Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Comment on Chandra Muzaffar interview,New Age Islam Oct 7,2009

COMMENTS
10/7/2009 12:42:29 PM Shamshad Elahee Ansari-Dubai (U.A.E.)
Muslims must defy Islam-supremacism before they can hold credible inter-faith dialogue

In response to the interview with Chandra Muzaffar; Malaysian Islamic scholar by Yogendra Sikand, I would like to comment followings:
Islamic Supermacism concepts amongst Muslim community is the result of Muslim clergy who don’t see progressive Islamic scholar eye to eye. They are the one who instills this falsehood amongst innocent Ummah which is in the interest of Muslim Kingdoms, leadership etc. Islamic Clergy has been playing a role of subservient to their masters (rulers), they are the one who rules the roots in entire Muslim world, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Indonesia etc. thru Mosque and Madarsas network. A layman believer will follow the dictates of local mosque Mulla in case of he/she finds an issue pertaining to their religion, identity, social security or even political issue. The progressive stream of Islamic scholar could not penetrate this vital structure which is governed by traditionalist forces, they have produced a Jin like Taleban and to some extent Al Qaida now which has created a violent political havoc and spreading their sectarian ideology throughout the world. They are not sparing liberal scholars within Sunni community but also fanning sectarian factionalism within Muslims like Shiite vs Sunnis.
Unfortunately, so-called progressive Muslim intellectuals or religious leaders like Obaid ullah Sindhvi , Maulana Azad, Iqbal, Hasrat Muhani to Wahiduddin Khan or Asghar Ali Engineer did not have powers or has it at present to penetrate Mosque-Madarsa institution. This is the strongest institute within Islamic community which has a sway of power over the mind of Muslim populace. They all are sitting at their own seats and writes or talks in absolute isolation, they really don’t have any direct interaction with the community and neither they have any strategy to combat this situation i.e. how to counter the Mulla-Madarsa nexus?
Above reference can paint a very grim and pessimistic view of this present situation but there is a ray of hope ahead. We have plenty of Muslim scholars in every part of the world who are trying to assert themselves and posing a direct threat to Mulla-Madarsas nexus, they are asking relevant questions? They are demanding Ijtihad, they are pressing for reforms, they are trying to move Muslims and requesting them to see a fresh light. More they create awareness amongst literate Muslims, more they are close to their targets. Time has come to develop new Mosque parallel movement in the community to isolate fundamentalist Mulla bandwagon. Time has come to issue a public statement for common Muslim to stop paying anything to Mosque-Madarsas. Time has come to give a Call to stop making parasites or Taliban like creature thru Madarsas and to build modern learning institutes so that their products could survive as an honorable citizen of the main stay society. Madarsa’s product is compelled to live at the behest of Muslims or live in hidings like Taliban . Let us stop this pattern immediately; otherwise it will be too late. They are producing a large army of such elements who can prostrate before Taliban like forces if the call is given.
They will be the one; they are armed with such mindset, that they would behead first the Progressive Scholars of Muslims to clean it from disease.
As far as Islamic Banking concept is concerned, there is nothing difference in western banking system and so-called Islamic banking system. Only interest is termed PROFIT.
The owners of these so-called Islamic Banking is not doing any novel activity, they are just capitalizing on the general psychology of common Muslim man who has money but if see, Halal or Islamic, he will buy that product first, all due to either his so-called superiority complex or his/her faith and beliefs etc. Muslim Industrialist has cunningly read this and marketed their product accordingly. Now, it has become multi-billion dollars market world wide. Its nothing, but a marketing strategy of Muslim bourgeoisie.
It’s a long battle, let’s see how things would take turn in next 10-20 years…!!!


