Islam and the Age of Globalization

Ref#6 and later attacks on Akbar, some misconceptions should be cleared for posterity.
Akbar was headhunted by Musharraf`s coup team to take up the hot diplomatic seat of London to project a soft image of the coup, a daunting task, in the `National Interest`, and to prevent the automatic ouster from the Commonwealth club.
The foreign office apparatchiks in Islamabad, and the sifarshi press relations appointees in London, hated it. The press counsellor lady especially so, having never written a piece here, she felt the heat, and set out on a mission of black propaganda all the way up to the coup-makers.
The fact that Akbar`s wife was Benazir`s friend from school days, and here their daughters attended the same school in London, and so they were likely to come across each other, was spinned out as proof of some kind of conspiracy in the making. The rest was just mud-slinging.
Akbar and his family lived an exemplary simple life in Cambridge and London. He was totally devoted to making a movie about Jinnah, and in the process he almost bankrupted himself.
But he completed the movie, a much reduced product due to shortage of funds, but nevertheless surpassing anything about Jinnah so far.
In the process he made two conributions of historic significance.
First, he made Miss Dina Jinah to grant him a first-ever interview to talk about her father, contradicting many misconceptions about his lifestyle which were hawked as historical truths.
Second, he made Mountbatten`s secretary Campbell-Johnson to come out with the truth about how he witnessed Mountbatten altering the Boundary Award by his own hand, slicing off Ferozepur-Zeera and Gurdaspur districts from Pakistan, and thus setting into motion the Kashmir tragedy and soon to be renewed Indus waters dispute for all times to come.
Surely this alone places Akbar Salahuddin Ahmed into the Pantheon of the few Pakistani Heroes.
That he shares the shabby treatment meted out to such true Sons of Pakistan is a tragedy.
But any son of Pakistan worth his name shouldnt shy away from acknowledging his services to Pakistan.

Re: # 38

> kattar hindus in year 2020 or rich guys
there is no XOR condition..... how does my being a kattar hindu prevent me from being
rich ?
being a kattar hindu does not mean i blow up those who r not hindus...

there is no relation between the two...

[interestingly, i was the poorest when i was a secular :P ]

#37 kaurasch

Exactly. When I was last in india i had two cousins visit. They are both MBAs but whining away about Babri and bad, bad muslims etc.

I asked then whether they want to be kattar hindus in year 2020 or rich guys. They can imitate pakis and make india pure or they can make money and be a powerful country.

You cannot simulatneously cling to the past and future. You have to let go of one....otherwise you`ll lose a limb or bisected.....

Re: # 35

> This is why ``ishwar allah tera naam, sapko sanmati deh bhagwan`` is possible....

duh !
only the non-muslims seem to be doing all this ``understanding-wunderstanding`` chutiyapa...

Anyways, the time for all this has gone. Begin collecting arms; a big HOLI is coming soon ur way :)

#32 netizen

I agree with Salim that there is no fundamental quarrel between hinduism and islam. NONE. Of course, this is provided we are not dealing with salafi/wahhabi/deobandi islam vs. Bajrang Dal/Shiv Sena etc.

This is why ``ishwar allah tera naam, sapko sanmati deh bhagwan`` is possible. For a hindu, mentioning the name of allah is OK, for a muslim mentioning the name of ishwar is OK.

But to make progress, we need hindus to forgive (not forget) the past; we need muslims to embrace and cherish indian islam (and stop pretending to be arabs). For hindus, the call to Azan is just another reminder of gods presence, for muslims, aarti and puja are just a different way to approach allah.

These are difficult tasks for our leaders and intellectuals even tho` aam admi has often no problem with this.

Professor Akbar Ahmed likes to promote his books and enjoys the resultant income. If he can do this and at the same time put some chili powder in the collective recti of ISNA, ICNA, and CAIR, all the more power and $ to him. :) Allah does reward the righteous and the spiritually-motivated. :)

Netizen #32 {``very ironic coming from a person whose grandfather migrated to the islamic heaven leaving behind his ancestral home! ``}

Touche - you are right. As they say ``youth is wasted on the young.`` My grandfather now admits that he was driven by passion and an earnest desire to help the young state in its infancy. He was soon disappointed by the Paki Punjoos - that`s when he decided to go away to Istanbul. I am so glad that he did. :)


{``in general, hindus respect each and every religions. unlike the ``people of the book`` they havn`t been taught ``my way or the highway``. ``}

Right again - mostly. Although the actions of the RSS/BJP/VHP/JS/SP/BD and others do dilute this compliment. :)

{``If springing from the same tree would been the reason for conflict/ that you would have seen blood-bath between hindus, jains, buddhists, sikhs.... ``}

Wrong - I think that there has been sufficient blood-bath between hindus and others, especially Sikhs. Of course you can rename the blood-bath as politically motivated. But then you would have to find similar excuses for Hindu-Muslim bloodbaths. Let`s be fair here. Thanks.

