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Thursday, May 13, 2010

RE: [ALOCHONA] Ruling by Islam in the UK



 

  "If you want to minimise civilian casualty, then Jihad is the best option!"

              This is  typical sophistry of Yamin Zakaria who, like the Jehadists, is obssessed by the Empire/Caliphate.  He feels he is a 'nobody' as a Muslim in England unless he makes moral claims of 'superority' which superiority comes from his belonging to another EMPIRE, a counter-empire, one that retains the structure of the very empire that is oppressing him at the moment.  He wants a MUSLIM EMPIRE to replace the present Christian one!     

 
                   Like Monaz, I too had been pressed to join the Alochona group by its founder back in 1998. I have taken active part in many insightful discussions on Democracy, Law, culture, history of Bengal, etc.  It saddens me to see it fall in the hands of semi-literates posing as Rabindranath experts and psychpaths indulging in sophistry to promote wanton murder in the name of religion as an antidote to "civilian casualty."  
 
                      Farida Majid
==============================


From: bdmailer@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 13 May 2010 17:09:47 +0600
Subject: [ALOCHONA] Ruling by Islam in the UK

 

Ruling by Islam in the UK

If David Cameron succeeds in becoming the next Prime Minister and keeps his pre-election promise, the group Hizb-ut-Tahrir (HT) faces the prospect of a ban. The group is characterised by its noble quest to re-establish the Caliphate in the Muslim world, which will be the starting point to unify the Muslim nations and remove the oppressive regimes, establish peace and justice. The leadership of HT reassured the previous regime that it has no intention of calling for the Caliphate in the UK, and resorted to considerable amount of lobbying to prevent the ban, and it seems they succeeded in persuading the MPs to renew the current legislation that permits the group the operate.

However, the statement of HT is misleading on the subject of the Caliphate for UK. Far as I remember, the Islamic opinion adopted by HT is that - the Islamic State will have no permanent fixed borders, until the entire world is brought under the domain of Islam. Thus, it may not call for the Caliphate today in the UK, but bringing UK under the domain of the Caliphate is not to be excluded in the future. Either pragmatism or fear caused the group's leadership not to clarify their position on the issue.

If bullets and bombs are used to spread democracy, then surely they can use the same tools for spreading the domain of Islam. But, remember, the fundamental objective of the Caliphate is not material conquest or oil-piracy - it is the spread of Islam. Thus, minimising civilian casualty is an inherent feature of the Caliphate, not a convenient political slogan to exercise after inflicting massive collateral damage, because annihilation would defeat the objective of spreading Islam. If you want to minimise civilian casualty, then Jihad is the best option!

I am perplexed by the controversy over the Caliphate. It existed for over a thousand years; people of different races, culture and religion lived together and prospered. One can still see the main tourist attraction in Spain is the Alhambra, which is the product of the Caliphate. The non-Muslims never faced the Islamic Inquisition or any form of Pogroms, unless the ruler had deviated significantly from the basic principles of Islam. I cannot think of one example of persecution or atrocities committed against non-Muslims under the Caliphate.

Therefore, it seems the controversy is a by-product of the war propaganda, as the UK government continues to pursue the American-led war on terror by terrorising the civilians in the Muslim world. Maybe, it also reflects the deep insecurity of leading democracies, as they fear the possible challenge posed by a future Caliphate. Why not debate groups like Hizb-ut-Tahrir on the ideological alternatives rather than impose a ban? Why are the democracies so afraid to have an open discussion on this issue? Such a reaction tells me that they are a bunch of intolerant freedom-fundamentalists, operating behind their media Niqab!

If we live in a democratic free society, then everyone has the right to express an opinion on how we should govern ourselves, unless it is a dictatorship of democracy! The Communists and the Socialists are calling for a specific type government, as Muslims we should have every right to call for the Caliphate in the UK. The entire universe is the creation of God and the whole world should be subjected to the divine laws, rather than exploitative capitalism. The fundamental divine laws are fixed; it is not possible for anyone to manipulate it without violating the laws. For example, one could not incarcerate any non-Muslim simply by inventing a term like illegal-combatants. The majority Muslim population could not even debate if the rights of non-Muslims can be retracted. Everyone knows the score under the Caliphate, and no slimy politician can wag their lizard tongue to tell you otherwise.

Perhaps, one day the UK may become a Muslim majority nation, as the Muslim population continues to grow at a rapid rate in relation to non-Muslim community who are experiencing a slow growth in population, largely caused by a breakdown of family values with their zeal for freedom, and promoting things like homosexuality; also the number of converts to Islam continue to flow despite the adverse media propaganda. Then the introduction of Sharia laws would be natural, and in compliance with the principles of majority rule, that is assuming the Muslims continue to aspire to this. Of course, nobody knows the future, a meteor might strike or a devastating earthquake and a Tsunami might change the entire picture, or the Muslims may assimilate and lose their zeal.