Sincere regards


Monday, October 5, 2009

Comments on Ravi Shankar Maulana Wahiduddin New Age Islam Oct 3

COMMENTS
10/3/2009 1:45:43 PM Shamshad Elahee Ansari - Dubai (U.A.E.)
Say it Talk or an interview with Maulana Wahiduddin Khan and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar under the caption War and Peace, It’s in The Mind. Thanks to New Age for re-producing this article from TOI and many thanks to those readers who spared their time to indulge in a debate on the issue. All religion defends the Platonic theory on priority and superiority of Mind over matter. We have not a single case in the entire human history that there is any civil disobedience against any rule without objective condition. Objective conditions are the mother of a thought/idea/ideology or say it mind. Sri Sri Ravishankar/Maulana and even Mr Ashok Chowgule are the products of specific conditions. Objective Condition/Matter is the primary source for the idea, It can lead Buddha to go to jungle in search for Nirvana, conditions could lead a small time thief Ajmal Kassab to come to India along with his compatriots on a so-called Jihad mission and kill innocent civilians, Conditions is the First and foremost factor that it can give a super constitutional authority to Mr Chowgule to put to test any Muslim citizen in India for trustworthiness, religious beliefs etc. Actually both are ugly face of same coin.
Instead of welcoming this great moment and great efforts on the part of two dignitaries, who are an authority in their respective field, Mr. Chowgule has targeted the integrity of Malauna, who really don’t need any certificate from anyone, including Sang Parivar and its progenies to prove his credentials. Communal Forces cannot accept any such action which can unite the followers of two different religions. They will always welcome the acts of divide, they need only Ajmal Kassab, not any act of unity.
Let me come again on the philosophical aspect of the debate. I disagree to this reference that WAR is the state on mind. WAR is an objective reality. It has it economy, it serve some vested interest, and RELIGION has played a very important role to fill the coffers of rulers. Let us be objective on Jihad, it’s a billion dollar industry, Jihadi are being sold and purchased, to make this job easy, they use IDEOLOGY. Islam is the most salable commodity to produce Jihadi and in turn, we have a Counter jihadi force.
If Ajma Kassab and Ashok Chowgule are the faces of same coin, so please don’t be surprised if you may come to know, Afghan Jihadi-Anti War Forces are two sides of the same coin.
Please debate this issue, take this issue to the grassroots, Let us hope, the ignorant people will see the light of the truth themselves, without any help of any Guru or Maulana.
Best Regards

Monday, September 28, 2009

Comment on B Raman NAI Sep 18 2009

COMMENTS
9/18/2009 11:36:23 AM Shamshad Elahee Ansari-Dubai (U.A.E.)
What a co-incident, BBC Hindi service broadcasted a special progam on RAW today and gave a pretty good insight on the work of this organisation. B.Raman's write is the well reserached from the annals of RAW and its hard work on the other side of the border.

One would love to know if Indian intelligence could open the pandora box on the followings:

1. Give us a valid reason for over 100,000 killings in J&K is last two decades?

2. Give us the exact number of the Indian forces who are holding Kashmir on the gun point?

3. Give us exact amount spent in J &K, in the name of security?

4. Why the able officers, who were busy in extracting information from otherside of the border, could not win the heart and mind of the people of Jammu and Kashmir?

5. Also tell us whether Indian Govt recurits Kashmiris in Armed forces, give us the numbers and percentage, as Mr.B.Raman has pointed out about Shia community in POK/NA etc.

I know, Indian establishment can not provide these information and will continue to hold Kashmiri people at gun point. You can keep the territory by force, but not human beings. Kashmiri people are posting horrible video footage on youtube day after day and telling the world truth and their side of story. This is pathetic and unfortunate to read about POK/NA from the mouth of Indian official where as his part of Kashmir is bleeding. Same story is with our north eastern states where we could not be able to curb militancy in last fifty years.

Our politicians do not have the required will to solve these problems as they are banking upon the reports of officers who loves to sit in their chairs on the safe place. Please do something concrete to stop Indian Govt spending 150 lakh crore on defense every year when its 40% population is under poverty line...what a shame...??

