in the arena of the political and electoral circles in North America, Muslims and Jews should stop opposing each others efforts to gain visibility. It is no secret that in North America the Jewish people are very strong in social, political, economic arenas and Muslims are considerably weaker. Yet in terms of demographics and population the numbers of Muslims are healthy and thus they could give some support to the North American Jews. However, after ten years of interfaith rapprochement efforts one finds that these two communities are at loggerheads and the tension between the two has not reduced. Conversations with several middle of the road North American Muslims indicates the following from the perspective of the Muslims. It is true that in the interfaith programs of the two communities and mutual visits to mosques and synagogues there is enthusiasms from both sides and a genuine desire to resolve the tension between them. owever, it appears that the North American Jewish community is approaching their Muslim counterparts with a multipronged strategy. A segment of the Jewish community tries to build harmony with Muslims. But a larger and more powerful seg-

ment of the Jewish community and their organizations are continuing to oppose the core social, political and economic interests of American and Canadian Muslims and their organizations. In situations in the counties, cities and states across north America when Muslims try to get elected to civic positions either in local governmental or civic or organizations, they are frequently opposed by Jewish activists. In the universities or research centers or hospitals or corporations when credible and meritorious Muslim individuals try to get elected to committees or commissions or panels they are often opposed by Jewish individuals. In the matter of the foreign and domestic policies of the governments of US and Canada when Muslim organizations and activists try to have the government policies improved to make them more equitable towards Muslims and Muslim countries and Palestinians, the powerful Jewish organizations and individuals oppose the efforts of the Muslims. Today the Muslim community in North America is beleaguered in a manner similar to the African-American community. The Jewish community in North America has been sympathetic to the African-American community. But it is surprising that when it comes to the similarly beleaguered Muslim community, most of the Jewish organizations and individuals are not sympathetic to them. Notwithstanding the many

interfaith harmony efforts between the Muslim and Jewish communities. In the absence of any progress to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian dispute over the last several decades and the huge problems in that area, some Muslims hoped that at least in the matter of domestic policies in US and Canada if the two communities could cooperate more and reduce the tension between them it could work as a springboard to resolve the global tension among them. But as mentioned above despite overtures and positive interfaith efforts of US and Canadian Muslims towards the Jewish communities in these countries, the approach of the American and Canadian Jewish folks are frequently contradictory. The positive efforts of the interfaith Jews are being nullified by the powerful and larger hawkish Jews. Both Muslims and Jews are religious minorities in North America and hence they must learn to coexist peacefully, support each other and build bridges of understanding. The Jewish people and their organizations have the ability to eliminate the contradictions that one sees emanating constantly from their side. Otherwise the interfaith and positive feelings of many North American Muslims and Jews will go haywire and a lot of efforts to reduce tension between these two communities who happen to be people of the Book and cousins will come to naught.

24 The Milli Gazette, 1-15 May 2011

INTERNATIONAL

Jerusalem - Past and Present - iii

benches and blow their traditional horns (shofer) at the place. But Jews have flaZAFARUL-ISLAM KHAN grantly violated the status quo since June 1967 in the ver since its occupation in 1967, Israel has tried wake of the military occupathrough a number of measures to integrate Eastern tion of East Jerusalem when Jerusalem into Israel, occupy private Arab lands and suddenly with the notice of a properties, expel Arab citizens of Jerusalem and plant few minutes hundreds of as many Jews as possible in the Holy City and its homes of the Moroccan immediate environs in order to change its demography for good. Quarter were bulldozed to Manachem Klein, adviser to the then Israeli foreign minister create a large ground in front Shlomo Ben Ami during 2000-2001, said in his book which has of the Western Wall and ever been translated into Arabic as Tahtim al-mahzour - al-ittisalat since more and more physimin ajl al-taswiyah al-daimah fil-Quds 1994-2001 (quoted in the cal changes are introduced in Aljazira.net study cited above) that the Israeli acquisition and setthe area including the buildtlement policies in Jerusalem must lead to a demographic imbaling of an iron bridge which ance (70 percent Jews and 30 percent Arabs). To achieve this allows Jews to reach the quickly, he recommended a more stringent approach to demolish Aqsa compound bypassing Arab homes, build new Jewish settlements and throttle the the traditional gates where growth of East Jerusalem. Mayor of Jerusalem, Yehud Olmert, Muslim guards try to frustrate who later succeeded Ariel Sharon as prime minister in 2006, said their occasional attempts to that the return of the Jewish people to Jerusalem after 2000 sneak into the compound and years has a symbolic value which should be judged with a hisIsraeli diggings under the Aqsa compound; in the foreground is the Wailing Wall and the iron offer Jewish prayers there, toric perspective as it is a struggle which may continue for hunbridge erected by the Israelis for direct access to the Aqsa compound bypassing gates especially since June 2003. dreds of years and, therefore, we must continue judising the city Christian sites too have despite all obstacles (aljazira.net study cited above). The Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netenyahu said, speaking to AIPAC on es. The PLO study further said that these figures are still not final suffered Jewish intrusion and occupation though on a smaller 22 March 2010, that Jerusalem is not a colony but our capital. because the Israeli occupation authorities confiscated all scale and this has occasionally led to tension between Israel and He disclosed that around a quarter of a million of Jews now live Palestinian land records when they closed down the Orient various Christian Churches. One such big dispute arose between House (Bait Al-Sharq) in August 2001 which was functioning as Israel and the Vatican towards the end of 2009 about Christian in this area beyond the lines of the Armistice of 1949. sites in Jerusalem and West Bank especially the Room of the To achieve this, Israeli governments have followed the poli- a de facto Palestinian administration in East Jerusalem. UN Security Council through resolution number 298 of 25 Last Supper on Mount Zion which Jews claim to be the grave of cies laid down by Teddy Kolek, mayor of Jerusalem during 19651992 which aim at cutting off Jerusalem from West Bank, espe- September 1971, resolved that acquisition of land by force is ille- King David and reject to hand it over to the Vatican. But the greatest change has been done underground. Soon cially through changing the demography. To achieve this, Israeli gal and it asked Israel to cancel all its actions in this regard. When authorities have tried to neutralize Arab-owned properties by in 1980, Israel declared Jerusalem as the eternal capital of after occupation in 1967, Israelis started extensive excavations declaring them as evacuee/absentee or neglected properties Israel, in clear disregard of the international law and the Forth under the Aqsa Mosque complex starting from the western side which could be acquired on one hand or by denying Arabs per- Geneva Convention, the UN Security Council condemned this act to the north and east towards the Dome of the Rock. They have mits to build or use their properties on the other. To achieve this, through resolution number 487 of 20 August 1980 declaring the also done extensive diggings elsewhere in East Jerusalem and Israel revived the Land Acquisition Law issued by the British in Israeli declaration and all its consequences illegal but Israel has other parts of the West Bank searching for archaeological arte1943 which allows acquisition of private land for public purpose. never bothered to adhere to international legality in such matters. facts to support their claim on the holy city in general and the holy Using this law, Israel acquired 23500 dunam Palestinian land It has tried to present its policies under legal garb, for example the site of the Aqsa in particular. Occasional reports have confirmed Military Order Number 1650 which was ratified by the Israeli army that Israelis have built extensive tunnels and a number of underduring 1967-1996 alone. Israeli authorities have also evolved strange ways to confis- on 13 October 2009 and became effective on 12 April 2010 says ground synagogues beneath the Aqsa mosque and it is feared cate Palestinian lands like reviving an old Ottoman law which that any [Palestinian] found in the West Bank without proper or that due to these diggings the Aqsa foundations have been comsaid that ownership of an agricultural land will revert to the State valid IDs will be considered an infiltrator and will be either promised and any earthquake or bomb blast will be enough to if it was not tilled for a continuous three years while the fact is that expelled from the occupied territories or jailed for seven years pull down the whole huge structure. According to the Strategic Report of the Quds Foundation it is the Israeli occupation force which does not allow Palestinian with a fine of 7500 Israeli shekels. This means that if seriously farmers access to their lands. The latest example is the apartheid implemented, tens of thousands of the inhabitants of Jerusalem published in March 2010, Israelis are trying in the near future, 1) wall erected by Israel in West Bank where vast chunks of lands and the West Bank will be expelled, especially those themselves, to enforce a partition of the Al-Aqsa compound to secure a place fall to the west of the wall to which Palestinians have no access. or whose one or both parents were born in Gaza Strip or who are for Jewish prayers there and the iron bridge already erected at These lands, eaten up by the wall, have been in effect acquired married to foreigners. This Israeli law not only disregards inter- the Wailing Wall for direct access to the compound bypassing the without paying any compensation in any way to their owners. The national laws about occupied lands but also fails to take account gates will be used for this purpose. Ariel Sharon after he became main purpose of the wall is to cut off East Jerusalem from its nat- of even the Oslo Accords Israel has signed with the Palestinians. prime minister for the second time, told rabbis of the West Bank ural commercial and social interaction and continuity areas in the Further more, such cases will be tried summarily within three days settlements in 2006 that he will allow Jews to pray on the Aqsa West Bank like the cities of Ramallah and Bethlehem as well as by military tribunals. The properties of such infiltrators too will be compound at the right time. Micky Levy, the police chief of Jerusalem at the time had said that this will be done after the the Arab villages adjacent to East Jerusalem like Abu Dis, Anata, considered absentee properties and confiscated. Israeli efforts to change the demography of Eastern American war in Iraq is over. 2) complete the project of the Aliazria etc where around one hundred thousand Palestinian Arabs live. The wall disregards, rather dismantles, the social fab- Jerusalem may be gauged from the fact that 172,248 Jewish set- Sacred Jewish City underneath and around the Aqsa comtlers had been planted in East Jerusalem and their numbers rose pound and for this a number of tunnels will be opened for Jewish ric which has evolved over hundreds of years in the area. With pressure on life and space, tens of thousands of Arab to 189,708 by the year 2007 (Statistical Book for Jerusalem visitors; 3) Build more Jewish landmarks in East Jerusalem after the Hurva Synogogue, built on the ruins of a mosque, was inauJerusalemites had moved to live in these adjacent villages. 2002-2007). Not only expulsion, Israeli policies have also neutralized the gurated on 15 March, 2010 at a stones throw distance from the People from East Jerusalem frequently went to these villages to shop. As a result of the apartheid walls many shops in these vil- remaining Arabs in Jerusalem in other ways. As most of them Aqsa compound. Another synagogue, Quds Al-Nur, mentioned in reject Israeli occupation, they refrain from taking part in the Israeli the 2008 Israeli plan for Jerusalem, will come up at the site of the lages have been closed down. Israel also limits Arab presence in East Jerusalem through and Jerusalem municipality elections which in effect means that Islamic Court adjacent to the Western Wall of the Aqsa. With mass destruction of homes on a number of pretexts (punishment one thirds of the holy city population is unrepresented and voice- these additions, the number of Jewish synagogues built in East Jerusalem since 1967 will cross a dozen. for resistance activity, administrative demolition and military less. Israel believes and practices as if only Jews have historical The most important attempt to destroy the Aqsa Mosque was requirements). Figures for 1994-2006 show that during this period alone Israel issued more than ten thousand demolition orders and present rights in Jerusalem while the fact is the Islamic and made in August 1969 when an Australian Zionist tried to burn the in East Jerusalem alone though not all of them were carried out Christian rights and physical presence in Jerusalem are much Aqsa inflicting grave damage to the building and its furniture. This for various reasons (figures for other occupied areas are more stronger than the Jewish claim which rests solely on military agitated the whole world of Islam and led to the establishment of occupation whether of West Jerusalem in 1948 or East the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) shortly thereafter. higher). According to a study of the PLOs Negotiations Department Jerusalem in 1967 the legal results of which have been consis- There are around 20 Jewish and rightist Christian organizations in 2005, Israel confiscated 43.5 percent of the lands of East tently rejected by the international community through the United working for the establishment of the Jewish Temple on the Aqsa Jerusalem to build Jewish settlements on them, while Israel has Nations and various other international and regional forums site which obviously will take place after removing the Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock from the compound. This poldesignated 41 percent lands as green land where construction including the World Court of Justice. While Islamic and Christian facts dot every inch of the holy icy is supported by all in Israeli polity from right to centre to the is illegal. In addition to this, Israel has earmarked 3.4 percent of East Jerusalem lands for the military and infrastructure purpos- city, Jews have only one physical historical evidence to support left. A replica of the proposed temple is already at display near their case and its the so-called Wailing Wall better known as the Western Wall and a number of Jewish religious schools are the Western Wall of the Aqsa preparing clerics and teaching them the rituals and prayers to be Mosque or the Buraq Wall. An conducted in the Temple once it is ready. Weve got mail..... international commission It is a fact of history and current situation on the ground that appointed by the League of Muslims have a solid presence on the ground. Under Muslim rule Nations in 1929 had categorical- rights of both Jews and Christians were guaranteed and protectly affirmed that the Western Wall ed while both Muslims and Jews were massacred and severely is a part of the Aqsa Mosque persecuted during the brief occupation by the Crusaders and and a property of Muslims alone again by the British during 1917-1948 when the foundations of and that Jews have only the the Jewish state were firmly laid through unhindered immigration The flow of news never ceases, so between our fortnightly print right of access to this wall with- and other facilities including a liberal grant of government lands issues we send out email newsletter - MG e-Alerts. Get our out any right whatsoever to to the Jews despite persistent Arab protests. And now the Jews eNewsletter FREE! write to us at sales@milligazette.com introduce anything new at the during their occupation since 1948 and especially since 1967 site. The issue was referred to Become a fan of MG on Facebook visit: facebook.com/milligazette the international commission fol- have demonstrated that they have very scant regard for the interests of non-Jews in the holy land or the international opinion Follow us on twitter: twitter.com/milligazette lowing violent disturbances in expressed through the UN and other forums. 1929 when Jews tried to bring in

