Thursday, December 31, 2009

Of bells and minarets

Written by René Guitton

When Jerusalem was conquered in 635 AD, the second caliph Omar Ibn Al-Khattab refused to pray in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, despite an invitation from the Christian patriarch Sophronius, for fear that his men invoke the precedent to turn the place of worship into a mosque and thus deprive the Christians of their right to freely practice their religion.

Although 1,400 years have passed, people were sometimes more civilised and more tolerant then than in our modern world, where passions and tensions seem to have translated into a return of fanaticism and religious intolerance.

The example set by Omar, the inventor of dhimmitude, the code governing the life of non-Muslims under Islamic law, is symbolic of the covenant bearing his name, which granted the "People of the Book" (a term which refers to Jews and Christians) the right to live on Muslim-majority or Muslim-ruled lands and possess their own places of worship.

Is it possible to imagine Jerusalem, Aleppo, Cairo, Baghdad, Damascus, Tunis, Algiers, Casablanca, without their lace-like filigree of church towers, minarets and sometimes synagogue cupolas soaring up to the sky like so many ladders guiding the prayers of the faithful up to their God?

The complicated Middle East of bygone eras provides a simple lesson for today, one that it sometimes finds hard to follow because it finds itself riddled by deep contradictions and attempts toward religious uniformity. This situation, which has been exemplified by Switzerland on 29 November, 2009 with the adoption of a law prohibiting the construction of minarets on its soil, risks promoting a rejection of the "other" and the unconditional right to pray as one chooses.

The incident would be trivial if it were not, in a sense, tragic. It is difficult to fathom how Switzerland, a country that prides itself in its centuries-old neutrality, could feel that its existence and culture are threatened by the construction of minarets. Regardless of the factors inspiring the bill, many feel its results primarily expressed a rejection of Islam and the right of Muslims to practice their rites freely wherever they live.

However, the Swiss referendum results do not only affect Muslims, although they are its main victims. It also risks institutionalising the so-called "clash of civilisations", leaving it up to citizens, or their elected representatives, to decree lifestyles and mindsets as a function of demographic majorities.

With this type of reasoning, a ban on the construction of minarets in countries where non-Muslims constitute the majority could also apply to the construction of churches or synagogues in Muslim-majority countries. In this regard, ethno-religious uniformity and viewing religion as a monolith risks reviving the post-Reformation concept of one people, one country, one religion, in which the ruler's religion determined that of a country's.

The absurd application of this principle is responsible for the disappearance of the time when Spain was known for its three religions, when the Jews and Moriscos (Muslims forced to convert to Christianity and suspected of doing so in name only) were expelled at the time of the Renaissance, a move that resulted in the spiritual and material impoverishment of the Iberian Peninsula.

The same principle inspired many a totalitarian regime in the modern era, in an effort to remove any spiritual element that might threaten their rule. The same principle is again at work today in many regions of the planet where being a member of a minority is synonymous with inequality.

Those who reject the construction of minarets in Switzerland do not realise that they could be viewed in the future like those who burnt synagogues or destroyed churches in what was known as the Fertile Crescent, or elsewhere. It is worth recalling that whenever a community is threatened, be it Jewish, Christian, Muslim, agnostic or atheist, others could be threatened too.

The spiral is now set in motion and could wreak its horrendous effects unless we stand up to reaffirm that the pre-eminent dignity of every human being, and the right for every person of faith to pray to his or her God as he or she sees fit, are not subject to a building permit. The minarets of Geneva are worth as much as the bells of Basel. Now is the time for one and all to remember this.

(René Guitton, a writer and essayist, is a member of the Alliance of Civilizations and has recently been awarded the 2009 Human Rights Prize.)

Monday, December 28, 2009

Time for justice & rule of law

Marium (Mary): As mentioned in Quran

Marium (Mary), daughter of 'Imran
[3. Surah Aal-e-Imran : Ayah 35,36]

"(Remember) when the wife of 'Imran said: My Lord! I have vowed unto Thee that which is in my belly as a consecrated (offering). Accept it from me. Lo! Thou, only Thou, art the Hearer, the Knower! And when she was delivered she said: My Lord! Lo! I am delivered of a female - Allah knew best of what she was delivered - the male is not as the female; and lo! I have named her Mary, and lo! I crave Thy protection for her and for her offspring from Satan the outcast."

