When the Lights Hurt the Eyes

RE Hamzad

Dude, what are you smoking these days? Or is it all the left over opium that`s floating around?

Look religion is a private matter. For all this pseudo-statistical tosh and conversions you put out, remember there are an equal number of people falling out of organized religion every day. I know personally of two muslims who have converted out of their religion in the last year, but so bloody what? Imagine some hindutva nut putting out numbers on hare krishna conversions...and with pseudo-statistical bunkum about the number of conversions in the former soviet union..where these nuts do indeed have a presence. It`s all bs, my dear chap.

If you think China is getting so pro-muslim, why are they cracking down even more on your coreligionists in Sinkiang or however it is spelled these days? Did you know that the last meal for the muslims they dispatch to their 72 virgin-quota is one of pork and liquor. So much for their pro-islamic views. Hey, there was an article in the London Times a little after Sept 11 that has this story.

Harpreet (#213):

[I believe that the distance between the South Asian religious groups in Britain is increasing. Generally speaking Hindus and Sikhs keep to one side and Pakistanis to the other. Sad but hey what to do.]

Where does that leave the Muslims? Or do you assume that they are all Pakistanis:) Regarding the reasons for hostility among the young men being “unemployed or underemployed and unable to get a girlfriend”, I can sort of understand some Chowkies better now;)

dost-mittarji (#219):

That is right. It was called Lohri, and I also recollect us getting old newspapers to put in the fire. I had no idea it was a religious festival, but that hardly matters because it was one more occasion to have some fun.

[Loved your khich-khich with Zafar. BTW is this lingo actually spoken in the Kholis of Mumbai or merely a creation of Bollywood?]

I think you would be satisfied with Zafar’s explanation (#227), though I take umbrage to his reference to the ‘comic potential’ of my Bombay lingo. No fish for him! Though I must confess I do not speak like this.

Let me narrate this incident that took place when I was doing a story in Dharavi, the largest slum in Asia. I was scouring the lanes with this 14-year-old and asking him questions. I could not shake off my tehzeebi lehja. At some point the fellow could take it no more and he snapped, “Yeh aap-aap kya lagaayelaa hai, seedha tu bol na!” Whew…after that I was on tu-tu terms with him and he was cool with me. We also had ‘cut chai’ at the dhaaba. Ohhh, how I love Mumbai…

PS: I am intrigued by your reference to ‘kholis’; I did not imagine anyone outside Bombay would have any idea about it.

[Re. the certain unnamed individual, it would actually have been nice to see an American contributing to this forum. Unfortunately, this neem-hakeem wishes to be accepted as an expert, rather than learn and share his learning.]

At one point in time, I thought so too. Not because of the American factor, but a third perspective. However, for that one needs enlightened souls with substance. I cannot trust anyone who uses the term “brilliant” for a post addressed to him on his Board and then takes nuggets from that same post to beat that individual on my earlier Board. I am referring to his volte face regarding Urstruly. Incidentally, where on earth is our friend? I would have loved his dissection of this article in management terminology :)

Zafar (#227):

[PS So, Farzana, … - did I get it right so far?]

Haan, haan mazaak kar lo, hum bhi dekh lenge. Though I would prefer the term ‘khalis Urdu’ to ‘saaf Urdu’, which you have used.

Here is a bait: You want to visit the kolis in their homes??

Regards,

Farzana

The way we were

http://salon.com/mwt/feature/2001/11/20/ground_zero/index.html

Typical moraL CORRUPSCON IN HINDIA. and degenracy.









Eunuch to contest UP elections

Sharat Pradhan in Lucknow

A year after a eunuch was elected mayor of Uttar Pradesh, another member of the ``third gender`` has decided to run for office.

Payal, a 26-year-old eunuch who stands six feet tall, will be in the running in a constituency in state capital Lucknow when UP elects a new assembly in early 2002.

She has pitted her fortunes against the state`s Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Lalji Tandon, who is responsible for nursing Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee`s parliamentary constituency Lucknow.