(Continued from the previous issue)

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The Milli Gazette, 1-15 May 2011 25

INTERNATIONAL

Libyan invasion was planned in advance

STEPHEN J. LENDMAN

teve lendmanIn his book, Winning Modern Wars, General Wesley Clark said Pentagon sources told him two months after 9/11 that war plans were being prepared against Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Iran, Somalia, Sudan and Libya. Months earlier, they were finalized against Afghanistan. Clark added: And what about the real sources of terrorists - US allies in the region like Egypt, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia? Wasnt it repressive policies of the first, and the corruption and poverty of the second, that were generating many of the angry young men who became terrorists? And what of the radical ideology and direct funding spewing from Saudi Arabia? It seemed that we were being taken into a strategy more likely to make us the enemy - encouraging what could look like a clash of civilizations - not a good strategy for winning the war on terror. Since insurgency in Libya began, reports of a ground invasion circulated despite no UN authorization and official denials. On April 1, they gained credence after release of an EUFOR Libya (European Union Force) decision from Brussels, saying: The Council has adopted today the decision, underpinning the mandates of the United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1970 and 1973, establishing an operation, called EUFOR Libya in order to stand ready to support humanitarian assistance in the region, if requested by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). In fact, humanitarian assistance is code language for aggression, invasion, colonization, and balkanization for profit and imperial control of the entire Mediterranean Basin. Libya, Syria, and Hezbollah-controlled Lebanon are the last links to complete it, suggesting after Libyas conquest, Syria and perhaps Lebanon may be next. The Councils decision established a framework, subject to UN or NATO authorization, NATO meaning Washingtons running everything in Libya and the region. Headquartered in Rome, Rear Admiral Claudio Gaudiosi has been appointed as (EUFOR) Operation Commander. In fact, AFRICOM head General Carter Ham runs operations under EUCOM (the Pentagons European Command). In a recent interview, Middle East/North African analyst Mahdi Darius Nazemroaya said: AFRICOM is still very much attached to EUCOM and dependent on (it) in many ways.... AFRICOMs role is currently latent or concealed. It is EUCOM.... based in Europe (as is AFRICOM), which is currently running the operations against the Libyans. In fact, Admiral James Stavridis heads EUCOM and NATO, EUCOMs web site calling him Commander of European Command and.... NATO Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (since) early summer 2009. In recent testimony, he told the Senate Armed Services Committee that America is running Odyssey Dawn with NATO stabilization operations troops, adding that sanctions and bombing accomplished nothing. In other words, invasion is planned, suggested by NATOS commander. Expect it in days or weeks, masquerading as enhanced humanitarian intervention. Nazemroaya added that AFRICOMs mission is to help secure a new colonial order in Africa that the US and its allies are working to establish. In many ways, this is what (hostilities are) all about. Washington is very much in charge, planning to carve up Libya and Africa for profit - Britain, France and other key co-belligerents to share the spoils. Invasion Plans Solidifying: On April 6, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton told the European Parliament that plans for military intervention were being considered. On April 7, the German

Press Agency DPA said she wrote UN Secretary- General Ban Kimoon, telling him about the EUs readiness to act. An unnamed official said, Everybody is aware that something has to be done. You can expect that there will be a mobilization of the international community in the coming days. In other words, planned invasion will use humanitarian intervention as a pretext. Despite abstaining from UN Resolution 1973 and withdrawing its ships from embargoing Libya, expect German participation if it comes. On April 8, Chancellor Merkels spokesman, Steffen Seibert, said German forces would join a humanitarian mission if requested by the UN. According to Defense Ministry spokesman, Christian Dienst, German involvement includes hav(ing) their boots on the ground in Libya, as well as redeployed ships participating. In other words, Germany wants its share of the spoils like other co-belligerents. Expect UN Resolution 1973s no-fly zone, including all necessary measures, to be used as invasion authorization, no matter its lawlessness as a previous article explained, accessed through the following link: http://sjlendman.blogspot.com/2011/03/lies-damnlies-and-humanitarian.html The UN Charter explains under what conditions violence and coercion (by one state against another) are justified. Article 2(3) and Article 33(1) require peaceful settlement of international disputes. Article 2(4) prohibits force or its threatened use. And Article 51 allows the right of individual or collective self- defense if an armed attack occurs against a Member.... until the Security Council has taken measures to maintain international peace and security. In other words, justifiable self-defense is permissible, not preemptive intervention in another nations internal affairs, especially on bogus humanitarian grounds, masking imperial aims. Moreover, under the UN Charter, Article 2(3) and Article 33(1) require peaceful settlement of international disputes, not shock and awe attacks. Article 2(4), in fact, prohibits force or its threatened use, including no-fly zones that are acts of war. Further, Articles 2(3), 2(4), and 33 absolutely prohibit any unilateral or other external threat or use of force not specifically allowed under Article 51 or otherwise authorized by the Security Council that may not violate its own Charter. In fact, Washington bullied enough members to do so, planning naked aggression in response. Gaddafi Accepts Ceasefire Plan: On April 11, A Jazeera headlined, African leaders in Benghazi for peace talks, saying: After meeting with Gaddafi on Sunday, they announced that he accepted a roadmap to peace, but he refused to say whether the deal included his resignation - a key demand for rebels.... Jacob Zuma, the South African president, said Tripoli had accepted the African Unions plan, including an immediate halt to hostilities, effective ceasefire monitoring, delivering humanitarian aid, and protecting foreigners. At the same time, Reuters reported no let-up in NATO attacks, an official saying, It does not appear that this indication of a peace deal has any substance at this point. Indeed not, as long as NATO keeps bombing and spurns peace. On April 11 at 12:02 EDT, Reuters unsurprisingly said: Libyan rebels rejected an African Union peace plan on Monday because it did not address their main demand that (Gaddafi) quit and because it proposed reforming a ruling system they want removed. National Transitional Council head Mustafa Abdul Jalil (former Libyan Justice Minister) said: The African Union initiative does not include the departure of Gaddafi and his sons from the Libyan political scene, therefore it is outdated. The initiative speaks of reforms from within the Libyan system and that is rejected. Western leaders also rejected peace unless Gaddafis ousted, saying bombing will continue until hes removed. Turkish Invasion Plan: On March 1, the World Tribune. com

headlined, Obama said to back Turkey offer to invade Libya, saying: Turkey offered to lead a NATO effort to overthrow (Gaddafi) by invading Libya, but with strings attached. Diplomatic sources said.... Prime Minister Erdogan (suggested) a plan in which the Turkish Navy would send ships and troops to Libya, wanting EU membership in return. According to an unnamed Western diplomat, It was not clear if Turkey could actually do the job, but Erdogan did make this offer. Unnamed sources said Obama and Saudi Arabia endorsed the plan. Brussels, however, appeared cold, including French President Sarkozy. He and other EU leaders regarded Erdogans plan as a means to exploit the revolt in Libya. The same unnamed diplomat said, The feeling is that Turkey is looking to become the Ottoman Empire, and most of Europe does not want to go through that history again. Also at issue is Turkish support for Iran, tensions with Israel, EU reluctance to include an Islamic member country, (even a secular one), and having another spoils of war partner, meaning less to key co-belligerents wanting them all. A Final Comment: As part of its anti-Gaddafi disinformation campaign, a New York Times CJ Chivers At War: Notes From the Front Lines blog features regular commentaries, including an April 10 one headlined, Libyan Rebels Take Risks With Makeshift Arms, saying: Rebel weapons are, in a word, a sight. They are also a fright.... In truth, the men who fire them have little idea of how far these (makeshift) rockets fly, a limited ability to change their elevation, and.... often have no ability to traverse them left or right. One fighter complained that we have almost no other weapons, and Qaddafi has all the lethal weapons available in the world. A March 30 Mark Landler, Elisabeth Bumiller and Steven Lee Myers article headlined, Washington Debates Idea of Arming Libyan Rebels, saying: Administration officials, including Secretary of State Clinton, said no decision had been made, but Washington had a right to do so, despite an arms embargo.... Obama told NBC News, Im not ruling it out, but Im also not ruling it in. Were still making an assessment.... He also pledged no US ground troops. Concern over the lightly armed rebels prompted an unnamed European diplomat to say rebels should be more heavily armed. We strongly believe that it should happen. Even if concerns are resolved, Pentagon officials said it was unclear to them how an effort to arm rebels would be carried out. They said the arms most likely to be of use were relatively light.... not especially sophisticated, (and it would take) months, if not years, of on-the-ground training to instruct rebels on their use. On April 10, Global Research. ca reported: Libyan rebels from the Feb. 17 armed coup attempt to overthrow the Libyan government had brand new weapons since the first day of the uprising. These weapons were of non-Libyan origin and had already been secretly imported into Libya in advance of Feb. 17. Involved are millions of dollars worth of technically advanced light and heavy weaponry. The report suggested secret foreign benefactors giving state-of-the-art weapons to Benghazi terror gangs in the coup attempt, video evidence showing Western trainers instructing them on their use. The rebels appear to be paid mercenaries and Libyan expatriates, as well as students and Al Qaeda elements, a CIA/MI 6-enlisted alliance to oust Gaddafi. Despite genuine internal opposition to his rule, the current uprising was externally manufactured, not spontaneous for democratic change as major media reports suggest, including BBC and Al Jazeera backing rebels, abandoning honest journalism and independent reporting in the process. Stephen Lendman is a regular contributor to Rebel News. He lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. Source: Stephen Lendman Planned Libya Invasion

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26 The Milli Gazette, 1-15 May 2011

INTERNATIONAL

Pakistans Worsening Crisis of Confidence with Washington

KARAMATULLAH K. GHORI
It isnt the figment of a cynics imagination to say that Pakistan has mostly had a chequered relationship with US. Ever since the two unequal partners hitched up with each other, in the infancy of the Cold War between US and the then USSR, their relationship has gone through periodical cycles. In other words, it has been on a roller-coaster ride. Another maxim dominating the history of US-Pakistan relations is that Washington, in the case of cultivating relations with Pakistan, has always been infatuated with the powerful Pakistan army and courted it at the expense of Pakistans civil society. For Washington, there may be a plausible reason for this extraordinary lopsidedness. Pakistan was picked up as a partner in the Cold War against the Soviet Union because John Foster Dulles, Secretary of State under President Eisenhower, was impressed by the quality of Pakistans military leadership and discipline and thought it had real potential to strengthen the system of defence alliances US was then engaged in shaping up against the rival super power. That pattern still holds good. The Cold War has long been over but Pakistans powerful and influential army is still heavily engaged on the side of US in fighting another kind of war-the war against terror, especially the one being fought since the cataclysm of 9/11 in Afghanistan. The ongoing war against terror in Afghanistan-now in its 10th year-has made the Pakistan armys assistance a lynchpin of Washingtons costly effort to snuff out the Taliban resistance and win the war, both on the battlefield as well as politically. The Pakistan army has also been a major recipient of military assistance from Washington. Its not a largesseand the leadership of Pakistans military is very sensitive in highlighting this fact-but a payment for the intense and expensive effort being invested by the Pakistan military to acquit itself of its mission. Not for the first time, however, this pattern of close co-operation-or partnership, as Washington so assiduously insists-between the Pakistan army and Washington has bred a culture of resentment and hostility in the people of Pakistan against US, a fact borne out by all sorts of opinion polls and surveys conducted by US agencies active in the field of public opinion, as well as by researchers in Pakistan, too. The public hostility in Pakistan against their army and government having become partisans of Washington is anchored in the perception that the war being waged against the terrorists-both inside Pakistan as well as on the Afghan side of the border-is not Pakistans war. Those articulating the public opinion of the Pakistanis argue that because of Pakistans involvement in an issue which had no provenance in Pakistan the country is being sucked into a quagmire. They point out to the fact that Pakistan has become a target of terrorist acts because of the unjustified involvement of its army and government in an alien war. There are facts and figures aplenty to buttress their argument. Pakistan had never experienced a suicide attack anywhere in its land before it cast its dye in favour of becoming a partisan in what the people of Pakistan insist is Americas war. Hundreds of suicide attacks and targeted bombing, in cities and country-side alike over the past almost ten years, have exacted a colossal toll, already, from the Pakistanis in terms of lives lost and men, women and children maimed. On top of what price the terrorists are exacting from the people of Pakistan for the sins of their army and the government, a stiffer price in blood is also being exacted by Washington, through its infuriatingly spiralling number of drone attacks inside Pakistan. The American drones are proving to be the biggest bane for a relationship which has never been easy but has acquired a definite nastiness about it because of the American proclivity to shoot from the hip. Drone attacks against targets inside Pakistan were commenced under the watch of George W. Bush in the White House. But Obama has embraced the Bush initiative with unremitting zeal. The proof of it is the frequency of these drone visitations on the Pakistani people in the last two years of Obama being at then helm in Washington. Drone sorties have increased exponentially under Obama; there were hundreds of attacks in 2010, killing more than 950 Pakistanis in what the Pentagon and CIA-owners and operators of drones-just casually dismiss as collateral damage. However, Americas relentless war-mongering was causing a real collateral damage to the reputation of the Pakistan army in the eyes and estimations of the people of Pakistan. The Pakistanis have never accepted the US countrys politicians. However, the armys hard-to-understand-in the perception of the layman-reign of silence over the blight of the US drones-and the untold suffering it caused to the ordinary people-was denting the militarys aura and triggering a whispering campaign that the army, too, was complicit in the American torturing of the Pakistani people. To an army that has consistently prided itself on its public moorings and credentials this couldnt be anything other than a wake-up call. This new, but perceptibly emerging, phenomenon in Pakistan-largely thanks to a very liberal, outspoken and vocal news media-was especially jarring to the countrys military chief, General Ashfaq Kayani, a highly trained officer of impeccable credentials. control and arrogant imperialist power running berserk over their land, or their slavish rulers who tilted at all windmills to ensure a safe exit for the brazen murderer of three Pakistanis? The army too couldnt escape the popular rage pointing fingers at those culpable of this crime against the nation. The popular mood was angered infinitely by Hillary Clintons arrogant boast that no American money had been used to pay off the blood relatives of the victims. The only inference, in peoples mind, couldnt be other than suspecting that the armys intelligence arm, ISI, had dipped into its own coffers to come up with the blood money because ISI was seen as being the facilitator smoothening the way for the American murderer to escape the reach of Pakistani justice. The army stood guilty of complicity in the crime; it had touched an unprecedented nadir in public esteem. But in a quirk of fate that was ironical in the extreme, the Americans, in their hubris, came to the early, though unintended no doubt, rescue of their dumb-founded Pakistani comrades-inarms. What could only be attributed to a nauseating embodiment of imperial arrogance, US celebrated Davis release from Pakistani custody with a furious drone raid, the very next morning, in which 46 Pakistanis-mostly women and children-were slaughtered. These drone attacks had remained mysteriously suspended as long as Davis was in Pakistani hands. US, undoubtedly, sought to remind the Pakistanis-if any reminder was at all warranted-that it was the master of their situation and free to fashion it whichever way it wanted. The public rage and uproar, on the heels of this carnage, provided an opening to General Kayani to weave his army back into the public favour. He seized the opening without wasting a moment and came out with a sharp denunciation of the brazen attack and calling for immediate end to the deadly game. General Kayanis open critique of US provocations won him the hearts of the Pakistani people but blew the lid off the half-hearted efforts of the two governments to keep the deep fissures in their bilateral relationship under covers. Thats where the US-Pakistan relations stand at the moment: divided at the core with a yawning deficit of trust despite the two being allies in the war against terror in Afghanistan. Remedial efforts are ostensibly under way but the Americans in particular seem not to have their heart in them. A visit by the ISI chief, General Shuja Pasha, to Washington in the middle of April has failed to break the ice. A return visit to Islamabad by the Chairman of US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mullen, has likewise been unhelpful. The strategic dialogue between the two countries, held periodically, remains suspended and there are no signs on the horizon of its resumption, any time soon. Mullen, in fact, seemed to have poured more oil on the burning fire during his Islamabad visit by publicly accusing some elements of ISI for being partisans and supporters of the Haqqani Group, ensconced in Pakistans tribal North Waziristan; the Americans regard this outfit for being a major supporter of the Afghan Taliban and sheltering terrorists under its wings. Mullens provocative denunciation of ISI has been quickly followed, within hours literally, by another murderous visitation of US drones. As of the writing of these lines, at least 25 civiliansincluding 4 women and 5 children-have been killed in this latest raid. The saga of unhindered spilling of the Pakistani blood shows no sign of abating. The US-Pakistan badly mauled equation at this juncture reminds of an unhappy marriagethis one being one of utter convenience-in which neither partner wants a divorce but also unwilling, apparently, to inject any sense of normality in the botched relationship. Pakistan demands equality of status and respect deserving of an ally, which US is unprepared to grant. The imperial arrogance knows only to dictate not accommodate. A super power, with its global outreach seems infuriatingly disinclined from accommodating a poor but unavoidably essential partner in an unending war. But what sends shivers aplenty down many a spine in Washington is the unsavoury thought that this poor little partner also happens to be a nuclear power.