At present, the Muslims in the UK are content to live as peaceful democratic citizens, and are busy preserving their identity and interests, as they face a rising tide of Islamophobia. The Niqab has been banned in Belgium, so has the Minaret in Switzerland; no purpose-built Mosques are allowed in some European countries and media is constantly spitting on the Muslims; the new Jews of Europe they say. Naturally, the pressure to assimilate is increasing. Adopting an isolationist approach of the past is no longer an option, nor is the community in a position to call for the Caliphate in the UK. The only option left is to engage with the majority non-Muslim population that can only benefit the cause of Islam and Muslims.

Those who have employed the antagonistic approach in the past should reflect on their record of success, which is very little. Bulk of the converts to Islam has come through the interaction of the ordinary Muslims, as has bulk of the institutions like the numerous Mosques, Charity organisations, and community centres. Taking a simplistic view that antagonising the non-Muslims is a sign of success, only demonstrate a superficial understanding of the example of the Prophet and his companions. In general, the early Muslims did not adopt a confrontational approach, in Medina there were rarely any examples of confrontation; in Mecca, the antagonising was largely initiated by the non-Muslims for various reason.

As the Quran says, "Indeed Allah is with those who are patient"

Yamin Zakaria (yamin@radicalviews.org)
London, UK

http://yaminzakaria.blogspot.com/2010/05/ruling-by-islam-in-uk.html




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[ALOCHONA] A good Read - A Flurry of Fatwas from Misogynist Mullahs






-----Forwarded Message-----
>From: yogi sikand 

A Flurry of Fatwas from Misogynist Mullahs 
Yoginder Sikand 

For over a decade now, I have been writing on the hotly-debated subject of madrasas or Islamic seminaries that train Islamic religious specialists. What ignited my interest in the subject was what I considered to be the wholly unfair charges against the madrasas of being 'factories of terror'. 

Over the years, I have read much material by and about the madrasas, and have visited several dozens of them across India and even abroad. Although charges about Indian madrasas being involved in training terrorists are unfounded and unfair, the allegation that, generally speaking, they teach, preach, and foment obscurantist and ultra-reactionary beliefs on a wide range of issues in the garb of Islam certainly cannot be dismissed easily. Nor can the assertion that, under certain circumstances, such beliefs can indeed lead to extremism and even violence, as the case of Pakistan so tragically illustrates, be ignored. Likewise, the argument that such beliefs, projected by the mullahs as normative and binding, constitute a major hurdle to Muslim progress and that they play a vital role in keeping Muslims shackled under the sway of a class of self-serving, patriarchal narrow-minded clerics, largely ignorant of the demands of the contemporary world, has to be recognized as legitimate.  
 
Based on my reading of madrasa-related literature and personal observations, I must unhesitatingly state that certain views widely-shared among the ulema regarding such matters as women's rights and relations with non-Muslims are simply unacceptable in any civilized society, and constitute a major challenge to Muslim advancement and to efforts to promote decent relations between Muslims and people of other faiths. Reformist Muslims might argue that these views represent a complete distortion of 'true' Islam, that they are based largely on fake stories wrongly attributed to the Prophet or patriarchal inventions of the fuqaha, specialists of fiqh or Islamic jurisprudence, but the ulema have a ready answer to shut them up: In accordance with a hadith which they attribute to the Prophet, it is they, so they insist, who are the 'heirs of the prophets' (waris-e anbiya), and, hence, entitled to speak on and about Islam. The madrasas that they run are,
as they put it (note the militant metaphor) 'the fortresses of the faith' (deen ke qile). Hence, they pompously insist, they have the sole right to arbitrate on Islamic affairs. This they do through their pronouncements and a steady stream of fatwas, which, although technically only opinions, are taken as gospel Islamic truth by the hordes of their unthinking followers.   
                                                    
Probably the largest traditional madrasa not just in India but, indeed, in the entire world, the Dar ul-Uloom at Deoband styles itself as the Umm ul-Madaris or 'The Mother of the Madrasas', having birthed several thousand madrasas associated with the Deobandi school of thought across India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, and in various countries home to sizeable South Asian Muslim diasporic communities. The Deobandis are the most organized of all ulema groups, running a vast number of maktabs, madrasas, and publishing houses. They also control tens of thousands of mosques and other community institutions. In Pakistan and Bangladesh they are organized as political parties, while in Afghanistan they are represented by the Taliban. They present themselves (in the same manner as all the other, rival Islamic sectarian communities) as the sole upholders of what they regard as 'true Islam', considering other Muslim sects as deviant or, quite simply, outside the Islamic pale. Political parties vie with each other to appease the mullahs of Deoband, recognizing the immense political clout that they command among the largely illiterate Muslim electorate. In India, the Congress Party has for years enjoyed a cozy relationship with the Deobandis, and some Deobandi mullahs have even become Members of Parliament on Congress tickets. The All-India Muslim Personal Board, which styles itself as the authoritative body of all the 200 million or more Muslims of India, is almost completely under Deobandi hegemony. 

Surfing the Internet last night, I chanced upon the website of the Dar ul-Ifta, the 'House of Fatwas' of the Deoband madrasa (http://darulifta-deoband.org). This fatwa-dispensing site hosts almost 4000 fatwas in English issued by the official Muftis of Deoband. The fatwas cover a wide range of topics. A special section of the website is devoted to fatwas about 'Women's Issues'. That there is no similar section for 'Men's Issues' is hardly surprising. After all, men are not seen to need to be minutely monitored and carefully controlled. 
 
