The Aga Khani

bharatwasi,

Another pathetic attempt at humor I see? Using sarcasm to hide the nazi activities of INA?

Ofcourse, like all Indians you too have chosen to lie.. the `Speeches` that I have quoted are not a

sole speech.. I quoted some 30 speeches all with the same message by the same man. So please give up this systemic campaign to discredit me.. but I don`t see you heeding this request.. since you are an Indian.

Farzana,

I`ll be only happy to explain it once more. I am not critical of Indian Muslims per se. I wish them best. Some of my favorites are Javed Akhtar and Shabbana Azmi etc. However, I do have a problem with `idealogues` like Mr.Zakaria. I also hate people like Imam Bukhari... but more than that I have a problem with those Indian Muslims who have developed a sort of a mentality, that while They keep complaining (justifiably) they accuse Pakistan for all their ills. I truly and deeply respect people like yourself who wish to fight for their rights as secularist Indians for your Muslim community, but I am sorry I don`t buy the silly theory of some of your Muslim compatriots who say `Pakistan was made and it left us at the mercy of Hindus`.

If indeed `Hindus` are so bad (and this claim has justification given the recent events and the incurable disease of Bigotry and caste system that they sadly seem to suffer from) .. then should the Muslims of what is now Pakistan and Bangladesh also have suffered under their tyranny?

Our future lies in taking our due, not screaming `who moved my cheese` and playing the hand we are given as best as we can.

I am sure many Indians would be thrilled and relieved to see the ``AgaKhani`` variant of Islam as their neighbours as opposed to the Sunnis and the regular Shias.

It is also interesting to note that they also take care of their own without having to badger or bully the government into affirmative action and such,not to mention the fact that you do not have to blame your ills on a foriegn race or group.

Indians would also be delighted to have this form os Islam as the dominant religion in Pakistan.

Why is it that Agakhanis have not struck roots in other parts of India , and what I mean is local conversions to Agakhani faith.

It is also pleasant to note that this group does not have to invent a pedigree from foreign ancestors to go one up on their coreligionists.

Interestingly enough very few Hindu castes or groups have any social welfare networks that approaches the ``Agakhani`` system.

Do Agakhanis still live in Iran which is purportedly the land from where the missionaries came 12 centuries ago.

Farzana Versey


``I have already stated that this is not a cult, as is commonly understood. But any group joined together with a purpose is also a school of thought;…………``

I beg to disagree Farzana. In my opinion, the Agha Khanis/Ismailites have been a cult since the days of the Old Man of the Mountain, the Hashasheen, the Assasins, and Hasan Bin Sabah, who started it all. And I also think that it is anything but a school of thought.

It is true that Hasan Bin Sabah had religious education at par with the giants like Nizam ul Mulk Toosi and Umar Khayam, but the reason that he started his ``cult`` was absolutely political and not religious. His support for a certain Fatmid (?) crown prince over the other and his political disputes with Shah of Iran the Sanjar, made him start his movement of Hashashin. He controlled the minds of his followers by Hashish and a visit to ``heaven`` in the stupor of hashish. He and his followers not only collaborated with Christian Crusaders but also with invading Mongols which resulted in the demise of Abasside Empire and Caliphate not to mention the assassinations of countless Sultans and Caliphs. Eventually, Mongols destroyed his fortress in the mountain popularly known as the Eagle`s Nest, the Qila Alamaut and compelled his followers to disperse all around. Some of the dispersed followers came into subcontinent and divided into Aghakhani and Khoja branches.

I am absolutely not saying that Agha Khanis as a group (cult) are still involved in questionable practices, but I am trying to say that by history, by psychology, by training and by conditioning they still act in isolationism and behave in cult like secrecy. They do not engage in mainstream dialogue and their leadership demands unquestionable loyalty reminiscent of old Hashisheen days.

But on the other hand, one must understand that the old days are gone. Today, Agha Khani is a well educated community. Their entrepreneurial skills and sense of community in not only admirable but enviable. Personally, I do not believe in isolationism. Islam is anything but a cult. I believe in openness, accountability, and all inclusiveness. Neither there are any political circumstances that demand isolationism from Agha Khanis.

The truth atlast:

Subhas chandra Bose didnot die in the jungles of burma. he was infact exiled incognito in pakistan and his progeny include the erudite Yeewah Lifapha hadhamardi (YLH for short) *. This progeny are so anti indian that they are even willing to state the their man was a nazi since he is apparently revered in India. YLH is leading the rush to return to Pakistan to take up the reigns of office to lead pakistan to the new frontiers by reinterpreting the speech made by Jinnah (often refered to as the resolution speak, or the Ideas of Pakistan (oops ideology of pakistan speech) - naah indology of pakistan makes better sense!

The new interpretation is such that academics all over the world are rushing to bonking centre where yeewah works to learn from him this new insight into the speech. According to Yeewah, Pakistan of today is but an illusion, a chimera. This was exactly what Jinnah wanted in his indology of pakistan speech, hence the support for the ataturk of pakistan the very mustachioed musharuff.

hadhamardi is adamant that every one on earth is wrong till now. He should know aboiut it since he is a descendant of the conspiracy hatched by Jinnah and bose (of Bose speakers fame - Jinnah missed out beacause of the conspiratorial nehru and mountthebaton, thats why he has only a speech to his name). YLH claims.....

Watch this space for more details.

*Yeewah Lifapha hadamardi was educated at top notch schools in Pakistan, then he washed up on the shores of old blighty being taken into some international school for the rich kids from the middle east. Surely their parents could have spent the money very wisely. Now YLH is into bonking in a big way after completing his studies (majoring in Jinnah Speak, along with double speak - he is the greatest exponent of the sole speech Jinnah made from his sole whilst chomping on that flesh of pig (or is it the soul).

Farzana

``But I was emotional. Now when you find something informative, you overlook my emotionalism…use this yardstick next time as well. There is a lot of information packed in my ‘rantings’ too :)

``

I try to extract relevent message from your ``rantings`` too :-). Emotions are not unwelcome, per se. Say you are describing your childhood days or fond memories of your past. In these cases, emotions add a humane touch and make an article delightful read. However I prefer a very objective, almost a detached logical analysis when it comes to socio-religious issues. Emotionalism in such cases evokes counter emotionalism from the group that is hurt, and this process continues ad infinitum. Very soon such debates turn into a dirty mud slinging with every party driven by pure negative(hate?) emotions and logic takes a back seat. Though the language of ``emotionless`` analysis may be dull, it does help you in putting your point across and is more likely to be acceptable. So if one`s objective is to put his point across to the targetted audience, a balanced perspective is preferable. But if one`s purpose behind writing is to vent his/her own anguish then perhaps he should not expect a lot of people to be very understanding.

The problem with cults like the Aga Khani is the suppression or weakening of critical thinking through fatiguing activity, near-total control of the recruit`s time, and the repetitive message that only disaster results from not following the group`s ``change program.`` These manipulations induce the recruit to declare allegiance to the group and to commit to change him/herself as directed by the group. He or she can now be considered a convert embarking on a path of ``purification,`` ``enlightenment,`` ``self-actualization,`` ``higher consciousness,`` or whatever. The recruit`s dependency on the group is established and implicitly, if not explicitly, acknowledged. Moreover, he/she has accepted the group`s authority in defining what is true and good, within the convert`s heart and mind as well as in the world.

Arundhati Roy on Gujarat. Read it and weep.

http://www.outlookindia.com/full.asp?fodname=20020506&fname=Roy+%28F%29&sid=1

YLH, (#78),

You just won me $1000.00 in our sweep stakes here with post.

The bet was how long it would take for you to change the topic once your sophomoronic ass was lit (re: shahnawaz), and when you would start setting up straw men up for the fight. And you came up trumps with this post.

I bet all indians must be rubbing their hands with glee at the thought of you becoming The Leader of Pakistan. Oh, by the way, there is also a sweep stake on this and the money is huge.

I bet jinnah but be turning in his heathens grave (after all he was a whiskey drinking, bacon eating, ham who maried a parsi (who didnot convert to boot)) at the thought of you coming to his aid.

Keep up the good work. Atleast I am now able to get rid of my loans....thanks YLH.