General Kayanis open critique of US provocations won him the hearts of the Pakistani people but blew the lid off the half-hearted efforts of the two governments to keep the deep fissures in their bilateral relationship under covers.
assertion that drones are targeting the terrorists. In their estimation, this nuisance from the skies is a deliberate American ploy to sow terror in the hearts of the Pakistanis by targeting civiliansinnocent men, women and children who predominate among the casualties of these drone attacks. The people of Pakistan, especially since the Americans invaded and occupied next-door Afghanistan, have regarded US as the principal danger to their countrys sovereignty and territorial integrity. Repeated opinion polls and surveys-conducted by both US-based think tanks as well as those in Pakistan-have reached this conclusion that US is enemy number one in the perception of the people of Pakistan who dread that America is after its nuclear assets and wouldnt mind undoing Pakistan itself in its brazen quest to unhinge Pakistans nuclear arsenal. By the same token, the people of Pakistan have made no attempt to hide their contempt for their ruling civilian elite, which is seen as a pack of robber barons serving the US imperial interests and not bothered about safeguarding Pakistans primordial national interests, or its sovereign boundaries, for that matter. They havent been disappointed or disproved either by the abysmally uninspiring and, at times morally bankrupt, conduct of their rulers, as amply borne out by the Wiki Leaks. But Pakistan army has always had a special place in the hearts of the Pakistani people, largely because it draws its ranks-and over the past three decades the bulk of its officers corpsfrom amongst the lower and middle-middle classes of the Pakistani civil society. The army has also been able to enhance this popular perception on the basis of its remarkable efficiency, calibre and disciplined that stands out in marked contrast to the pedestrian track record of the Unlike his shaded predecessor, General Pervez Musharraf-who signed on the Bush war on terror without batting an eyelid, opened the countrys military and air bases to use by the Americans, and boastfully sold hundreds of Pakistanis to the Americans (something he proudly mentioned in his ghost-written autobiography) in return for money to fill his own coffers-General Kayani has the reputation of a gentleman. With his ears firmly plugged to the ground, Kayani couldnt but be disturbed by rumblings of popular discontent about his conduct and that of the army he led in the context of the popular backlash against American marauding. But the last straw to break the back of the people of Pakistans patience came earlier this year when a hired-gun and a trained CIA killer, by the name of Raymond Davis, shot two Pakistani youths in the heart of Lahore, in broad daylight, and an American Consular car, rushing to his abortive rescue, crushed a third young man under its wheels before dashing into the safe confines of the US Consulate in Lahore. The uproar on the heels of an unprecedented act of brinkmanship by a Rambo-like American agent provocateur shook the core of US-Pakistan relations. It brought to the surface that seething public discontent that had simply been looking for a soft spot to come to the surface. The damn of public tolerance had been breached for good. The fact that the Raymond Davis saga embroiled the nation of Pakistan as one couldnt have been lost on the hectoring Americans or their supine clients in the Pakistan government. And yet Davis was allowed to go Scott free, in return for blood money allegedly paid to the kith and kin of the victims of his murderous spree, seven weeks later, forcing the Pakistani people to conjecture who was more to blame: an out-of-

The Milli Gazette, 1-15 May 2011 27

BOOKS

Ulama and reform

Book: Ihya-e Deen Aur Hindustani Ulama Author: Ubaidullah Fahad Falahi Publisher: Al-Qalam Publications Truck Yard, Baramulla, Kashmir 193101, distributed by Urdu Book Review 1739/39 (Basement) New Kohinoor Hotel Pataudi House, Darya Ganj New Delhi-110002 Pages: 304 Price: Rs 210 1st Edition March 2011.Ubaidullah Fahad, associate professor at AMU, is a famous writer, translator and orator. He has several published works to his credit. Though his area of specialization is political science, but being an Alim he takes keen interest in Islamic studies and more specifically in studies of modern Islamic revival movements and their ideologues, specially Muslim Brotherhood of Egypt and Jamaate Islami of Indian sub continent. The book under review, in fact is a collection of some articles he had written some years back, focusing on Islamic revivalism in Indian subcontinent, which are now compiled in a book form. The book consisting of a preface and 10 chapters and one annexure, discusses revolutionary thoughts of Shahidain Movement, Maulana Hamiduddin Farahis ideas of sovereignty of God (Hakimiyate Ilah) and his political thoughts along with Maulana Sulaiman Nadwi, Maulana Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi ,and Maulana Mohammad Ilyass ideological and political thoughts. He also carefully reads in Maulana Azadd reforming movement Hizbullah and its ideology, objectives and activities. He also looks into some basic objections raised by Maulana Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi and Maulana Manzoor Numani regarding Maulana Maududis movement, ideas and discourses. What the author has written on Hizbullah, founded by Maulana Azad, can be considered a seminal study on the subject, though there is need of a comprehensive study of this almost forgotten movement, which still remains to be done. The chapter which examines Maulana Wahiduddin Khans ideology is in fact, a translation of an Arabic article by Yoosuf Kamal, which appeared in Ikhwans Arabic organ Al-Dawah fortnightly, published from Cairo. Though the author never mentioned what he exactly means by the term Ihyae Deen, but from reading between the lines it emerges that he believes and uses this term in the exact meaning, it is being used in the discourse of Jamaate Islami and the Ikhwanul Muslimun .The author thus takes the matter of revivalism as a set pattern of Ikhwan and Jamaate Islami. His pet theory seems to be that most of the Ulama of the Indian subcontinent were supporting this set pattern, arguably it is not the case. The main thrust of the book, as the writer claims is that The history of Islamic revivalism and resuscitation of Sharia in Indian subcontinent is both , scintillating and ironic. Scintillating, because the members of the Shahidain Movement laid down their precious lives for the sake of propagation and establishment of true Islam in this country, great Muslim scholars, like Moulana Farahi, Sulaiman Nadwi, Abul Kalam Azad and others, explained the ideology of Islamic movement in clear terms and they gave a clear blue print of methodology of Islamic resuscitation, so that Islamic system will get the upper hand. It is ironical, that when the Islamic movement (read Jamaate Ialami) did materialize in this country in the actual sense , then suddenly, with so many excuses and arguments ,many voices full of harsh criticism in the garb of well wishers and wise counsel, came up. So this book in a nut shell, is an album of this ironic as well as bright and glowing history. This really is a big claim which is not supported and proved with sufficient arguments and irrefutable facts. For example by the term Islamic movement if you mean the ideology of Jamaate Isalmi put forth by Maulana Maududi, the founder of the Jamat, how can you prove that Sulaiman Nadwi and Abul Kalam Azad and Tabliqhi Jamaat and other ulama have the same views, when they clearly do not share these ideas, and their views are on record? This question is unanswered by the writer. Moreover the concept that man is the vicegerent of Allah on earth also is not an accepted fact, because there are many great ulama, Ibn Tamia one of them, who very harshly reject this whole concept. Again the seventh chapter of the book is a rejoinder to one article published in monthly Al-furqan Lucknow, and it has no direct relationship with the subject matter of the book, Ihyae Deen, because Al-furqans article deals with and answering some critical objections against Hazrat Ameer Muaavia (RA) raised by Maulana Maududi in his famous book Khilafat wa Mulookiat. It means that the writer blindly believes every word of Maulana Moududi. The author in one chapter examines the thought of Maulana Whiduddin Khan which he termed, Maulana Wahiduddin Khans ideological retreat. But why this term? You only insufficiently translate an Arabic article criticizing Maulana Wahiduddin Khan and without consulting and going through W.Kahns arguments, that he has given in his critical book Tabir Ki Ghalatiand other books, how can you term it a retreat? It would have been better if the author had taken the trouble to read Khans books and then criticized him. Secondly, Maulana Maududi , no doubt was a great writer, thinker and ideologue, but at the same time, some of his ideas were not acceptable to, and vehemently opposed and rejected by his peer and contemporary ulama of the Indian sub continent. Some even dubbed his thought as political interpretation of Islam. How can then you treat his ideas as accepted facts?. However the authors reading of the Tabligh movement, its true context and wide nature as was in the mind of its founder, Maulana Ilyas, is very interesting and thought provoking, and eye-opener of Tablighs followers and votaries. With these observations the book, however, with an attractive presentation and rich subject matter is a readable one, specially for researchers and scholars of modern Islamic revivalist movements.

Author: Shaikh Mohammad Iqbal Publisher: Dr Shaikh Mohammad Iqbal, Srinagar, J&K Pages: 200. Price: SR 63 Islam brought about a complete revolution, unparalleled in the human history. That all human beings are equal, irrespective of their religion, race, class and colour, was a unique contribution of Islam. Likewise Islam brought about the high human ideals of tolerance, justice, peace and love of human beings. Now there is a worldwide propaganda that Islam is the most intolerant religion in the world. The learned author, Dr. Shaikh Mohammad Iqbal, attempts in this book to prove that the fact is otherwise. The book, comprising of 9 chapters examines the position of non-Muslims under various Muslim governments, beginning from the Prophets era to the Mughal Empire of the Indian subcontinent. In the first chapter, the author explains the basic tenets and ideals of Islam and in the epilogue he explained, while citing many quotations from orientalists, the many ways in which Islam was a boon to humanity. Rendering of the book as well as its get-up is good but it lacks proper referencing. Emeralds in the Crown of Islam Author: Shaikh Mohammad Iqbal Publisher: Dr Shaikh Mohammad Iqbal, Barzallah Bridge Srinagar 190005 Kahsmir. Pages: 100 Price: Rs 70 The book sheds light on the lives and achievements of the four revered Imams of Fiqhi schools of thought namely: Imam Abu Hanifah, Imam Malik, Imam Shafiee, and Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal. By giving accounts of the life of four Imams, the writer sought to highlight the fact that the four eminent Imams and their true followers never wanted to create differences, conflict and strife among Muslims. It would have been better if the writer had given references according to academic standards, so that the book could be up to the mark.

Islamic Toleration & Justice

Palestine Re-Emerging Author: Shaikh Mohammad Iqbal Published by: SNA & Bros, Sri Nagar Kashmir Pages: 596. Price: Rs 1100 In this informative book, the author, Dr Shaikh Mohammad Iqbal tries to deal comprehensively with all aspects of the Palestinian question right from its beginning till date. Comprising of three books with 15 chapters, the book is a comprehensive history of the Palestine problem. The author explores the genesis of this tragedy, the lessons from 1967 Israeli war, the return of the natives, Arab/Islamic response to Israeli tyranny, Israeli repressive tactics, American Mid-East policy and western medias biased reporting of this issue, Islamic summit of Doha, Al-Quds as an Islamic legacy, etc. He also explores what do the Palestinians want, and also sheds light on the anatomy of Israels case. The last chapter of the book discusses the ways of settling the problem of Palestinian state. In this regard some western views about the future of Palestine have also been given. Shaikh Iqbal also tries to answer the question whether the prophet of Islam (PBUH) was harsh to the Jews or not. The author also deals with the circumstances that led to the creation of the illegal state of Israel in the middle of the Arab heart land, which, besides being a brutal killer of innocent Palestinians, has so far been rogue and defiant to its creator, UN and chief mentor and supporter US and other Western powers, leaving aside the fact that it has been a permanent source of disturbance to its neighbours. The author also talks about the sacrifices Palestinians made while fighting for their just rights. Being full of many repetitions and lacking proper analysis, the book is reduced to simply a long narration of the Palestinian story, and it concludes with the hope that an independent Palestinian state will reGHITREEF SHAHBAZ GHITREEF SHAHBAZ emerge on the map of the world.

