The Telegraph
28 February 2010
PAINTED OUT
Like the proverbial swallow, one My Name is Khan does not make a summer. The most striking illustration — and the most embarrassing for India as a secular democracy with a tradition of glorious, unfettered art — is the fact that a foremost artist of the country has been conferred honorary citizenship by Qatar after he has found it impossible to return to India for years. Else, this could just have been celebrated as an acknowledgment of brilliance by another country. Maqbool Fida Husain, in self-imposed exile since 2006 when the decade-long campaign against his art became too threatening for his work and person, has never made any bones about his longing for India. But he was remembered only through the incredible exclusion of his work from the 2008 India Art Summit, held with the support of the secular United Progressive Alliance government. So it was not the Bajrang Dal, or the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, or any similar organization — which destroyed paintings, vandalized galleries, broke into the artist’s home and constantly threatened him — that was behind this exclusion. The government was plain terrified of the damage a mob with Hindu sentiment as their excuse could wreak during the event. For in India, the pretext of hurt religious sentiment stops all administrative action cold in its tracks.
The nation has grown used to the infringement of artistic space by politics. Literature, film, the visual or performing arts are all made scapegoats in the political need to assert strident group identities, sometimes to recover lost space in the public memory, or to repeatedly make visible invisible divisions so that interests vested in conflict are kept in clover. What is more disturbing about the ‘secular’ parties’ apparent ineffectuality in protecting Mr Husain’s work, home and reputation, however, is the inescapable feeling that tolerance, secularism, freedom of expression and aesthetic values vanish like a puff of smoke before the bogey of religion. Nobody is sure about its hold on the self, and whether proclaiming the simple unacceptability of vandalism as a way of protest — against Mr Husain’s nude Saraswati or anything else — would mean a loss of votes. Superstition can be of many kinds.
This sign of an inadequately developed attitude to the relationship between religion and a society of many faiths is most obvious in the lukewarm response of the Indian government to the news of Qatar’s offer of citizenship to Mr Husain. He can come home if he wants to, runs the signature tune, the government can give him security but no guarantees. This disinterest, now and for years earlier, may be, of course, an expression of the very mature realization that all art is universal and the true artist has no home. All the world is his home, but perhaps not India.
Saturday, March 06, 2010
Extremist Views of the British Media
The recent series of programme televised mainly by the BBC and Channel 4, covering the Muslims in Britain, points to a single agenda of marketing the notion of ‘extremist’ views of some Muslims. What is an extremist view? There is no open discussion on that point; any Muslim is labelled as an extremist for showing sympathy towards the oppressed masses who are fighting for ‘freedom’ in the occupied lands of Palestine, Afghanistan and Iraq.
Such views are not specific to Muslims, many non-Muslims and in particular the leftwing organisations, express similar views and sentiment on Iraq, Palestine and Afghanistan. However, they are never labelled as extremists. It means - if the white face of George Galloway is replaced with an ethnic face, then you have an extremist who has been radicalised! It is funny how George Galloway is never classed as a militant, someone who is radicalised, or an extremist, even though he expresses such opinions so candidly.
To label someone as an extremist for defending their homeland, is no different to labelling Winston Churchill as a militant, and Britain as an extremist nation for reacting against the bombing raids of the expansionist Nazi Germany. Now the situation is reverse. Britain is riding on the expansionist US and Israel. Israel extends its settlements by uprooting the Palestinians; the US extends its military bases around the world, to ensure its ‘freedom’ to exploit others is maintained.
The notion of extremist views is further characterised by the media claim that such opinions are held by a minority of Muslims, and stems from extreme interpretation of the religious texts, rather than a response to the events of war, mass killing, occupation and a theft of land and resources.
Consider the typical organisation of Islam4UK with its extremist views. Majority of the Muslims and non-Muslims in this world would concur with the political views of Islam4UK, even if they did not express their allegiance to such an organisation. The proof is simple. Just examine the issue of Palestine, Afghanistan and the fabricated Iraq war; majority of the nations and people of this world consider these wars as heinous crimes committed on innocent people. If the extremist views are meant to be a minority view, then what about minority view over the Iraq war? Even the legal experts endorsing the war inside the British government, was clearly a very small minority view.
According to that criterion of minority, Britain and the US are extremists for going against world opinion by launching a war without UN authorisation. They did not have the testicles to live up to their own ideals of majority rule (democracy), by subjecting their case to the UN General Assembly vote. What about the lone veto constantly used by the US to support Israeli war crimes, a terrorist nation with extremist views that is engaged in ethnic cleansing of the Palestinians. Is that not an extremist action by the US, as it stems from a minority position?
If the extremist views were a consequence of interpretation, then it implies the views have no connection with the war, mass killings, theft of resources, and the occupation of the Muslim countries. That is absurd. How do you explain the non-Muslims who share the same ‘extremist’ views on those issues? Have they been brainwashed by the Muslim extremists?
Then comes the usual repetition of the events of 7/7 and 9/11, as if they were without any cause, marks the beginning of the history of conflict. What does 9/11 have to do with the UK? If the connection is one of, Americans are the English speaking secular and Christian brothers, then that is also applicable to Muslims in the UK who identify with the oppressed Muslims in occupied lands. As for 7/7, this is a minor event compared to the mass casualties inflicted on the innocent people of Iraq and Palestine.
The British media should know that if you throw a brick through someone’s window, retaliation would naturally follow. It may be considered an extreme view, but it is a logical view, rooted in Judeo-Christian tradition, upheld by all nations. One cannot alter this reality, no matter how many spineless moderates are lined up by the media-gun to force a constant apology. No matter how much you howl terrorism, people can see the real mass terrorism inflicted on people who have done no harm to this country. Madrid and 7/7 had a cause; they were a reaction to the direct and indirect atrocities committed by the British and the Spanish government in Iraq. Until those countries decided to join the Zionist-neo-con driven war, the Muslims have been living peacefully in both countries for decades.
Rather, the British media is engaged in the broadcast of extremist views that causes offence to the millions of Muslims and non-Muslims worldwide. Its militant journalists spread lies and hate, constantly incite violence through justifying war and carnage as self-defence; these heartless journalists write with the ink drawn from the blood of the innocent people in Iraq, Palestine and Afghanistan. They justify the fascist outlook of Blair and his ilk, who thinks killing hundreds of thousand of innocent people, is somehow a noble cause for humanity. However, even Nazis like Adolf Hitler had grounds to fight, after the disproportionate suffering inflicted on Germany through the Treaty of Versailles. What is Blair’s excuse? Is it Iraq’s WMD?
Blair and his henchmen are the real extremists, with extremist views that should be sitting with Radovan Karadzic who is a small criminal in comparison, and they should all be answering for their war crimes.
Yamin Zakaria ( yamin@radicalviews.org)
London, UK
Published on 02/03/2010
Such views are not specific to Muslims, many non-Muslims and in particular the leftwing organisations, express similar views and sentiment on Iraq, Palestine and Afghanistan. However, they are never labelled as extremists. It means - if the white face of George Galloway is replaced with an ethnic face, then you have an extremist who has been radicalised! It is funny how George Galloway is never classed as a militant, someone who is radicalised, or an extremist, even though he expresses such opinions so candidly.
To label someone as an extremist for defending their homeland, is no different to labelling Winston Churchill as a militant, and Britain as an extremist nation for reacting against the bombing raids of the expansionist Nazi Germany. Now the situation is reverse. Britain is riding on the expansionist US and Israel. Israel extends its settlements by uprooting the Palestinians; the US extends its military bases around the world, to ensure its ‘freedom’ to exploit others is maintained.
The notion of extremist views is further characterised by the media claim that such opinions are held by a minority of Muslims, and stems from extreme interpretation of the religious texts, rather than a response to the events of war, mass killing, occupation and a theft of land and resources.
Consider the typical organisation of Islam4UK with its extremist views. Majority of the Muslims and non-Muslims in this world would concur with the political views of Islam4UK, even if they did not express their allegiance to such an organisation. The proof is simple. Just examine the issue of Palestine, Afghanistan and the fabricated Iraq war; majority of the nations and people of this world consider these wars as heinous crimes committed on innocent people. If the extremist views are meant to be a minority view, then what about minority view over the Iraq war? Even the legal experts endorsing the war inside the British government, was clearly a very small minority view.
According to that criterion of minority, Britain and the US are extremists for going against world opinion by launching a war without UN authorisation. They did not have the testicles to live up to their own ideals of majority rule (democracy), by subjecting their case to the UN General Assembly vote. What about the lone veto constantly used by the US to support Israeli war crimes, a terrorist nation with extremist views that is engaged in ethnic cleansing of the Palestinians. Is that not an extremist action by the US, as it stems from a minority position?
If the extremist views were a consequence of interpretation, then it implies the views have no connection with the war, mass killings, theft of resources, and the occupation of the Muslim countries. That is absurd. How do you explain the non-Muslims who share the same ‘extremist’ views on those issues? Have they been brainwashed by the Muslim extremists?
Then comes the usual repetition of the events of 7/7 and 9/11, as if they were without any cause, marks the beginning of the history of conflict. What does 9/11 have to do with the UK? If the connection is one of, Americans are the English speaking secular and Christian brothers, then that is also applicable to Muslims in the UK who identify with the oppressed Muslims in occupied lands. As for 7/7, this is a minor event compared to the mass casualties inflicted on the innocent people of Iraq and Palestine.
The British media should know that if you throw a brick through someone’s window, retaliation would naturally follow. It may be considered an extreme view, but it is a logical view, rooted in Judeo-Christian tradition, upheld by all nations. One cannot alter this reality, no matter how many spineless moderates are lined up by the media-gun to force a constant apology. No matter how much you howl terrorism, people can see the real mass terrorism inflicted on people who have done no harm to this country. Madrid and 7/7 had a cause; they were a reaction to the direct and indirect atrocities committed by the British and the Spanish government in Iraq. Until those countries decided to join the Zionist-neo-con driven war, the Muslims have been living peacefully in both countries for decades.
Rather, the British media is engaged in the broadcast of extremist views that causes offence to the millions of Muslims and non-Muslims worldwide. Its militant journalists spread lies and hate, constantly incite violence through justifying war and carnage as self-defence; these heartless journalists write with the ink drawn from the blood of the innocent people in Iraq, Palestine and Afghanistan. They justify the fascist outlook of Blair and his ilk, who thinks killing hundreds of thousand of innocent people, is somehow a noble cause for humanity. However, even Nazis like Adolf Hitler had grounds to fight, after the disproportionate suffering inflicted on Germany through the Treaty of Versailles. What is Blair’s excuse? Is it Iraq’s WMD?
Blair and his henchmen are the real extremists, with extremist views that should be sitting with Radovan Karadzic who is a small criminal in comparison, and they should all be answering for their war crimes.
Yamin Zakaria ( yamin@radicalviews.org)
London, UK
Published on 02/03/2010
Importance of being an upper caste in Bengal House
Vandita Mishra
Tags : nation, west bengal, government, Ajay Maken
Posted: Tuesday , Mar 02, 2010 at 2254 hrs
New Delhi:
West Bengal’s Left Front government is the lone state government to have made a representation to the Centre asking for a caste-based census. This was what Minister of State for Home Affairs Ajay Maken told the House in his written response to an un-starred question in the Lok Sabha recently. The possibilities are tantalising: Could the plea for enumerating castes in West Bengal be a step towards the Left parties finally making peace with what they have all along disdained as ‘casteism’ — even as they have forged alliances with caste-based political parties like the SP earlier and most recently entering into an unnamed pact with Bahujan Samajwadi Party chief Mayawati ahead of the 2009 Lok Sabha polls?
Its enthusiasm to count castes in its shaky bastion may or may not presage a larger rethink by India’s Left on one of Indian politics’ most enduring questions. But it does shine the light on a little known aspect of Left rule in the state: West Bengal is the only state where the percentage of upper caste MLAs has increased over the 20-year period between 1972 and 1996, from 38 per cent to 50 per cent. The trend was reversed in 2001, when the percentage of upper caste MLAs fell just below 38 per cent, but upper caste ministers were still more than 51 per cent in the state government.
In fact, representation of intermediary castes in the West Bengal Assembly peaked in 1977 and has been weak and fluctuating ever since — incidentally, 1977 was the year when the Left Front began its uninterrupted rule in the state.
The resilience of upper caste domination in West Bengal is uncommon. It stands in particular contrast to the “silent revolution” that swept through some states in India since the late 1970s, characterised by the rise of the OBC and diminishing sway of the upper castes in positions of
political power.
In a recent book, Rise of the Plebeians? The changing face of Indian legislative assemblies, edited by Christophe Jaffrelot and Sanjay Kumar, (Routledge: 2009), Jaffrelot describes the trajectory in the Hindi belt. In 1952, upper caste MPs represented 64 per cent of the total MPs from this belt. They remained in the majority till 1977, when the spectacular rout of the Congress became the occasion for the first significant dip in the percentage of upper caste representatives to Parliament, from almost 54 per cent to about 48 per cent. They remained above 40 per cent till 1989, when the Congress was defeated for the second time at the Centre.
