These scenes of public awareness

Whatever happened with a girl student in the national capital in the night of December 16 is being condemned in the whole country, and rightly so. Right from the spread of the news of the incident the countrywide wave of public anger has not dampened till the time of writing these lines. The chain of protests, statements and demands is going on, showing public awareness about this kind of crimes. Demands of legislating stringent laws and subjecting the culprits to exemplary punishment are being made on a large scale. Political and social representatives are presenting their viewpoints strongly in discussion on TV channels. The gist and objective of this entire move is that the government should take immediate measures to contain the crimes of this type, and that the responsible persons of society should have their say in it. And the government and the Ministry for Home Affairs seem to be on the weak wicket. Their statements are weak and clarifications lifeless. The force and enthusiasm seen in government statements on terrorism is totally absent here. Such is the thrust of protestors.

The thing that is lacking

But what is lacking in this protest is farsightedness and realism, viz. totally ignoring the causes and motivations of the crime. Only sometimes some proper voice is heard otherwise all of them lay stress on the cleanliness of the surface; no one is talking of the root causes. For example, there is no sorrow and anger against the ever widening net of government shops of wine, the mother of evils, and this illegal lethal business. No one is demanding to close these shops while the biggest cause of December 16 incident was this. This attitude of many girls and young women participating in the protests is strange. Such slogans can be seen on banners and placards: meri marzi ke baghair tum mujhe choo nahin sakte “You cannot touch me without my consent” (i.e. everything can be done with consent; there is nothing wrong in it), nazar buri tumhari ho aur purdah main karoon “Your glance is at fault and I do purdah” (i.e. do not tell me anything on the way I live and the way I dress). Those participating in discussions are also not opposing these things.

The role of protectors of rights

And the most interesting role in this matter is that of the individuals and organisations of women’s lib that run in the forefront of such protests. They are of the view that girls and the women going out of their houses should not be advised; they are free for their lifestyle, behaviour and dress style. They make much hue and cry whenever someone speaks on sexual crimes and excesses against women. The other day a lady political leader in Delhi only said that women should not remain outside in the night unnecessarily. It provided a big cause for ruckus by champions of women’s lib who made such an attack on her that it was difficult for her save herself. And it happens every time. Those who make statements at last have to regret. As far as the government is concerned, it is working for promotion of moral delinquencies in the name of development. Granting legal sanction to homosexuality and “live in relationship” is a case in point. There is no hope that any group of citizens would dare to rise against this situation under these circumstances. However, if Muslim organisations do something in this regard, it would work; for they have solid arguments about it and a cure for the ill, too

28/ 12/12 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf

The cause of “success” in Gujarat

It is being said that Narendra Modi got success for the third time in the Gujarat Assembly elections on the basis of development; but this is only partly true. Then it is also being said that this time Modi had sought vote in the name of the “honour” of Gujarat, development in the state and “sadbhavana”. That is, like in earlier election campaigns, he had not used provocation against any community; this is wholly true. Now the question is why it so happened. Raheel Dhattiwala, in 18 Dec issue of English daily The Hindu, has analysed it properly. He has written that today peace prevails in Gujarat and no riots took place during the election campaigns only because Modi did not require it this time. What Modi and the government of Modi had done in 2002 and what it had been happening later on in the form of genocide of Muslims, taking law in their hands, was enough for the majority of Hindu voters of Gujarat. According to Dhattiwala, the voters in Gujarat have been divided concretely. General hatred against Muslims is a matter of fact. Accepting this reality, the Gujarati Muslims too have compromised with it. This Dhattiwala is a Muslim doctoral student in Sociology in the U.K. He has made this analysis after long research during his stay in Gujarat.

This is the ground reality

There can be possibility of dissent to certain aspects of this analysis but this is the ground reality. The cause of “popularity of the chief minister of Gujarat is nothing but violence, destruction and massacre. For this purpose, Dalits and backward classes who are discriminated against in the state were coaxed in the name of Hindutva and by giving them free lease to do rioting and looting. In all the three elections of the assembly, government machineries were exploited openly; voters were made afraid (of consequences). After the bloodletting of February and March 2002, when then Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee while addressing a public meeting in Ahmedabad on 4 April expressed his displeasure on it and asked the chief minister to maintain “raj dharma”, the majority in Gujarat took ill of it. Many leaders of BJP outside Gujarat were also angry. Therefore, only a week after it, Vajpayee had to compensate it by making a forceful speech against Muslims in a meeting in Goa. A conference of NRIs was held in New Delhi the same year. Tall personalities of the country and chief ministers of many states participated in it but a large number of Indians living abroad were all praise for the chief minister of Gujarat. And at that time there was no (talk of) development in Gujarat.