[3. Surah Aal-e-Imran : Ayah 37]

"So her Lord accepted her with a good acceptance and made her grow up a good growing, and gave her into the charge of Zakariya; whenever Zakariya entered the sanctuary to (see) her, he found with her food. He said: O Marium! whence comes this to you? She said: It is from Allah. Surely Allah gives to whom He pleases without measure."


[3. Surah Aal-e-Imran : Ayah 42,43]

"And when the angels said: O Marium! surely Allah has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of of the world. O Marium! keep to obedience to your Lord and humble yourself, and bow down with those who bow."


[3. Surah Aal-e-Imran : Ayah 45-48]

"When the angels said: O Marium, surely Allah gives you good news with a Word from Him (of one) whose name is the '. Messiah, Isa son of Marium, worthy of regard in this world and the hereafter and of those who are made near (to Allah). And he shall speak to the people when in the cradle and when of old age, and (he shall be) one of the good ones. She said: My Lord! when shall there be a son (born) to I me, and man has not touched me? He said: Even so, Allah creates what He pleases; when He has decreed a matter, He only says to it, Be, and it is. And He will teach him the Book and the wisdom and the Tavrat and the Injeel."

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Isa (Jesus), son of Marium (Mary)

Isa (Jesus), son of Marium
[3. Surah Aal-e-Imran : Ayah 59]

"Surely the likeness of Isa (alaihi salaam) is with Allah as the likeness of Adam (alaihi salaam); He created him from dust, then said to him, Be, and he was."

[19. Surah Marium : Ayahs 34,35]

"Such is Isa (alaihi salaam), son of Marium; (this is) the saying of truth about which they dispute. It beseems not Allah that He should take to Himself a ! son, glory to be Him; when He has decreed a matter He only says to it "Be," and it is."



[4. Surah Nisaa : Ayah 171]

"O followers of the Book! do not exceed the limits in your religion, and do not speak (lies) against Allah, but (speak) the truth; the Messiah, Isa (alaihi salaam) son of Marium is only an apostle of Allah and His Word which He communicated to Marium and a spirit from Him; believe therefore in Allah and His apostles, and say not, Three. Desist, it is better for you; Allah is only one God; far be It from His glory that He should have a son, whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth is His, and Allah is sufficient for a Protector."


[5. Surah Al-Maidah : Ayah 110]


"When Allah will say: O Isa (alaihi salaam) son of Marium! Remember My favor on you and on your mother, when I strengthened you I with the holy Spirit, you spoke to the people in the cradle and I when of old age, and when I taught you the Book and the wisdom and the Taurat and the Injeel; and when you determined out of clay a thing like the form of a bird by My permission, then you breathed into it and it became a bird by My permission, and you healed the blind and the leprous by My permission; and when you brought forth the dead by My permission; and when I withheld the children of Israelfrom you when you came to them with clear arguments, but those who disbelieved among them said: This is nothing but clear enchantment. "

Friday, December 25, 2009

Mohammad Ali Jinnah

DOUBLE CLICK to read.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Who Will Fill The Void? « Naveen Naqvi

Who Will Fill The Void? « Naveen Naqvi

My Comments:

Mohsin Meer on December 24, 2009 said:

What is the existing situation and what will be the future scenario counts. What “should have been or what should be” has no significance in “real world”!

My short political predictions;

1) This is the last PPP government and end of PPP’s major role in Pakistan’s mainstream politics.

2) PML(N) may make next “coalition government” with MQM as a major ally. PML(N) has no moral or political edge over PPP but one man – Shabaz Sharif – will be the winning factor. (read again – Shabaz Sharif and not the Nawaz Sharif) PML(N) san Shabaz Sharif – a man with a solid character and undeniable deliverables – will have a same fate as PPP. So they should pray for his health and life.

3) MQM has no danger to get weaker or vanish despite what type of leader they have. His followers are “better” than leader in all arenas where their leader “excel”. So no one can snatch their “Catch 22″ MNA seats – a good enough diving borad for “Muthaida Muhajir” interests. But they should stop day dreaming of ruling Pakistan single-handedly for their heinous past crimes against Punjabis in Karachi. They may not even be able to win a single seat in Punjab despite their current success of winning one in Azad Kashmir by the ballot votes of Kashmiris living in Karachi. (who can even dare to defeat Mafia in their HQ?)

4) Mullas of any type have no future in politics in near future or even in far future. They may win few seats here and there in their stronghold pockets of illiteracy belt areas and these seats will be good enough for their “bread & buttered halwa”.

5) All the above is good until 2016 and 2017 elections will be the “Elections for Change.”

So until then “enjoy” the “intellectual debates” and as Sana coined – “right noises”.

In Urdu press, I just like few columnists and Athar Masood is one of them

History's Wheel will only move forward!

Double Click to enlarge this column

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Corruption is now the buzzword

Corruption is now the buzzword

My Comments: I was always highlighting Corruption as a main ingredient of the recipe called Rotten Muslims. It is not only specific to one Muslim country but spread over all Muslim world. That does nor mean it does not exist or is somewhat lesser in non-Muslim world. But the irony is Muslims as flag bearer of Islam were supposed to be role model of Honesty and carrier of high moral and ethical values. Alas, Muslims have stopped following Islam and became a stigma on Islam's fame of a Divine Guidance. They are not themselves not benefiting from Islam but stopping world to benefit from it by portraying themselves as a Nuisance to humanity - "wrongly thanks to Islam". They have betrayed ALLAH and HIS prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by not fulfilling their assigned double roles - practice Islam and become a role model to guide the Nations. We are off the track and how we can ask world to come on track and follow Islam. So more and more Chaos waiting for "Muslim World" and thanks to Muslims for the rest of World. Mankind on decline and arriving on the As fala Safileen (worst of the worst) stage. Any hope? yes, if we all repent collectively (individual and isolated piousness will not work at this stage) and come back on Right Path and then lead the world by Divine Guidance (Quran & Prophet's teachings) so humanity can be saved from disastrous end.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

"Everything is amazing and nobody is happy" - [Video][Strongly Recommended] - Mohsin's posterous

"Everything is amazing and nobody is happy" - [Video][Strongly Recommended] - Mohsin's posterous

My Comments: Thank u for sharing. Very amusing & same time very alarming-no one is happy despite all the best we can afford. Happiness has been lifted. A very scarce commodity. Few fortune ones still have the last stocks. You seem to be the one of most lucky people on Earth. Keep on enjoying life to full extent. But maintain the balance.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

A Reluctant Mind: Zaid Hamid wants you, yes YOU!

A Reluctant Mind: Zaid Hamid wants you, yes YOU!

My Comments:

Blogger 2 Tok said...

People like "Zaid Hamid" are God's punishment for a corrupt, lazy, inefficient, selfish and illiterate by choice nation. And no doubt, he has a big follower ship and come on prime time tv shows. May ALLAH does not show any mercy to this nation and have lot more "Islamic Renaissance" champions. They "will" bring back the GLORY of Muslims as they are one of those "Muslim Visionaries" who can't see beyond their nose but still claim to know all about Zionists are planning but have no idea of who is planning to bomb near his house to kill innocents. He should focus more on in-house Muslim "Zionists" than re-mixing and presenting stale old stale Zionist conspiracies against Muslims - who are their own best enemies and don't need an outside enemy to damage and destroy them. They are self-sufficient for this "unholy" task.

10 December 2009 18:17

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Undefined Destination. « Opening Hira's Life..

Undefined Destination. « Opening Hira's Life..

My Comments:

Questions are very simple and with the good intention to have answers to ensure we are on right track and not lost - so end of the day - love's labor not lost.

so the answers should be also confusion free and as plain as questions asked in good intention and not with the intention to brag on "wisdom".

so let's address Hira Zainab's self-probing questions;

:

* What’s your say about significance of ‘defined’ destinations in our life? What difference, in your view point, can make in one’s life and in one’s journey?

{{{{{we all are lost until GOD by HIS special grace put us on HIS RIGHT path, we do our best or our "friend" Satan do his best by constant whispering in our heart that forget Emotional Intelligence and Enjoy life by all means and this way we overlook our "defined" destination - we came from HIM and we are destined towards HIM. If we all "realize" this - the Earth will become Heaven.}}}}}

* What do you think of ‘destination‘ of Pakistani nation? Is it defined or is it not? In either ways, what’s the reason behind your conclusion?

{{{{{Pakistan's destination depends on our determined destination - If we - majority of Pakistanis are lost, Pakistan is a lost case too - and it is at the moment}}}}}

* Have you ever tried figuring out destination of YOUR journey? What hurdles did or do you face in this effort?

{{{{{When I am a lost soul, I never think of Destination. The lost person can't see beyond his nose - so how he/she could be "such a Visionary"? Hurdles are all the hurdles we make in our way to Recognize our self - who I am? what is my role? Who is my master? Where I can get guidance for successful journey of life? Who can best tell me my Destination? No one other than our Creator and ONE WHO is waiting for us on culmination of Destination to welcome us and entertain and reward us if were not a Lost Soul and tried to figure out and then marched on the RIGHT PATH to THE DESTINATION. Those are the successful souls and QURAN is the best GUIDANCE BOOK to guide you the right path and right destination. The rest are distracting noises - to keep you astray and hide the Destination. All will reach the Destination somehow but mostly as blind losers and to an ultimate shock - they were lost all this time. May ALLAH keep us on RIGHT PATH to the destination with HIS blessing - reserved for those who follow - HIS GUIDANCE. Aámen!}}}}}

Monday, December 7, 2009

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Cafe Pyala: Winning Hearts and Minds?

Cafe Pyala: Winning Hearts and Minds?

1 comments:

2 Tok said...

They may be innocent or naive as they sound but they are paying the price of their bad fellow muslims responsible for 9/11 & 07/07 bombings. Now all Muslims especially Pakistani origin Muslims are suspects world over. No one in world trusts them any more. We can't blame the world opinion about us since our own house is in disorder and we are not doing any thing constructive to fix the damage done. Hai Jurme Zaeefi ki saza Marg e Mufajat and we are not only weak but criminals also - one showing connivance to a crime is equally criminal. We were silent or playing selfish when these terrorists were In-Making and even supported or voted those who were supporting these Monsters in Making. So this student's arrest or deportation is a very little price we are paying but with a big fuss - we are innocents. Not sure how innocents we are, but quite sure we - Pakistanis- are the best of Hypocrites specie ever existed in known history. We should honestly repent our past mistakes and then prove to world by our actions that we have taken a fresh start and can be trusted in future. It is easy to say, but are we ready? Nay! I can see herd of black sheeps waving their head saying - No way - our way is the ZARdari way.

Lamhon ne khata ki.
Sadion ne saza pai.


(Mistake committed at the spur of a moment proved to be a curse and punishment for centuries.)

Army of Frankensteins « Naveen Naqvi

Army of Frankensteins « Naveen Naqvi

My "non-sense" comments after reading 20 other "sensible" comments in above linked article of my favorite Naveen Naqvi:

I was looking for a solution. Finally found here in your concluding note in reference to DAWN editorial.

*There are no good/bad Talibans. And as Timothy simply suggested kill all Monsters before they kill Pakistan. But for sure, before they are vanished, they will attempt to kill as many Army related personnel and ordinary Pakistanis – how we expect from them to play by book and observe Islamic principles? – it is too naive to expect all this decency from a declared monster. We have declared Islam of Taliban is not the right brand and we also expect them to observe sanctity of mosques when back-lashing to their cleansing program.