In successive elections in the 1990s, the percentage of upper caste MPs continued to decrease, touching 33 per cent in 2004. The share of OBC MPs, on the other hand, grew across parties. This process — of the transfer of power from upper caste to OBC politicians — was even more pronounced at the state level, points out Jaffrelot. In assemblies of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar, the proportion of upper caste MLAs has declined from about 40-55 per cent in the 1950s to about 25-35 per cent in the 2000s while the share of the OBCs grew from 10-20 per cent to about 20-40 per cent.
But not in West Bengal. In her profile of West Bengal MLAs over the last 50 years in the same book, Stephanie Tawa Lama-Rewal writes that its most striking feature is the consistent over-representation of the upper castes. “Even though the importance of upper castes in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly fluctuates between 37.5 per cent (in 1972) and 50 per cent (in 1957) of all MLAs, it remains consistently out of proportion with their demographic importance.”
While intermediary castes formed an estimated 35 per cent of the total population in West Bengal in 1991, they have remained a weak presence in the state Assembly, fluctuating between 4.6 per cent in 1952 and 6.1 per cent in 2001, peaking at 9.5 per cent in 1977, the year the Left Front came to power in the state.
According to the study, while upper castes formed 10 per cent of the West Bengal population in 1991, their representation in the Assembly has ranged from 45.9 per cent in 1977 to 49 per cent in 1996, coming down to 37.8 per cent in 2001. The dominance of upper caste bhadralok is even more pronounced in Left Front Cabinets since 1977, peaking at 81.8 per cent in 1982.
Tags : nation, west bengal, government, Ajay Maken
Posted: Tuesday , Mar 02, 2010 at 2254 hrs
New Delhi:
West Bengal’s Left Front government is the lone state government to have made a representation to the Centre asking for a caste-based census. This was what Minister of State for Home Affairs Ajay Maken told the House in his written response to an un-starred question in the Lok Sabha recently. The possibilities are tantalising: Could the plea for enumerating castes in West Bengal be a step towards the Left parties finally making peace with what they have all along disdained as ‘casteism’ — even as they have forged alliances with caste-based political parties like the SP earlier and most recently entering into an unnamed pact with Bahujan Samajwadi Party chief Mayawati ahead of the 2009 Lok Sabha polls?
Its enthusiasm to count castes in its shaky bastion may or may not presage a larger rethink by India’s Left on one of Indian politics’ most enduring questions. But it does shine the light on a little known aspect of Left rule in the state: West Bengal is the only state where the percentage of upper caste MLAs has increased over the 20-year period between 1972 and 1996, from 38 per cent to 50 per cent. The trend was reversed in 2001, when the percentage of upper caste MLAs fell just below 38 per cent, but upper caste ministers were still more than 51 per cent in the state government.
In fact, representation of intermediary castes in the West Bengal Assembly peaked in 1977 and has been weak and fluctuating ever since — incidentally, 1977 was the year when the Left Front began its uninterrupted rule in the state.
The resilience of upper caste domination in West Bengal is uncommon. It stands in particular contrast to the “silent revolution” that swept through some states in India since the late 1970s, characterised by the rise of the OBC and diminishing sway of the upper castes in positions of
political power.
In a recent book, Rise of the Plebeians? The changing face of Indian legislative assemblies, edited by Christophe Jaffrelot and Sanjay Kumar, (Routledge: 2009), Jaffrelot describes the trajectory in the Hindi belt. In 1952, upper caste MPs represented 64 per cent of the total MPs from this belt. They remained in the majority till 1977, when the spectacular rout of the Congress became the occasion for the first significant dip in the percentage of upper caste representatives to Parliament, from almost 54 per cent to about 48 per cent. They remained above 40 per cent till 1989, when the Congress was defeated for the second time at the Centre.
In successive elections in the 1990s, the percentage of upper caste MPs continued to decrease, touching 33 per cent in 2004. The share of OBC MPs, on the other hand, grew across parties. This process — of the transfer of power from upper caste to OBC politicians — was even more pronounced at the state level, points out Jaffrelot. In assemblies of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar, the proportion of upper caste MLAs has declined from about 40-55 per cent in the 1950s to about 25-35 per cent in the 2000s while the share of the OBCs grew from 10-20 per cent to about 20-40 per cent.
But not in West Bengal. In her profile of West Bengal MLAs over the last 50 years in the same book, Stephanie Tawa Lama-Rewal writes that its most striking feature is the consistent over-representation of the upper castes. “Even though the importance of upper castes in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly fluctuates between 37.5 per cent (in 1972) and 50 per cent (in 1957) of all MLAs, it remains consistently out of proportion with their demographic importance.”
While intermediary castes formed an estimated 35 per cent of the total population in West Bengal in 1991, they have remained a weak presence in the state Assembly, fluctuating between 4.6 per cent in 1952 and 6.1 per cent in 2001, peaking at 9.5 per cent in 1977, the year the Left Front came to power in the state.
According to the study, while upper castes formed 10 per cent of the West Bengal population in 1991, their representation in the Assembly has ranged from 45.9 per cent in 1977 to 49 per cent in 1996, coming down to 37.8 per cent in 2001. The dominance of upper caste bhadralok is even more pronounced in Left Front Cabinets since 1977, peaking at 81.8 per cent in 1982.
Pravin Mahajan and BJP’s cupboard of skeletons
By NM Sampathkumar Iyangar for TwoCircles.net
Pravin Mahajan is no more. The younger brother of late Pramod Mahajan – top leader of Bhartiya Janta Party, known as its Chief Fixer – died on March 3 at Jupiter Hospital in Thane after a prolonged illness. He had been admitted there in mid December 2009 after suffering a stroke while on parole. That was eight months after he came out with a tell-all book titled My Album. Pravin’s book raised several shocking questions about his dead brother’s life and times.
Pravin was serving life imprisonment and the book was written from the prison. A sessions court had convicted of killing his own brother. Four years ago, the Mahajan brothers shocked the country by being dramatis personae of the heinous murder. Interestingly, Pramod’s brother-in-law Gopinath Munde managed to escape media glare. This was despite the key role played by the heavyweight politician of Maharashtra in the drama.
According to the prosecution, Pravin killed Pramod Mahajan on April 22, 2006 in his Mumbai home. The court rushed through the case at break-neck speed – an oddity in Indian judiciary.
The wheeler-dealer BJP leader succumbed to his wounds 11 days later in a hospital. The who’s who of Indian business leaders got themselves videographed outside the hospital as the drama stole all the prime time in most news channels. This again was odd because Pramod Mahajan was out of office and was not in a position to curry favour to the tycoons. The only explanation for the clamour was that BJP patriarch AB Vajpayee had virtually designated him as his heir.
The fate of the man projected by the media, the cops and the entire political class as Killer Brother was no less mysterious. The otherwise healthy young man complained of high blood pressure and later slipped into coma. He was put on life support system and was struggling for life for close to three months. The hospital authorities were unwilling to issue any official word on the developments. This was in stark contrast to the way a very reputed VVIP hospital in Delhi was made to issue repeated statements when Pramod’s son had been rushed there after drug overdose.
It remains to be seen whether Pravin’s premature death would erase the stigma on him as a Brother-Killer. This was reinforced when the court sentenced him to life in December 2007. Winding up a murder trial in a matter of a year and a half, strangely, did not raise many eyebrows. Interestingly, Pravin’s wife Sarangi had said about his ‘My Album’: “This book should be treated as an ordinary book. It doesn't include any of the court statements which were in-camera.”
Pravin’s death raises fresh questions about the state of justice dispensing system in India – particularly in criminal cases that involve the high and mighty of the country. True, the sessions judge sentenced him for fratricide. But, does that make him “Brother-Killer” automatically? Before the dubious title is confirmed more light needs to be thrown at several mysteries:
(1) Whereabouts of the treasures under the custody of Pramod Mahajan. A substantial part of the booty is alleged to be from kickbacks – estimated at a couple of thousand crore rupees – in the grand telecom scam of Vajpayee era. The government wrote off licence fees worth several thousand crore rupees due from big sharks. Vajpayee sacked from the Telecom Minister’s post a aggressively transparent and fanatical BJP leader Jagmohan Malhotra for opposing the sell out. Of all persons, Ram Vilas Paswan was appointed to succeed him and Pramod did all the running about in finalizing the ‘affairs’.
(2) The unholy haste with which all the evidences and dispositions in the case got ‘locked’ away from public scrutiny till 2027, despite lots of gaping holes. Pravin would ordinarily have completed his life sentence to lay his hands on any hidden treasure much earlier to that. He would not have been bothered much by the unveiling of facts.
(3) The drug-murder mystery involving the son accompanying the dead man’s ashes and his divorce after several cases of wife bashing. The mega-budgets available for media splash that the Bigg boss can manage.
(4) The clout of the brother-in-law across the political spectrum.
(5) The unnatural death of the convict behind a veil of secretiveness.
It would perhaps be advisable to be cautious in using the term till the matters are cleared. Given the level of corruption, cronyism and power politics prevailing in India, they may forever remain in mystery.
[The author is an unattached policy analyst based at Ahmedabad, India]
Pravin Mahajan is no more. The younger brother of late Pramod Mahajan – top leader of Bhartiya Janta Party, known as its Chief Fixer – died on March 3 at Jupiter Hospital in Thane after a prolonged illness. He had been admitted there in mid December 2009 after suffering a stroke while on parole. That was eight months after he came out with a tell-all book titled My Album. Pravin’s book raised several shocking questions about his dead brother’s life and times.
Pravin was serving life imprisonment and the book was written from the prison. A sessions court had convicted of killing his own brother. Four years ago, the Mahajan brothers shocked the country by being dramatis personae of the heinous murder. Interestingly, Pramod’s brother-in-law Gopinath Munde managed to escape media glare. This was despite the key role played by the heavyweight politician of Maharashtra in the drama.
According to the prosecution, Pravin killed Pramod Mahajan on April 22, 2006 in his Mumbai home. The court rushed through the case at break-neck speed – an oddity in Indian judiciary.
The wheeler-dealer BJP leader succumbed to his wounds 11 days later in a hospital. The who’s who of Indian business leaders got themselves videographed outside the hospital as the drama stole all the prime time in most news channels. This again was odd because Pramod Mahajan was out of office and was not in a position to curry favour to the tycoons. The only explanation for the clamour was that BJP patriarch AB Vajpayee had virtually designated him as his heir.
The fate of the man projected by the media, the cops and the entire political class as Killer Brother was no less mysterious. The otherwise healthy young man complained of high blood pressure and later slipped into coma. He was put on life support system and was struggling for life for close to three months. The hospital authorities were unwilling to issue any official word on the developments. This was in stark contrast to the way a very reputed VVIP hospital in Delhi was made to issue repeated statements when Pramod’s son had been rushed there after drug overdose.
It remains to be seen whether Pravin’s premature death would erase the stigma on him as a Brother-Killer. This was reinforced when the court sentenced him to life in December 2007. Winding up a murder trial in a matter of a year and a half, strangely, did not raise many eyebrows. Interestingly, Pravin’s wife Sarangi had said about his ‘My Album’: “This book should be treated as an ordinary book. It doesn't include any of the court statements which were in-camera.”
Pravin’s death raises fresh questions about the state of justice dispensing system in India – particularly in criminal cases that involve the high and mighty of the country. True, the sessions judge sentenced him for fratricide. But, does that make him “Brother-Killer” automatically? Before the dubious title is confirmed more light needs to be thrown at several mysteries:
(1) Whereabouts of the treasures under the custody of Pramod Mahajan. A substantial part of the booty is alleged to be from kickbacks – estimated at a couple of thousand crore rupees – in the grand telecom scam of Vajpayee era. The government wrote off licence fees worth several thousand crore rupees due from big sharks. Vajpayee sacked from the Telecom Minister’s post a aggressively transparent and fanatical BJP leader Jagmohan Malhotra for opposing the sell out. Of all persons, Ram Vilas Paswan was appointed to succeed him and Pramod did all the running about in finalizing the ‘affairs’.
(2) The unholy haste with which all the evidences and dispositions in the case got ‘locked’ away from public scrutiny till 2027, despite lots of gaping holes. Pravin would ordinarily have completed his life sentence to lay his hands on any hidden treasure much earlier to that. He would not have been bothered much by the unveiling of facts.
(3) The drug-murder mystery involving the son accompanying the dead man’s ashes and his divorce after several cases of wife bashing. The mega-budgets available for media splash that the Bigg boss can manage.
(4) The clout of the brother-in-law across the political spectrum.
(5) The unnatural death of the convict behind a veil of secretiveness.
It would perhaps be advisable to be cautious in using the term till the matters are cleared. Given the level of corruption, cronyism and power politics prevailing in India, they may forever remain in mystery.
[The author is an unattached policy analyst based at Ahmedabad, India]
Indian Spy Master among Kabul blast victims
KABUL (APP) - The 26 February suicide attacks, targeting a guest house and a hotel in a swanky neighborhood of Kabul, frequented by foreigners has sent the Indian military - security establishment in Afghanistan reeling with shock. Among seventeen victims of the attack were nine Indian nationals besides a noted film maker and an Italian diplomat, say media reports. A closer scrutiny of the casualties would reveal the rising Indian military profile in Afghanistan; four among those killed belonged to Indian Army and the Indian espionage agency - RAW.
The tally included two majors, a non-commissioned officer of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and an undercover RAW official of the secretary rank - Nitish Chibber - assigned to the Indian Embassy in Kandahar.
A major catastrophe was averted though; besides the four dead, eight army personnel of unspecified ranks were injured during the attack and were quickly evacuated by a IAF sortie to India.
The attack was the third in a series targeting the Indian military and intelligence assets in Afghanistan.
In July 2008 a suicide bomber killed more than 50 at the Indian embassy here including the defence attache. In Oct 2009 a bomb exploded outside the Indian Embassy killing 17 people; none of them embassy official. According to observers the Indian efforts to raise its military profile behind a facade of developmental work is politically unacceptable to majority of Afghans.
who see India advancing an agenda of its non-Pushtun allies in the Northern Alliance.
The rising Indian military profile is also viewed with suspicion in Afghanistan where foreign military presence has also elicited a violent backlash from the local population. Indian desire to land boots on the Afghans ground is fraught with high risk and unless they tone down their ambitions in Afghanistan, the Indian soldiers - and civilians will continue to bleed; opine observers.
The tally included two majors, a non-commissioned officer of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and an undercover RAW official of the secretary rank - Nitish Chibber - assigned to the Indian Embassy in Kandahar.
A major catastrophe was averted though; besides the four dead, eight army personnel of unspecified ranks were injured during the attack and were quickly evacuated by a IAF sortie to India.
The attack was the third in a series targeting the Indian military and intelligence assets in Afghanistan.
In July 2008 a suicide bomber killed more than 50 at the Indian embassy here including the defence attache. In Oct 2009 a bomb exploded outside the Indian Embassy killing 17 people; none of them embassy official. According to observers the Indian efforts to raise its military profile behind a facade of developmental work is politically unacceptable to majority of Afghans.
who see India advancing an agenda of its non-Pushtun allies in the Northern Alliance.
The rising Indian military profile is also viewed with suspicion in Afghanistan where foreign military presence has also elicited a violent backlash from the local population. Indian desire to land boots on the Afghans ground is fraught with high risk and unless they tone down their ambitions in Afghanistan, the Indian soldiers - and civilians will continue to bleed; opine observers.
Thursday, March 04, 2010
State and liberal ideas
By Irfan Engineer
Mobs on the streets of Shimoga and Hassan protesting against an article that appeared in Kannda Prabha allegedly written by Taslima Nasreen has once again kicked up a debate on freedom of expression and need to place some reasonable restrictions on that freedom. Taslima Nasreen has described the article Purdah hai Purdah to be distorted.
She has in a statement clarified that she did not write any article for any Kannada daily. The article in Kannada Prabha carries statement that Prophet was against burqa and that she has called upon women to burn their burqas. Even if the article had been written by Taslima Nasreen, there is nothing provocative in the article justifying mobilization on the streets and the vandalism that we witnessed. If Taslima Nasreen was factually incorrect in her conclusion that Prophet was against burqa, one needs to marshal evidence to the contrary and put it in public domain. That would not only correct wrong statements, but also instruct the readers how far to rely on the author’s conclusions and views.
Many commentators have raised the issue of freedom of expression and often allege secularists to be partial towards Muslims. When M.F. Hussain is attacked and his paintings are torn and destroyed, the secularists see it as a attack on freedom of expression but they are silent when Talsima Nasreen or Salman Rushdie are attacked or there is a demand to ban their books by the Islamic fundamentalist. This charge is true but only to an extent. We cannot generalize – there are secularists of all varieties and hues. However, most secularists, it is true, have not condemned Islamic fundamentalists as vociferously when Taslima Nasreen or Salman Rushdie and their works are condemned, or for freedom of expression of the Dutch cartoonists drawing cartoons derogatory towards Prophet Mohammad. Most secularists react strongly when Shiv Sena or Bajrang Dal or VHP attack MF Hussain’s paintings are attacked or these organizations demand a ban on the film. Some secularists argue that threat to freedom of expression and indeed threat to democracy and democratic rights itself is not from minority fundamentalism. Fundamentalism of minority community at best can cause some irritation and hiccups for a democratic state but majority fundamentalism can threaten democracy. We do not subscribe to those notions. Minority fundamentalism often becomes existential justification for fundamentalist elements from majority community. Competitive fundamentalism together can erode individual freedoms and threaten democracy.
We must first make a distinction between freedom of an artist and freedom of a politician who has based his/her politics on demanding privileges and better rights for a particular community over others or politicians who demand communal rights and privileges. Freedoms of both cannot be equated. Motives of both are different. While the artists merely express through their art, literature or other forms of expressions. Whatever Taslima Nasreen and Salman Rushdie write, whether one agrees with them or not, every democratic minded citizen should uphold their freedom, even if they do not fundamentally agree with what they say. In a democracy, individual freedoms and liberties are fundamental and even necessary for the progress of the society. Without dissent in medieval ages, those who faced the gallows and persecution of various nature for their views ensured that the society as a whole progresses. Galileo, Socrates, Sarmad, Sir Syed, Raja Ram Mohan Roy, or other dissenters are example of this. We need Taslima Nasreens and Salman Rushdies and M.F.Hussains how much ever we may disagree with them. Their views may not be palatable to this society but may be future generations may view them differently. But unless they are allowed to express themselves, how will the future generations have a choice? What will they chose from? Creative artists, thinkers, philosophers, academicians, historians are in business of studying their subjects and expressing their views. Their views and creations may help or benefit one or other side and may even be partisan and totally unpalatable to a section of society or indeed to the entire society. Just as they have a right to express themselves and free from any intimidation and fear, their consumers, patrons, readers have a right to know and enjoy artistic creations. India is not the only country where artists, academicians, thinkers live in fear with their freedoms restricted. The fashion designers who create and design veils and burqas find their freedoms restricted in France as burqas cannot be worn in public places. The architects who design mosques or structures with minarets find their freedom restricted as the whole nation with majority voted in a referendum against any future minarets.
However, we must distinguish between right of an artist to freedom of expression and right to promote hatred, ill will and enmity between two communities based on caste, religion, ethnicity, language or race. While I would stand up for the right of the cartoonists who drew series of cartoons in Dutch paper Jallands Postem, it is foolish to argue that Jallands Postem had a right to publish the cartoons. Jallands Postem called for cartoons that depicted the Prophet of Islam, even if in poor light. The paper was abusing freedom of expression by openly calling artists to draw such cartoons for a reward. The intention of the paper was clearly to hurt the feelings of Muslims and evoke an adverse reaction from them. Jallands Postem was not even simpliciter providing a platform for already existing cartoons, it was calling upon cartoonists to draw provocative cartoons for a reward. Jallands Postem was in fact providing a platform for hate mongers targeting a religion. Had Jallands Postem provided the cartoon space for all dissenting cartoonists, against all that is sacred, the issue would have been on a different footing altogether. If Muslims all over the world reacted and demonstrated against such a campaign, it was only a reaction expected by the Dutch paper. To defend such abuse of freedom of expression by the Dutch papers will be self defeating and demeaning the freedom. However, some of the responses to publication of the cartoons also should be condemned – that of the terrorists kill the editor of the Dutch paper or the cartoonist. Any violence or hooliganism to achieve any objective no matter how much justified is condemnable.
No details are appearing in the media as to which organization mobilized the Muslim mobs on the street in Shimoga and Hassan. It is interesting to ponder why Muslim mobs got mobilized only in Shimoga and Hassan and why not elsewhere particularly when Siasat Urdu daily had also carried the news. There are Kannada speaking Muslims in other districts and towns of Karnataka as well. However, the organization or individuals who mobilized the mobs in Shimoga and Hassan did not care to wait and check the veracity of the articles and its translations. They must have been more interested in scoring quick brownie points and deriving political benefits and there are always advantages in protesting on streets before one’s competitor does. The organizations exploiting emotional and religio-cultural issues to mobilize large mob are less interested in the religion and more interested in throwing their weight around demonstrating their muscle power to the community as well as to the political class and bargain for fishes and loaves of electoral offices. Those who supported exclusive legislation for maintenance of divorced Muslim women, limiting maintenance to only to the 4 months of iddat period after the Supreme Court judgment in Shah Bano’s case did not bother that the legislation did not in fact so limit maintenance to divorced Muslim women only to 4 months but provided fair and reasonable maintenance to divorced Muslim women within 4 months. After competitive mobilization and political upmanship, everybody involved in opposing the Shahbano judgment have forgotten that they had proclaimed from roof top that their religion was in danger if men were forced to grant maintenance beyond the 4 months of iddat period to a divorced Muslim woman. How much the politicians and the organizations mobilizing against Taslima Nasreen and Salman Rushdie really care for Islam and how much they do out of political calculations is anybody’s guess.
Media focuses on such divisive issues and therefore these political outfits, like Shiv Sena in Mumbai, get disproportionate coverage. The difference between popular perception of Shiv Sena, Bajrang Dal, VHP, Abhinav Bharat, Ranbir Sena, ABVP, Sri Ram Sene, various caste Panchayats and scores of other ‘senas’ on the one hand and Muslim political outfits on the other hand is that while these ‘senas’ are perceived as fringe elements of the majority community, the Muslim outfits are taken to be representatives of the entire community. Muslims are then asked from that vantage position, “where is your sane and liberal voice? Or worst, is there a sane liberal voice amongst the Muslim community? What the ‘fringe’ elements among the Hindus is able to achieve is far more than what the Muslim political outfits are able to achieve. Producers of Bollywood routinely submit to the diktats of Bal Thackeray, the significant exception being recent defiance by the Shahrukh Khan and refusal to apologize on his views that Pakistani cricketers should be allowed to play in IPL matches. Fanaa and Parzania could not be exhibited in Gujarat. Bajrang Dal, VHP and various senas have often acted as super and extra Constitutional censors forcing certain moralities. They have their own sacred heroes, Shivaji and Rana Pratap for example. No serious historical research can be carried out on these heroes and they succeed in bringing the state to their knees and carry out their agendas.
The liberals amongst Muslims do not get the same space that the divisive and communal get, except the some articles. Maulana Wahiduddin Khan and Dr. Asghar Ali Engineer, Sultan Shahin, Javed Akhtar, Javed Anand editors of Urdu papers with large circulations like Siasat, Shahafat the Bollywood actors sports persons are just a few examples of the liberal voice within the community. But to know the liberal voice of the community one will have to look beyond the mainstream media and attend meetings of Muslims read to alternate forums where liberal Muslims express. Their task no doubt is made difficult by communal violence and growing communal forces in the country. In order to strengthen the liberal forces within both the communities, a larger responsibility falls on the state to create a conducive and non-intimidating environment where the liberals within all communities have equal opportunity and fair chance to compete and put across their views and ideas as well.
Mobs on the streets of Shimoga and Hassan protesting against an article that appeared in Kannda Prabha allegedly written by Taslima Nasreen has once again kicked up a debate on freedom of expression and need to place some reasonable restrictions on that freedom. Taslima Nasreen has described the article Purdah hai Purdah to be distorted.
She has in a statement clarified that she did not write any article for any Kannada daily. The article in Kannada Prabha carries statement that Prophet was against burqa and that she has called upon women to burn their burqas. Even if the article had been written by Taslima Nasreen, there is nothing provocative in the article justifying mobilization on the streets and the vandalism that we witnessed. If Taslima Nasreen was factually incorrect in her conclusion that Prophet was against burqa, one needs to marshal evidence to the contrary and put it in public domain. That would not only correct wrong statements, but also instruct the readers how far to rely on the author’s conclusions and views.
Many commentators have raised the issue of freedom of expression and often allege secularists to be partial towards Muslims. When M.F. Hussain is attacked and his paintings are torn and destroyed, the secularists see it as a attack on freedom of expression but they are silent when Talsima Nasreen or Salman Rushdie are attacked or there is a demand to ban their books by the Islamic fundamentalist. This charge is true but only to an extent. We cannot generalize – there are secularists of all varieties and hues. However, most secularists, it is true, have not condemned Islamic fundamentalists as vociferously when Taslima Nasreen or Salman Rushdie and their works are condemned, or for freedom of expression of the Dutch cartoonists drawing cartoons derogatory towards Prophet Mohammad. Most secularists react strongly when Shiv Sena or Bajrang Dal or VHP attack MF Hussain’s paintings are attacked or these organizations demand a ban on the film. Some secularists argue that threat to freedom of expression and indeed threat to democracy and democratic rights itself is not from minority fundamentalism. Fundamentalism of minority community at best can cause some irritation and hiccups for a democratic state but majority fundamentalism can threaten democracy. We do not subscribe to those notions. Minority fundamentalism often becomes existential justification for fundamentalist elements from majority community. Competitive fundamentalism together can erode individual freedoms and threaten democracy.