This is a question of integrity and survival of the country

Unbiased commentators and neutral analysts should accept the reality that there is a section here that believes in violence, hatred and discrimination. It has a particular agenda for the country. Though the group is little, it is holding command over all the resources in the country. Hatred against religious entities is its biggest weapon. It has established the laboratory in Gujarat after strivings spread over years. Therefore, the question where this mentality would take the country to if it continues to increase should be before the analysts and commentators. This is not a question of Muslims alone. If they (Muslims) stick to their faith and ideology, values and religious identity, they would pass over this age as well. The real question is about this great country and the future of all her citizens. Muslim groups, organisations and institutions in the country too should take notice of this trend not only because it targets Muslims but because this is a question of the integrity and survival of the country as well as of the protection, success and salvation of 1.25 crore people living here. Muslim leadership should not only be involved in its issues rather should think of the entire country.

25/ 12/12 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf

These scenes of public awareness

Whatever happened with a girl student in the national capital in the night of December 16 is being condemned in the whole country, and rightly so. Right from the spread of the news of the incident the countrywide wave of public anger has not dampened till the time of writing these lines. The chain of protests, statements and demands is going on, showing public awareness about this kind of crimes. Demands of legislating stringent laws and subjecting the culprits to exemplary punishment are being made on a large scale. Political and social representatives are presenting their viewpoints strongly in discussion on TV channels. The gist and objective of this entire move is that the government should take immediate measures to contain the crimes of this type, and that the responsible persons of society should have their say in it. And the government and the Ministry for Home Affairs seem to be on the weak wicket. Their statements are weak and clarifications lifeless. The force and enthusiasm seen in government statements on terrorism is totally absent here. Such is the thrust of protestors.

The thing that is lacking

But what is lacking in this protest is farsightedness and realism, viz. totally ignoring the causes and motivations of the crime. Only sometimes some proper voice is heard otherwise all of them lay stress on the cleanliness of the surface; no one is talking of the root causes. For example, there is no sorrow and anger against the ever widening net of government shops of wine, the mother of evils, and this illegal lethal business. No one is demanding to close these shops while the biggest cause of December 16 incident was this. This attitude of many girls and young women participating in the protests is strange. Such slogans can be seen on banners and placards: meri marzi ke baghair tum mujhe choo nahin sakte “You cannot touch me without my consent” (i.e. everything can be done with consent; there is nothing wrong in it), nazar buri tumhari ho aur purdah main karoon “Your glance is at fault and I do purdah” (i.e. do not tell me anything on the way I live and the way I dress). Those participating in discussions are also not opposing these things.

The role of protectors of rights

And the most interesting role in this matter is that of the individuals and organisations of women’s lib that run in the forefront of such protests. They are of the view that girls and the women going out of their houses should not be advised; they are free for their lifestyle, behaviour and dress style. They make much hue and cry whenever someone speaks on sexual crimes and excesses against women. The other day a lady political leader in Delhi only said that women should not remain outside in the night unnecessarily. It provided a big cause for ruckus by champions of women’s lib who made such an attack on her that it was difficult for her save herself. And it happens every time. Those who make statements at last have to regret. As far as the government is concerned, it is working for promotion of moral delinquencies in the name of development. Granting legal sanction to homosexuality and “live in relationship” is a case in point. There is no hope that any group of citizens would dare to rise against this situation under these circumstances. However, if Muslim organisations do something in this regard, it would work; for they have solid arguments about it and a cure for the ill, too.