Payal will be the official candidate of a new outfit called the Nationalist Communist Party, floated by a little known social worker with political ambitions. The Election Commission is yet to grant the party formal recognition.

Nevertheless, Payal has got down to mustering support by shooting off letters to her peers like Gorakhpur mayor Asha Devi and Shabnam Mausi, India`s first eunuch legislator in Madhya Pradesh.

``I am confident that they will come down to Lucknow to extend their full support to my campaign,`` said Payal.

``I have taken the decision (to contest elections) only after consulting members of my clan, who number at least 2,500-odd in and around Lucknow,`` said Payal, who has studied up to middle school.

Asked what she was hoping to achieve through politics, she said: ``My sole objective is to combat corruption at all levels in the government, for which today`s politicians alone are responsible.``

Virtually echoing the campaign spiel of Asha Devi and Shabnam Mausi, Payal said: ``Unlike these politicians, whose sole objective is to fill their coffers, we eunuchs do not have families or children for whom we would crave to collect money.

``Therefore, surely, we are in a better position to serve the masses selflessly,`` she argued.

But why did she decide to take on a senior politician like Lalji Tandon?

``Well, my war is against corruption and I see that man as the epitome of the vice,`` she charged. ``And then he is the key representative of the prime minister in Lucknow.``

The young eunuch has equal contempt for other leading political lights of Uttar Pradesh, be it Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, Bahujan Samaj Party leader Mayawati or top members of the Congress.

``They are all one and the same. It is time for eunuchs to rise and teach all of them a lesson,`` asserted Payal.

...ironic how it is always the indian, pakistani, and sri lankan cricketers being accused of cheating by the racist biat$hes running the cricket boards in the white host countries...

{{The shock, sheer disbelief and anger of top Indian cricketers, the Indian public, and even foreign ex-cricketers at the punishment handed down to Sachin Tendulkar and five other Indian players by match referee Mike Denness suggest a clear bias in South Africa.

Indian skipper Saurav Ganguly, Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, Deep Dasgupta and S.S. Das were the other five. TV commentator and former England Test player Geoffrey Boycott was so outraged that he suggested the Indian team could sue for libel.

Former South African wicketkeeper Dave Richardson was furious at the treatment meted out to the Indians, saying they should seriously “look at the law” and take recourse to “legal action” against the ICC and the South African board.}}

re: Zafar

``PS So, Farzana, RSaxena - did I get it right so far?``

sahi bola rey...kai ko khalipeeli halla macha ta hai

jay vs. hamzad

... it is all in the eye of the beholder ... of course jay, the quintessential infidel and pak-dushman sees

``...grotesque congenital deformities, open wounds seething with sectarian maggots, the jihadic pirranhas nibbling at vital organs``

........ but as hamzad points out - what nonsense and, really, who cares as long as islam is the fastest growing religion in north america and chinese muslims get the keys to the mosques and jannah .....

...... we are unrepentent and will not rest until the maggots and piraranhas consume everything from casablanca to beijing ...... we don`t believe in harry potter, modernity or big macs and won`t rest until we have established abubakrism and everyone is dressed in bedouin robes..... of course we believe in democracy - one man, one vote, one time ........

...... so let`s break out the rooh-afza and head for taraweeh and pray for the day when jay will be reincarned in akora khattak to suffer at god`s own version of hogwarth - amen.

Mosque to open doors to public

The Taipei Grand Mosque will host two days of events this weekend to introduce people to Islam and Taiwan`s Muslim community

By Ian Bartholomew

STAFF REPORTER

For its 41st anniversary this weekend, the Taipei Grand Mosque (¥x¥_²M¯u¤j¦x) will open its doors for two days of activities, including photographic retrospectives of the mosque and Taiwan`s Muslim community and an exhibition of ebru, a traditional form of Turkish marbling and calligraphy.

The event will be held tomorrow and Sunday at the mosque located opposite Ta-an Forest Park on Hsinsheng South Road (·s¥Í«n¸ô).