Apr-29-02 21:31:36 EST Reply #: 78

ylh

Alpha Hussain,

I came across two quotes today:

`The greatest quality of Jinnah that was deeply and unfailingly remembered

was his honesty. Many of his contemporaries were genuinely fond of him.

They would vouch for him that he was a man without malice and had a stern

sense of justice. Many believed that his rudeness was linked with his deep

honesty. M A Jinnah`s integrity was considered beyond blemish`

(Prakash Almaeda page 30 Jinnah the Man of Destiny.Kalpaz Publications

dehli 2001)

They began calling him.. the honest Mr.Jinnah...There was one thing certain

about Mohammed Ali Jinnah... He was always honest and he was never

insincere... Jinnah had no vices.

(Leonard Mosley page 69 The Last days of the British Raj)

Also Dr Ambedkar, the architect of your constitution, considered Jinnah the

most incorruptible politician in the entire South Asia...

So you little punk, instead of making outrageously stupid statements like the

one you did ... why don`t you back up your nonsensical and bigoted nonsense

with some facts and sources... Ofcourse, your kind never knew how to fair.

As for Col.Shahnawaz, I seriously have little time for a Nazi Sympathizer,

like I have said before.

-YLH

Farzana;

An informative piece, infused with your characteristic passion. I had always thought the Ismailis had distinct religious practices of their own. What you say, about various religious groups doing their own thing even within the fold of the community sounds more like Bahaism to me.

It`s not such an open community, at least in Pakistan. Despite several requests, Ismaili friends in Karachi decline when asked for an invitation to their jamaatkhana.

But it`s true. They have a great sense of community and, in a riotous Pakistani atmosphere, they`ve shown remarkable coherence. We have volunteers scattered throughout the hospital, doing all sorts of things, from wrapping surgical swabs to selling flowers and not all of them are particularly poor. We talk about work ethic and the dignity of labor. The Ismailis put it into practise.

ylh, Fuzair

Are you guys serious about INA`s Nazi credentials?! I know very little of their history. Any information would help.

Fuzair # 76

[IF the Raj had decided to stay, the Army would have been loyal since the Punjab would have been loyal]



[I asked some of my relatives who were commissioned in WWII and friend`s fathers/grandfathers who they would have sided with if the Army had to be used against ``nationalists`` and, to a man, the answer was ``the British.``]

This is the curse that Pakistan faces to this day.

And herein lies the answer to the million dollar question, i.e. why Pakistanis meekly accept every tinpot dictator that comes along.

The largest ethnic group in Pakistan, the Punjabi Mussalmans, have no history and hence no appreciation of self-rule. They were loyal to the British Raj, and before that to the Sikha Shahi, and prior to that the Dehli Sultanate, and before that to every invader that came across the Attock River, as long as he weilded a large enough danda.

For a thousand years, to every usurper they have said: Jee AyaN nooN, ayi jao, yaddi jao, te langi jao. How can they say anything different to Ayub, Zia or Musharraf?

saminashah (#50):

[You`re back to fine form. I`ve got a couple of writer questions, if you don`t mind. Let me know if your willing to entertain them.]

Thanks and, yes, I will entertain your questions provided they entertain me :) Seriously, I don’t know what you have in mind, but given the nature of this forum, you will understand what I may choose to answer and what I will skip. In either case, you will be informed about my intent.

Sadna (#57):



[Absolutely no offense meant, but by your descriptions, in a positive way it seems you are half-Hindu, half-Parsi and half-Muslim, in the commonly accepted sense of these words. In other words the best of all worlds!]

And the worst too. Besides, if I am half so many, that would make me one and a half…I would say I am a full Muslim who can live with various streams of thought. Like a rainbow…one does not try and demarcate its colours, but sees it in its entirety. Though I wonder about the pot of gold at the end of it.

Pankaj (#68):

[You write very well, especially when you are not emotional.}

But I was emotional. Now when you find something informative, you overlook my emotionalism…use this yardstick next time as well. There is a lot of information packed in my ‘rantings’ too :)

Prem (#73):

An extremely interesting post.

