Age of marriage and Mu'tah-Problem of Islam

To the editor,
New Age Islam-Delhi
In reference to Mr. Chaoudhry’s article (in NEW AGE ISLAM) which try to discuss and debate M’utah (concept of temporary marriage in Islam) and its validity. Mu’tah is actually a result of Shiite jurisprudence in Islam and on the other hand we can find equally debatable concept i.e. age of marriage. The number of age is significant, i.e. nine years and in both cases it’s related to Prophet and his wife Ayesha whom he supposedly married when she was six year old and had sex with her when she was nine year old.
My take is that various teaching and practice of Islam were based upon the wisdom of that period and we hardly give it rational thoughts that Islamic jurisprudence came into being during the period of Abbasid which is divided in various school of thoughts and Imamat. Each had its own significance and relevance and vested interest at the time of creation. Actually Islam did not ever imagined that its tenets will be debated some other day from every corner of the planet, it was beyond its imagination and comprehension of the world. Same problem is with every religion as the globe is getting shrinked with the prevalence and practice of technology. The age of black ignorance and so-called renaissance is over and they are no more in a situation to keep hold on to the truth. The theory of absolutism and finalism is really on the real test now onward.
The problem of Islam in particular is that it believes and professes on a certain book and idolize a certain character to propagate its message, more and more we peep into its past and its practice, it seems to be coming under clouds, for example, the question of marriage and having sex with a nine year old girl constitute to be a heinous crime in modern society. I am sure neither Manzur ul Haq nor Me or Shahin Shahib would allow their own daughter to be married off at such age and in case, under any situation it happens will definitely report this case to the authority to book the culprit. WHY? Because modern science told us the tender female body is not well prepared to have such encounter, medically and scientifically. We all know that human physiology was same 1400 years ago too and those who allowed such practice were not well informed.
This could be a model case to test the validity and acceptance of old practice of Islam, if this norm could be challenged how other could be accepted without giving a second thought? This is the problem for Islam and its proponents why they can’t reject the practice of Prophet? Is they does so, will amount that he was not a complete person? If it does so, will put more question on its book like many intellectual has already started demanding abrogation of certain Quranic verses (like jihad/Kafir etc) under changed situation. This is the dilemma before Islamic intellectuals what to accept and what to reject? If they allow any amendment in their book, then it will not remain a divine book anymore. They are simply caught between modernity and ancient practice.
Do we have any way out? Frankly speaking..there is no way..this is end of the dead road. Era of ignorance and iron fist is over, we are really moving into the era of knowledge where divine intellect hardly matches with practical empirical methods of knowledge. This is end of enforced religion and its tyranny for sure, sooner or later they will have to concede defeat. This is end of final theory and absolutism of Islam or any other religion.
Sincere regards

Question of Ayaan Hirsi and Islam

I am aware of Ayaan Hirsi since she created ripples in Holland though I am not aware of her writing and her approach, how she is defining Islam? She is not the only one who reject divinity of the book, there were several intellectual and scholars who did the same and paid hefty prices, some of them lost their lives as well. Islam is the only religion who successfully propagated a false notion that there is no any Prophet after Mohammed and Quran is the book of Allah, divine and thus above from any amendments. It has been a bone of contention for the intellectuals and has been debating the issue, IRON fisted Govt in the name of Islam has been instrumental to implement this dogma as it was in their favour. Islam failed within 30 years of its inception, Prophet's body was allowed to lay in desert for seven hours as different factions remained to sort out the leadership issue. Mohammed was the shrewdest politician who created such a system, particularly to control Bedouin (Arab Tribe) with a iron hand and designed a system which if fool proof of any kind of dissention. And he was utterly successful in his efforts. The total period of Four so-called rightly guided Caliphs ended in 30 years which was faced with various problems, civil wars and many Caliphs was brutally murdered still, Islam survived just because of the fact that KING understood is properly and implemented it successfully. Islam was mainly divided in two camps, one for rulers who did not adhere to any of its teaching and did whatever suits them and lived a lavish life and second was for masses. Sharia was created during the rule of Abbasids so it has all such ingredients which are necessary for a KING to rule safe.
Now the problem is that due to that 1400 years old system which Islamic states has created has become a force to reckon with. What we see now a days, a critical wave against Islam is actually a latest phenomenon, its post 9/11 phenomenon. They only started crying when West felt the first burnt. Otherwise, whole US administrations, Pentagon were behind creating a Islamic resistance against progressive movements in third world countries and some states as well. They continued to ignore all human right violation in entire Middle Eastern states in order to make sure safe and sound supply of Oil and make money thru their MNCs working that part of the world. Middle Eastern countries also created one state two systems for the Westerners, a US, UK citizen is still being treated like their God father in entire gulf region so they did not faced any problem. Entire gulf states are being run on the basis of South Asian immigrants and these states do not take any responsibility for them. Its a separate issue, but West kept close their eyes on such issues. Why question of Ayaan is so prominent now? Why west really waited to worsening this situation? Their conscience is not clean and clear.
There is no dearth of Muslims who believes in critical Islam, who wants to see its growth with the science? How can we forget the Turkey was the country who burnt Veils on its squares under Pasha in 1920 when we as Indian were demanding Ottoman Empire to be restored under Gandhi (Khilafat Movement)? How we can forget that there was a great wave of support in south asian sub-continent for progressive Muslims? How we can forget that Muslim community contributed a long line of progressive leadership in Muslims, right from Sajjad Zahir to Faiz Ahamd Faiz, Muzaffar Ali, Z A Ahmed and many more in different walk of life. Who created that atmosphere that we are forced to forget them and now there is a literal vacuum of progressive Muslim leadership. How can we forget that George Habbas, Leila Khalid were the iconic faces in the entire middle east during 1970s, they were all who rejected the Islam which was enforced by the King and its lackeys i.e. Mullas.
Situation is really very critical, the was Ayaan Hirsi is being projected will not yield desired result. We need to have a comprehensive approach toward the problem and force Western powers to pressurise Gulf states to change their characters, Only restoration of a democratic governments and nullification of kingdom ship will help to people to have an alternative in their lives i.e. political system, theories, religion etc. The present system of governance in Middle Eastern countries has turned their people into parasites (Kuwait, UAE, Qatar and large section of Saudi population) etc. Local people don’t give any shit to anything since they gets best material and life to support them without doing nothing. Five times prayers are just a ritual, cultural practice for them and donning white ‘Choga/Kandoora’ just to make a visible difference between them and expatriates otherwise they are not worried about anything. They will remain like this for another 200 years unless; west don’t put pressure to bring some internal changes in these countries.
The present scenario is really not very favourable for Muslim intellectuals, they are under threats, they are not in a position to defend Salman Rushdie, Tasleema Nasrin or Ayaan but it does not means that they don’t like change? They all believe the absolutist and finalist agenda of Islam either? They are under pressure of their own circumstances, their objective conditions are pathetic. But, still some people are fighting tooth and nail by risking their lives, just have a look of http://www.newageislam.com/ and you can come to know what they are doing? See Tarek Fatah and his group in States and Netherland and see what they are doing? Things are really not very encouraging for New Light Muslims but some of them are really doing a good job:
I will conclude my comment with a Urdu couplet:
“Kyun Zulmat-e-Firak se Ghabra Raha Dil,
Ho jayegi saher bhi, gar sham hui hai”

On Maulana Maudoodi-Comments on New Age Islam Dt 19,2010

Dear Editor,
Please accept my gratitude for the selection of article of Raziq on Maudoodi. I have been reading various articles on the same subject on this site in the past by various notable authors. Maudoodi is a definite phenomenon of our sub-continent since it has been his world of learning, evolution of his thoughts and their implementation and now we are debating the repercussions of the existence of Maudoodi’s thoughts in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
One important aspect I used to miss while assessing Maudoodi that it do not include the analysis of historical conditions which determine and shape the thinking process of an individual, neither the writers evaluate his contemporary national situation nor his personal desires or contribution. Maudoodi was born in Aurangabad Sep 25,1903 to a cleric of Chishtiya silsila. He founded Jamat-e-Islami (Lahore) on August 26,1941 after various topsy turvy routes of his career. 1941 was a time when not only India was boiling but the whole world was witnessing most gruesome act of human history. The backdrop of second world war was very important and we are not surprised that why communal mind(s) of India like RSS and Jamat-E-Islami, Muslim Brotherhood supported Hitler? Maudoodi was trying to search for his place in the fast changing situation of not only then India but as a whole world and thus he crafted a new path for him which, according to him was absolute way as a ‘trooper of God’. His evaluation but be done with his contemporaries of RSS in Indian perspective like Guru Golwarkar (Nagpur,1906-1973)the second chief of RSS after K.B. Hedgewar (Nagpur,1889-1940) who founded most lethal Hindu rightist organisation in India in 1925. The distance between Aurangabad and Nagpur is about 500 kilometre but both cities has one thing in common, they produced ideologues of a sinister ideology which divided mankind and sowed such venomous seeds that we still have to weed them out. Germany has taught a lesson to the proponents of Hitler but we have yet to teach the lesson to the lackeys of Hitler from our sub-continent.
Hope, the quest will continue and I am sure, I can see the writing of the wall, their end is imminent. I met an encounter on Facebook with some Pakistani friends who Called Jamat-e-Islami as Jamat-e-Harami or JH instead of JI. Only they (Pakistani) can bury the ghost of Maudoodi since they are the worst sufferer of this heinous ideology which is based upon the crime against humanity.
Regards

Bareilly Riot-Deformed form of Class Struggle-NAI April 5,2010

Let us examine the case of Bareilly riot thru established norms and canons of social science which states, “External conditions creates the condition of change, internal conditions become the basis of change, internal conditions becomes operative thru external conditions”. This is world famous norm, developed by Karl Marx who defined the remnants of class struggle in the society. The emergence of Communist party and its growth was the result of this norm as it was the job of Communist parties to accentuate this struggle in order to capture the political power. Historically, this struggle was noticed, recorded and underlined by the social scientists even before the emergence of Marxian science and it will remain in force without the presence of Communist parties as well.
Every Riot in India carry’s a significant amount of class struggle but since it has so many factors, involvement of roles of different social forces has made it a complex sociological phenomenon. It could be termed a distorted form of class struggle. Communal Riots is India is actually a vast sociological subject and it has been changing its face from time to time. It had a different face Pre-Independent India, it was different in nature and character in 1970s post independent India and now what we see here and there, different part of India as also different which could be termed post Ayodhya carnage India.
We have already seen Aditya Kohli’s factual report on Bareilly riots and what we have seen now by Mr M S R Khan is an attempt to define Bareilly riot thru some sociological spectrums. To my mind, there is an internal struggle between Bareillvi and Deobandi school of thoughts (NAI has already reported some communal strife took place in the eastern UP/Bihar town over the control of a Mosque last year) which is clearly visible after 9/11. There have been a divide amongst Muslim but it never led to any communal riots in any city of India in general unlike notorious Shia-Sunni divide in Muslim society. Second internal struggle within society is amongst Muslims and Hindu who try to establish their authority on the cost of competitor community. Khan’s whole emphasis in his analysis is that Tauqeer’s repeated insistence to take the procession thru Non-Muslim’s locality which, according to him became the cause of flash point. But, how it could be justified the prior presence of bricks which came like a saucers and injured several peaceful processionist? It means, facts are different from the theory and they speak otherwise.
Bareilly riots are the yet another form of distorted class struggle, ‘State’ is ready to curb it in the name of law and order and they are comfortable to name it Communal Riot. State is ruthless to show its power once there is any open threat to its system (like Maoist) as they are busy in ‘Operation Green Hunt’ these days. Indian bourgeoisie system has contributed thru its different shades of political leaders and ideologies to distort this simplest form of social struggle. Laws of social science are in force everywhere in the society whether the revolutionary forces are there to shape them or to provide the leadership. In their absence, somebody has to take the advantage so we find reactionary forces at work, be it Muslim or Hindu fundamentalist, their nature and characteristics are same, both are anti-people, anti-working class and both are blood suckers of poorest of the poor. So we have their ideologue also, sitting at their respective places (media, Learning Institutes, Govt machinery etc), trying to form or deform the opinion of the masses.
What could be a biggest issue of shame for India that they are still fighting in the name of medieval mind set religion and their so-called intelligentsia is prescribing theories to pacify their wrong doing? ‘Aam Aadmi’ is still an innocent pawn in the hands of politico-sociological criminals. Is that the game plan to keep aloof millions of masses from basic need of the life like water, education, medical, transport or electricity etc? Tauqeer and Gangwar are the two sides of same coin who are marshalled to deform class struggle. They are the one who defuse the anger of common men to force them to fight each other and always creates stumbling blocks to UNITE them and fight for total.....!!! (Revolution)

