Ashura teaches us essence of Salat!

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By Javeed Ali

 

Today is the Ashura of Muharram-ul-Haram 1440 AH. Each one of us is commemorating the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussain (A.S) and his companions which they gave for the revival of the Islamic principles in the battlefield of Karbala in Iraq. The event which happened in the year 61 of the lunar calendar gave impetus to Islam and laid the foundation of effective movement against the falsehood, immorality, arrogance, injustice, tyranny and oppression happening across time and space.
To all the tribulations and brutalities which were inflicted on Imam Hussain (A.S) and his loyalists, they faced them bravely and courageously and set exemplary lessons for all of us. Every Islamic and moral task was beautifully illustrated in Karbala by the martyrs due their steadfastness and commitment to their cause. These lessons of Karbala have created a treasure of sublime ethics and values for the whole humanity. There are many lessons which we can imbibe from Karbala, one such lesson is the importance of Salat (Namaz).
There is no doubt that Yazid and his soldiers crossed all limits in unleashing oppression and tyranny on Imam Hussain (A.S.) and his companions and brutally massacred them but couldn’t succeed in breaking their resolve and faith. Karbala martyrs stood firm to their noble cause and never deviated from their righteous path.
A day before Ashura (10th Muharram), Imam Hussain (A.S) pleaded for one night so that he and his companions could spend the last night in the worship and supplication. They spent the whole night in prayers, reciting Holy Quran and remembrance of Allah Almighty. Even the enemies acknowledged that the voices from the tent of Imam Hussain (A.S) on the night of Ashura were like the murmur of bees in the beehive.
Soon after morning prayers were offered, the enemy attacked and the battle started. All the atrocities and barbarism were thrown upon on Karbala martyrs. Despite all the cruelty and savagery of the enemies of Islam, Imam Hussain (A.S) set up for the Zuhar prayers with his nears and dears soaked in blood. Two of his companions shielded Imam Hussain (A.S) from the arrows and spears while he offered Salat. This is the clear indication that Salat is so important that two loyal followers of Imam Hussain (A.S) attained martyrdom while defending it.
There is a famous saying that friend of friend is a friend so if we claim that we love Imam Hussain (A.S) then we should love and follow everything whatever he loved and followed. Imam Hussain (A.S) loved Salat and the remembrance of Allah Almighty. If we assert that we love Imam Hussain (A.S) then how can we remain careless about performing our Salat. The honorable Imam even prostrated for the Asr prayers on Ashura with his body riddled with arrows, daggers and spears so how can we neglect Salat on the pretext of petty issues. A true follower and lover of Imam Hussain (A.S) whether he is Shia or Sunni will never abandon Salat whatever athe circumstances. As is being said anything beloved to a lover is to be venerated and idolized. Salat was very close to the heart of Imam Hussain (A.S) so it should also be close to our heart.
Commemorating the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussain (A.S) should renew our faith and belief. Participating in Muharram processions and congregations should rekindle our soul and it should make us more pious and devout. As Salat is of higher rank among the various acts of worship, therefore it should not be missed. Salat is a pillar of Islam and its being considered as the ascent (Meraj) of a believer.
Whatever deeds we perform for Islam and humanity will only be accepted in the court of Allah Almighty if our Salat gets acceptance. So, our remembrance and mourning for the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (A.S) and his companions in the battlefields of Karbala will only be rewarded if we offer our daily Salat punctually and religiously. Karbala occurred for the revival of Islam , so it should revive our faith and belief; if not then we have not yet understood the true significance of Karbala.
Allah Almighty says in Surah Taha, Surah No. 20, Verse No. 132:
“And enjoin prayer upon your family and adhere thou steadily unto it”
This verse clearly reveals that we should be punctual in our Salat and also we should persuade others for it.(Al Quran)
Let’s make a firm resolution this Muharam-ul-Haram that we will not skip any of our obligatory prayers and we will influence others to do the same. Inshallah!

 

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

 

How I learnt to speak Kashmiri

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Mahaq Tahir Tromboo

I was born and raised in Karnataka. My parents are from Kashmir and I have always fancied the Kashmiri language and wished my Kashmiri was as good as theirs.