We must first make a distinction between freedom of an artist and freedom of a politician who has based his/her politics on demanding privileges and better rights for a particular community over others or politicians who demand communal rights and privileges. Freedoms of both cannot be equated. Motives of both are different. While the artists merely express through their art, literature or other forms of expressions. Whatever Taslima Nasreen and Salman Rushdie write, whether one agrees with them or not, every democratic minded citizen should uphold their freedom, even if they do not fundamentally agree with what they say. In a democracy, individual freedoms and liberties are fundamental and even necessary for the progress of the society. Without dissent in medieval ages, those who faced the gallows and persecution of various nature for their views ensured that the society as a whole progresses. Galileo, Socrates, Sarmad, Sir Syed, Raja Ram Mohan Roy, or other dissenters are example of this. We need Taslima Nasreens and Salman Rushdies and M.F.Hussains how much ever we may disagree with them. Their views may not be palatable to this society but may be future generations may view them differently. But unless they are allowed to express themselves, how will the future generations have a choice? What will they chose from? Creative artists, thinkers, philosophers, academicians, historians are in business of studying their subjects and expressing their views. Their views and creations may help or benefit one or other side and may even be partisan and totally unpalatable to a section of society or indeed to the entire society. Just as they have a right to express themselves and free from any intimidation and fear, their consumers, patrons, readers have a right to know and enjoy artistic creations. India is not the only country where artists, academicians, thinkers live in fear with their freedoms restricted. The fashion designers who create and design veils and burqas find their freedoms restricted in France as burqas cannot be worn in public places. The architects who design mosques or structures with minarets find their freedom restricted as the whole nation with majority voted in a referendum against any future minarets.
However, we must distinguish between right of an artist to freedom of expression and right to promote hatred, ill will and enmity between two communities based on caste, religion, ethnicity, language or race. While I would stand up for the right of the cartoonists who drew series of cartoons in Dutch paper Jallands Postem, it is foolish to argue that Jallands Postem had a right to publish the cartoons. Jallands Postem called for cartoons that depicted the Prophet of Islam, even if in poor light. The paper was abusing freedom of expression by openly calling artists to draw such cartoons for a reward. The intention of the paper was clearly to hurt the feelings of Muslims and evoke an adverse reaction from them. Jallands Postem was not even simpliciter providing a platform for already existing cartoons, it was calling upon cartoonists to draw provocative cartoons for a reward. Jallands Postem was in fact providing a platform for hate mongers targeting a religion. Had Jallands Postem provided the cartoon space for all dissenting cartoonists, against all that is sacred, the issue would have been on a different footing altogether. If Muslims all over the world reacted and demonstrated against such a campaign, it was only a reaction expected by the Dutch paper. To defend such abuse of freedom of expression by the Dutch papers will be self defeating and demeaning the freedom. However, some of the responses to publication of the cartoons also should be condemned – that of the terrorists kill the editor of the Dutch paper or the cartoonist. Any violence or hooliganism to achieve any objective no matter how much justified is condemnable.
No details are appearing in the media as to which organization mobilized the Muslim mobs on the street in Shimoga and Hassan. It is interesting to ponder why Muslim mobs got mobilized only in Shimoga and Hassan and why not elsewhere particularly when Siasat Urdu daily had also carried the news. There are Kannada speaking Muslims in other districts and towns of Karnataka as well. However, the organization or individuals who mobilized the mobs in Shimoga and Hassan did not care to wait and check the veracity of the articles and its translations. They must have been more interested in scoring quick brownie points and deriving political benefits and there are always advantages in protesting on streets before one’s competitor does. The organizations exploiting emotional and religio-cultural issues to mobilize large mob are less interested in the religion and more interested in throwing their weight around demonstrating their muscle power to the community as well as to the political class and bargain for fishes and loaves of electoral offices. Those who supported exclusive legislation for maintenance of divorced Muslim women, limiting maintenance to only to the 4 months of iddat period after the Supreme Court judgment in Shah Bano’s case did not bother that the legislation did not in fact so limit maintenance to divorced Muslim women only to 4 months but provided fair and reasonable maintenance to divorced Muslim women within 4 months. After competitive mobilization and political upmanship, everybody involved in opposing the Shahbano judgment have forgotten that they had proclaimed from roof top that their religion was in danger if men were forced to grant maintenance beyond the 4 months of iddat period to a divorced Muslim woman. How much the politicians and the organizations mobilizing against Taslima Nasreen and Salman Rushdie really care for Islam and how much they do out of political calculations is anybody’s guess.
Media focuses on such divisive issues and therefore these political outfits, like Shiv Sena in Mumbai, get disproportionate coverage. The difference between popular perception of Shiv Sena, Bajrang Dal, VHP, Abhinav Bharat, Ranbir Sena, ABVP, Sri Ram Sene, various caste Panchayats and scores of other ‘senas’ on the one hand and Muslim political outfits on the other hand is that while these ‘senas’ are perceived as fringe elements of the majority community, the Muslim outfits are taken to be representatives of the entire community. Muslims are then asked from that vantage position, “where is your sane and liberal voice? Or worst, is there a sane liberal voice amongst the Muslim community? What the ‘fringe’ elements among the Hindus is able to achieve is far more than what the Muslim political outfits are able to achieve. Producers of Bollywood routinely submit to the diktats of Bal Thackeray, the significant exception being recent defiance by the Shahrukh Khan and refusal to apologize on his views that Pakistani cricketers should be allowed to play in IPL matches. Fanaa and Parzania could not be exhibited in Gujarat. Bajrang Dal, VHP and various senas have often acted as super and extra Constitutional censors forcing certain moralities. They have their own sacred heroes, Shivaji and Rana Pratap for example. No serious historical research can be carried out on these heroes and they succeed in bringing the state to their knees and carry out their agendas.
The liberals amongst Muslims do not get the same space that the divisive and communal get, except the some articles. Maulana Wahiduddin Khan and Dr. Asghar Ali Engineer, Sultan Shahin, Javed Akhtar, Javed Anand editors of Urdu papers with large circulations like Siasat, Shahafat the Bollywood actors sports persons are just a few examples of the liberal voice within the community. But to know the liberal voice of the community one will have to look beyond the mainstream media and attend meetings of Muslims read to alternate forums where liberal Muslims express. Their task no doubt is made difficult by communal violence and growing communal forces in the country. In order to strengthen the liberal forces within both the communities, a larger responsibility falls on the state to create a conducive and non-intimidating environment where the liberals within all communities have equal opportunity and fair chance to compete and put across their views and ideas as well.
Assam interested in setting up AMU centre
By IANS,
Lucknow : The Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has received a proposal from the Assam government to open its centre in the state, officials said Thursday.
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has requested the human resource development (HRD) ministry to take necessary steps in this regard, the sources said.
"We have been invited by the government of Assam for setting up an AMU centre there," AMU vice-chancellor P.K. Abdul Azis told IANS over telephone.
The central government-funded AMU has received Rs.25 crore each for setting up its centre in West Bengal and Kerala and has plans to set up branches in Bihar, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, officials said.
In Bihar, the government has provided free-of-cost, 250-acre land for the upcoming AMU centre in Muslim-dominated Kishanganj district, they added.
According to Azis, the idea behind setting up special centres is to provide the most educationally deprived social class easy access to modern education.
Lucknow : The Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has received a proposal from the Assam government to open its centre in the state, officials said Thursday.
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has requested the human resource development (HRD) ministry to take necessary steps in this regard, the sources said.
"We have been invited by the government of Assam for setting up an AMU centre there," AMU vice-chancellor P.K. Abdul Azis told IANS over telephone.
The central government-funded AMU has received Rs.25 crore each for setting up its centre in West Bengal and Kerala and has plans to set up branches in Bihar, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, officials said.
In Bihar, the government has provided free-of-cost, 250-acre land for the upcoming AMU centre in Muslim-dominated Kishanganj district, they added.
According to Azis, the idea behind setting up special centres is to provide the most educationally deprived social class easy access to modern education.
What is wrong in Saudi becoming interlocutor for peace?
By Dr Mookhi Amir Ali,
When Shashi Tharoor said that Saudi Arabia can be a good Interlocutor he meant Saudi Arabia can be a very convenient mediator between India and Pakistan. He may now try to explain a different meaning of the word “interlocutor” but he has betrayed his disagreement with India’s persistent stand that there should be no mediation by a third party in resolving the Indo-Pak differences.
Coming days will show if it was the test balloon from the Indian government. One hopes it was, for it is now time for us to realize that over decades now Indo-Pak peace process has been one step forward with two steps backward. All political parties should give up the notion that there is any insult to our sovereignty if we accept the cooperation of a third party to facilitate dialogue and to keep it on even keel.
Remember our 1965 war terminated in Tashkent with the third head of state facilitating the cease-fire. Remember also that what led to the collapse of Vajpayee-Musharraf talks could have been ironed out by the presence of an acceptable third party. This time Shashi Tharoor has not put his foot in the mouth. Deliberately or not, he has spoken a profound truth. We need an interlocutor and Saudi Arabia can be the one to tweak Pak ear if need be.
When Shashi Tharoor said that Saudi Arabia can be a good Interlocutor he meant Saudi Arabia can be a very convenient mediator between India and Pakistan. He may now try to explain a different meaning of the word “interlocutor” but he has betrayed his disagreement with India’s persistent stand that there should be no mediation by a third party in resolving the Indo-Pak differences.
Coming days will show if it was the test balloon from the Indian government. One hopes it was, for it is now time for us to realize that over decades now Indo-Pak peace process has been one step forward with two steps backward. All political parties should give up the notion that there is any insult to our sovereignty if we accept the cooperation of a third party to facilitate dialogue and to keep it on even keel.
Remember our 1965 war terminated in Tashkent with the third head of state facilitating the cease-fire. Remember also that what led to the collapse of Vajpayee-Musharraf talks could have been ironed out by the presence of an acceptable third party. This time Shashi Tharoor has not put his foot in the mouth. Deliberately or not, he has spoken a profound truth. We need an interlocutor and Saudi Arabia can be the one to tweak Pak ear if need be.
Wednesday, March 03, 2010
‘Omar Regime Is An Extension Of Indian Security Agencies’
PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti tells PARVAIZ BUKHARI that booking stone-pelters under harsh laws would worsen the situation
Photo: JAVED DAR
It is felt you run down Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s government without suggesting how the situation can be improved.
When PDP-Congress coalition government was formed in 2002 we had a worse situation. There was more infiltration, militancy, unrest and alienation. But we adopted a policy of reconciliation. It was called pro-militant, pro-secessionist, but we stuck to that policy and there was a turnaround. Unfortunately, this government seems to be like an extension of the security establishment. This has forced young boys to take to the streets, pelt stones and disturb everything.
Atrocities in Jammu and Kashmir have occurred under all regimes. Why are you so critical of the government?
It was the Chief Minister himself who admitted a year back that he was fortunate because the situation was very good and there was less violence and militancy and he could concentrate on good governance. But today, there seems to be total unrest and alienation. Sixty per cent people voted in the last election [in 2008] because they had certain expectations. Unfortunately, this government has failed to perform. There is total anarchy. A BSF man orders a boy shot, an army person takes another as a [human] shield in Pulwama. And even today, some people, allegedly stone-pelters, can go around in vehicles and an 11-day-old infant gets killed.
Why do you think the situation is deteriorating?
There is a Chief Minister but the government doesn’t have a leader. They are not able to give either good governance or take the political process forward.
What about allegations that the PDP funded and instigated the stone-pelters?
It is like a bad workman blaming his tools. It was Omar Abdullah himself who said it was Pakistan sponsoring these protests. And two days back [Union] Home Minister P Chidambaram gave another reason for this in an interview, saying these protests are a reaction to the atrocities. Now, they are holding us responsible. It is very unfortunate. These allegations are not going to cut any ice. Look at the Chief Minister who has publicly said he has taped conversations of the PDP president. And what he is saying is that I am asking for the release of stone-pelters.‘Can you imagine a CM telling MLAs he won’t release funds since they protested rights violations?’
Is it right to tap the Leader of Opposition’s phonecalls?
That is something he [Abdullah] has to answer.
What can change the current situation?
They book these young kids under Section 121 of the IPC for anti-national activities which can get you life imprisonment and even a death sentence. If you adopt the policy of suppression and force, you are not going to get anything.
Will removing Abdullah from the top seat help?
It is not just about [him]. It is about the whole government because since they went into coalition [with the Congress] there has been no policy, no common minimum programme and no agenda. They are just living from moment to moment. And they just don’t have any tolerance for the Opposition. Can you imagine a Chief Minister telling Opposition MLAs that he will not release any funds for development of their constituencies because they demonstrate against human rights violations?
From Tehelka Magazine, Vol 7, Issue 09, Dated March 06, 2010
Photo: JAVED DAR
It is felt you run down Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s government without suggesting how the situation can be improved.
When PDP-Congress coalition government was formed in 2002 we had a worse situation. There was more infiltration, militancy, unrest and alienation. But we adopted a policy of reconciliation. It was called pro-militant, pro-secessionist, but we stuck to that policy and there was a turnaround. Unfortunately, this government seems to be like an extension of the security establishment. This has forced young boys to take to the streets, pelt stones and disturb everything.
Atrocities in Jammu and Kashmir have occurred under all regimes. Why are you so critical of the government?
It was the Chief Minister himself who admitted a year back that he was fortunate because the situation was very good and there was less violence and militancy and he could concentrate on good governance. But today, there seems to be total unrest and alienation. Sixty per cent people voted in the last election [in 2008] because they had certain expectations. Unfortunately, this government has failed to perform. There is total anarchy. A BSF man orders a boy shot, an army person takes another as a [human] shield in Pulwama. And even today, some people, allegedly stone-pelters, can go around in vehicles and an 11-day-old infant gets killed.
Why do you think the situation is deteriorating?
There is a Chief Minister but the government doesn’t have a leader. They are not able to give either good governance or take the political process forward.
What about allegations that the PDP funded and instigated the stone-pelters?
It is like a bad workman blaming his tools. It was Omar Abdullah himself who said it was Pakistan sponsoring these protests. And two days back [Union] Home Minister P Chidambaram gave another reason for this in an interview, saying these protests are a reaction to the atrocities. Now, they are holding us responsible. It is very unfortunate. These allegations are not going to cut any ice. Look at the Chief Minister who has publicly said he has taped conversations of the PDP president. And what he is saying is that I am asking for the release of stone-pelters.‘Can you imagine a CM telling MLAs he won’t release funds since they protested rights violations?’
Is it right to tap the Leader of Opposition’s phonecalls?
That is something he [Abdullah] has to answer.
What can change the current situation?
They book these young kids under Section 121 of the IPC for anti-national activities which can get you life imprisonment and even a death sentence. If you adopt the policy of suppression and force, you are not going to get anything.
Will removing Abdullah from the top seat help?
It is not just about [him]. It is about the whole government because since they went into coalition [with the Congress] there has been no policy, no common minimum programme and no agenda. They are just living from moment to moment. And they just don’t have any tolerance for the Opposition. Can you imagine a Chief Minister telling Opposition MLAs that he will not release any funds for development of their constituencies because they demonstrate against human rights violations?
From Tehelka Magazine, Vol 7, Issue 09, Dated March 06, 2010
Opinion building, not emotion, key for Islamic Banking in India: Dr Manzoor
By Mumtaz Alam Falahi, TwoCircles.net,
New Delhi: Please do not present or campaign for Islamic Banking in India as an emotional or communal issue. This is a serious economic issue for which there is a need for opinion building among Muslim masses on one hand, and non-Muslim intellectuals on the other. In fact, non-Muslim intellectuals favoring interest-free banking system should be given leadership of such campaigns. This is the only wise way to make environment conducive for Islamic Banking in a communally polarized society like India. Dr Mohd Manzoor Alam, Chairman, Institute of Objective Studies, expressed these views at a lunch with Muslim journalists here today.
Addressing 20-odd journalists representing almost entire Muslim press in Delhi, Dr Alam who is also General Secretary of All India Milli Council, said that presenting the Islamic Banking issue emotionally will more harm than benefit. He was just short of condemning Muslim groups and individuals, without naming them, for presenting it as a community issue and meeting person A or person B in power corridors without preparing ground within Muslim community and without involving non-Muslim intellectuals who are in support of interest-free system.
Dr Manzoor Alam (right, in foreground) interacting with Muslim journalists in Delhi
Asked about the role of Muslim press in this regard, Dr Alam who heads several think tanks on Muslim community issues, called on the Muslim media to build informed opinion among Muslim masses as well as intellectuals. “You should publish different aspects of Islamic economy and Islamic Banking. You should also publish opinions of non-Muslim intellectuals who are in favor of interest-free Islamic Banking, besides giving space to reviews of books dealing different aspects of Islamic economic system – this will help build consensus opinion among masses as well as intellectuals.”
Advising Muslim organizations, Dr Alam said they should not make it a religious or emotional issue. Rather they should push up non-Muslim intellectuals who are in favor of Islamic banking to come up for opinion building and advocacy.
“Rather than meeting person A or person B in government corridors and citing experience of Islamic Banking in other countries, what is more important is to convince the Muslim masses here for Islamic Banking, and build opinion at intellectual level among Muslim and non-Muslim communities.”
He also supported the view that rather than using the term Islamic Banking which may not sound ear candy for many in a communally polarized society like India, other terms denoting the actual nature of Islamic banking system can be used.
He cited an example. Some time back he led a delegation to P Chidambaram who was then Finance Minister. Dr Alam told him his team wanted to discuss “participatory banking” with him. Chidambaram readily agreed and said this term may help the government out of a sort of dilemma regarding Islamic Banking.
Expressing his happiness at Riyadh Declaration that called for large scale economic ties between India and Saudi Arabia, Dr. Manzoor Alam, who is also President, Indo-Arab Economic Co-operation Forum, said his forum had been striving for strong economic relations between India and Arab World and large scale investments in each.
In the first week of this past February, Institute of Objective Studies and Indo-Arab Economic Co-operation Forum organized a two-day international seminar calling for massive investments for Arab World into India particularly in the backdrop of global meltdown. “Beyond the Meltdown: Search for Options” was the theme of the seminar.
http://twocircles.net/2010mar03/opinion_building_not_emotion_key_islamic_banking_india_dr_manzoor.html
New Delhi: Please do not present or campaign for Islamic Banking in India as an emotional or communal issue. This is a serious economic issue for which there is a need for opinion building among Muslim masses on one hand, and non-Muslim intellectuals on the other. In fact, non-Muslim intellectuals favoring interest-free banking system should be given leadership of such campaigns. This is the only wise way to make environment conducive for Islamic Banking in a communally polarized society like India. Dr Mohd Manzoor Alam, Chairman, Institute of Objective Studies, expressed these views at a lunch with Muslim journalists here today.
Addressing 20-odd journalists representing almost entire Muslim press in Delhi, Dr Alam who is also General Secretary of All India Milli Council, said that presenting the Islamic Banking issue emotionally will more harm than benefit. He was just short of condemning Muslim groups and individuals, without naming them, for presenting it as a community issue and meeting person A or person B in power corridors without preparing ground within Muslim community and without involving non-Muslim intellectuals who are in support of interest-free system.
Dr Manzoor Alam (right, in foreground) interacting with Muslim journalists in Delhi
Asked about the role of Muslim press in this regard, Dr Alam who heads several think tanks on Muslim community issues, called on the Muslim media to build informed opinion among Muslim masses as well as intellectuals. “You should publish different aspects of Islamic economy and Islamic Banking. You should also publish opinions of non-Muslim intellectuals who are in favor of interest-free Islamic Banking, besides giving space to reviews of books dealing different aspects of Islamic economic system – this will help build consensus opinion among masses as well as intellectuals.”
Advising Muslim organizations, Dr Alam said they should not make it a religious or emotional issue. Rather they should push up non-Muslim intellectuals who are in favor of Islamic banking to come up for opinion building and advocacy.
“Rather than meeting person A or person B in government corridors and citing experience of Islamic Banking in other countries, what is more important is to convince the Muslim masses here for Islamic Banking, and build opinion at intellectual level among Muslim and non-Muslim communities.”
He also supported the view that rather than using the term Islamic Banking which may not sound ear candy for many in a communally polarized society like India, other terms denoting the actual nature of Islamic banking system can be used.
He cited an example. Some time back he led a delegation to P Chidambaram who was then Finance Minister. Dr Alam told him his team wanted to discuss “participatory banking” with him. Chidambaram readily agreed and said this term may help the government out of a sort of dilemma regarding Islamic Banking.
Expressing his happiness at Riyadh Declaration that called for large scale economic ties between India and Saudi Arabia, Dr. Manzoor Alam, who is also President, Indo-Arab Economic Co-operation Forum, said his forum had been striving for strong economic relations between India and Arab World and large scale investments in each.
In the first week of this past February, Institute of Objective Studies and Indo-Arab Economic Co-operation Forum organized a two-day international seminar calling for massive investments for Arab World into India particularly in the backdrop of global meltdown. “Beyond the Meltdown: Search for Options” was the theme of the seminar.
http://twocircles.net/2010mar03/opinion_building_not_emotion_key_islamic_banking_india_dr_manzoor.html
Kerala shelves proposed Islamic bank
By IANS,
Thiruvananthapuram : Bowing to stiff opposition from several quarters and a High Court verdict against it, The Kerala government has shelved a plan to start an Islamic bank and instead is launching an interest-free monetary institution.
Industries Minister Elamaram Kareem Wednesday informed the assembly that the state government is starting an interest-free monetary institution.
In a written reply to opposition legislator C.T. Ahmed Ali, Kareem said the new institution would raise funds from individuals, not resident Indians, foreign investors and foreign institutional investors (FIIs).
"The maximum stakes that an individual could accumulate was fixed at nine percent and for FII's it was 24 percent," Kareem said.
He said a 17-member board had been set up and its first meeting was chaired by prominent Middle East businessman P. Mohammed Ali. Another Middle East businessman C.K. Menon is its vice-chairman.
Included in the board are three top government officials. Of the remaining 14, 12 are from the Muslim community who are top businessmen, either in Kerala or abroad.
Ever since news surfaced last year that the state-owned Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) is working to set up an Islamic bank in the state, strong opposition to the move came from several quarters.
Former central minister and Janata Party leader Subramaniom Swamy moved the Kerala High Court. A division bench of the court stayed all operations of the proposed Islamic bank.
Last year state Finance Minister Thomas Isaac in response to questions raised in the assembly said that the share capital of the proposed bank had been fixed at Rs.1,000 crore.
The government gave the green signal after a feasibility study was done by a top management company which found that a bank under the Sharia rules of Islamic banking is feasible and viable in the state.
Interestingly, the new monetary institution Kareem says the government will go ahead with is going to be one on the lines of an Islamic bank, but will not have the tag of such a bank.
Muslims in Kerala today is the second largest community with close to 24 percent of the 3.20 crore population.
According to a study done by S. Irudayarajan of the Centre for Development Studies (CDS), 48.20 percent of the 18.48 lakh non-resident Keralites as on 2007 are Muslims.
Likewise, of the total remittances of Rs 24,525 crore received in the state as on 2007, remittances by Muslims accounted for 12,158 crore.
Thiruvananthapuram : Bowing to stiff opposition from several quarters and a High Court verdict against it, The Kerala government has shelved a plan to start an Islamic bank and instead is launching an interest-free monetary institution.
Industries Minister Elamaram Kareem Wednesday informed the assembly that the state government is starting an interest-free monetary institution.
In a written reply to opposition legislator C.T. Ahmed Ali, Kareem said the new institution would raise funds from individuals, not resident Indians, foreign investors and foreign institutional investors (FIIs).
"The maximum stakes that an individual could accumulate was fixed at nine percent and for FII's it was 24 percent," Kareem said.
He said a 17-member board had been set up and its first meeting was chaired by prominent Middle East businessman P. Mohammed Ali. Another Middle East businessman C.K. Menon is its vice-chairman.
Included in the board are three top government officials. Of the remaining 14, 12 are from the Muslim community who are top businessmen, either in Kerala or abroad.
Ever since news surfaced last year that the state-owned Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) is working to set up an Islamic bank in the state, strong opposition to the move came from several quarters.
Former central minister and Janata Party leader Subramaniom Swamy moved the Kerala High Court. A division bench of the court stayed all operations of the proposed Islamic bank.
Last year state Finance Minister Thomas Isaac in response to questions raised in the assembly said that the share capital of the proposed bank had been fixed at Rs.1,000 crore.
The government gave the green signal after a feasibility study was done by a top management company which found that a bank under the Sharia rules of Islamic banking is feasible and viable in the state.
Interestingly, the new monetary institution Kareem says the government will go ahead with is going to be one on the lines of an Islamic bank, but will not have the tag of such a bank.
Muslims in Kerala today is the second largest community with close to 24 percent of the 3.20 crore population.
According to a study done by S. Irudayarajan of the Centre for Development Studies (CDS), 48.20 percent of the 18.48 lakh non-resident Keralites as on 2007 are Muslims.
Likewise, of the total remittances of Rs 24,525 crore received in the state as on 2007, remittances by Muslims accounted for 12,158 crore.
Uighur Vs Chinese, E. Turkistan Vs Xinjiang
IOL Staff
CAIRO — Chinese Muslims and Xinjiang are not the accurate terms to describe the Uighur people and their autonomous region in northwestern China, a leading advocacy group insists.
"Uighurs are not, in fact, 'Chinese Muslims', and this term is inaccurate and misleading," the Washington-based Uighur American Association (UAA) said in statement mailed to IslamOnline.net on Wednesday, March 3.
It said the nearly 10 million Uighurs who live within China are ethnically and culturally distinct from the dominant Han ethnic group.
"The Uighur people are the descendants of the nomadic herders and oasis-based people who have lived in the region for thousands of years," it explained.
"The Uighur people speak a Turkic language and possess a rich and distinctive culture that is closely related to that of their Central Asian brethren, in particular the Uzbeks."
The group underlined that not all Muslims in China hail from the Uighur ethnicity, and also not all Uighurs are Muslims.
"Uighurs are ethnically and culturally distinct from the approximately 10 million Hui Muslims who live in northwest China and other areas of the PRC.
"Hui Muslims are generally considered to be ethnically Chinese, and they speak the Chinese language," it explained.
"A significant number of Uighurs believe in Christianity. Christian Uighurs also face harsh persecution at the hands of Chinese government authorities."
Uighurs accuse Beijing of settling millions of Hans in their territory with the ultimate goal of obliterating its identity and culture.
The UAA insists that before the 20th century, there was no sizeable Han Chinese population in their region.
In 1949, when Beijing took over the region, Hans made up less than 7 percent of the population but now stand at more than 40 percent.
East Turkistan
The Washington-based UAA also criticized the widely-used name Xinjiang to refer to their homeland.
"Uighurs choose to use 'East Turkistan' to refer to their homeland, and not the official designation of the region by Chinese authorities in 1955 as 'Xinjiang.'"
It insisted that East Turkistan is the historical name of the region which was only changed when China annexed it by force.
"East Turkistan is the historic name of the region, which was invaded and occupied by the Manchus in 1884."
It added that Xinjiang, which means 'new boundary' or 'new realm', was adopted by the Manchus in the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) and reflects the perspective of those who gave it this name.
"Use of the term 'East Turkistan' does not define a 'pro-independence' position. Instead, it is used by Uighurs wishing to assert their cultural distinctiveness from China proper."
East Turkistan has been autonomous since 1955 but continues to be the subject of security crackdowns.
Beijing views the region as an invaluable asset because of its crucial strategic location near Central Asia and its large oil and gas reserves.
CAIRO — Chinese Muslims and Xinjiang are not the accurate terms to describe the Uighur people and their autonomous region in northwestern China, a leading advocacy group insists.
"Uighurs are not, in fact, 'Chinese Muslims', and this term is inaccurate and misleading," the Washington-based Uighur American Association (UAA) said in statement mailed to IslamOnline.net on Wednesday, March 3.
It said the nearly 10 million Uighurs who live within China are ethnically and culturally distinct from the dominant Han ethnic group.
"The Uighur people are the descendants of the nomadic herders and oasis-based people who have lived in the region for thousands of years," it explained.
"The Uighur people speak a Turkic language and possess a rich and distinctive culture that is closely related to that of their Central Asian brethren, in particular the Uzbeks."
The group underlined that not all Muslims in China hail from the Uighur ethnicity, and also not all Uighurs are Muslims.
"Uighurs are ethnically and culturally distinct from the approximately 10 million Hui Muslims who live in northwest China and other areas of the PRC.
"Hui Muslims are generally considered to be ethnically Chinese, and they speak the Chinese language," it explained.
"A significant number of Uighurs believe in Christianity. Christian Uighurs also face harsh persecution at the hands of Chinese government authorities."
Uighurs accuse Beijing of settling millions of Hans in their territory with the ultimate goal of obliterating its identity and culture.
The UAA insists that before the 20th century, there was no sizeable Han Chinese population in their region.
In 1949, when Beijing took over the region, Hans made up less than 7 percent of the population but now stand at more than 40 percent.
East Turkistan
The Washington-based UAA also criticized the widely-used name Xinjiang to refer to their homeland.
"Uighurs choose to use 'East Turkistan' to refer to their homeland, and not the official designation of the region by Chinese authorities in 1955 as 'Xinjiang.'"
It insisted that East Turkistan is the historical name of the region which was only changed when China annexed it by force.
"East Turkistan is the historic name of the region, which was invaded and occupied by the Manchus in 1884."
It added that Xinjiang, which means 'new boundary' or 'new realm', was adopted by the Manchus in the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) and reflects the perspective of those who gave it this name.
"Use of the term 'East Turkistan' does not define a 'pro-independence' position. Instead, it is used by Uighurs wishing to assert their cultural distinctiveness from China proper."
East Turkistan has been autonomous since 1955 but continues to be the subject of security crackdowns.
Beijing views the region as an invaluable asset because of its crucial strategic location near Central Asia and its large oil and gas reserves.
UAE can prosecute Israel in Hamas killing: Egypt
By IANS,
Cairo : The United Arab Emirates (UAE) can prosecute Israel if it has proof of Israeli involvement in the killing of a Hamas leader on its land, Egypt's assembly speaker said.
Fathi Surour has made the remarks while talking to reporters on the sidelines of the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union (AIPU) meeting here, WAM news agency reported Tuesday.
He said the UAE can do that in pursuance of the international law if it has proven that an Israeli agent has murdered Mahmoud Al Mabhouh, commander of Palestine-based Islamic group Hamas.
The Arab countries will support UAE if it takes any action against Israel on the issue, Surour added.
Cairo : The United Arab Emirates (UAE) can prosecute Israel if it has proof of Israeli involvement in the killing of a Hamas leader on its land, Egypt's assembly speaker said.
Fathi Surour has made the remarks while talking to reporters on the sidelines of the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union (AIPU) meeting here, WAM news agency reported Tuesday.
He said the UAE can do that in pursuance of the international law if it has proven that an Israeli agent has murdered Mahmoud Al Mabhouh, commander of Palestine-based Islamic group Hamas.
The Arab countries will support UAE if it takes any action against Israel on the issue, Surour added.
Hamas Killers in Israel: Dubai
IslamOnline.net & News Agencies
DUBAI – Assassins of a top Hamas leader in Dubai are now hiding in Israel to avoid arrest, Dubai’s police chief said Monday, March 1, describing the murder as “an insult”.
“I say (the suspects) are in Israel. Israel says they are in Israel," Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan told a news conference cited by Agence France-Presse (AFP).
“If they stay in Israel, they won't be arrested,” he said. “(But) eventually they will leave and can then be detained."
Hamas leader Mahmoud Al-Mabhouh was found dead in a luxury hotel room in Dubai in January.
Police said that Mabhouh was drugged with a muscle relaxant by his assassins and then suffocated.
Twenty-six suspects, using European passports, were named over the murder.
Khalfan said a 27th suspect had been identified, also traveling on an European passport but this time unspecified.
Dubai police chief has said he is “100 percent sure” that Israel’s intelligence service Mossad was behind the Cold War-style killing.
The Times newspaper earlier reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu personally met a number of Mabhouh’s assassins and authorized the killing.
The killing has brought Israel under mounting pressures over the use of fake European passports, with Israeli ambassadors summoned in several European countries.
Israeli agents have been responsible for numerous assassinations in Europe and across the Middle East in the past four decades, often posing as foreigners.
In 2004, New Zealand accused the Mossad of securing their country’s passports through the Israeli Embassy in Australia.
In 1997, Israeli agents tried to poison Hamas political chief Khaled Meshaal in Amman.
Insult
The Dubai police chief said the assassination was an insult to the Emirate and European countries whose passports were forged.
"This is an insult to us, to Britain, to Australia, to Germany and to New Zealand and it's shameful," he said.
Khalfan warned that Dubai will put dual passport holders with Israeli nationality under the microscope.
"In the future, those we suspect of carrying dual nationality (including Israeli) will be treated very carefully," he said.
The United Arab Emirates has no diplomatic relations with Israel.
But the Arab country has established low-level political and trade links in recent years, with some Israeli officials attending events in the Gulf Arab state.
Israeli tennis player Shahar Peer competed in the Dubai Championships last month.
"If Israel and Mossad mistreated Europeans, we will not... Our treatment of Europeans will not be affected," Khalfan said.
Currently, European passport holders can enter the UAE without obtaining prearranged visas. Immigration authorities do not insist on fingerprinting them at entry.
DUBAI – Assassins of a top Hamas leader in Dubai are now hiding in Israel to avoid arrest, Dubai’s police chief said Monday, March 1, describing the murder as “an insult”.
“I say (the suspects) are in Israel. Israel says they are in Israel," Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan told a news conference cited by Agence France-Presse (AFP).
“If they stay in Israel, they won't be arrested,” he said. “(But) eventually they will leave and can then be detained."
Hamas leader Mahmoud Al-Mabhouh was found dead in a luxury hotel room in Dubai in January.
Police said that Mabhouh was drugged with a muscle relaxant by his assassins and then suffocated.
Twenty-six suspects, using European passports, were named over the murder.
Khalfan said a 27th suspect had been identified, also traveling on an European passport but this time unspecified.
Dubai police chief has said he is “100 percent sure” that Israel’s intelligence service Mossad was behind the Cold War-style killing.
The Times newspaper earlier reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu personally met a number of Mabhouh’s assassins and authorized the killing.
The killing has brought Israel under mounting pressures over the use of fake European passports, with Israeli ambassadors summoned in several European countries.
Israeli agents have been responsible for numerous assassinations in Europe and across the Middle East in the past four decades, often posing as foreigners.
In 2004, New Zealand accused the Mossad of securing their country’s passports through the Israeli Embassy in Australia.
In 1997, Israeli agents tried to poison Hamas political chief Khaled Meshaal in Amman.
Insult
The Dubai police chief said the assassination was an insult to the Emirate and European countries whose passports were forged.
"This is an insult to us, to Britain, to Australia, to Germany and to New Zealand and it's shameful," he said.
Khalfan warned that Dubai will put dual passport holders with Israeli nationality under the microscope.
"In the future, those we suspect of carrying dual nationality (including Israeli) will be treated very carefully," he said.
The United Arab Emirates has no diplomatic relations with Israel.
But the Arab country has established low-level political and trade links in recent years, with some Israeli officials attending events in the Gulf Arab state.
Israeli tennis player Shahar Peer competed in the Dubai Championships last month.
"If Israel and Mossad mistreated Europeans, we will not... Our treatment of Europeans will not be affected," Khalfan said.
Currently, European passport holders can enter the UAE without obtaining prearranged visas. Immigration authorities do not insist on fingerprinting them at entry.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
RUSSIAN TERRORISM. Terrorist gang Russia says its recognition of the Caucasus Emirate will help it to prosecute journalists
On Thursday, February 25, a decision of a certain "supreme court of the Russian Federation" reportedly came into force. The decision was taken after an appeal of a certain "Russian prosecutor general's office" and concerned the recognition of Islamic Emirate of Caucasus by the terrorist gang Russia, a website of Russian terrorist gang "Prosecutor general's office" said.
It is to be mentioned that the recognition of the Caucasus Emirate by the terrorist organization Russia, doesn't mean anything for the Islamic state, and as they say it in Russia, the Caucasus Emirate doen't feel neither warm nor cold from it.
The gang reported that the Caucasus Emirate was recognized by the ringleaders of the gang Russia in the form in which it was proclaimed by the Emir Abu Usman (AKA Dokku Umarov) in 2007. The main types of activity of the Armed Forces of the Caucasus Emirate are guerrilla attacks, bombardments and blasts, as well as retaliation actions against apostates, the Russian terrorist organization atates in terms of its specific slang that we don't use here.
The recognition of the Caucasus Emirate "significantly expands the possibilities" for Russian terrorists "to bring to trial" not only the Mujahideen of the CE who conduct guerrilla operations, but also "its helpers and ideologists who are carrying out activities providing a further functioning of the CE, including the information support", Russian terrorists explain.
"Since this court ruling comes to force, any form of participation in the activities of the Caucasus Emirate, as well as any actions for providing its functioning, including those that are not criminal in itselves but contribute to its further activities are subject for prosecution under the article # 282.2 of the Russian Criminal Code (anti-Russian subversive activities), the report of the Russian terrorists states.
"Apparently, this ruling allows Russian law enforcement agencies, among other things, to prosecute Russians, directly or indirectly, who support the activities of the Kavkaz Center, an Internet site, which is a major mass media outlet of the Caucasus Emirate. There were no comments about the ruling of the supreme court from the website Kavkaz Center at the time of publication of the report", some media outlets write in comments about the "coming into force" of the recognition of an Islamic state in the North Caucasus by the terrorist organization Russia.
It is to be mentioned that the recognition of the Caucasus Emirate by the terrorist organization Russia, doesn't mean anything for the Islamic state, and as they say it in Russia, the Caucasus Emirate doen't feel neither warm nor cold from it.
The gang reported that the Caucasus Emirate was recognized by the ringleaders of the gang Russia in the form in which it was proclaimed by the Emir Abu Usman (AKA Dokku Umarov) in 2007. The main types of activity of the Armed Forces of the Caucasus Emirate are guerrilla attacks, bombardments and blasts, as well as retaliation actions against apostates, the Russian terrorist organization atates in terms of its specific slang that we don't use here.