[The idea has to do with the difficulty of staying in the middle. In general, it has been seen that those occupying the middle ground tend to get sucked into the extremes over time…Extending the idea to Aga Khanis (without knowing much about them, and relying only on what I have read here), those set of arguments would posit that over time, Aga Khanis will find it very difficult to resist internal and external pressures to move toward some form of ``pure`` Islam (or pure Hinduism, had they seen themselves as Adha Hindus, which they don`t), UNLESS newer generations see something uniquely valuable (intellectually, philosophically, morally) about themselves, uniquely valuable distinguishing them from ``pure`` Muslims.]

The fact is that the Aga Khanis have shown no such evidence of a shift. In fact my aunt and cousin’s wife (both Shias) joined this sect because they found it “fun”, though they continue to practise what they were brought up with. I feel that as long as the leader is a strong figure who comes across as progressive, is respected in the world community, people will not change their stands. The newer generations do not feel stifled simply because they can do pretty much what they wish – they are not told what music to listen to, what not to wear, and their energies are channelised towards concrete work, much as they would do in any school. Many volunteer at the health centres attached to the jamaatkhanas. For many this is ‘purity’. I do not see an upsurge in the next few years, though there could be some ideological changes.

Incidentally, the Aga Khan Foundation is run by people from all communities and religions in India; at their head office in Delhi I did not spot even one Ismaili.

Kiran (#75):

You found this article controversial? Kyon? This is aankhon dekha and aazmaaya hua haal. Or perhaps this IS an “How I spent my summer vacation essay” (can’t write about “meri paaltoo billi”…apni taareef apne mooh se kaise :)…

[``wanted an Allah. Dead or alive.`` is completely uncalled for, I can see the sentiment that gave birth to it, but I`m certain, in your writing repertoire something better does exist. This is not in good taste]

See, I was only highlighting the dilemma, for you know that god cannot be either dead or alive. And this was the line that came and think it conveyed the situation best. However, agar aapko bura lagaa to muafi chahte hai.

Regards,

Farzana

Ras (#1):

The ‘half-Muslims’ only shared a beer?? I thought their poison would be more potent :) But are you trying to say that full Muslims do not drink? They do, they do.

Yasser (#7):

Even had you converted to the Ismaili sect, you would still be practising what you always did. Pardon my saying so, but I do not think your country would be willing to adopt this “modern progressive Islam which the founders of Pakistan had in mind” due to political considerations.

Now will you please answer one question: I have often seen you write critically about Indian Muslims. I am seriously interested in this. I had asked this once earlier too. And I want an answer only from you and would appreciate if this dialogue is restricted to us. I normally do not demand replies (no one is bound by these strictures here) but there is genuine curiosity. I hope you will help me understand this.

Dear dost-mittarji (#17…and scout #11):

[In a way I am surprised by your identifying yourself as an Ismaili and in another way, I am not. Your irreligiousity and catholicism is quite typical of the Ismailis I know but your strong Islamic (Muslim) identity is not.]

I think there is a mistaken notion that Aga Khanis do not feel Muslim. Could we not just see it as a process of osmosis? As for my personal position, I never really identified myself as an Ismaili – I always poked fun at the community until recently. Part of the reason could be the different flavours of Islam that were merged in the family and the options each one exercised. For example, my cousins had a maulvi/muliyani to teach them the Qu’ran; I chose not to, though I can say with some authority that I am perhaps a better example of a Muslim than many of them; they know the verses, I know their meanings :)

Also, events have made me look for a larger canvas to identity with. I do believe the Ismaili must stand up and be counted. Or at least I must. In general terms, if some of the others too feel this need, and it does not arise out of political anger, then I suppose it has to do with being considered non-Muslim. I am surprised that this is how we are looked upon even in India.

The Aga Khan is the centre of the being of some devotees because he is the face of a kinder, gentler Islam. And this is the view from all parts of the world, even where there is not the extent of multi-culturalism there is in India.

Urstruly (#20):

[…where leadership guarantees that it will stand up for you on the day of judgment…]

Says who? I would like to be on my own on that day for I would hate a public display of my sins…

[I would rather have schools of thought than cults. Its like being a student of science where you have to and you get the chance to read math, physics, chemistry, biology etc. even though your interst is in biology or math only.]