Comment on Saif'sArticle NAI March 29

Whole progressive movements throughout the Middle East are over taken by religious forces in early 1990s, why? The fall of USSR created a vacuum and those who usurp the political power degenerated so fast that there was no any other option before the social forces except joining the religion based politics. Hamas, Hezbollah, Brotherhood gave the call and people joined them. Thanks to Yasser Arafat and his team who were exposed for their naked corruption. The best way to defuse their so-called Saintly face is to allow them to run the Government. India has learnt this lesson, BJP who rose to the popularity chart after demolishing Babri Mosque in 1989, formed the Central Govt in 1999 and a little later, ousted from the power in 2004 only. They proved to be more corrupt within five years than Congress did it in more than four decades.
We need to see them in office and then watch them going DOWN..!!!

On First year of New Age Islam,NAI comment March 2,2010

Sultan Shahin deserve a standing ovulation for his tireless efforts to run New Age Islam, it’s truly a meaningful project for the entire Muslim community on this planet. At least it provided a platform to ventilate the views on all relevant issues however, as he categorically stated it..he has a long way to go which is full of obstacle, struggle and offenses for sure. He deserve full marks for his simplest quest and inspiration as he wanted a minimum agenda to put forward i.e. discussion. He successfully launched a platform to breath and provided a space to stand with a difference within community. He is a warrior in real sense as he decided to swing a sword of knowledge, inquisitive inquiries and honest investigation about the Islam, a religion who claimed to be a perfect religion and its believers claims it to be final and absolute.
The creation and emergence of New Age Islam is a testimony that Islam needs to be debated and once you realize something to be debatable, it’s not absolute. Unfortunately, we are divided in two camps since the inception of Islam, one who believed that there is room for further development and strived for Ijitihad and on the other hand the second camp insisted that it’s complete. Generally, the second camp remained powerful as they had the political power and ran all state of affairs. They were the one who compiled all the related literature and developed jurisprudence and gave enough fodder to status-quoits but they remained under constant threats of the forces of Ijitihadis.
Ongoing fight of these two camps can be seen clearly in the cyber space, both parties are armed with their lethal arguments, historical evidences, statements, quotes or scriptures but the struggle continue. Shahin was asked to prove his credentials, intentions, and agenda many times. He was personally attacked in the comments that he had to resort to some sort of censorship. He knew it specifically that what kind of offenses he is going to face if he start a ‘debate’ in Islamic community. It was forbidden territory. A so-called educated engineer or Doctor would easily give-up before the illogical stuff of Mulla from generation to generations. We are told that they are Aalim and you can’t question them. We are brought up in this environment that you have to ‘believe’ only. New Age Islam provided a platform to question everything, now Mr. Haque has a point to ask about the credentials, understanding of the subject, intentions of Shahin.
Shahin Saheb, one does not require a degree to ask a question, you have opened a Pandora box of questions by debating Niaz Fatehpuri, Kathavachak Dr Zakir Nayak, Al Quida, Taleban etc. Let them know that power of logic is much stronger than their Kalashnikovs and explosive belts. They are frightened creatures and coward. You have paved a way to debate and discuss things, which are really possible in the true spirit of Islam. Please continue your struggle as its much needed aspect for Islam and Muslims as such. Thanks to The Hindu who gave you space, let other papers fill their pages with colourful semi-porn stuff, I am sure, they will also realize the relevance of your WORK. Keep it up..!!!

