Understanding the Death Fatwa on Taslima Nasreen

10 by Dullabhatti,

Ur point s well taken. Yeapp, it`s always the case abt one group thinking -vely abt its opposing group.

Author,

Religion relies solely on belief system. They never stand the scrutniy of historical, scientific inquiry.

Evey religion has skeleton in its cupboard.

``In a news conference on March 15 2007 the President of All India Muslim Personal Board Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan said that if the Government of India doesn’t restrict Taslima Nasreen from entering India then he was announcing a 5 lakhs (approx US$11,363) reward for any faithful Muslim who would behead Taslima. ``

If this is true then this man has committed a serious crime against Government of India and Indian legal institutions and should be dealt with accordingly. Nobody can take the law in their own hand no matter what circumstances.

Having said that I would also like to mention that we should stop the vein attempts to link every crime to the historical precedents. I don`t care so much for the history of Islam or, any other history for that matter. What happened in the past has happened already. We live in the modern society now where the law of the land should be supreme.

There is nothing new in the article. Let me make it somewhat more thought provoking by raising a few questions. The questions are :

1) ``Is killing for any reason treated as MURDER under INDIAN PENAL CODE?``

2) ``Is desecration of a place of worship, a religious book, constitution, flag, parliament etc etc an offense attracting death penalty under INDIAN PENAL CODE?``

3) ``Is not ADVISING to kill synonymous to instigating to kill which is a punishable offense.``

4) ``Is there nothing in INDIAN PENAL CODE to take action against one who ADVISES to kill.``

Because these days fatwas are to be taken as advises the word ADVISE assumes significance.

Anyone having knowledge of Indian Laws should come forward and reply.

Samar

Unfortunate it is that the disciples of Muhammad(PBUH) bringing him bad name by adopting extremism. I think any fatwa for violence needs to be dealt with utmost intolerance on part of the govt and civil society. Today is the age of information and information is flowing all ways.

I was flabargasted to read the extremist sermon of LAl masjid imam trying to call for violence against the govt of Pakistan. Either many of muslim clergymen have gone mad or lagging behind in their understanding of progressive societies which is again highly questionable.

It is politics at its worst.

Regarding Taslima, I have no respect for her either. She is cashing in and some twisted elements in the West are using her unfortunate past which forced her to express her frustrations in form of a book where rationality must have been a common casuality much like in other cases where expression out of duress is brought forward. I havent read the book but anyway there is no doubt in my mind that she has voluntarily taken side of the Western lobby who are using her as a bate to bring tolerance in muslim societies by questioning and many time ridiculing every thing entailing islamic practices. She has taken the bate, enjoying the goodies of recognition.

Islamic repression is not islamic but anthropological in nature. Islam is the same religion where the name of Bulle shah is prosperring and many such philosophers of amazing perspectives. Their silence in the political life of a muslim is unfortuante but then the silence is more manufactured partly by fundamentalists and their political gainers to achieve their motives and many cunning Western mafia groups to self prove their case of islamic regression.

Then we can also delve into economic circumstances of social groups in the Eastern peripheries to further explain why such irrational and outdated modes of expression by such muslim clergies.

p.s. if in the West you tell that you are an Arab, one gets all complemeptary remarks `` How good corporate Arab is doing``and there are 110 conversations one may get into with a white man or a woman (white is relative here) about pleasures of life. However if one clalims to be a Pakistani the second question would be if you are a muslim and if so a practicing muslim and if yes or no next questions would always pertain islam, islamic extremism etc etc etc. I am amazed how judgemental people are and become ignorant to intricacies of theology and abuse others much like today`s mullah is abusing the liberals.Mullah calls for violence and liberals ridicule those who listen to them. Better should be the mindset where voices of extremism are curtailed coming out of institutions and modest elements work for harmony and preach reason rather than passing judgements.

So both such pseudo liberals and mullahs are feeding on each others hate and many shrewd politicians are cashing in big time. It seems social confusion is living long and spreading wings and prosperring like always whether it is Chowk in world wide web or a chowk next to your homes. Atittudes remain pretty much same.