I have already stated that this is not a cult, as is commonly understood. But any group joined together with a purpose is also a school of thought; it is this that binds it together. And taking your analogy, yes, you must learn biology, but if you know physics and chemistry you would learn about the gravitational pull and chemical reactions of biological phenomena too.

hobbyty (#32):

[Aga Khanism is a perfect example of irrational convictions overtaking the realities. For an outsider to visualize them, with his open mind, is not easy Whereas, those who have not sacrificed their power of reasoning, it is clear that a devout`s reliance on the Farmans of his Imam is beyond human reasoning and logic. Their reliance on Farmans has overshadowed the truth, and the basis of their reliance is emotionalism, which their sentiments and pride would not allow them to admit.]

If anything, the Aga Khani is too rational. And if an outsider does not view them with an open mind, it reveals the outsider’s fear of reasoning, does it not? The firmans do not overtake the truth, for they do not speak of essentials, but merely practical aspects. Some years ago, the Aga Khan issued a firman that the large photograph of his in the jamatkhana ought to be removed – this was done; he asked that women should not go overboard in their dressing up while attending prayers – this has been conveniently ignored! If they were given to emotionalism, there would have been a bigger blood bath in Gujarat.

Regards,

Farzana

The need to share my thoughts about the Aga Khan and my being a part of the Ismaili community has been germinating for a while. Especially when, as I wrote, the criticism from both sides was at its peak. I was certainly concerned about the Muslim voice and its accusation not only of my weak links with Islam but aspects of my being ‘Hinduised’. Why and how does this happen? I would like to make a few further points.

1. Over a period of time, I have become more Muslim than many in cultural terms, and politically. It is wrong to say that the Aga Khani is sucking up to Hindus. No way. They stand on their own. My grouse against many of them is their distancing themselves even when there is cause for concern.

2. What I wrote about is specific to India, in terms of customs. The Ismailis in other countries are like the inhabitants of that particular country.

3. The Aga Khan is not a cult leader; it is a sect and an offshoot of Islam, and its practitioners do say the ‘kalma’ and believe in ‘jannat naseeb’.

4. The leader is not a middle-man between god and humans, and his firmans don’t seem particularly outlandish. They are good firmans, and it bothers me that the devotees will not follow those. Besides, other sects too have their saints, and I am not talking about Sufis alone.

5. There is no concept of triple talaq (though I do believe that it is highly misunderstood even in Islam proper); there are private courts where the matter is settled after hearings.

6. The “unspeakable things” do NOT happen. If men and women pray in the same hall (only on days when it is not too crowded) it is only proof that there is no segregation. The light handshake is between people of the same gender, though socially you may shake hands with man, woman, eunuch.

7. Was the formation of the sect evidence of opportunism? I do not know. But there are people in many countries who have benefited. A religion, or any movement, should be in a position to offer you something concrete, not just hollow ideals.

8. More than being a prosperous community, it tends to emphasise on general education.

9. About being a “weird group of Muslims”, they are not. They are about as weird as the Wahabis and Barelvis. It must also be noted that in India Islam has definite regional overtones. And the Kashmiris can hardly be called conventional Muslims.

``(American donated ones).``

This shows the stupid superiority complex Indians have it.. American didn`t Donate those `Tanks` .. Pakistan bought them you idiot!

-YLH

Fuzair,

Thankyou for reply...

``Much to my disappointment, Jinnah also, belatedly fortunately, offered to defend the INA accused.``

Ofcourse this `fact` will never be mentioned by the indians... for my part I am glad Jinnah, the

Anti-fascist triumphed over Jinnah the Indian Nationalist... since The INA was a fascist

organization modelled after the Nazis...I am just glad we created our own country and were free of the Nazi sympathizers.. What to say of a country like India which celebrates Nazis as its national heroes... tsk tsk becharay indians!

We the Pakistanis should be thankful and should recognize our role in the civilized world`s victories over Nazism, then communism and now terrorism. A book by Wali Khan called facts are facts `reveals` the `Islamic crescent theory` (Turkey Iran Pakistan) to contain USSR as the basis for Pakistan.. If indeed that was the reason for the creation of Pakistan I have become even more proud of my country. Wali Khan`s attempt was to play on anti-west `anti-imperalist` sentiment .. but ofcourse in the grand view of things, such a situation only helped the world. What a raison de etre, to aid the west in its monumental struggle against communist evil empire.

-YLH