On Mastaan Baba NAI Sep 19 2009

COMMENTS
9/19/2009 5:00:13 AM Shamshad Elahee Ansari-Dubai (U.A.E.)
Dear Editor,

It would have been more appropriate if the article was included with more data and details in this age of technology. Readers would have loved to see the photo of that girl whose hunchback was surprisingly removed as she was hit by Mastana Baba. In this digital age, author could not produced any picture of Mastana Baba, rather added confusion in the last that there are couple of more Mastana Baba around in Bilehra. He referred to the Eid prayer, Last Eid was Eid Al Adha, almost 8 months back….readers should assume that this incident took place very recently or eight months back?

Poverty stricken Shia community in western UP used to have several Mauzeza every year, so we are to believe that same thing is happening under the tutelage of Barailvi thoughts? I personally know the inside details of few so-called Mauzeza which took place in Jansath in 1980s. This seems to be a part of same FARCE when the author could not provide the name of the girl. It’s a definite doubtful case.

I don’t have any problem with Mastaana Baba or his powers, but the report is not perfect and upto the mark according to any journalistic standard. It would have been more accurate if was supported by more facts and figure which is very easy in this digital world.

I would request the editor to maintain the high journalistic standard on the site in future.

Best Regards

Shamshad Elahee Ansari- Dubai (U.A.E.)

State of unity amongts Muslim Society NAI 22 Sep 09

COMMENTS
9/22/2009 1:07:34 PM Shamshad Elahee Ansari-Dubai (U.A.E.)
Comments on this article are a clear testimony and living proof of the deep-rooted hatred amongst different sects of Muslims and there is a severe warning from Prof. Jawaid Ahmed; both are complimentary to each other. I am not sure how serious is Prof Jawaid when he talks about the elimination of Muslims but I could see it a reality from a different angles.
We have a safavid Ahmedinejad in Iran, his proponent Nasrallah in Lebanon who is currently out of Power. let him be in power, let Hamas overtake the full Palestine, let US get frustrated in its quest to win Afghan war and let Mullah Omar resume political power in Afghanistan, Let Asif Zadari be assassinated and Pakistan be under control of Wahhabi Taliban-Al Qaida Leadership, Let Abu Saif hold some political powers in a few more eastern islands of Asia, Let Salafi-led Mosques spread some more venom in European countries, US, Canada etc, Let Iraq come under the full grip of Al Sadr, Let Kashmir face some more bloodshed by so-Called Mujajids, Let there be a few more riots in Chinese Sinkiang province, Let Obama phenomenon be over, Let Somalia be under complete rule of Al Qaida, Let Sudan be more aggressive, Let Al Qaida assassinate few Kings in Middle East then...West, Israel-India can surely fire a few dozen nukes on the region, that too under the supervision of UN. It’s very much possible not in 25-30 years but 10-15 years only. Things are not moving in the right direction...only .....can't see it.

One can visualise a day in this world when there will be no place for Haj either. Things are getting worse day after day.
Regards

Comment on Islam New Age Islam Sep 22

There is book "Understanding of Islam through Hadith" written by Ram Swaroop which I read about 20 years ago. It discusses the same issue familiarities with Judaism and Christianity of Islam in detail. One may not be in agreement with Ram Swaroop's inference and interpretation and the light and shade of his work, but most of the time I found him logical. I am sure, Prof Jawaid Ahmed has read it for sure.
Ram Swaroop discusses this issue at length and points out that it was all the designs and diplomatic moves of Islam to attract the Jews and Christian into their fold, unfortunately, the creator to the book did not know other about other religions like Confucius and different school of Hindu thoughts prevalent in eastern Asia, otherwise they would have incorporated more Prophets in the book.
Please do not try to mingle scientific discoveries with any book; I heard it from many people in India who believes that Vedas have all the science. Its irony that no one does the research to find the cure of AIDS, Cancer and now-a-days swine flu virus thru their books of beliefs.
I agree to the point made by Prof. Jawaid when he tells about contradiction but readers will be benefited if he spares some time to write in greater detail on the contradictions within Islam. Principally, I agree to this point for sure. It’s the hardest pill to swallow to imagine such a God or Allah who continued to create a long line of Prophets after Prophet..to teach few thousand population of the world, pls check the population record of the planet, you would come to know that almost there was a one Prophet for every village...!!! How it’s possible that God is repeating the same thing, establishing the fact that HE is not complete..???
There can only be one truth, either the God is true who doesn’t have the same face and characteristics which we are being told by all Contractors (Copyright holders) of the religion OR all established religions are false and they were simply the product of their time and situation?
Truth seekers have to seek their own paths, they really don’t care who said what..?? Let the followers have a fight amongst themselves and spill the human blood in the streets in the name of their so-called religion.
Best Regards