25/ 12/12 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf

Maulana Palanpuri said

“My respected friends! It is a matter of crying and weeping, a matter full of pains, if the wife of a man suffers from cancer, and doctors say she cannot remain alive; the wife is suffering on the cot; (just imagine) how much the man would weep, (thinking) that O Allah, if this woman dies, what would happen with the marriage of my two young daughters, what would happen with the marriage of my two young sons, what would happen with these two little suckling children, they always come to ask the mother for milk and tea, and this woman dies and goes deep into the grave. And why is this pain; it is because these children will remember their mother. The man feels restlessness on his wife’s suffering from cancer. But the grief of not fulfilling the duty assigned to the Holy Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be to him), as a result of which crores of people die without Iman (faith) and go to the Hell for ever, is not in our hearts even as much as that of the wife’s suffering from cancer.  How un-conscientious we have come to. So now we should seek forgiveness of Allah, saying: O Allah! We are Your sinful servants; You forgive my sins; now we would do the Dawah work, keeping in view the entire world.”

The spirit of the statement

This extract is from a statement made by Maulana Umar Palanpuri published in December issue of the monthly Armaghan. Maulana Palanpuri, the world knows, was associated with the propagation of the Deen; he spent all his life in this service. He was a distinguished Aalim and an outstanding orator. Thousands of people used to listen to his speeches with patience. The most important is that he used to lay emphasis on the need to convey Islam to non-Muslims along with his efforts to reform Muslims and make them practising. In this extract he has attracted the attention of Muslims towards this need. And the readers can feel the pain and heart-touching quality in it. The spirit of his statement is that conveying the Deen to non-Muslims is the responsibility of Muslims; but they are oblivious of this duty. Around them people are dying without Iman in large numbers but they have no inkling of it; no restlessness is found in them – not even equal to the grief one has on the illness of one’s near and dear one. The late Maulana was willing to do the Dawah work, keeping the entire world in view.

Cooperation in virtues

Besides Maulana Palanpuri, there had been many Ulama in the Tablighi movement who had the same thought and view. Even the founder of the movement, Maulana Muhammad Ilyas, was of the same view as found expression in his teachings and statements. A distinguished scholar of Deoband movement, Maulana Qari Muhammad Tayyab, had a formal plan in his mind. We do not know what Maulana Palanpuri and his like-minded Ulama practically did in this regard or to what extent their respective followers felt the impact of their statements; but it is a fact that any practical work on this line is not seen in this quarter. Rather in some way this work is considered wrong or unnecessary. Not only this, the organisations and individuals that do this work are opposed and charged with many allegations. – However, even today there are many persons in the Tablighi circle who feel the obligation of this work, the proof of which is there in the extract of Maulana Palanpuri. It would be better if these people tell others in their respective circles of influence about the importance of this work with reference to the Qur’ān and Sunnah and the purpose of the prophethood of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him). If they cannot do this work themselves, they should cooperate with the organisations and individuals who are doing this work to the extent of their limitations. 

22/ 12/12 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf

These scenes of public awareness

Whatever happened with a girl student in the national capital in the night of December 16 is being condemned in the whole country, and rightly so. Right from the spread of the news of the incident the countrywide wave of public anger has not dampened till the time of writing these lines. The chain of protests, statements and demands is going on, showing public awareness about this kind of crimes. Demands of legislating stringent laws and subjecting the culprits to exemplary punishment are being made on a large scale. Political and social representatives are presenting their viewpoints strongly in discussion on TV channels. The gist and objective of this entire move is that the government should take immediate measures to contain the crimes of this type, and that the responsible persons of society should have their say in it. And the government and the Ministry for Home Affairs seem to be on the weak wicket. Their statements are weak and clarifications lifeless. The force and enthusiasm seen in government statements on terrorism is totally absent here. Such is the thrust of protestors.

The thing that is lacking

But what is lacking in this protest is farsightedness and realism, viz. totally ignoring the causes and motivations of the crime. Only sometimes some proper voice is heard otherwise all of them lay stress on the cleanliness of the surface; no one is talking of the root causes. For example, there is no sorrow and anger against the ever widening net of government shops of wine, the mother of evils, and this illegal lethal business. No one is demanding to close these shops while the biggest cause of December 16 incident was this. This attitude of many girls and young women participating in the protests is strange. Such slogans can be seen on banners and placards: meri marzi ke baghair tum mujhe choo nahin sakte “You cannot touch me without my consent” (i.e. everything can be done with consent; there is nothing wrong in it), nazar buri tumhari ho aur purdah main karoon “Your glance is at fault and I do purdah” (i.e. do not tell me anything on the way I live and the way I dress). Those participating in discussions are also not opposing these things.