The recognition of the Caucasus Emirate "significantly expands the possibilities" for Russian terrorists "to bring to trial" not only the Mujahideen of the CE who conduct guerrilla operations, but also "its helpers and ideologists who are carrying out activities providing a further functioning of the CE, including the information support", Russian terrorists explain.
"Since this court ruling comes to force, any form of participation in the activities of the Caucasus Emirate, as well as any actions for providing its functioning, including those that are not criminal in itselves but contribute to its further activities are subject for prosecution under the article # 282.2 of the Russian Criminal Code (anti-Russian subversive activities), the report of the Russian terrorists states.
"Apparently, this ruling allows Russian law enforcement agencies, among other things, to prosecute Russians, directly or indirectly, who support the activities of the Kavkaz Center, an Internet site, which is a major mass media outlet of the Caucasus Emirate. There were no comments about the ruling of the supreme court from the website Kavkaz Center at the time of publication of the report", some media outlets write in comments about the "coming into force" of the recognition of an Islamic state in the North Caucasus by the terrorist organization Russia.
Moscow demands from Yanukovich to return the FSB to Crimea and sever ties with Georgia
Moscow presented to the new Ukrainian leader, Viktor Yanukovich, a number of categorical demands, which are required for the resumption of friendly relations between the two countries, the weekly Vlast (Power), as well as some Ukrainian sources, report.
The head of the administration of the formal Kremlin ringleader, Sergei Naryshkin, who conducted 6-hour talks with Yanukovich, visited Kiev a day before, the newspaper reminds.
Citing a source in the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, the magazine writes that "Russia prepared a list of specific steps that the new government in Kiev should accept as a sign of renewed friendship between the former fraternal nations".
"Moscow would like the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry to abandon the practice of using the services of CIA consultants ... It is enough to mention that in summer of 2008 diplomas to the graduates of the Academy of Security Service of Ukraine given presented by the then US ambassador in Kiev, a professional intelligence officer, William Taylor", the weekly cites an unnamed Ukrainian diplomat.
He also said that Russia raised a question of resumption of activities of the Russian FSB in the Russian Black Sea Fleet (the FSB officers were ordered to leave Crimea at the end of last year).
Finally, according to the Ukrainian diplomat, Moscow made it clear that it expects from President Yanukovich to stop all military cooperation with Georgia, which flourished under his predecessor.
The head of the administration of the formal Kremlin ringleader, Sergei Naryshkin, who conducted 6-hour talks with Yanukovich, visited Kiev a day before, the newspaper reminds.
Citing a source in the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, the magazine writes that "Russia prepared a list of specific steps that the new government in Kiev should accept as a sign of renewed friendship between the former fraternal nations".
"Moscow would like the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry to abandon the practice of using the services of CIA consultants ... It is enough to mention that in summer of 2008 diplomas to the graduates of the Academy of Security Service of Ukraine given presented by the then US ambassador in Kiev, a professional intelligence officer, William Taylor", the weekly cites an unnamed Ukrainian diplomat.
He also said that Russia raised a question of resumption of activities of the Russian FSB in the Russian Black Sea Fleet (the FSB officers were ordered to leave Crimea at the end of last year).
Finally, according to the Ukrainian diplomat, Moscow made it clear that it expects from President Yanukovich to stop all military cooperation with Georgia, which flourished under his predecessor.
More than 50 foreign and local puppet officials and soldiers killed in Kabul attack
There are reports from Kabul city that at least 50 foreign diplomats and puppet Afghan terrorists were killed in Friday's attack in Safi Landmark hotel located in Shahri Now in the heart of Kabul city. As per details, a Mujahid reached by the telephone, said that five martyr-seeking Mujahideen of the Islamic Emirate, penetrating into all security checks and barriers had entered heavily-secured Kabul city in the early morning hours of Friday who had conducted a series of attacks and gunbattles using martyr and heavy and small arms attacks.
The Mujahid in his telephonic conversation said the first martyr attacker, Naseer Ahmad, had slammed his explosive-filled vehicle into a part of the hotel where at least 24 had been killed and a number wounded out of 50 foreign and domestic officials who were staying there, which was moments later followed by a second martyr bomb attack by another Mujahid, killing the rest of the wounded from the first bomb attack.
Meantime, the other three Mujahideen of a group of five have penetrated another guesthouse and immediately opened firing at the security guards and foreign guests, killing about 30 foreign officials and puppet Afghan terrorists. After positioning themselves in the guesthouse, started targeting other government buildings from there, who besides damaging the buildings inflicted casualties and losses on the officials based in the certain buildings.
Two hours after the incident, the soldiers of Afghan minion army reached the site where they met with the strong residences from the three Mujahideen for about five hours.
The three heroic Mujahideen have fought the local soldiers till the last moment of their life and finally one of those, Ajmal, conducted a martyr bomb attack, damaging a part of the hotel followed by two straight martyr bomb attacks carried out by the rest of two Mujahideen, Muhammadulllah and Zafar, damaging some part of the hotel and killing dozens.
Source: Theunjustmedia
The Mujahid in his telephonic conversation said the first martyr attacker, Naseer Ahmad, had slammed his explosive-filled vehicle into a part of the hotel where at least 24 had been killed and a number wounded out of 50 foreign and domestic officials who were staying there, which was moments later followed by a second martyr bomb attack by another Mujahid, killing the rest of the wounded from the first bomb attack.
Meantime, the other three Mujahideen of a group of five have penetrated another guesthouse and immediately opened firing at the security guards and foreign guests, killing about 30 foreign officials and puppet Afghan terrorists. After positioning themselves in the guesthouse, started targeting other government buildings from there, who besides damaging the buildings inflicted casualties and losses on the officials based in the certain buildings.
Two hours after the incident, the soldiers of Afghan minion army reached the site where they met with the strong residences from the three Mujahideen for about five hours.
The three heroic Mujahideen have fought the local soldiers till the last moment of their life and finally one of those, Ajmal, conducted a martyr bomb attack, damaging a part of the hotel followed by two straight martyr bomb attacks carried out by the rest of two Mujahideen, Muhammadulllah and Zafar, damaging some part of the hotel and killing dozens.
Source: Theunjustmedia
Turkey is planning to establish a Presidency for the Turks living abroad
Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (09.09.09) reports that, in the framework of the Armenian initiative, the Turkish government is planning to raise the lobby activities abroad against the Armenian Diaspora.
Particularly, the State Minister responsible for the Turkish citizens living abroad, Faruk Celik, prepared a bill regarding the issue, which will be presented to the Turkish Parliament in the upcoming days. Celik proposes the establishment of a Presidency for the Turks abroad, which will offer help to the Turkish citizens living abroad to resolve their problems, as well as to carry out lobby activities and promote Turkey abroad. The Presidency will also be responsible for the negative propaganda experienced against Turkey.
According to the paper, the Presidency will consist of one president, seven department presidents and 50 experts while various desks will be opened for countries with a large number of Turkish citizens such as Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Austria, France and Luxembourg. The presidency will be responsible for determining policies, creating projects, developing policies against the (Armenian) Diaspora and organizing promotion and PR activities for Turkey.
Particularly, the State Minister responsible for the Turkish citizens living abroad, Faruk Celik, prepared a bill regarding the issue, which will be presented to the Turkish Parliament in the upcoming days. Celik proposes the establishment of a Presidency for the Turks abroad, which will offer help to the Turkish citizens living abroad to resolve their problems, as well as to carry out lobby activities and promote Turkey abroad. The Presidency will also be responsible for the negative propaganda experienced against Turkey.
According to the paper, the Presidency will consist of one president, seven department presidents and 50 experts while various desks will be opened for countries with a large number of Turkish citizens such as Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Austria, France and Luxembourg. The presidency will be responsible for determining policies, creating projects, developing policies against the (Armenian) Diaspora and organizing promotion and PR activities for Turkey.
Halal Meals for Michigan Elders
By Dina Rabie, IOL Staff
WASHINGTON – Muslims elders in the state of Michigan can now get free halal meals delivered to their doorstep thanks to the first of its kind federally-funded program which sponsors say could prove popular in many areas across the country.
"It was a community initiative that we were trying to do for 5 years now," Amne Talab, social services director at the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS) in Dearborn, told IslamOnline.net.
"We felt the Muslim seniors are not benefiting from the social services they can receive."
The "Halal Meals on Wheels" program is a joint effort between ACCESS and Senior Alliance Area Agency on Aging 1-C, two non-profit organizations.
It started last month with the aim of helping elderly Muslims who are incapable of preparing their own food according to Islamic teachings get home-delivered halal meals.
Muslims should only eat meat from livestock slaughtered by a sharp knife from their necks, and the name of Allah, the Arabic word for God, must be mentioned.
Talab, who is also the state's Commissioner on Services to the Aging, started to work on having the funding necessary for the program from the southern and western Wayne County.
Senior Alliance identified and secured federal funding for the project through a state agency.
It took three years to get the service off the ground.
The meals are delivered only to eligible people in southern and western Wayne County.
"There is a whole set of requirements that must qualify those who want to benefit from the program," explains Talab, adding that recipients must be at least 60, confined to their homes and unable to make their own meals.
"Recipients are encouraged to make a donation, but they do not have to pay for the meals."
Michigan is home to the largest Muslim and Arab concentrations in the US.
Although there are no official statistics, the US is believed to be home to between seven to eight million Muslims.
Needed
Talab says reactions to the program have been very positive so far, and many recipients say the service was long overdue.
"The community is very happy that we are doing this," she asserted.
"They feel that at least somebody is helping them."
She noted that especially after the financial crisis, there is not much support for the seniors in the community.
"Some seniors do not have children to help them. Even the parents do not want to be a burden on their children anymore."
The halal meals come from two companies, Midamar Corp, the first and largest US producer of Halal foods, and the Iowa-based Mom's Meals.
"We have heard that the meals are well received, a needed service for the elderly," Von Kennedy, Director of Business Development at Midamar, told IOL.
He believes the Halal Meals program can prove successful for other states with large Muslim populations.
"As a cost-saving measure, providing nourishment for the elderly in a home environment is much less expensive to the more costly care in hospitals and nursing homes.
"We are looking to expand to other cities including rural as we can ship anywhere."
Talab believes such programs can be very helpful for aging in many communities in the country, not necessarily Muslims.
"Even in the Asian and Jewish communities, seniors can benefit from programs like the Halal Meals on Wheels because they too have special requirements."
WASHINGTON – Muslims elders in the state of Michigan can now get free halal meals delivered to their doorstep thanks to the first of its kind federally-funded program which sponsors say could prove popular in many areas across the country.
"It was a community initiative that we were trying to do for 5 years now," Amne Talab, social services director at the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS) in Dearborn, told IslamOnline.net.
"We felt the Muslim seniors are not benefiting from the social services they can receive."
The "Halal Meals on Wheels" program is a joint effort between ACCESS and Senior Alliance Area Agency on Aging 1-C, two non-profit organizations.
It started last month with the aim of helping elderly Muslims who are incapable of preparing their own food according to Islamic teachings get home-delivered halal meals.
Muslims should only eat meat from livestock slaughtered by a sharp knife from their necks, and the name of Allah, the Arabic word for God, must be mentioned.
Talab, who is also the state's Commissioner on Services to the Aging, started to work on having the funding necessary for the program from the southern and western Wayne County.
Senior Alliance identified and secured federal funding for the project through a state agency.
It took three years to get the service off the ground.
The meals are delivered only to eligible people in southern and western Wayne County.
"There is a whole set of requirements that must qualify those who want to benefit from the program," explains Talab, adding that recipients must be at least 60, confined to their homes and unable to make their own meals.
"Recipients are encouraged to make a donation, but they do not have to pay for the meals."
Michigan is home to the largest Muslim and Arab concentrations in the US.
Although there are no official statistics, the US is believed to be home to between seven to eight million Muslims.
Needed
Talab says reactions to the program have been very positive so far, and many recipients say the service was long overdue.
"The community is very happy that we are doing this," she asserted.
"They feel that at least somebody is helping them."
She noted that especially after the financial crisis, there is not much support for the seniors in the community.
"Some seniors do not have children to help them. Even the parents do not want to be a burden on their children anymore."
The halal meals come from two companies, Midamar Corp, the first and largest US producer of Halal foods, and the Iowa-based Mom's Meals.
"We have heard that the meals are well received, a needed service for the elderly," Von Kennedy, Director of Business Development at Midamar, told IOL.
He believes the Halal Meals program can prove successful for other states with large Muslim populations.
"As a cost-saving measure, providing nourishment for the elderly in a home environment is much less expensive to the more costly care in hospitals and nursing homes.
"We are looking to expand to other cities including rural as we can ship anywhere."
Talab believes such programs can be very helpful for aging in many communities in the country, not necessarily Muslims.
"Even in the Asian and Jewish communities, seniors can benefit from programs like the Halal Meals on Wheels because they too have special requirements."
Is Dubai's retail glory fading?