{``hindu-musims didn`t/don`t have quarrels??? what are you smoking, salim mian?
so do muslims believe that allah is just as a god similar to bhagwan ram? ``}

I am smoking the peace pipe of understanding, friendship, and understanding. Hindus/Muslims did not have quarrels, until the Muslim League and Hindu Mahasabha put their agendas into action. In the past, Hindus and Muslims had quarrelled in a non-religious fashion - rajputs on the side of Mughals, Shia Muslims on the side of Sivaji, etc.

Also, if Allah can be called Khuda and God, why not Bhagwan? or even Brahma.

{``it has to do with the muslim rule too, how many have converted since the muslim rule declined? ``}

Quite a few, but more importantly how many have converted back - now that Muslim rule is gone?


{``surprisingly you have avoided to ass the great ``rajput maharaj`` aurangzaib to the list.
but could it be that because of their cruel and greedy actions islam thrived, hmmm??``}

You just won`t let the 0.375 Hindu Rajput Maharaja Aurangzeb rest in peace, will you? :)
Islam was already thriving in Hindu India at the time of Prithviraj Chauhan who was King in Ajmer at the time of Hazrat Moinudding Chishti. Islam thrived in Hindu Indonesia, becoming the largest Muslim country in the world, without any Muslim army or navy coming close to the Hindu islands. If Muslim rule was so important to Islam`s prevalence, then how come UP (and Bihar for that matter), with one of the longest sustained periods of Muslim rule (1200 - 1857) always remained heavily Hindu, while Punjab and Bengal, where Muslim rule was not sustained remained largely Muslim?

Re: # 28

salim:

``Because Hinduism and Islam do not stem from the same tree, they don`t have any quarrels, updates, refutations, and claims/counter-claims about being right.``

what ?????

hindu-musims didn`t/don`t have quarrels??? what are you smoking, salim mian?

so do muslims believe that allah is just as a god similar to bhagwan ram?

If springing from the same tree would been the reason for conflict/ that you would have seen blood-bath between hindus, jains, buddhists, sikhs....

the problem is the people of book think that their book is the only right one and the rest are wrong. depending on the degree on brainwashing and no rational thinking they can be suicidal like a jihadi or a anti-abortion terrorist.

``That is exactly why Islam was so successful in India ``

it has to do with the muslim rule too, how many have converted since the muslim rule declined?

``Notwithstanding the greedy and cruel actions of Muslim conquerors and rulers ``

surprisingly you have avoided to ass the great ``rajput maharaj`` aurangzaib to the list.
but could it be that because of their cruel and greedy actions islam thrived, hmmm??

``Even to this day, some Hindus take the name of Imam Hussain in UP as an addition to their prayers. ``

in general, hindus respect each and every religions. unlike the ``people of the book`` they havn`t been taught ``my way or the highway``.

``Too bad, the Mughal emperors did not follow the example of Akbar and instead tortured and persecuted Sikhs - earning for themselves a sworn enemy that they did not need and that helped create their demise. ``

again, did you fail to mention the rajput maharaj here too.

``It was only when Muslims tried to appear as non-Indians or even Arabs, when some of them demanded a separate identity and a separate homeland that these religious differences were manufactured.``

very ironic coming from a person whose grandfather migrated to the islamic heaven leaving behind his ancestral home!

(Okay, so I admit that when it comes to promoting goodwill among mankind in this Islam versus anything-but-Islam confrontation, one can do worse than the Prof.

But the truth is I am highly suspicious of ANYBODY who looks away from the real problem and goes around shaking hands with celebrities instead – gulping up the glow and grabbing the golden grants! The Prof. fits that profile to the tee!

Bina-jee is entitled to her own opinions and she is free to start her blind following of anybody who happens to slap a Ph.D. on his fanny and happens to tag a bunch of goras and gorees around!

What the heck has the Prof. DONE to deserve this accolade?)

#8 Hamidm2

(I will destroy your asinine position on Kashmir at some other time.)

Ama yaar, the topic of Jinnah is very germane to this article because the Prof. apparently made a children’s documentary on that charlatan – extolling that very first Islamic terrorist that the subcontinent had the misfortune to give birth too – who then proceeded to screw it royally.

That earns the Prof. a strike in my book!

Then he poses for pictures with the Kargil killer! Strike two!