The role of protectors of rights

And the most interesting role in this matter is that of the individuals and organisations of women’s lib that run in the forefront of such protests. They are of the view that girls and the women going out of their houses should not be advised; they are free for their lifestyle, behaviour and dress style. They make much hue and cry whenever someone speaks on sexual crimes and excesses against women. The other day a lady political leader in Delhi only said that women should not remain outside in the night unnecessarily. It provided a big cause for ruckus by champions of women’s lib who made such an attack on her that it was difficult for her save herself. And it happens every time. Those who make statements at last have to regret. As far as the government is concerned, it is working for promotion of moral delinquencies in the name of development. Granting legal sanction to homosexuality and “live in relationship” is a case in point. There is no hope that any group of citizens would dare to rise against this situation under these circumstances. However, if Muslim organisations do something in this regard, it would work; for they have solid arguments about it and a cure for the ill, too.

22/ 12/12 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf

One more American report

“Islamist terrorism may end by 2030”. A bold headline in The Times of India. Its intro says: ‘A landmark US intelligence report released on Monday says the “current Islamist phase of terrorism” might end by 2030, but violent terrorism itself is unlikely to die completely and might evolve into bloodless forms of economic and financial terrorism.’ This report of National Intelligence Council of America is entitled “Global Trends 2030”. It analyses international trends from different angles and forecasts the events to take place in the next 18 years. The real focus is on finance and economy. It says that in the years to come the economy of India will get stronger while the economy of Pakistan will get weaker further and destroyed; may be the very existence of Pakistan come to an end. And, “Terrorist groups and their supporting countries will use financial terrorism on a large scale; they also might use cyber system and modern destructive technology” (The Times of India, 11 December, Pages 11 and 16).

What to happen in the world

Those who are aware of the strategies of America might have understood the meaning of this report. With this report issued with reference to secret agencies America in fact wants to tell the world what it is going to do in the next 18 years. According to the report, it is going to weaken rather destroy the economy of rival countries and hold command over the economy of friendly countries. It will make violent events happen by its agents in different parts of the world in the name of countering “Islamist terrorism”. And, holding Islamic groups responsible for it, it will accelerate further its satanic campaign against Islam and the Muslim Ummah. Perhaps the American agencies have prepared the plan for terror events: where to stage these dramas; at which places in which countries how many “terrorist” attacks will be made; how many people will be killed, how many will remain alive and what statements are to be made; how many “9/11s” will occur, where “26/11s” are to take place. Then which stories are to be concocted to prove those dramas as “real events”. And perhaps the work of providing evidence has been also started.

Why to fear Islam?

The language of the report has revealed once again that America still sticks to use the term “Islamist terrorism” while Muslims made much hue and cry (against it) and its faithful Muslim countries themselves impressed upon it that this term should not be used at least at the government level. But a greater reality that American policymakers are much more afraid of Islam than they had been earlier has come to light. The advancements made by Islamic groups in certain parts of the world have worried them and they take the Islamic way of life as the biggest rather only obstacle in the implementation of their exploitative policies. They know that if Islamic system comes in vogue, it will bring along the interest-free economic system, which will weaken and at last destroy the interest-based economic system of Americans and Jews. That is why America uses ever newer methods and strategies to make the world afraid of Islam. Now it is the responsibility of the authorities on Islamic economic system to reach out to the hearts of human beings. Muslim scholars of this country must take up this work; for our government has badly fallen prey to the American economic strategies. It is the Islamic, moral and national responsibility of Muslim knowledgeable persons to take the country out of this deceit.

19/ 12/12 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf

The order of a lady DM

Recently there was a very interesting news report from Bijnor of Uttar Pradesh. State chief minister Akhilesh Yadav was to go to Rampur on 10 December to distribute cheques among girls under his government schemes “Kanya Vidyadhan Yojna” and “Hamari Beti Uska Kal”. On this occasion, the District Magistrate of Bijnor Sarika Mohan issued an order to the girls who were to receive cheques at the Rampur function, telling them to appear in simple and civilized dress, not in provocative and skinny dress; not to put on uncivilized dress like jeans, not even jewellery and black dress including burqua. Most of the girls and their parents protested against it. Muslim leaders also protested the ban on burqua; they even asked the girls to boycott the function. After these protests the lady magistrate withdrew her order saying that her order was taken wrongly and that she simply wanted the girls to appear in simple, sober and civilized dress (The Times of India, 11 December). However the function was organised. The chief minister and some senior leaders appeared in the function in black jackets.