 

At the age of five, I could speak English, Hindi, a little bit of Kannada but I could hardly understand a word or two in Kashmiri. Being the only person at home who didn’t know Kashmiri, I missed out on a lot of family conversations. That’s when I knew that I NEED to learn the language soon!

 

The story of how I learnt Kashmiri is quiet funny and a story that my mother has told  literally everybody she knows!

 

I picked up random phrases from Kashmiri daily soaps on the Doordarshan channel and used to repeat those dialogues all day long. In fact, I still remember some of those dialogues! So, I decided to keep my self learning a secret and surprise them the day I could speak perfect Kashmiri.

 

During my initial days of learning, I picked a catchy dialogue from the TV soap. My heart was filled with joy when I could repeat it correctly and I spent the entire afternoon practising this phrase. With great pride over my accomplishment, I walked to my mother and said- “mama, che payyi thratth!”. The reaction I got from her was completely different from what I had expected. She was shocked, confused and angry, all at the same time! She asked where I learnt this from. It was a Kashmiri curse and definitely not something she wanted her baby girl to hear, say or even know!

 

My mother had realised that I was adamant on learning Kashmiri so, she decided to teach me herself and monitored the words that I picked up. I seemed to pick up the language pretty fast. My grandfather also helped me by correcting the errors I made and encouraging me to talk in Kashmiri.

 

Fast forward to 2014, when I moved to Kashmir, I was shocked to see that most Kashmiris around my age chose not to speak in their own language. In Karnataka, Kannadigas love and promote their mother tongue, I was expecting to see the same in Srinagar but that wasn’t the case here. I was extremely disappointed to see that Kashmiris who chose to speak in their mother tongue were looked down upon. In fact many parents didn’t even teach their children Kashmiri for this reason. I failed to understand this behaviour of the Kashmiri society.

 

The best way to kill a community, is by killing its language. Kashmiris need to realise the importance of learning their mother tongue and preserving their language. Youngsters in Kashmir must be encouraged to speak in their mother tongue. It’s high time for us to realise that if our language dies, then so will the essence of Kashmir.

Courtesy : inblackandpink.wordpress.com

 

Book Review Gender and Education in Jammu & Kashmir: Cross Sectional Trends

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Gender and Education in Jammu & Kashmir: Cross Sectional Trends

Author: Dr Waqar Ul Nisa

Publisher: Jay Kay Books, Srinagar, Kashmir

Year of Publication: 2018

Pages: 192                                                Price: Rs 995

Reviewed By Mushtaq Ul Haq Ahmad Sikander

Education and Gender both are relative yet interdependent terms. A lot of ambiguity prevails about the use of these terms because education is confused with literacy and gender with biological differences. Is Gender related to Education or can Education influence the construct of  Gender in a society need deeper understanding and critical engagement both with the institutions of education and those that reinforce the concept of gender in social realms. The present book under review written by a young scholar Dr Waqar tries to engage with the pertinent question of gender and education.

The book is divided into two sections comprising of seven chapters and a conclusion. The first chapter provides a history of women education in Kashmir from ancient to our contemporary times. The chapter is textually rich but the engagement with religion and its attitude towards women education has not been dealt properly. The autobiography of Shamla Mufti, Chilman Sey Chaman would have served as a reference point in this context, because in her story the intersection between caste, religion and gender become evident. But that source has not been consulted so has been the case with other references that are available in vernacular languages like Urdu that includes autobiographies of educationists like Agha Ashraf Ali, Kuch Tou Likyey Ki Log Kehtey Hain! Critical engagements with texts in vernacular languages would have rendered the analysis quite sound.