And then he really takes the cake by going around hob-nobbing with Oprah – three times! For Chrissake, THREE TIMES!! How much minting does one have to do of the lime-light of one of the saddest days in American history!

STRRIIKE… THRREE!

Out he goes!

Bina,
Thanks for an absorbing read. Having stayed at Professor Ahmed`s house in the past (his son is one of my close friends) I can whleheartedly agree with you that he is an excellent ambassador for Islam and a good writer. This project is excellent and we need more
such initiatives.

Another Muslim intellectual to single out for praise who is doing similar work in Europe
is Dr. Tariq Ramadan.

Re: # 25 salim, pmishra

[..Hindus and Sikhs should be the natural allies of Muslims,....]

We tried that in `47... and we have tried that off and on since then - hasn`t worked.... so pardon me if I am a tad pessimistic on that.... although I commend Salim`s indefatigable entusiasm for the ``cause`` :)))

#25, Pmishra2, {``Ladakpan Khel Mein Khoya
Jawaani Neend Bhar Soya
Budhaapa Dekhkar Roya
Wahi Kissa Purana Hai
Sajan Re Jhooth... ``}

Mishra Sahib,
Very appropriate and so meaningful to our discussion. The reason I stated that Sikhs and Hindus are the natural allies of Muslims is based on exactly the comment you made concerning ``the powerful synthesis of both cultures that was created in india (sufis, kabir, nanak, baul traditions).``
Because Hinduism and Islam do not stem from the same tree, they don`t have any quarrels, updates, refutations, and claims/counter-claims about being right. That is exactly why Islam was so successful in India and evolved into a gentler, more compassionate form than its original form in the Middle East. Notwithstanding the greedy and cruel actions of Muslim conquerors and rulers (Ghaznavi, Ghori, Timur, Babur, Abdali, etc..), Muslims found a home in India and in the hearts of Indians. Even to this day, some Hindus take the name of Imam Hussain in UP as an addition to their prayers. Many Musims respect and even participate in Hindu rituals and celebrations. The contribution of Muslims to Sikh philosophy is well known. Too bad, the Mughal emperors did not follow the example of Akbar and instead tortured and persecuted Sikhs - earning for themselves a sworn enemy that they did not need and that helped create their demise.

It was only when Muslims tried to appear as non-Indians or even Arabs, when some of them demanded a separate identity and a separate homeland that these religious differences were manufactured. Of course, we can all see the results of this segregation. Pakistan is a lot worse off without its native Sikhs and Hindus.

#24 by Urstruly

I don`t know who Shahid Masaud is. It is not a good idea to report what people say. Try to figure this out yourself who is lying and making up before repeating verbatim.

#21 by Urstruly

“There are 22 districts in the provice with an average population density of close to 1 million per district. If the suicide rate is uniform in every distrct then it brings the total number of suicide to 44,000. Even half of this number is a wake up call.”

Yet another made up story!

30,000 suicide in six months would be almost 165 suicides everyday…Can you cite any report from anywhere to confirm this? Can you post one report that says 165 committed suicide on June 12, 2006?

44,000 would mean 241-suicide everyday... any proof of that or you like your friend is making up reports on the go…

#18 salim_chauhan

[quote]
Hindus and Sikhs should be the natural allies of Muslims, but how can you open the closed minds and narrow cobwebs of those who have guaranteed reservations in paradise after their demise?
[quote]

Very well put. Let me also acknowledge the many, many hatemongers amonst the hindus who also believe in separation and refuse to acknowlegde the powerful synthesis of both cultures that was created in india (sufis, kabir, nanak, baul traditions). May their number dwindle and may they fall into confusion !!

The greatest modern symbol of this synthesis is our film industry. I grew up with its wonderful music and songs; all of which work for everyone, irrespective of religion. Here is a simple song and a personal favorite.

Sajan Re Jhooth Mat Bolo
Khuda Ke Paas Jaana Hai
Na Haathi Hai Na Ghoda Hai,
Wahan Paedal Hi Jana Hai

Tumhare Mehel Chaubaare
Yahin Reh Jayenge Saare
Akad Kis Baat Ki Pyaare
Yeh Sar Phir Bhi Jhukaana Hai
Sajan Re Jhooth...

Bhalaa Kije Bhalaa Hoga
Buraa Kije Buraa Hoga
Wahi Likh-Likh Ke Kya Hoga
Yahin Sab Kuch Chukana Hai
Sajan Re Jhooth...

Ladakpan Khel Mein Khoya
Jawaani Neend Bhar Soya
Budhaapa Dekhkar Roya
Wahi Kissa Purana Hai
Sajan Re Jhooth...