The Taipei Grand Mosque is a familiar landmark to most Taipei residents, but few have actually stepped inside the building. This weekend`s event is both a literal and official opening of the mosque`s doors, as Ishag Ma (°¨§µ´Ñ), an imam at the mosque said, ``we want to open a door to the community.``

Unknown to many, Muslims have played an important part in Taiwanese history, though they now form only a small community of little more than 60,000 people. According to Ma, some of Taiwan`s earliest Muslim immigrants were troops who came with General Shihlang (¬I²w), dispatched to Taiwan to end the renegade rule of Ming loyalist Koxinga (¾G¦¨¥ ) in 1683. The Muslim soldiers settled in Lugang, Changhwa County, which still has many people with distinctly Muslim surnames, such as Ma (°¨) and Kuo (³¢).

Being such a small community, Immam Ma says Taiwanese Muslims come under enormous pressure to renounce their faith and the Islamic way of life. ``Many people of the Kuo clan still live in Lukang,`` Ma said, ``but they have lost their Muslim faith. We have invited them to this event.``

Ma said the event is primarily a cultural celebration, but another function will be to invite no longer practicing Muslims back to the faith.

``Muslims in Taiwan are very much misunderstood,`` Ma said, pointing to the violence of such groups as Hamas, the Taliban and Abu Sayyaf as characteristic of the media portrayal of Islam.

``We want to present the positive face of Islam,`` he said, citing the exhibition of ebru art as intended to highlight Islamic artistic achievement.

Ma also emphasized the great contribution made to Taiwan by its Muslim population, not least in the area of international diplomacy, where Taiwan often finds itself isolated from the international community.

``We served as an important link with the Middle East during the oil crisis,`` Ma said.

For the Muslim community in Taiwan, the mosque serves as an important education center, offering Arabic lessons every weekend. It is also the center of the community`s social life, and draws many of the nearly 60,000 expatriate Muslims living in Taiwan.

In other steps to inform people about Islam, the Taipei Grand Mosque has a Web site still partially under construction and Ma has suggested redesigning the wide sidewalk in front of the mosque into an information corridor about Islam.

Event Notes

What: 41st Anniversary of Completion of the Taipei Grand Mosque

When: Tomorrow and Sunday 10am to 5pm

Where: 62 Hsinsheng S. Rd., Sec. 2, Taipei ¡q¥_¥«·s¥Í«n¸ô¤G¬q62¸¹¡r

Russian Muslims To Form Political Party

WASHINGTON, March 17 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - Change is in the offing in the Russian political scene as prominent Muslim leaders announced that they are going to form their own political party to advocate and safeguard Muslim interests in the country.

The moderate Refakh (welfare) organization announced Thursday that it is forming the Blagodenstviye (Prosperity) party so that its members can participate in elections.

The party has representatives in Russia`s lower parliament, the Duma, but could only run their candidate`s under the wing another party, the Unity party.

Since Refakh is not registered as a political party with Russia`s Central Election Commission, the party loses out on many basic rights, such as being able to contest elections.

Traditionally, Russian Muslims have voted for the Communist party, but Refakh members unanimously supported current President Vladimir Putin in the last election.

Refakh leaders claim that the new party would not be exclusively Muslim, and people from other faiths were welcome to join it.

Refakh leader Abdul-Vakhed Niyazov told the Moskovsky Komsomolets newspaper, ``The priority goes to Muslims, but at the same time we are open to representatives of all nationalities and confessions.``

The party hopes to register 70,000 members by its first congress scheduled to be held on May 22nd.

Recently, Russian leaders have been making overtures to the country`s seven million Muslims. Moscow Mayor Yuriy Luzhkov attended Eid al Adha festivities and greeted Muslims. Putin also sent congratulatory messages to the country`s Muslim populace. It is only the second year that Russian government leaders have done this.

Despite being the second largest religion in Russia, Islam and Muslims are seen as ``others`` and have been much maligned in the media.

The ongoing Chechen conflict has further strained relations between Muslims and other communities in Russia.

