The Perils of A Prank: April Fool and Muslims

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Mushtaq Ul Haq Ahmad Sikander

Come April and social media, email groups and instant messaging groups are abuzz with the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) that playing pranks, jokes and commemorating April 1st as Fools Day is antagonistic to Islam. It has been rendered synonymous with deception, lying and deceit. The Muslims are cautioned that if they indulge in pranks on this day, they will be committing some grave sin, to the extent of Kufr(disbelief). The day has been declared Haram (forbidden) for Muslims who are chastised of the grave sins associated with the Day. So whosoever is trying to play pranks is imitating the Kuffar and thus their end will be similar to that of infidels. The same yardstick has been applied to Valentine’s Day and Women’s Day too. Maybe in the coming decades we will witness the branding of book day, environment day, human rights day, aids day, labour day, national days, the days associated with saints as Kufr too.

The self loathing obsession of Muslims with everything new, innovative and ‘western’ is killing the very soul of Islam. Different conspiracy theories have been put forward about the decline of Muslim rule in Spain and how April fool a Judo-Christian innovation was instrumental in that. Instead of introspection and self reflection about the real causes of muslim decline, passing the buck to some conspiracy helps reinforce the muslim mindset that whole world has joined hands to destroy Muslims. So April fool too is that divisive plan of the infidel enemies who want the annihilation of Muslims and Islam from this world.

The real spirit of Islam and its values have been lost in the tantrums of conspiracy theories and declaring everything haram (forbidden). Muslims today are among the most consumerist people who have the ‘added privilege’ that they produce the least. Muslim world contributes the least when it comes to the production of knowledge, technology and inventions. Instead of trying to understand the lacuna and voids for these structural problems, Muslims are always ready with a conspiracy theory to shift the blame to a real or virtual enemy in order to absolve them from any blame.

The lack of democracy, nonexistent human rights, dictatorships, non prevalence of accountability and transparency are the characteristic features of most muslim countries. The institutional denial of justice to minorities, women and endangered ethnicities dominate the reports of leading human rights organizations about the muslim world. To add insult to injury, the elites and ruling clique are massively corrupt, authoritarian and ruthless. The Islamic values of justice, mercy, egalitarianism and philanthropy are practiced very little by the muslims. Further there is no social or religious movement emphasizing about the restoration of these principles and values of Islam that form its core and spirit. Instead all energies are focused on declaring the Muslims as kaafir and Kufaar as inheritors of hell.

The self imposed position of God’s soldiers or duty men has denied Muslims an opportunity to implement and practice the values of Islam. The concept of salvation in Islam is individualistic and each person has to work his way through good deeds. But when one assumes to be God’s soldier then focus shifts to the other. So they are more concerned about who will be doomed to hell with their self assumed role of guardian of the fate. For these ‘soldiers of Allah’ everything new particularly cultural, theories of rights, alternate discourses or commemoration of days that they consider harmful is not allowed. April Fool’s Day is categorized in such a dominion.

A small prank, a joke conducted in a lighter vein cannot be tolerated as the whole edifice of Islam and Muslims is threatened. The logic for such a stance is legitimized by quoting verses of Quran and sayings of Holy Prophet (pbuh) out of context that demonizes Islam as an intolerant religion that cannot tolerate laughter, pranks and is threatened to the extent that those who indulge in it are chastised through grave warnings about the gravity of their sin (read pranks). This intolerant image and practice of Islam is quite alien to what I have understood as Islam.

It is true that lying, deception and concocting falsehood are grave sins in the eyes of Islam because they have second or third party harm. They divide people, create wedges and give rise to misconceptions that lead to hatred and violence. So these vices are abhorred and shunned in Islam. But to declare April fool and the pranks associated with it synonymous to these vices is far too exaggerating the issue.

The emphasis that is given on not taking part in April Fools pranks, if similar encouragement had been laid on practice of speaking truth without the context of April fool, a number of issues would have been resolved. The Islamic value is speaking truth, regarding which most muslims are ignorant and non practicing. But when it comes to April Fool even the most non practicing muslim assumes the role of moral pundit who has the divine sanction of saving the people from celebrating a non muslim day.

The abomination of Muslims with small issues, superficial understanding and artificial exaggeration has rendered them oblivious to the real issues that have left them redundant to contribute anything positive to the contemporary civilization. This false romanticism with Islamic texts that instead of being plural and inclusive have been made a source of hatred, exclusion and ‘othering’ needs to be stopped. A small prank, light joke will not break the principles of Islam but will help us to enjoy a few moments of relief in the present violent times. So folks take some time, to play some pranks maybe our old acquaintances and estranged relations are renewed once again.

 

M.H.A.Sikander is Writer-Activist based in Srinagar, Kashmir

Paper Title: Qur’anic approach to the Psychological basis of Human Personality development

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BY Nayeem Ahmad Bhat

 

Qur’an has a strong sense of Human Personality Development. Qur’an adorns human ‘Aqaliyya (mentality) & Nafsiyya (disposition) which act as backbone of human personality. Qur’an directly addresses suluk (conduct) that indicates human elevation or decline. Qur’an explicitly discusses psychological role of all Anbiya (prophets), especially of Muhammad (SAAS) in shaping and rejuvenating human personality & propounds “Tazkiya-e-Nafs” i.e., (purification of mind) as a key philosophy of Islam as Qur’an mentions “It is He who has sent among the unlettered a Messenger from themselves reciting to them His verses and purifying them and teaching them the Book and wisdom – although they were before in clear error“.[1] This paper is an effort to identify the Qur’anic approach to the psychological basis of human personality development and urges Muslim Psychologists/psychiatrists to make thoughtful perusal of psychology which is concealed in theological, ethical, mystical, philosophical and medicinal books of primitive Muslim asset and construct it as per contemporary requirements to attain liberation from western psycho-emotional domination.

Key words: Quran, Personality Development, Suluk (conduct), Tazkiya-e-Nafs (Purification of mind), Western domination.

 

Introduction

Personality development is an absorbing theme in psychology. Although it is hard to confine the term “personality” in a universal definition, but plainly personality can be defined as “the collection of external cum internal & acquisitive (intellect, thinking, knowledge etc) cum non-acquisitive (natural attributes i.e., color, race, physical appearance, mental ability etc) personality attributes”. These attributes possess both permanent & non-permanent nature i.e., attributes get modified momentously which segregate one human being from another in every matter. Likewise the term “development” is “to promote both the types of attributes upto an appropriate level”. The most ideal, perfect, optimal personality possessing divine attributes is Hazrat Muhammad (SAAS). Muhammad (SAAS) has given us the divine guidance (Qur’an) to develop our personalities. The crux of Qur’anic teachings is to improve & promote human personality ethically to keep balance between spiritual & material life. The famous Irish Clinical psychologist Ian Roberson identifies psychological basis of human personality attributes in trilateral sense, Firstly, Cognitive components (thoughts, creed, understanding, memory etc), Secondly, Emotional components (love, fear, resentment, jealous, proud etc) & Lastly, Behavioral components (skills, innate potential, ability etc)[2] Qur’an addresses straightforwardly these components of personality development which have essentially a crucial role in keeping balance between the material & spiritual life. Same has been discussed under the following headwords to provide an extensive Qur’anic account in the aforesaid psychological basis of human personality development.

 

Cognitive components of Personality

Qur’anic teachings are based on truth, justice, moderation & beautiful combination of this world and hereafter. Human being is the recipient of Qur’an. Therefore, his personality development is the central idea of Qur’an. The Qur’an says, “Should not He Who has created know? And He is the Most Kind & Courteous (to his slaves), the Well-Acquainted (with everything)[3].

   

 Tawheed (monotheism)

The Qur’an vehemently exhorts the subscription of monotheism & escape from polytheism. Aqeedah of Tawheed (monotheism) is an integral part of human disposition which determines the relation between God & human being. Qur’anic concept of personality is God-centered, emphasizes God as the ultimate source of all promotion & development. The Qur’an says, “It is He (Allah) Who is the only Ilah (God to be worshipped) in the heaven & the only Ilah (God to be worshipped) on the earth. And He is the All-Wise, All-Knower”.[4] Qur’an has extensively highlighted the influence of monotheism on human personality in terms of Love of God, fear of God, kind-intention, gratitude, purity, patience, generosity & repentance.

   

 Risalah (prophecy)

Risalah (prophecy) is an essential part of Islamic faith. Therefore, the whole duteousness is dependent on this part of faith. We believe in Allah, prophets, hereafter, divine books, predestination or we are inclined towards a particular Qur’an-centered worldview; it is integrally based on the creed of Risalah (prophecy). The basic concepts of prophecy are explicitly mentioned in Qur’an.

