Muslim World's Famous Women Reformers – Part 1

By Grace Mubashir, New Age Islam 29 April 2024 We Know The Brilliant Women In Modern Islamic History Who Have Re-Read The Dangerous Depths Of This Systematic Misogynist Construct. These Women Are Role Models For The South Asian Community To Initiate Much Delayed Feminist Reading Of Islam. Main Points 1. In the second half of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, Muslim women opened the front of struggle in different countries 2. Had they been able to continue to develop the way of their investigations and struggles, it would have been possible to transform and introduce Islam to the level of the liberating vision of modern societies instead of being labelled as a '6th-century tribal religion'! 3. At various points in modern Islamic history, there have been brilliant women who have recognized the dangerous depth of this systematic anti-feminist construction and re-read it. The first wave of it was the Egyptian women's rights struggles of the last century 4. Indian Muslim women can learn from these reformers the importance of resilience, solidarity, and active engagement in efforts to promote gender equality and social justice. They can draw strength from their legacy and work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society for themselves and future generations. ------ Attitudes towards women within the Muslim world have become the greatest example of the grave degradation that has taken place in the Muslim community. The Muslim woman and her headscarf are being discussed again in the world through the women of Iran. Its ripples are rising in India too. It has been a long time since the conservative clergy and their minions started throwing 'fatwa baits' at her, but now that the girls have gained the insight to recognize such baits, the religious authorities who claim to have the right to subvert the Muslims are in a state of complete disarray. There is no point in blaspheming against these people who do not turn their attention to the words they utter, even if they reach the result of lying down and spitting. However, the bright chapters of the past need to be placed against the background of the current female awakenings in the Muslim world. It would be an injustice to those individuals and to history not to dwell on some of those struggles that are not so far behind. In the second half of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, Muslim women opened the front of struggle in different countries. Religious leaders and political power centres joined hands to liberate the victimized women and girls from the society of that time. Some women fought along the lines of women's liberation in the West, while others saw liberation from within their own existence. Accordingly, they forcefully and persistently questioned the male narratives of Islamic precepts through historical re-reading and logic. They found gender equality, equality and justice, which they interpret as modern values, from these same creeds. At the same time, 'Islam', which deviated from these same values, was constantly ridiculed and scorned by the world. Peace was alien to these fighters in the ways of justice and rights that Islam had opened before them. Because of the internal and external agitations, rejections, jails and beatings were sought. But the reality is that the governments of many countries had to kneel before them in the last century. Laws were rewritten to accommodate women in education, suffrage, family and social positions. They have made unprecedented progress in many areas. All of them were qualified and capable enough to compete with or stand ahead of the male world of that time in terms of spiritual and material education. Had they been able to continue to develop the way of their investigations and struggles, it would have been possible to transform and introduce Islam to the level of the liberating vision of modern societies instead of being labeled as a '6th century tribal religion'! However, later, attempts were made to make these women's struggles invisible in the dustbin of history by the authoritarian rule in Muslim countries. In the second half of the 20th century, there was another reason for the decline of those advances. One of them is the West's 'war on terror'. When the neo-colonial invasions that started from Iraq and spread all over the West Asia destroyed the Muslim countries, the women's lives in those countries were also fragmented. The combination of war and flight made it hellish. On one side, the black hands of the priesthood, on the other, the imperialist foreigners who pretended to be the saviors of Muslim countries. Between the devil and the sea, the female awakenings that had occurred earlier in the Muslim world had weakened roots. Islam has been relegated to the past by those who have no capacity to guide the Muslims of the modern age, either spiritually or intellectually. Theirs was an approach and intervention that poured oil into the post-September 11 state of affairs in the Muslim world. The attempt was to defend all external attacks on it as a religious community by cloaking it in strict orthodoxy. The body of a Muslim woman was a rusted sheet of it. They have convinced the world within their sphere of influence that its internal and external challenges can only be covered up. Male and female slaves were created accordingly. Arab nationalism was co-opted to label neo-conservatism as Islam. Modern technology has also been used to spread misinterpreted creeds around the world. The result was that misogyny, a vestige of pre-Islamic Arabian tribal life, was exported to various parts in the name of Islam. Its apparent spread was through the black long dress. The propagandists of neo-liberalism along with the Muslim man come in as the real beneficiaries of the obfuscation of this past in the new circumstances where all democratic interventions towards the problems of the Muslim woman are overturned and hidden on a piece of cloth. Muslim women have begun to rise up in many countries with the support of the new social media while this invasion is intensifying by suppressing the local diversity and rights struggles of Islam. It was a succession of early and later interrupted awakenings. That is what is unfolding in Iran now. Its waves spread to many lands. While the Muslim community around the world is going through turbulent times under the sharp claws of imperialism and fascism, the power priesthood is busy blocking the outside light and wind with the easily acceptable shield of 'Islamic doctrine', attacking the faith and confidence of women. Unfortunately, in Kerala, which boasts of being a very fertile ground for Muslim 'renaissance', such reform efforts can be seen being trampled with utter disdain. Its stench is emitted by the words of the Maulavis. At various points in modern Islamic history there have been brilliant women who have recognized the dangerous depth of this systematic anti-feminist construction and re-read it. The first wave of it was the Egyptian women's rights struggles of the last century. Through this, famous fighters who were not brought close to reading areas, including those of India, are being introduced. In the language of the mullahs here, the 'libertines' who challenged the religion. Huda Sharavi: The Woman Who Pulled Off Her Headscarf In The Face Of The Priesthood Huda Shaarawi was born in 1879 to Egypt's extreme orthodoxy. Huda Sharawi is the first name on the list of women who changed Egypt. She is also considered to be the pioneer of the women's movement in that country. She was born into the 'harem' system where men and women were separated. Her father was Muhammad Sultan Pasha, who was active in Egyptian national politics. Huda Sha'arawi - Wikipedia ------ Despite being born into an elite family, they too were destined to grow up in oblivion. In those days girls were denied schooling. Women huddled indoors in secluded rooms and wore face veils when going out. Huda Sharawi's situation was no different. She was deeply disappointed that she was denied the same schooling as her brother. She was deeply saddened by the family's neglect of her studies and their secondary attitude towards her as a girl. Huda realized that being a woman stood between her and her freedom. The Egyptian Feminist Union was founded in 1923 by Huda Shaarawi, president of the Women's Central Committee of the national political party 'Wafd' in 1920. In March of the same year, she removed her headscarf and face covering from a train at the Cairo railway station. He jumped out of the train with his head open. Other women were invited to join this movement At the age of 13, she was forced to marry her cousin, Ali Shaarawi, who was 40 years older than her. She had no choice but to give in to save her family's honor. But Huda decided to speak out about his pain and start the revolution himself. So as a child she started speaking to people against this injustice. As a result, many women came out of hiding for the first time in their lives. In 1908, under the leadership of Huda, the first secular charity organization run by Egyptian women was formed. It was for service activities for underprivileged women and children. Huda and her husband Ali were strong supporters of Egyptian independence from Great Britain. In 1920, Huda became the president of the Women's Central Committee of a national political party called 'WAFD'. The open participation of women in the national movement marked a turning point in Egyptian society. Never before had so many women been openly involved in political activities. After her husband's death, Huda Sherawi shifted her focus from the nationalist movement to efforts towards women's equality. In 1923, she founded the Egyptian Feminist Union. It spurred women's suffrage, personal law reforms, and educational opportunities for girls and women. In March of the same year, an incident that shook the country took place. It was when Huda Shaarawi was returning home after attending the International Women's Conference in Rome. She removed her headscarf with face covering from the train at the Cairo railway station. He jumped out of the train with his head open. Other women were invited to join this movement. This was the first anti-headscarf protest in Egypt. It became a strong blow on the face of the religious priesthood. Many women came out from inside as part of the protest. Huda then ventured into the practical ways of women's education. Schools were started for girls. An organization called the Egyptian Feminist Union was also formed. Their fight to raise the marriageable age of girls to 16 was successful. Huda Shaarawi remained president of the Egyptian Feminist Union for the rest of her life and became the founding president of the Arab Feminist Union in 1945. She left this world in 1947 after constant struggle for the liberation and rights of women and children. Doria Shafiq: The Daughter Of The Storm-Turned-Nile Doria Shefiq, a poet and editor, was one of the prominent leaders of the women's liberation movement in Egypt in the mid-1940s. As a result of their struggle, Egyptian women won the right to vote. Doria Shefiq, a poet and editor ------ Doria was one of the first Egyptian girls to graduate from secondary school with a baccalaureate degree at the age of 18. The Egyptian Ministry of Education awarded her a scholarship to study at the Sorbonne University in Paris. He received his PhD in Philosophy. She wrote a thesis on equal rights for women. When she returned to Egypt from France in 1940 after her studies, she wanted to contribute to the education of her country's youth through teaching, but was denied a teaching position by the Dean of the Faculty of Literature at Cairo University on the grounds of being 'liberal'. The event that caused a storm in the Egyptian Parliament took place in February 1951. Doria Shefiq secretly brought 1500 women to the parliament through Bint Al Nil and the Egyptian Feminist Union. She stalled Parliament for hours with several demands related to women's socio-economic rights. This created a huge uproar in the country He then became the editor-in-chief of La Femme Nouvelle, a French cultural and literary magazine. It was decided to publish an Arabic magazine called Bint Al Nil (Daughter of the Nile) aimed at educating Egyptian women and helping them play the most effective role in the family and society. The first edition sold out immediately after its release in November 1945. Two years later Doria formed the 'Bint Al Nil' Union to address the primary social issues of women and ensure their inclusion in the country's policies. Efforts were made to eradicate illiteracy by setting up centres for the purpose across the country and setting up employment offices and cafeterias for employed women. The event that caused a storm in the Egyptian Parliament took place in February 1951. Through Bint Al Nil and the Egyptian Feminist Union, Doria secretly brought 1500 women to the parliament. She stalled Parliament for hours with several demands related to women's socio-economic rights. This created a huge uproar in the country. In the same year, Doria formed a uniformed paramilitary unit. She led a senior brigade to surround and shut down a bank in the country. Police arrested them during the demonstration. After the Egyptian revolution of 1952, the government invited Bint al-Nil to recognize it as a political party. Doria Shafiq herself became its president. In March 1954, she went on an eight-day hunger strike in protest against the formation of the Constitution Committee without women. They ended their strike after receiving written assurances from President Najib that he would commit to a constitution that respects women's rights. As a result of the interest sparked by the hunger strike, Doria was invited to lecture on Egyptian women in Asia, Europe and America. She travelled to Italy, England, France, the United States, Japan, India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. As a result of Doria's tireless efforts, women got the right to vote under the 1956 Constitution. Doria went on a second hunger strike at the Indian Embassy to protest the dictatorial rule of President Jamal Abdul Nasser. Nasser put them under house arrest. Their names were banned from the newspapers and their magazines from circulation. They waged an unrelenting and continuous struggle against the priesthood and the state. In addition to print media, she has written a novel, 'El Eslave de Sultan' (The King's Slave) and several poems about the slavery of women to men. Nawal El Saadawi: Owner of Bright Liberation Politics It seems that there is no other women's liberator in the world who has fought and struggled with the authoritarian system within religion and within capitalism like Nawal El Saadawi. Nawal Saadawi is the second wave in the fight for women's rights in Egypt. That life was a vast sea of experiences that at once baffled and thrilled those who sought to know them. A brilliant personality who shined in diverse fields like writer, activist, physician, mental health expert, teacher and organizer. Nawal El Saadawi: Egyptian author and activist ----- Till she left this world on March 21, 2021 at the age of 89, she continued to radiate the fresh energy of unique thought and bravery. For decades, she has shared her story and perspectives with the world through novels, essays, autobiographies, and lively conversations. Their brutal honesty and unwavering dedication to advancing women's political and sexual rights struck a chord enough to inspire generations. Nawal El Saadawi made the most accurate political observation that 'oppression of women has its roots in the global capitalist system, supported by religious fundamentalism'. Sadavi's works have been translated from Arabic into more than thirty languages. She was a strong critic of capitalism as well as religions. She made the most accurate political observation that 'the oppression of women is rooted in the global capitalist system, supported by religious fundamentalism'. Born the second of nine children in a village on the outskirts of Cairo in 1931, Saadawi’s life was surprisingly eventful. Saadawi’s father was an official in the Egyptian Ministry of Education. During the Egyptian Revolution of 1919, he was exiled to a small town on the banks of the Nile as a result of campaigning against British occupation. Being relatively progressive, he taught his daughter to grow up with self-respect. Those parents encouraged their children's education. Even so, Saadawi was subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM) at the age of six according to the local custom. In her book 'The Hidden Face of Eve', she describes the painful brutality on the bathroom floor. She campaigned against this practice throughout her life. It was argued that it was meant to oppress women. Egypt banned FGM in 2008. Yet Saadawi continued to fight against it. There was an attempt to get her married at the age of 10, but her mother objected. Saadawi learned at an early age that daughters are valued less than sons in that society. When her grandmother once said, 'A boy is worth at least 15 girls,' she cried out against it. Saadawi wrote his first novel at the age of 13! The early demise of her parents put the burden of taking care of the large family on her shoulders, but she did not get discouraged. He graduated in medicine from Cairo University in 1955, worked as a doctor, including in villages, and eventually specialized in psychiatry. He joined the Egyptian government as director of public health. Ever since she dared to speak out dangerously, Sadavi has faced death threats and imprisonment. They never retreated in fear. 'I am telling the truth. "Truth is cruel and dangerous," they once said. A friend called her 'born with a fighting spirit'. About Omnia Amin Saadawi. She got a fighting spirit and self-esteem from her father. She proudly described herself as a dark-skinned Egyptian woman from a young age. Fearlessly looking the priesthood and its political forms in the face, they exposed the truth. At one point, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat put them behind bars. In 1972, while director of public health, she was fired after publishing a non-fiction book, Women and Sex, which criticized FGM and the sexual harassment of women. The magazine 'Health' founded by Saadawi was closed down. Yet speaking and writing did not stop. In 1975, the novel 'Woman at Point Zero' was published. The novel was based on the real-life account of a woman on death row. In 1977, she wrote 'Hidden Face of Eve', which chronicled her experiences as a village doctor witnessing sexual harassment, murders and prostitution. This created a great stir. Critics have accused it of subverting the role models of Arab women. In September 1981, under the regime of President Anwar Sadat, Saadawi was arrested and imprisoned for several months. She scribbled notes on dirty toilet paper using an eyebrow pencil from her sex worker in prison. After Anwar Sadat's assassination, Saadawi was released from prison. But their work was censored and their books banned. In the years that followed, death threats came from fundamentalists. The courts went up. Eventually he became an expatriate in the US. She has accepted offers to teach in the Department of Asian and African Languages at Duke University in North Carolina and at the University of Washington. From there the attacks on religion, colonialism and Western hypocrisy continued. He later held positions at several prestigious colleges and universities, including Cairo University, Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Sorbonne, Georgetown, Florida State University, University of California, and Berkeley. She received honorary degrees from three continents. But their only dream or hope was recognition from Egypt. She said that she has received honours all over the world but none from her own country. Saadawi returned to his beloved Egypt in 1996. In the 2004 election, he tried to run for the presidency. In 2011, he was in Cairo's Tahrir Square to protest against President Hosni Mubarak. He spent his last years in Cairo with his son and daughter. ----- A regular columnist for NewAgeIslam.com, Mubashir V.P is a PhD scholar in Islamic Studies at Jamia Millia Islamia and freelance journalist. URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/muslim-world-women-reformers-part-1/d/132225 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism

Write 'Jai Shri Ram' To Pass An Exam!

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 29 April 2024 Four DPharma (Diploma in Pharmacy) students of UP’s state-run Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal (VBSP) University in Jaunpur who wrote nothing but “Jai Shri Ram” and the names of some star cricketers in a recent exam were awarded 50% marks. The bizarre disclosure through RTI prompted a probe and re-examination that led to the four getting zero marks. The probe panel has recommended that two teachers who gave the 50% marks be sacked. However unprincipled BJP's agenda may be, it seems to resonate with people's wishes. By Ghulam Mohiyuddin 27/04/2024 23:57:15 Read the shameful news item and then read Mr Ghulam Muhyiddin’s comment. Agreed, the current political dispensation is outright unscrupulous, but for the survival of such an unethical political outfit, extremely religious, moronic, grovelling and fanatic masses are also required. The students who wrote 'Jai Shri Ram' in their answer scripts and the teachers who passed them, constitute the people (read Hindus) of India. Because of such prostrating (Hindu) zealots, a PM of the country can openly call Muslims 'Infiltrators' with 'more children.' Reporting from Delhi, Mujib Mashal of The NY Times writes, "Why did Modi call India's Muslims 'Infiltrators'? Because he could." Yes, you can, when you've hordes of genuflecting people who call you the 'saviour' of Indian democracy and a 'crusader' of Hindutva. When there are 'educated' people who shamelessly declare on TV that India got true freedom when Modi became the PM in 2014, you can jolly well understand why the stupid (Hindu) masses don't react or protest when such incendiary statements openly vilify a large section of people. People get the government they deserve. Hindus support this government because it gave them Ram Mandir and humiliated Muslims. I had better start reading Ramayana and chanting Jai Sri Ram in public to survive in a soon-to-become Hindu Rashtra! By the way, I've a copy of Ramayana (Baab-e-Ramayana; a chapter from Ramayana) written in Urdu by Brij Narayan 'Chakbast' (1882-1926). I first read Ramayana in Urdu and after that, I got hold of a copy of Valmiki's Ramayana in Sanskrit. Are today's Sanatanis aware of Pandit Brij Narayan Chakbast's Ramayana? He was a Kashmiri Pandit hailing from Lucknow. But who cares? I also read Abdul Qadir Bada'uni's Persian Ramayana. He translated Ramayana into Persian in accordance with the wishes of Akbar. Jai Shri Ram. ----- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/jai-shri-ram-exam/d/132224 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism

Education Without Moral Training And Our Social Decline

By Kaniz Fatma, New Age Islam 29 April 2024 We Have Shown In This Article How Poor Our Education System Is And How, Despite The Existence Of Some Educational Institutions, They Are Morally Deficient. A Nation Needs Moral Instruction In Addition To Education For Its Development. ----- Moral training is more effective than education. If moral training teaches the constructive use of consciousness, then education creates consciousness in individuals. If education fosters introspection, the ability to discern right from wrong, and the ability to ask questions, then moral education fosters the ability to respond with civility and manners. Put simply, if people with education constitute a society, then people with training form an organised, civilised society. It is a historical fact that Muslims have lagged behind other nations in many areas of education, despite historical records attesting to their significant contribution to the advancement of science and knowledge. In terms of educational institutions, Muslim scholars built madrasas but ignored schools and colleges; those who achieved success after attending school had a duty to contribute to the establishment of a quality school. However, it appears that they are not particularly interested in humanitarian endeavours; instead, after attaining success in their own right, they are preoccupied with leading affluent private lives and give little attention to improving the state of education for the citizens of their nation. This explains why our education graph is so low, and why the moral training graph appears to be declining in areas with educational institutions. These days, I wonder why some Muslims hold Ulama responsible for all of their misfortunes. With the possible exception of a few noteworthy institutions like Jamia Millia Islamia and Aligarh Muslim University, let us assume that their primary concentration was on the construction of madrasas rather than schools, colleges, or universities for modern studies. However, given that the majority of Muslims are graduates of modern sciences, why did they not take up the task of founding modern studies schools and colleges? The second tragedy is that, while we are beginning to pay attention to raising the literacy rate, we are utterly ignoring the components of moral education. Girls' education was not given much priority in our society until a few years ago. We attended to their education when circumstances required it, but moral education is still lacking in this instance. Home is seen as the primary educational setting, followed by school and finally higher education, where Muslims have a far lower literacy rate than adherents of other religions. Parents who possess the valuable tools of education and training can educate and train their children on their own. Even now, children in households where some degree of training is being done will exhibit better morals and manners. But all in all, the training centre has been dismantled as an institution. A primary cause of this is insufficient education and training. The acquisition of education and moral training go hand in hand, according to the Qur'an and Hadith. The Holy Quran makes numerous references to the need to contemplate the cosmos and learn about its sciences. The first revelation of the Qur'an commands us to acquire knowledge and moral instruction. As a result, it's critical to emphasise the value and use of education while also concentrating on the moral education of children today. There can be no success without education and no education without moral instruction. When we look at the educational shortcomings of Muslim society, we find that our children are extremely lacking in both religious and modern education. For this reason, parents and guardians must put more effort into education than nutrition. Education is useless without moral guidance. The renowned work "Muqadama Ibn Khaldun" by Allama Ibn Khaldun, the renowned Islamic philosopher and historian, states that "a nation with bad morals declines whereas the people who reach the heights of development in the world always possess good morals." The historical narratives provide witness to the devastation and ruin experienced by the nations subjected to moral degeneration. Despite reading these tales, people do not take anything away from them. Although our people are trained to learn words, they do not learn how to respect them. Their interest in raising their consciousness is non-existent. Because of this, people nowadays appear to be in a state of disconnection from social morality and respect. There are camps of egotism, agitation, negligence, and poor manners everywhere. Social norms are being disregarded, and self-interest has become so ingrained that it has made it so that people dislike one another. The same is true of institutions that operate behind religious guises and promote a culture of discord everywhere. Anger among Muslims has increased, backbiting is rampant, and all of the energy is being expended on meaningless arguments. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) defined a Muslim as "one from whose tongue and hand other Muslims are safe." The beauty of any civilization undoubtedly lies in its capacity to uphold decency, justice, patience, and moderation. In the absence of them, extremism, irresponsibility, fear, intolerance, and lawlessness flourish, and this is the environment we currently observe. We have forgotten that we belong to the Ummah of the greatest Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, who lived a morally upright life, upheld justice and equity, dedicated his time to teaching humanity as a whole, and raised his hands in prayer for his enemies even after he had been brutally attacked in Taif. It's a space to reflect on why we behave in such an uncivilised manner. What are the contributing causes weakening the foundation of our society? The reason is obvious: intolerance naturally develops when there is a lack of knowledge and training. Putting equal emphasis on moral training and education is the only way to reverse the current social degradation. ------- Kaniz Fatma is a classic Islamic scholar and a regular columnist for New Age Islam. URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-spiritualism/education-moral-social-decline/d/132223 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism

Religion And Morality: Islam Revived Moral Values That Are Now Part Of Global Ethics

By S. Arshad, New Age Islam 29 April 2024 Divine Religious Scriptures Deal Largely With Morality Main Points: 1. Morality and ethics have their root in religion. 2. Religion laid the foundation of morality 3. Prophets taught man morality. ------ To many, religion and morality are two different entities. They argue that morality does not have its origin in religion. Even agnostics or atheists believe in moral values. But when we study the history of man, we find that it is religion that taught morality to man and guided them whenever they strayed or became wayward satiating their physical desires at the cost of the freedom of other human beings. Cane killed Abel under intense jealousy. Such killing was denounced by God and the killing of an innocent person was declared immoral and a great sin for all the time to come. If Abel's killing had not been declared immoral or a sin, no man on earth would be safe as it would have been a normal act to kill anybody for any reason. It was told in the Quran and in earlier religious scriptures that killing an innocent person was akin to killing the entire humanity and saving an innocent person akin to saving the entire humanity. Corruption, sexual perversion, oppression, exploitation and other violations of social order were declared immoral and unethical by religions and prophets. Honesty, good treatment to others and justice to all were exhorted by prophets. The people of Sodom and Gommorah indulged in sexual perversion. Prophet Lot a.h. told them that the practice was immoral though his community did not consider sexual perversion immoral or unethical. If Prophet Lot a.h. had not declared unnatural sexual act unethical or immoral, the human society would not consider it immoral today. Therefore, it was religion that told man that sexual perversion was immoral. Similarly, dishonesty in business transaction was the accepted norm in the community of Madian. When Prophet Shoaib a.s. objected to this practice they turned hostile to him because they did not consider it immoral. Religion told them that dishonesty was immoral. The practice of earning riba or interest on loans was also a financial practice that originated in the middle ages by some business communities and was considered morally right on the basis of various arguments. But Islam declared it immoral because it precipitated financial slavery and even physical slavery of the borrower. Even if interest is considered acceptable in modern society, in principle, it is not considered morally permissible. The practices of female foeticide and slavery were not questioned in the society, not even by intellectuals of the western and oriental society before the advent of Islam. Female foeticide and infanticide was rampant in all parts of the world from Africa to China and from America to Arab. In Arab, girl children were buried alive without any hesitation. To the people of Arab, it was a normal practice to bury the girl child alive. In China too, girl children were killed by various means. It was only Islam that declared killing of the female foetus or an infant immoral. One can argue that today even non-Muslims and atheists consider female foeticide and infanticide immoral. It is true but the initiative was first taken by religion and later the idea was adopted by the global community as a universal moral value. Slavery was also one of the practices that was an accepted norm during the period before the advent of Islam. Keeping slaves was a sign of status for the rich and the powerful and the sale and purchase of slaves was a lucrative business in those ages. The slave trade was rampant in every region of the world from the east to the west, including India where maid slaves were considered property that was inherited by the son after the father's death. Islam was the first to initiate social rehabilitation of slaves and maid slaves by declaring slavery immoral and against human values. In fact, religion was not only concerned with man's obedience to God but also it was concerned with man's over all safety and welfare in the society. Therefore, religion outlined moral values and code of ethics apart from teaching man the ways of worship and conducting religious rituals. Ways of worship and code of ethics were therefore formulated to ensure man's freedom and safety in the society. The code of ethics or moral values were formulated to prevent one man from infringing upon the freedom and safety of others. A man's freedom was restricted to safeguard his own freedom in the society. If one is given unbridled and unrestricted freedom, others will also have the same measure of freedom and this unbridled freedom will get in the,way of every body's safety and security. Therefore, religion rejected the culture of power that gave the powerful section of society the right to do whatever they wanted to fulfil their personal interests and desires. This culture of power gave birth to the saying, 'The king can do no wrong'. Religion, or more particularly, Islam does not approve of this ideal and gives equal rights to all in the society and hold every one accountable for his deeds. That the atheists or agnostics have their own morality is not correct. The atheists also believe that slavery or female foeticide because they have inherited these ideals from religion. Atheists or agnostics are only the citizens of the modern world. The primitive man was not atheist or agnostic. He believed in one or the other or in many seen or unseen gods. His god may have been a tree, a snake, the wind or even the sun and the moon. Morality or code of ethics were established in the human society long before the modern society was evolved. The moral values that the modern universal community comprising both religious and non-religious sections have inherited have been itched in the subconscious mind of the man thanks to centuries of religious teachings by prophets and religious scriptures and later by religious reformers. Even if a section of the modern human society argues in favour of some practices that have been declared immoral by religion, the universal human society still considers them immoral because they infringe upon the social and economic freedom of the people and cause a breach in the established social order. In fact, their campaign in favour of immoral practices is an act of turning back to the immoral practices of the primitive human society unaware of moral or human values before the advent of religion. There are some modern immoral practices like bribery etc which have gained acceptance in the modern society but Islam has not approved of it and runs a campaigns against it. There are other immoral practices that Islam strongly protests against. In fact, Islam continuously speaks for moral values because moral values are the core of religion. ----- S. Arshad is a columnist with NewAgeIslam.com. URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-spiritualism/religion-morality-moral-values-global-ethics/d/132222 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism

Shompen Tribe: No National Development Project Can Justify A Genocide

By Nava Thakuria, New Age Islam 29 April 2024 Ahead of general elections 2024 across the country, a group of Indian experts had written an open letter to the Union government in New Delhi demanding the scrapping of the Nicobar development project in the Bay of Bengal. Otherwise, the experts argued, the uncontacted Shompen tribe will be wiped out. They asserted that the wish of those indigenous people (to be left alone) should be respected. The letter alleged that if the development project is not scrapped, both the local authority and New Delhi will be liable for the irreversible damage to those tribal families in the Indian archipelago near Myanmar. Shompen Tribe ----- The letter, endorsed by Vishvajit Pandya (former director of Andaman & Nicobar Tribal Research Institute), TN Pandit (former director of Anthropological Survey of India), Nicholas Barla (Adivasi Samanway Manch Bharat), Ashish Kothari (Kalpavrish), Madhumita Mazumdar, Manish Chandi, Ajay Saini, Anstice Justin, Virginius Xaxa, Ruby Hembrom, Purnima Upadhyay and Mukul Sharma, strongly urged the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes and Union Tribal Affairs Ministry to intervene immediately over the sensitive matter and put a halt to the project before it’s too late. Months back, when President Droupadi Murmu visited the Andaman islands triggered a debate on the development initiatives there. Expressing serious concerns over the development programs in some parts of the islands, a group of international genocide experts wrote to New Delhi with a warning that its plans to turn the island into a mega-port city will wipe out the entre tribe. They argued that around 300 Shompen hunter-gatherers, two-thirds of them uncontacted until today, will face extinction if the development plans go ahead. Shompen people are one of the most isolated tribes on Earth, and they live in the dense rainforests that occupy the islands' interior. Should the project for a mega-port, a new city, an international airport, a power station, a defence base, an industrial park and helping 650,000 new settlers go ahead with original plans, it will be a death sentence for the Shompen, asserted the experts, adding that simple contact with the Shompen (who have little to no immunity to infectious diseases) may result in a precipitous population collapse. Survival International, a London-based tribal rights body, has been calling for the project to be abandoned to ensure the Shompen's ownership rights over their ancestral lands. Its director, Caroline Pearce, asserted that under international laws, no government (or company) should proceed with interventional activities without the indigenous people's consent in their territories. She also revealed that over 7,000 people, arguing that the Shompen people had no idea of the ongoing activities, communicated with New Delhi with their demand to stop the genocide. The group of over 830 large & small hilly islands (with only 31 inhabited) shares maritime borders with Indonesia, Myanmar (Burma) and Thailand and occupies a total land area of around 8,249 square kilometres with a population of 3.81 Lakhs. Andaman islands in the northern part are primarily home to four tribes: Great Andamanese, Onge, Jarawa and Sentinelese. These tribes are believed to have migrated from the African islands thousands of years ago, and most of them survive by hunting wild animals and natural agri-produces. The Sentinelese are the most isolated and reject all contact with outsiders. On the other hand, the Nicobar Islands in the southern part shelter two tribes, namely Nicobarese and Shompen, who might have arrived on the islands several thousand years ago from the Malay-Burma coast. Nicobarese (around one thousand) maintain contact with outsiders and are now converted to Christianity. However, the Shompen are still a relatively isolated tribe surviving by hunting local wildlife and harvesting plants. Many believe they can survive and thrive if their lands and resources are secure. Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal also visited the islands recently and admitted that some stakeholders raised environmental concerns. However, he pointed out that those were already addressed. Inspecting the proposed mega port at Atlanta Bay, Sonowal informed that it's hardly 565 km from Yangon, 765 km from Sittwe, 1000 km from Chittagong and 1100 km from Kolkata. Once the harbour is fully operational, it will drastically reduce the ship travel time to Kolkata from 72 to 15 hours, commented Sonowal. “This is the second time in a matter of months that a group of experts has demanded that the Great Nicobar Island Development Project be scrapped. Anyone with any knowledge of the Shompen and other uncontacted tribes knows that this project would completely destroy them - they simply won’t survive the catastrophic transformation of their island that the Indian government is planning,” said Caroline Pearce adding that no national development project can justify a genocide and hence the tribal rights body urged New Delhi to alter the plans before it is too late. ------ Nava Thakuria is a northeast India-based professional journalist who is an engineering graduate. URL: https://newageislam.com/current-affairs/shompen-tribe-development-justify-genocide/d/132221 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism

Will US Sanctions On Netza Yehuda Of Israeli Army Effectively Curb Human Rights Violations?

By New Age Islam Staff Writer 27 April 2024 Because of violations of human rights in the occupied West Bank, the US is thinking of imposing penalties on the Israeli army's "Netza Yehuda" battalion. If the sanctions are implemented, it will be the first time that the US has punished an Israeli army brigade for human rights violations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed opposition to any sanctions imposed on Israeli military forces. Will the US actually be successful in its consideration? is a question. ------ The US is considering sanctions on the "Netza Yehuda" battalion of the Israeli army, a unit of ultra-orthodox Jewish youth within the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), due to human rights abuses in the occupied West Bank. According to the New York Times, the restrictions may have an impact on one or more Israeli battalions. If sanctions are levied, this will be the first time the US administration has ever done so against an Israeli army battalion for violating human rights. As a result, the battalion will not be eligible to receive military assistance or training from the US. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that he would oppose any sanctions imposed on Israeli military forces for purported human rights violations. The Brief Information About The Netza Yehuda Battalion Formerly known as Nahal Haredi, the 97th Netza Yehuda Battalion is a component of the Kfir Brigade of the Israel Defence Forces. Under Halakha regulations, this unit enables Haredi Jewish males to serve in the IDF as combatants while maintaining their religious views. The battalion's main operational zone is the West Bank. The battalion was formed in 1999 as the result of discussions between the IDF and Haredi educators that lasted eighteen months, under the direction of Rabbi Yitzhak Bar-Chaim of the Netza Yehuda organisation. When Netza Yehuda was formed, it only had thirty soldiers at first. This unit is permanently stationed in the West Bank, unlike other units that move around frequently. It begins its deployment in the Jordan Valley and gradually expands to areas near Jenin, Tulkarm, and Ramallah. The Netza Yehuda now numbers over a thousand guys. The IDF battalion uses a voluntary recruitment process rather than drafts. It recruits fighters from a range of backgrounds, including religious Zionism, ultra-orthodoxy, and Chardal families, in addition to overseas volunteers. For the religious needs of their soldiers, Netzah Yehuda bases carefully abide by Jewish dietary laws. The Kfir Brigade, including the Netza Yehuda Battalion, began participating in the Gaza War in 2024. The battalion is fighting in Lebanon, Syria, and the Gaza Strip. In order to preserve gender segregation and prevent any contacts between men and women that are judged inappropriate, only the wives of soldiers and officers are permitted among women on the Netza Yehuda bases. The slogan of the battalion is "V'haya Machanecha Kadosh," which translates to "And Your camp shall be holy," highlighting the Torah's insistence on cleanliness in a Jewish military camp. It is said that by doing this, one might call upon divine assistance when fighting. Will the United States' idea of punishing the Netza Yehuda battalion truly serve to curb Israeli settler violence? Despite focusing its punishment on Israeli settlers under President Biden, the US is reportedly unable to stop Israeli settler violence against Palestinians. Human Rights Watch (HRW) reports that twenty Palestinian communities in the West Bank have been attacked and forced to leave by Israeli settlers since October 7. The Israeli attacks in Gaza, which have killed over 34,000 people and sparked assertions of genocide, have obscured the forced expulsions of Palestinians and the brutality perpetrated by Israeli settlers. It is a highly odd situation that the US government has decided to denounce Israeli settler violence and stop providing military support to an Israeli army battalion that is involved in serious human rights crimes. The USA supported Israel while it massacred Gazans, severely violating their human rights, under the guise of defence. In recent weeks, Israeli settler violence has increased in spite of media reports that the US was going to punish the unit. The Israeli settlers appear to be well aware that, despite appearing to talk about penalties, the US will essentially do nothing to stop them from employing violence. The US's consideration of imposing punishments on the Netza Yehuda battalion may not effectively prevent Israeli settler violence. There are some reasons. The United States vetoed a resolution to the Security Council that called for the State of Palestine to be granted full UN membership amid the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip. The US decided to maintain tight ties with Israel in spite of its brutality and cruelty in Gaza, going against the wishes of other UN members. It is hard to think the US will actually be able to stop Israeli settler aggression. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is said to have objected to the US action. As close friends, Biden and Netanyahu will not stand in opposition to each other. Israel seems to think that the United States of America won't be able to punish its battalion, since the US president has already stated that he supports Zionist Israel without reservation. URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-west/us-sanctions-netza-yehuda-israeli-army-human-rights/d/132210 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism

The Onus Of Safeguarding A Man's Morality Is Always On A Woman!

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 27 April 2024 Regardless of what a woman will wear Man has an incorrigible habit to stare Dorothy Parker A young Moroccan woman was banned from travelling due to her appearance on a blind dating show wearing a short skirt on a dating show. Many Moroccan women say they are terrified of the fallout (Courtesy, NAI, April 24). The holier-than-thou custodians and crusaders of false and warped morality in Islam will pounce upon this young woman for wearing a short skirt but would love to ogle at a scantily-clad (even better, if she's sky-clad !) woman. Why's Islam so obsessed, nay paranoid, about what a woman should wear in public? It's her choice whether she wants to wear a mini, micro skirt, a fig-leaf or even go au naturel. In Islam, a woman's modesty or immodesty is directly linked to a man's lustfulness or his 'saintliness.' Let me elaborate on it. If she's properly dressed (better, if fully veiled!), men will have no carnal desires. But if she's improperly dressed, Satanic desires will plague them (men)! To cut the matter short, a woman has to dress up in a way that she doesn't arouse a man. Alas, the onus of safeguarding a man's morality and modesty is always on her. If a man is so priapic and sexually so fragile, he'll invariably ravage a woman even if she's wearing decent clothes. Why should a woman be held responsible for a man's flings and sexual capers? Men are generally lewd by nature. And if you don't approve of the word 'lewd', let me say, seldom, if ever, men are indifferent to feminine charm and beauty. Modesty, like beauty, is in the eyes of the beholders. Segregating men and women and imposing all sorts of stultifying restrictions on women will not allow a universal template for morality and modesty to emerge. Rapes in all societies, communities, faiths, races and countries have seldom been linked to women's (read victims) clothes. Innumerable women in India's hinterland are raped every day. Do village women roam around wearing G-strings and thongs to attract and arouse the rapists? Was Nirbhaya, Jyoti Singh Pandey, scantily-clad on the night of December 16, 2012 when she was brutalized on a bus in Delhi? All religions were human constructs and men (gender specific men) laid down the rules and regulations. Men attributed their inherent sexual waywardness to poor women and called them Nark ka Dwaar, Dar-e-Dozakh or Door to hell. Let women wear whatever they want to. Men must know how to control their salivating tongues and other organs. ----- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/onus-safeguarding-morality-woman/d/132209 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism

Manusmriti: The Next Magna Carta?

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 26 April 2024 Sharia Law may be a diminishing threat, unlike Manusmriti. By Ghulam Mohiyuddin 24/04/2024 00:17:52 Mr Ghulam Mohiuddin's apprehension is NOT misplaced. I agree with him in toto. "The casteism of the Manuwadi social system, now formally called the Hindu religion, created an irreparable rift in an otherwise homogenous society, and divided the country on religious grounds, creating Pakistan to the west and present-day Bangladesh to the east. The disunity created by the MS made the country easy prey to foreign invaders such as the Mughals, Dutch, Portuguese, French and the British. Under the British, the country did get united politically and administratively. What is worth noting is that under all the foreign regimes, the pre-ordained social structure remained intact, and the high castes continued to reap the benefits. In fact, they were loyal and obedient, co-operating and supporting all the foreign rulers during their regimes, by occupying crucial offices at all levels, in all departments of governance." From " The Manusmriti and a Divided Nation " by P B Sawant An engraving of King John signing the Magna Carta on June 15, 1215, at Runnymede, England. ------ It's because of Manusmriti, this country has thousands of castes and sub-castes and all have been fighting among themselves for centuries. Reyon Garnett opined that the rigid caste hierarchy in ancient India eventually birthed all sorts of discrimination among humans whether it's today's apartheid, colour consciousness or racial supremacy prevalent in the western world. Though it may be debatable, there's no gainsaying the fact that the caste system, described and extolled in Manusmriti, was the first salvo and the earliest instance of an institutionalized aversion to other groups in a social set up. It sowed the seeds of social discrimination. Manusmriti states that Dharma is the religious and moral law governing individual conduct. Ironically, its caste hierarchy influences individual and social conduct in a skewed manner. Dharma, in its pristine form, underlines equality and egalitarianism (Sarvabhuteshu Param Vidhanam). Where do you find that egalitarianism if you follow Manusmriti ? If the current political dispensation is once again voted in, chances are that Manusmriti will be its Magna Carta or a new rule book. Brace yourself for that! ------ A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/manusmriti-magna-carta/d/132206 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism

Embracing Spiritual Diversity: A Path to Personal and Collective Growth

By Adis Duderija, New Age Islam 25 April 2024 Spirituality, At Its Essence, Is Not A Call For Homogeneity But An Invitation To Embrace The Diversity Within Ourselves And In Others. It Is Through This Acceptance And Celebration Of Diversity That Personal And Collective Growth Flourishes. ------ Spirituality, at its core, is a deeply personal and transformative journey that transcends the bounds of homogeneity. It embraces the richness of diversity, both within ourselves and in others. However, as process-relational theologian Bruce Epperly reminds us, when we fail to acknowledge and embrace the diversity within us, we are often tempted to deny the diversity present in those around us. To truly embark on a spiritual path, we must cultivate openness and acceptance of the multifaceted nature of our own being and extend that same acceptance to others. By doing so, we create an environment where personal and collective growth can flourish. Embracing Diversity within Ourselves Spirituality invites us to explore the depths of our own being, recognizing that we are inherently multifaceted and complex individuals. Within each of us, there exists a tapestry of experiences, emotions, beliefs, and perspectives. Embracing this diversity within ourselves means acknowledging our shadows and light, our strengths and weaknesses, our joys and sorrows. By accepting the diversity within us, we embark on a journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance. We learn to embrace all aspects of our identity, be it cultural, racial, gender-related, or spiritual. This process allows us to integrate our diverse experiences and beliefs, leading to a more authentic and wholehearted existence. The Temptation to Deny Diversity in Others When we deny the diversity within ourselves, we inadvertently create a barrier that hinders our ability to accept diversity in others. This denial stems from a fear of the unknown, a discomfort with the unfamiliar, and a desire to hold on to rigid beliefs and perspectives. It can manifest as prejudice, discrimination, and a reluctance to engage with those who differ from us in any way. Denying diversity in others robs us of the opportunity for meaningful connections and growth. It perpetuates division, fosters misunderstanding, and obstructs the development of empathy and compassion. By succumbing to this temptation, we limit our own personal and collective evolution. The Power of Embracing Diversity Embracing diversity, both within ourselves and in others, is a transformative act that opens doors to personal and collective growth. When we embrace the diverse aspects of our own being, we expand our self-awareness, deepen our understanding of the world, and cultivate a greater sense of empathy and compassion. It allows us to tap into the richness of our experiences, enabling us to contribute more authentically to our communities and the world at large. Likewise, embracing diversity in others nurtures a culture of inclusivity and respect. It widens our perspectives, challenges our preconceived notions, and fosters a sense of interconnectedness. By engaging with individuals who hold different beliefs, come from different backgrounds, and possess unique perspectives, we enrich our own understanding of the human experience. This, in turn, strengthens the social fabric, promotes harmony, and paves the way for a more equitable and compassionate society. Nurturing Openness and Acceptance To cultivate openness and acceptance, we must embark on a continuous journey of self-reflection, education, and dialogue. It involves challenging our own biases, examining our privileges, and actively seeking out diverse perspectives. It requires us to listen deeply, engage in meaningful conversations, and create spaces that celebrate and honour diversity. Additionally, spiritual practices such as mindfulness, meditation, and contemplation can support our efforts to embrace diversity. These practices enable us to cultivate a deeper sense of self-awareness, compassion, and interconnectedness. They help us recognize the inherent value and beauty of every individual, irrespective of their differences. Spirituality, at its essence, is not a call for homogeneity but an invitation to embrace the diversity within ourselves and in others. It is through this acceptance and celebration of diversity that personal and collective growth flourishes. By embarking on a journey of self-discovery, we lay the foundation for fostering empathy, compassion, and understanding. Simultaneously, by extending this acceptance to those around us, we create a world that honours and respects the multiplicity of human experiences. In a world that often struggles with division and polarisation, embracing spiritual diversity becomes an urgent and transformative act. It calls upon us to recognize that our differences are not obstacles but opportunities for growth, connection, and collective flourishing. As we embark on this path, let us remember that true spiritual growth lies in embracing our own diversity and extending a hand of acceptance and understanding to all those we encounter along the way. ---- A decades old patron of New Age Islam, Dr Adis Duderija is a Senior Lecturer in the Study of Islam and Society, School of Humanities, Languages and Social Science; Senior Fellow Centre for Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue, Griffith University | Nathan | Queensland | Australia. His forthcoming books are ( co-edited)- Shame, Modesty, and Honora in Islam and Interfaith Engagement Beyond the Divide (Springer) URL: https://newageislam.com/interfaith-dialogue/embracing-spiritual-diversity-collective-growth/d/132197 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism

An Insight into India's Biggest Political Jamboree

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 25 April 2024 Politics Is the Art of The Possible, Not the Art of The Ideal. Mario Vargas Llosa ----- Peruvian Nobel laureate in Literature (2010), Mario Vargas Llosa's quote, "Politics is the art of the possible, not the art of the ideal," sheds light on the pragmatic nature of politics. Rather than focusing on lofty ideals and utopian visions, Vargas Llosa suggests that successful politicians navigate the complex web of political systems by making strategic decisions based on what is realistically achievable. This quote resonates with the notion that compromise and practicality play crucial roles in the political realm. In order to effectively govern and make progress, politicians must be willing to navigate the realities and limitations of the societies they serve, choosing solutions that are attainable rather than holding onto unattainable ideals. Vargas Llosa's quote serves as a reminder that politics is a practical discipline, requiring leaders to balance competing interests and make decisions that may not align with their personal ideals but are instead aimed at creating the most feasible and desirable outcomes for their constituents. How will you contextualise Llosa's famous quote when elections are going on and politicians are making impossible claims? With due respect to the Latin American great, let me tweak his quote and rewrite it in the Indian context: Politics is the art of the impossible and also an art of manipulating ideals. To quote Ambar Baharaichi, "Ye Sach Hai Rang Badalta Tha Vo Har Ik Lamha/ Magar Vahi Toh Bahut Kaamyaab Chehra Tha" (Granted, he changed his (political) stance every now and then/ Yet, it was the most successful face). You got the insinuation? The political jamboree goes on because it's a Tamasha (charade) in the world's biggest democracy where, "Vo Taza-Dam Hain Nae Sho. Abde Dikhate Hue/ Avaam Thakne Lage Hain Taaliyan Bajate Hue" (Azhar Inayati) They (politicians) are never tired of making and claiming outlandish dreams/ The masses are tired of clapping. At the end of the day, we must remember that "Inn Se Ummeed Na Rakh Hain Ye Siyasat Wale/ Ye Kisi Se Bhi Muhabbat Nahin Karne Wale" (Don't expect anything from them as they're politicians/ These people are close to none). Politicians know how to bribe people, especially during elections. Bashir Badr rightly said, "Mujh Se Kya Baat Likhani Hai Ke Ab Mere Liye/ Kabhi Sone, Kabhi Chaandi Ke Qalam Aate Hain" (What do they want me to write as gold and silver quills are being offered to me). After all, "Samajhne Hi Nahin Deti Siyasat Hum Ko Sachchai/ Kabhi Chehra Nahin Milta, Kabhi Darpan Nahin Milta" (Politics doesn't let us know the truth/ Sometimes, faces are blurred, at times, mirrors are not there). Things are obscure. Future is obfuscated. The current political dispensation is obstinate and obdurate. Let's see what transpires on June 4. I've kept my fingers crossed. Haven't you? ------ A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/insight-india-political-jamboree/d/132196 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism

Biggest Festival of Democracy - Far Eastern Part of Bharat Recorded Impressing Voters’ Participation