Re: # 20

Are you aware of the numerous inconsistencies in your post. How are the disciple of Islam embracing extremism. Clearly Mohammed himself would have wanted Taslima beheaded or dismebowled or whatever if he were alive today. His actions are similar to any cult leader. How do you defend the murder of the poetess Asma Bint Marwan? Please I am REALLY curious to understand how Muslims sanction the cold blooded murder of a mother. Spare me the usual blah blah of Bulleh Shah, tolerance of Sufi etc... Why should you be flabbergasted by Lal Masjid they are articulating and encouraging the mindest of Mohammed are they not?

So you have not read her work! Big suprise. How is she cashing in? I know so many individuals who feel as she does but do not want to go thru the hassles of being endlessly harrassed.

Please justify the deaths and murder commanded by you peaceful prophet so all of us in the dark can understand what is going on now is a western conspiracy. Esp the death of Asma Bint Marwan. Please explain.

All of you nappy-headed-hos, should be ashamed of yourselves for disrespecting our religion.

Re: # 22

Respect is earned. Behavior of Mohammed was abdominable for much of his life. Mastermind at manipulating, bullying and orchestrating group dynamics. Appeals to the lowest common denominator. That is why its so popular with people. Just like
Howard Stern radio show.

eastmwest

I deducted my impressions from logic not emotions.

Net contribution of Muhammad (PBUH) in Arab some 1500 years ago= overhelmingly positive
He talked about women rights (property rights etc) when infanticide was practiced widely. He stressed upon rationality. Donot isolate his life in one sentence but see his life contributions of many decades. There are many accounts and books in addition to Quran. Thus one may easily deduce he was a prophet of God. Now he indeed fought many wars and he was a military strategist also. Overall, he was working for peace and logical reasoning. He lived simply despite establishing his power in Mekkah and Medina. He went conquer Mekkah but forgave the opponents.

His message to the people was entirely logical and it is to , be fair, simple etc etc and stop the worship of mere idols but be spritual. Now how he dealt with some of the propaganda and spin masters of his times who were spreading most probably lies and mischief and trying to either become his copy cats in a twisted manner was his prerogative. However all this is totally out of context here and the author also is wrong in a sense that he made too simplistic an argument to explain fundamentalism practised by muslims or muslim clergy by restricting himself and also highlighting some isolated hitoric accounts.

So let me not go into further details to prove prophethood of Muhammad as I donot intend to do any such here. Above lines were just to suggest there is no contradiction in my earlier post. Now let us come to today`s age and my comments were on Tasleema Nasreen and the violence preached by clergymen stands correct without much contradiction.

If you can justify the cold blooded murder of Asma Bint Marwan (I think she was suckling one of her children) then your argument might have weight.

If he is so laudable and great why the anger at people who disagree. Buddha strived to alleviate human suffereing but did not have to incite muder, looting and mayhem to do it.

I think Mohammed was more of a charlatan. Everytime he wanted something (like marrying Zainab) miraclously Allah allowed him to do so. Many cult leaders are not motivated by wealth or material gain but the lust for power and do implement positive effects on their population/followers.

I don`t think you have read this article or even really thought about why Muslim countries in particular are so reactionary to any opposing view of Mohammed, in fact preferring any critic to be put to death.

The real problem is that just as you might find him a source of inspiration others might see him in a very different light and they should not be killed for this! I find your phrase ``How he dealth with propaganda etc.. was his perogative`` extremely disturbing. They way he dealth with them was usually utterly barbaric and is also part of his legacy which continues today in Saudi Arabia, Lal Masjid etc...

...chowk has officially become the mouthpiece of hindoos and bhayyas...both of whom have ONE agenda- break pakistan and insult islam....it`s ime for pakis to rethink and move over to www.pakistaniat.com rather than stay here and be insulted on a daily basis by the rss agents...

Congratulations on writing on a difficult topic. Taslima should definitely be given a long-term visa in India. It is a shameful display of pandering that prevents our goverment from doing so.

You are correct in locating sources of intolerance around Mo` himself and also some of his immediate followers. Like Christianity, mainstream islam has had no problem with the use of violence to propagate the ``correct view``. Unlike modern Christianity, there is little recognition of this problem within islam or any remorse or self-consciousness. So it is difficult to address this issue, for the faithful it simply doesn`t exist...