  • Every Ummah had a prophet (Guide)

The Qur’an says, “For every Ummah (community), there is a guide”[5]

  • Prophet bestow humans with their wisdom

The Qur’an says, “and we gave each of them (Dawood & Suleiman) Hukm (right judgment of affairs & prophet hood).”[6]

  • They (prophets) convey divine message to human beings

The Qur’an says, “And verily, we have sent among every Ummah (community), a Messenger (proclaiming); Worship Allah alone & avoid Taghut (all false deities).”[7]

To believe in Risalah, one achieves a corpus of reference to differ truth from false. Human personality get pragmatic guide to implement all the elements of faith seems to be idealistic. It is impossible to cherish, promote & develop ones personality unless & until there is a guide in the form of Rasool (prophet) who acts as a role-model for whole humanity to be conferred with the divine spark i.e., Hidayah.

 

  

 

  Eschatology (Aakhirah) or Hereafter

This element of faith also has deep & stiff influence over human personality & its development. Aqeedah of Aakhirah consists of various parts;

  • Everything in this universe is mortal

The Qur’an says, “We created not the heavens & the earth & all that is between them except with truth, & for an appointed term”.[8]

  • There will be new life after the day of judgment

The Qur’an says, “On the day when the earth will be changed to another earth & so will be the heavens, & they (all creatures) will appear before Allah, the One, the Irresistible.”[9]

  • Worldly life is essentially a preface of life hereafter, this life is temporary, incomplete, test-home & life hereafter is home of retributory (Dar ul Amal).

The Qur’an says, “And the life of the world is only amusement & play! Verily, the home of the Hereafter—that is the life indeed (i.e. the eternal life that will never end), if they but knew.”[10]

The belief in Aakhirah let everyone to become a responsible human being. It prepares one to obey the orders of Allah, refraining from His prohibitions, doing good deeds, thus, attaining the consent of Allah, that is, by leading a complete Islamic life to promote personality development.

 

Other Cognitive components

 

    Intelligence

Intelligence is a natural spark found in human disposition & it can be promoted upto a suitable level if used properly, the Qur’an says, “it is He Who brought you forth from the wombs of your mothers when you knew nothing; & He gave you hearing & sight & intelligence & affections, that you may give thanks to Allah.”[11]

One should apply all the methods & exercises to gain more & more intelligence to promote personality development.

 

     Maturity

It comes from experiments & is not specified to age. Intelligent people do experiments, scientists do experiments, and one can remove faults from experiments to attain maturity. The Qur’an says, “He shall speak to the people in childhood & in maturity. And He shall be (of the company) of the righteous”[12]

 

     Scientific temper

There are only two ways enhance this temper i.e. observation & experiment. Muhammad (SAAS) used to supplicate for the augmentation of knowledge. Observation & experiment help us to increase the scientific temper & attitude. The Qur’an says, “Do they not observe the birds above them, spreading their wings & folding them in? None can uphold them except Allah.”[13] Quran adorns the scientific attitude provided that, proud shouldn’t dominate ones psyche.

 

              Confidence

To strengthen ones confidence & credibility, encouragement & suggestions are needed. The Qur’an says, “He replied, “I saw what they saw not: so I took a handful (of dust) from the footprint of the Messenger, & threw it (into the calf): thus did my soul suggest to me”[14]

 

     Love of Justice

It is necessary to justice (put everything in its proper place) if one needs to promote ones personality. Justice is so emphasized & injustice is so vehemently discouraged that even religious opponents aren’t exempted. The Qur’an says, “O you who believe! Stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to for dealing, & not the hatred of others (religious opponents) to you make you swerve & depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety: & fear Allah. ”[15]

 

               Success dedication

If the dedication is lost personality development will become monotonous. One should ponder over divine scheme & assume that both failure & success are two faces of life. But one should always be dedicative as the Quran says, “The man can have nothing but what he strives for.”[16]

 

 

Emotional components of Human personality

Emotions can have a great role in decorating ones personality. A man has to respond psychologically to various interactional elements. Therefore emotions necessarily should be in control to promote personality.

 

     Sexual desire

Sexual lust is quite natural tendency in human beings like thirst & appetite. If one loses control over sexual desire, it can lead to indecency, sexual problems & ailments. Homosexualism & Lesbianism, Bestiality, Paedophilia, Trans-sexualism, Exhibitionism, Sadism & Masochism are some disorders & problems one can face in uncontrolled lust. The Qur’an says, “And don’t approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is ever an immorality & is evil as a way.”[17]

 

     Offence & Wrath

This personality component is generated when a man faces hindrance in his target & can have frequent disadvantages. The Quran guides us to have control over wrath, it says, “Who spend (in the cause of good) during ease & hardship & who restrain anger & who pardon the people – & Allah loves the doers of good.”[18]

 

     Frustration

It is caused when having no alternative while losing a target. Having extreme desire & hope on others increases frustration. Quran has commanded us to despair not of His mercy, it says, “Say: O my servants who have transgressed against their souls! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah: for Allah forgives all sins.”[19]

 

Love and Aversion

The two important aspects of life play key role in personality development if reach at extreme level can pave the way for unexpected dangers. These emotions have to turn to right direction for promotion of personality development i.e. moderation. The Qur’an says, “And those who, when they spend, do so not excessively or sparingly but are ever, between that, (justly) moderate.”[20]

   

        Fear & Apprehension

The Qur’anic supervision in this matter is quite commendable that one should fear Allah in order to His gratification to promote his personality. The Quran says, “And if they had believed & feared Allah, then the reward from Allah would have been better, if they only knew.”[21]

 

        Curiosity & Perplexity

An important tendency of human personality is perplexity, when a man is unable to explain anything clearly, it leads to curiosity. Optimistic curiosity can enhance aptitude & increase knowledge. Pessimistic curiosity is very disastrous for individual as well as for society. The Qur’an says, “O believers! Avoid suspicion as much as possible: for suspicion in some cases is a sin: And spy not each other behind their backs.” [22]

     

       Patience & Gratitude

Every human being confronts misfortune, calamities & comfort both in hard times & good times in life respectively. Patience & gratitude have great influence on our personality as Qur’an commands us to have patience in hard times & be grateful in blissfulness, it says, “Who say, when afflicted with calamity: “To Allah we belong, & to Him is our return”[23]

 

       Behavioral components of personality

Behavioral components in human personality consist of particular practices, skills, methods, abilities, aptitudes & competence which decorate human personality. Quran has never emphasized stagnant, weak (morally), disabled (in character) personality.

 

Aptitude

Human beings have particular aptitude to perform any task. To suppress this aptitude, problems would arise & our personality can choose unnatural methods to explore this world if not applied the divine guidance to promote ones personality. The Qur’an says, “Say, “Everyone acts according to his own disposition: But your Lord knows best who it is that is best guided on the way.”[24]

 

Creativity

Creativity helps one to create new ideas to live. Unfortunately, creative thinking is discouraged in our society. There are three elements of creative thinking: (1) Originality & Novelty, (2) Ability & (3) particular purpose. The Quran says, “And similarly, we awakened them to question each other”[25] Quran adorns creative thinking by questioning to reach at reality; hence, creativity promotes ones personality.

 

Responsibility

This aspect of human personality is significant if one wishes to uplift his image before others. Society will never accept the inefficient nature of man. To promote ones personality, one has to be responsible in every matter. The Qur’an says, “O you who believe, upon you is responsibility for yourselves.”[26]

 

Skills

To live a luxury & tense less life, skills have importance economically on ones personality. To promote ones personality, one should utilize all the skills to explore one’s tendencies. Qur’an has used this term for the skills of Qaum e Samud, it says, “And you carve out of the mountains, homes, with skill.”[27]

     

       Team Spirit

It is said, “Only the teams can win.” Undoubtedly, man cannot stand alone. To perform a big task, one may not possess all the competencies. Combined effort is adequate for promotion of one’s personality development. The Qur’an says, “Help you one another in righteousness & piety. Help you not one another in sin & rancor.”[28]

 

 

   Conclusion

The crux of this research paper is the Qur’anic approach that we relinquished to promote human personality. In this matter Quran provides basic foundations as it directly addresses the basic problems of philosophy when we talk of purpose of life. Now the question arises, despite having divine guidance (Qur’an), why Muslim societies are demoralized, declined, unsatisfied & socio-ethically paralyzed?  Apparently, this is a multidimensional problem, but the core & essential cause is having no pragmatic approach to Qur’anic teachings & themes in terms of individualism. This paper appeals;

  • To reorganize modern education & curriculum on the basis of Qur’anic themes.
  • To instigate the ideological education of teachers along with technical education.
  • To add moral education as basic theme to the curricular & co-curricular activities.
  • To teach Muslim psychology at every stage of education, from schools to the universities.
  • To make Arabic language compulsory at every stage to have access to primary sources of Muslim psychology.
  • To make critical analysis of western concept of psychology.
  • To establish sectors of Occidentalism in universities.