The stand is weighty

The stand of the lady DM that her order was taken wrongly seems to be weighty. At least the modest and civilized families must have welcomed the purpose of her dress code that she wanted the girls to appear in modest and civilized dress. It was palpably evident with the order that this lady officer was fed up with the immodest dress, lifestyle and public behaviour of young girls. In this regard Muslim leaders must have welcomed her views. The real objection of these leaders was perhaps (rather definitely) to the ban on burqua. They should have contacted the lady DM to impress upon her to exclude burqua from her order as nothing can be more civilized and sober than burqua. Perhaps the lady DM included burqua in the list of banned dresses due only to its black colour; because in her opinion it was not proper to appear in black dress in this auspicious function. The first thing in this regard is that it is a superstition which does not behove an educated person. Then a burqua is available not only in black colour; it is there in other dark colours as well.

Even in Haryana

Whatever was the result of this move of the lady district magistrate of Bijnor, it does bring into light that many modest and farsighted people are worried about the character, lifestyle and likes and dislikes of the new generation. Just below that news report in the Times there is another report of the same nature (Delhi edition, page 18). Adarsh Mahila College, Bhiwani (Haryana) has banned the girl students’ putting on jeans and T-shirts. A fine of Rs one hundred will be charged on violation of this dress code. When the chairperson of National Commission for Women Mamta Sharma condemned it dubbing as absurd, the principal of the college Alka Sharma strongly defended the circular. She said: “There is no ban on jeans with long kurta but ban on jeans with T-shirt would remain in vogue.” This is good and healthy thinking. Every civilized citizen should hail it. Muslim circles must do it because this culture imported from the west is taking the new generation to destruction. The dictates of khap panchayats to punish boys and girls, taking law in their hands, are indeed condemnable. But most of the rulings of theirs to protect the new generation from waywardness are respectable. 

16/ 12/12 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf

The Comments of 6 December

On the occasion of the 20^th anniversary of the demolition of Babri Masjid, channels presented debates and newspapers comments on 6 December this year. One such analysis was presented by Mazher Hussain in The Hindu: The demolition that rebuilt a community. Its gist is that by demolishing the mosque Hindutva forces were in loss from political angle while this act of theirs got the Muslim community in the country united, enthused and awakened with regard to its identity, and a lot of non-practising members of the community turned practising. The educated and prosperous section (of the community) that used to keep from common Muslims, be pleased with the admiration of their attitude and condemnation of backwardness and ignorance of common Muslims by their non-Muslim friends, joined the Muslim mainstream and started exhibiting this identity of theirs. Even those individuals who did not follow the fundamental Islamic beliefs of oneness of God and Day of Judgement, and were atheists, became part of the Muslim mainstream from social point of view. Sectorial gaps in the Muslim society lessened, political awareness started emerging and the Muslims joined the activities related to education, employment and participation in general national society. New awareness prevailed upon Muslim women.

The analysis is correct to a great extent

The analyst is of the view that if the domes of Babri Masjid remained intact, Bharatiya Janata Party would have kept on getting public support by continuing its political propaganda against the mosque. On the other hand Muslims would have remained involved in the issue of their security and salvation as usual. The commentator has questioned whether the goondaism of 6 December 1992 just demolished a mosque or have spoiled the aspirations of Hindutva forces for ever. To deal with this question of the commentator is naturally the task of Hindutva circles but the analysis is correct to a great extent as far as the awakening among the Muslims in the country after this incident is concerned. It is a fact that after this incident the Indian Muslims got accelerated with regard to their religious and social identity. Here it can be said that this is a community that gets awakened only after it is beaten. Some instances can be cited in this regard. For example, when the Shah Bano case came to the fore in the 1980s, the entire community got united on one platform for the protection of their Shari’ah family laws. Such a sort of unity does not behove an outstanding community with Iman; it should display this character in every condition, in every circumstance.