A random search of the almost 90 fatwas listed in this section reveals some blood-curdling 'gems' of Deobandi 'wisdom' (the nauseatingly pathetic English of both the questioners and the Deoband Muftis may please be excused): 

Question 1: Asalamu-Alikum: Can Muslim women in India do Govt. or Pvt. Jobs? Shall their salary be Halal or Haram or Prohibited? 
 
Answer: It is unlawful for Muslim women to do job in government or private institutions where men and women work together and women have to talk with men frankly and without veil.

Question 2: Mufti Saab, please guide me on the issue that why woman have to cover the face? Kindly provide with proofs. May Allah reward you in abundon.

Answer: If a young lady comes in front of ghair mahram with open face there is fear of fitnah, hence it is necessary for her to cover her face. 
 
Question 3: Can a man along with his mahram travel with a ghair mehram? If yes, upto what distance? Can a women travel with a male servant (driver) who is a ghair mehram in the city for educational reasons etc..? If yes, upto what distance? 
 
Answer: She can travel within 78 kilometres observing hijab. She is not allowed to travel alone with non-mahram driver, even if it is within 78 km, then also it is unlawful; since she will be in privacy with a non-mahram. 
 
Question 4:  (a) Is it permissible for a woman to leave her house while unaccompanied by a mahram? (b) Is it permissible for a woman to drive a car?

Answer:  (a) She can go in nearby places without a mahram observing hijab provided there is no fear of fitnah (evil/mischief). But for a journey, she should be accompanied by any mahram. (b) It is not allowed. 
 
Question 5: Is covering the face compulsory for women while wearing burqa?. In Malaysia it is a hot issue. Please give a detailed reply. 
 
Answer: If she fears fitnah she should cover her face. In this age, there is no doubt that it causes fitnah, therefore it is regarded necessary. 
 
Question 6: Is it compulsory to observe purdah when with another Muslim woman? Is it compulsory to observe purdah when with a non-Muslim woman? 
 
Answer: It is necessary to observe purdah with the women whether Muslims and non-Muslims. 
 
Question 7: Assalamualaykum. Please can you tell me is it fardh (compulsory) to cover the face of females when they go out? Or, if relatives come home, do they have to cover the face as well? I am confused on that. Wassalam. 
 
Answer:  When outside, it is absolutely obligatory; since the face is centre of attraction, the verses of the Holy Quran (Surah Ahzab 33:59, Surah Noor 24:31) indicate to the same. What do you mean by relatives? The non-Mahram relatives have the same ruling as mentioned in No 1. 

Question 8:  Assalamualeikum, I am a working woman and my job is compulsory for my family. I used to wear salwar-kameez with full sleeves, scarf fully covered my hair and neck,dupatta till stmouch. according shariah can i go out like this? 

Answer: It is allowable for you to do job observing full hijab (with covering face) and provided you do not talk and mingle with non-mahram men unnecessarily. 

Question 9: Assalamu alaykum w.w mufti shab My quistion is here in south africa they is radio station called radio islam and it is very beneficial for evry one.but my qustion is on that radio station evry hour women read out the news is that permissible?it is permissible for ger mahram man to listen to here voise ?because thru out the world 1000 of litsener and many of them ger mahram?so plz replay me with answerd as soon as possible is it permisseble for women to broadcast on radio whey she is not invoved with man or camera?please please replay me soon i'm waiting for your replay. Salam. 
 
Answer: Women have bee prohibited to speak loudly, read out something in melody and talk softly. The scholars of Fiqh say that voice of a woman is also satr [something that needs to be 'covered-up' or 'veiled'—YS]. That is why women have been stopped to call Azan and recite talbia loudly in Hajj. Yes, in cases of necessity, they can talk as they can have some words with a doctor etc. However, without any need, it is not right for women to broadcast news at radio stations as well it is not permissible for non-Mahram men to hear their voice without a need. 

Question 10: I would like to know the views of the different school of thoughts regarding ladies covering their face in front of non-mahrams. If a school of thought different from the one i am following does not think it is necessery is that reason enough for me to say that its not really necessery for me either? 
 
Answer: The Quran and Hadith have commanded women to cover their faces due to fear of mischief. This is what Hanafis believe. If you are a Hanafi then it is unlawful for you to follow other Fiqhi schools. 

Question 11: As salamu alaikum, I would like to know if it is permissible for a muslimah to work as a translator for the tribunal. JazakAllah, 
 
Answer: It is not a good thing for women to do jobs in offices. They will have to face strange men (non-mahram) though in veil. She will have to talk and deal with each other which are the things of fitna (evils). A father is committed to provide maintenance to his daughter and a husband is asked to provide maintenance to his wife. So, there is no need for women to do jobs which always pose harms and mischief.    