 

Bibliography

  1. Al –Qur’an
  2. Dr Mohammad amin, Islam aur Tazkiya Nafs, new A’wan printers, Lahore
  3. Amin Ahsan Islahi, Tazkiya Nafs, Faran Foundations, Lahore
  4. Ashraf Ali Thanvi, Tarbiyat al-saalik, Maktaba Zakariya, Karachi
  5. Mohammad Yusuf Islahi, Qur’ani Ta’limat, Islamic publications limited, Lahore
  6. Dr Zafar Afaq Ansari, Nafs i Insani ke Qur’ani Tasawurat, Aalami Idara, Islamabad
  7. Rafeeq Ja’far, Nafsiyat ka irtiqa’ Izhar sons, Lahore
  8. Barbara Englar, theories of personality, Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, 1979
  9. Jung C.G., Modern man in search of soul, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, New York, 1933
  10. Moinul Haq, Islamic thought & movement, Pakistan historical society, Karachi, 1979

 

 

 

(The writer if Research Scholar Shah I Hamadan Institute of Islamic Studies Kashmir University

And can be reached at Email: nayeemahmadb1177@gmail.com)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[1]Al-Qur’an, 62 Surah al-juma’ah, verse no. 02

[2] Robertson, Sociology, p:115

[3] Al-Qur’an, 67 surah al-mulk , verse no 14

[4] Al-Qur’an, 43 surah al-zukhruf, verse no 84

[5] Al-Qur’an, 13 surah al-ra’d, verse no 07

[6] Al-Qur’an, 21 surah al-anbiya, verse no 79

[7] Al-Qur’an, 16 surah al-nahl, verse no 36

[8] Al-Qur’an, 46 surah al-ahqaf, verse no 03

[9] Al-Qur’an, 14 surah al-Ibrahim, verse no 48

[10] Al-Qur’an, 29 surah al-ankaboot, verse no 64

[11] Al-Qur’an, 16 surah al-nahl, verse no 78

[12] A-Qur’an, 03 surah aal-imran, verse no 46

[13] Al-Qur’an, 69 surah al-mulk, verse no 19

[14] Al-Qur’an, 20 surah Taha, verse no 96

[15] Al-Qur’an, 05 surah al-maidah, verse no 08

[16] Al-Qur’an, 53 surah al-najm, verse no 39

[17] Al-Qur’an, 17 surah al-isra, verse no 32

[18] Al-Qur’an, 03 surah aal-imran, verse no 134

[19] Al-Quran, 53 surah al-zumar, verse no 39

[20] Al-Quran, 25 surah al-furqan, verse no 67

[21] Al-Qur’an, 02 surah al-baqarah, verse no 103

[22] Al-Qur’an, 49 surah al-Hujurat, verse no 12

[23] Al-Qur’an, 02 surah al-baqarah, verse no 156

[24] Al-Qur’an, 17 surah al-isra, verse no 84

[25] Al-Qur’an, 18 surah al-kahf, verse no 19

[26] Al-Qur’an, 05 surah al-maidah, verse no 105

[27] Al-Qur’an, 26 surah al-shu’ara, verse no 149

Women on The Edge

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Mushtaq Ul Haq Ahmad Sikander

Recently I was invited to a two day national conference (16-17 February, 2018) titled, Interdisciplinary National Conference on Economics, Banking Finance and Social Sciences(INCEBS). It was organized by KES Shroff College of Arts and Commerce, Mumbai, run by Kandivili Education society. My paper titled Muslim Women in India: From Fatwas to Feminism was selected for presentation during the two day conference. I was also a panelist in a panel discussion themed Women on the Edge. Women have been on the receiving end and very few efforts have been made to mitigate the multi dimensional problems of women. I as a male cannot claim to have an indigenous experience of being a woman and how it is to feel like a woman. Also I cannot speak about all women because they certainly are not a monolith, thus my statements cannot be generalized. Even if I speak about Muslim women in India still I cannot claim to represent them all despite the fact that they are a miniscule minority as compared to majority Hindu women, as they too are not a monolith or homogenous. There can be varied strands of women even in a small area or section of population based on caste, class, education, income and other factors. But few issues that I deliberated and were general for all included education, economy, politics, modernity and new issues related to women.

Girls are mostly discriminated when it comes to education particularly viz a viz the choice of subjects is concerned. Some subjects and later on jobs too are considered taboo for women. Further the infrastructural problems like availability of schools, washrooms in schools etc do hamper the education process among girls. Many girls drop out of schools because the schools are located at long distances, the journey to schools is full of perils or the militarization of the terrain discourages girls from attending schools. In higher education too, we find very few women and then it is very rare to find women who are present in the positions of power or administration in education sector. Also when it comes to economy, the womenfolk are the discriminated lot. Women contribute most when it comes to domestic and agricultural work particularly in South Asia but this work is unaccounted and disorganized one. Also the money the women earn is mostly snatched from them by their husbands or in laws on different pretexts. They have the least freedom when it comes to spending the amount. Further very few properties are registered in the names of women. In many cases working women are preferred as brides because they serve two purposes one that they bring income to home while on other hand they are supposed to accomplish all the domestic chores. So in a way economic independence has not let the women become empowered entities.

The discourse that increase in number of women in decision making particularly politics will help improve the lot of womenfolk is flawed one as the experience has proved that women have done little for their compatriots even when they are elevated to the positions of power. We have experienced in the past and also in present that women including Indira Gandhi, Benazir Bhutto, Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina have held the reins of power in different countries of South Asia but that has not helped in any way to improve or empower the masses of women. We need gender just men and women, who can formulate gender just policies, instead of including women who are patriarchal and misogynist in their outlook and worldview as that will not help in anyway. Although we have less number of women participation in grassroot institutions. The increase in their number either on merit or reservation will help only when the women are inculcated with gender just values, only then the policies will favor the women. The women’s commission and other legislative measures have not helped improve the conditions of women. Also most women and gender rights activists belong to the elite sections of society who are quite disconnected with the grassroots, hence most of them fail to understand the problems of common women. This phenomenon of elites and creamy layer is again repeated as far as the reservations are concerned.

Another problem with the women of Third World or Global South is that they are caught between the dichotomy of tradition and modernity. This problem is witnessed even among the women who profess feminism. The traditional role of a lady and liberalism that feminism offers has left them in a predicament. The feminism as practiced in first world countries is quite different than the lived experiences of women existing and surviving in the third world. Plus feminism cannot be replicated in toto everywhere as the socio-economic-educational and cultural contexts are variegated. The dichotomy between tradition and modernity can be witnessed in this fact, that most feminist women want their partners, boyfriends and husbands play a traditional patriarchal role where they should pamper, exaggerate, show them green pastures and also take care of their needs whether it is paying off their bills, shouldering responsibilities and establishing a comfort zone where they can feel safe and secure. For this traditional outlook, men expect obedience and subservience but half baked feminist women are not ready for that. Hence the clashes initiate that result in estrangement, separation and even divorces. It sends a wrong message that feminist women are not good marriage material or make nice home makers. This problem needs to be overcome as feminist women need to be empowered in real sense rather than making a halo and wearing the tag of feminism on the sleeve in order to stand out in the crowd.

Gender Justice and feminism does not encompass the fact that men and women stand as antagonistic to each other but it empowers each to be the compatriots and complementary towards each other. Men and women complete each other and that value should be of outmost importance when it comes to the gender relations. Further none needs to prove that they stand better than the other one because the fight against patriarchy needs to be fought by both men and women together. The antonym of patriarchy is matriarchy that again needs to be resisted as justice is traversed there also.

Real gender justice comes through a continuous deep study, lived realities and years of accumulated experience that inculcates in one the values of justice, compassion, mercy, and fellow feeling. If these values are absent then one needs to have a look at the doctrine and stand of his/her feminism.

 

M.H.A.Sikander is Writer-Activist based in Srinagar, Kashmir and can be reached at sikandarmushtaq@gmail.com

 

Mindless Trump!

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Javeed Ali

I read a story in today’s Washington Post which was captioned as “Where would a US Embassy in Jerusalem actually go? It had all the contours of US plot how they are going to establish their embassy in Jerusalem.  It follows after the irresponsible and ridiculous statement of US President Donald Trump wherein he has expressed his unrealistic dream of making the Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. He further said that US embassy will be relocated from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Donald Trump is one of the arrogant, immoral and wicked presidents of America who has a deep hatred for Islam and Muslims. He intentionally or inadvertently displayed his utter abhorrence for Islam at number of times through his insane deeds even in his Presidential election campaign. Now being as President, he always formulates foreign policies which always hurt the sentiments of Muslims.

But this time he has done a silly mistake which has provided us a great opportunity to unite a divided Muslim Ummah. We should try to make the best use of this foolish act of Trump to aware Muslim Ummah about the evil intentions of America and Israel against Islam and Islamic countries.

Israel illegally occupied Palestinian territories in the 1967 war, including East Jerusalem in defiance of the international community, and wasted no time in declaring the city as its “eternal, undivided” capital.

The first Qibla, Muslims prayed towards, is Al-Aqsa mosque or  “Bait-ul-Muqqadas” (Holy place) which is now in Jerusalem (Quds). Most of the prophets of Allah were appointed in this city. This is one of the most blessed places on earth.

Prophet Mohammad (SAW) with Ahlulbayt (A.S.) and noble companions (RA) used to say their prayers facing towards direction of Quds. Prophet Mohammad (SAWW) offered his prayers facing Bait-ul-Muqqadas for thirteen years when he was in Makkah then for seventeen months after emigration to Medina. The foundation for Bait-ul-Muqqadas has been laid by Prophets of Allah Almighty and they used to spend their sacred life there besides offered their prayers there also. Prophet Mohammad (SAWW) has said that Masjid-ul-Haram in Mecca is the first mosque that was constructed in the world and then Bait-ul-Muqqadas was the second mosque which was build 40 years later after the establishment of Masjid-ul-Haram.  According to the Holy Quran and Islamic traditions, Al-Aqsa Mosque is the place from which Prophet Mohammad (SAWW) went on a spiritual night journey  (Al Isra Val Me’raj) from Makkah to al-Aqsa.  Prophet Mohammad (SAWW) tethered Buraq to the Western Wall and prayed at al-Aqsa Mosque and after he finished his prayers, the Angel Jibril (A.S.) traveled with him to heaven, where he met several other prophets and led them in prayer.

It is well established fact that Quds is an important part of Islam and its liberation from the Zionist Israel is paramount for Islam. Therefore, whole Muslim Ummah, keeping aside their sectarian differences, should unite under one umbrella and fight for the Palestine freedom struggle with greater energy. We should all converge under one platform and we should use all the resources available to us for the just cause of Palestine.

We should never forget that the Arab Resistance Movement Hezbollah, the only entity that has defeated Israel ever, in 2006 had made a blueprint to liberate Quds and Palestine from the clutches of Israel but it was impeded by Israel with active support of Arab sheikhdoms who orchestrated a civil war in Syria and turmoil in Iraq immediately after the Hezbollah victory.

Israel along with its masters America with full backing and support from Persian Gulf Arab countries pumped petrodollars into the unjust war, created  ISIS (Daesh) and plethora of other terror groups to divert the attention from the core issue: Palestine.

Now as the ISIS menace have been wiped off from Iraq and Syria, Israeli Zionist forces have started direct confrontation by launching missile attack on Syria. This is being done to hamper the reconstruction and rebuilding process in Syria as they never want Syria to stay stable in order to keep their illegal occupation of Palestine intact.

The Israeli forces are killing, bombarding and torturing the innocent Palestinian people in a planned manner. Palestinians are struggling against the forced and illegal foreign occupations since last 6 to 7 decades and Israel is using every possible oppressive method to suppress the voice of helpless people.

Aftermath the fresh statement of Donald Trump, the  leader of Hamas Resistance movement Ismail Haniyeh  has called for a new uprising against Israel. “We should call for and we should work on launching an intifada in the face of the Zionist enemy,” Ismail Haniyeh said in a speech from Gaza on Thursday. A spokesperson for Hamas previously said on Wednesday night that Donald Trump had “opened the gates of hell” by taking the provocative step of calling the occupied city Israeli.

Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has said that the Muslim world should stand against the US plot to declare Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s “capital,” stressing that Palestine will eventually be freed from occupation.  Speaking on Wednesday on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Ayatollah Khamenei stated, “Palestine today tops the political issues facing the Islamic Ummah and everyone is duty-bound to make endeavors towards its freedom and salvage.” The Leader made the remarks in an address to state officials, ambassadors of Muslim countries and participants at the 31st International Islamic Unity Conference underway in Tehran. Ayatollah Khamenei said that the enemies’ utterence to recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as the “capital” of the Israeli regime stems from their “incompetence and despair.”  “The Muslim world would undoubtedly stand against this conspiracy and the Zionists will be dealt a heavy blow with this move and dear Palestine will at last be liberated without doubt,” he added.

Traditional US allies like Saudi Arabia  are among a growing chorus condemning President Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan has criticised US President Donald Trump‘s decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, saying it would throw this region into “a ring of fire”.

I urge all the factions concerning Palestinian issue to unite quickly in order to have the strategy to confront the occupation of Palestine and the US administration policies inside the Palestinian territories. I request all the Muslim clerics of all sects to stop bickering on one another. We should ponder that our ultimate enemies are America and Israel and we should use our energy and resources against them not against our fellow Muslims. Stop using pulpits to spread venom against each other. These pulpits are not for dividing us on trivial issues but to unite as we Shias and Sunnis are two arms (Bazoo) of Islam. We should use the religious centres for Wahdat (unity) which was the fundamental ambition of all the prophets [Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse No. 213]

I want to conclude with the slogan, “From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be Free”.

-The author is a freelance writer and can  be reached at javeedaliofkashmir@gmail.com

 

Is Commemorating Birth Anniversaries of Religious dignitaries, an innovation or an act of polytheism?

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Mujtaba Abbas

Commemorating remembrance of eminent servants of Allah (SWT) like creating a memorial or celebrations of their Milad, in the view of wises is very clear, but for clarification of every kind of doubt in this matter legitimate testimonies are hereby presented.  1.    Organizing Ceremonies manifestation of Love.   Quran-e-Kareem, Invites Muslims towards love for Holy Prophet and his Holy House Hold.                    قُل لَّا أَسْأَلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ أَجْرًا إِلَّا الْمَوَدَّةَ فِي الْقُرْبَىٰ( Shura 26/23)Say (Oh Prophet): ‘For this I ask of you no wage except the love of the (Prophet’s) house hold.There is no doubt about commemorating ceremonies for religious dignitaries is nothing but manifestation of love and attachment of people for them, which is in the view of Holy Quran completely correct and acceptable.  2.     Organizing Ceremonies, a Homage to Holy Prophet. Quran-e-Kareem, in addition to companionship of Holy Prophet, has introduced glorification of stature of Holy Prophet as a benchmark for salvation and prosperity.  فَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِهِ وَعَزَّرُوهُ وَنَصَرُوهُ وَاتَّبَعُوا النُّورَ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ مَعَهُ أُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ (Araf/157)Those who believe in him and honor him, those who aid him and follow the light sent forth with him, shall surely prosper. In the light of this verse, it is well understood that honoring Holy Prophet in the view of Islam is completely desirable and praiseworthy and organizing ceremonies which are for having alive the glorious remembrance of Holy Prophet (PBUH) and for his eminent prominence to show our praises for him, shall beoccurrenceof gratification of Allah (SWT). Therefore in this verse of Quran four qualities for salvation are mentioned:                    A: Faith;(الذین آمنوا به)(those who believe him).                   B: Following his light; (واتّبعوا النّور الذی أنزل معه)                                         (The light sent forth with him is to be followed)

C: Helping him; (ونصروه)  (Being helpful for him)

D: Homage and glorification for stature of Holy Prophet; (و عزّروه)  (Honor him).

Therefore, honor and homage for Prophet in addition to faith in him and helping him and following his directions is imperative and celebrating beloved Holy Prophet is an example of (وعزّروه) .

  1. Organizing ceremonies is dedication and obedience for Allah (SWT).

Allah in Holy Quran has mentioned about glorifying the Prophet: (وَرَفَعْنٰا لَکَ ذِکْرَکَ) (Inshirah94/4) (Have We not raised your remembrance?)

In the light of this verse we can understand that Allah (SWT) wants magnificence and glory of Holy Prophet should spread across world and himself has weave Quranic verses in praise of His Prophet.

We too in obedience of His Holy Book, with organizing mnemonic splendor ceremonies, the utmost status of Holy Prophet being our role model of perfection and attainment by glorifying him and by this way degrees of our dedication and following of Allah (SWT) is showcased.  It is very much clear that the intention of Muslims from these ceremonies is nothing elsebut to make long loud the beloved Prophet.

 

  1. Coming down of revelation is not less than coming down of food.

Quran-e-Kareem through the tongue of Prophet of Allah mentions this story:

قَالَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَا أَنْزِلْ عَلَيْنَا مَائِدَةً مِنَ السَّمَاءِ تَكُونُ لَنَا عِيدًا لِأَوَّلِنَا وَآخِرِنَا وَآيَةً مِنْكَ وَارْزُقْنَا وَأَنْتَ خَيْرُ الرَّازِقِينَ(Maeda 5/114).

‘Allah, our Lord, ‘ said (Prophet) Jesus, the son of Mary, ‘send down upon us a table out of heaven, that shall be a festival for us the first and the last of us and a sign from You. And provide for us; You are the Best of providers.

 

Prophet Jesus prays Allah for the Food of skies, so that Allah send down that Food for them and they will celebrate the day of coming down of Food as Festival (Eid).

This is what we want to ask that a Prophet who wants to celebrate a festival (Eid) the day on which Food of Skies is been sent down for them, which was not more than a fulfillment of bodily satisfaction. But if the Muslims of world celebrates the day of coming down of Allah’s revelation on Prophet or celebrates Prophet’s birth anniversary which are meant for the rescue of whole mankind and are actual resources for meaningful life of a human being. Organizing ceremonies of celebrations and celebrating these days as festivals (Eid) are sources of innovations and polytheism?

 

  1. Tradition Muslims.

The followers of Islam from ages organize such ceremonies for glorifying the remembrance of Holy Prophet.

Hussain Ibn Mohammed Diyar Baqari in his book Tarikh Khamis mentions:

Muslims of all over world used to celebrate the month in which Prophet Mohammed’s (PBUH) day of birth falls along with giving away feasts and during nights of that month alms were distributed among needy people, symbols of happiness were put into gear and all other kindness used to cover whole society and for recitation of memoirs of Milad of Prophet events were organized, and the illustration of his blessings and mercy used to be manifest on everybody.

With all above mentions we attain a general ruling for ceremonies of remembrance of dignitaries of our religion being legitimate and desirable in the light of Quran and tradition of Muslims.

Thus proves baselessness of such claims which says remembering Gods dear ones is an innovation. It is to be noted that innovation is one whose recommendation partially or generally used or applied against Quran and Tradition. While as the general ruling in this matter is completely aligned with Quran and the permanent tradition of Muslims which we understand.

Likewise organizing these ceremonies are only treated as symbols   of respect and glorifying the eminent servant of Allah (SWT) with this belief that their devotion and necessitous is all towards Almighty Allah. Thus has absolute harmony with basic principle of monotheism and Unanimity worship of Allah (SWT).

Therefore it get clearer that anyone who opposes these kind of ceremonies in which God’s dear ones are remembered has no base and foundation. We believe it can never cause polytheism and dualism for a Muslim.

 

Mujtaba Abbas (agamujtaba@gmail.com)

Wonderful Kashmir Experience penned down by Sri lankan traveller Sakie Ariyawansa

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It was a sunny day when I was wearing a Pharan and sitting on Sameer’s veranda in his ancestral Kashmiri home in Mazhom. The workers of the shawl workshop had already arrived, despise of the killing cold of the starting winter. I too was shivering and protested to move out of my warm blanket, when Sameer’s mom suggested me to go and absorb the sun. It first sounded like a joke for me, as a person coming from a warm country like Sri Lanka, where the sunlight is quite sharp and direct. But to my surprise, the Kashmiri sun light was mild and friendly.

While she busied herself in drying the red chillies over a mat in the garden, I snuggled in a blanket watching the early-morning-formed ice melting with the sun rays. The neighbours were also out on their verandas drying their carpets or feeding the cows. A man could have been sitting outside cleaning the Kaangdis ( Traditional Kashmiri firepots) , readying them for the upcoming chill. A young girl would have been stitching a worn out Pharan, maybe embroidering it with a new floral pattern.

Just as then, the latch of the gate creaked and a woman of her 40’s maybe, walked in to the garden. She wore a dark green Pharan and a head scarf of bright pink matching with the border design of her dress. Ring earrings hung from her ears. She had a fancy gold ring with green and red stones embossed to it. She came to Sameer’s mom who hugged her thrice and greeted with Salaams. Their gestures in conversations made me realized that it is about me. I was told that the lady who walked in is a neighbour and her son is to go to Delhi for further studies. She came towards me and sat across. She did not speak Hindi nor Urdu. She was from “that” generation which only spoke Kashmiri. My own Kashmiri was not good enough back then to have pleased her. I only knew how to count. But I could understand what someone would tell me.

She looked at me and smiled. She asked me when I will be going back to Delhi. I managed to say “Akh December” (one). She was extremely happy to have understood 1st of December. Not only that, she gave one clap and laughed with joy at my very slight Kashmiri. We shared a lot through the smiles and expressions. I was wrapping my arms around myself at which she kept saying “Toor cha?” I later found out it was for cold.

The 20 minutes we sat together of course included tea and biscuits with jam in the middle, and a hard doughnut which is known as Kulcha. She observed me struggling with Kulcha, and demonstrated how to eat it with ease. My every move was a joy filled laughter and I assume it made her fall for me more.

The two women were talking aloud mostly about village issues I guessed. I could only gape at their gestures and imagine what it was about. Words like, Siri Lanka, Bangalore and Sameer’s dost cleared to me that it was also about me. Having heard how far Sri Lanka is from Kashmir, her exclamations and surprise escalated further to know that I had come all the way by myself.

It was time for her to head back to her house, and she invited me to tag along with her. When I politely promised for some other time, she pulled out her fancy golden ring and put it on my finger. It was obviously quite big on me (I had thinner fingers) but it was a precious souvenir for me. I really wished I could wear it. Even tying a thread to make the ring hole smaller would not have worked. I denied to accept it, but she insisted that I did. Finally she kissed me on the forehead and left. I also managed to take some selfies with her before that! (I trained her enough until she could not stop taking photos)

There had been many such humans whom I have come across since my first trip to Kashmir. Speaking Urdu can be a definite advantage, but yet they are such people who accept with whole heart a guest, and make them feel home. They never hesitate to invite, always force to eat more, and offer to take you around at get your shopping done at absolutely low prices. So what is stopping you now?

Reality behind ISIS!

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Javeed Ali

javeedaliofkashmir@gmail.com

At the time I was writing this piece, the news flashed on my smartphone that during Friday prayers in the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt, ISIS terrorists settling off explosives, spraying worshippers with gunfire and killed at least 300 people including 27 children in the deadliest ever attack on Egyptian civilians. We have reached to that stage where these kind of terrorist attacks have become a normal routine now. Massacre of hundreds doesn’t make us feel saddened any more. The kind of ideology being propagated in world now has made us heartless and pitiless. Beheading innocent people doesn’t tremble our soul anymore as we see these things round the clock on the social media and we take it as a normal phenomenon. Where have we reached? Where is humanity? What is being fed to us that the word ‘mercy’ is obsolete now? Why is Islam which is the religion of peace being presented as a religion of barbarism? Why are the teachings of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) which are for the betterment of whole humanity being altered to justify killings? Why is Islam presented like it has to be imposed by force on people? Why we try to force our religion on others when we don’t implement it in our lives? This is all being done  because there are elements in this world who use Islam to fulfill their desired goals than to serve humanity which is the paramount segment of Islam.

ISIS or Daesh is one such group which was created to serve the interests of those who have nothing to do with Islam. America, Israel and their Arab puppets laid the foundation of this group and provided all the required resources to them including propaganda machinery. The main motive of this group was to create sectarian violence in the Middle East to pave way for the Greater Israel and to secure the illegitimate monarchy of Arab rulers. At the time when the youth were awakened against Zionist and arrogant powers in this world and were working and praying for the liberation of Palestine, Daesh was founded to sabotage the liberation movement of Palestine and to crush the resistance movement. The creators of this terrorist group in order to hoodwink the world community staged the drama of fighting this group. There are ample reports that US and Israel were providing arms and ammunition to ISIS terrorists in Iraq and Syria and also provided treatment to those ISIS terrorists who had got injured.

As the authorities in Iraq and Syria have now declared the complete elimination of ISIS terrorists from their countries, a point to ponder is that those groups who fought and defeated ISIS terrorists are being designated as terrorists by America, Israel and their Arab puppets. This is the clear indication that they are mourning the loss of billions of dollars which they had invested on this tumour (Daesh) and now they utter ridiculous things out of their frustration.

ISIS terrorists killed Shias, Sunnis, Christians, Yazidis and beheaded thousands of innocent people. They destroyed cultural heritage sites and religious places of different faiths in Iraq and Syria. They butchered hundreds of Muslim scholars belonging to both Shias and Sunnis.  They raped thousands of women in the name of so called Sex Jihad, a term which has no Islamic validation. They are beasts which are given free license by their masters to kill and rape. They are at the service of Zionism and play treacherous plots to malign the image of Islam.

Iraqi Army, Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) Al-Hashd Al-Sha’abi, Syrian Arab Army, Hezbollah Resistance Movement, Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and Russia played the brave and commendable role to eradicate this menace from Iraq and Syria. US which was claiming that they are fighting against ISIS terrorists in Iraq and Syria instead were hampering the job of anti-Deash forces. US and Israel employed all its options to save its creation (ISIS) but failed miserably in Iraq and Syria.

The disheartening thing is that at the time of complete annihilation of ISIS terrorists from Iraq and Syria, the Arab league called an emergency meeting where they gave a statement in which they declared Hezbollah as ‘terrorist outfit’ and accused Iran for interfering in Middle East. It clearly indicates that the defeat of Daesh has not gone in their favour.  The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas denounced the statement of Arab league and urged them to declare Israeli’s actions against Palestine as terrorism. Hamas also called on Arab states to support the legitimate struggle of the Palestinian people.

Its very tragic that the Saudi Arabia is tying with US and Israel to attack Iran and Hezbollah as was recently hinted by an Israeli Minister. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman in pursuit of kingship is using all designs to grab power at the expense of Palestinian cause. He even detained 11 fellow princes, hundreds of businessmen and government officials over claims of corruption and there are reports that they are being tortured by American mercenaries called ‘Blackwater’ .

We should always keep this thing in mind that US and Israel can never be friends with Muslims. They are sponsoring the terrorists to create the discord in Muslim Ummah for their nefarious designs. They have no love for Islam so Muslim countries should not pin any hope on them. They confront or defend a ruler depending on their evil interests. They confronted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and presented him as brutal and barbaric ruler as he was not serving their interests. Even rebellion was orchestrated in Syria against Bashar al-Assad to topple his government as he didn’t bow before the diktats of Zionist forces. He was blamed for killing his own people. This was all told to us through Western backed media like White Helmets and UK-based so called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The tragic part is that our media copied the same propaganda and pasted it in their publications. So its obvious that when we read these concocted and fabricated stories, it do affect our mindset in a wrong way. I invite all people who want to know the real ground situation of Syria. Just visit Syria once and interact with the civilians there. This is the only way you will come to know the reality than though the media which is backed by Zionism.

Have you ever seen US-Israeli nexus condemning the innocent killings happening in Palestine, Yemen, Rohingya, Egypt, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Libya, Nigeria, Bahrain. They only interfere where they have their set goals. Million of people were displaced in Yemen and thousands were brutally killed there by US-Saudi-led aggression. An alarming number of children are suffering of malnutrition and many of them have died of starvation. US-Saudi coalition have even blocked the humanitarian aid to the impoverished people of the poorest Arab country. Save the Children reported that 130 Yemeni children are now dying every day from extreme hunger or disease, with 50,000 dead this year alone. Where do our sympathy goes when the plight of these oppressed nations comes into our notice?

Even though ISIS lost its ground in Iraq and Syria, we should not be complacent. Their sponsors will be thinking to rebuild them with new name and place. They will reemerge anywhere with new flag and strategy to sow the seeds of discord again. So we all need to be cautious and work tirelessly to unite the Muslim Ummah as only united Ummah will break their bones. Moreover, we should educate those people who have got romanticized with the ideology of groups like ISIS due to lack of knowledge. We should make them understand that these are not Islamic groups but anti-Islamic groups in Islamic attire which is funded and supported by the enemies of Islam. They raise the deceptive flag of Islam and perpetrate heinous crimes which go entirely against the teachings of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and Holy Quran. They are Takfiri groups whose main ambition is to create strife among the Muslims and dominate the Muslim World. Its our religious obligation to forge unity and fight these Takfiri groups so that peace prevails in the world.

-The author is a freelance writer and can be reached at javeedaliofkashmir@gmail.com

 

THE LEGEND OF THE EAST

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Dr Amlan Das

 

Acharjya Ila Ram Das popularly known as “BaapIshwar” among his followers and supporters whose name needs no formal introduction was one of the greatest spiritual reformer, revolutionary preacher of the ethical principles of “Ek Saran Naam Dharma” founded by Mahapurush Shrimanta Shankardeva based on universal brotherhood and equality, finest orator, was indeed one of the incredible and ever talented son of our soil whose lifelong struggles and hardships have changed the lives of many, especially the downtrodden sections of our society. The cries and woes and the miserable and pathetic conditions of the oppressed sections of our society was indeed being a nightmare for him who could not resist from engaging himself for their welfare activities by rescuing them from the web of untouchability, discriminations, illiteracy and other prevalent dogmas during that period just as BabaSaheb Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, the founding father of modern India ,the chief architect of the Indian Constitution and the messiah of the oppressed sections fought in the national contexture, was a role model for him. He advocated a simple life based on moral values and became a centre of attraction for the emerging Vaishnavite movement in the mid 90s. His sole dedication as a religious promoter and a sincere missionary of Shrimanta Shankardev Sangha could win the hearts of the great masses, who even sacrificed his lucrative teaching career for his mission. He was a core member of the Saran committee of Shrimanta Shankardev Sangha, and also holds important and dignified portfolios like UpaPadadhikar, who had worked with his contemporary Vaishavite leader and Social activist Sunaram Chutiya. His speeches and discourses became so popular during that time that it was not only restricted among the Hindu masses but was also being greatly appreciated by the followers of Islam, Christians and other religions who conferred him with honorable titles like Auliya (meaning friend, helper, supporter, patron or protector) due to his depth knowledge on various religious scriptures, has been a sole inspiration for establishing global peace and communal harmony and people crowded in huge numbers assemble in the public meetings just to have a glimpses of him. Many eminent personalities of our state like poet Nilamoni Phukan, Ramakanta Muktiar, Dr. Maheswar Neog, Dr Indira Miri, Ex-President of India Fakharuddin Ali Ahmed, Ex-prime minister of India Smt. Indira Gandhi and others have indeed given due recognition to him for  his  God gifted talents. Once in a public meeting where both Nilamoni Phukan and Ila Ram Das were present, Phukan became mesmerized by his divine speech, said that “People of Assam have given me the title Bagmiveer (meaning maestro of oration) but in real sense son Ila Ram Das deserves this title”. His life took a new turning point in 1971 in the Nehrubali Adhivesan of Sangha at Nagaon where he resigned from Shrimanta Shankardev Sangha due to some ideological differences with his counterparts of Sangha and many of his supporters also came out along with him accordingly. He was so grief stricken after he abandon Sangha that he decided to hibernate himself totally from all sort of socio-cultural activities. His decision has indeed spread like fire all over the state and many of his followers and supporters became deeply lamented and planned to revive him again in all possible way. So on sole demand and humble request from his followers, supporters and well wishers, Baapishwar again resolved to start a new organization of Vaishnavite movement and finally Ek Saran Bhagawati Samaj came into existence. His revival was indeed a new ray of hope for many of his followers and they started promoting and building up organizational base in all over the state with him as the Acharjya (meaning the mentor or spiritual guide). The uniqueness of the Samaj is the divine Gunamala Kirtan and the Palnaam whose melody gives one a state of tranquility and heavenly spiritual experience which act as a boon in this arena of concrete and self-centered life and crave for material aspirations. As the Spiritual Icon of India Swami Vivekananda says “I have faith in my country, and especially in the youths of my country. My hope is in the youths”, similarly Ilaram Das too gave due importance and consideration to youths by starting a youth wing of Ek Saran Bhagwati Samaj named Tarun Vidyarathi Samaj whose prime objective was to impart spiritual and moral values amongst the youths as the youths play a pivotal role in the nation building process. The Prathana Sabha (Prayer Meeting) and various socio-cultural activities conducted by the Tarun Vidyarathi Samaj gives an important message to our new generation that its only by our cultural exploration we can link ourselves to our roots. As Babasaheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar says “When a man gets educated his family becomes developed but when a woman gets educated, a society becomes developed”. Keeping this in mind and giving due priority to women, he started a women wing of Ek Saran Bhagawati Samaj named as Sati Radhika Aai Matri Samitee for promoting awareness on women empowerment and motivating them to take important leadership roles for the all round development of our society. He also emphasized on various social prejudices of women prevalent in the society like early marriages, child marriages, birth spacing between births of two children etc and promoted education, vocational programmes for women like weaving under technical expertise and so on. The Naamghosa Rasamrit, Palnaam Tatwa, Nitya Prasangar Arhi etc were one of his superlative literary contributions. The Ek Saran Bhagawati Samaj is now working in all nooks and corners of our state to promote his vision universally. This legendary figure of Assam was awarded with the prestigious Shankardev Award for his outstanding activities by the Assam State Government on 2002. This versatile genius of the state breathed his last on 19th October 2003. His preachings and lifelong contributions will indeed remain as great milestones for the egalitarian Assamese Society and he will never be a forgotten hero.

 

Ghulam Mohammad Dar , 128 Year Old Life Story

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SYED BILAL

Growing old is basically going through series of changes that begin with life and continue throughout life cycle. In other words, it represents the closing period in the life-span, a time when the individual looks back on life, lives on past accomplishments and sophistications then finally begins to finish of his life course. Therefore, adjusting to the changes that accompany old age requires that an individual is flexible and develops new coping, new skills to adapt to the changes that are common to this time in their lives. We usually consider that there is not a universally accepted threshold of old age. Opinions differ according to the socio-economic and political situation.

 

Ghulam Mohammad Dar, who was born in the year 1898 has seen life with number of angles. Categorical note by him says that as people grow old, the likelihood of experiencing age-related loses increases. Such loses may impede the maintenance or acquisition of desired relationship resulting in a higher incidence of loneliness.

It was my routine visit to the nearby playground to watch a match between host club vs Kashmir Sports. On my way, suddenly I stepped backward to have a second glance towards the house of Ghulam Mohammad Dar who is living with his younger son Ghulam Rasool Dar who has a son Imran and a daughter Rubiya. Both of which are married, among which Imran has two sons Aatif and Aariz. Now it is only the determined hope and enthusiasm of Ghulam Mohammad Dar that makes him a competent player in the field of life. “it is not always flesh and blood which makes us fathers and sons but it is all the course of golden pure heart that makes us able to proceed forward in life,” says Ghulam Mohammad Dar.

In the courtyard, an old man sitting on an old-fashioned chair, that prompted me to change my mind and decided to have a conversation with the person of such a lovely wisdom and due flexibility in his physique and soul and is nearly 128 years old had seen the life from the time when nobody was not even wearing shalwar. I was thinking how can people who have such a big dignity living in their surroundings live a normal life without even meeting him on regular intervals. People were hardly able to arrange a phiran (traditional Kashmiri long coat) made up of suttal, the fabric that gets imported from different corners of the world. Ghulam Mohammad Dar had married in a time when people were hardly able to arrange shalwar for themselves. As far as his own marriage is concerned he stated  “I was not having a single shalwar at my home but somehow, I arranged it on my marriage. The custom was that a groom’s family had to pay entire expense even I paid 60 boag (currency measuring system) to the bride’s family and when the bride reached my home the people accompanying her paid 10 Boags back,says Ghulam Mohammad Dar. “My family had to even arrange a girl “sazged” to decorate the bride. I consumed 40 rupees on purchasing clothes, 9 rupees on buying meet. This is one of the costlier marriages of the time,” he further added.

Ghulam Mohammad Dar who has 6 sons and 2 daughters among which the elder one, the daughter who died soon after her birth. Her age at present would have been approximately 93 years. The elder son of Ghulam Mohammad Dar who is living separate has married 5 times and is living with his 5th wife. Apart from this, the physiological decline in ageing definitely refers to the physical changes some individual experiences because of the decline in the normal functioning of the body resulting in poor mobility, vision, hearing, inability to eat and digest food properly, a decline in memory, the inability to control certain physiological functions, and various chronic conditions. “Old age means multiple things, sometimes you feel totally sad, sometimes, joyful, some nights I can’t sleep, but I feel happy anyway, I have my family and I do what I like, I plant Haakh (collard greens), Brinjal and when I can’t do that, I plant beans,” says Ghulam Mohammad Dar.

“However, the partition and the resulting conflict changed the whole scene. The fate of the state turned into an insoluble tangle, however, there are conflicting versions of the basic situation and the happenings,” says Ghulam Mohammad Dar. It was well known fact that the Jammu people wanted to get integrated with the Indian Union while the Kashmiris were in two minds, he further added.

He is the person who has not even took a single tablet till date and obviously doesn’t even know that there are 2 to 3 medical shops running in their village. We were too busy in our conversation when suddenly somebody broken in and offered a “Noon Chai” to his grandchildren Aatif. I was fascinated to hear that Dar himself doesn’t even know how Noon Chai tastes from last 15 years. “I find it boring, ill and wasteful, if I don’t take 4 time Lipton tea cups a day,” says Ghulam Mohammad Dar. It is all due to the prayers of my mother who each and every time used to pray to Almighty Allah (Mumme wuchen peanch (5) pushte panen) and Alhamdulillah I have seen five said Ghulam Mohammad Dar.  Old age! It’s good, I keep on fighting and sometimes I miss my life when I was young, active, worked the whole day in the fields, went to relatives and on the next day I was just fine. Then the responsibility associated to being an adult, wife, children and the need of saving some money even it was just a farce for we people that time to earn and save money for our things, our obligations and responsibilities. Today Masha Allah I have my own family, house and very much property too but still sometimes I miss the old days. So, being old, getting old has been good because it went smoothly for me. I have no problems with old age. The health is now no more accompanying me as I many a times feel much tired than before even I had not stopped working still he further added.

During his young days, the key occupation was the Traditional Killam Kashi (silk yearing from mulberry trees). The people associated with the work used to transport the raw material to Srinagar through boats and finally handover it to the government. The boat used to carry 30 to 40 Manns (quantity used to measure) of raw material where they hardly get very little amount in return but much enough during those times,” said Ghulam Mohammad Dar. He further said that, the boatman used to charge 8 to 12 aaanas (currency) to transport it to Srinagar from Anantnag.

“Apart from this it was too much easier for we people to go to Pakistan than Srinagar as there existed no boundaries,” said Ghulam Mohammad Dar. He also recalled when the Pakistani raiders (kabails) arrived in Kashmir and according to him  everyone was trying to hide himself and how at the end Sherwani lead them towards the wrong path for which they later killed him.  “Dar” also said that life has become more complicated due to technological advancement. He said that whatever we are as independent (India) it is all because of the efforts of Gandhi, proceeding on vehemently he said, the development of village India, for Gandhi, was the development of India. Illiteracy, ignorance, and poverty characterized that vast population of rural India. “Gandhi organized mass movements to draw attention to the problems of the rural people, and also to involve the peasants in the freedom struggle, “he further added. “the description of the villages community in India was idyllic and superficial, although villages had their distinct identity and were ruled by the local heads,” says Ghulam Mohammad Dar. Villages were completely cut off from each other, i.e.; absolutely nothing to do with outside world he further added.

He remembers the time when the government arranged a small radio sized television and was installed in the nearby locality. How people use to assemble there and watch television. He says as the life started getting easy day by day, people still couldn’t live easily with each other. His grandson Imran Ahmad told that: “we used to hear so many stories from him when we were young that we would never forget. He is of course a living legend and an interesting man who has seen life very closely.

As far as the interests are concerned Mr. Ghulam Mohammad Dar used to be the great lover of music. Mukhtar Mir was a local Kashmiri singer who used to sing Kashmiri songs on different occasions. “He was a good Kashmiri funny poet also, we together were a Kashmiri singing band and almost I remained in the profession for at least for a period of 15 years,” says Ghulam Mohammad Dar. He says music may belong to any nation or place, the fact remains that it is always good to ears. He further said, everybody of us know, that there are no barriers of language or words that limit music lovers to listen and appreciate a good voice or a tone. “The sweet tones thus produced touch the heart and mind and even consoles human souls,” says Ghulam Mohammad Dar.

“The health and educational facilities during those times were available very less or we can say negligible. Among the doctors was, Rasool Naid who used to cure patients by homeopathic medicines. Rasool Naid was living in Wanpoh Anantnag so the residents from shamsipora and nearby villages would have to travel 6 to 7 kilometers by foot to reach wanpoh. Rasool Naid was not professionally well trained do remember “something is better than nothing,” says Ghulam Mohammad Dar. “Mumma Hakeem, Gani Hakeem were also unaani and ayurvedic doctors living in Chadroo Pulwama and Shangus Nowgam respectively, who used to cure patients by natural pure organic way,” says Ghulam Mohammad Dar. He says, these were the only medical aid options available to people of South Kashmir and in case of maternity related cases either a woman would give birth to child normally or would die in case the abnormality comes. The one more important and fundamental sector is the educational sector, he says, there was hardly a person who would read the letters coming from outside so people living in villages had to travel kilometers in order to make their letters read. “The entire village of shamsipora was having minimal fertile land of which the majority belonged to alone Prem Nath Chopra,” says Ghulam Mohammad Dar. He was having at least 22 khears (252 marlas) of land which approximately is very near to the entire fertile land of the said village added Ghulam Mohammad Dar. “How peculiar was the time when a single educated man was present in the village who used to be 5th standard pass and was highly educated in the entire NANDI BELT of Home Shalibugh,” says Ghulam Mohammad Dar. His name was Gafoor Dar, whenever a letter from outside the valley would reach in the village from the people who had gone to the other parts of the country particularly Punjab many a times even from Pakistan, people would rush with the letters in their hands towards the home of Gafoor Dar or Sansar Bhat a pandit living in the village. Since the pandits were in the majority added Ghulam Mohammad Dar. He says the extent of the poverty was so detreating that people had no shalwar’s to wear, they used to wear long tattered firans made of munnol.

I was first astonished to hear from Ghulam Mohammad that once a time when Mohammad Ali Jinnah arrived here in Kashmir, he made him wear the garland of dates that he had made personally. Ghulam Mohammad also remembers that he was carrying a goat with him. In order to see him, the people from the nearby villages rushed towards the venue that was organized at Pad-Shahi Bagh Bijbehara. He vehemently said, that people were evaporating from every side even some were carrying ploughs and daggers on their shoulders.

At last, he stated that  blessed are those homes where persons of such age are present and therefore the need of an hour is to take care of them physically, mentally and even socially. The concluding notes from Ghulam Mohammad were that no matter even if I would live for thousand years I still have to leave at the end. Better are those hands who help others in any way in their young age as when old age advances, lot of physical, mental and social changes take place, he added further.

This is quite an evident fact that as age advances, lot of physical, mental and social changes take place. Physical conditions may restrict movements, social changes may force dependency and mental condition may lead to depression and anxiety, even in poverty like conditions, it can lead towards economic insecurity and aggravate the situation. Remember ageing is a universal problem and no country can escape it different countries have felt its impact differently based on their socio-economic and cultural conditions.

I caught a braid chopper!

Posted on by Editor

By Javeed Ali

javeedaliofkashmir@gmail.com

I was browsing through my Facebook profile on my laptop. Its timeline from a long time has been displaying videos, images and contents of alleged braid chopping incidents in Kashmir. It has been over one month these views keep flaunting in front of you once you login to any social media app. The chapter started on September 04, 2017 and like a wild fire it has spread all over the Kashmir valley. Every now and then we see alleged braid choppers being held and beaten to pulp. But so far nothing concrete has come out who is behind this stratagem.

As my mind was revolving around the braid chopping incidents, I heard the noise of footsteps through our lane. It was over 12 midnight and when I peeped out of the window, I saw a middle aged man attired in Phiran (Kashmiri gown). It was an unusual thing as we reside in the area where movement of traffic and people gets curtailed before 10 in the evening. His appearance was shabby and he was looking weirdly around the surrounding. As my mind was already engrossed in the unabated braid chopping incidents in Kashmir, I straightaway suspected him as braid chopper. Without wasting any time, I gestured to him, “Tohe kya chu yepaeer karaan? (What are you doing here?)”.  Before he could utter anything, one of my neighbour who had already got on to the terrace of his house screamed, Braid chopper! Braid chopper! Within a flash, the whole horde of neighbourhood was on the ground. They caught hold of him and started enquiring about his uncommon presence in our territory. He was terrified and scared. Everyone was asking him queries and they started beating him before he could utter anything. He was punched, kicked, smashed, smacked, thumped, knocked, slammed and even abused. The ruthless and merciless beating caused him grievous injuries. He was bleeding profusely and broke down with tears trickling down his face. His clothes were searched but to our utter surprise there were only few pieces of cigarettes and no tool, blade or scissors were found.

My all attempts to protect him from beating and listen to his version failed completely as he was badly overpowered by the huge group of people of our vicinity. In the meantime, police vehicles arrived and they asked to hand him over to them. The people declined to hand him over to police and started chanting slogans suspecting him as Army worker. They pelted stones on police vehicles but police burst tear smoke shells and took him forcibly in their vehicle. After that everyone started making bizarre stories surrounding the incident as is common in Kashmir.

The next day, respectable and trustworthy elders of our area went to the police station to enquire about the fate of the alleged braid chopper. They were shocked to know that the person whom we had beaten barbarously is a mentally retarded patient of our nearby locality. He was now admitted in a hospital. His family members were present there with the medical documents which confirmed that he is suffering from stress and depression since last 20 years. They were crying bitterly along with the mentally challenged person whom we had suspected as braid chopper. Doctors attending him claimed that he will take time to recuperate from the bad injuries inflicted on him by our brutal beating.

This is one instance where we have beaten an innocent person just because we are facing the case of mass hysteria as propounded by the psychologists. An unruly mob roughed up foreign tourists when they had lost their way which had sent out an undesirable example to the world contrary to the fact that we are known as best in the hospitality with the guests. In Shallabugh area of Ganderbal, a group of 3 non-local tourists and guests of a local scribe were severely beaten and thrashed by locals as they mistook them as braid choppers. Their vehicle was also damaged and later on they were rescued by police. In another incident, two men were inhumanely hammered in Wakoora area of same district when they were collecting donations for a Yateem (orphan) trust.

In one of the disheartening incident, a 70-year old person was stoned to death in Anantnag on the suspicion of braid chopper. At some places rag pickers, Bihari labourers, transgender, lovers and drug addicts were also badly beaten just because they were at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Attack on the modesty of women is unbearable and same cannot be allowed to happen in our society. Braid chopping is an ugly scene which has made inroads in Kashmir after it previously occurred in different parts of the world and across the India as well. So it has to be looked from the broader perspectives rather than through the contours of the prevailing conflict in Kashmir.  After braid choppers hit Delhi in July, the police commissioned experts from the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences to study the phenomenon. The same institute had researched complaints about a monkey-like creature attacking people in the national Capital in 2001 and concluded that the entire episode was a case of mass hysteria. It means when a fear or threat real or imagined spreads to a large number of people through rumours or narratives so much so that many of them start reporting similar symptoms. A former head of the department of Psychiatry at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) reportedly told one of the news agency, “From all available evidence it seems that the women are cutting their own hair, either consciously or in an altered sensorium, likely to seek attention”. One more psychiatrist added that braid chopping could be the result of depression or stress ailments of women folk. Only time will tell us what is the exact cause and intent of this braid chopping scenario till then we should avoid believing in conspiracy theories.

We should not pay heed to rumours as there are many mischief and rumour mongers who always play pranks for their amusement and fun. Social media is helping these pranksters.  It creates fear psychosis which badly impacts the behaviour of human souls which in turn makes him or her the victim of mass hysteria. There may be genuine incidents of braid chopping but we should not blame it on any group or party without having any authenticity. We should not use the violent ways to protest against what is still a mystery. A 5-year old boy Sibti Hyder of Gangoo was injured at Pahoo, Pulwama when he was hit by a stone on his head. What was his fault? Was he involved in braid chopping? Why are we becoming the nation of vigilantes?

Last year rumour mongers got almost whole Kashmir populace on the streets on the rumour that polio drops caused deaths. Moreover, we should never forget the killing of Asrar Dar of Maisuma in 2009 who was killed by his friends on the love tangle and then his killers had protested violently for three days in Maisuma area and had blamed police for the killing. It was only after the investigation done by police which had revealed that the friends who were protesting against his death were his real killers. Furthermore, in the same year one of the relative of JKLF chairperson Mohammad Yasin Malik who was an auto rickshaw driver was strangulated to death by the robbers. At that time too, the blame was put on police for his death. Later on, investigations carried out in his death unraveled his killers as the robbers who had robbed him in his auto and strangulated him to death.

So we should ponder that giving unnecessary attention to rumour mongers is severely damaging our business and day to day life. There are so many business hawkers who are fearful to go to any region these days fearing they might be suspected as braid choppers. Even relatives and friends don’t visit to their respective relatives or friends. Few days ago a youth was beaten ruthlessly in Kakapora area in Pulwama when he was visiting to his aunt on his motorcycle. Where are we heading. The world will laugh at us if they will come to know about our ridiculous acts. The media fraternity needs to play an important role. They should not circulate anything without verifying the authenticity of incident. Moreover, we should not believe in rumours like holy scripts as there are many elements who are propagating rumours to serve their own motives.  Let’s all confront this menace without targeting the innocent beings and most importantly we should prevent the spread of rumours which has badly impacting the life in Kashmir.