By Nava Thakuria, New Age Islam 25 April 2024 As the biggest electoral show on the planet began on 19 April 2024, where 969 million Indian eligible voters start exercising their franchise in the seven-phase polling conducted by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to elect 543 members to the 18th Lok Sabha for the next five years, the far eastern part of Bharat has recorded an impressing voters’ participation. Thousands of nominees from various national and regional political parties (along with some independent candidates) are contesting in the general elections, where the counting of votes in electronic voting machines is scheduled to take place on 4 June next (and results are also expected the same day). Chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar assured the voters of free, fair & peaceful elections and urged them to participate in the biggest festival of democracy (costing New Delhi around Rupees 1,200 billion). A woman carrying a child poses after casting her vote during a re-polling in Imphal West District, Manipur, India, Monday, April 22, 2024. Voters at some polling places in this northeastern state went back to the polls amid tight security on Monday after violence disrupted the vote last week. (AP Photo/Bullu Raj) ------ Leaving aside some stray incidents, the first phase of polling for 102 Parliamentary seats across 17 States and four union territories along with State legislative assemblies of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim in northeast India, concluded peacefully with around 65 percent voter turnout despite heat waves in many places and rain in some other areas. ECI appreciated the nation's diverse electorate who have painted vivid pictures of democracy in action against the backdrop of a largely peaceful and conducive environment. The Constitutional body also added, from bustling city centres to remote villages, the polling stations witnessed a colourful convergence of voters spanning generations and backgrounds, where the polling was seamless, based on meticulous planning and execution by the ECI and its officials on the ground. India with 1.4 billion population (highest on Earth) has a 545-member lower house of Parliament, where two members are nominated by the President from the Anglo-Indian community. Northeast with a population of 60 million sends 25 MPs to Lok Sabha. The upper house of Indian Parliament (Rajya Sabha) has 250 members (including 14 from Northeast) of which 238 are elected by the legislators from the States and UTs. A maximum of 12 members are nominated by the President for their contributions to art, literature, science, social services, etc. Vice-President usually presides over the Rajya Sabha sessions, whereas an elected Speaker runs the show in Lok Sabha. The first phase witnessed around 1,625 candidates (including 134 females) who have sought the mandate from over 166 million voters (including 82 million female, 11,371 third gender and 18 million first-time electorates). Tripura, bordering Bangladesh, recorded the highest voter turnout, where its West Tripura seat witnessed as high as over 80 percent polling. The ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) fielded former State chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb, who is challenged by united opposition candidate Ashish Kumar Saha. The other seat East Tripura will go for polls in the 2nd phase on 26 April along with Manipur, Assam, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Kerala, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Jammu & Kashmir. Meghalaya recorded equally impressive polling where Shillong constituency witnessed over 65% voting and Tura seat went up to 81%. The ruling National People's Party (NPP) candidate Ampareen Lyngdoh is challenging the sitting Congress MP Vincent Pala in Shillong and in Tura, the sitting NPP MP Agatha Sangma faces electoral challenge from Zenith Sangma (All India Trinamool Congress) and Saleng A Sangma (Indian National Congress). Voting in five Parliamentary seats of Assam namely Dibrugarh, Kaziranga, Sonitpur, Lakhimpur and Jorhat also went to polls in the 1st phase where over 75 % voter turnout was recorded. The largest State in the region will witness two more phases of polling for Darrang-Udalguri, Nagaon, Diphu, Silchar and Karimganj seats on 26 April and Guwahati, Barpeta, Kokrajhar and Dhubri on 7 May. In Dibrugarh, central minister Sarbananda Sonowal faces challenges from Manoj Dhanowar (Aam Aadmi Party) and Lurinjyoti Gogoi (Asom Jatiya Parishad, endorsed by the united opposition forum of Assam). In Kaziranga, Rajya Sabha member Kamakhya Prasad Tasa had a direct contest from Congress nominee Roselina Tirkey. Similarly, in Sonitpur (earlier named as Tezpur) BJP candidate Ranjit Dutta is challenged by Congress candidate Prem Lal Ganju and AAP nominee Rishiraj Kaundinya. Among nine candidates in Lakhimpur seat, sitting MP Pradan Barua primarily faces challenges from Congress candidate Uday Shankar Hazarika. Jorhat seat attracted public attention as two sitting MPs contested with high promises. Gaurav Gogoi, who represented Kolibar seat (now delimited) came to Jorhat to challenge the sitting MP Tapan Gogoi, once a student leader before joining the saffron party. Nagaland recorded around 57 % voter’s turnout even after six districts (namely Mon, Longleng, Tuensang, Kiphire, Noklak and Shamator) recorded zero participation of electorates following an appeal by Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization’s (ENPO) to abstain from voting to raise their demand for the Frontier Nagaland Territory. Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party nominee Chumben Murry, who is also endorsed by People’s Democratic Alliance, remains a front runner against the immediate rival S Supongmeren Jamir (Congress). Mizoram also witnessed peaceful polling with around 55 % turnout, where Zoram People's Movement nominee Richard Vanlalhmangaiha was challenged by Mizo National Front candidate K. Vanlalvena, Congress contestant Lalbiakzama and BJP nominee Vanhlalmuaka. Amidst troubles in Inner Manipur constituency, the voter turnout was recorded over 75%, where Congress nominee Angomcha Bimol Akoijam is challenged by BJP candidate Thounaojam Basanta Kumar Singh. Some parts of Outer Manipur seat (polling in remaining areas scheduled for 26 April) also went to polls and reported over 61 % turnout. Kachui Timothy Zimik (Naga People’s Front), who is supported by the BJP, faces Congress candidate Alfred Kanngam S Arthur. Arunachali voters successfully exercised their franchise to elect two MPs and 50 legislators with a turnout of around 67 %. Mentionable is that 10 BJP candidates including State chief minister Pema Khandu and his deputy Chowna Mein were already declared unopposed winners. Union minister Kiren Rijiju faces Congress nominee Nabam Tuki in Arunachal West constituency and sitting saffron MP Tapir Gao has been challenged by Bosiram Siram in Arunachal East seat. Sikkim electorates also voted for 32 legislators along with one MP with more than 67 % turnout. The ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha fielded sitting MP Indra Hang Subba against former Parliamentarian Prem Das Rai (Sikkim Democratic Front), Gopal Chettri (Congress) and Dinesh Chandra Nepal (BJP) for the lone Parliamentary seat. In assembly segments Sikkim CM Prem Singh Tamang, former CM Pawan Kumar Chamling, legendary footballer Bhaichung Bhutia, CM’s wife Krishna Kumari Rai, etc are contesting from respective constituencies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in a road show in Guwahati seeking votes for the NDA nominees. The enthusiastic crowd greeted PM Modi along with Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma as he waved to the onlookers. Union home minister Amit Shah earlier addressed an election rally in Manipur and assured that all problems in the region will be resolved systematically. Shah asserted that the government will prevent any ill motive agenda to break Manipur. BJP national president JP Nadda addressed a poll rally in Kokrajhar in presence of BTR chief Pramod Boro, a number of State ministers and senior AGP leaders. On the other hand, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi campaigned for party candidates in a poll rally organised in Jorhat. The 1st phase voting was also conducted in Tamil Nadu (all 39 Parliamentary seats) and Uttarakhand (for five seats). Similarly, eight out of 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh, 12 out of 25 seats in Rajasthan, three constituencies in West Bengal, six in Maharashtra, four in Bihar, six in Madhya Pradesh, one each in Chhattisgarh, Puducherry, Lakshadweep, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Jammu & Kashmir also went to polls on the same day. Bihar recorded the lowest voter turnout (less than 50%) in this phase, where Uttarakhand reported around 54% turnout, Rajasthan over 56 % and Tamil Nadu around 70 % voter response. Even the violence hit West Bengal reported a better turnout (over 77 %). Despite relentless awareness campaigns by the ECI, various social organisations and news channels, voter turnout continues declining in mainland India. In comparison, the north-eastern States did far better, thanks to a localised campaign by Lok Jagaran Mancha Asom for 100% voter turnout. The Assam-based nationalist forum launched the campaign with printed leaflets, music videos and short plays to inspire the voters to arrive at the polling booths on time and cast their votes with pride and responsibility. ------ Nava Thakuria is a northeast India-based professional journalist who is an engineering graduate. URL: https://newageislam.com/current-affairs/festival-democracy-bharat-voters-northeast/d/132194 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism

War on Palestine - How the World Can Make Israel Behave

By Naseer Ahmed, New Age Islam 24 April 2024 Palestine is a land that is currently under Israeli occupation and is not recognized as an independent state. During the first Nakba in 1947-48, Israel forced Arabs from the mainland into the small Gaza Strip. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Also Read: Israeli Aggression Against Palestine: Connecting The Dots ----------------------------------------------------------------- Representational Photo from the Files -------- Furthermore, the West Bank is being gradually taken over by illegal settlements. Because of the occupation, Israel has a responsibility to protect the people living in these territories. As an occupier, it has no right to wage war against the occupied people. Even if the international community cannot prevent the illegal war that Israel is waging against its own people, it can make it incumbent on them to take reasonable measures to safeguard civilian lives. Here are some possible measures that could be implemented: 1. If Israel wanted to wage war against Hamas alone without harming the civilians, the most straightforward solution was to shift the civilian population into temporary accommodation in Israel. They could have done it in three phases – evacuate North Gaza first, clear it of Hamas and their tunnels, then Central Gaza, followed by South Gaza. This way, not a single innocent life would have been lost. South Africa can move the ICJ to give such a ruling, making it incumbent on Israel to follow such a plan. The UN Security Council can pass a resolution compelling Israel to follow such a procedure. Israel and the US would be hard-pressed to resist such a demand, and even if they resisted, they would be forced to minimise civilian killings, failing which the demand can be made afresh and repeatedly until it becomes impossible for Israel not to heed. Even today, it is not too late, with Israel committed to destroying Rafah or South Gaza. They can be forced to accommodate the Civilian population in Israel until they have a safe home in Gaza to return to. Such a measure prevents the wanton destruction of civil infrastructure because Israel cannot send back its refugees unless there are safe homes in Gaza to send them back. However, the objective of both Israel and the US was to use the war on Hamas as an excuse to carry out genocide, which is why they did what they did. The rest of the world may yet act and prevent the slaughter of more civilians and the greater destruction of homes and other civil infrastructure. 2. Among the rulings South Africa sought from the ICJ, it can make it incumbent on Israel to publish a daily report of its attacks, the number killed by category, and the military objective served by the attack and a similar report from Hamas and a neutral UN observer team in Gaza validating the reports. Every day, we hear reports of at least 20 people killed, 12 of them children, with apparently no military purpose served. Israel openly says that they are punishing the population to force them to rise against Hamas and compel it to release the hostages. This violates the International Human Rights of the innocent civilian population. 3. South Africa can ask the ICJ to make it incumbent on Israel to allow foreign accredited reporters so that the truth is not buried and the war crimes are exposed in real-time for immediate corrective action. 4. Rather than monthly reports on which little action is taken, the ICJ can ask Israel to publish daily reports on its official website giving details of aid allowed into Gaza so that immediate action on any shortfall is possible. 5. Today, Gaza is without hospitals and medicines, and the injured are amputated without anaesthesia or left to die without medical attention. Considering the size of the population of Gaza and the number of people killed and wounded, the ICJ can make it incumbent on Israel to ceasefire the moment the emergency healthcare needs of the population fall below a predetermined threshold. Doctors without Borders can be entrusted with determining when this threshold is breached. This will force Israel to ensure that the hospitals are protected to avoid a ceasefire being forced on them by default. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Also Read: The Emotional Message from the Palestinian Delegate at a UN Session Following the US Veto ------------------------------------------------------------------------- It is imperative that the world take assertive actions to implement the reasonable measures outlined above to hold Israel accountable and avert an even greater catastrophe. ----- A frequent contributor to NewAgeIslam.com, Naseer Ahmed is an Engineering graduate from IIT Kanpur and is an independent IT consultant after having served in both the Public and Private sector in responsible positions for over three decades. He has spent years studying Quran in-depth and made seminal contributions to its interpretation. URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-politics/war-palestine-world-israel-behave/d/132190 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism

Abolish All That's Tangential to Reason and Logic

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 24 April 2024 "He who possesses art and science has religion; he who does not possess them, needs religion." Miguel De Cervantes Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra's quote, "He who possesses art and science has religion; he who does not possess them, needs religion," reflects the profound significance of art and science in our lives. Cervantes suggests that those who possess art and science possess a deeper understanding of the world, which in turn fulfils their spiritual needs. Art and science have the power to elevate our consciousness, providing us with a sense of wonder, purpose, and connection to something larger than ourselves. Conversely, for those who lack exposure to or appreciation for art and science, religion becomes a means to fulfil their spiritual longings. Cervantes asserts that art and science can offer a profound spiritual experience, making religion unnecessary for those who possess them. Steven Weinberg, who shared the 1979 Nobel Prize in Physics with Abdus Salam and Sheldon Glashow, also said the same thing, albeit differently: 'Religion is for the rustic minds.' Just departed atheist philosopher Daniel Dennett (he died on April 19) wrote that " Even if creatively and scientifically advanced individuals remain in the fold of religion and continue to believe in god, they at least question the relevance and validity of religion and its weird ideas and postulations." The best examples being two Renaissance men, Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo. Though both never called themselves atheists and died as Christians, they disliked the interference of religion and called it an 'unnecessary appendage' (Kentana in medieval Italian). Da Vinci observed that artistically challenged individuals with no scientific inclination would be drawn to faith and prayers. His biographer Walter Isaacson wrote that Da Vinci never prayed in life, though it's debatable. Point is: Relatively evolved brains aren't in need of religion. Cervantes (1547-1616) himself never believed in god and religion and he even wrote a paper (later destroyed by his mistress) doubting the authenticity of the Gospels. He even doubted the existence of Jesus. It must be mentioned that Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Cervantes among others were all Renaissance men. They were centuries ahead of their time/s. Don't we require yet another Renaissance to abolish all that's tangential to reason, logic and scientific temperament? Alas, there's a dire dearth of evolved and maverick (in a positive sense) minds all over the world. Turkish poet Nazim Hikmat aptly said, " The world needs a 'volcanic revolution' (Epra Noita in Turkish) to wipe out all 'divine' doubts and so-called 'truths.' ------ A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/abolish-tangential-reason-logic/d/132189 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism

Reading Is a Transforming Process; It Humanises Humans

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 23 April 2024 Be-Raunaq Hai Zindagi Us Ki Kitabon Se Nahin Dosti Jis Ki ----- Ibtida Ye Hai Ki Main Tha Aur Daava Ilm Ka Intiha Ye Hai Ki Iss Daave Pe Sharmaya Bahut Jagan Nath Azad In the beginning, I was there with a (false and audacious) claim to knowledge/ Towards the fag-end of life, I'm terribly ashamed (to have made such a claim) April 23rd World Book and Copyright Day ----- On The World Book and Copyright Day, April 23, seeing an endless treasure-trove of books and volumes, one's reminded of Jagan Nath Azad's aforementioned couplet and bemoans, alas, I know so little! By the way, 23 April is a symbolic date in world literature. It is the date on which several prominent authors, William Shakespeare, Miguel de Cervantes and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega all died. This date was a natural choice for UNESCO's General Conference, held in Paris in 1995, to pay a world-wide tribute to books and authors on this date, encouraging everyone to access books. Reading has no substitute. The Quran begins with the Arabic word Iqra (Read). Books, not holy books, have enriched the world, emancipated humans and ennobled minds. "I read and write even with one eye and an impaired vision because I'll cease to exist if I don't read," Salman Rushdie recently said in an interview to The NY Times. Fortunate are those who're inclined towards books right from their childhood. This habit stays till the end. But most of the people have to cultivate this habit of reading. To quote Tom Altar (yes, he was an Urdu poet and spoke impeccable Urdu), "Kitaab Bhale Hi Na Padho, Chhookar Toh Dekho/ Ik Na Ik Din Muhabbat Ho Jayegi" (No matter if you don't read, at least, touch a book/ One day, you may fall in love with it) or Nazar Shikarpuri, "Kitab Haath Mein Liye Phira Karo/ Shayad Kisi Din Padhne Bhi Lag Jaao" (Carry a book all the time even if you don't read/ No wonder, if one day, you start reading!). The critics of reading may say that reading is escapism: Naakaam Koshish Ki Gham-E-Zindagi Ko Bhoolne Ki/ Bazaar Se Kitab Khareed Laaya Athanni Ki (In order to forget the sufferings of life/ I bought a book from the market for fifty paise). Those who dislike reading, often quote this couplet in their defence but they forget that a cheap book will also have contents worth fifty paise! Read a good book and your life will undergo a sea-change. So much has been written in so many languages that even a diehard bibliophile cannot read more than one percent. A drop of ink may make a million think. Even if you don't have time and inclination to read the Bard of Avon's oeuvre in archaic English, read the siblings Charles and Mary Lamb's Shakespeare Simplified (Tales from Shakespeare) intended 'for the use of young persons.' You'll be transported to a different realm. Read Jalaluddin Rumi's one book, or at least one poem, attentively, wisdom is bound to descend on the reader. Read Gabriel Garcia Marquez. His magic realism will cast a magical spell on you. His One Hundred Years of Solitude and Love in the Time of Cholera will revolutionise your thinking. Reading humanises us because it's a transforming process. To read is to feed; feed the mind. Of late, we've become violent and cantankerous because we've stopped reading. Let alone reading a book, most of us, don't even subscribe to a newspaper. Instead, what we read is sheer garbage on the social media, couched in grammarless language. This is pathetic, to say the least. Remember, Gulzar Dehlavi's famous couplet, "Be-Raunaq Hai Zindagi Us Ki / Kitabon Se Nahin Dosti Jis Ki" (Life is lacklustre who's not friends with books). So, befriend books. They'll never let you down. ---- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/reading-transforming-humanises-humans/d/132184 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism

On Religious Fanaticism and Passionate Intensity

By Naseer Ahmed, New Age Islam 22 April 2024 “Much of what is greatest in human achievement involves some element of intoxication, some sweeping away of prudence by passion. Without the Bacchic element, life would be uninteresting; with it, it is dangerous. Prudence versus passion is a conflict that runs through history. It is not a conflict in which we ought to side wholly with either party.” Bertrand Russell Nat Turner in Gaza - The story as told by Norman Finkelstein (Norman Finkelstein is the author of “Gaza: An Inquest into Its Martyrdom.” This story first appeared on Norman Finkelstein’s Official Substack). “In 1831, a slave named Nat Turner organized an insurrection in Virginia. It proved to be the largest slave revolt in American history. Turner hoped to stir the whole slave population into action but could only enlist 70 others. It’s unknown whether Turner expected to achieve a military victory or, short of that, force a national reckoning with slavery. (Photo: The Daily Guardian) ------ He exhorted his fellow insurrectionists to “kill all the white people.” (It appears that he intended to spare women, children and surrendering men once the insurrection gained a firm foothold.) The unfolding scene was ghastly: babies decapitated, other whites disembowelled and hacked to pieces. With only the rarest exception, for 48 hours, no white in their tracks was spared the slaves’ accumulated wrath and fury. Some 60 whites perished: “whole families, fathers, mothers, daughters, sucking babes and school children butchered, thrown into heaps, and left to be devoured by hogs and dogs or to putrefy on the spot.” (Turner himself, it seems, displayed forbearance. He killed only one person.) In the course of quelling the rebellion, whites randomly murdered and mutilated some 120 Blacks “in ways that witnesses refused to describe,” often severing heads and mounting them on poles as a portent “to all those who should undertake a similar plot.” A biographer of Turner (Stephen Oates, “The Fires of Jubilee”) observes that his “rage” sprang from the “prodigious chasm” that separated his talents and aspirations – by all accounts, Black as well as White, he was a match for any White man’s wits – and the slave’s fate which Turner was born into and to which he was consigned for his terrestrial existence. Possessed of a “prodigious knowledge of the Bible,” Turner was a religious zealot. He contrived that God ordained his bloody revolt, he was the vehicle and executor of God’s will, and God had sanctioned his actions. But it’s also true that he found in scripture a “rational” vision of divine retribution and earthly redemption that resonated with his plight. After the insurrection was repressed, Turner’s rage was ascribed by whites to his religious delirium to obscure the slave uprising’s real taproot: not “fanatical delusion” but the system of bondage that stoked the flames for vengeance. White Southerners, Oates muses, “had to believe that the insurrection sprang from religious fanaticism, which had bewildered and deranged Nat’s mind and had led him and his “band of savages” to commit atrocities beyond the capacity of ordinary slaves. whites could not blame the rebellion on their slave system – they were too much a part of it to do that.” Whites demonized Turner after his death, the honourable exception being the White Abolitionists. William Lloyd Garrison, editor of the anti-slavery Liberator, championed moral suasion to win the public over to manumission. Yet, whereas he stated that the “excesses” of Turner’s revolt could not be justified and that he was “horror-struck at the late tidings,” Garrison conspicuously did not condemn the slave revolt. Instead, he railed against the hypocrisy of those who sang paeans to the sanguinary struggles for liberty then being fought out in Europe but who fell deathly silent when it came to the enslaved, lacerated Black population in their midst. It took uncommon courage to take Garrison’s stand. A $5,000 price was put on his head in North Carolina, while Georgia offered the same amount to anybody who would kidnap him and drag him for trial. The “radical” podcasting universe of our day wouldn’t risk two “likes” and one “share.” Even as none contested the gruesome facts of the rebellion, Southern Blacks did not recoil in horror at Turner’s name. On the contrary: “He became a legendary Black hero … enshrined in an oral tradition that still flourishes today. They regard Nat’s rebellion as the ‘First War’ against slavery and the Civil War as the second. So in death, Nat achieved a kind of victory denied him in life – he became a martyred soldier of slave liberation who broke his chains and murdered whites because slavery had murdered Negroes.” Oates wrote the above words in 1973. In 1988, a book on Turner’s life (introduced by Coretta Scott King) was selected for inclusion in children's “Black Americans of Achievement” biography series. By now, Nat Turner occupies an honoured place in American history. The Story of John Brown Similarly, slavery abolitionist John Brown imagined himself the instrument of God's will, and he had that crazed look in his eyes. And guess what? He's among the most honoured figures in American history. He's probably one of the only figures after whom a song was written, “John Brown's Body”. And that was sung by the Union Army troops during the Civil War: “John Brown's body lies a-mouldering in the grave…” The Story of Gaza The 2,000 young men who burst the gates of Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023, had been born into a concentration camp. For fully two decades they had been immured in a 25-mile long by 5-mile-wide sliver of land that was among the most densely populated places in the world. The vast majority of them could never hope to leave but only to pace each day the camp’s suffocating perimeter; never aspire to gainful employment or eat a full meal; never expect to marry or raise a family. Abandoned by everyone, they were “remaindered” to languish and die. To expedite this process, Israel periodically launched “operations” visiting death and destruction on Gaza: thousands methodically mowed down; homes and critical infrastructure systematically pulverized. It might sound like the script of a bad B-movie, but on the night of Oct. 6, each of those 2,000 men probably kissed his mother, then his father, goodbye. Forever. And then each silently vowed to vindicate the remorseless torture of a twilight existence and to avenge the murder of a grandparent, sister, brother, niece, or nephew by that satanic power that cursed their lives. Dolores Ibarruri, La Passionaria, famously exhorted during the Spanish Civil War, “Better to die on your feet than live forever on your knees.” If we honour Nat Turner’s slave revolt, and John Brown’s armed resistance to slavery, if we honour the Jews who revolted in the Warsaw Ghetto—then moral consistency commands that we honour the heroic resistance in Gaza. “The owl of Minerva spreads its wings only with the falling of the dusk. One only acquires wisdom into an epoch with the ripeness of time”, Hegel famously said. It’s still high noon, and thus, it's too soon to resolve what verdict history will cast on the slave revolt in Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023. ----- A frequent contributor to NewAgeIslam.com, Naseer Ahmed is an Engineering graduate from IIT Kanpur and is an independent IT consultant after having served in both the Public and Private sector in responsible positions for over three decades. He has spent years studying Quran in-depth and made seminal contributions to its interpretation. URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/religious-fanaticism-passionate/d/132179 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism

Jamal Ehsani: Everyone's Poet-Cum-Shrink

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 22 April 2024 Years ago, when I was learning Urdu, my Urdu teacher suggested that I should begin with 'light' poetry and gradually upgrade myself to 'serious' poetry. He suggested that I must begin with Jamal Ehsani's poetry. Jamal Ehsani was born on April 21 ----- Jamal Ehsani (جمال احسانی) was a Pakistani poet noted for his work in the ghazal form and was a favourite poet in the student's circle of Urdu literature. He was born on April 21, 1951. Jamal's Shayari strikes a rapport with the readers and listeners. He advises but doesn't preach. Here's a couplet which is very useful to those who're unable to forget their beloved after a break-up: Yaad Rakhna Hi Muhabbat Mein Nahin Hai Sab Kuchh/ Bhool Jaana Bhi Badi Baat Hua Karti Hai (Remembering is not the alpha and omega in love/ Forgetting is no less a part of it). Jamal Ehsani's poetry is not unnecessarily embellished. One of his couplets makes the objective of his poetry clear: Sajna-Sanwarna Hai Unhin Ka Kaam/ Husn Khuda Ne Jinhein Diya Hai Thoda Kam (Only those who're not that pretty, often resort to extra make-up and embellishments). So very true! "Jin Ke Paas Kahne Ko Kam Hota Hai/ Unhin Ki Shayari Mein Dariya-E-Alfaaz Bahta Hai" (Those who don't have much to say/ Often the river of words flows through their poetry). Despite being very popular, his poetry had a ring of exclusiveness: Khud Jise Mehnat-Mashaqqat Se Banata Hoon 'Jamaal' / Chhod Deta Hoon Woh Rasta Aam Ho Jaane Ke Ba'ad (The road I construct with diligence/ I leave that once it becomes free for all). Some sort of a glory of solitude (Hashmat-e-Tanhai) is discernible to those who read his poetry between the lines. His 'sympathy' even for his Raqeeb (rival suitor) is admirable: Ye Kaun Aane-Jaane Laga Hai Uss Gali Mein Ab/ Ye Kaun Meri Dastan Dohrane Wala Hai (Who has begun to visit that alley/ He's likely to repeat my (sad) story). His empathy for all moves you: Uss Ek Chhote Se Qasbe Pe Rail Thahari Nahin/ Wahan Bhi Chand Musafir Utarne Wale Thay (The train didn't halt at that small station/ There were passengers who wanted to get down at that place) or this one, "Uss Ne Baarish Mein Khidki Khol Ke Dekha Nahin/ Bheegne Walon Ko Kal Kya-Kya Pareshani Hui (She didn't open her window during the rains/ How miserably drenched people suffered). One of his very touching couplets is a paean to all mothers: Maaein Darwazon Par Hain/ Baarish Hone Wali Hai (Mothers are anxiously at the doors/ It's about to rain). His poetry is also very practical as he's not too emotional: Ek Aadmi Se Tark-E-Marasim Ke Ba'ad Ab/ Kya Uss Gali Se Koi Guzarna Bhi Chhod De? (After severing all ties with a person/ Should one stop passing through his/her lane?). His name Jamaal means beauty. There's a different kind of dignified beauty in Jamal's poetry which's very endearing and also enduring. Reading Jamal is a soothing as well as educative experience. You needn't visit a shrink for your psychological issues. Just read his poetry and you'll feel good from within. He's everyone's poet-cum-shrink. ---- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/jamal-ehsani-poet-cum-shrink/d/132178 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism

Israeli Aggression Against Palestine: Connecting The Dots

By Asad Mirza, New Age Islam 20 April 2024 The On-Going Conflict In Palestine Has Revealed The Intricate Cobweb Of False Promises, Ambiguous Stands And False Jubilations By The Western Nations On Adopting A Hollow UN Resolution. ----- (Photo: Opinio Juris) ------ As the Israeli aggression against Palestine entered its seventh month, the world witnessed a number of unrelated events or proclamations adopted by the western powers to get the genocide stopped in Palestine. Though at the first glance, most of these incidents seems unrelated but at closer scrutiny we find that these are related to one another and are playing or may play a definitive role in getting the conflict resolved. Let’s try to analyse and see for ourselves how these unrelated incidents are related and have a bearing on the on-going conflict. The first event, on the last day of March saw at the ground level the increasing protests against the Benjamin Netanyahu-led government in Israel. On 30th March, tens of thousands of Israelis gathered across Tel Aviv and other occupied cities for protests against their Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. For the first time, the families of the Israeli prisoners being held by the resistance in Gaza, who normally hold separate rallies, joined the massive crowds of anti-government protesters – whose movement initially started with the prime minister’s controversial judicial overhaul initiative last year. After nearly six months of war, hostages’ families join with anti-government rallies Demonstrators also clashed with police in Jerusalem, where around 200 rampaged through police barricades in order to protest outside Netanyahu’s home in the occupied holy city. In occupied Caesaria, protesters were arrested while cutting off roads near the prime minister’s residence. Protests erupted in a number of other occupied cities, including Sderot, Or Akiva, and Beersheba. These were the largest demonstrations since the outbreak of the war on 7 October, The Times of Israel reported. Secondly, this contrasts with the continued US support to Israel on the one hand and its diplomatic and political overtures on the continuing conflict. Historically, there has been broad bipartisan support in the US for Israel. But the situation in Gaza has evolved into divided opinion, in the US - a significant section of Americans is now critical of both Israel’s action, and the full US backing for it. Though at the ground level US president Joe Biden seems to be supporting the Israeli government but at the political level, he is seen trying hard to win over the Muslim population and even the younger American population who stand against the Israeli aggression, and who mat tilt the scales against him in the presidential elections. Despite an overall disapproval rate of 57% among registered voters towards President Biden's handling of the conflict, it is particularly noteworthy that young voters express the strongest objections. A recent The Times/Siena survey reveals that a significant 72% of voters aged 18-29 disapprove of President Biden's efforts in managing the situation. Thirdly, due to this reason the US felt it was politically prudent to not use its veto to block the call for an immediate ceasefire at the United Nations. In fact, only a couple of days earlier, the US itself had sought to move a resolution calling for a ceasefire and release of hostages, which was vetoed by Russia, which found some of the language unacceptable. We should also note that historically, the United States has provided significant political support to Israel, frequently exercising its veto power at the United Nations Security Council. Out of a total of 83 instances where the US has used its veto power, 42 were used to block resolutions condemning Israel. Between 1991 and 2011, of the 24 vetoes cast by the United States, 15 were specifically employed to shield Israel from censure. However this time, US and Biden administration has not backed Israel and allowed the resolution to pass. Politically, to rally the Muslim population to his campaign, Biden held a fund raising event in New York to target the Muslim/Arab Americans voters along with former presidents Bill Clinton and Barrack Obama. Perhaps thinking foolishly that Hussein Obama may be able to win over the Arab Americans. But in reality demonstrators harangued the trio. Winning over Arab Americans is important in the context of the presidential election in November. For President Joe Biden, the Arab and Muslim vote, as well as the vote from the Democratic Party’s left wing, are crucial - and these voters have been critical of Israel. Swing states like Michigan and Wisconsin (both of which were won by Biden in 2020) have significant Muslim populations, and will be crucial for the President in his likely re-match with Donald Trump. Also, many Arab countries, some of which are important partners to the US, are growing increasingly concerned at Israel’s actions. In reality, the US has taken this position at the UN in a very specific situation. Its leaders remain invested in the broader US-Israel relationship. They do not identify all of Israel with Netanyahu, whose relations with the current US administration have deteriorated significantly. Earlier this month, Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer described Netanyahu as an obstacle to peace, and called for early elections in Israel - this is the line that the Democrats are taking, distancing themselves from the ruling dispensation and their political choices, but not necessarily from Israel. So Biden’s outreach to American Muslims and the US’ support to the UN resolution, should not be seen in isolation, but together, as a ploy by Biden to win over his supporters and critics. In addition, young American voters, who see this war as unnecessary and criticise Biden and Democrats for it, also have to be won over by Biden. Meanwhile, hours after Biden's early-April statement, the Washington Post reported that his government had signed off on additional bombs and warplanes for Israel in recent days worth billions of dollars. This shows the real face of the US-Israel relationship. When we start connecting the dots then we realise that come what may, US will continue to support Israel overtly and covertly, and foil any plans, which might be able to establish peace in the region. As the ME region on the boil serves the trade, defence and political aims of the US. ----- Asad Mirza is a Delhi-based senior political and international affairs commentator URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-politics/israeli-aggression-palestine/d/132171 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism