Bakhabar, December 2013

Better light a candle than curse the darkness

Monthly e-Magazine

ISSN 2319-4049

COVER STORY

Angola : The NEWS, The Denial, The Confusion & Clarification

S PIRITUAL

So You Want the Mercy of Allah

http://bakhabar.biharanjuman.org/

BE AWARE, ALWAYS, EVERYWHERE

Volume 6, Issue 12, December 2013

From Editor in Chief

Editorial

Editorial Board

Publisher: Bihar Anjuman BaKhabar

Editorial Board: Asrarul Haque, Seraj Akram, Mohd. Allam, Ms Farhat Shakeel and Jahanzeb Mashhadi

Chief Editor: Ms. Asma Anjum Khan

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Bakhabar : December 2013

Two Single PMs and Search for a First Lady: Rahul Vs Modi Debate

Our Uncle Ghafoor is quite a character. You ask him time, he will tell you how to repair your clock. You tell him how hot the day has been ‘ and he will give you temperatures from Swiss Alps to Srinagar and shower curses for the Indian weather.

Never mind, the same words are repeated when the rains arrive, turning Indian roads into gutters and then you ‘d better stop listening to worse than gutter foul mouth of our Uncle Ghafoor.

So it’s an amusement par excellence to lend an ear to him,when the debate about Modi or Rahul begins seeping in every nook and corner of our great country and our chai centres. At these old social media forums,our men solve national and international problems sipping cups after cups of steamy chai. Our Ghafoor uncle speaks with authority ,as though Man Mohan had spoken to him last night, briefing him about all the important stuff from 3 G notes to Gursharan quotes.[ By the way, will you all ,please stop laughing at my mention of Man Mohan 's speaking abilities? The Sardar does speak, i swear!]

So when talk about Rahul/Modi and who will become India ka Prime Minister , orBharat Varsh ka Pradhan Mantri is gathering heat and dust ; our Ghafoor uncle becomes interesting.

Rahul or Modi…who among them who among them? What the hell of a difference would it make, you idiots?

But both have one problem in common.

And before Mishra uncle could wipe out his betel spittle ; his hand was raised hand Modi style, Any of these two become prime ministers, India won’t be having a first lady. He looked solemn.

We will have to get them married first, he declared. When Shaukat chacha of the next mohalla failed to suppress his snorty chuckles; he got admonished for his Zaleel Harkat ; it is uncle Ghafoor’s pet word.

Who needs a First lady? The first Prime Minister didn’t have one!

Shoukat spoke his mind nevertheless.

You forget Lady Mountbatten, Mishra ji gave a hearty laugh.

What the hell that Lady Mountbatten has got to do with it? Poor Uncle Ghafoor had read history only from his school text books.

But Shaukat, shouted, Like your Vajpayee was a bachelor!

Mishra ji murmured something ,must be his choicest abuse.

As the chai crowd now was clearly divided into two, one voice arose but corruption is the main issue Uncle Ghafoor, Corruption, he minced his much used [and abused] denture cum teeth.. Go, and ask Anna Hazare how much…

Anna Hazare is a bachelor too!

This was Bakha, the waiter at the chai shop who served you quick, if you addressed him as an attendant.

Now the chai shop was cracking with laughter. But why the heck is a first lady needed? Someone thought aloud. Uncle Ghafoor held forth, PMs look better with their spouses. Don’t

Inside you see Michelle Obama?

And also we have to receive other first ladies from foreign countries. He always pronounced it phoren.

But Pheku did marry once ,hai nah?

Dare not say a single thing, I tell you. Mishra ji roared.

But Mishra I am telling, who would take care of Rashtrapati Bhavan? Ghafoor Uncle‘s GK book was as empty as his bald head.

Just like President A PJ Abdulkalam, who did without a wife.

Bakha again.

The chit-chat at the pan-shop went on.

And Rahul’s dulhaniya won’t be from Amethi?

Mummy ji Italy se layein gi Rahul Baba ki dulhan!

Mumma’s boy!

Shoukat and Mishra now came quite close to a brawl but the situation was taken under control.

For Pheku , an American would be the best bet, wife ke sath visa free!

Killing two birds with one stone. Ghafoor uncle said satisfyingly, always a connoisseur of proverbs.

Bonus: As a wife is better equipped at catching her husband’s lies, we can hope for an end [ or control over] to Feku’s Fekuisms So while everyone is in the Rahul Vs Modi debate, Ghafoor uncle, the sage old man is thinking of the many problems India might face in the absence of a fine first lady.

Jai ho!

(ASMA ANJUM KHAN) Editor-in-Chief

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Inside

Cover Story

Angola: The ‘news’, the denial,

the confusion, and clarification

09

So you want the

Mercy of Allah 6

In Depth 30

Stumbling on History

17

Youth Crisis 11

Jharkhand Girls 27

Middle East

The Truth Behind the Gulf War I By Sohaib Zaman I

United States of America has two major political parties – The Democrats and The Republicans hold the reins of the American Congress. Democrats seem to be peaceloving people, a reason why America's middle class and working class support them.

Republicans on the other hand are mostly the party of the richest. The richest businessmen in America support the Republicans. Republicans seem to be maintain very close terms with the American warlords. Whenever America has a Republican President, the probability of the war rises. I would like to take you back to the 90's when the Gulf War happened. The mayhem started when Iraq invaded Kuwait on 2nd August 1990 claiming Kuwait as a part of Iraq. The first to jump on the bandwagon, as saviours of Kuwait, was none other than the United States of America.

America has no love for Kuwait, but has enormous 4

Bakhabar : December 2013

love for the Kuwaiti oil. Iraq had to face the wrath of America, after a long span of friendship with them. When Iraq was a Soviet ally, American’s dislike was quite natural; however, the sudden fall from friendly grace when they were counted as a stooge of America is beyond normal comprehension. Did USA have issues with Iraq's positions on Israel and Palestine. Iraq was vocal about their disapproval of peace process between Egypt and Israel. Kuwait and Saudi Arabia were over-producing oil, and Iraq condemned it. Iraq was projected as anti to the pro-American Gulf countries.

Kuwait and Saudi Arabia had the blessings of USA and they were producing more oil than the OPEC-allocated quotas. George Bush Sr. was the President of USA at that time. USA was trying to find an excuse to attack Iraq.

Iraq was already suffering an yearly loss of 7 billion dollars due to the Iran-Iraq war,

which is considered as a strategic ploy to weaken these two oil-rich nations emerging as regional leaders in education and technology. Government in Iraq was already struggling to cover the basic costs. No episode could have served as a better excuse than the Kuwait episode; Iraq buckled down to America's diktat. They had no option except accepting what America wanted.

America threw Iraq into oblivion and this led Iraq to bow down to America's wishes.

With respect to Iraq’s “invasion” of Kuwait, they perhaps had no other choice except doing something insane to draw the outer world’s attention towards America's growing intervention in the region (like favouring over-production of oil by some countries, and bullying others not to do the same). Now just have a look of the actions taken by the USA. When Iraq invaded Kuwait, American govern-

Middle East ment led by President George Bush Sr who belonged to the Republican party deployed US forces into Saudi Arabia. What peeved me was the primary action taken by the US government. Kuwait was invaded but America made sure that their favourite oil-rich country remained unscathed from any issues.

Saudi Arabia paid around 36 billion dollars of the total 60 billion dollars cost to USA. America always keeps the Gulf countries under its clutch to make sure that the money and oil keep flowing towards America. It was no rocket science to know who would win the Gulf War in 1991. America had allies in the form of the richest Arabs and Israel; and America itself was the powerhouse. George Bush Sr. won the war but Saddam Hussain won the heart of the world, and proved to the world that America was unfair in its dealings with countries of the region. George Bush Sr. remained in power till 1993. Bill Clinton who was a democrat came to power in 1993 and the world was peaceful place for 8 years till George Bush came into power. Bush family were always critical of Iraq, and Bush Jr. found another excuse to invade them. America created a story from nowhere and attacked and demolished Iraq. America became the God of the world. Their growing interference in the world politics and their unfair dealing of Iraq and Saddam Hussain faced much criticism. Like a masala movie, Bush Jr. used the vulnerability of Saddam Hussain to capture Iraq’s resources. Bush Sr. and Bush Jr. represent the Republican mindset.

The atmosphere created by the Bush regime (that America is under attack) led the people to panic, and before they could understand the filthy desire of Republican Bush, America went ahead with “War against Terror”. Bush desire to help the American warlords cost 3 trillion dollars to America and forced America and the world into recession. Bush and the American warlords benefitted from the war but the innocent American people suffered major losses. The whole world and America are still trying to get rid of the recession imposed upon them. It did not take long for the people of America to realise their mistake of empowering the Republicans. American people finally voted for a change and saw a promising leader in Barack Obama, a true Democrat.