Friday, September 18, 2009

Rejoinder Dr Haidar: New Age Islam Sep 16,2009

9/17/2009 4:07:02 AM Shamshad Elahee Ansari
In response to four previous comments which cant be viewed on the site due to some technical reasons:



Rejoinder to Dr. Sarkar Haider : The Great Teachers of Humanity


-: Shamshad Elahee Ansari :-


Teacher’s day which is celebrated in Sovereign India to mark the birth of Second President (1962 to 1967) Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan is the result of his own wishes when his student wanted to celebrate his birth day, Dr Radhakrishnan advised them that let it be celebrated as a Teacher’s Day rather than his personal Birth Day. Since then, we Indian celebrate this day as a Teachers day.

The irony is that, we cease to celebrate it once we are out of school and the state festival ends itself without leaving any significant mark on our lives. It’s a being celebrated in a technical and mechanical ways in the entire nation. But, Dr. Sarkar Haider proved it wrong and we know he is not a student of a school rather, he is an established cardiologist of Bareilly City (U.P.). He has actually spilled the beans at New Age Islam, an extension of debate on Sufism for sure where he has been contributing his valuable thoughts from a long time. It’s all due to his passion for something which is much more distinguished (search for truth) than his own time consuming profession. Only a true and ardent, truth seeker can have such beautiful gems in his mind for their Gurus in this modern, industrial, capitalist world. Many thanks to Dr. Haider, that he stirred our mind to remind us about great teachers of mankind.


India is known for its golden heritage of Guru-Shishya tradition. In ancient India, education was not a universal concept like we have it today. It was the duty of Guru to find a suitable disciple amongst his students who were privileged to get education. All our religious heroes (except Bhakti Margi Sufi & Saints of medieval age) are from ruling class and they were the one who had the right for education as they had to run the show (read state affairs).


‘Patrta’(ability) was the main criteria to impart the knowledge. The ancient tradition of Guru-Shishya is almost non-existent in our times and seems to be an irrelevant concept which could not adapt to the requirement of the modern age civilization.


If we look into these traditions minutely, we find two types of Gurus in our lives. One is the teacher who trains us professionally, right from Nursery to any Professional Institute or University and the second one is required for our spiritual guidance. Second one is optional for almost 99% of human beings while first are mandatory which you can hire, whom you can pay for their services, now the money is involved in gaining the knowledge. In ancient times, money wasn’t involved, teacher was giving his 100% to their wards and all the expenditures were born out by the society (read Taxila University 6th century BC, oldest in human history). Dr. Radhakrishnan belongs to the first category of teacher but he tried to celebrate and commemorate the second category of teachers on ‘Teacher’s day’. Dr Haider’s article is a fabulous tribute to the Gurus of the humanity who addressed whole humanity. We (and my preceding generation) have some respect for our Professional teachers but it’s not same in the next generation at all. It should not be, because we paid for it and demanded education for our wards so there may not be any selfless, genuine ‘Shrddha Bhav’ for teachers anymore.


The first kind of teachers are very important one for 99% of the pupils since they are the one who instills the first lesson of values. Unfortunately, as it’s rightly said "Good teachers are costly, but bad teachers cost more.” The prevailed thoughtlessness in our society is the result of this catastrophic cost which we are paying around the world these days.