An important chapter of the book Literacy and Education deliberates with the distinction between the same, but again fails to make a relationship between them. It leaves other important questions like Education and Patriarchy for the reader to brood over. In what aspect the textbooks, pedagogical practices and educational institutions are failing to produce better, productive, socially engaged and gender just human beings is also not discussed. Although the legal and term specific definitions of education versus literacy are provided but the critical question of failure of educational institutions to produce better human beings is avoided. This crisis of our education is one of the grave threats facing humanity where education, research, pedagogy is being used to contain, denigrate, demean and neo-colonize the humans. Those who invest more on knowledge production are more powerful and this soft power is retrograded to realistic power. The realistic power is used subsequently to fuel wars, violence and destroy nations and people. We all are a witness to such a misuse of our education. With the spread of education gender relations have become skewed, asymmetrical and biased. The more literacy levels increase the more epidemic increase is witnessed in gender related crimes all over the world. The patriarchal religious theocracy, cultural norms and misogyny is becoming more aggressive in its manifestations. Education has long been left out to fight these social evils that are prevalent in our societies. Instead misinterpretation of religion, culture and social norms is used to justify these imbalanced gender relations. Our educational institutions particularly the women led are failing to play its social role, as Waqar very well states, “Ironically, women in the valley have not yet found niches in the upper echelons of decision making bodies- political, religious or social. Had it been any western society, a mass women’s movement would have evolved against these atrocities which would have shaken the entire sub continent. And the women’s college, given its role in Kashmir’s social development in the past, would have been a source and inspiration for such a movement. But nothing of that sort has happened. Rising against oppression is its past and producing flocks of students unable to rise for the genuine rights seems to be its present and immediate future”. (P-81).

Armed conflict and its impact on women education is analyzed in another chapter. Despite the raging violence all around it needs to be acknowledged that enrollment ratio did not show a regressive trend in Kashmir. Education continued in the midst of violent conflict. During the initial years of armed insurgency and brutal state response it did have a negative impact on education particularly women education but Kashmir overcame its ill impact quite quickly. But our educational institutions have yet failed to devise a model of education and conflict resolution that can provide an alternative to violence, gender discrimination and politically contested claims.

In the second section of the book Dr Waqar has provided the content analysis of enrollment data about girl education from school to university levels during a decade (2000-2010). She has described her ordeal while analyzing the data because there is unavailability of statistical data and other such issues that created obstacles for the quantitative research. She has critically analyzed the data but has failed to make out the facts about girls opting for more science or humanities subjects? Dr Waqar in the conclusion has summarized her analysis while offering some suggestions about improving the education and literacy among girls in Srinagar district.

Overall the book is a nice attempt at understanding the education trends among females. Some areas that need improvement for the next edition of the book include its shortcomings with use of data of just one university whereas there are various universities operating in the state and confining her research just to one district whose trend certainly cannot be generalized. Overall Dr Waqar and the publisher both need to be applauded for their efforts, as they have made the research available to the masses and future researchers.

 

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

 

 

Feminism, Misandry and Male Helplessness

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Mushtaq Ul Haq Ahmad Sikander

The relations between men and women in most societies is skewed, unequal and favoring a certain sex through gender construction. Women have been mostly on the receiving end because of misogyny and patriarchy. But patriarchy has not only undermined women but men are victim too. The victimhood of men is least talked about and even they too do not dare to speak up about the abuses or restrictions they face regularly because of the patriarchy. The initial bruising happens in childhood when boys are taught to pent up their emotions and not wear them on their sleeves and sobbing is a taboo for boys. As they grow up their parents, teachers and environment teaches men to be strong using the cliché Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota (Men don’t feel the pain). They as usual feel pain but are debarred to express it. The teacher in the classroom also reinforces the belief when they segregate boys from girls. If any boy sits close to a girl classmate or shares a bench, he is rebuked for the same. This concept is driven home that boys and girls are different so they should be segregated. So if any child out of sheer innocence tries to cross the line he is strongly condemned and made to adhere to the set norms. This enforced segregation evolves to gender during adolescence when boys and girls enter into a relationship, with these preconceived notions. It is also an unwritten rule that a boy is supposed to bear the expenses of his girlfriend whether be it mobile bills, picnic outings, long drives, expensive gifts and restaurant bills. Further being a male should not be construed synonymous to being a credit card. The reverse can also be true, because many vulnerable girls also incur financial burden while spending on their boyfriends. It is no problem to spend on each other if love exists, but issue starts when one exploits the other or break up happens and there are claims and counters claims.