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Bakhabar : December 2013

Har

Mirch

Seraj Akram

Jidhar dekhiye muslim apne halat zaar aur gairon ke zulm par afsurdah nazar aate hain…saikron zulm par sirf baat karne ke bajaye kya yah behtar nahi hota ke masle ki asal jar yani talimi, moashi aur samaji pichhrepan ko dur karne ki koshis ki jati takay kuch to masayel kam hote.

Dunia me wahi qaum taraqqi karti he jo talimi aur technology ki taraqqi ke sath sath idare aur tanzimo ko qayem karne aur uski quality behtar karne par focus karti he, lekin na jane kyon aise halat me bhi muslim dusron par takiya kiye baithe hain.

Din ba din muslim samaj me maslaki, mazhabi aur dusre ekhtalafat barhte hi ja rahe hain, phir bhi hamare rahnuma is bat par itni shiddat se dhyan nahi dete ki aakhir isko kam kaise kiya ja sakta he, jabke dushman is ekhtalafat ki aar me muslim ke khun se holi khelni ki firaq me lage rahte hain.

Madarsa walon, Allah ke waste Asri taleem ko halal samajh kar is par dhyan dijie., Insha Allah kafi behtari aa jayegi samaj me.

Agla chunaw kafi faisla kun hone wala he, firqa parast taqatayn pure zor is chunaw ko jit kar apne dhang se mulk me tabdili lane ko betaab he, kya hamare rahnuma aur awam is ke liye tayyar hain ki kis tarah firqa paraston ke jaal me phanse bina unko kaise haraya jaye. Aasteen ke sanp aur khule dushman ke farq ko kaise samjha aur us par amal kiya jaye.

Spiritual

So You Want the Mercy of

Allah!

I By Latiefa Achmat I

likely you would tell him to forget it and simI was speaking to a young man and through ply ignore him if he started complaining. the conversation I heard him say, “I don’t So we all acknowledge that on the human make du`aa’ anymore.” level life is a matter of give-and-take; it’s a I asked him, “Why not?” and he replied, “I matter of rights and responsibilities. made du`aa’ for some things and I never got What about your relation with your Creator? them so I just gave up!”

Is it right that we enjoy the bounty of this marI asked him if he was happy in his life, he said, velous creation and, even though everything “Not really.” Then I asked him if he felt he was created for the benefit of man, we go needed the mercy of Allah in his life, and at ahead and make use of things for our own that he replied very enthusiastically, “Of benefit and comfort without thinking of othcourse I do!” ers?

Now this made me think very deeply about Is it right to fail to give others their rights and some things in life. Is it right that we (mankind expect our rights, and often fail to take care in general) go on expecting things from our of the creation that Allah provided for us?

Creator while we sit down passively, mostly How often do you use things that you know just observing life and hardly doing anything will pollute the environment—the same envifor anyone else unless it somehow fits in with ronment that Allah created for you? our scheme of things?

We are dropping litter, using chemicals, and Is it right if a kid wants something from his generally tapping into the wasteful and exmum and dad but he is doing and saying cessive way of life in the modern world, withthings they do not like, going out without out really thinking seriously about our their permission, dressing in an unacceptable responsibility to yourself, those around us, the way, not pulling his weight around the house, world, and our Creator. and so on, then he just come right out and Then when we get sick because of the polask for money, or new clothes, or whatever, luted and chemical-filled environment, you and then grumble when they refuse, and turn in desperation to the Lord of all asking perhaps adding how unfair life is and how for help and healing. Then as soon as we are very unreasonable they are? well again, you go back to the old habits of Let’s look at it another way. Imagine you had misusing, if not destroying, the environment. someone you called your friend but this per- How Merciful Allah is! Even though you keep son spoke badly about you behind your making the same mistakes; even though you back and only came hanging around when misuse yourself, others, and the world around he wanted something—then one day he you, He still comes to your aid! He, the comes to you and asks a big favor. Most Almighty, gives you enough opportunity to 6

Bakhabar : December 2013

Spiritual change, to see the errors of your ways and to make a fresh start.

Have you ever noticed how your body heals as does the environment? So where is your place in all this?

A person can drink alcohol and abuse his body until he gets liver disease—and then blame fate! Likewise a person could neglect the rights of his family and even abuse them when he is in the prime of his life and filled with strength, but when he gets old and is left alone and feeling lonely, he curses life and complains how difficult life is! Do you find that you sometimes do things like this?

Have you ever passed by a river that is polluted and said how awful it is that “mankind” destroys nature? But then haven’t you ever tipped chemicals down the sink that end up in the river system, and somewhere along the line, contributed to this awful state of pollution?

What I want to say is that you have to be willing to take your responsibilities seriously. The first step is to realize that Allah has called upon mankind to be the caretakers of this world.

Allah the Almighty said: {You are the best of peoples ever raised up for mankind; you enjoin what is good, and forbid what is wrong and you believe in Allah…} (Aal-`Imran 3:110)

We have to understand that the nature of this life is not just to make money and live a comfortable life of ease. We have to be willing to give: to give to those around us, our family and friends and our communities; to participate in the voice of society that calls for justice; to speak out against violations against mankind and the earth.

When toxic waste is dumped, what do you do? When logging companies are allowed to destroy one of the last remaining rainforests on earth, what do you do? When people are abused and oppressed, what do you do? If your answer is “nothing.” Then you should think again.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“Whoever, among you, sees something abominable should rectify it with his hand; and if he has not strength enough to do so, 7

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then he should do it with his tongue; and if he has not strength enough to do it, (even) then he should (hate it) in his heart, and that is the least of Faith. “(Muslim)

Allah created us to worship Him, and a part of that worship is to keep within His boundaries—the rules He has provided us with, knowing full well that whatever He has ordered us to keep away from is in fact bad for us.

So imagine a person who is selfish, stubborn, and harsh. He couldn’t care less about the effects of dumping their factory’s toxic waste into any place convenient (for them). He lives his life trying to make more and more money and gathering up material wealth; he doesn’t really care whose head he steps on to get up the social ladder, and basically he doesn’t really care about anyone except himself. If such a person prays to the Creator of all—should he expect his du`aa’ to be answered? Listen to what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said about this:

"Allah the Almighty is good and accepts only that which is good. Allah has commanded the Faithful to do that which He commanded the Messengers, as He Almighty has said: {O ye Messengers! Eat of the good things, and do right. } (Al-Mu’minun 23:51) And Allah the Almighty has said,

{O ye who believe! Eat of the good things wherewith We have provided you. } (AlBaqarah 2:172)

Then he mentioned the case of a man who, having journeyed far, is disheveled and dusty and who spreads out his hands to the sky saying: O Lord! O Lord! While his food is unlawful, his drink unlawful, his clothing unlawful, and he is nourished unlawfully, so how can he be answered? " (Muslim)

Then what about the person who isn’t as corrupt as the above-mentioned person, but in his own way demonstrates weakness and apathy.

Imagine someone who stops trying every time things get difficult; someone who takes on the habit of saying “I couldn’t be both-

Spiritual ered” or “I’ll do it later” even though he knows what is right. He knows very well that he should pray and fast, but it just seems too tough in that moment, and he feels he can get his life in order later.

Whenever a problem arises, he takes the easy way out. You’ll never find him standing up for what is right, taking the side of an oppressed person, or in fact, doing any kind of noble deed. Then when he wants something, he prays and when his prayer isn’t answered when and how he wants, he gives up on that, too. Now does that make sense?

What does Allah want from you? Remember He gave you your life, your family and friends, a series of situations, and all the creation around you. Do you think He gave you all this just for fun and games? Or to realize the reality, understand yourself and your role in life, and appreciate your Creator and spread the message of truth wherever you are?

The mercy of Allah is ever present. It is you who must learn how to tap into that mercy and learn to live your life in a way that will make you deserving of that mercy. The same power that controls the universe promises to turn to you if you turn to Him! It’s like this because your Creator gave you freedom of choice, so you can try to face life either with His help or without it.

Get Close to ALLAH First before getting close to anyone else.

ALLAH without a man is still ALLAH, But a man without ALLAH is nothing.

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Khabron ki Khabar Seraj Akram BJP ne fasad bharka kar muslim ko mara aur ghar se bhagaya.

Ab SP ki sarkar ne muslim ko 5 lakh ke ewaz apne sare jayedad se hath dhone ke liye kaghzat par sign karwakar BJP ki muslim ko ujarne ki policy par muhar laga rahi he.

UP me Kanshi Ram kay naam se ban rahe hospital ka Molana Ahmad Madni ke naam par karne se muslim kafi khush Muslim isi bat par mast ho gaye ke naam to muslim ka hoga khwah us me muslim parhe ya na parhe. Agar Mulayam ko itni hi hamdardi thi to kya ek naya medical college molana ke naam se nahi ban sakta tha. Itne zulm ke baad bhi Mulayam ki sanakhani dekh kar to zameer farosh muslim ke hal par rona aata he.

Bihar me Modi ki rally me bomb blast Bihar me BJP ke hukumat se hatte hi dahshat gard harkat me aa gye

Delhi me AAP party BJP aur congress dono ke sar me dard kar diya Aur muslim abhi bhi Congress ki mayaa jaaal se nikalne ko tayyar nahi.congress kuch de ya na de. BJP ke jin ka khauf to yaad dilate rahit he naa. fasadion ko sirf saza se bachati he direct fasadion ke sath milkar muslim ka ghar to nahi jalati, muslim ko sirf sare taraqqyati mansube se dur rakhti he khule taur par muslim ki mukhalifat to nahi karti he naaa.

Shastri ne apni qaum (jaat) ki khatir SP ka ticket thukra diya wahin ek Muslim neta ne qaum ki khatir(apni khatir nahi) itne bhayanak fasad karwane par bhi ticket lene se bilkul parhez nahi kiya…jab qaum ke rahbarana itne saste me bikne lage to phir aisi qaum ko tanazzuli se kaun bacha sakta he.

ANGOLA BANS ISLAM: Cover Story

The ‘news’, the denial, the confusion, and clarification I By MuQeet I

Dear brothers and sisters, Assalamu Alaikum.

Regular readers must be aware that last night I posted my reflections on the so-called news of Angola banning Islam.

This I did after reading the news in this popular Islamic website [http://www.onislam.net/] and also going through this newsmagazine [http://indiatoday.intoday.in/].

I didn’t verify about the authenticity of this ‘news’ as the scholars’ response didn’t leave any room for any doubt to creep in my mind.

To my surprise, this morning I read the denial statement issued by Angolan Embassy official in US, and was quite embarrassed for posting such a ‘news’. I even received an e-mail from a brother which is in fact the statement coming from Mufti Ismail Menk that confirms the denial of the Embassy official.

Following is the statement issued by Mufti Ismail Menk, a popular and a reliable scholar of repute:

“Upon verification from Angolan scholars it was found that the story of Islam being banned in Angola is completely fabricated.

Sadly, the demolition of all structures that were built without proper documentation, planning, procedure etc was carried out. This happened to include some religious structures too, amongst them a Masjid. Interestingly the picture doing its rounds is not even from Angola but the Middle East.

This happened quite some time back but is being carried mischievously by some media houses.

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It is important that Muslims only build Masaajid after proper approvals etc to avoid this. It has happened in other countries before.

Please clarify the truth with those who have become emotional about the so called banning of Islam in Angola.

May Allah Almighty grant us a lesson and safeguard the Deen. Aameen Wassalaamu alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakaatuh”.

So I deleted the previous post saying that the news was false.

To conclude, I would like to mention few points: 1. The absence and non-existence of any reliable international news agency among Muslims – despite the fact that we have more than 50 Muslim countries in the world – is a cause of grave concern.

2. Most of the times we are being fooled by the media hype and tend to lose our balance in getting to know what is what. I still I do not understand the scholars’ response!! Wal’laahu ‘Alam!

3. I am in media field since more than 20 years and have blogging experience of about five years. This is the first time I got an egg on my face that I really feel sorry about.

4. In this bitter episode, we have two basic lessons to learn:

a. As Allah says in Surah al Hujuraat [http://tanzil.net/#49:6] we need to verify the news before passing on.

Cover Story

“O you who believe! If a rebellious evil person comes to you with a news, verify it, lest you harm people in ignorance, and afterwards you become regretful to what you have done.” (Surah al Hujuraat 49: 6)

May Allah forgive us of our sins and guide us on the Right Path. Aameen.

Sal-lal-laahu-’Ala Muhammad, Sal-lal-laahu ‘Alaihi wa-sallam.

Thank you for reading this post. Hope you understand the problem.

Jazakallaahu Khayra.

b. Once bitten, twice shy. Our glorious Prophet sal-lal-laahu-alaihi-wa-sallam puts it beautifully: Also, read this related news [http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2013-11-26-no-an” A believer is not bitten from the same hole gola-has-not-banned-islam-its-a-little-morecomplicated-than-that] twice.”

This Hadith means that while it is possible for a believer to suffer a bite by a snake or a similar creature because he is taken unaware, the same thing should not be allowed to happen twice. He should always be careful so that he would not commit the same mistake, or be in the same situation of overlooking real danger, more than once.

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Crises: Youth

The Outlook and The Outcome I Nissar Nadiadwala I

One of the golden pages from the Islamic history, which builds our attitude in facing crises, reads: After the Prophet (pbuh) returned from the Battle of Khandaq, one of the hardest battles, that pitted the Muslims before a huge collection of the enemies, he removed his battle armor to rest, and Angel Jibraeel appeared and said, “O Prophet of Allah! I have not yet removed my armor and you removed it so early! We have to move towards Banu Quraiza.�

Establishing Islam means attending one crisis after another, without getting exhausted.

Crises can be a test. Hardships and crises in personal life and collective life make a believer firm and stronger. Among the best outcomes of crises, is that he emerges out with more taqwa and tawakkul, because he has experienced the help of Allah in solving it.

Remember: The help of Allah is near and many a times it comes when you see no options yet cling to the only option that is Allah, with patience and preference.

Study the case of Moosa (a.s.), when he was chased by the mighty Pharaoh and his entire army, he stood at the bank of the river facing the fast flowing water and no boats to sail them across and no arms to fight back the enemies. At that time even his own people blamed him, "Moosa, we are trapped," as the Qur'an quotes them. What did Moosa (a.s) say? Read in Surah Qasas, Surah Ar'af, and Surah Taha.

The Noble Prophet (pbuh) did not say "Hey wait! I have this miraculous stick with me and I will whiz it on the water or at the enemy."

Rather he replied, "Allah is with me." It was only after Allah said, "Moosa hit the water with your stick." Moosa (a.s.) looked at the option, till then it was only a stick. Today, for many of us, our bank balances, our influen11

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tial contacts in the government offices and our relatives are our first options before we turn to Allah. Infact they are the weakest option if approached without approaching Allah. The Sahih Hadith reminds us: "Turn to Allah's help even if the sole of your shoe is torn." Such small issues but refer to Allah!

Why? Just to program our minds to refer to Allah regularly and not only during big emergencies. For many of us Allah is the last option, but if you refer to the above two cases Allah is the only option, without His command even the sources cannot cause a benefit to you.

Faith happens to be the first casualty of crises when faced by many Muslims. They rush

Youth everywhere, from graves of dead saints to taweez (Tameema) sellers, they lose patience and many even give up their regular prayers. If you study Surah Yusuf, when the brothers of Yusuf (a.s.) felt sorry about their acts, what did their father Yaqub say? Do not despair the mercy of Allah, indeed it is kufr to despair the mercy of Allah.

The most important outcome of crises is our attitude towards it. Even in wars, all the warriors may not be able to come out successful like James Bonds and Rambo just because we are in an age of movies TV serials; we have begun to wish that melodramas are always the best end of crises. Musaib bin Umair (r.a.) was among the best dressed young man of Makkah, but he had to leave all the luxury when he parted from his pagan mother. He died in Uhud and his shroud was too short to cover him completely.

Study the tragedy of Uthman (r.a). The man who once sponsored the entire Muslim army, had to face a rebellion, he did not get to drink water from the very same well he had donated for the welfare of the community. Will you call these two men as unsuccessful? NO. The outcome of crises can also be Jannah which is the best outcome, Radi Allahu anhum wa radhoo anho, Allah be pleased with them and they are pleased with Allah, Dhalikal fauzuool Azeem, that is the supreme success, Surah Maidah chapter 5, verse, 119.

From “Beyond Education” collection – Nissar Nadiadwala’s Editorial for Young Muslims 12

Bakhabar : December 2013

What will soften the hearts

Question: If a person has with him hardness in his heart, then what are affairs that will soften the heart?

Al-'Allamah Salih al-Fawzan: There is nothing better or more necessary (for softening the heart) than the Noble Qur.aan. It is what will soften the hearts.

Allah - the Exalted and Sublime - said:

"Those who believed (in the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism), and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allah, verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest." [Surah al-Rad 13:28].

So the Qur.aan is what will soften the hearts, which if Allah were to reveal it on a mountain, you would surely have seen it humbling itself and rending asunder by the fear of Allah;

"Had We sent down this Qur.aan on a mountain, you would surely have seen it humbling itself and rent asunder by the fear of Allah." [Soorah al-Hashr 59:21]

Likewise sitting with the righteous and listening to The Qur.aan, (listening) to admonitions and reminders - this is what will soften the hearts.

Historical

The Iron Man Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel:

I By Asma Anjum I The stage was set, the scene was unique if not rare; one was a Prime Minister and the other an aspirant. They were discussing a man who was the Sardar [grand leader] of his times. The PM aspirant bluffed it as always, and the Sardar PM boxed him into his place.

Yes, we are talking about Manmohan Singh and Modi spar about Sardar Patel. After PM aspirant’s desperate attempt to usurp the Sardar legacy, the PM is desperate to show how secular Sardar was.

Hello you Guys, your slip is showing!

My quest is not just to know how secular Sardar Patel was, but to try to probe how communal he was, if he was?

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel has left behind a mixed legacy. Discretion is needed while following the lessons taught by the heroes of our history.

The Iron Man Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Sardar Patel’s ability of taking the right [and tough] decisions at the right time, made him 13

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the Iron Man, a virtue lacking in today’s votebank bound leaders. Mountbattenwhile disparaging Gandhi’s plan of spending the rest of his life in Pakistan described him as the only man who has his feet firmly on the ground. Formidable Vallabhbhai Patel was a man with a sense of reality; reality whichcould hurt but nevertheless had to be faced.

He was said to have complete and firm control over the organization of his party (Congress) and became the first deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of the newly freed India. J B Kriplani counts, shrewdness, determination, administrative capacity, and the ability to take definite decisions at all important occasions, as some of his chief characteristics. He also notes that Sardar could not bear opposition and he saw to it that those who opposed him had to pay the price. Later in the day, Mountbatten changed his view and called him as hysterical as the rest of the Congress Leaders. This happened due to a change in Patel’s stance about CHT, where he wrote stating that if it were imposed in East Bengal, the people would be justified in resisting this award by force and the Central government

Historical would be bound to support them.

Among the feathers in the Patel cap are counted the merger of more than 500 princely states into the newly formed Union of India. 550 states out of 560 had Hindu kings ruling over Hindu populace, their blending came comparatively easier with a promise that their riches would not get affected. But the real brain behind this is said to be V.P.Menon who was amongst the personal staff of Mountbatten, and often described as closer to Sardar Patel. Formidable Sardar’s approach was often mixed. Even the British officials accepted that they couldn’t have done it without or better than him. When the ruler of Manipur resisted the full integration into the Union, Patel thought out aloud, Isn’t there a brigadier in Shillong? After that it was only a matter of days that this problem was solved. It was for his steely resolve that the Union of India is what we see today.This steely touch and unambiguous stand might be missed in the days of Telangana turmoils.

Muslim bias who accomplished the task. Former PM Aspirant Mr. L.K. Advani put a bombshell recently by claiming that Nehru had openly called Patel, a communalist when he heard his plans about Hyderabad.

Sardar Patel and Muslims:

The general impression about Sardar Patel is that of being anti-Muslim. The second last Viceroy of India Lord Wavell [1944-47] dubs him as ‘communal and anti-Muslim’. Wavell thought of Sardar Patel as the only one of the congressmen capable of standing up to Gandhi.

Madhav Godbole former Union Home secretary in his book, The Holocaust of Indian Partition: An Inquest , explains that, Patel’s image as a communalist was, in no small measure , due to his openness and strong condemnation of Muslim communalism. It is obvious that communalism whether Hindu or Muslim needs to be condemned. But our PM aspirants would do better to make a note of how Patel did everything to protect Nizamuddin Dargah in Delhi with special orders to avoid Operation Polo or, Action’ its desecration, during the the annexation of Hyder- bloody September of 1947. abad from the State of His unannounced Nizam and Junagarh, both with Muslim rulers also go to visit to Nizamuddin his credit. Patel was the chief was a clear indicaarchitect of both the annexations, especially the latter, in tion that he meant which thousands of Muslims business; business lost their lives. It was Sardar Patel who appointed Genof running his eral Choudhary as army in country in a saner, charge and K.M.Munshi as regent, known for his strong safer way.

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His unannounced visit to Nizamuddin was a clear indication that he meant business; business of running his country in a saner, safer way.

Here I recall complete destruction of the first Urdu poet Wali Gujarati’s mazar in Ahmedabad, all in a night!

The mazar[tomb] of the pioneer Gujarati Ghazal writer and poet, Wali Gujarati was located right outside the Police Commissioner’s Office. It was destroyed and then levelled, with concrete poured for vehicles to move over it.

This incident occurred in 2002. Modi never said a word in condemnation. This is in contrast with Sardar Patel protecting the tomb of Nizammuddin Aulia.

Sardar Patel was also against division of army on communal lines, where soldiers were asked to choose India or Pakistan, calling it the surest way to ensure a civil war.

Also, during the same period he had allowed Sikhs to carry their kirpans; going against Nehru, who wanted a ban.

As his feet were firmly planted on the ground, he had the moral courage to take a step backward whenever the situation demanded of him. People suspected Patel of opposing the NehruLiaquat pact but H.V.R Iyengar rejects it. To explain this, Iyengar narrates how Patel despite his impregnable way of dealing with issues, used to retract from an earlier stance, if he found he was in the wrong. Patel was disturbed due to the massacres of Hindus in East Pakistan which, led to repercussions in West Bengal where Muslims

Historical were killed for revenge. An incident happened where several thousand Muslims hidden in a warehouse of a jute mill, were set alight by Hindus.

Thousands succumbed in the fire. Iyengar reports Patel telling him , Iyengar, I am afraid we have lost all moral authority to proceed against East Pakistan .

After this, Iyengar professes, Patel fully supported Nehru for maintaining peace accorded in Nehru-Liaquat pact. Will the PM Candidate of BJP ever have the courage to accept the moral responsibility for 2002?

Dr Juzar Bandukwala ,the widely respected activist and one of the many people we befriended virtually after Gujarat carnage sums it up quite resolutely, Sardar Patel was a complex man. He was close to Gandhi and in that sense he may be said to be non-communal. But he represented the right wing in the Congress. Relative to Nehru, he was less sympathetic to Muslims. But in the context of the RSS/BJP fanatics like Modi he was certainly a liberal.

Dr.Bandukwala adds that, it is significant that Sardar Patel banned RSS, after Gandhiji’s death. He also condemns the RSS/BJP tendency to appropriate our national leaders. As luck would have it Sardar Patel significantly [or say innocently] wanted to win over RSS with love! He is supposed to have said, “They love their country .Only their trend of thought is diverted. They are to be won over by Congressmen by love.” Congress’ politics of last 60 years stands for this, open hatred and hidden 15

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love for RSS. But those who know nothing but hatred may not comprehend the language of love. Dr.Bandukwala hits the nail right on its head when he says that,“ As far as I understand, the Sardar had no close Muslim friend. The only Muslims he knew well were Jinnah , and the Congress leaders Maulana Azad and Badshah Khan . There is a vacuum in his interaction with common Muslims. This had a negative effect in his interactions with Muslims. “

Patel and Pakistan

But it was also Sardar Patel who moved that resolution in the constituent assembly that implied discarding the proposal of separate electorates for the Muslims, a crucial privilege granted to Dr. Ambedkar.

Sardar Patel had disliked the consequences of separate Muslim electorates, before partition.

Indian Muslims paid a heavy price as a result. He was blunt enough to tell Muslims , “I respectfully appeal to all believers in the two nation theory to go and enjoy the fruits of their freedom and leave us here in peace.”

He had firm belief in a united India, resolving, What nature and God had intended to be one on no account can be split in two for all times. He termed the two-nation theory, the false doctrine of two nations. Patel himself had an awareness of the criticism of his not following Gandhiji, he had said, “While people talk of our failing to follow Gandhiji’s teachings, I wish to give you an example which I re-

member from his conversation.” He goes on to record how happy and proud he found Gandhiji when the latter heard about the operation in Kashmir by the Indian army. It was this formidable leader who was responsible to airlift troops in Srinagar, Kashmir, under the British commanders.Sardar Patel, also wanted to attack Pakistan, if possible. He had said, “If all the decisions rested on me, I think I would be in favor of extending this little affair in Kashmir to a full scale war with Pakistan. Let us get it over with once and for all and settle down as a united continent.”Was it for this, that Gandhiji preferred the calmer Nehru over him?”

Sardar Patel’s Equation with Other Leaders

His relations with other leaders of the time make an interesting reading. It is surprising to know that Moulana Azad is said to have told Humayun Kabir, editor of his biography, India Wins Freedom ,that he made the mistake of choosing the wrong candidate for Congress president, had he proposed Patel’s name instead of Nehru’s, then, he would have evolved into a prime minister and would have proved to be a better one than his closest friend Nehru. It has always been a million dollar question as to why Mahatma Gandhi chose Nehru over Patel. Perry Anderson tries to reply, “Gandhi who had always sought to remain on good terms with the British , had picked Nehru as his successor partly on the grounds that

Historical he was culturally equipped (to) get on so well with them, as Patel or other candidates were not.”

When someone asked Patel, when he had solved the problems of all states and even performed the most difficult task of the merger of princely states, why he couldn’t do the same with Kashmir? Pat came the reply that as Nehru had taken Kashmir as his own personal and special case, he couldn’t.

He had no qualm terming Nehru’s speech full of emotional insanity!

Nehru had declared that Congress was free to act as it wished, after agreeing to the federation principle, earlier. Patel often was found complaining of how Nehru’s public salvos put the party into difficulty. The skirmishes between the two stalwarts are in common knowledge, with Patel terming Nehru as the Only Nationalist Muslim, which was also a jibe at Moulana Azad and denominating Rajgopalachari ashalf a Muslim’. This, certainly generated tense moments. But at other times he has also talked about Nehru’s childlike innocence, while Jinnah had designated him, Peter Pan of Indian Politics!

It is a testimony of the greatness of these two leaders that they worked together for the greater good of the country. On many occasions the two stalwarts Nehru and Patel collaborated, forgetting their personal grudges, a legacy difficult to follow for the aspi16

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rants and the occupants, of the Prime Post of our country.To their credit goes the law of Preventive custody; they both were in favor of inducting Dr. Ambedkar of Scheduled Caste Federation Party into Indian cabinet, as they wanted to avoid his formidable alliance with Jinnah’s ML, while it was Jinnah who had got Dr. Ambedkar elected from Bengal to the then Constituent Assembly.

Both were equal partners in suppressing the all revealing Sunderlal report about Hyderabad Action/Annexation where thousands are believed to have died. After Patel’s death in 1950 Nehru’s position grew stronger and no one in his party or in the cabinet could dare challenge him. He took care not to appoint any second deputy PM, after all he wanted to remain unchallenged till he passed away in 1964.

The Statue of Unity the tallest in the world, would tower over every other statue in the world. The question arises should the legacy of Sardar Patel too, be allowed, to tower over those of Nehru and Gandhi? Sardar Patel leaves behind a mixed legacy. Political parties are trying to play sport with it, as suited their bigoted purposes. The man with both his feet firmly on the ground Sardar Patel should be watched with heads firmly on our shoulders. Discern, select and follow, should be the mantra in following the heroes of history.

Politics

Narendra Modi: STUMBLING ON HISTORY

I By Amulya Ganguli I It is difficult to anticipate what may cause a politician to stumble. When Narendra Modi was chosen by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as its prime ministerial candidate, his only disadvantage was his anti-minority image. It isn't surprising, therefore, that he has been working overtime to refurbish his reputation in this respect - short of wearing a skull cap.

It is not known whether he has succeeded.

But, in the meantime, he has been ambushed by a trait which cannot be easily rectified for it is a part of his personality and background. The characteristic is his inattention to historical details.

Whether born of carelessness in the drafting of his speeches, or the outcome of his school record as an "average" student, as one of his teachers in Vadnagar testified, the flaw can divert attention from his message. However impressive his oration may be, even one "slip of the tongue", as an acolyte has explained, 17

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can spoil the overall effect.

But the problem for the BJP, as is evident from the eagerness with which his supporters in the media and elsewhere are coming to his defence, is that his mistakes are piling up.

Modi's first blunder was understandable. The erroneous claim that Nehru did not attend Sardar Patel's funeral was palpably motivated by his zeal to paint the first prime minister in darker hues than what history portrays, presumably because, according to Modi, he had usurped the Iron Man's rightful place in that office.

But this was not the only occasion when Modi played fast and loose with history. His mixing up of two towering personalities of ancient India - Chandragupta Maurya and Chandragupta II of the Gupta dynasty showed that he was out of his depth where knowledge of the past was concerned.

This deficiency was substantiated by his assertion that Alexander was stopped by the Ganga. Considering that every schoolboy

Politics knows that the Macedonian conqueror met his match in Porus in Punjab, which is far away from the Ganga, the faux pas was inexcusable. As was the placing of two centres of learning a thousand miles apart - Taxila in the northwest of the sub-continent and Nalanda in Bihar in close proximity to one another.

But perhaps Modi's most disturbing howler was telling a public meeting that Shyama Prasad Mukherjee died abroad when he meant Shyamji Krishna Varma, a Gujarati freedom fighter who is not very well known outside the state.

The memory lapse was curious since Modi had gone abroad in 2003 to bring back Varma's ashes and dedicated a memorial to him in 2010. Although he later apologized for his mistake, the mental confusion over the two names is odd since there is nothing common between them except the word "Shyam".

Besides, as the founder of the Jana Sangh (the BJP's predecessor), Mukherjee had a major presence in saffron history and his name cannot easily be substituted with someone else's, especially by a person who began his political life at an early age as a pracharak (preacher) of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). As a Congress spokesman pointed out, it is like confusing between Jawaharlal Nehru and Arun Nehru.

That the BJP is worried by these blunders is evident from the decision to deploy what has been described as 18

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"in-house historians" to vet the draft of Modi's speech before his next major public engagement in Bengaluru. The party is obviously concerned that having built up Modi as a larger-than-life figure, it doesn't want to expose his feet of clay.

Its worries are probably all the greater because having tried to portray Rahul Gandhi as "Pappu", or an immature

Besides, as the founder of the Jana Sangh (the BJP's predecessor), Mukherjee had a major presence in saffron history and his name cannot easily be substituted with someone else's, especially by a person who began his political life at an early age as a pracharak (preacher) of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). youth, mainly through the saffron elements in the cyber world, a smearing of Modi's image because of his inadequate acquaintance with history can be politically damaging since it will undermine the he-man's image among the intelligentsia.

As it is, the Hindutva lobby's version of history is quite different from what is commonly accepted in the

academic world - even if the saffronites dismiss it as a secular distortion.

However, an understanding of how the saffron brigade sees the main trends of Indian history can be gauged from the following passage circulating in the Internet. It says: "what a pathetic country we are.. just ready to get screwed first by moghuls.. then brits.. then both.. then now another foreigner who has no interest in the country and then another half foreigner...come on folks...wake up..."

This inanity is not very different from Modi's gaffes or Murli Manohar Joshi's attempt to rewrite history, when he was the human resource development minister, by describing the Indus Valley Civilization (3300 to 1300 B.C.) as Vedic to assert that India is the homeland of Aryans, unlike the claim in the "secular" version that they came from Iran in 1500 B.C. But there is a slight difference.

The execrable taste displayed by the netizen can be said to have been replicated by Modi when he said - rather tastelessly - that in view of Sonia Gandhi's "illness" (she is reported to have had cancer), she should make way for the shehzada (prince), or Rahul. Not only should Modi take lessons in history but also in good manners.

(Amulya Ganguli is a political analyst. The views expressed are personal. He can be reached at amulyaganguli@gmail.com)

Spiritual

IS THERE A PLAYSTATION IN JANNAH? I Umm Ismail I

Some years back my 11 year old son asked me if I thought there would be a PlayStation in Jannah(Paradise), because really, if there wasn’t going to be one, then he didn’t know if he still wanted to go there. While I was gratified to be thought so knowledgeable, I was also aware that my reputation as Oracle-In-Chief was now at stake.

So naturally I thought very carefully about how to respond.

His query reminded me of another, a few decades earlier. I attended Madressah(Islamic School) with an older aunt who graciously conceded to teaching me privately in the afternoons after school. When I started high school, she told me I would have to start wearing the hijab soon. Now this was the 80’s – South Africa was in the grip of the last, bloody, grasp of institutional apartheid, the Rainbow nation hadn’t yet been born, and a headscarfed girl at my school wasn’t an option.

at the school gate for the duration of the school day, only to put it on again when they went home. She replied that it would indeed be all right since hijab was for one’s protection, and at school girls were protected (from what, I wondered!).

If wearing hijab was compulsory, my teen brain reasoned, then surely there had to be a proper reason. I also questioned why would it be ok to wear the hijab on one side of the school gate and unnecessary on the other So being 12 and opinion- side? Silently, I promptly deated, I asked her why, and cided never to wear hijab whether I would have to until aeons later, at 17, when wear it at school as well. I it made perfect sense! knew of other girls who wore When our children question it, then instantly discarded it us about Islamic principles, 19

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ethics or concepts, we often find it difficult to address their concerns head-on. We either react with self-righteous indignation, or sometimes we’re just amiably dismissive, while pointedly informing them about what’s allowed and what’s not.

Our children however, are not pint-sized, programmable versions of adults, who after a few basic instructions – pray 5 times daily, learn all your Surahs(Quranic Verses), and don’t forget the eating dua (prayer) – will then happily be on their way. Utterly complete human beings, endowed with a healthy curiosity and a growing intellect, they need to be engaged, debated with and have their

Spiritual sometimes misguided views, challenged. Their insecurities, preposterous or profound have to be entertained too.

The Quran constantly encourages us to ponder and use our ‘aql (intellect): “And We have certainly left of it a sign as clear evidence for a people who use reason.”

(Quran:29:35) and again “And it is He who gives life and causes death, and His is the alternation of the night and the day. Then will you not reason?” (Quran23:80).

Despite this, we consistently choose not to heed to seek reasoning, nor do we expect our children to. Indeed we expect them, ironically, to do as their forefathers didand inherit the faith we sometimes wear with weary familiarity.

Why?

Perhaps it is because we assume that wanting to understand the essence of a Divine instruction is to question its validity. Perhaps, more often than not, we ourselves don’t understand its logic and wisdom. But does this have to be so?

As Hazrat Ali (RA) taught us, and echoed by educationist Ken Robinson, we raise our children for a time other than our own, in fact for a future as yet, quite undetermined.

In order for them to grow into the Caretakers that Allah SWT intended, their faith must grow organically; because faith, unlike Granny’s antique cups, cannot be passed down to future generations.

Their first steps into the world of meaning and values must be infused with the continued appreciation of the Di20

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vine Presence. This primal awareness as created beings starts with the athaan (call to prayer) in the newborn’s ear, settles in the heart as a fledgling seed, to be delicately nurtured with love and patient understanding (and a healthy dose of humour). Not for nothing did the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) spend the first 13 years in Mecca nurturing this seed – its blossoming is what enabled that collective cathartic moment years later when the Muslims were ordered to wash the stain of alcohol out of their lives …. In the words of my teen, how awesome was that?

If we want our children to be of those who “strive hard with their property and their persons” (9:88), who “invite to good and enjoin what is right and forbid the wrong” (3:104), and whom Allah SWT “will love and who will love Him” (5:54), we will need to encourage them to find the answers to their questions from within the Quraan. Let us from the beginning encourage our children to reflect on and be amazed by the universe outside of (and within) us and then weave into that the Qur’anic ethos.

This will enable them to view and practice Islam with understanding and love rather than Islam being viewed as sets of mechanical actions or regurgitation of the verses of the Quraan without passion and affection.

There is NO excuse today not to make the effort to educate ourselves. Books, the internet, YouTube, community

classes, all abound. Indeed, it’s our emphatic duty as parents to be exemplary in the desire for authenticity, to “ponder and reflect” together with our children, and to seek out well-researched, thoughtful answers to their queries like why exactly are we here, If Allah SWT is so merciful, why do people suffer, what happens to good atheists, and …. is there a PlayStation in Jannah?

So back to my son. I explained that not having made that trip, I obviously couldn’t give him any specifics, but what I could say for sure was that Jannah is where we will be unimaginably happy and content. I asked him to recall his most satisfying memory, and to multiply that by a gazillion (words like gazillion always make an impact) – and if that included a PlayStation, then a version of a PlayStation would be awaiting him.

He nodded sagely and never mentioned it again, satisfied that his mother clearly was the go-to person when weighty matters preoccupied the mind.

He’s 15 now, and the other day he sheepishly recalled that incident and exclaimed, “Mum, can you believe I actually thought Jannah was going to be full of PlayStations and games”, and giggling mischievously, he added, “now I know it’s going to be full of beautiful girls!” - and disappeared before I could feign shock-horror. Sigh … I suspect the “lower your gaze” talk is already overdue ….

Spiritual

Hajj Part: 2

I By Arbaz Fahad I

The streets of Madinah narrate the splendid tale of the torchbearers of the pristine faith.

Madinah –the Vanguard of Islamic empire, the home of Al Ansaar-The helpers of Islam.

The city is an eminent observer of the progressive evolution of Islam. The streets, the date palms, the grapevine orchards recount Islamic history with meticulous accuracy. Anecdotes are many, some elative and euphoric, such as the Rashidun Conquest of the Levant and the Sassanid empire, others sordid and remorseful, such as the brutal assassination of the third caliph Uthman bin Affan.

The evanescing metaphors of the cold blooded murder of the caliph plunge the soul into deep strata of grief and anguish.

With a heavy heart, pilgrims depart towards Makkah to participate in the Hajj rituals. 5 km to the east of the holy city of Makkah lies the tented valley of Mina. More than 100,000 tents air conditioned tents provide temporary accommodation to visiting pilgrims. The Teflon constructed tents are constructed to withstand temperatures of up to 700 degrees 21

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Celsius. Mina is the place where pilgrims throw stones, commemorating the practice of Hadrat Ibrahim, when he stoned the accursed devil, while he was trying to dissuade Hadrat Ibrahim from following the commandments of God almighty. The ritual epitomizes the essence of flushing out all satanic vicissitudes from once life. The stoning of the devil also represents the repudiation of evil inclinations and temptative elements, casting aside of one’s personal whims and desires to attain felicity, piety and God consciousness. The stoning of the three devils is, in essence the clash to trample upon one’s internal evil inclination (Al Nafs Al Amara) and to subjugate it to the servitude of the Almighty. The Quran says “Verily, the Nafs incites to evil” Quran 12:53 A popular imagery used to describe Nafs is that of a donkey, or a unruly horse, that must be trained and broken, so that eventually it will bear it’s rider to the goal. The Quran says:“And as for him who fears to stand in the presence of his Lord and forbids the soul from

Spiritual low desires; Then surely the garden, that is their abode” Quran 79:40-41 From Mina, the pilgrims march on towards Muzdalifah, where they spend the whole night beseeching God’s forgiveness and mercy. On the next day, the 9th of Dhul Hijjah multitudes assemble in the plains of Arafah. The pilgrims spend the whole day on Arafah supplicating to Allah to forgive their sins, and beseeching him to shower his grace, mercy and affection on them. This is the Day of Hajj, the clout and supremacy of Islam dazzles luminously in the plains of Arafah. People belonging to diverse cultural, social and ethical backgrounds conglomerate in a single arena to proclaim the greatness of the Almighty, The King and the Pauper stand shoulder to shoulder imploring God to embrace them under the covers of his infinite mercy. In the valley of Arafah all worldly riches, influence and opulence are laid to dust. The Quran says:-

“Verily, the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you” Quran 49:13

The Quran espouses the believers to establish such amiable bonds of brotherhood which are based on the foundations of devoutness and piety. Unlike other bonds (nationalistic, patriotic) etc which are superficial, animalistic, reactive, emotional and completely devoid of a real solution for life affairs, the intellectuality of the ideological bond of Islam unites man 22

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irrespective of their race, nationality and other factors which are irrelevant when it comes to bonding on a ideological creed. The Quran says

“The Believers are but a single brotherhood” Quran 49:10

Fourteen centuries ago, the benefactor of Mankind, Prophet Muhammad SAW delivered his final sermon on the Mountain of Arafah, also known as Jabal Al Rahmah.

At the final juncture of his prophetic mission, the Prophet summarized the quintessence of his prophetic mission in a short but eloquent sermon. As one stands in the plains of Arafah, one can feel the postulates of that articulate sermon reverberating in the valley. Adhering to the true spirit of the Quran, the Prophet set up such exemplarary notions of Equality and Brotherhood which stupefies Human Analogy. An illiterate man, in the deserts of Arabia, in a tribalistic and oligarchic society enumerates such divine values, which were adopted centuries later by the western world. The Prophet said:“All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non Arab, nor does a non Arab hold any superiority over an Arab. A White skinned person holds no distinction over a dark skinned person, nor is a dark skinned person superior to a white skinned person except by piety. Know that all mankind comes from Adam and Eve, and Adam was created of Dust”

It is a pity that Muslims all over the world have completely forfeited the Quranic values of Equality, Fraternity, Tolerance, Trust and Mutual Cooperation and have chosen shoddy ways to fulfill their capricious whims, and use Quranic analogy for their pusillanimous actions. Sunnis accuse Shias of perpetrating heresy in religion, on the split side Shias charge Sunnis on Usurping their rights and amending the Quran to deprive the Shia community of their rights. Why don’t we accept the Quran as a mediator and follow it’s teachings

“Come to common terms as between us and you; that we worship none but Allah, and we associate no partners with him” Quran 3:64

The next day, 10th Dhul Hijjah also connoted as Al Yaum Al Nahr (The day of the Great Sacrifice) marks the festival of Eid Al Adha. People offer the Eid prayers in congregation and carry out the sacrificial ritual commemorating the Prophet’s Ibraheem’s willingness to sacrifice his young and only firstborn son in compliance to a command from God. This momentous ritual is a tribute to the unflinching faith, selfless devotion and resolute conviction of Prophet Ibraheem towards the Almighty. The Quran narrates this illustrious event in a melancholic symphony “And when (his son) was old enough to walk and work with him (Ibraheem) said : O my dear son, I see in vision that I offer you in sacrifice: Now see what is your view!

(The Son said) O my Father!

Spiritual Do what you are commanded if Allah wills you will find me practicing patience and steadfastness! So when they both submitted and he threw him down upon his forehead, we called out to him saying: O Ibraheem! You have indeed fulfilled the vision; surely thus do we r eward those who do good.

Most surely this was a manifest trial. And we ransomed him with a momentous sacrifice. And we perpetuated (praise) to him among the later generations. Peace and Salutations to Ibraheem!!” Quran 37:102-110 God does not stand in need of anyone to sacrifice a lamb in his name. He is Al Hayy (Everliving) and Al Qayyum (Self sufficient). It has nothing to do with atoning for one’s sins or using the blood as a medium to wash our sins. The Quran says:-

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“Never does their flesh reach Allah, and neither their blood; it is only your GodConsciousness that reaches him” Quran 22:37

The festival signifies selfless and unconditional adherence to the divine commandments.

It also epitomizes the spirit of forsaking heavenly bounties in the way of God with unduly submission. It is a ritual which programmes the human soul to exercise purity of faith and conscience, leave no stone unturned and submit to God with willing acquiescence.

The pilgrims shave off their heads to enumerate a new beginning. A perfect Hajj, performed with the deepest conviction and unflinching faith in God Almighty clears the slate of past deeds. This spiritual journey has bought

about everlasting changes in all of us. They return home, with watery eyes and burdened hearts, knowing that they might never get another shot at being in Makkah-The Holiest site in Islam and the birth place of the Prophet.

Farewell O Makkah!

Farewell!!

Would that these eyes ever again behold the luminosity of the Kaabah Oh! Would I Ever again drink from the spring of ZamZam Shall I ever again behold the magnificient scenes standing on Jabal Al Noor The Breeze sprinkles the fragrance of my beloved The Sky recounts the munificence of his companions Farewell O Makkah!

Farewell!!

(Part-1 of this article appeared in the November 2013 Issue of BaKhabar)

News

Narendra Modi's exposed as fake

"Capitol Hill" speech via satellite video Organisers illegally use House of Representatives seal for promotional material, reported to the ethics committee for fraud Washington: The Coalition Against Genocide (CAG) on Sunday said in a statement that Narendra Modi's purported event on "Capitol Hill" is a fraud and an exercise in illegal and criminal misuse of US Government symbols.

"After five days of phone calls, letters, document verification and hundreds of emails between CAG activists and Congressional staffers, several members of the House Republican Conference whose names had been used to endorse the Modi event have washed their hands off the event", CAG said in a statement.

First reports in the media also suggest that the congresspersons were unaware that their names or the Congressional seal were being used to promote the Modi event and that the fraud had been enacted by a an organization called National Indian American Public Policy Institute (NIAPPI) and one Mr. Shalabh Kumar, a person with a checkered history of ethics violations, it said.

CAG has learned that the office of Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers has issued a "Cease and Desist" order to Shalabh 'Shalli' Kumar and NIAPPI, who are organizers of the event outside Capitol Hill, where Modi is expected to appear via satellite video on November 19, 2013, it said.

"The promotional material for the event has illegally used the seal of the House of Representatives as well as names and pictures of the top Republican Leadership without their consent. It purports to have the support and endorsement of the House Republican Conference, a top Republican body chaired by Rep. Cathy Rodgers", CAG said.

The "Cease and Desist" Notice seeks immedi24

Bakhabar : December 2013

ate cessation of all activities to promote the Modi broadcast in the name of Congresswoman Rodgers and the House Republican Conference. Even as the office of Rep. Rodgers issued the "Cease and Desist", other Republicans namely Congressman Sessions moved swiftly to put a distance between themselves and the Modi broadcast. In a statement issued by Congressman Sessions received by CAG via email, Congressman Sessions stated clearly: "It has come to my attention that the National Indian American Public Policy Institute (NIAPPI) recently used my name and image on an invitation to an event that it is hosting in Washington, DC, on November 19. At no point in time did I agree to attend this event, nor did I approve of the use of my name or image on this invitation.

"Further, I did not see the invitation until it had been distributed publicly. Had I known that my name and image were on this invitation before it was distributed, I would have requested that they both be removed. Additionally, I have contacted NIAPPI to request

News that they remove my name and image from this invitation and that they explicitly ask my approval before using my name or image in any of their materials going forward", U.S. Congressman Pete Sessions (R-TX-32) said.

NIAPPI, the key agent behind this misrepresentation and fraudulent promotional tactics, is a Hindu nationalist front organization posing as a public policy institute. It is a resting ground for RSS stalwarts like Bhailal Patel.

In case of this event, Kumar and company tried to run piggyback on an event titled the "Indian American Meetup" that has nothing to do with NIAPPI, and that is indeed taking place inside the Capitol Hill building on November 19.

The program schedule for this event clearly shows that neither Modi nor any functionary of the RSS are scheduled to speak at this event. This GOP "meet and greet" event with Indian Americans was projected as a Modi promotional by Shalli Kumar and the NIAPPI. "It is typical RSS obfuscation and manipulation," said Biju Matthew of CAG. "They have a long history of fomenting trouble by throwing dead cows into temples and dead pigs into mosques. Now they have thrown the House Seal on to a Modi flyer. Old habits die hard, " Matthew added.

CAG activists spoke with the offices of Rep. Greg Walden and Rep. Bob Goodlatte seeking clarification, since their pictures appeared on the flyer. Staffers from both

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Bakhabar : December 2013

Congressmen's offices stated categorically that they were unaware of the event, or that the Congressmen's names and pictures were being used without authorization to promote it, the statement said.

CAG has called on the House Ethics Committee to launch an investigation into the fraudulent use of the House Seal, and the fake projection of GOP support for the event. It has also called upon Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers to expel Shalli Kumar from the HRC's Indian American Advisory Board, it said.

"A person who openly resorts to fraud to promote a human rights abuser like Narendra Modi should not be representing the Indian American community at the House Republican Conference" said Biju Mathew. CAG further called upon Congresswoman Rodgers to publicly disassociate herself from NIAPPI and Modi.

The Coalition Against Genocide includes a diverse spectrum of organizations and individuals in the United States and Canada that have come together in response to the Gujarat genocide to demand accountability and justice.

The coalition had effectively campaigned against Narendra Modi in 2005 to get a US entry ban on him for egregious religious freedom violations.

Source: Ummid.com

EDUCATE POOR COMMUNITY GIRLS @ RAHBAR-e-Banaat Madrasa cum School:

Apeal to donate your Zakat/Sadaqat to RAHBAR-e-Banaat School and Madrasa, for holistic education & guidance [Only for Girls of weaker sections, in Bihar & Jharkhand>> http://school.biharanjuman.org/ Your support has helped the project a lot, but it needs more funds, therefore, pls come forward to donate your Zakat & Sadaqat, to this important project of Bihar Anjuman.

Individual NRI Donors may please transfer their contributions to the following bank account of RAHBAR, the NGO of Bihar Anjuman [Kindly send an email to school@biharanjuman.org, once you have made the transfer, so that we may be able to maintain a proper account, at our levels].

Also, please send scanned copy of your ID proof (passport copy for NRIs), which is a mandatory requirement for NRIs (If you have already sent it before, then ignore it).

In case of any problems in transferring the committed amount, please write back to us so that we could find an alternative means of transferring the funds.

Non-Indian donors, kindly do not transfer any funds to this bank account.

A/c name: RAHBAR; A/c number: 00891450000123 Bank name: HDFC Bank; Branch: D-965, Mata Ka Mandir, New Friends Colony, New Delhi110065 IFSC Code: HDFC0000089; MICR Code: 110240009

Donations: all kinds of donations are acceptable Read this article, please: Letter and Spirit of Zakat (Zakah).

The students in this madarsa are from poor families, most of whom are not going to any schools or madrasas, at all. Therefore, zakah funds may be used to impart literacy to them.

Yateem girls will be accommodated in a hostel which is the first building being built [structure of 3 floors are ready, thus 24 rooms can be used once finishing work is completed]. Hostel is planned to become functional by December 2012, insha-Allah, after completing the boundary wall.

You may donate (from any funds at your disposal) for:

(A) Sponsor construction cost for eisal-e-sawab and sadaqa-e-jaariya: (a) construction of class-rooms (one classroom: Rs. 4 lakhs): total number of classrooms planned = 15 (architectural dwg @ http://bit.ly/eFUnHI) (b) Construction of hostel (one hostel room: Rs. 2 lakhs): total number of rooms planned = 24 (architectural dwg @ http://bit.ly/eFUnHI) (c) Construction of a library-cum-reading room @ Rs. 4 lakhs + furniture @ Rs. 1 lakh (d) Construction of the office room @ Rs. 3 lakhs + office furniture @ Rs. 50,000/= (g) hand pump for drinking water, Rs. 10,000/= (with platform), near hostel building (h) 2 Overhead water-tanks + 1 electric submersible pump + plumbing work for hostel building, Rs. 75,000/=

(B) Regular (monthly, quarterly, annual) contribution: (a) Sponsor the principal’s salary @ Rs. 7,000 to Rs. 8,000 per month, (b) sponsor a teaching staff @ Rs. 4,000 to 6,000 per month, (c) sponsor a non-teaching staff (matron, peon, muhassil, etc.) @ Rs. 3,000 to 4,000 per month (d) sponsor a student's expenses (non-resident): Rs. 200 per month 26

Bakhabar : December 2013

Jharkhand

Jharkhand girls prove their mettle, defeat Modern School in football

I Firoz Bakht Ahmed I When Babita 14, one of the 18 backward and poor Jharkhand girls who have recently won the third place in Spain's Gasteiz Cup, scored the first of the two goals in a promotional match at Modern School against a team comprising of the girls from the host school and 35 countries, she was elated, "Hum world champion banna chahtey hein!"

(We want to be the world champions) The disadvantaged Jharkhand girls' football team "Yuva" hailing from the backward and tribal were here in Delhi staying at Modern School for playing this football match with an international students' team consisting from 35 schools (from China, USA, Canada, Switzerland, Germany, Pakistan, Italy, France, Dubai etc) as part of the social interaction program of Community Development Leadership Summit (CDLS) at the school.

In a well contested match, the underprivileged girls won the match 2-0 with Babita Kumari and Sunita Kumari (right out) scoring a goal apiece in each of the two halves. What has captured the imagination of the people, however, is not this victory or the third position in Spain but their fight against official apathy and their fight against patriarchy and 27

Bakhabar : December 2013

societal odds.

Of their struggle to come up and make the dent felt on the sporting fabric of India, Sunita Kumari (goalkeeper) stated that in the beginning, the state officials, rather than guiding and helping them, treated them as chattel and maid servants asking them to scavenge the floor, dust their houses and offices besides trying to outrage their modesty even. Their rise to glory was like walking on a razor sharp hill or a tweezers grip.

This is done to promote the spirit of 'unity and inclusion through sport' under the aegis of Modern School and "UMMEED" a non-profit NGO started by a class 12 student Avanee Singh.

Praising the technical expertise of these Jharkhand girls, Lata Vaidyanathan, principal, Modern School, stated, "For many people–most especially, adolescent girls–teams have the potential to offer a network of positive role models, a consistent group of friends, and the opportunity to build confidence in themselves."

Franz Gastler, an American who first came to Jharkhand to teach English, is the founder of NGO Yuwa. "While teaching English in the vil-

Jharkhand lage of Hutup, outside state capital Ranchi, Franz asked one of the girls what she liked to do in her free time. She said she liked to play football and wished she could play on a team. Franz told her that if she found some other girls who wanted to play, he could lead practices for them. He saw the enthusiasm and dedication of the girls and recognized that a football team could be the perfect platform upon which to promote education and instill confidence," says Thompson.

However, Franz laments that these girls can't practise with other girls teams in Jharkhand as there aren't any in that state. At the most, they play against boys' teams. Except the cities like Delhi,

28

Bakhabar : December 2013

Goa, Kolkata and Mumbai, women's soccer hasn't really taken shape in India. Recently, Franz also accepted the national award for Best Promotion of Sports in Education from Milkha Singh and Ranbir Kapoor.

According to Rose Thompson, director of Yuwa, the girls' parents are now proud of their achievements. But it has been a rocky ride. Jharkhand, the girls' home state, is considered the number one trafficking centre in Asia. Girls here are married as early as 15 years of age, and spend most of their time doing household chores. The boys of the village are believed to try to take over the ground where these girls practise, even though they may have never played anything there

Hadith

before.

Adds Thompson, "Girls playing football was sacrilege!"

When these girls went to get their birth certificate, required for their visa to play in Spain, they were reportedly slapped by the panchayat members. They are only said to have got the visa thanks to Gastler.

Most of the girls' parents are either farmers or labourers.

When asked how the cause of these girls can be uplifted, Franz stated that NGOs like "Ummeed" in Delhi and some corporate houses have been kind enough to take care of the girls till now but need of the hour is that the government must come up to help these hapless and forlorn girls.

SWEATER & UNIFORM FOR POOR GIRL STUDENTS

studying at RAHBAR-e-Banat Madrasa cum School: Kindly commit your share: Estimated Cost of 1 set of uniform for each girl: Rs. 395/= (salwar-suit + scarf/ dupatta) Estimated Cost of 1 set of sweater for each girl: Rs. 325/= [Only for Girls of weaker sections, studying at Bihar Anjuman's first madrasacum-school project] Individual Donors may please transfer their contributions to the following bank account of RAHBAR, the NGO of Bihar Anjuman. Kindly send an email to school@biharanjuman.org, once you have made the transfer, so that we may be able to maintain a proper account, at our levels]. NRI donors: please send scanned copy of your passport copy, which is a mandatory requirement.

A/c name: RAHBAR; A/c number: 00891450000123 Bank name: HDFC Bank; Branch: D-965, Mata Ka Mandir, New Friends Colony, New Delhi-110065 IFSC Code: HDFC0000089; MICR Code: 110240009

An idea of the budget is given in the below table: No of No of Students Sets 1 1 1 2 2 1 2 2 3 1 3 2 4 1 4 2 5 1 5 2 6 1 6 2 7 1 7 2 8 1 8 2 9 1 9 2 10 10

29

Bakhabar : December 2013

1 2

Sponsor Uniform Only Rs. 395 Rs. 790 Rs. 790 Rs. 1,580 Rs. 1,185 Rs. 2,370 Rs. 1,580 Rs. 3,160 Rs. 1,975 Rs. 3,950 Rs. 2,370 Rs. 4,740 Rs. 2,765 Rs. 5,530 Rs. 3,160 Rs. 6,320 Rs. 3,555 Rs. 7,110 Rs. 3,950 Rs. 7,900

Wish to add 1 Sweater Rs. 325 Rs. 325 Rs. 650 Rs. 650 Rs. 975 Rs. 975 Rs. 1,300 Rs. 1,300 Rs. 1,625 Rs. 1,625 Rs. 1,950 Rs. 1,950 Rs. 2,275 Rs. 2,275 Rs. 2,600 Rs. 2,600 Rs. 2,925 Rs. 2,925 Rs. 3,250 Rs. 3,250

Sponsership Uniform + Sweater Rs. 720 Rs. 1,115 Rs. 1,440 Rs. 2,230 Rs. 2,160 Rs. 3,345 Rs. 2,880 Rs. 4,460 Rs. 3,600 Rs. 5,575 Rs. 4,320 Rs. 6,690 Rs. 5,040 Rs. 7,805 Rs. 5,760 Rs. 8,920 Rs. 6,480 Rs. 10,035 Rs. 7,200 Rs. 11,150

In Depth

Abusive Attacks on Founding Fathers of Nation are Disgraceful I By Prof. V.K. Tripathi I

Ever since RSS/ BJP have nominated Narendra Modi their prime ministerial candidate, media is giving him round the clock coverage. The educated and affluent elite are enthralled. In riot torn Western UP, as also in other parts of the country, he is the hero of riot-mongering aggressive elements. It has emboldened him and his supporters to vociferously attack the founding fathers of the nation, particularly Gandhi and Nehru, the icons of freedom and secularism.

By quoting historical facts wrong, Modi not only displays ignorance about history but reveals scant understanding of historical perspective and historical forces. How could he blame Gandhi, Nehru or Congress for partition? Can he not recognize the forces who unleashed the reign of terror and bloodbath, created conditions of civil war and connived with the colonial power – the Muslim League, RSS, Hindu Mahasabha, the Rajas and Nawabs, and the classes who supported them?

Gandhi was the architect of satyagraha (the doctrine of nonviolent struggle) and originator and leader of mass movement for freedom. Masses all over the 30

Bakhabar : December 2013

country, in all regions, all religions, all languages, all castes, and all communities, barring a sectarian fringe, accorded him highest love and respect, followed his dictates for political action against the mighty colonial power, and treated him like their father. Subhash Chandra Bose only echoed mass sentiment when he called him father of the nation. Rabindra Nath Tagore called him the Mahatma. Gandhi stood against communal storm with unprecedented sensitivity and courage and faced assassin’s bullets. UN Assembly rightly called him the greatest Indian after Buddha.

It is insulting to say Gandhi

handpicked Nehru over Patel for prime minister ship against the wishes of the congressmen or masses.

Nineteen forty onwards, when Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was the Congress President, Patel was the man of party organization; hence heads of several Congress Committees were either appointed by him or had closer links with him. But that was the period when party elections were hardly held as Congress was engaged in the do or die phase of freedom struggle. There is no evidence of power struggle between Nehru and Patel, no evidence of Nehru commanding less support of Congressmen or less popularity among the masses. In 1949, in a letter Patel himself acknowledged Nehru as the hero of the masses. Indeed they had different dimensions of personality but these were complementary to each other. Nehru had a vision of economic policy, foreign policy and science-technology policy, in part at variance with that of Gandhi, but Patel or other Congress leaders did not oppose it. From peoples’ perspective, there is always scope for criticism of policy and implementation strategy, but basing it on personality is mischievous. It can only revive sectarian passions and render people vulnerable to more severe exploitation.

Email ID of Prof. Vipin Tripathi <tripathivipin@yahoo.co.in>

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Bakhabar : December 2013

Call for Articles

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CALL FOR ARTICLES Volume-7, Issue No 1, January 2014

Would you like to share your thoughts and ideas?

This would not be tough for an intellectual like you. You may even

share some good news related to yourself or to your family, or to a friend.

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If you think you carry feelings that must be expressed, news or views that must be shared, write down and send on. Now!

Submit your article today : bakhabar@biharanjuman.org

Last Date to receive articles is 20th December 2013 Better light a candle than curse the darkness.

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Bakhabar : December 2013