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28 The Milli Gazette, 1-15 May 2011

ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVES

Practical Approach to Islam

OBAIDUR RAHMAN NADWI
To have a clear concept of Islam, one should know what it exactly means. Islam means complete submission to the will of Allah. It is the religion prescribed by Almighty Allah. It is a practical religion. Its teachings encompass the whole gamut of human life. All our acts should be to seek the pleasure of Allah and accordingly maintaining peace must be our ultimate responsibility. In Islam, purpose of worship is quite wide. Every act, performed with pure intention, is called ibadat (worship). If ones intention is not pure, his deed cannot be termed as worship. We may recall Holy Prophets admonition regarding intention. The Prophet (pbuh) said to people who had left their homes and migrated to Madina: Each person will get the reward of his intention. Whose migration is for Allah and His Messenger, his reward is with Allah. As for him whose migration is for the world or for a woman to marry her, his migration is for what he intended. Therefore, every action which is done to please Allah, in obedience to His command is ibadat (worship). Verily the reward of actions depends upon intentions. It is evident from this Hadith that we should start performing every act sincerely and with good intention. We should not expect cheap publicity or praise from others. Being a practical religion, Islam does not approve of celibacy and monasticism. It is related that Uthman b. Mazun came to the Prophet with the request that he should be spared from societys bondages and be allowed to become a monk (rahib). The Prophet replied: The retirement of my people is to sit in a corner of the mosque and wait for the time of prayer. Noted scholar Syed Sulaiman Nadwi says: The majority of religions considered that piety and God-consciousness of man lies in leading a celibate, austere and lonely life in a cave or den or a jungle severing all social connections with the world, but in Islam, this concept of ibadat is absolutely wrong as ibadat in Islam is another name for fulfilling the rights which a man owes his family, his community, the state and humanity at large. So a person who is a recluse, cut off from all social activities does not discharge the duties assigned to him by Allah. This act does not deserve any praise or approbation. The true concept of Islam is that a man while living in a society of a multitude of men and relatives with temptation around him should lead a full-fledged righteous, clean God-fearing life and discharge the duties which he owes each individual with a keen sense of responsibility. He, who shuns his responsibilities and withdraws from the society retiring to a lonely corner, is a defeated and coward soldier. The followers of Islam are valiant and bright-spirited soldiers who know no defeat and who conquer their fears and temptations. They are God-fearing and God-conscious and they do not forget Allah in the thick of battle and in the busiest hours of their lives. Briefly speaking, Islam does not teach its followers lethargy and escapism from duties, but earnestness, zest and vigour and its motive is to strive and strive hard. (Siratun Nabi, V:22). It should be kept in mind that Islam is a just, moderate and balanced religion. There were companions of the holy prophet (PBUH) who, under the influence of Christian monks or on account of their desire to please Allah, had adopted celibacy and austere way of life depriving themselves of worldly comforts and luxuries. The holy prophet (PBUH) dissuaded them from this act saying: This is not the Shariah with which I have been sent, someone among the companions of the holy Prophet (PBUH) said: I will not marry women; some among them said: I will not eat meat; and some among them said: I will not lie down in bed. He (the holy Prophet) praised Allah and glorified Him and said: What has happened to those people that they say so and so whereas I observe prayer and sleep too; I observe fast and suspend observing them; I marry woman also? And he who turns away from my Sunnah, he has no relation with me. Abdul Hamid Farid has rightly said: Islam is against asceticism, monasticism and the life of hermit. In order to attain moral and spiritual perfection, the Muslims head and heart must be disciplined under the strain and stress of worldly life. Muslims must meet one another, and they do meet in mosques, five times a day. No one can learn the art of wrestling and can become a perfect wrestler without practising with other wrestlers. Likewise, no human being can learn the art of attaining virtue and repelling temptations without living in the midst of society. (An Epitome of The Teachings of Islam, p:7) Abdullah b. Amr reported that the messenger of Allah said to me: Abdullah b. Amr, it has been reported to me that you observe fast during the day and stand in prayer during the whole night. Do not do that for your body has a share of its own in you, your eyes have a share of their own in you. Observe fast and break it too. Fast for three days in every month and that is a perpetual fasting. I said: messenger of Allah, I have got strength enough to do more than this, where upon he said: Then observe the fast of Daud (peace be upon him). Observe fast for one day and do not fast on the other day. And he (Abdullah b. Amr) used to say: Would that I had availed of this concession. The holy Quran vividly says: Allah tasketh not a soul beyond its scope (2:286) and again Allah desireth for you ease; He desireth not hardship for you (2: 185) Needless to add that there is no restriction on the place of worship in Islam. The entire earth belongs to Allah. Hence everywhere one may say ones prayer at the time of worship. The holy Prophet said: I have been conferred with something which was not granted to anyone before me that the earth has been made sacred and pure and a mosque for me and whenever the time for prayer comes, pray there for that is a mosque for you. In short, Islam is a natural religion. It is compatible with human nature. It is a religion of equilibrium between the body and the soul. Almighty Allah says: The nature made by Allah in which He has made man; there is no altering in the ways of Allah. That is the right religion. (Q 30: 30) And again The same religion has He established for thee sent by revelation to thee. And hath We enjoined on Ibrahim, Musa and Isa namely, that you should remain steadfast in religion, and make no division therein; to those who worship things other than God, hard is the (way). (Q 42:13) Only Islam can solve the hydra-headed problems of the modern age. The need of the hour is that we must follow this approved religion of Allah in letter and spirit. The holy Quran says: O you who believe! Enter into Islam whole-heartedly; and do not follow the footsteps of the evil one; for he is to you an avowed enemy (2:208). It is true that when we enter the fold of Islam completely, nothing wrong can be committed by us. After all, the real purpose of Allah, creating mankind and jinn is worship (Ibadat). The holy Quran says: I created the jinn and humankind only that they might worship me (51: 56). May Allah give us strength to comprehend the true meaning of Islam and to conform to teachings and instructions of Islam as Allah asks His beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to speak. Say Lo! My worship and my sacrifice and my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds (6:162).

Why do we fail on the financial fronts?

NISAAR Y. NADIADWALA
I happened to visit one of my old friends who had shifted to a new house. The door of his house welcomed me with the Quranic verse Hadha min fadli Rabbi (This is the bounty of my Lord). I was happy to see that announcement, until I was told that the house was bought through a bank loan! What an arrogant display of hypocrisy. It was then that I realized the value of knowledge in Islamic finance and why knowledge in finance is essential for a Muslim in todays life. Among things which will be questioned first on the day of Qiyamah, will be: where from did you get the money and where did you spend it? A lot of people incline to haram due to love of wealth and luxury or out of love for their children. These two things weaken our resisting power. The Quran cautions us in the 8th verse of Sura Taghabun: Indeed your wealth and your children are a trial for you. Many people fail miserably in these two trials. A sahih Hadith acknowledges the Quranic verse: The fitna of my Ummah is wealth. These days you will find many well-wishers of our community reminding us about the poverty in the community repeatedly. For them, being rich is a sign of prosperity. It is due to our greed for money that many of us refuse to share the inheritance equitably. It is the quest for luxury that people want to acquire things by hook or by crook. Many Muslims take advice about investment and expenditure from people who do not know much about financial dealings according to Islam. There are certain people who encourage interest-based loans for the welfare of the community. If a person fails on the financial front, many of his ibadah (worship) will fail to yield results. Many people earn halal but their expenditure includes a lot of haram, through buying things not required at all but for status symbol. Chapters in Islamic finance also include where not to spend. If you understand this and are able to distinguish between a good investment and a bad one then you can identify a lot of wrong and tempting expenditures and resist them. You can be one of the qaniteen, satisfied ones. During Ramadan, I see a lot of huffaz-e Quran lining up for reciting tarawih, each wanting to lead taraweeh prayers in places where rich people pray. At times I pity them. Many of them prefer to lead the taraweeh in a large congregation hoping to get good income after the khatam-e Quran. Here is a batch of people whose status will be envied by others on the day of Qiyamah but in this world they have to wait from Ramadan to Ramadan to solve their financial problems. That is their only source of big income throughout the year. The reason is that people dont value Ilm-e deen. We spend a huge amount on our childs academic education, hire expensive tutors, buy expensive books, but we bargain when we hire Islamic teachers for our childs religious education. I had a discussion with a prominent hafiz and I advised him to build a parallel career so that he may not be dependent on the donation of people in the month of Ramadan. Last month I met him, and he told me that he is buying a small house. The other day I advised a trustee of a prominent madrasa that they should include a subject on accounts in their syllabus. They should also teach essential fiqh and ethics in business dealings too. After all Islamic finance is not only about accounts but accountability as well. Isnt it? The focusses on socio-economic problems from Islamic view point. He can be reached at nisaar_yusuf@yahoo.com

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30 The Milli Gazette, 1-15 May 2011

REJOINDERS/OPINION/LETTERS
I read your report about persecution of Christians by Hindutva forces. Very good humanitarian work. But could you find any Christian or Christian media projecting Muslim plight either in India or in the international level unless it affects them too? They never touch the topic. In fact, they take an anti-Muslim stand all over the world. As I am living in a Christian-dominated district, I know their attitude. N. Ahammed Nazeer nanmnk@gmail.com Welfare Party: why this brouhaha? Lately I came across a news about the formation of the "Welfare Party of India" at Constitution Club, New Delhi. I found nothing strange in it, because political parties of this kind have been formed in the past too. But from the next day critical reactions started in newspapers. It seems that the formation of the party shocked some people deeply. I failed to understand the matter. There are so many parties in this county like JDU, LJP, Shiv Sena, RJD, Samajwadi, NLP, RLD and many more which are working in the country in a democratic way. I don't see that the formation of any of them has caused so much disturbance or maligning. It is strange, especially, that Muslims would have made statements in this inept manner. Now some are saying that the party has a saffron colour. Some are asking why a Muslim name was not given to it? If you want to get registration of a party with the Election Commission, your party should operate in a democratic and secular way and should serve the people. Only a party can be registered whose written manifesto declares that the party will work only in the interests of the nation and on secular lines. This is a different matter which kind of people join it later or with whom its ideas will conform. No party will be registered by the Election Commission if it has a Muslim, Christian or Hindu name. For getting registration in Election Commission it is a prerequisite to have a secular charter. Therefore, I request all well-wishers of the community that they must first look at this party and examine its activities. If you feel that the party is not working in the interests of the country and the people, you are free to either complain against it to the Election Commission or not cast your votes for it. Now, when only a few days have passed since its birth, it is improper to criticize it on the ground that so and so people or such and such organizations are or have been its partners in the past. Secondly, our country is democratic, having a secular and democratic constitution, which allows every citizen to vote for a party or candidate of his choice, to fight elections, to form a party. Therefore, how can you prevent anybody from forming a party? Yes, you are free not to join it and not to cast your vote for its candidate if you differ with its ideology. You have to use your choice but let others also do so. Premature opposition makes your intention doubtful. For God's sake, don't mislead the community. Javed Rahmani javedrahmani@gmail.com Prof. Mansoor Hassan A perplexing report about Prof. Mansoor Hassan and his lineage of genealogy (MG 16-31 March) by Haider Abbas gave shocks and forced me to explain some historical facts about Pathans. Pathans belong to Semitic race and have never been Hindus, Shavites (as Prof. Hassan claims to be) or Buddhist. Their Chief Qais reached Medina along with some eighty other Pathans and embraced Islam on the hands of Prophet Mohammad (SAWS). The prophet (SAWS) changed the name Qais with Abdul Rasheed. After the demise of the Prophet, they all returned to their land, Afghanistan. Thus all the tribes embraced Islam. Before embracing Islam, Pathans followed the religion of Abraham. Some are of the view that they belonged to one of the lost tribes of Jews. The language of Pathans is Pashto, so they are called Pashtuns also. Pashtuns are mostly inhabited in north Afghanistan, comprising only forty percent of the total Afghan population. Prof. Mansoor Hassan, as he says, belongs to southern Afghanistan, bordering Iran, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. These people were Hindu and Buddhist as all the remains of pagan races still exist. I also sought information about the Panini tribe, to which Mr. Hasan belongs, from Wikipedia but it responded as: Panini can refer toPanini, formerly a zoological tribe containing chimpanzees, now usually reclassified as the sub tribe Panina. The website could also not help me. I would suggest prudent and sagacious, Padam Shree Professor Hassan, to kindly go through the history of Pathans. Mohammad Sharif Khan Akuzai, Jail Road, Rampur (U. P.) khanmskhan3@rediffmail.com II Impressive person and thoughts. But first he should condemn the wrongs and injustice against Indian Muslim rather referring to Pakistan. What is going around in India is more important because it is our country. Muslims killing Muslims in Pakistan is worrisome for us but why to make a comparison that we are better than in Pakistan. Agreed but does it make any sense that injustice done against us has any justification. However, concluding remarks is inconclusive 'first round is Namaz (prayer of five times a day) and then Adaab-eMuhammadi, Ikhlas-e-Muhammadi and Akhlaq-e-Muhammadi, i.e., courtesy, humility, compassion, tolerance and flexibility-all performed and encompassed by the Prophet. Suhail Raza (feedback on MG website) Modi today The Gujarat CM appears to be a hounded man.More he tries to hide himself behind vibrant Gujarat hype,more skeletons tumble out of his closet. Now one more IPS officer has spilled beans regarding Modis late night rendezvous with his staff[katal ki raat], before the murder,rape and pillage of Muslims took place all over Gujarat the very next day.The mayhem happened under the very nose of the CM, yet he never tires of projecting himself being the most efficient CM. Sanjiv Bhatt may have his own reasons to come out belatedly with gory details and there might be many more whose silence was either forced or bought, but the ghost of 2002 cannot be laid to rest easily. Going one step further,he has claimed that the present SIT ordered by the SC is as dysfunctional As previous ones.It seems something is rotten in the state of Gujarat which is headed by a person who has never felt any remorse for the mass killings. If SITS supress evidence,then it will not be justice denied but strangled. Yunus Chitalwala - Dhoraji - Gujarat adilchital@yahoo.in II Though many voices were raised against Narendra Modi alleging his role in the killing of Muslims in 2002, they were never heeded. Now that a Gujarats top cop has implicated Modi in an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court as having deliberately restrained the law and order machinery from stopping the massacre, one hopes the apex court will render justice to the relatives of the victims. Kudos to Mr. Sanjiv Bhatt

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Hindutva attacks on Christians

though he heard the call of his duty after a fairly long time. I hope those praising Modi as an able administrator and pioneer in development will now introspect. Mohammed Hanif, Kadapa, AP ghouse.syed20@gmail.com Syedna and Bohra community I appreciate the contents of letter from Janab Farooq Abdul Gaffar Bawani Rajkot, with a photograph of Dr. Syedna felicitation. In this respect, I request the Ulemas of different school of Sharia to take a notice and request the Syedna to match their steps with other sects of Islam for the safety and peace to twenty crores Muslims in India. The Syedna may declare in public that Bohras are not the part and parcel of Islam and the Syedna is free to take any decision for Bohra community. I have gone through the clarifications of Syedna that he safeguards the interests of Bohras in Gujarat, it is like to sacrifice the Muslims of Gujarat for the safety of Bohras, is it Danishmandi on his part. Inayat Husain, California, USA inayathusain2004@yahoo.com Tomb being converted into a temple What a pity on the ASI and other relevant agencies that such developments are taking place in broad daylight. I think filing for a RTI would be a better action to prevent such wrongful activities for this and all future nefarious designs of the Hindutva forces. I would also like that Muslim organizations such as Waqf board etc. must initiate a videography program to film all our mosques, madrasas and other monuments throughout the country to have authentic evidence of such places. This will not only serve as a deciding factor in the fight for the title suits but also avoid communal disharmony. Nisar Ahmad Khan (on MG website) Indian secularism shall never perish from the earth The Welfare Party of India spawned from the Jamaat-e-Islami-e-Hind reminds one of the BJP, the offspring of the mother RSS. Its Christian Vice President Father Abraham Joseph brings back the memory of the BJPs almost permanent Vice President, a Muslim Sikandar Bakht. When Ashok Singhal of the VHP hears of the Gayatri mantra being chanted at the launch of the WPI, he will exclaimwithout a veg McCBurger in the hand- I am love it. Dr Mookhi Amir Ali, Santacruz west, Mumbai 400054 drmookhi@hotmail.com Conspiracy against AMU campus in Kishanganj Kishanganj being most backward district of Bihar and dominated by Muslims. It is educationally backward district. That is why the need to establish AMU campus was taken by UPA. Bihar government NDA JD (U) + BJP) is playing tricks and dilly-dallying on allotting lands for the purpose and this becomes evident from RTI. On the other hand abundant land was made available to Nalanda University & Chanakya education hub and Bihar government distributed 3445 acres of land to different industrialist out total acquired land 5084 acre and have decided to acquire 1100 acres of land for Mega Industrial Park in Bihta. S. Haque, Patna Lokpal Bill Draft of Lokpal Bill in its present form cannot prevent common people themselves who presently take it a status-symbol to tip at private establishments like hotels, restaurants etc. Likewise gifts at festivals like Diwali or giving gifts at private functions like in marriages are at times a sort of bribes. Joint Drafting Committee for Lokpal Bill should also consider some effective way or even legislation whereby paying or receiving tips even in private establishments may be taken as offence. Former President APJ Abdul Kalam on his retirement-eve had also rightly criticized gifts by quoting from Hindu code in Manusmriti that gifts coming with a purpose cause persons losing their personality greatly. Presently Diwali-gifts have remained a tool to bribe rather than exchanging pleasantries with babus openly asking for their Diwali gifts! Government should at least impose a complete ban on giving/taking gifts by government employees. Madhu Agarwal, Delhi-6 subhashmadhu@sify.com II Have you forgotten that Anna Hazare only justified inclusion of father & son duo in the committee when objected by Ramdeo. Secondly, dont you remember that NDA too was a ruling party at the centre within this span of 42 years? And highlighting only one sided lapses/blemishes too creates suspicion. Just as Babri demolition inquiry was kept hanging for not less than 18 years by all & sundry, then why not Lokpal Bill for 42 years? Who is to blame & who dares to blame? Please ponder on the WeakiLeaks disclosures to know the real face of our politicians. Who is ruling India now & how? Any type of Lokpal Bill passed will not check corruption. The only remedy is to dare and call a spade a spade and keep away the foreign handlers, from corrupting their Indian puppets and in meddling with Indian Governance. Let justice prevail, giving rise to true patriotism and see how the corruption will vanish. In a democracy, elected Majority cannot be termed as brute. But a scanty minority, donning the veil of National Protectors, though rejected by the people, should be termed as brute. Seasoned thieves, who actually defy the Indian Constitution, are now portraying themselves as National Protectors & the gullible Indian is falling prey to this fascist propaganda. Mera Bharat Mahan! Shafiq Ahmed maldar101@gmail.com III The idea of having the politicians and the high dignitaries of the government under the scrutiny of a strong Lokpal is almost old as the countrys Constitution. The ruling political party, particularly the Congress with its brute majority in the parliament, kept the Lokpal Bill pending for 42 years without any plausible reasons. One cannot view this inordinate delay without a rightly concluded suspicion. It appears that the politicians were motivated by the idea that nobody should sit in judgment over their arbitrary and corrupt way of functioning. Consequently the graft and corruption increased in leaps and bounds in our country. Now the people are pushed to a critical stage of taking the issue to the streets, instead of resorting to a democratic and acceptable process. This finally resulted in devil may care attitude on the part of sensation mongers and innocent idealists. Under the threat of suicide attempts, through nirahar satyagraha - the only language our politicians understand, an idealists group led by Anna Hazare brought the government to act in panic. As a sequel to the created situation, we have now landed in the worst confusing state of chaos where in the joint committee for the drafting of the said Bill seems to be falling apart. Major Mathew Oommen (Retd), Pune 411060 mathewo555@gmail.com