Refakh organizers hope that the new political formation will help dispel negative images of Islam in the Russian mindset and help to build bridges with other communities.

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Read,think and tap your conscience.



AND THE TERRORIST STATE IS....

America !!!

(By an `American`)

America had unleashed a war of terror against Nicaragua, killing tens of thousands of people, leaving the country in ruins with hardly a hope of recovery.

Nicaragua took the case to the World Court in The Hague, which after a lengthy deliberation ruled in their in their favour.

In its ruling the World Court said America s action in Nicaragua amounted to unlawful use of force , which in other words means terrorist state. It ordered America to put a stop to its crime in Nicaragua and to pay massive reparations. America ignored the World Court.

Not stopping there Nicaragua went to the UN Security Council and moved a resolution calling on all states to observe international law. Though the resolution was general and no country was mentioned all countries represented in the UN knew the culprit was America. America vetoed the resolution and is now recognised as the only country that has been condemned by the World Court for its international terrorism and for vetoing a Security Council Resolution calling on all states to observe International Law.

Subsequently Nicaragua took its case to the UN General Assembly, which passed a similar resolution, but America and Zionist Israel voted against it. In short only two countries America and Israel now stand opposed to states abiding by International Law. The reasons are obvious neither country wants to stop its terror activities.

The case was so serious that even America s pliant ally, Britain, refused to bow down to American dictates to vote against the resolution.

Thus, ladies and gentlemen, America that great champion of liberal values, sometimes called democracy, is actually a terrorist state.

Rdesikan #218 ``I was so intrigued by all this heeng stuff that I did some search on ask.com and it turns out that heeng aka asafedita is a product of Iran/Afghanistan. Howzat!``

LBW and out. I too did similar research a few months back and reported the same findings on chowk. Also did lab work at the local Madras Palace (hard work with all those masala dosas), where I was informed by the chap that they indeed had heeng in some of the ingredients. Now why eating heeng is something low, I still have to figure out, but then I am just a dumb panjabi (with sikh blood in my veins, according to Anthropologist Ali1) and what do I know.

The China factor!

Pro-Muslim Shift in Chinese Policy

The great Chinese statesman, Mao Tse-tung (1893-1976) achieved his political objective through ‘The Long March’. When he settled down at his headquarters at Niyan, the Chinese Muslims supported him. The Muslims also joined his Red Army. However, at no stage of their cooperation with the great Chinese leader did the Muslims forsake their Islamic identity even for a while. In 1954, the Muslims were given guarantees about their prayers, traditional rites, civilization and culture. As compared to other minorities they were extended more liberal facilities, especially in the matters of cementing ties with the Muslim world. Friendly relations with the Muslim countries is a great economic need for modern China. Muslims have accordingly loomed large in China’s foreign policy ever since 1985. The under-developed areas predominated by the Muslims are now extended preferential treatment.

During China’s Cultural Revolution (1966-76) locks were forcibly put on a number of Chinese mosques. All such mosques have now been restored to the Muslims. Chinese Muslims have been accorded complete religious freedom. The Chinese Radio even broadcasts Qur’anic lectures. The Muslims feel satisfied with such welcome official measures. The pleasant pro-Muslim shift in the Chinese policy is currently making an exceedingly favourable impact on the dissemination of Islam in China. China has exceptionally cordial relation with its neighbouring Muslim state, Pakistan. Throughout this period only on unpleasant incident of a petty clash between Chinese and Muslims was reported in 1990 at the Pakistan – China border at Khunjrab.

Current Attraction In Beijing at the Islamic Art Museum.

Enjoy!

Six Centuries of Islamic Art in China.

Can a Chinese who embraces Islam celebrate the Lunar New Year as is their ethnic heritage? Or does religion take precedence over culture? This is one of the many interesting conversations you`ll be having after taking in Six Centuries Of Islamic Art In China, the current attraction at the Islamic Arts Museum.