Even this is not something ordinary

But in the particular circumstances prevailing in this country getting awakened thus is not something ordinary. Is it not a fact that besides this weakness and many other weaknesses like this, the community has presented a distinguished character? The series of riots started just after the partition of India. To weaken the community financially and socially besides giving it loss of lives was an important part of the strategy of anti-Muslim forces so that the community might give up its faith and values. Had it been any other community, it must have happened so. But this community, besides having lakhs of weaknesses, is a community of the faithful; a community of the followers of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) and nurtured on a particular anvil. The sheen of Iman is there in the veins and flesh of its members. On such occasions only this quality works. That is why it is live. After the Independence even when the trials and tribulations of sorts crossed the limits the Muslims of any city, town or village did not decide en masse to give up their Iman and their social identity; of course they accepted migration. Now it can be imagined that if this community enters into Islam totally and fulfils the requirements of the Qur’ān and Sunnah, what is there that it cannot do. May Allah protect it and bless it with consolidation and advancement.

13/ 12/12 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf

The conference of great minds

A two-day extraordinary conference of a few great minds was held in New Delhi in the first week of December, which stressed all the countries “to give eradication of terrorism from the world top priority because the biggest threat to human beings is from it; their very existence is in danger; innocent people are being attacked at every place. In this regard all the countries should come together. Without mutual cooperation and organised and planned efforts the eradication of international terrorism is not possible.” These minds severely criticised the countries which give priority to human rights violations. They say that “violation of human rights is not a big issue. The big and real issue is international terrorism. The courts, judges and lawmakers of the world should play a leading role in this work; they should create stringent laws and ensure their implementation.” To them “war on terrorism” is the biggest need today. The countries which are patronising terrorism should be deal with strictly.

Who are these people?

Can those who have not read this news in newspapers or not listened to it on radio or TV tell whose conference this was? Of the heads of States? Of high police officers? Of functionaries of secret agencies? No. This gathering was of judges and chief justices, arranged by International Council of Jurists, and hosted by India. It is hard to believe that the judges whose responsibility is to pronounce judgements honestly after hearing the arguments of the parties, would have said all this. But the fact is that they said all this (The Hindu, 2 December) and said in the same language in which the countries advocating the so-called “anti-terror war” and their allies and supporters say. The resolution of the judges has no trace of justice and honesty, impartiality and reality. With a glance at the proceedings of the conference, it does not seem that they would have thought over the definition and meaning of terrorism. No, they didn’t. To them it was not necessary. Everyone knows what the meaning of terrorism today is. International media has taught human beings its meaning well.

No scope of positivity

Now those who want to think positively can do so; as these judges have not named any group or faith, so it would be wrong to think that the target of this conference was Islam and the Muslim Ummah. They are free to think so. But the fact is that there is no scope of this positivity. The timing of the conference of judges, its       language, its tone and the text of its resolutions clearly show that this gathering was part of the same campaign which is being run in the name of “war on terrorism” against Islam and the Islamic Ummah at the international level. The mind behind it is Zionism and its leader is America. Therefore the question how these judges came to believe that these attacks are made by some Islamic group. Have they reached this conclusion on the basis of their own investigation or the source of their information also is only media or American secret agencies? – Apparently this situation is alarming for the Ummah but it has also another aspect. With this exercise this reality has come to light once again that awakening in some parts of the Muslim world, experiment of Islamic system of governance in some countries and failure of exploitative forces in some countries have made the oppressive forces and their supporters badly unsettled. On the one hand they are giving proof of their absurdities by using Malala while on the other they are mocking at law and justice by using judges.

10/ 12/12 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf

Allama Shibli Noamani

Allama Shibli Noamani – who among those associated with Islamic learning in the world does not know this great name? The fact is that in the Indian subcontinent this was the personality who strongly resisted the massive aggression of western thoughts and ideologies against Islam and the Muslim Ummah towards the end of the 19^th century and in the beginning of the 20^th century. This was so much so that this name emerged as the symbol of Islamic sense of honour. With his solid research works Allama on the one hand rejected alien ideologies and eradicated their impact while on the other ascertained the direction of the Ummah whereby the later age movements and organisations fully benefited consciously or unconsciously. As Allama was not only an academic but a practical man as well, he established Darul Musannefin Shibli Academy in his native town Azamgarh to propagate his thought and accelerate his work on its basis. This Academy is a notable, renowned and distinguished institution. It produced best writers and solid literature for the supremacy of the True Deen and success of the Ummah.