To add insult to injury the girls are supposed to be pampered. This culture of pampering girls particularly by boys mostly with evil intentions of exploiting them, have resulted in development of false self identity and consciousness among girls in relationship. Further most boys are aware about such vulnerabilities of women so they use it for their own benefit. On the other hand if such girls are not pampered they became irritated, abusive and rude as earlier men have shown them false illusions and green pastures while others who uphold mirrors to them are the male patriarchs who need to be condemned because they do not treat their partners as “Queens” despite the fact they themselves are paupers. Add to it the notion of beauty, that every lady and girl is possessed about. Though beauty is relative but if girls are not praised for their beauty they get offended. “Beauty” has been reduced as a hallmark for judging a girl and lady. The women themselves are responsible in perpetuating this belief and beauty pageants like Miss World have further developed this belief. This retrogradation of womanhood to just beauty is one of the gross injustices rendered by the contemporary age to the agency of being a woman.

On the other hand features like being handsome are rendered as yardsticks for men and if they lack them they are made to feel inferior. The stout tummy, well toned muscles, trimmed beard and well built height are the features that men are supposed to possess. When it comes to domestic chores, men are supposed to stay away from the kitchen. Even if they are involved in providing a helping hand in domestic affairs, they and the women make sure that it does not become public. Even when men do laundry, they are not supposed to put the clothes for drying in sunshine lest the neighbors witness. These men who even are gender just try to veil up this aspect of their lives lest they be known as Joru Ka Ghulam (slave of wife). In most cases wives and mothers too do not let their husbands and sons venture in the kitchen as they consider it a breach of trust. They too are not ready to delegate or share their power that they have over kitchen to their men.

When it comes to relationships men too do suffer from abuse, physical, mental or psychological. The abuse mostly goes unnoticed because men are supposed not to reveal or share it. Men get cheated on, deceived or traumatized in relationships but they pretend to put a strong face because if they display emotions they are tagged as being cheeky, girlish and too effeminate who recount their ordeals just to gain sympathy. If there is fallout in relationship man is without any trail, evidence or justice process declared as guilty. Even if a woman falsely accuses a man of domestic violence or misconduct, he is being held guilty by most people. They are ready to virtually lynch and do him to death without even listening to his version of story. By default in patriarchal societies it is being held that women are victims, but in many cases opposite is the truth. Women too particularly pseudo feminists are ready to jump the bandwagon when some lady declares herself a victim. Feminism does not give few people right to hound males and indulge in travesty of justice.

These factual realties are yet to be analyzed properly. Misandry and patriarchy together make it possible that women of the household of an accused male be portrayed as bad, because they too are painted in a similar color. I remember case of a person who was accused of domestic abuse by his wife who later on carried a vilification campaign against him that it becomes next to impossible to marry off his younger sister. So domestic violence, accusing males unjustly do create a demonic image of males who in reality may not be really guilty. A real checks and balances system should be incorporated that do not let foul play while one spouse accuses the other of violence or unjust treatment.

Men and women now have belated egos that are not able to co-exist but clash with each other and it is resulting in the break down of family system. The antagonistic spousal relations have diverse ramifications particularly on children. To conclude, marriage should be based on egalitarian values but those values first need to be inculcated among men and women only then they can be invoked and implemented in a marriage. The skewed gender relations make one of the partners a victim in any marriage. To avoid such flaws a lot of mental and psychological preparation should be undertaken while entering into any serious relationship particularly the one which forms the building units and blocks of any society.

 

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

 

Voices in Kashmir calling to follow Ramadan’s Message of peace and humanity

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The holy month of Ramadan has started in the entire Islamic world. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, it is the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims desist from eating, drinking and sexual needs  from dawn until sunset.

As compared to the solar calendar, the dates of Ramadan vary, moving backwards about ten days each year depending on the moon. Pertinently, Ramadan was the month in which the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

With the recent ceasefire announcement by the Government during month of Ramadan the masses are hopeful that this Ramadan passes on peacefully and becomes a foundation for achieving lasting peace and prosperity in Kashmir.

As a matter of fact, the Valley of Kashmir being predominantly a “Muslim” dominated area, so this holy month has special significance for the masses of Kashmir. The people of Kashmir are hopeful that peace and prosperity would return to Kashmir as virtue of this holy month.