*All Jihadis have common agenda so militant groups targeting Kashmir should be also killed (mere disbanding does not work) and their Punjabi cousins (aka Punjabi Talibans) should be drone attacked since they all are supporting each other.

*No one mentioned here, but all Islamic madrassas should be closed immediately across the board since these are nurseries of future sympathizers of militant groups if not go step ahead and join them.

*all the personnel in armed forces or government institutions who have a trace of any soft corner for monsters should be persecuted in Abu Gharib or Gitmo type jails

*All religious leaders who don’t come on TV, same day as any back-lash incident happens, to strongly condemn the monsters should be exiled to a place called Ko Kaf so they can dance with fairies as a practice opportunity before these blessed souls dance in heaven with Hoors.

*If possible, Ata Turk type of Islam should be introduced in Pakistan. Pervaiz Musharraf had a plan but this desire of his was jeopardized by ill-planned 9/11. We should all support Marvi memon who is doing her best for his re-incarnation. So he can come in power once again to fulfill his Ata Turkise Pakistan dream.

All of the above should happen before “strong” Talibans attack me or kill Pakistan. Looks like – Do more – appeals are only being listened by monsters and for Rahman Malik – it is – Do More – Negligence so monsters can penetrate the “most secured” place at their will.

Can we kill Monsters having a Clan ruling us? Of that clan, he is the Shining Star? If someone expects that, then we deserve a place in Fool’s paradise more than a monster deserves.

The choice is ours – to speedy kill the monsters and send them to fool’s paradise or get bomb blasted and reach there before monster arrives.

I am feeling myself very wise after writing this “rant shant” and dying to appear on a TV talk show or at least on LBS(laid back show of faisal kapadia) to spill out my wisdom and impress the nation by my grasp on this grave situation and a way out.

Who said Jokers don’t exist in Chaos time? But they are called “Intellectuals” in crisis time and comment on blogs in free time as ‘Lucky Irani Circus’ is closed due to security reasons.

P.S – if I sound insane, then join me as any one expecting sanity in these turmoils (Fasad fil Ardh) is an insane without any doubt.

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Rawalpindi Mosque Bombing: Less Talk, More Action « CHUP! – Changing Up Pakistan

Rawalpindi Mosque Bombing: Less Talk, More Action « CHUP! – Changing Up Pakistan

My 2 Tok: Shayma is right on dot saying no other news item was needed after reading kalsoom's reporting and analysis on today's tragic incident - Rawalpindi mosque bombing.

Asad Khan's one line - Today was a sad day - raise alarms - how many more?

And Temporal - the wise man - has the right conclusion - right now, sadly, there is no solution in sight to curb this violence.

There is solution - but Temporal - as I know him - is rarely wrong - it is out of sight.

Out of sight, out of mind?

The solution is not with the news reporters, news analysts and all who appear on prime time TV talk-shows.

Let's ponder and pray - we will soon find one. Until then bear with the Chaos Unlimited (Pakistan edition) - our very own but "not so proud" production.

Friday, December 4, 2009

Crippled Justice « Mystified Justice

Crippled Justice « Mystified Justice

My Comments on above article (click the above Link to read the full article which was published in today's "The Friday Times": Sana - It is very courageous on your part being a girl to share your own natural health problem and then making it a reason to fight for the rights of all handicapped people. There are no words to appreciate your courage and positive approach to spread awareness so the handicapped or disabled can also get the same respect and rights as their other normal fellows get. Majority of poor Pakistanis who are even normal by all aspects get the worst discrimination in society and I wonder what is there for an abnormal person who has the double handicap - physical disability & social disability (poverty). You may not have the first hand experience of this double jeopardy. Otherwise, you would have already joined me like @discomaulvi and @FarrukhSiddiqui at Twitter to fight for the real cause of all our social and economic evils - corruption. My slogan is Kutta First - which means first take the Kutta out of water well to purify the water. We are trying all other methods but this one - have a national level repentance and pledge - From now on we will not cheat and deceit our fellow human beings and be loyal and honest with Pakistan's wealth - which we all supposed to share across the board. No one can escape after looting it and depriving us from our basic needs - education, health-care, clean drinking water, jobs on merit and most of all dignity. If this will not happen, then all else is mere noise and waste of time/resources bringing no fruitful results - No real change!