The second category Guru is optional and they are rare, there is no money involved in it, it’s the choice of Guru and his Shishya. It’s entirely a separate issue altogether. Dr. Haider’s main emphasis is on this category only. Quest for truth has no religious color, it’s a realization of a self when he/she reach to a conclusion that the meaning of life is something different from the way he/she lived so far. Buddha (563-483 BC) had this problem and he met every available Guru but was not satisfied so he did it himself without teacher. He left his palatial palace at the age of 29 and received enlightenment at the age of 35 year after a rigorous meditation exercise. His last words to his disciples were, not to follow any leader, but to follow his teachings i.e. ‘Appa Deep Bhavo’. Mahaveer (599-527BC) is the other example who attained ‘Kevalya’ after 12 years of meditation without Guru. Sometimes, Shishya chooses his guru, like Vivekananda did in India; it was he who selected Ramakrishana Paramhans as his teacher after many years of confusion. Same did Chuang Tsu (4th century BC) in China when he reached to his master who was sitting facing a wall since nine years. He said, ‘I am here, turn toward me otherwise I will cut my head and keep before you’. His master turned his face toward him as if he was waiting for those moments only. On many occasions, master chooses disciples all of a sudden by reading aura. Annie Besant and her colleague Blatvaski saw young boy; Juddi Krishnamurti on the beach of Adyaar, Madras after reading his aura and went to his father, a government employee to receive the custody of the boy. We know what happened later, he was the youngest chief of Theosophical Society of India which he later defunct. He is considered to be a reincarnation of Lord Buddha.


Dr. Haider missed two important Gurus in his write-up. I would like to add them. Indian history can not be concluded without making a reference to Chanakya (350-283 BC), the Machiavelli of India, though his contribution is not spiritual (he is from the first category of teacher), but his political and economic contribution to the human civilization can not be ignored. Chandra Gupta Maurya implemented his blue print and the vast Indian-nation state is the result of his geographical conquest what is known as India in modern times. Chanakya was the main architect of India on the face of this earth.


The other great spiritual mystic personality is Lao-Tsu (6th Century BC) of ancient China who was forcibly asked to write what he knows by then Emperor, while he was leaving China from western borders. The result is known as one of the greatest book of knowledge ‘Dao De Jing’ (The Way). This book is the mother of Taoism. Apart from these twos, there are many Zen teachers in Japan who has influenced Japan and Korean peninsula greatly.


The pain of the present world is that it’s virtually ‘Guru Viheen’ (Teacher Less) at this present. The command is annexed by Bin Laden,Hafiz Saeed, Fazal-ur-Rehman, Betullah Mehsud like extremist person or like Asha Ram Bapu, Dr. Nayak type ‘katha wachak’(story tellers) who do not have any spiritual revelation, experiences etc. Most of the so-called Religious leaders/teachers are merely a drama, a bogus third grade repetition of dead words only. More and more emphasis is being laid down to revive old religion which has lost all fragrance and relevance to revive spiritually dead human corpses. More they try to revive, more they get reaction from fellow religionist thus making this world a play ground for bigots who are killing people without any remorse to save their own so-called religion. Everybody is more concerned to save their religion rather than saving man-kind. Religion was supposed to guard humanity but the course is set on reverse now. Mankind seems to strive saving religion, what a tragic situation we are into?
Six billion peoples on this planet have the most genuine, revered prayer for such a Guru who could guide them for peace, harmony and tranquility of the society at the minimum, and salvation for few at least.
September 7, 2009
Dubai-U.A.E.

On Zakir Nayak: New Age Islam Sep 16,2009

9/17/2009 4:39:35 AM Shamshad Elahee Ansari
Dear All,

One can read the debate on Dr. Zakir Nayak, his prescriptions, comprehension, contribution etc. in previous issues of New Age Islam, readers had a fierce debate on him and many esteemed readers thrashed him and his thoughts like anything. He is simply a 'Katha Vachak', mass puller orator but has nothing new to offer. He just filled a vacuum amongst Muslims who were bombard by the so-called Dharma gurus of other religion, Muslims longs to see a person who could speak English and tell their side of story, It’s generally believed that Wahabi paid for his MISSION for Peace TV where he sits every day. Personal brilliance has no meaning unless society gets its benefits. It would have been a great achievement for medical science if he would have developed some CURE to incurable disease by his so-called brilliance, and mankind would kept him remembering for his contribution, but alas, this brilliant fellow could not do it and wasted the money of Govt. who trained him as a Doctor.

His prescription is nothing but ‘Old wine in a new bottle'. He is the sole representative of ‘mass complex'(read inferiority complex) of Muslim society and try to fill them with false pride of their painful past. If, we want to move ahead, we have to learn all available source of modern technology and bring a change in our society besides telling stories of the past achievement, a deserted Doctor cannot be a role model of Muslim Society. He is a regressive force, soon one can foresee that (one should not be surprised if) he would become another Imam Bukhari, hobnobbing with the state in the name of his fellow faithful. His emergence from a city (Mumbai) has its own historical factors where Muslims are suffering from their identity crisis and severely threaten with rival faith followers. The face aggression every day, Zakir Nayak is the man who is benefited by this general psychology of Muslims of Mumbai. Ground Realities will soon force him to take a further stride on their part to counter Shiv Sena etc. His Political overtures are yet to be seen, apart from his “Story Telling” tactics and establishing his religion superior to all available religions of the world.

Best Regards

Comment on Tabligi Jamat:New Age Islam Sep 18,2009

9/17/2009 3:39:39 PM Shamshad Elahee Ansari-Dubai(U.A.E.)
Dear Wazdan,
I express my solidarity with your views and salute your innocence and your true fervor for Islam but I feel pity at the same time since you lack the understanding of functioning of any organization. Every underground organization has multi facet face for various types of people. One must know that every faithful is not a terrorist and can not be a terrorist at all.
These organization used to host several type of program has a standardized modus oprendi. It’s is the work of advance leadership to keep a gaze on the attendees and then they would cast their bait according to the eligibilities of a particular individuals. Only advance and active section of followers are given further training for sabotage or jihad etc. Thousand of people attend such Majlis but all are not turned into a pawn of terrorism, leadership keep a vigil on the participants and then they would act accordingly.
Findings of Sein O'Neil's article are not useless and you can not ignore but at the same time version of Wazdan is also true, there is a big difference between these TWOs. No one should keep their eyes closed for the destructive activities being organized thru mosques in Europe and US etc and they have been annexed by such fundamentalist elements within Muslims throughout the world. Al Qaida has used this network and used it successfully for their vested interest, but while nabbing or dealing with these miscreant elements of Muslims, one should not crush the voice of Wazdan at the same time.
Few Black Sheep has encroached us and only we can help to identify these tainted sheep, better we kill them our self rather than waiting some other to come for hunting, they can surely shoot some innocent person like Wazdan.
Sincere regards
Shamshad Elahee Ansari

Friday, September 4, 2009

VAISHALI INCIDENT: COMMENTS ON NEW AGE ISLAM SEP 4,2009

The incident of Vaishali is a painful, grim reminder to any individual who is related to peace, harmony and tranquility of the society. The menace of sectarian Wahabiyat is spreading rapidly in India. If we are to believe the reports, Saudi Money is being spent to take over Muslim Educational Institutes, Mosques, Madarsas etc to give a free ride to Wahabi-Salafi combination.
Some of esteemed readers of New Age Islam showed their dissent toward the publication of this article and termed it as a tool to divide Muslim Ummah which is actually a baseless argument indeed. New Age Islam has done a commendable job by bringing this issue to the fore and provided us an opportunity to discuss this issue at length. Whosoever has even a little bit sense of belongingness toward Muslim community or a small fraction of love for humanity, would love to know who is undermining the peace within our society.
Divide amongst ourselves are not because of New Age Islam; we have a history of ideological differences, dissents and revolt from the time of Caliphates, New Age Islam is a platform to discuss our weaknesses and to understand our internal problem in a right perspective by using the technological miracle.
Shahin Saheb has dealt this issue while responding to Mr. Tashoo who was quite receptive to agree his point.
There is famous quote of great leader Mao which is relevant here, ‘know your friends, know your enemies, you can win hundreds of battles without fear and defeat’. The problem is, we really don’t want to believe that we are chronically SICK and have been treated by Neem Hakeems (quacks) down the ages.
We Muslims believe that we are perfect. We believe, we possess the final truth. We believe that we are superior. We believe all those scriptures who make us believe that we are the ‘final’ creature on the face of this planet. These are not a symptom of a healthy mind but rather they are the stark reflection of our false beliefs. Sooner or later, if we long for a cure, we have to understand the sickness. We have acute problems and Vaishali, Shaharanpur’s incidents are the testimonies.
It is visibly clear that this new divide is taking place on the grass root level of India.
The way Saudi money is being utilized for this purpose or even by the Muslim Expats. Money is being spent on medieval institutions is alarming. What would be the end-product from these Institutes is separate issue? Pakistan is now facing the burns of this situation; India may follow in the future if we did not take this issue seriously. We have to be aware of the funding Institutes, source of the finance and its motives. We also need to see closely about the vast money is being collected from Gulf Countries by the Mullahs in the name of Zakat, they travels a lot in this month of Ramadhan to collect Funds and most of this money is without any reliable regulations (like audit etc). We need to question about the syllabus of the Madarsas whose products are virtually non-productive in economic terms, non-performance at the level of nation building and finally become a liability to the society. We can’t Question it unless we come to a conclusion that we are sick, those who still believes that they are fine and healthy are living in gloomy dreams only.

COMMENTS ON THE CONCEPT OF SALVATION,NAI SEP 3,2009

Dear Sir,

At the very outset, I would narrate a story from a Sufi saint lady, Rabia Al Basri (717-801) who was visited by her disciple Hasan in a pleasant morning. Hasan was overjoyed to see the beauty of morning, chirping of the birds, clouds and the scenic beauty. He called Rabia who was inside her cottage, asked her to see the beauty of the nature. Hasan wanted to thank God for this beauty, Rabia softly replied; Hasan why don’t you come inside. Her reply was mystic and categorical. She meant, come within yourself and you will find God. One more famous story is Rabia who was searching something in the street very impatiently. People asked her what she is searching for. She said, ‘I lost my needle’, they asked ‘where’, she replied ‘at home’, then ‘why are you searching your needle in the street, go home a find it there only’, Rabia said ‘ that’s what I want you to do’…



In the both symbolic stories of Rabia, Osho has retold in his lectures and relived the same passion, simply the gist of the stories are God is within. But this is not the only way for salvation. Osho has discussed this issue at length, he said there are two main paths to reach salvation/enlightenment/libration/truth/Moksha/Nirwan or Nijat i.e. Gyana Marg and Bhakti Marg, Jap or Tap, former belongs to those who believes that Truth is achievable thru internal journey and according to second school of thought, it can be attained thru external journey. Buddhist, Jain, Zen, Lao-tzu are from Gyana Marg where are Islam, Chirstianity, Judaism, Sanatani are from Bhakti Marg, but Sufism with Islam is a srteam close to Gyana Marg. which is definitely older than Islam.



Dr Sarkar is debating a very key question while raising the issue, which way one should go..inward or outward way?? A journey to within the self or a journey to outward the self? Gyana Marg or Bhakti Marg? Tap or Jap..?? This is not an innocent individual query; this is concerned with the entire humanity and truth seekers in particular.



The best possible explanation is available in Indian school of thoughts. Just look at the meaning of ‘Dharma’, Dharma do not means Religion, in Indian school of thought, its ‘Swabhav’, Fire has its characteristic like burning. So, dharma is stated to be inbuilt quality of human being but every individual has to choose his own path according to his characteristic if he is close to Gyana or Bhakti Marg, what is your Swabhav? This is the key to know which way to want to choose.