However, I would also like you to comment on incidents like:

(a) Exile of MF Husain from India
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/living/articles/2007/04/06/his_epic_works_have_brought_him_praise_and_protests/

(b) Attacks on American Scholar and burning of great indian library in Pune
http://www.complete-review.com/quarterly/vol5/issue1/laine0.htm

(c) Attack on Indian historians - example of Professor Jha
http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl1818/18180160.htm


Where do these fit in? This has nothing to do with Islam, right? So there are sources of intolerance in many cultures, including hindu culture, and each culture should struggle to rid themselves of this scourge. The roots may be different - religous imperialism in islam - excessive localism and superstition in hinduism - but the results can be strikingly similar.

I dont think Nasreen will be harmed physically and these days it has become common for women and men of erstwhile islamic faith like
Salman
Manaji
Asra Nomani
Nasreen
Herse Alli
to cash into islamophobia that is leashed upon bilion of islamic people including the site ``islam Watch`` by this writer Kisan who does not have free speech in his mind
as much as his cause of propaganda as a goal by setting websites

Re: # 26

So questioning the murder of Asma Bint Marwan is insulting Islam? Funny I guess you are in agreement that Taslima needs to be beheaded. Do you have any other people to add to the list? Typical reaction from closeminded indiviudal who demands tolerance from the whole world to justify his own brand of intolerence. I can appreciate the many great contributions of Mohammed but that doesn`t mean that he is beyond reproach because there are nutcases (like Maulana)who are prepared to kill anyone who disagrees.

I have been on pakistaniat.com and sorry to disappoint you but their are conflicting views their as well. The mullah of Lal Masjid is not inciting to kill Hindus or Sikhs but fellow Muslims! He has plenty of inspiration form Mohammed on how to murder those who digress of course it is with the highest motivation; to achieve a peaceful Islamic society. How any literate peron can accept such convoluted logic is beyond me. PS Why is it only Islamic societies who dispense death penalty for critizing Mohammed? Why the harsh reprimand? Do Buddhists kill those who think Buddha is a joke or would rather follow Islam?

Re: # 28

Oh please, how about all the people who have been killed or assaulted? Too long to list. How much money and fame did Asma Bint Marwan get? Why is everyone avoiding ansering this?

If Islam is so peaceful why is there a new death sentence to anyone who dares digress?

PMishra2 makes some valid points about the attempts to censor those challenging Hindutva politics being censored by the Govt in India under the BJP. This shows a real problem from Hindu fundamentalists also. The nature of it may be slightly different but it is still problematic.

You wrote:
However, I would also like you to comment on incidents like:

(a) Exile of MF Husain from India
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/living/articles/2007/04/06/his_epic_works_have_brought_him_praise_and_protests/

After cartoon incident Hindu fanatics saw the opportunity to say ``us too``, he`s insulting our religious feelings too. BJP even brought this up in the parliament.

(b) Attacks on American Scholar and burning of great indian library in Pune
http://www.complete-review.com/quarterly/vol5/issue1/laine0.htm

The above gives BJP a very bad look with Vajpayee justifying what took place and suggesting prosecuting a historian for hurting sentiments.

(c) Attack on Indian historians - example of Professor Jha
http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl1818/18180160.htm

All of these examples show the same phenomenon of using legal maneuvers, intimidation and limited amounts of violence to enforce Hindu dogma and a line of Hindu politically correct history telling and this in the name of ``respecting Hindu sentiments``.

You wrote:
Where do these fit in? This has nothing to do with Islam, right? So there are sources of intolerance in many cultures, including hindu culture, and each culture should struggle to rid themselves of this scourge. The roots may be different - religous imperialism in islam - excessive localism and superstition in hinduism - but the results can be strikingly similar.


Most cultures will use state apparatus`s to protect the official dogmas. Islam is however par exellence unique in the extent of the violence it allows itself in protecting it`s official dogmas with killing of apostates and murdering of those who critique it`s prophet. Often times the Hindu fanatics use as a justification for their actions a type of example pointing to the effectiveness of Islamic fanaticism and say that if it works for them we should also use such tactics too. That is not to say that Hindu fanaticism is not a major problem in it`s own right although it is a novice in regards to Islamic extremism at present.

There is a need to allow for free critique of dogmas curtailed at present in the name of respecting sentiments (and temporarily avoiding riots and bloodshed by those with hurt religious sentiments).

K.

Some Indians and Hindus here on this board have GONE WILD against our Prophet(PBUH).

Such hatred I have never seen anywhere....

They are really examplery Indians....ofcourse in their extreme hate for our beloved and kind Prophet(PBUH).....

Now come and kill me based on my religious affiliations.........what a shame....