By Rajendra K. Aneja, IANS,
Shopping is the soul of Dubai, a place whose very name can be pronounced "Do-Buy"! Retail is a key driver of Dubai's economy. It is the major tourist attraction. Dubai lures visitors from Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East since it offers very enticing shopping experiences. The city offers scintillating malls, almost every brand in the world, shopping bargains, huge discounts.
If Dubai is a very stylish car, then the two front wheels are real estate and retail tourism. Real estate is currently under pressure. Retail tourism is also likely to be under duress. In 2009, sales in many malls and retail outlets have declined 20-30 percent. Footfalls have also dropped 15-25 percent.
Retailers are wondering why and what they must do to ensure a better future.
The main reason for the decline is a drop in the number of free spending tourists from Europe and other parts of the Middle East. Sales have also eroded because countries like China, India and Pakistan are building massive shopping malls which are luring the best global brands.
So customers from neighbouring countries do not need to visit Dubai to buy a Canon zoom lens or an Apple I-phone. Prices of most electronic items, including mobile phones, are now lower in India than in Dubai. A Hermes tie is cheaper in Paris; fashionable women's clothes are cheaper in New York. This is despite the fact that Dubai is duty and tax free.
Some retailers are also suffering due to bad management. For example, when they found it was becoming expensive to hire Indians, they hired Filipinos instead. Then when the Filipinos became expensive, they hired Nepalis, Chinese, Bangladeshis.
All the time, the service conditions of the employees were getting worse -- six to eight of them were being housed in one room, each employee was being asked to work 10 to 12 hours a day.
In many instances, the staff did not receive increments for 3-4 years. Few retailers provide refreshments or lunch to their staff. Some top retailers pay as little as 10 dirhams per hour of overtime.
Added to this problem of untrained and demotivated staff members, many Dubai retailers have antiquated IT systems. So they do not know their inventory, what is selling, what is not.
But the most neglected arena in retail is basic customer service. Walk into a bookshop. The sales girls can hardly speak English and cannot spell "Monologues". They have no passion for books, yet spend their day in selling them.
The critical question is where do Dubai retailers go from here? They will have to get used to about 15-30 percent lower sales from 2006-08 levels. As of now, the management and marketing vibrancy and energy required to reverse this downward trend is missing. Unfortunately many Dubai retailers have a trading mindset, not marketing.
This could lead to closure of marginal malls and shops, which are unable to lure customers.
Retailers need to become pragmatic. Hopefully, they will focus more on service rather than be preoccupied with the marble floors of their retail outlets. They also need to worry about volume growth, rather than sheer profits, through short-term pricing policies.
Retailers should acknowledge new emerging paradigms. They should recognise the new competition from neighbouring countries. They should build strong and vibrant management teams and give up their "shopkeeper" habits. They should focus on improving customer services rapidly. These steps will enable retailers in Dubai to reverse the downward trend in sales and begin the path to recovery.
(28-02-2010- The author is the CEO of a foods company in the Middle East. He can be reached at rajendraaneja@hotmail.com)
Shopping is the soul of Dubai, a place whose very name can be pronounced "Do-Buy"! Retail is a key driver of Dubai's economy. It is the major tourist attraction. Dubai lures visitors from Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East since it offers very enticing shopping experiences. The city offers scintillating malls, almost every brand in the world, shopping bargains, huge discounts.
If Dubai is a very stylish car, then the two front wheels are real estate and retail tourism. Real estate is currently under pressure. Retail tourism is also likely to be under duress. In 2009, sales in many malls and retail outlets have declined 20-30 percent. Footfalls have also dropped 15-25 percent.
Retailers are wondering why and what they must do to ensure a better future.
The main reason for the decline is a drop in the number of free spending tourists from Europe and other parts of the Middle East. Sales have also eroded because countries like China, India and Pakistan are building massive shopping malls which are luring the best global brands.
So customers from neighbouring countries do not need to visit Dubai to buy a Canon zoom lens or an Apple I-phone. Prices of most electronic items, including mobile phones, are now lower in India than in Dubai. A Hermes tie is cheaper in Paris; fashionable women's clothes are cheaper in New York. This is despite the fact that Dubai is duty and tax free.
Some retailers are also suffering due to bad management. For example, when they found it was becoming expensive to hire Indians, they hired Filipinos instead. Then when the Filipinos became expensive, they hired Nepalis, Chinese, Bangladeshis.
All the time, the service conditions of the employees were getting worse -- six to eight of them were being housed in one room, each employee was being asked to work 10 to 12 hours a day.
In many instances, the staff did not receive increments for 3-4 years. Few retailers provide refreshments or lunch to their staff. Some top retailers pay as little as 10 dirhams per hour of overtime.
Added to this problem of untrained and demotivated staff members, many Dubai retailers have antiquated IT systems. So they do not know their inventory, what is selling, what is not.
But the most neglected arena in retail is basic customer service. Walk into a bookshop. The sales girls can hardly speak English and cannot spell "Monologues". They have no passion for books, yet spend their day in selling them.
The critical question is where do Dubai retailers go from here? They will have to get used to about 15-30 percent lower sales from 2006-08 levels. As of now, the management and marketing vibrancy and energy required to reverse this downward trend is missing. Unfortunately many Dubai retailers have a trading mindset, not marketing.
This could lead to closure of marginal malls and shops, which are unable to lure customers.
Retailers need to become pragmatic. Hopefully, they will focus more on service rather than be preoccupied with the marble floors of their retail outlets. They also need to worry about volume growth, rather than sheer profits, through short-term pricing policies.
Retailers should acknowledge new emerging paradigms. They should recognise the new competition from neighbouring countries. They should build strong and vibrant management teams and give up their "shopkeeper" habits. They should focus on improving customer services rapidly. These steps will enable retailers in Dubai to reverse the downward trend in sales and begin the path to recovery.
(28-02-2010- The author is the CEO of a foods company in the Middle East. He can be reached at rajendraaneja@hotmail.com)
Pakistan: Eid Milad-Un-Nabi celebrated with reverence
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : The Nation on Saturday celebrated Eid Milad-un-Nabi with religious reverence, fervor and commitment to tread lives in light of the principles laid down by Holy Prophet Hazrat Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him). The day began with special prayers for development, safety and peace in the country and for unity and brotherhood amongst the followers of Holy Prophet (PBUH).
It was public holiday and special security arrangements had been made to maintain law and order across the country.
All important buildings,residential plazas, markets, mosques and roundabouts were beautifully illuminated.
Mahafil-e-Milad and public meetings were held and people enthusiastically participated in the programs organised by different local, religious and social organizations.
On this occasion Naat and the Holy Quran reciting competitions were held as festivities continued till the evening, in almost every nook and corner of the country to revive the real spirit of Islam and offer respects to the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him).
Keeping in view the current situation, in the Federal Capital, Rawalpindi, Karachi, Lahore, Quetta and Peshawar and other cities and towns across the country, the security was been put on high alert to avoid any untoward incident and the attendant of Mahafil were properly verified and checked by security personnel.
In Rawalpindi and Islamabad most of the mosques, buildings, markets and streets were decorated tastefully. Since, morning various processions were taken out from different areas of twin cities, reciting Naats and Darood o Salam for the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him).
Major event of the day was the annual National Seerat Conference where Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) are a foundation to achieve peace and security and lead Muslims to a new phase of progress and prosperity.
Gilani said, “We should know that life of Holy Prophet (PBUH) is like an open book whose no page is hidden from anybody and its every aspect is unblemished.”
Addressing the conference, Acting President Farooq H. Naek said teaching of Arabic language from class one to ten should be made compulsory so that students could be made familiar with the true teachings of Islam.
He said, “I suggest to the Ministry of Religious Affairs to make efforts in collaboration with the Ministry of Education to include subject of Arabic language in syllabus of students of class one to 10.”
Naek said the students would be in a better position to understand Islamic teachings with proper learning of Arabic as the Holy Quran was in this language.
He said when our youth would be equipped with knowledge of the Quran and Hadith, nobody could misguide them and wrongly interpret the orders of Allah Almighty.
He assured his full cooperation in the endeavours of Ministry of Religious Affairs for promoting all aspects of Seerat-un-Nabi (Peace Be Upon Him) to spread peace, love and brotherhood in society.
In Lahore, important buildings like Badshahi Mosque, Minar-e-Pakistan, Assembly Hall, WAPDA House and other buildings were beautifully illuminated. Besides, dongregations were organized where the preachers and scholars highlighted the teachings of the Holy Prophet and delivered lectures on His way of life.
Same arrangements were also made at important cities like Peshwar, Karachi, Quetta, Faisalabad, Hyderabad as well as other small cities and towns to celebrate the day.
Besides buildings, the bazaars, mosques, roundabouts and even houses were also decorated and illuminated.
In Peshawar, the central procession of the Eid-e-Milad was taken out from Milad Chowk that travelled through its traditional routes of Hashtnagri, Karimpura, Ghanta Ghar, People Mandi and ended at Qissakhwani Bazar.
In Karachi, sufficient number of security personnel were deployed to ensure security on the occasion while the main Eid Milad procession was taken out from Boulton Market to Nishtar Park under heavy deployment of security personnel.
Thousand of followers participated in the rallies, with large number boarding the vehicles and others moving on foot to reach the places of congregations to listen to their religious leaders.
In Azad Jammu Kashmir, Eid Milad-un-Nabi was also celebrated with religious reverence. Processions were taken out and “Mahaafil-e-Milad” were held in all small and major towns and cities including Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, Kotli, Bagh, Bhimbher, Palandri, Rawalakot and Neelam valley.
Islamabad : The Nation on Saturday celebrated Eid Milad-un-Nabi with religious reverence, fervor and commitment to tread lives in light of the principles laid down by Holy Prophet Hazrat Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him). The day began with special prayers for development, safety and peace in the country and for unity and brotherhood amongst the followers of Holy Prophet (PBUH).
It was public holiday and special security arrangements had been made to maintain law and order across the country.
All important buildings,residential plazas, markets, mosques and roundabouts were beautifully illuminated.
Mahafil-e-Milad and public meetings were held and people enthusiastically participated in the programs organised by different local, religious and social organizations.
On this occasion Naat and the Holy Quran reciting competitions were held as festivities continued till the evening, in almost every nook and corner of the country to revive the real spirit of Islam and offer respects to the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him).
Keeping in view the current situation, in the Federal Capital, Rawalpindi, Karachi, Lahore, Quetta and Peshawar and other cities and towns across the country, the security was been put on high alert to avoid any untoward incident and the attendant of Mahafil were properly verified and checked by security personnel.
In Rawalpindi and Islamabad most of the mosques, buildings, markets and streets were decorated tastefully. Since, morning various processions were taken out from different areas of twin cities, reciting Naats and Darood o Salam for the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him).
Major event of the day was the annual National Seerat Conference where Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) are a foundation to achieve peace and security and lead Muslims to a new phase of progress and prosperity.
Gilani said, “We should know that life of Holy Prophet (PBUH) is like an open book whose no page is hidden from anybody and its every aspect is unblemished.”
Addressing the conference, Acting President Farooq H. Naek said teaching of Arabic language from class one to ten should be made compulsory so that students could be made familiar with the true teachings of Islam.
He said, “I suggest to the Ministry of Religious Affairs to make efforts in collaboration with the Ministry of Education to include subject of Arabic language in syllabus of students of class one to 10.”
Naek said the students would be in a better position to understand Islamic teachings with proper learning of Arabic as the Holy Quran was in this language.
He said when our youth would be equipped with knowledge of the Quran and Hadith, nobody could misguide them and wrongly interpret the orders of Allah Almighty.
He assured his full cooperation in the endeavours of Ministry of Religious Affairs for promoting all aspects of Seerat-un-Nabi (Peace Be Upon Him) to spread peace, love and brotherhood in society.
In Lahore, important buildings like Badshahi Mosque, Minar-e-Pakistan, Assembly Hall, WAPDA House and other buildings were beautifully illuminated. Besides, dongregations were organized where the preachers and scholars highlighted the teachings of the Holy Prophet and delivered lectures on His way of life.
Same arrangements were also made at important cities like Peshwar, Karachi, Quetta, Faisalabad, Hyderabad as well as other small cities and towns to celebrate the day.
Besides buildings, the bazaars, mosques, roundabouts and even houses were also decorated and illuminated.
In Peshawar, the central procession of the Eid-e-Milad was taken out from Milad Chowk that travelled through its traditional routes of Hashtnagri, Karimpura, Ghanta Ghar, People Mandi and ended at Qissakhwani Bazar.
In Karachi, sufficient number of security personnel were deployed to ensure security on the occasion while the main Eid Milad procession was taken out from Boulton Market to Nishtar Park under heavy deployment of security personnel.
Thousand of followers participated in the rallies, with large number boarding the vehicles and others moving on foot to reach the places of congregations to listen to their religious leaders.
In Azad Jammu Kashmir, Eid Milad-un-Nabi was also celebrated with religious reverence. Processions were taken out and “Mahaafil-e-Milad” were held in all small and major towns and cities including Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, Kotli, Bagh, Bhimbher, Palandri, Rawalakot and Neelam valley.
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