Question 12: As-salmualykum I wanted to find out does a muslim women have to cover(cover arms etc) infront of a non muslim women?how much is she alowed to show? please answer my question in the light of qur'an & sunnah, and is there any strong prrof and evidence? jazzakallah may Allah reward you! 
 
Answer: A woman should cover her entire body except her face, palms and feet, the matter of treatment is exceptional. 
 
Question 13: How far is it permissible for a woman to go without a mehram? Can she go? 
  
Answer: The Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) said: "Any it is now allowed for a woman who has belief in Allah and His messenger that she travels to a destination of more than 78 kms alone. Yes, she can travel this distance or more with a mehram (immediate relatives like father, son, husband, nephew). Some traditions refer to a distance of only three miles while some absolutely prohibit from traveling. All these traditions differ as per the worsening conditions of different ages and times. As much the fitna (mischief, evil) will prevail as much the cautiousness will be required.   

Question 14: I am married for 4 years and we are having a family planning as my wife is not doing well , she has got an injury in the head and the injury is 10 years old, she gets severe pain very frequently. Please advice. 
 
Family planning is haram and unlawful in Islam. You should apprise your wife of the commandment of Shariah and get her head injury treated. If she faces unbearable pain due to conception or she fears her life or the life of the baby in case of pregnancy then in such conditions she can adopt any contraceptive measure temporarily. 
 
Faced with mounting protests from women (including Muslim women, too) against the torrent of anti-women fatwas they have been churning out over the years, the mullahs of Deoband have the temerity to insist in their defence that [their peculiar version of] Islam not just guarantees women's rights but, more than that, stands for the best and most perfect form of gender justice. If imprisoning women in their homes, grudgingly permitting them to step out only under very severe conditions, compelling them to spend their entire lives simply manufacturing children, forcing them to veil from head and face to toe, 'veiling' even their voices and thereby totally silencing them, insisting that they observe purdah even in front of other women—in short, reducing them to invisiblised, servile, repressed and hyper-sexualised beings—is Deobandi-style 'Islamic justice', is it any wonder if hardly any educated Muslim women take the Deobandi mullahs seriously? That non-Muslims, in general, are forced to think that Islam stands for raw, untamed patriarchy and male chauvinism? That increasing numbers of Muslims now consider the mullahs are a heavy burden on Muslim society and the major cause for Muslim backwardness the world over? That a whole new class of Muslim women (and some men) believe that they need to study and interpret Islam from a distinctive feminist perspective, cleansing it from the deep-rooted patriarchal, indeed misogynist, tradition of mullah scholarship?

Being now a hardened skeptic in all matters of religion (for which I must thank the mullahs, in particular) I am not in a position to opine on whose version of Islam as it relates to women—that of the mullahs or that of the progressive Islamic feminists—represents the sole 'true' or 'authentic' version or vision of the faith. As far as I am concerned, that question simply cannot be answered at all. For me it is meaningless, although, still, academically interesting. The same holds true with regard to the larger question of the Deobandi mullahs' claims (as reflected in the numerous fatwas in the section on the Dar ul-Ifta's website titled 'Deviant Groups and Sects' that brand other Muslim sectarian groups, both Sunni as well as Shia, as deviants or even as out of the Islamic fold) that they alone represent 'true' Islam. The Deobandis and their Muslim sectarian rivals will, one expects, continue to hurl fatwas of infidelity against each other and bandy about their respective claims of being the sole true Muslims till the Day of Judgment comes upon us. Given the nature of their absolutist claims, no consensus as to what precisely 'true' Islam is, and what exactly this 'true' Islam has to say about Islam, is ever possible. 

Be that as it may, I would still argue that it is vital for Muslims concerned about their faith and its image and also about their co-religionists and their ability to function in the modern world to take the mullahs by their horns and immerse themselves in the discursive battle to promote more meaningful, humane and just understandings of Islam. There is simply no other way.  

Yoginder Sikand works with the Centre for the Study of Social Exclusion at the National Law School, Bangalore.

Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule. -The Buddha



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[ALOCHONA] Rise of social ills in absence of Islam



Rise of social ills in absence of Islam

 

Javed Ahmad

 

In the newspapers everyday there are news on killing, mugging, stalking, robbing, raping, stealing, terrorism, threats, drug abuse, unsocial activities and what not; that clearly indicates decline of morality and ethics and in the country, pointing to one single thing – absence of 'justice'.

 

"O ye who believe! stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to God, even as

against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor: for God can best protect both. Follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest ye swerve, and if ye distort (justice) or decline to do justice, verily God is well-

acquainted with all that ye do." (4:135).

 

Islam is a religion of order and justice. In the days when Islam was a practiced religion in the society we did not have many problems. Justice prevailed so did the law and order.

 

We grew up in an environment when Islam was practiced and taught at schools and homes. I remember our imam of the local masjid used to come everyday for private tutoring on reading Qur'anic Arabic. I am still indebted to my uncle who was the first to tell me to offer prayers regularly and encouraged me. I remember majority of the people I knew at the time used to offer their prayers, used to fast in the month of Ramadan and observed other religious rituals. Thus I too grew up in an environment where I have learnt to offer prayers regularly, fast during the month of Ramadan without fail entertaining no excuses.