We at the Kashmir News Bureau talked to diverse eminent, common voices to understand the basic crux of message of Ramadhan for global peace and humanity .

Eminent Scholar Professor .(Dr.)Hamid Naseem Rafiabadi, Senior Faculty Member at Kashmir University’s Islamic Study Department , while talking to the Kashmir News Bureau stated – “Holy month of Ramadan is the month of blessing . The essence of fasting is intended to teach Muslims about patience, humility and spirituality and is a time for Muslims to fast for the sake of Allah. Every good deed in this life has its roots in the self control and Ramadhan teaches in best way us the self control. Self control is the best way to learn patience, develop abhorrence towards violent behavior and have control over greed. Ramadan Message via self control for us the humans is to develop the passion towards harbingering global peace and humanity . Values of mercy, self control , tolerance learned via fasting should be followed throughout the year so that we strengthen the roots of global peace and humanity . Ramadan fast should enrich our self control, tolerance towards opposite world views , the passion towards following right path in life and if right lessons are learnt Ramadhan would for sure be a significant path builder in promoting global peace and humanity.”

Moulana Khurshid Ahmad Qunango, eminent religious scholar stated – “Ramadan teaches us to have control over bodily desires and I am of firm belief that if we transmit the very ideals into reality we would via message of Ramadhan usher global peace and harmony throughout the world. Holy Quran was revealed in Ramadhan and its teachings are clear and apt : Whoever kills a person [unjustly]…it is as though he has killed all mankind. And whoever saves a life, it is as though he had saved all mankind.” (Qur’an, 5:32. ) . The world of ours including Kashmir which is full of bloodshed and misfortunes can move towards a better times if we really follow the message of tolerance, human brotherhood and humanity learnt in Ramadan. In our part of world,  it is not just health, wealth and luxury for which the Muslims in Kashmir would toil during Ramadan, dignified peace is also at the top of their prayers . “

Irshad Ahmad, a commoner stated – “Ramadan is the holiest month of year for the Muslims throughout the world. We need to bear in mind that the essence of fasting is intended to teach Muslims about patience, humility and spirituality and is a time for Muslims to fast for the sake of God and to offer more prayer than usual. During Ramadan, Muslims ask forgiveness for past sins, pray for guidance and help in refraining from everyday evils, and try to purify themselves through self-restraint and good deeds. If we take the overall teachings of Ramadan in real perspective then it should help us in becoming better human beings and believe in leading a life of peace and compassion. It should also makes us tolerant towards others religions and make us real humanity lover. I hope that our younger generation entangled in so many troubles would take correct lessons and usher in a peaceful way of life via teachings of Ramadan.”

The pulse from expert voices to masses is that the great message of Peace, Humanity should be followed in letter and spirit by the Muslims of Kashmir and Muslims of entire world.  With Ramadan ceasefire in effect the hopes and optimism of seeing a peaceful and prosperous Kashmir remain all time high. (KNB)

 

BLOODSHED PAINING KASHMIR

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The escalating bloodshed in the valley has rapidly become the center of attention for news headlines and analysis throughout the world. Bloodshed and violence has destroyed mental peace of common Kashmiris and also destroyed him or her on emotional levels, as loss of near and dear one means life-long trauma.

It is known to one and all Peace is a product of a positive mental attitude, while violence is the result of negative thinking. Peace is the natural state of society; violence is an unnatural state. Peace is as much in accordance with nature’s plan as violence is against it.

 

The pulse on the ground zero in Kashmir is that steps have to be taken to stem the monstrous cycle of never ending bloodshed in Kashmir. We talk to cross section of the society to understand the disastrous impacts of the continued bloodshed in the valley.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lawyer and Political activist, Advocate Nazir Ahmad Malik, while talking to the Kashmir News Bureau on this serious issue stated – “Bloodshed has disastrous impacts on every Society. The loss of near and dear ones impacts the whole eco system of the society. India and Pakistan should initiate meaningful talks to end this ugly cycle of bloodshed. The whole fabric of Kashmiri society is disturbed as educated and highly professional youth are getting consumed.