On Jewish Achievments NAI Jan 18,2010

Dear Editor,
Thank you very much for publishing this informative article though you could be blamed as usual to take favour of Jews or to be a part of Jewish propaganda or in other latest terminology being developed and devised in the name of illuminati /freemasoners etc whatever.
This is the fact and truth of this time that they (Jews) are leaders in every known sphere of life, may be they know much better about unknown factors of life than their adversaries who claim to have the key of final truth.
Whosoever wants to compete with them, has to prove BETTER than them in every stream of science. For example, when PLO was waging struggle, they developed better techniques to fight Mossad. PLO created a better mind to face the challenge. There was a time when Expat Palestinian Muslims were having the highest proportion of Engineers, Doctors, Technicians and Social scientists amongst the Muslims. Why PLO suffered defeat to HAMAS and degenerated is a separate issue for discussion, but my point is PLO could produce better minds in 1960 to early 1990s than Religious juntas of Iran who captured political power in 1978 in Iran. We have to debate this issue? Why Sheikhdom of about 50 Muslim nations cannot produce the required cream against Jewish challenge? Why Yunis Mohd was not born in Saudia? Why we are able to produce Bin Ladens/Mulla Umar/Katha Vachak Zakir Nayak(s) rather than producing some scientists who could solve the problems of this planet.
It’s not possible for the believers of finalist theory. Jews could do it because they are infamous for QUESTIONING even Moses in his life time. It’s an extreme but we can have a middle path..Question as well as have faith.
Unfortunately, we believe, our mugging, cramming, tasbih ranting will solve the problem. We care for the life after DEATH. Living life has never been on our agenda..So please do not COMPLAIN about Jewish achievements, they are better, they will remain better..Unless their adversaries gear up with new weapons.
Regards
Shamshad Elahee Ansari

On Kathavachak Dr Zakir Nayak NAI Jan 13,2010

I don’t know whether the said statements quoted from Katha Vachak Dr Zakir Nayak are true or false but the replies from someone who claimed to be educated from a western University does not provide appropriate answers. They should have been in proper context and scientific but this gentleman lacked in his write-up. He seems to have a premeditated agenda to reject Nayak’s prognosis.
I don’t want to go into these details; I am more concerned with comments from the readers who really don’t have any idea what New Age Islam stands for? It seriously states ‘Mapping an agenda for the twenty-first century’. I have seen whenever you publish such stuff which is against the stereotype mindset of Madrasa like Aligarh chap Kathmulla (no offence for the gems which Aligarh University has produced, particularly during the freedom struggle and early post independence period) English speaking Muslim intellectuals would ask for your head again and again. They would ask you to prove your intensions and provide credentials. Every time, you have to face the wrath of these religious goons in the name of noble believers which is definitely as old as the Islamic ideology. They will forget and forgive Sanghis/Nayaks but they will not forget to punish you and will target you personally, individually because you are trying to Map Islam for the Twenty-First Century which was never done before, who ever tried it (Ijtihad) were made silent.
No worries Sultan Shahin Saheb; Hats Off to your determination. They are manufactured with this in built chip so re-programming them is a Herculean task. No wonder that Al Qaida draws most support from these intellectuals only; they are not from the street; they come from good families, good institutions, mostly Engineers who studied science but science could not change their thought processes. Only a healthy, scientific thought process can pose a potential challenge to religious fundamentalism, be it green/black or Bhagwa. Carry on your stride; it’s important.
At least you have the courage to walk a forward step in this dark age, let those people remain in their crafted paradise who believes that you are a ‘Murtid’.

On division of Ahmadia Sect within Muslim society NAI Jan 13,2010

The mindless outcry by some fellow readers on Ahmadia issue, and their ardent race to declare them Kafir is not only sickening but also reflects their bigot mindset. These are the ideological premises which can make men become human-bombs or can arm them with lethal weapon to kill so-called believers, to set ablaze houses and business properties of those who dare to differ with them.
This is irony of Islam that they are still debating the issue who is a real Muslim? One should not forget the fact, Prophet Mohammad was raised by his uncle Abu Talib who never believed his religion and showed his respect and commitment for his pagan ritual until he died. He played an important role to protect not only the life of Prophet but his infant faith and contributed his best in support of Islam. I feel pity for the followers of the Prophet, they talk a lot about Sunnah and try to imitate his life but for what? We have a special progeny of Islam who claim themselves to be the super Cop of Islam and trying hard to establish Islamic regime and we have many version of Islamic Havaldars who think that they are doing a good job, without knowing what they are doing??
Prophet of Islam had a very dignified and respectful view for those who did not believe in his TRUTH and he managed them properly about 1400 years ago but his followers, in his name are divided in several schools of thought and they are not ready to give space to those fellow believers who have some ideological differences with them. They can accommodate with Non-Muslim faiths easily but they can go to any extent while dealing with internal ideological differences. We have a long record of bloody history of Shiite-Sunni strife to Ahamadia-Sunni struggle.
I will request the editor of New Age Islam not to be disturbed by the attacks of these craps. They have their historical identity of ignorance and their love for regressive forces which always supported the king in lieu of a few bucks. You have a better instrument to enlighten common masses and believer who could commit to make this planet a better place to live peacefully.
Ahamdias are better to some extent as they have produced a commendable number of intellectuals, bureaucrats, technocrats, army personnel, scientists etc. in proportion to their population, and most important, they do not come in the news for arson of Sunni Mosque or killing someone in the name of Islam.
Islam is the religion of various contradictions, Dear Editor and you have to live with it. You haven’t created any division; you only inherited this situation. So Mapping Islam in twenty First century is a tough task, my dear Sir, you have chosen this path strewn with thorns. It’s your choice; nobody has forced you to do so. Not to be worried when you encounter even thousands or millions of Bashas. Keep your stride on. We are not in that period where THEY silenced their opponents quietly and historians didn’t even register that. We have a world which is not determined by these bigots; it will take care of you.

Debate on AMUs past, present and future and responsibility

(Following email was written to a former student of AMU in Canada who holds an important position in his Organization, read from below to upside,Questions raised in my mail are still valid since they are not answered.I have removed IDs of the concerned person)

Respected Sir,

Thank you very much for your detailed email as it will help me to enlighten on the issue, followings are the core issues which could be underlined in our discussion, its good that its now in black and white:
1. Legitimacy of AMU in its historical terms of our subcontinent
2. Hold of Communist on it and their role against divisive forces
3. Question of immigrant culture and its protection and the intervention of so-called educated class
4. Role of degree holders on the burning issues at hand V/S luncheon culture

Let us examine now case by case:

1. We all know the Anglo influence on Sir Syed Khan which forced him to initiate a movement of awareness amongst Muslim, its motives and driving force to build a modern institute of education for elite Muslim class i.e. Zamindar, Jageerdaar, Kulaks, Rai Saheb who were in the good books of British. It had its relevance and a timely move to create an educated class amongst Muslims who lost their sway during British period, only English education was a tool to get them into the new system of governance. He did a Muslim Raja Ram Mohan Roy act in his time and achieved desired goal. Sir Syed played a very important role in emancipation of Muslim society and faced various threats from Fundamentalist Muslims. He was able to polarize Muslim society in two poles i.e. fundamentalist and progressive. We all know the role and influence of AMU during freedom struggle. AMU produced many think tanks for Muslim League, we also know the notorious 'Aligarh Movement' during freedom struggle which played a very decisive role to divide motherland. This is the stigma on the part of AMU during our freedom movement, a production factory of ML leaders at large who studied their and went Pakistan for the sake of sharing the booty after partition. We all know the names of such leaders and I don't want to repeat it here.
2. The legacy of progressive thoughts were heralded by the left thinkers of AMU like Sajjad Zahir, Razia Zahir, Kurtulain Haider, Sadat Hasan Manto, Majaz, Dr Rahi Masoom Reza,Munis Reza,Irfan Habib and the list goes on who fought the communal agenda of ML with tooth and nail and strived hard to maintain the integrity of motherland during freedom struggle and after independence as well. Indian Govt. was under tremendous pressure to review the status of AMU after independence since it has produced bulk fodder to ML which became a tool to divide the nation but this was the list which I mentioned above which saved its Character, as they proved to be anti-thesis of the same argument thus Communist intellectual saved its character and institute itself.
3. Question of culture is very debatable and we have various school of thoughts to deal with this subject, including the version which you have stated, but this is not the final. Sociologist have discussed this question at length and one can agree or disagree with their prognosis of the problem. Every individual has the right to live according to their choice or set of rules for sure, my observation was not on this point only rather I wanted to see where is the reformist approach amongst AMU stuff? Don't we have problems? One of my classmate, he teaches at AMU, he would say" AMU has turned into a Match Maker University and its parties are limited to Dawat (Murga Udao Party). Where is the creativity? Where is the rational approach toward religion and life style? cramming of Quranic verses are done in Madarsas too, the only difference is they does it in Arabic (without understanding the meaning) and we are doing it in English. For me, religion is extremely private affair of any human being, once you put it for display, it becomes politics and its open for scrutiny at the same time. I read the charter of AMU Canada, where it proudly use the word 'secular' but there was not a single non-Muslim in the party. Was it a deliberate act? pls correct me if there were any non-Muslim in the party. Immigrant psychology and sociology is a vast subject which is still evolving so there are many rooms for discussion, correction or perfection. I have a different approach which quite old one" Live like a Roman when you are in Rome"(I have changed the words) to avoid the contradiction. Many asian families face this dilemma when they lives with semi-feudal ideas in a developed world. Transformation of culture can not be achieved thru changing the country. Canada had the same culture 200 years ago but their social forces brought social/political revolution which changed the culture. We are from a country where no revolution took place thus we are living with age old ideas which drive us crazy to the extent to commit horrific middle aged crime like 'Honor Killing'. It was my actual point, please do not bring your mental shit to the first world while you make a move. Asian's dilemma is very well known in the cultural progression in this part of the world.
4. Finally, please allow me to share a latest news report, a study was conducted on the world institutes, in the top 100 Universities, there was not a single university from Asia. Only Japan could achieve one place (I am doubtful) so what to rate AMU? This is the time to see objectively on the final result. Year after year, AMU's contribution to IAS is diminishing,(Far behind from Allahabad University), a serious study must be conducted on the role of AMU and national building. What is the contribution in Indian economy? How many passout are holding chief secretary post, Isro, Bhaba, IIM Ahamedabad like key institutions on the national level or on the international map like European space agency, Nasa, Pentagon or Big Corporate. Just compare it with JNU or Jamia, you will come to know about the reality. Its painful to know the present state of affairs and its products. AMU contribute the biggest flight of intelligentsia to Middle East or any other nation. This could be a result of some political/administrative decision but if its so, who will fight against this discrimination? Political contribution of AMU during past 2-3 decades is also very negligible. Who will think about it?

Anyway, I can go on this subject endlessly but let me thank you again for giving me an opportunity to visit your Party which was out of your genuine concern. Please do not feel offended on any issue as there is nothing personal, I am as concerned to the issues as you are, only the approach is different to look at the glass. Please continue to invite outsiders, its a courageous move to understand the situation on the ground.

Best Regards

Shamshad Elahee Ansari


Subject: RE: Jashn -e- Eid by AMU Alumni CA, Sahara Banquet Hall Mississauga Canada Dec 13,2009

Janab Shamshad Elahee sahib ASMK Thank you for your call last night. As you were a new immigrant to Canada, my intention to invite you to the function was to get you connected to various Aligs, which sometimes helps to get good job lead in their field of expertise. I never wanted to impose "unwanted" and "rotten" Aligarh ideology on you. You are right that AMU has never produced a noble prize winner but many people from subcontinent would not agree with you that establishing the AMU by Sir Syed for a few elite was a historical mistake. Your opinion that Aligarh was good till it was dominated by Communists is highly debatable and "AMU has never produced another Irfan Habib, Sajjad Zaheer and Manto" is not true at all. No doubt that those people mentioned by you were meritorious but Aligarh goes much beyond them and they were just a drop in the ocean. To find the real worth of AMU, we have to study its past and present contribution to the education of Muslims of Indian subcontinent with a positive frame of mind. You never wanted to study at Aligarh and would not want to is an individual choice which does not negate the importance of a grand institution like AMU. Your claim not to care about higher education and the higher degrees have no values to you, does not lessen the importance of the degrees or their beholders. Recitation of Qoran by the little kids in an AMU function held in Canada definitely does not reveal the fundamentalist Islamic mindset of Aligarians. It is the parent's individual choice to expose their children to Islamic values or the values of other cultures. Therefore, many will not agree with you that imparting Qoran and islamic education to kids will take them towards fundamentalism-cum-terrorism and such parents should not have come to Canada. It was surprising that you did not appreciate the Islamic content of the function presented mostly by toddlers. Most of the immigrants to Canada, even the Europeans, want to retain their culture but adopt the good Canadian values. Most people from Indian sub-continent did not migrate to Canada to assimilate into the Canadian society. They came here for better and secured future without compromising on their values. I am sorry that you were offended by the AMU culture and the Aligs. By the way, Aligs are conservative in certain matters. They normally keep their certain activities within themselves. You would not believe that you were the only non-Alig among 70 people who attended this function on my personal invitation. Anyway, thanks for coming.Kindest regards.

Aht