DAWN.COM | Columnists | Politics of Babri mosque

DAWN.COM | Columnists | Politics of Babri mosque

My Comments: A must read article by Kuldip Nayar (click above link to read). Even a Muslim writer can't write so well to expose Hindu militancy and RSS/BJP's communal and fascist politics based on hatred and violence. He is also shocked by Vajpayee's deceptive soft image and his dirty role in demolishing mosque and plan to build a Ram Mandar in place. These sane unbiased voices must be heard and shared for everlasting peace.

Kashmir and Security Council Membership (by Mohsin Meer) - Media Monitors Network

Kashmir and Security Council Membership (by Mohsin Meer) - Media Monitors Network

This is a 2001 article (click the above link to read) but India is still maneuvering to get the prestige permanent seat of security council. The article highlights that how India's worst human rights violation record does not make her an appropriate candidate for this position. The human rights compliance status has not improved since but further worsened. Therefore, India is not a just candidate and world should not support her in this regard.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Lost Fight for Minarets - Self-Deception or Deliberate Debacle?

Not pro or anti Minarets! wondering who are scared from Minarets and who are dying to build Minarets? Are Minarets symbol of Islam and world at present is scared of Islam?

World should be scared of Muslims and not of Islam. These Muslims don't follow Islam any more but mere rituals. Islam is not a patent of Muslims. World should study Islam and benefit from it to end world chaos. And then teach these so called Muslims a lesson or two.

The biggest obstacle to spread Islam's message is Muslims, themselves. The world should bypass this obstacle to seek the Divine Guidance. Islam is not the sole property of Muslims only but a common treasure of all mankind - the last Divine Guidance message for all mankind.

History has done poetic justice with astray Muslims and given them exemplary punishment for rejecting teachings of Islam. More they deserve until they repent and come back on right track.

Muslims have failed to perform their assigned role of Message Carriers of Divine Message. They were supposed to be Role Models of Islam but the only Models they look for are new model cars, goats(read wives) and toys (like iPhone 3Gs) "made by infidels". Then pray ....May ALLAH kill all infidels and give Islam a revival and Muslims rule the world. Angels must be ROFL en masse. ALLAH's wrath also on them for being hypocrites.

Their days and fate will not change until they all repent collectively and pledge not to cheat and deceit now on. Until then more humiliation

No more mercy or grace period for corrupt Muslims. They deserve double punishment-one for violating Islamic principles & second for being Islam Repellent.

So it is not the mosque minarets made of cement and steel which will "save" or ""revive" Islam but each Muslim need to be "Minaret of Islam" - propagating Islam silently by being a role model for other nations and an icon of True Islam; shun Extremism, Illiteracy, Inefficiency, Hatred and Militancy.

Until then they will be stopped from building Minarets not only in Switzerland but on all other foreign lands also. Once they correct themselves and be on The RIGHT PATH, the world will not stop them but help them to build more and more mosques with multiple minarets. The choice is theirs - but first to rebuild their in-house Minarets demolished by their own bad deeds.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

A Reluctant Mind: Signs of Baloch dissent in the outskirts of Karachi

A Reluctant Mind: Signs of Baloch dissent in the outskirts of Karachi

My Comments: These signs are just rashes on the skin of Pakistan. The chemistry of blood is seriously gone wrong and needs immediate treatment. Another Bangladesh is in making if government did not act very fast. Mere speeches and media statements will not cure the 62 years old ills. Some dynamic treatment is the call of hour. But irony is - our Messiah are sick themselves so what cure to be expected from their hands. More chaos on canvass of Pakistan if my KUTTA FIRST medicine is not administered. If any one interested, the sole rights of this Cure for ALL diseases are with @discomaulvi at Twitter. Inquire for details and terms&conditions.

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