Ironically, Religion is being determined by the birth itself. Father’s religion will be imposed to the newborn which knowing his/her choice or characteristic. Religion by birth is the root cause of all deformation pertaining to religion. We are on a cross road with the entire human civilization, a deep struggle between your own self and imposed religion.



Unfortunately, Islam has only one way entry; you can come here with all phrases that you will get salvation by Mohammed and taken to heaven, thus disarming the believers to search for truth independently. Sufism is nothing but an outcry for a democratic spiritual right of an individual human being which arms him to search for the truth independently. By and large, we don’t have any choice, we are told to practice some rituals which are so mechanical and stereotyped in nature and most of the times they are in a basic contradiction of an individual’s ‘Swabhav’.

COMMENTS: ASSASINATION BID ON SAUDI PRINCE BY AL QUAIDA NAI SEP 3 2009

Interesting analysis which is unfortunately one sided; it’s a study thru military eye. It would be a complete study once you use your second eye, i.e. socio- political and economical analysis. Americans or western minds are quite prone to conduct studies thru military point of view since they can’t afford to have a socio-political study for KSA or other Middle Eastern countries. They are duty bound to protect Kingdoms of the rotten Royals of this region.

The use of Al-Asiri as stratagem by AQAP is not new one, many Islamic rulers did it in the past and the one who knows the Ummayads and Abbasid’s rule, they used this tactics very efficiently against their foes in the past.

AQAP is deriving all his tactics and paradigm from old political Islamic history. But what they want to achieve out of such assassination? Are they going to usurp political power in KSA by eliminating some Princes? Saudi system is run by more than 5000 royal dignitaries, how long they will continue to wage a lame war against Saudi govt.? they are not going to achieve any significant political goal by conducting some attempts on the Royals for sure, rather they will force Saudi system to be more stronger, more militarily equipped to smash any sort of threat be it AQAP or any other group. To my mind, the motives of AQAP are only to put more pressure on Saudi system so that they could negotiate a deal. AQ is weak; they are being targeted in Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen and KSA as well. They are fighting with their enemy no.1 US and allies militarily but definitely go for a negation with KSA (read Wahabi-Salafi) with whom they have little ideological differences.

AQ seems to have learnt a lesson from Che Gueverian tactics also which says, you can achieve revolution if you have following conditions: 1. Divided ruling class (one section should be sympathetic to revolutionaries), 2. You should have few committed Comrades. 3. You should have Arms to fight. Bathist used this tactics successfully in Syria, Iraq etc now AQ wants to use it in KSA or elsewhere. They seem not to have the First condition in their favor since their blue print is vague and do not have an appeal for the masses or amongst ruling class in general. They have only military agenda which is based upon stratagem or terrorist activities; their powerful enemy is stronger than their prescribed Offer of so-called Islamic state (read Nizam-e-Khalifa). They are regressive and reactionary in character, so are destined to be defeated, the most unfortunate thing of this saga is, the (would be) winner is also reactionary, camouflaged with democratic face. Do we have enough forces to take the account for real Democratic aspiration of the masses?

COMMENTS ON SUFISM: NEW AGE ISLAM SEP.4 2009

"Kon kahta hai ki maut aayee to Mar jaoonga,

main to dariya hoon samandar mein utar jaoonga"



I am really delighted to read such a beautiful article on Sufism, just like a fresh cold breeze in the middle of desert.

Thank you very much New Age Islam, your sole purpose is served here. I also look forward that some other day, this holy conciousness would take us to the beautiful gardens of J.Krishnamurty and Osho, the best contemporary (I calls them Sufi) spritual leaders India has ever produced after Buddha.

Dear Freind Traveler, pls do not spoil the taste for a moment please, dont argue, after all, attainment is the stage where logic cease to exist. As some Sufi poet stated this situation:

"Maine Usko dekhte hi foren ek sajda kiya,

shaikh-o-Zahid Waju karte rahe waqt khone ko".

Hope, you will read what is written between the lines and space.

Last but least,

"Jinko shaq hai wo karein aur khudaon ki talash,

hum to insan ko hi duniya ka khuda kahte hain".