 

People at the time were cordial and the neighbors were like family member looking after one another keeping close ties with each other. Our parents never worried about us if and when we went out with friends to play. There were no doubts among each other as we were totally sincere in our lifestyle and never had to lie or deceive. Therefore, 'honesty is the best policy' was something we grew up with believing.

 

Today, Islam is under attack. Instead of seeing the religion as a solution provider it is seen as a problem by both the Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Totally ignoring and forgetting that it was actually Islam that made us who we are. Those who held to the rope of Islam became better than those who ignored it.

 

While living overseas, I have seen families where Islam was practiced who reared their children better than the families that had no sign of Islam. Many of the non-Islamic families lost their children to the society and do not care for their parents anymore. It is Islam that teaches –

 

"And remember We took a covenant from the Children of Israel (to this effect): Worship none but God; treat with kindness your parents and kindred, and

orphans and those in need; speak fair to the people; be steadfast in prayer; and

practise regular charity. Then did ye turn back, except a few among you, and ye

backslide (even now)… They ask thee what they should spend (In charity). Say: Whatever ye spend that is good, is for parents and kindred and orphans and those in want and for wayfarers. And whatever ye do that is good, -God knoweth it well." (2:83, 215).

 

Islam is a religion for civilized people. It is a religion if followed sincerely is bound to make one 'civilized'. Islam is all about changing people from bad to good. Islam survived through transformation of people from time to time on its own appeal. Justice, not Islam was spread through the power of sword. If the power of sword was applied to spread Islam then there would be no non-Muslims around today. Islam safeguards freedom of religion –

 

"Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error:

whoever rejects evil and believes in God hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-

hold, that never breaks. And God heareth and knoweth all things." (2:256).

 

There are plenty of references in the Qur'an about taking care of parents and to uphold justice in the society and state. People who bash this religion do not actually know this religion. In fact majority of the people around the world do not know their own religion. Realizing this matter, in March 2003 I wrote an article "When religion is just a label" discussing the matter in details.

 

Muslims too today no longer knows Islam. They do not practice it nor do they teach it to their children. As a result all religious practices are disappearing from the society, so are the tolerance, cordiality, harmony and justice. Without the Islamic philosophy people are becoming more and more materialistic and greedy ignoring what is right and what is wrong.

 

Today our girls are no longer safe in the streets, unable to move in the society freely as they used to do in the past. Now they worry about being stalked by unknown people and if anyone stand up her defense gets humiliated and even killed. We get plenty of news in the newspapers on a daily basis of fathers, brothers and male cousins getting killed when they attempt to make a stand against the stalkers for justice. Worse yet, even a cop got suspended for stalking a college going girl in Goplaganj!

 

Not too long ago news headlines covered the news of Eden College – a wholly girls college in Dhaka where students are forced into unsocial activities against their will by political thugs. This brings us to the issues related to prostitution in Bangladesh. Prostitution is now common at the local residential neighborhoods and hotels in Bangladesh. The sad part is, "…a sizeable number of prostitutes are seen wearing burkha. In order to hide their face and to dishonoring the Islamic symbol they use burkha without the resistance of Tejgoan Police Station..".

 

The above quote is taken from an article "Dhaka 's prostitute -spot , background , preventive law " available online at the link given at the references below. This same article also says -

 

"…What does the Bangladeshi law say?

The constitutional law is committed to prevent the prostitution According to clause 18(2) of the constitution of Bangladesh the state shall adopt effective measures to prevent prostitution and gambling. Punishment and Suppression of Immoral Traffic Act, 1933 is widely used to deal the prostitution. According to the section 35 of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Ordinance, 1976 the Police can order the offender to leave the Metropolitan area as per the act of Punishment and Suppression of Immoral Traffic Act, 1933 , a per the section 74 of the act Police can fine five hundred or impose the both who call and inspire the client for prostitution . Before the enter of English the Mughal/Nabab implemented Shariah law, they simultaneously tried to eliminate the poverty and implemented the law strictly. According to Sirajul Islam (1984) it is learn that during Mughal era Hid was applicable to the women engaged in adultery, If she/he is married he is ordered to be died by throwing stones, and if unmarried, he /she was ordered to be given 100 lash and if any body brought false claim of prostitution against any other was ordered to put 80 lash. Through the implementation of this law the prostitution did not become widespread.

The poor implementation of existing law and widespread corruption to halt strong economy and to make easy earning through prostitution by a group of so called VIPs are strong supporter to prostitution.

To Sum,

Prostitution is not religiously and socially supported activities in Bangladesh .Deformation of society and widespread anti- moral policy patron by different secular politicians and NGOs, prostitution became the part of our society. Shall we not be prevented from this disease? …"

Another area in social ill is female child rape that is growing considerably around the country. Rape itself is bad enough and child rape makes it even worse. Free availability of porn CDs and videos in the open market could be blamed for increase of perverted sexual desires in the people's minds. Now that the Internet connectivity is becoming largely available and affordable downloading the porn contents off the net is becoming even easier and cheap!