IV I wonder how nave our countrymen are. Any person like Hazare can lead and misguide the entire nation. How our media also can back the drive of a driver. Are there no intellectuals in our society who can understand the method being adapted to curb the chronic malady of corruption? It is just like the AIDS patient getting treatment from a quack. The famous Urdu poet Iqbal has said long back, QAOM KIA HAY QAOMON KE IMAMAT KIA HAY KIA JANEN YE DO RAKAT KE IMAM The man who leads in prayer is called Imam. He cannot know the leadership of the Muslim community. In the same way an army driver cannot know the reformation of a great Indian nation Dr. Abdul Hameed Maqdoomi, Gulbarga drmaqdoomi@yahoo.com V In making a justified call for putting a button compulsorily on all Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) at the end for opting None to Vote, Anna Hazare has endorsed idea already mooted by present Chief Election Commissioner SM Qureshi. Present cumbersome method to exercise such a right already available under article 49(o) is not known even to most poll-officers posted at polling-booths. Moreover, presently exercising None to vote option through 49(o) is not secret as it is specifically to be mentioned on poll-registers by the poll-officers on duty. At a time, when people have lost faith in political community in general, a button on EVMs compulsorily for None to Vote is need of the time. It is unfair that a voter may be forced to select one of the many listed at EVMs even if he/she does not like any of the candidates. Madhu Agarwal, Delhi-6 subhashmadhu@sify.com VI This refers to the latest report that Japan has raised the severity of its nuclear disaster, putting it on a par with the worlds worst nuclear accident at Chernobyl. While this is so, I am aghast to see a total absence of seriousness even in our intellectual circles on the safety mechanism in our nuclear plants. A majority of Indians are unaware of the pros and cons of nuclear energy and I hope some social activist of the kind of Anna Hazare would start a movement to explode the myth of nuclear energy being the safest energy substitute. Because it is not corruption alone that is afflicting our nation but there are larger issues like the neoliberalism which has deprived livelihood to scores of peasants and artisans in our country and also the obsession towards nuclear energy which would serve the interests of the imperialist forces by keeping dozens of Indian cities at constant risk. Syed Sultan Mohiddin, Kadapa (A.P) SIMI and Binayak Sen BJP government of Chattisgarh charged Dr. Binayak Sen of sedition and put behind bars. Chattisgarh he convicted life imprisonment to Dr. Sen for sedition. But on 15 April 2011 Supreme Court released Dr. Sen on bail and said that being a Maoist sympathiser was not a crime. SC observed We are a democratic country. He (Sen) may be a sympathiser but that did not make him guilty of sedition. The worst can be said that he was found in possession of general document (Maoist literature) but how can it be said that such possession would attract the charge of sedition SC rightly observed that merely having a biography of Gandhi one could not be Gandhi wadi. Supreme Court in other decision said that on being a member of any banned organisation didnt make him liable to punishment until involved in crime. SIMI was banned by NDA govt. on 27 Sept. 2006. Many dozens Muslims are languishing in jail on being a being member of SIMI and on the charge of possession of SIMI (Jihadi Literature police termed) Literature even Delhi HC Justice Geeta Mittal observed that banning SIMI was illegal because very feeble and impersonated documents were produced. S. Haque, Patna Stop female infanticide The discovery of 14 dead female foetuses near a Bihar clinic, points to a systematic killing of the girl child due to illegal sex determination tests. Despite ban on sex determination test based on ultrasound, scans and sex selective abortions, the practice is going on everywhere. It shows rampant female infanticide taking place in India particularly in urban areas. Those who are indulging in such inhuman heinous crime, including doctors, illegal practitioners etc. should be awarded harsh punishments. Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) was the greatest exponent of Females rights and benefactor of womankind. He said, Whoever has a daughter and does not subject her to a mean treatment and does not give preference to his son over his daughter, God will make him enter heaven. G. Hasnain Kaif, Bhandara (M.S.) Muslim talent from Bihar A young Muslim Sharique Ali Khan of Narkat Ghat Alam Ganj Patna, Bihar has achieved distinct position in France. He got top position with distinction in Mobile Communication Masters degree exam. Foundation, Telecom of France gave Sharique Ali Khan a scholarship. He is only one who got scholarship from India. His father Jawed Ahmad Khan is a professor in Jamna Lal College Haji Pur. S. Haque,Patna Supreme Court grants bail to Binayak Sen Dear Mr. Binayak, I have also faced sedition charge! I have been myself a victim of sedition law.In 1985, the Government of India launched proceedings against me under section 124a(sedition) and 505b Indian Penal Code simply on the basis of an article, namely Secularism vis-a-vis Hindu Chauvinism, published in Radiance Viewsweekly,Delhi.The other accused were late Mr. Ameenul Hasan Rizvi(editor) and Mr. Iqbal Waraqwala(publisher).The case continued for 15 years at Tees Hazari Court, Delhi. After acquittal, I wrote a book Secular Horror- A Real Story of Fifteen Years Ordeal with Indian Secularism, which was published by Pharos Media ( Milli Gazette),Abul Fazal Enclave, New Delhi, and can be seen on www.google.com, and can be purchased either from the publisher or any bookstore. It is available in almost all the Libraries of the world. So nobody can understand the pains of section 124a of Indian Penal Code better than me. May Mr. Binayak Sen be saved from the clutches of this most draconian section and the state barbarities committed under it? Dr. Mustafa Kamal Sherwani, Lucknow sherwanimk@yahoo.com II It is a sad thing that the grant of bail to Dr Binayak Sen is being hailed so widely, while he, in the first place, should not have been in jail at all. I particularly find it comical that P. Chidambaram has expressed happiness over the court decision to release Dr Sen. Dr Sen was incarcerated under one of the most draconian amended UAPA [Unlawful Activities Prevention Act] of which Subramaniam was the author-in-chief. He has also lauded the Indian judicial system which gives a convict a chance to move higher court. Let him lock himself

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The Milli Gazette, 1-15 May 2011 31

REJOINDERS/OPINION/LETTERS
up for a few days in his self-contained air-conditioned chamber with food and newspapers provided with no contact with outside world and he will realize what Dr Sen and thousands detained without trials feel in Indian jails. Dr Sen was jailed for two years from May 2007 to May 2009 under Subramanians draconian laws; part of the time in solitary confinement. He was then again locked up from 24 December 2010 as a pakka convict serving life term. A child-specialist serving a life imprisonment for the crime which - the Apex court said today- he has not committed. Dr Mookhi Amir Ali, Santacruz West, Mumbai 400054 drmookhi@hotmail.com Muslims role in freedom struggle A well known Telugu writer Syed Naseer Ahmads who is bringing out books exclusively on The Role of Muslims in the struggle for Indias Independence recently brought out a book titled Akshara Silpuls, which literally means Sculptors of Letters. Book contains personal-literary details with the photos of 333 (Three Hundred and Thirty Three) Muslim Telugu writers-poets. It is of 180-page, priced At Rs. 150.00 Akshara Silpulu is appreciated by Central Institute of Indian Languages (Mysore, Karnataka) and Raja Rammohan Rai Library Foundation., making the comment as this book will immensely help to the history of Telugu literature and purchased number of copies to distribute among the famous public and private libraries of the country. This book may be obtained from the author by depositing the Amount in his account Syed Naseer Ahamed, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh naseerahamed@yahoo.com Message from Mohali Make Hindustan and Pakistan a peaceful (sthaan ). People generally like peacefulness. Let political leaders shed selfishness otherwise both will become Samshaan and Qabrastan Sultan A. Patel, Khanpur Deh - 392150 Save precious Parsi community It refers to online petition presently been signed by many against decision of Bombay Parsi Panchayats (BPP) now to approach Supreme Court of India against Bombay High Court decision involving ban on two community-priests for their conducting Navjote ceremonies of children of women married to non-Parsis, conducting marriages where one partner was a non-Parsi, and for conducting afterdeath prayers for Parsis who were cremated. Earlier also such reforms initiated by some Parsi youth through Association for Revival of Zoroastrianism (ARZ) by bringing non-Parsi family-members into the Zoroastrian fold were resisted. But all these reforms are need of time to prevent worlds most talented Parsi community from total disappearing. Parsis are the only community in the world which is fast decreasing in number due to strict community restrictions. Even United Nations Organisation and Indian government should take necessary steps to save worlds most talented community from being totally finished. It is rather necessity of the society to preserve genetic features of this great community. Best thing about the community is that they live for society rather than for themselves or for producing children! Parsis topped every field of life may it be, industry, sports, legal or any other field but with hardly any examples of corruption, favouritism or self-interest. Madhu Agarwal, Delhi-6 subhashmadhu@sify.com Story in The Hindu deserves applause The Hindu deserves applaud for making an energetic appeal for an octogenarian and infirm Pakistani national Dr.Khalil Chisty (www.hinduonnet.com editorial Free this man April 19). The Rajasthan High courts observation that no leniency could be shown to him as he was a Pakistanialthough appeals by three others convicted in the same case were granted has brazenly defied natural justice. Even if he was really involved in the killing of a person (for which he was implicated) was he not adequately punished by the trial court which delayed the verdict for 19 years? It appears, there are dozens of the likes of Gopal Dass and Khalil Chisty who have become victims to the hostilities between India and Pakistan. The editorial has appropriately made a plea to the Indian government that in view of the release of Gopal Dass from a Pakistani jail on an appeal by the Supreme Court of India, Dr.Chisty who is already in the twilight of his life, should be allowed to return to his country. Syed Sultan Mohiddin, Kadapa (A.P) sultan_awaz@yahoo.co.in India needs Bala Murgan type I.A.S. Mr. Bala Murgan D. is an I.A.S. and posted as DM of Jehanabad where a big Qabristan at Sarthua village is at the target of saffron brigade since last three years. Bhagwa brigade tried to light holika dahan (agja on holi) to make claim that Qabristan land is not Muslim properties. This year Mr. Bala Murgan (D.M.) and SP Chandrika Prasad trampled the saffron brigade plan and D.M. Bala Muragan d. reffered action against Amrendra Sahi S.D.M. and N.K. Thakur D.S.P. for irresponsible behaviour. Mr. Bala Muragan.ds step certainly thwarts officials hand in glove with communal forces mentality. Certainly Bala Murgans type Officer (I.A.S.) can save India from claw of communalism. S. Haque, Patna Live lustfully They say No harm even in becoming gay! But do not indulge in corruption What, after all, is this corruption? Meaningless talk creates confusion. Is it not mere hypocrisy? Emptying human heart of mercy?! There is a proverb in Persian Which indeed is full of reason A blind guide issues an order It creates only disorder Binding my hands and feet, You are throwing me in water And also caution me to keep my dress dry in water!!! S. A. U. Patel, Khanpur Deh - 392150 The Crazy act of the Quran burning in America Afghans protesting the burning of a copy of the Quran at a small Florida church stormed a U.N. compound in northern Afghanistan a few weeks ago and killed at least seven international staff. At least four protesters were also killed. About 30 people attended a mock trial staged by the church (Dove World Outreach Centre) on 20 March as part of the International Judge the Quran Day. The churchs website stated that after the five-hour process, the Quran