With assistance from the Museum Of Cultural Palace Of Nationalities in Beijing, and the North-West Minorities group from Lanzhou, the exhibition maps an eye-opening path into Islam`s historic role in China.

One of the earliest recordings of Islam in China comes from the Tang Dynasty in 651AD, when emperor Yung-Wei received an envoy from the Caliph Uthman, a companion of Prophet Muhammad`s. In a display of respect, Yung-Wei approved the setting up of China`s first mosque at Ch`ang-an; The Memorial Mosque still stands today.

Chinese Muslims continued to flourish through the Mongol and Ming dynasties, from 1277AD to 1644AD in total. Nanjing, the first Ming capital, was also the world centre for Islamic teaching. During the Manchu dynasty that followed until 1911, however, the authorities waged a war against Islam, massacring close to 10 million Muslims in the city of Kansu alone.

Mao Tse Tung reinstated religious tolerance during his reign, but again, all mosques were shut down during the Cultural Revolution that lasted from 1966 to 1976. Since then, Chinese Muslims have been extended preferential treatment.

From a chronological perspective, Chinese Muslims are still ethnic minorities. Unofficially, there`s an estimated 40 million Chinese Muslims in China, concentrated primarily in the Northwest regions along the ancient Silk Road, the route used by Arab and Persian traders prior to the Tang dynasty.

Of the 10 main Chinese Muslim tribes in China, the Hui is the largest. But there`s something about each tribe on display at the museum - clothing, metal ware, musical instruments - that trace their origins and cultural practices.

On display as well are scrolls, tablet rubbings, journals, and a Quran from 18th-century Ching dynasty, written in Chinese. There`s even an early 20th-century manuscript on how to understand Islam, written in Confucius thought patterns.

Some historians theorise that it was China that brought Islam to Malaya. One of the earliest evidence of Islam`s roots in Malaya is the ``Batu Bersurat``, a stone tablet written in Arabic that dates back to 1326 which was discovered in Sungai Terengganu.

On the word of the geography alone, it`s not altogether impossible to believe that theory. Muslims themselves have a hadith (a collection of sayings from the Prophet) that tells: ``Seek knowledge even if it is in China.``

One of the most interesting exhibits is the bone china section, where plates painted with traditional Chinese symbols like the phoenix, dragon, crane and lotus and dragon are matched with Jawi inscriptions instead of calligraphy. In its ornate white and blue cobalt splendour, it`s a powerful symbol that race and religion can merge harmoniously and blossom into beauty.

``Six Centuries Of Islamic Art In China`` is on exhibit at the Islamic Arts Museum through to October 28; get more details here....

Reply Dost-Mittar # 219

``Loved your khich-khich with Zafar. BTW is this lingo actually spoken in the Kholis of Mumbai or merely a creation of Bollywood?``

Dost-Mittarjee, I must confess that inspite of its obvious comic potential, Bombay Urdu (sarcarstic name or what, hey?) is spoken by many people in Bombay. It serves (or at least served) as a sort of lingua franca, which people who spoke different languages at home (North and South Indian) to communicate with each other for trade etc. - and it has (I think) simpler grammatical rules than shuddh hindi/saaf urdu.

(Or as one might say in Bumbay: dekho yeh andagundu log ne kya kya masthi nahin kiya apun ka jabaan ke saath...)

Among the smaller language groups it actually essentially replaced the original language - for example, most Kutchi Memons in Bombay under a certain age speak little to no Kutchi. (This largely did NOT happen to Gujju speakers or Malayalis...dunno about the rest).

Kolis, who are the original people of the area, speak coastal Marathi as their first language.

Zafar

PS So, Farzana, RSaxena - did I get it right so far?

hamidm 198,

( to hamidm, not for hamidm)

There is a monor disagreement to your above post. What I am pointing out are not warts on the pak society, they are the grotesque congenital deformities, open wounds seething with sectarian maggots, the jihadic pirranhas nibbling at vital organs, the head being crushed in military wise grip and above all indian peacocks strutting and sh//i/tting all over.