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Indian Muslims - Indian Muslim News, Views, Opinions and Blogs
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International News
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Friday, 03 July 2009 |
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The Obama administration's new envoy to the Islamic world rejects
the notion that US foreign policy is the key issue affecting Muslim
attitudes toward America or that it needs to be changed to win hearts
and minds.
"Certainly, foreign policy does come up, but the vast majority
of young Muslims that I met were very interested in thinking about
their futures" as well as engaging with their communities and the
United States, said Farah Pandith, who worked at US embassies in Europe
conducing Muslim outreach before undertaking her new role this month.
Pandith's newly created position continues the Obama
administration's policy of engagement with the Muslim world in order to
defuse tensions and enlist support for American policies.
Asked specifically about Israel, and the antagonistic view many
Muslims have toward the Jewish state coupled with the perception that
it receives unequivocal support from America, Pandith merely replied
that "the opportunity to engage in dialogue means that you're opening
up an opportunity for conversation on a wide range of issues, and that
may be one of the issues."
Pandith, who served with the National Security Council in the
George W. Bush White House before moving over to the State Department,
declined to lay out any US positions on various Middle East conflict
points, including Israel, deferring to the words of President Barack
Obama and other political appointees.
For her part, Pandith emphasized that "what we want to do is
build dialogue" with the world's 1.2 billion adherents of Islam and to
do that, "I think it's nuance. I think it's respect. I think it's
listening. I think it's being creative. And I think it's creating many
different types of initiatives."
Pandith, an Indian-born Muslim who grew up in Massachusetts,
said her office would engage in a variety of outreach endeavors,
including student exchanges, town hall meetings, entrepreneurial
meetings and community projects, calibrated to meet the needs of a
diverse and multi-faceted population.
Pandith, whose official title is United States representative
to Muslim communities, indicated she would not be serving as the Obama
administration's representative to the 57-member state Organization of
the Islamic Conference, a position created by the Bush administration.
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Top Stories
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Friday, 03 July 2009 |
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After the Taliban militants recently ordered Sikhs in Pakistan's tribal region to pay Jizia (Islamic poll tax on non-Muslims), a number of Muslim leaders in India issued a declaration criticizing the militants for not following the true spirit of Islam.
Following is the text of the declaration: [1]
"Imposition of
Jizia is Nothing More Than Extortion By an
Armed and Lawless Gang Which Does Not Constitute a Sovereign Government
or State"
"We, religious, political and community leaders of the Indian
Muslims, are alarmed at the reports coming out of Pakistan's tribal
areas about the Pakistani Taliban's kidnapping, extortion of huge
amounts of money from their Sikh compatriots as Jizia, and demolition of the houses and shops of those who fail to pay the demanded sums.
"We would like to say that Jizia is a tax paid in an
Islamic state for exemption from military service by healthy non-Muslim
adults who are free to follow their vocations without restriction or
fear, and that there is no other tax payable by them after paying this
tax - unlike Muslims who have to pay various taxes including Zakat and who have to perform military service as well.
"Jizia was payable by non-Muslims only in lands conquered by
Muslims, like Egypt, Syria and Iraq, but not in unconquered areas like
Madina, where, during the time of the Holy Prophet, no Jizia was ever imposed on non-Muslim citizens, who enjoyed equal rights and duties under the Constitution of Madina.
"For many centuries, Jizia has not been levied by Muslim states, and today, even the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran do not levy Jizia on non-Muslims - for the simple reason that non-Muslims in these states pay all taxes payable by others.
"Prominent Islamic scholars of the modern times like Sheikh Yousef Al-Qaradhawi are of the view that Jizia
should not be imposed now, as non-Muslims are equal citizens of Muslim
states and pay all taxes paid by other citizens, and shoulder all the
duties."
"We wish to make it clear that the imposition of the so-called Jizia
is nothing more than extortion by an armed and lawless gang which does
not constitute a sovereign government or state, or even an organ
thereof. Moreover, Pakistan's tribal areas are not 'conquered lands,'
as their non-Muslim population has been living there for centuries.
These areas were part of the British India and became part of the new
State of Pakistan as a result of peaceful transfer of power on
Partition [in 1947]."
"We Regard This as an Act of Injustice Incompatible With the
Letter and Spirit of Islam and the International Covenants Accepted by
All Muslim States"
"As regards the huge amounts in millions reported to be demanded, these are arbitrary and exorbitant, as the amount of annual Jizia
paid by non-Muslims in early Islam was merely one to one and a half
dinar, which is 4.24 gram to 6.36 grams of gold. Moreover, this tax was
payable only at the end of the year, and not in advance.
"We regard this as an act of injustice incompatible with the
letter and spirit of Islam and the international covenants accepted by
all Muslim states.
"We demand that the Pakistani authorities take earliest steps
to retrieve the extorted sums and to repay them to their affected
non-Muslim citizens, to facilitate their peaceful return to their homes
and properties in their traditional homelands, and to give them all due
protection."
Signatories of the declaration:
Maulana Mufti Mukarram Ahmad
Shahi Imam, Jama Masjid Fatehpuri, Delhi
Hafiz Muhammad Yahya
President, All India Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadees
Maulana Abdul Hameed Nomani
Secretary, Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind
Syed Shahabuddin
Ex-President, All India Muslim Majlis-e Mushawarat
Prof Tahir Mahmood
Member, Law Commission of India
Mujtaba Farooq
Secretary, Jamaat-e Islami Hind
Maulana Ataur Rahman Qasmi
President, Shah Waliullah Institute, Delhi
Maulana Waris Mazhari
Editor, Monthly Tarjuman, Delhi
Dr Zafar Mahmood
President, Zakat Foundation of India
Dr SQR Ilyas
Member, Muslim Personal Law Board
Dr Zafarul-Islam Khan
President, All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat
Mirza Yawar Baig
President of Yawar Baig & Associates
Shahnawaz Ali Raihan
Secretary, Students Islamic Organisation
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Crime Watch
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Friday, 03 July 2009 |
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MYSORE: Communal riots erupted in areas
falling under Udayagiri police station limits in Mysore on Thursday
after a place of worship was desecrated, leaving three people dead and
six others grievously injured.
The deceased were identified as
Mubarak (22), a resident of Shantinagar, Tirupati (42), a K N Pura
resident and Junaid Pasha (15) of Rajivnagar.
The injured are being treated at a hospital in Udayagiri. The first two deaths took place before police arrived at the spot.
With
tension mounting on both the sides, Mubarak, passing through
Kyathamaranahalli Circle on his two-wheeler was waylaid by a mob.
He
bled to death on the spot after miscreants attacked him with wooden
logs. Within an hour, Tirupati, a mason was killed when another group
hit him with a boulder in K N Pura, barely half a kilometre from
Kyathamaranahalli Circle.
There was confusion over Junaids death.
The boys parents and eyewitnesses claim he died after police fired at
a mob near Quba Masjid in Rajivnagar.
Police commissioner Sunil Agarwal and deputy commissioner Manivannan dismissed the claim and said the boy died due to stabbing.
``There
are no bullet marks. We can infer that he died of stabbing, Agarwal
said, adding that a postmortem will be conducted July 3.
Arson and
looting were reported across Vinayakanagar, K N Pura and Shantinagar.
Six houses and huts, autorickshaws and two-wheelers were set on fire.
Mobs ransacked houses, leaving women and children terrified.
A carcass of a pig found inside a madrasa is said to have triggered the clashes.
Rioting
and stone pelting spread to various pockets across the Udayagiri
station limits. Section 144 was imposed in Udayagiri, Lashkar, Mandi
Mohalla and N R police limits and police had a tough time bringing the
situation under control. N R ACP Poojar and a few media people were
injured in stone pelting.
Tension and fear gripped Rajivnagar,
Gayatripuram, Shantinagar, Ghousianagar, Kyathamaranahalli,
Vinayakanagar and K N Pura in Udayagiri limits. Police took several
troublemakers into custody and are maintaining strict vigil.
Police
fired several rounds, burst teargas shells and lathicharged mobs.
Police Commissioner Sunil Agarwal, Deputy Commissioner Manivannan, DCPs
V S DSouza and Shivalingappa are closely monitoring the situation and
leading the forces.
Twenty platoons of City Armed Reserve, District
Armed Reserve and Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) are on duty in
trouble-hit areas.
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National News
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Monday, 29 June 2009 |
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New Delhi, June 29, 2009: Muslim clerics have reacted angrily to gays
demand for scrapping Sec 377 in India. They say that if this
senseless action is taken, it will create sexual anarchy in the
country and will break family norms.
On Sunday when gays and lesbians gathered in significant numbers in
metro cities in India demanding scrapping of Sec 377 that bans gay and
lesbian union, many Muslim clerics have said that they will not allow
it to happen.
Several newspapers and gay right NGOs have ran campaigns in the country
in recent weeks demanding that the ban on gay and lesbian marriages be
lifted. There were even hints from government that the section that
bars it may be amended. But Muslim and Christian clergy has opposed the
move.
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Art & Culture News
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Monday, 29 June 2009 |
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ALLAHABAD:
While cruising on the Noorullah Road in Kareli flanked by upcoming marriage
halls giving a veneer of modernity, there is a virtual treasure trove of
knowledge lying unknown in a secluded corner. This unknown place is christened
as `Urdu Ghar' in which rare books of Urdu literature are available. However,
despite being named as Urdu Ghar, it is also a rich storehouse of books in Hindi
and English.
The main objective of the establishment of the Urdu
Ghar, set up in 2000, is to arouse the interest of the people towards Urdu which
has unfortunately dwindled in the present times. Though the place is a rich
reservoir for the promotion of Urdu language, it also acts as a main centre
where lovers of this language meet and discuss the problems afflicting the
language. Even solutions are also suggested.
Detailing about the
books kept in the library, MA Qadeer, manager of the library informed that there
are about 10,000 books which have been contributed by many people. The books
available are based on diverse subjects including literature, history, geography
and social sciences. Even the literary masterpieces of the doyens of Urdu
literature including Ghalib, Mir Taqi Mir, Zauq and other Urdu writers grace the
place.
The most valuable possession of the library is the famous
collection of the newspaper `Al-Hilal' published in 1912, which was started by
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. This newspaper was instrumental in channelling the
spirit of patriotism in the country. Due to its fiery content and articles based
on patriotism, the British government banned its publication. However, this
newspaper was again published with another name Al-Bilagh in the year 1918.
This library, located near the cattle pond in Kareli, also boasts of
another valuable possession of `Gul-o-Naghma' penned by great Urdu literary
figure Firaq Gorakhpuri. He was given a Sahitya Academy award for this
masterpiece creation.
In fact, even a resolution was passed in the
sadan meeting of the Allahabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) regarding the
establishment of Urdu Ghar. This library has been taken from AMC on lease for
about 90 years .
For the propagation of Urdu language, even camps
are organised in which children, grown-ups are being taught the intricacies of
the language.
Urdu Ghar has got the honour of
felicitating many figures including Prof Abdul Haque of Delhi University, Prof
Sharif Husain, head of department of Arabic and Persian, Delhi University, Syed
Hamid, former vice-chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University and present
chancellor of Jamia Hamdard, Prof Iqbal Qureshi of Jammu and Kashmir University,
Ali Javed, head of National Council of Urdu Promotion Language.
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Editorials
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Sunday, 25 November 2007 |
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Welcome to theIndianMuslims.com. The site aims to be a
credible one-stop reference on Muslims of India, Muslim
Achievers and eminent Indian Muslims from the historical
times to the present. You can see updated news of interest
for Indian Muslims, including features, articles and
editorials. A complete data-bank on Muslim achievers, Muslim
organisations and institutions would also be available on
the site.
TheIndianMuslims.Com would also illustrate the contribution
of Indian Muslims towards India's Freedom Struggle, besides
in various other fields like Art & Culture, Architecture,
Cinema, Theatre, Literature, Education, Economy, Polity,
Judiciary and Science and Technology.
Your views and suggestions
are most welcome and can be emailed to the Webmaster.
How to use the site?
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Top Stories
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Tuesday, 23 June 2009 |
AN Islamic seminary has issued the reigning king of
Bollywood - Shahrukh Khan - a fatwa for allegedly making controversial
comments against Islam in the Indian Time n Style magazine.
The fatwa has been issued by Mufti Mohammed Shoeb Raza
Qadri and Mufti Muti-ur-Rehman of the Darul-uloom-Mazhar-e- Islam in India.
Mufti Mohammed called Shahrukh a Kafir (non-believer)
and said such person should be thrown out of Islam and that in an Islamic
state his comments would have warranted a death penalty.
Shahrukh Khan has strongly denied the comments
attributed to him in an interview published in the magazine, saying he had
been misquoted.
Bareilly-based Markazi Darul Ifta which is a
authority for issuing fatwas however dismissed the fatwas issued by clerics.
They stated that since Shahrukh has issued clarification that he was
misrepresented in his alleged statements he should not be held guilty.
An NGO by the name of Mumbai Aman Committee had
also filed a complaint to Mumbai police against the star for his comments.
They had asked the police file a case under section 504 of the IPC
(intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace).
Shahrukh Khan is currently in US shooting for Karan
Johar's My Name Is Khan.
According to reports, the interview, which was printed in "Time'n Style Luxury" magazine, reads as follows:
"According to you who is the most impressive figure in history?
'There are lots of them, some negative ones like Hitler, then Napoleon,
Winston Churchill and if I can call it history, then Prophet Mohammed
and from recent time - Nelson Mandela. And there are the nice ones like
Gandhiji and Mother Teresa.'"
However, in an attempt to cover their tracks, the magazine published
a clarification of the interview in a tabloid. The Magazine claims that
the answer to the question should have appeared in the following way:
''There are lots of them, some negative ones like Hitler. Then
Napoleon, Winston Churchill were impressive. If I can call it history,
then most impressive positive figure is Prophet Mohammad. And from
recent time - there are nice ones like Nelson Mandela, Gandhiji and
Mother Teresa''.
Over the weekend, Shah Rukh has left no
stone unturned to clarify that the comment was a mistake on the part of
the reporter or a "writing error". He said that he had named Prophet
Mohammad the greatest, most impressive personalities in history. SRK
said that as a Muslim, it is his most important agenda to stand up for
the tenets of Islam. He thinks Prophet Mohammad is the most important
positive figure in history and Islam. The magazine since published a
corrigendum accepting the error.
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