Towards completion of the century

This institution has been progressing ever since, and is now preparing for the centenary celebrations two years later. This institution too fell victim to the Partition but this neither dampened the enthusiasm of its functionaries nor was the publication of its academic journal ‘Ma’arif’ got affected. However, due to unconcern and indifference of general Muslims and negligence of scholars it suffered and is suffering financial crunch, the information of which we had been receiving through Ma’arif and other sources. I had a great desire to visit this institution which was fulfilled in the third week of November. Following participation in the golden jubilee celebrations of Jamiatul Falah Bilariyaganj, Amir Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Omari and I reached Shibli Academy in the evening of 18 November, on the invitation of its Director Professor Ishtiyaq Ahmad Zilli. Maulana Omari has been one of the well-wishers of this institution. He has visited it repeatedly. He keeps on talking about its academic services. After stepping into the premises of the Academy, first of all the idea that this institution would have been in a dilapidated condition, as it is also a collective institution of the community, was removed. Sober but imposing buildings, greenery all around, cleanliness, peaceful atmosphere – which can be called exemplary for academic pursuit.

Let the community pay attention to it

But the most affected is its academic treasure consisting of rare books, invaluable manuscripts, calligraphies and letters of great personages that are there in small and big rooms. The articles of personal use of Allama Shibli are also there; they cannot be called preserved. This entire treasure wore a sorrowful look. However it is said that it is in a better condition compared to earlier. Professor Zilli took over the charge of the Academy in 2008; the first task he undertook was of repair and modernization of buildings, rooms and furniture. Now his total attention is on preservation of the grand academic treasure using modern means, which requires a large sum of money. But this task must be undertaken, for it treasures a big chunk of the history of Muslim Ummah in the subcontinent. Not only it should be preserved inside the Academy but also its copies made through modern technology be kept at more than one place as it is the great requirement of wisdom and farsightedness. The community should also make collective efforts to preserve historic books and manuscripts wherever available besides Darul Musannefin. May Allah help their managers and keep their esteem high.  

07/ 12/12 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf

‘Aam Admi Party’

Announcing the launch of his political party ‘Aam Admi Party’, Arvind Kejriwal has claimed that if his party came to power in the general elections, action would be taken against all corrupt political leaders and they would be subjected to due punishment within six months, that anti-corruption Jan Lokpal Bill would be adopted within fifteen days, CBI would be rendered independent and sovereign; and freeing the entire Indian society from corruption, basic needs of all citizens would be fulfilled. He said, “The entire country, from the high-ups to the lower level, is submerged in corruption; bribery in government offices is common; this situation is affecting the common man most; and as a result of this ever newer problem is threatening the country.” Raising the slogan “Hamara neta kaisa ho, aam admi jaisa ho (what should our leader look like, he should be like a common man)” in a public meeting on 26 November, he said, “If this new party comes to power, the real power in the country will be in the hands of the common man.” – There is no doubt that the party’s launching ceremony in New Delhi witnessed great zeal and enthusiasm.

One cause of disagreement

Kejriwal is a famous social activist. Two years ago, he along with a social activist of Maharashtra Anna Hazare and some other active personages had launched a strong and effective countrywide campaign against corruption but later on some disagreement in methodology developed among them. One cause of disagreement was that it was targeting only Congress and its Central Government while its attitude towards BJP was mild, and the BJP was also supporting it directly and RSS had openly announced to support it. And thus BJP was benefiting with this entire campaign. The stand of Arvind Kejriwal was that both the big parties were corrupt; therefore they should voice against both of them. Anna Hazare was not in favour of a new party (to him BJP was enough) while Arvind was of the view that eradication was not possible without direct participation in electoral politics. Now those who are on the platform of Aam Admi Party along with Arvind Kejriwal appear to some extent sincere and determined; for example renowned lawyers Shanti Bhushan, Prashant Bhushan, former naval chief Ram Das, Manish Sisodia, Gopal Rai, etc.