 

Then again we have problems related to drug abuse and alcoholism. The problem is now so dire that the law and enforcement agencies are having a hard time controlling. See the quote below from "15 injured as narcotics officials, villagers clash at Benapole"  

 

"At least 15 people including a deputy director of the Directorate of Narcotics Control were injured in a clash between the directorate officials and villagers over recovery of addictive substance from Bhoberber village… A clash ensued between the two parties when a group of villagers obstructed the directorate officials… On information, police rushed to the spot, rescued the officials and brought the situation under control…"

 

Imagine all these are happening in a Muslim majority country! In absence of Islam, all the western social ills have entered our culture and society. Now we have come to a situation that we are not even sure how deep the problems are, which is dangerous as it may compound to such a degree that we would not be able to deal with the problems anymore.

 

It seems like that Bangladesh has the laws and policies in place, but what actually is lacking is the desire to contain. Therefore, we have grounds to doubt if any of the new laws and policies would do us any good if the 'desire' for a change is absent. Besides, whom are we going to count on to implement and execute those policies and laws? Law and enforcement agencies too seem to have lost their strength and morale!

 

The bottom line is, none of it would work as long as the base is rotten. By abstaining from Islam we have done ourselves a great harm. We have destroyed our very foundation of goodness. Therefore, we have become weak and unable to stand up for truth and justice anymore. Our faith level is so low that we no longer care to see what is going on around us and give a blind eye to all the bad things that happens around us as long as they do not affect us directly. This change in attitude is sufficient enough reason for our ultimate destruction to come.

 

Finally, let me share with you some of my personal understandings. If you think I am a good person then you should know that I am good because of Islam. This religion has made me what I am today as I follow its teachings as a believer. Therefore, the way I see it, if everyone follows Islam then chances are most (if not all) of the people would become good. An increase in their level of faith would make them responsible citizens in the society enjoining good and forbidding evil. If and when this happens, we would not require any laws and policies to make a stand against social ills; because Islam itself have its own laws and policies that are similar to what we have in our present secular system.

 

Keeping this view in mind, I have put my son at an Islamic English Medium School hoping to get him a blend of Islamic and traditional education that would make him a better person than I am. I strongly suggest our government to add Islamic subjects in the school syllabuses and curriculum so that every young ones gets to know Islam from an early stage. We could establish Islamic schools modeled after International Islamic School (IIS) of the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) headed by Dr. Zakir Naik at Mumbai, India (http://www.irf.net/ ).

 

"O ye who believe! Fear God as He should be feared, and die not except in a

state of Islam. And hold fast, all together, by the rope which God (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves; and remember with gratitude God's favour on you; for ye were enemies and He joined your hearts in love, so that by His Grace, ye became brethren; and ye were on the brink of the pit of Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus doth God make His Signs clear to you: That ye may be guided. Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong: They are the ones to attain felicity." (3:102-104).

 

Do you have anything else to try before reverting back to Islam that you once left willingly? Don't be a hypocrite and do not fight Islam, take it and grab it instead and spread the light of Islam to others especially to those who are advising you leave it, as the Holy Qur'an suggests –

 

"Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching;

and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knoweth best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance." (16:125).

 

Islam is not a 'problem' rather a 'solution' for all of mankind. Welcome back to Islam!

 

References:

 

Govt mulls new law to stop stalking of girls: http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=138138

 

When religion is just a label: http://javedahmad.tripod.com/islam/label.htm

 

Cop suspended for stalking college girl: http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=137931

 

Greed and its consequences: http://bangladesh-web.com/view.php?hidRecord=317574

 

Prostitution in Eden College: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwT6nhVDljo

 

Dhaka 's prostitute -spot , background , preventive law: http://www.bd64.com/today.php?id=6855

 

Sexual behavior and our society: http://javedahmad.tripod.com/islam/sex.htm

 

Good Governance in Bangladesh: A Quest for a non-political Party Approach: http://www.ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/jpl/article/view/4584

 

15 injured as narcotics officials, villagers clash at Benapole: http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=138108

 

 



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RE: [ALOCHONA] Kissinger's involvement in 15 August 1975



Attn. Zoglul Husain

--------------------

Many thanks for sending the article.

Yet 1975 coup is not clear to us all.

Controversies, confusion and chaos have resulted since Sk. Mujib and few other leaders and AL men were
killed that day. Often we did not have the courage to undertake a neutral, honest and transparent anatomy
of social, economical and political aspects of Bangladesh that time.

Looking forward to receive more comments, articles, research documents from you.

Best wishes.

Khoda hafez.







To: dhakamails@yahoogroups.com
From: bdmailer@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 28 Apr 2010 07:23:14 +0600
Subject: [ALOCHONA] Kissinger's involvement in 15 August 1975



Kissinger's involvement in 15 August 1975

Zoglul Husain
zoglul@hotmail.co.uk



It was Kissinger who organised the 15 August 1975 coup. Please see the following Daily Star report of 15 August 2005 as follows:
 
http://www.thedailystar.net/2005/08/15/d5081501033.htm
 
According to the above report, veteran US journalist Lawrence Lifschultz, through recent admissions of the then (1975) US ambassador to Bangladesh, Eugene Boster, asserted that Kissinger was involved in the 15 August 1975 coup. Prior to Lifschultz, another US writer Christopher Hitchens referred to Kissinger's involvement in the coup




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[ALOCHONA] Ruling by Islam in the UK



Ruling by Islam in the UK

If David Cameron succeeds in becoming the next Prime Minister and keeps his pre-election promise, the group Hizb-ut-Tahrir (HT) faces the prospect of a ban. The group is characterised by its noble quest to re-establish the Caliphate in the Muslim world, which will be the starting point to unify the Muslim nations and remove the oppressive regimes, establish peace and justice. The leadership of HT reassured the previous regime that it has no intention of calling for the Caliphate in the UK, and resorted to considerable amount of lobbying to prevent the ban, and it seems they succeeded in persuading the MPs to renew the current legislation that permits the group the operate.

However, the statement of HT is misleading on the subject of the Caliphate for UK. Far as I remember, the Islamic opinion adopted by HT is that - the Islamic State will have no permanent fixed borders, until the entire world is brought under the domain of Islam. Thus, it may not call for the Caliphate today in the UK, but bringing UK under the domain of the Caliphate is not to be excluded in the future. Either pragmatism or fear caused the group's leadership not to clarify their position on the issue.

If bullets and bombs are used to spread democracy, then surely they can use the same tools for spreading the domain of Islam. But, remember, the fundamental objective of the Caliphate is not material conquest or oil-piracy - it is the spread of Islam. Thus, minimising civilian casualty is an inherent feature of the Caliphate, not a convenient political slogan to exercise after inflicting massive collateral damage, because annihilation would defeat the objective of spreading Islam. If you want to minimise civilian casualty, then Jihad is the best option!

I am perplexed by the controversy over the Caliphate. It existed for over a thousand years; people of different races, culture and religion lived together and prospered. One can still see the main tourist attraction in Spain is the Alhambra, which is the product of the Caliphate. The non-Muslims never faced the Islamic Inquisition or any form of Pogroms, unless the ruler had deviated significantly from the basic principles of Islam. I cannot think of one example of persecution or atrocities committed against non-Muslims under the Caliphate.

Therefore, it seems the controversy is a by-product of the war propaganda, as the UK government continues to pursue the American-led war on terror by terrorising the civilians in the Muslim world. Maybe, it also reflects the deep insecurity of leading democracies, as they fear the possible challenge posed by a future Caliphate. Why not debate groups like Hizb-ut-Tahrir on the ideological alternatives rather than impose a ban? Why are the democracies so afraid to have an open discussion on this issue? Such a reaction tells me that they are a bunch of intolerant freedom-fundamentalists, operating behind their media Niqab!

If we live in a democratic free society, then everyone has the right to express an opinion on how we should govern ourselves, unless it is a dictatorship of democracy! The Communists and the Socialists are calling for a specific type government, as Muslims we should have every right to call for the Caliphate in the UK. The entire universe is the creation of God and the whole world should be subjected to the divine laws, rather than exploitative capitalism. The fundamental divine laws are fixed; it is not possible for anyone to manipulate it without violating the laws. For example, one could not incarcerate any non-Muslim simply by inventing a term like illegal-combatants. The majority Muslim population could not even debate if the rights of non-Muslims can be retracted. Everyone knows the score under the Caliphate, and no slimy politician can wag their lizard tongue to tell you otherwise.

Perhaps, one day the UK may become a Muslim majority nation, as the Muslim population continues to grow at a rapid rate in relation to non-Muslim community who are experiencing a slow growth in population, largely caused by a breakdown of family values with their zeal for freedom, and promoting things like homosexuality; also the number of converts to Islam continue to flow despite the adverse media propaganda. Then the introduction of Sharia laws would be natural, and in compliance with the principles of majority rule, that is assuming the Muslims continue to aspire to this. Of course, nobody knows the future, a meteor might strike or a devastating earthquake and a Tsunami might change the entire picture, or the Muslims may assimilate and lose their zeal.

At present, the Muslims in the UK are content to live as peaceful democratic citizens, and are busy preserving their identity and interests, as they face a rising tide of Islamophobia. The Niqab has been banned in Belgium, so has the Minaret in Switzerland; no purpose-built Mosques are allowed in some European countries and media is constantly spitting on the Muslims; the new Jews of Europe they say. Naturally, the pressure to assimilate is increasing. Adopting an isolationist approach of the past is no longer an option, nor is the community in a position to call for the Caliphate in the UK. The only option left is to engage with the majority non-Muslim population that can only benefit the cause of Islam and Muslims.

Those who have employed the antagonistic approach in the past should reflect on their record of success, which is very little. Bulk of the converts to Islam has come through the interaction of the ordinary Muslims, as has bulk of the institutions like the numerous Mosques, Charity organisations, and community centres. Taking a simplistic view that antagonising the non-Muslims is a sign of success, only demonstrate a superficial understanding of the example of the Prophet and his companions. In general, the early Muslims did not adopt a confrontational approach, in Medina there were rarely any examples of confrontation; in Mecca, the antagonising was largely initiated by the non-Muslims for various reason.