 

As the former CM Omar Abdullah held the current govt responsible largely for pushing youth to wall and I agree with his assertions. The government should introspect and brainstorm with civil society to end this bloodshed. Both as a parent and lawyer, activist my heart bleeds due to this bloodshed.”

 

Many are also hopeful that if North and South Korea can have peace achieved why not in Kashmir.

 

Affan Yesvi, prominent Youth activist and columnist from Kashmir states – “Killing innocents in the name of different political or religious ideologies is wrong. When North Korea and South Korea can settle their decades old bilateral dispute and choose peace and mutual economic growth as the way forward, why can’t our region follow suit to end tragedies inflicted by violence.

 

Guns and bloodshed have never yielded positive, meaningful outcomes. Uninterrupted and uninterruptible dialogue is the only way stakeholders can resolve disputes, by coming to the table. One hopes that day comes soon for our region, before more bloodshed, before more loss of young, blossoming lives.”

 

On April 6, 2018 the State Chief Minister stressed the need to end the bloodshed. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti appealed to the country’s political leadership, cutting across party lines, to listen to the voices of pain from Jammu and Kashmir and help the people of the state get out of the vicious cycle of killings.

Syed Ilyas , social activist from Ganderbal district stated – “Bloodshed has an enormous impact on all the walks and streams of life . Younger generation when it becomes resistant to bloodshed becomes hardcore and overall pain caused due to it creates havoc. Its impacts on education field to all other fields are disastrous. Younger generation should be given direction through proper, calmer thoughts and vision .Stakeholders should take all the needed steps to ensure end to this bloodshed, as this is not solution to any problem. Muslim societies have suffered especially worst in past few decades due to bloodshed; dialogue and pen are way forward to ensure peace in societies. A common Kashmiri on ground zero feels disturbed due to this huge bloodshed.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

The voices of sanity in unison are stressing the need to end the gory scale of bloodshed in the Kashmir valley so that happiness once again returns on sad faces. (courtesy: KNB)

Kashmir: An ill-fated Paradise in Search of Freedom (Thoughts initiated by Khadija Motorwala. Written by Farhaan Sheikh)

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Beauty is often considered to be one of the greatest gifts of Almighty. However, the mesmerizing visual appeal of this precious aspect can often overshadow the dark layers binding the creation in pain and poignancy. As a writer I have this habit of finding inspiration in sources present all around me and create something of my own, characters. Recently I was sketching this unique character in my mind- an extremely beautiful girl having a heart filled with purity, molded with the passion of embracing every aspect of life and destiny. Sounds like a nearly perfect individual we always wish to be around. This girl enchanted my mind as I kept crafting the positive traits like eloquence, empathy, patience and liveliness to build her startling personality, neglecting the agonizing suffering within her physical body. My character was not really simple and perfect as it was struggling with oppression within her body. The heart though pure, is filled with blue blood flowing through the polluted veins, a kidney jeopardized in its functions to support health and legs nearly paralyzed in turn causing severe physical disability. After coming up with the final creation I glimpsed at it with inexplicable grief expressed in a single pretentious smile. While understanding the pain of this bright young life, I wondered that all this suppression is due to its internal system rather than any external accident or cause. No other living soul ever harmed the girl but they never cared about her livelihood as well, rather kept admiring her immense beauty. The world for this young girl is flat; there is no sense of acceptance awaiting her because the internal organs themselves have caused enough damage.

In India, every year we celebrate festivals and show pride in coexistence of the diverse cultures and communities inhabiting this mother land for centuries. Observe the country map closely, and you see the majestic starting point of this distinct territory of South east Asia, the evergreen Kashmir. This northern state covered in serene body of snow is unarguably a testament to the wonders of nature far beyond the human imagination. I recently visited Kashmir as a part of an interactive workshop for the communities residing there. My experience takes us a step closer to the psychology of people living in the midst of political and social conflicts.I observed how each day people turn up by 10:40am when the workshop is always scheduled at 9am, crossing several hurdles on their way to reach every step closer to the destination. I was not surprised with the late arrival of the residents but how, for all kinds of unfinished work, they put the blame on the situation they live in. Every undone action is attributed to the excuse of living in uncertainty. The aftermath of political interests has resulted in people devoid of integrity and work ethics. On the brighter side,I was thoroughly mesmerized by theexceptional hospitality of the Kashmiri residents which will enrich your tourist experience and keep you away from any form of military interference throughout. Although great with treating guests, these people surprisingly have no interaction within their own societies in fear of meeting a dangerous terrorist or rebellion of another group disguised as local stranger. A dispute initiated in 1947 followed by a long term war between countries to acquire this state has left civilians stranded around the vast ocean of fear and inhibitions. Compare this situation with one of the most dreadful accidents in your life and its long lasting impact on your behavior, and possibly you will realize the negative aura diminishing their hope in dewdrops of sudden tragedies.

Scroll through newspapers, social media posts, tweets and all forms of communication media, dozens of opinions fall everywhere. It involves condemning the actions of China and Pakistan, some blaming it all on political forces, some paying respect to the brave soldiers and some proudly praising the extraordinary appeal of the Kashmir’s nature. However, despite witnessing the severe problems disrupting and displacing families, there would be few or no voices demanding independence of Kashmir. When I say independence, it does not mean establishing a yet another border to India and Pakistan but instead it demands freedom of civilians from the regressive ideologies existing there. Here I bring back the context of my recently written character, the disabled beautiful girl entangled in affliction of her own body and the remorseful sympathy of the world around. The paramount need of my character was not beauty and empathy but freedom from the current ambience in a form liberating her innermost desires and goals. Kashmir is my dear girl, asking for freedom from not only the surroundings outside but the communities inside its realm. In his popular poetry, Rabindranath Tagore described the dystopia “where the mind is with fear” in verses addressing the rising domination of intolerance and injustice. The heavenly Kashmir is in a need of mental freedom of thoughts and expression within the minds of its inhabitants, to breathe healthy elements of liberty in the shrouded walls of despair. Women and children restrict their movements and voices in front of long bearded strangers, students wander around after government have shut down all the coaching classes due to problem of stoning and thousands of companions get detached in the wake of hostile actions all over. “Why it was not me but my dear friend, does even God trade lives?” is a response from the young minds, as they lose their closest allies in matter of few seconds as uncertain causes surround them everywhere. At the dawn of world’s largest democracy we can witness the gradual deterioration of independence in this vulnerable state crushed under the sole desire of acquisitions and atonement.

A powerful movement few years back by a group of students and innovator SonamWangchukled to the formation of Students Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL). This NGO proved to be an inspiring initiative to bring suitable educational reforms in Ladakh as a motive to build the poor learning system existing in the state. The founders not only changed the educational landscape considerably but built schools which could harness the best form of quality education to cater the confused minds of children. Although impactful, the change in Kashmir is still far away. There is a need of nourishment of ideologies; the broken parts require healing from within and acceptance from outside. As an Indian I always rejoiced the fact that this unique state called Kashmir is a part of my mother land, however, my inner conscience now urge me to believe that the best decision for all of us will be to rebuild it with a new hope and purpose.

 

Together the collective action of a whole new governing body, the educational reformist, the innovative engineers, the resilient sportsmen, the enthusiastic artists and the individual leaders will be the sole pioneer in the plausible resurrection of this overlooked treasure of nature known to be a symbol of God’s splendid creation. It is important for the nations to stop its usage as a battlefield and cooperate for the salvation of innocent lives. The societal norms and military conflicts have captivated the hopes making it essential for power and people to unite and act against the injustice.Tourism to Kashmir over the years has declined due to beliefs about the negative effect it can cause to travellers with its current situation. I must say after visiting Kashmir I have realized this is a myth which needs to be dispelled in order to promote active tourism it requires for development. The solution lies in experiencing the problem closely and forming a network of talent supported by sufficient manpower to show people the righteous path.The fate of my beautifully written character is now in hands of our own personal decisions; it does not imply the incapability of rising out of its own disability but a simple humane need from other souls to overcome the identity of cursed paradise she is known to be.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Posted on by Editor

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

Posted on by Editor

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