Let Arvind recall that discussion

Keeping in view the statements made, thoughts expressed and measures taken by the founder of Aam Admi Party, it would not be wrong to think that he is sincere in his endeavours, very much worried about the level of corruption, and wants to eradicate it at any cost. He is somewhat sentimental, often uses very harsh language. But he is a man committed to work. Therefore it seems proper to remind him to recall the talk that Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Omari had told him in the Jamaat headquarters last year when he along with his team was there to have a discussion with Jamaat functionaries. The Jamaat chief had told Arvind Kejriwal and his team that eradication of all evils including corruption is not possible without nurturing the concept of the Creator and Master and the Day of Judgement. Arvind had admitted, “Yes, at present this aspect is not included in our campaign; but now after your suggestion we would think over it, and if necessary we would visit you once again for your guidance.” Now, when Arvind Kejriwal is the founder and the most influential leader of his party, he must think over this aspect. The task is apparently difficult but, if it sounds well, this is the easiest way to eradicate corruption.

04/ 12/12 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf

One more incident of excesses

One more incident of excesses on Tablighi Jamaat people has come to light. According to a report in Inquilab of November 21, a group of Tablighi Jamaat was travelling from Mysore to Hazrat Nizamuddin in Train No. 12781. There were only 14 persons in this group. When the group reached Agra station, some persons got into their compartment; they had handcuffs in their hands. Tablighi Jamaat people say that they were policemen in plain clothes. According to them, “They suddenly tied our hands with handcuffs and started misbehaving with us. Then we were made to get down at Mathura station. There were policemen belonging to Haryana and U.P. in large numbers. At the station they video-graphed us; then we were carried to another police station nearby and beaten bitterly, abused, asked provocative questions, stripped, tied our legs, made to lie on our bellies, dipped in water….” The report has mentioned some more serious charges levelled by the victims, the reproduction of which is not proper. This entire statement has been attributed to Ameer of (Tablighi) Jamaat Hafiz Jameel Ahmad Sahib.

Why no notice was taken

This report of the Urdu daily is erroneous with regard to language and presentation. Details of the report could not be ascertained from any other source. According to this report, the incident took place on October 21 and the report was published in the November 21 issue of the daily. Then the details of the incident were revealed to the media reporters in the office of Rashtriya Ulama Council by the party’s National Secretary Lal Devendra Singh. The report also carries photographs of a group of the victims. As a whole the report does maintain that excesses were perpetrated on some Tablighi Jamaat people, and the incident is very serious in nature. But it is surprise that this incident of government atrocities and excesses on the innocents was not mentioned anywhere. Urdu press and Muslim circles also did not take notice of this incident in a manner they should have done. Perhaps it is because this is not the first incident of this nature with Tablighi Jamaat people. Earlier also many incidents took place. This process has been going on for a long time. According to a government circular in many cities, Tablighi Jamaat people have to report at local police stations their arrival and departure. At many places they are body-searched and misbehaved.

There was a time

There was a time when Tablighi Jamaat was considered harmless and indeed it was and is even today harmless because it strives for propagation and reformation only among Muslims. Therefore the government and its agencies used not to touch them. Contrary to it, an organisation which persuaded the Muslims to act upon Islam viz. the Qur’ān and Sunnah and to shape their life system in accordance with it. When during the Emergency a coercive ban was imposed on this organisation, the community kept silence and maintained indifference. It was perhaps because the Jamaats, organisations and institutions considered that the ban was imposed on that organisation and they were safe. Not only this, certain religious organisations even wrote books to condemn that organisation. The policymakers in the country gathered that the community is simpleton. Therefore they started acting upon the policy that had been adopted after the Independence. Eminent Muslim educational institutions were raided; then Ahle Hadees people were targeted. Then, linking the relationship of Taleban with the Deobandi thought, eyes were kept on madrasas, and now for the last some years Tablighi Jamaat has been watched. And it is being done at a time when a campaign to character-assassinate Islam and the Muslim Ummah is on the world over, and the organisations and practising Muslims are being targeted. Therefore, this misbehaviour with the Tablighi Jamaat people should be taken in the backdrop of governmental and political treatment with the Muslims.

01/ 12/12 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf