Luring Muslim Vote

=== Interact Filtered ===
view this users filtered interacts

=== Interact Filtered ===
view this users filtered interacts

Instead of indulging in an argument on what are the Muslim-specific issues that the Muslim MPs can better address, I will some day write an article which may provide answer to your repeated question.
As I had pointed out earlier, the demand for better representation is not only from the Muslim community. Other communities for instance blacks want the same thing.
Britain is a country that is trying to become a society where the basic rights of a citizen are recognised without any consideration to his colour or creed. And it is well on its way to achieving this goal.
You come here and you will be amazed to see what a melting pot of nationalities this country is - in particular London where nearly every third person is non-white, according to official figures.
It is a beautiful society where you can largely live freely according to your beliefs. You will see Jews with their long beards and skull caps, Sikhs with turbans and even kirpans, Africans in their traditional colourful dresses, Arabs in their long robes, and of course veiled Muslim women and bearded Muslim men in their baggy suits.
I think this is what a modern society should work towards: magnanimous acceptance for all people regardless of their colours and creeds.

fagdady

Islam was once a catholic religion, attractive to many. Dont make it exclusivist. The demand for separate electorates which lead to vivisection of united india. This issue not only has been intellectually discussed, but had been put in practice in the great india-pakistan (macabre) experiment. Please take a look at that.

=== Interact Filtered ===
view this users filtered interacts

=== Interact Filtered ===
view this users filtered interacts

Whether ``only Muslim MPs can look out for the interests of Muslims?`` - is indeed a valid question - as raised by an interactive reader.
An MP is a representative of all the voters in his constituency, not just any one portion.
At the same time, it must be noted that the dismally low number of the Muslim MPs, is a major concern here in the British politics.
The political parties are themselves trying to increase the number of Muslim MPs, simply to bring them in proportion with their numbers.
It is a general feeling that Muslim MPs would be able to better understand the Muslim issues - while it goes without saying that a non-Muslim MP is equally responsible for addressing the concerns of his Muslim constituents.
Other ethnic minorities here want the same thing. So there appears to be nothing wrong with this way of thinking.
Having more Muslim, Pakistani/Kashmiri MPs, is expected to work two ways.
a) The British Muslim, Pakistani/Kashmiri community feels more confident, better represented and more integrated - with a better sense of acceptance from other ethnicities.
b) These Muslim, Pakistani/Kashmiri MPs would become role-models for their communities. This may help them identify with these leaders who are good examples of integration in the British society - instead of with the religious loonies.

=== Interact Filtered ===
view this users filtered interacts

wajahat

Just as pathetic a response as I expected.

#35 Ralph

Yep sure we can see how peaceful you are in Iraq and Afghanistan. Bombing Weddings and Abusing prisoners were not exactly the remit of religion in Jesus`s Message. Maybe the Barbarity is in us, rather than the religions we profess to defend.

Keep your prejudices for board where they mean something.

www.rednecksinternational.com

=== Interact Filtered ===
view this users filtered interacts

=== Interact Filtered ===
view this users filtered interacts

Wajahat,

Do you have any idea of Arjun`s religion or lack thereof ? How do you know for sure
that he`s not a member of a revealed religion ?

``.....Godra Setup by the RSS``...I am still a little unclear about Godhra. Perhaps you
can reveal to us how RSS set the whole thing up.

I somehow worry that a muslim candidate who wins on overtly muslim (issues felt as relevent by muslims but not necessarily by others) issues may not represent other constituents well.

#30 PZ

I will avoid using and i quote ``use big phrases you dont understand`` as your intellectual superiority and moral authority will out weigh anything I say. But I will be honest and non Politically correct, a religion like Islam allows us to have kinship with every other person in the fold of Islam anywhere in this world, this is specially relevant to all those who are subject to attrocities and mass genocides.

India and Hinduism in India is only an Indian Phenonmenon. I do not consider it a Prophetic religion as borne out of mythology and God (an argument I dont want to get into). Due to the tenets of Islam, I respect Hinduism as a religion and Hindus as offsprings to a great history and heritage, however, when arjun asks me why I feel so perturbed over Murdered Iraqis and proposes that I should really be concentrating on the perils of Muslims in Middle England, I digress. Muslims anywhere in this world, are my problem, because I make it my problem, because I feel their pain and suffering but am helpless like so many others in this world.

Just like every Liberal indian shakes there head atleast and has an inkling that Muslims in Gujrat deserved everything that happened to them because of the Godra Setup by the RSS. We too feel for our brothers in distant lands and rationality, or non prejudiced rationality leaves us and we know who we will side with.

And just as a matter of interest, I do consider Said and Dubois as heroes and great men.

#17 by asgand on May 24, 2004 2:37pm PT

``Secular India, what a joke. The proper term is Hindu India.``

Oh, now you get it.

``Just pull out a 100 rupee Indian note and look at the four faced (one face not visible) lion. To my understanding the Lion pertains to Hindu religion.``

You`re right. ``The Lion King`` was actually funded by Hindu nationalist organisations. Sri Lanka is a Hindu state, not Sinhalese, which is why they use a lion on their flag. The Cameroon soccer team came to be dubbed ``lions`` only after a visit by Mahesh Yogi to Yaounde, and their subsequent mass conversion to Hinduism.

``Now look at the Indian Flag.``
Yeah, do that. See that ugly strip of green across the bottom? did you perchance imagine it represented the environment?

``And how come when I call the Indian consulate in USA I hear ``Namaskar.`` If India is secular then why not just Good Morning as in USA. Don`t tell me is Namasker is secular term.``

You got me. The guy who wished you ``Namaskar`` is a RAW agent, specially placed to spread terror and mayhem through the use of subversive words and gestures. Be on the lookout for a friendly smile or a wave godbye next time you`re at the embassy. More subversion!

``In USA you will find secularism at its best. Gay marraiges in USA are now legal since the majority voted for the measure and won.``
The point being- are RELIGIOUS homos allowed to tie the knot? If yes, then sorry- your country fails the secularism test.

``So India might be an example of democracy but secularism is quite another thing.``
Yes, I am afraid we have a long long way to go before we catch up with the progressive Pakistanis and Saudis.