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was found guilty and a copy was burned inside the building. A picture on the website shows a book in flames in a small portable fire pit. The church on Friday confirmed that the Quran had been burned. Burning the sacred Quran was certainly a sacrilegious act done by a group of lunatics and the what the Afghan Muslim insurgents did out of religious fanaticism and anger is equally condemnable. It is equally wrong on the part of Western Governments (in this case the US Administration) to keep repeating the mantra that the church has its democratic constitutional freedom to do the outrageous act though it is un-American act. The same constitution has failed to protect the profound and deep rooted religious sentiments of American Muslim minorities. Does the law allow all sorts of gimmicks, nonsense, mockery, insults, vilification of Islamic culture to continue, on the pretext of freedom of speech? PA Mohamedameen (via email) The Government of the National Capital Territory has organised, together with an organisation named Seher, a Bhakti Utsav of religious music of different kinds. The first day includes a solitary Gurbani, the second day includes Kabir (which is really neither here not there), and the third day includes Sufi music. Other than these three certainly calculated deviations, all the items are from one or other variety of what is called Hinduism. Why the hell is a state government promoting religion in this way? Why the hell is it promoting one so-called religion? Despite the trickery practised, this is not what secularism is about. It shows pretty clearly that India does have a State Religion. Mukul Dube, Mayur Vihar, Delhi- 91 uthappam@gmail.com Boycott song which starts with azaan I am movie 2011 contains a song which starts with azaan. If possible, please oppose this film. Arid Ghanchi gfarid89@gmail.com Earth Day Earth Day in 2011 being observed, we being a responsible citizen should act and promote its message of preserving the Earths natural environment. Its time to pledge to commit one act of green, whether it is of tree plantings, switching off the lights and replacing the old one with CFL or doing laundry with cold water, and much more. This action of green will not only save your money in terms of gas and mileage on your vehicle. So, lets try the following simple actions which can make us an active participant on Earth Day 2011. Reduce the usage of air conditioning by making an organic roof garden. Water the plants every day, smell the fragrance of flowers, and watch small creatures flying around! When your laptop battery is full, just unplug the power source. Use a hybrid electric source and a laptop with an earth friendly battery! Save paper by printing doublesided. Refill ink cartridges instead of buying new ones. Remove the hard drive from old computers then recycle it. Spend some of the time you would usually be commuting growing fresh herbs, veggies, fruit in your garden and compost! Mohd Ziyaullah Khan, Nagpur 440013 writeziya@gmail.com WikiLeaks on Mamta Banerjee The latest WikiLeaks cable which has revealed the U.S. Consulates advice to the Obama administration to cultivate Mamta Banerjee proves beyond doubt that the U.S. is meddling in the internal affairs of our country. The American distaste to the Left parties in India is well known and the U.S. administration would find Mamata as its latest arsenal to topple the 33-year long Left government in West Bengal. But the scepticism expressed in the cable whether she is willing to accept outside advice has more to it than meets the eye. History is replete with instances where the U.S. has interfered in the sovereign matters of other countries in the name of democracy, liberty, civil rights and freedom only to play its hegemonic role. Syed Sultan Mohiddin, Kadapa (A.P) sultan_awaz@yahoo.co.in Is Hinduism a religion? In my assessment it doesnt qualify to be a religion. There is no single book or Godly person. No good and bad concept, all related to time. No set life style. It is based on atheistic philosophy but talks of formless god but advocates worships of innumerable forms all called Gods. At the most it can be called a philosophy of life, philosophy of birth and death, philosophy of meta-physical world and its implication on the worldly things. At the most it gives an unique identity for the for the people living east of Hindu kush mountains and west of Burma, from the Himalayan plateau to the seas of Indian Ocean. One billion plus people representing a culture that has no dating....so ancient that their culture and traditions have extra-terrestrial nature. All in all it is attractive and has inbuilt mechanism for freedom....not just physical but also mental. May be that is why, even the most forceful invaders could change it colour or texture. Those who changed to have the colour of the invaders became culturally bankrupt. ... Violent, unable to concile to religious thoughts, which do not permit them to look beyond... because they could not answer the basic question why God created humans? Ehtesham ethesham@indiatimes.com Most violator of Security Council resolutions is Israel Israels rejection of the Arab League land-for-peace formula put forward in Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338 puts Israel in violation of these resolutions. Israel has defied Resolutions 267, 271 and 298, which demand that it rescind its annexation of greater East Jerusalem. Israel violates the Fourth Geneva Convention which includes deportations, demolition of homes, collective punishment and seizure of private property. UN Security Council Resolutions 446, 452 and 465 require that Israel evacuate all its illegal settlements on occupied Arab lands. How many of these 223 UN Security Council Resolutions has Israel complied with? See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_Nations_resolutions_concerning_Israel#United_Nations_Security_Council_resolutions Kodimirpal (via email) French Ban on Burqa: Inequality of Freedom Quite many non-Muslims are confused and some are even perverted. It is absolutely wrong for them to say that every foreigner has to follow the Muslim dress codes in Muslim countries. Go to Malaysia, Indonesia, Morocco, Lebanon, and Beirut, Turkey, Palestine, Brunei and Bangladesh and very many others. In those countries foreigners wear what they like. People may find thousands of ladies in miniskirts and blouses with cleavage revealing low cut necks in those countries. Is it not a wrong argument that Western woman may

unbutton her top and walk in the bazaar simply because that is her freedom? Is it the case? If the France allows its ladies to reveal as much as they wish to sensually reveal, that is their fundamental right. Exactly the same way a Muslim or a Hindu lady should be allowed to cover as much as she wishes to cover, that is her fundamental right. Why two different sort of fundamentalism. France need not point fingers at Saudis who constitute not even 2% of the worlds Muslim population. No one in the world should interpret Islam by Saudi practices. Interpretations vary depending on who the interpreter is. What appears in the West to be the emergence, return to, or resurgence of Islam is in fact a struggle within Islamic societies over the broader definition of Islam. No one person, authority or institution has total control over that definition. But writers in the West assume their own definition and their own interpretation. PA.Mohamedameen (via email) Chinas India policy It is regrettable that our foreign policy makers could not understand the Chinese mind set of our prime minister, external affairs minister and the foreign secretary showing an appeasing stance to Chinese authorities. In the presence of our Prime minister his counterpart spoke sweet language. But the old record shows some negative aspects. After the return of our president Smt Pratibha Patil China gave two atomic reactors to Pakistan to erase the effects of friendship. China is adopting the same policy which we are adopting towards Pakistan. China does not want to annoy Pakistan. Just after Manmohan Singhs return China will again make some mischief on the POK border or Tibet border. India should try to understand the depth of friendship between China and Pakistan and coin the foreign policy in the view of past incidents. The nave PM, the foreign minister and the lady foreign secretary should not go on the face value of Chinese authorities. They should try to understand the deep undercurrents of their policy vis-a-vis Pakistan, America and China are treating us like a Jersey Cow they milk their interest is just to supply us fodder to give them sufficient milk thats all. Both the countries will have the last laugh India is pleased to see the green fodder Dr. Abdul Hameed Maqdoomi, Gulbarga maqdoomi@yahoo.com Right to education and employment 1. Absolutist monarchies and presidents-for-life have combined corruption with repression It was impossible for imperialist powers to do what they have done without the active collaboration of corrupt elites within these countries and in a specific cultural soil. 2. In Egypt alone, some 80 million jobs are required over the next 15 years just to keep pace with the population explosion. Same story of unemployment crisis in many other Arab States. 3. All the Arab states together, with their combined population of 350 million, produce less in economic terms than Italys 60 million people. Only three percent of the Libyan population works in the oil sector. What exactly did the rest of the population do? Official youth unemployment is at 26 percent in a rich oil-producing country like Saudi Arabia, while the unofficial rate in the countries of North Africas Maghrib region lies at 70 percent. One third of the people of Mauritania and Yemen, and one fifth of Egyptians, live on less than $2 a day. 4. The Syrian regime, born out of a coup, has, in the name of resistance to Israel, transformed into a repressive regime resembling a National Socialist society, where advancement is closed to all but the elite few. 5. The Arabs have taken to the streets without burning flags, but with extraordinary passion and generosity, and while employing peaceful means are demanding freedom and the recognition of their dignity. Kodimirpal (via email) Obamas military action in Libya Controversy raised by some Congressmen in USA in relation to the provisions of War Power Act regarding President Obamas military action in Libya, is puzzling to say the least. Whereas on one side the supporters of Obamas action say in media that:-[President notified Congress within 48 hours of committing armed forces to Libya. The 60 days action with a further 30 days for withdrawal hasnt expired yet so he doesnt need Congressional approval yet. The President has attacked Libya on the back of UN Security Council Resolution 1973 which satisfies the requirements of the UN Charter which the United States has signed and ratified and is therefore part of the supreme law of the land pursuant to article 6 of the Constitution.] On the other side the accusing Congressman say the following as reported in media and also in letters by these Congressman to people in reply to their queries / letters etc that:- [- The actions of President Obama give the appearance, the President believes the UN has more authority than our Constitution when it comes to military intervention. As prescribed in the Constitution, the President must first gain a declaration of war through Congressional authorization before taking military action unless addressing an imminent threat to the United States. This is not the case in Libya. - The President has limited authority to use military force without authorization from Congress when there is an imminent national security threat, but he made clear that he acted for humanitarian, not national security, reasons. That is a clear violation of the War Powers Act. Hem Raj Jain, Mankato, MN - 56001, USA. jainhemraj59@gmail.com Corruption in Arab states The Arab rulers spend a lot of money to run their security network. The funds derive not from public budgets, but from different corrupt and illegal sources of revenue. And Gaddafis immediate unauthorised cash holdings of billions of dollars are thought to be funding his mercenaries and supporters to defend him. After the spectacular 1973 rise in crude oil prices, Middle Eastern revenues increased considerably swelling the pockets of well connected people through the immoral distribution circuits, and in collusion with major multinationals. A big part of the revenue went direct to the coffers of the royal or republican families instead of to the state. Nor was oil their only source of revenue. Money came from commissions (bribes as we have in India, our notorious Spectrum corruption) on major public contracts, civil and military, privatizations of public services such as mobile telephone network, construction contracts and so on. The major multinational operators, influential businessmen and governments made huge incomes. The senior management of the global corporations knew exactly where major decisions were taken and who the imposed local partners were for any new investment: the Trabelsi and Paterfamilias in Tunisia, the Ezz and Sawires in Egypt, the Makhlouf in Syria, Hariri in Lebanon and innumerable Western multinationals. Land was expropriated and then sold cheaply to property developers. PA Mohamedameen (via email)

32 The Milli Gazette, 1-15 May 2011

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