As the Quran says, "Indeed Allah is with those who are patient"

Yamin Zakaria (yamin@radicalviews.org)
London, UK

http://yaminzakaria.blogspot.com/2010/05/ruling-by-islam-in-uk.html


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Re: [ALOCHONA] Rabindranath:enemy of Bangladesh People n humanity

Thanks a lot for giving us a link of an article about Rabindranath
Tagore written by Ibn Golam Samad. In the eighties, the author was an
Associate Professor at Bangladesh Agricultural University and Rajshahi
University.

Mr. Golam Samad could not find a single good quality in Tagore. Rather
he tried his best to defame Tagore with all his strength, anguish and
narrow vision.

He might have life-long body ache and heart burn due to the breakaway
of East Pakistan to become independent as Bangladesh. It is this Mr.
Samad who wrote the "History of Rajsahi".


You may read this write up:
http://www.mukto-mona.com/Articles/nripendra_sarker/rajshahi.htm
 


-----Original Message-----
From: Mohd. Haque <haquetm83@yahoo.com>
To: alochona@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wed, May 12, 2010 10:01 am
Subject: RE: [ALOCHONA] Rabindranath:enemy of Bangladesh People n
humanity

http://www.sonarbangladesh.com/article.php?ID=2613
 
 
If Alochona allows this message, you may read this write up from the
above link.
 
Haque

--- On Tue, 11/5/10, Shahadat Hussaini <shahadathussaini@hotmail.com>
wrote:


From: Shahadat Hussaini <shahadathussaini@hotmail.com>
Subject: RE: [ALOCHONA] Rabindranath:enemy of Bangladesh People n
humanity
To: "Alochona Groups" <alochona@yahoogroups.com>, "Bangladesh American"
<baainews@yahoogroups.com>, "Bangladeshi American"
<bangladeshiamericans@googlegroups.com>, "bdesh gorum"
<bdesh_cul.forum@yahoo.com>
Date: Tuesday, 11 May, 2010, 1:26 PM


 
There are a great number of people who tries to portray/make
Rabindranath as 'Devta' a super human being. I acknowledge him as
super kobi and shahittik but man Robindranath is always deplorable to
the Muslim Community of Bengal. He was a die hard communal person
therefore let's talk about his contributions to Bangla Shahittya only.
What we can see in Bangladesh by some people that they start Rabindra
puja. Astagfirrullah.
The person who objected to the creation of Dhaka University as the
people of East Bengal will benifit specially the Muslims, was
deplorable then, deplorable now and will remain deplorable for all the
time.
The same Rabindranath did not allow any muslims to be admitted to Biswa
Bharati until Nezam of Hydrabad made a handsome contribution to the
instituition with an attachment that muslims be admitted to the
institution. Can someone still say person Rabindranath was non-communal?
The same Rabindranath opposed vehimently the creation of new Assam/East
Bengal province by Lord Carzon 1905 for the benefit of backward Assam
and East Bengal. He never liked to see that we the East bengalis
florish though his livelyhood was from them.
Therefore, brothers and sisters please jump with joy for his creations
(literature) but dot try to portray him as the champion of humanity and
super champion of non-communal thinking.
If Bangladeshis have some reservation to the person Rabindranath, there
is nothing wrong in it.
 
Shahadat H. Suhrawardy
 

------------------------------------------------------------
To: alochona@yahoogroup s.com
From: qrahman@netscape. net
Date: Mon, 10 May 2010 07:00:42 -0400
Subject: Fwd: [ALOCHONA] Rabindranath: enemy of Bangladesh People n
humanity

 

Back then treating Muslims like crap was "Business as usual". Not
letting Muslims to touch Hindus, not letting Muslims into houses (Even
kids), Not eating from Muslims and many other flavors of oppression was
common.
 
However (My personal opinion) calling Rabindranath "Enemy of humanity"
is a bit harsh. In many other respect, he had loads of good qualities
as well. Ignoring your tax paying subjects was the norm than exception.
If you look at our leading political parties of today,  they ignore tax
paying people like us but I do not consider them enemy of humanity
(Only cold blooded murderers are enemy of humanity). ;-)
 
I think core teaching of Islam is to be forgiving and having faith in
Allah (SWT). Even when someone treated us like crap. Our history is
victim of our political flavor of the day. One day Rabindranath is
answer to all problems and next day everyone forgets him!!
 
I feel Rabindranath was a positive part of our history and culture. He
was man of his day and his day was mostly hell for Bengali Muslims.
 
Considering everything happened to our forfathers. It is more important
that, we learn from mistakes of the past. We should never use history
as justification to treat fellow human being badly in our time. No
matter what background he/she comes from.
 
May peace be unto all of you.
============ ========= ========= ========= ========= =========
========= ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= =========
====
 
"And if you punished (By others), let your punishment be proportionate
to the wrong that has been done to you; but if you show patience, that
is indeed the best course."
 
[Al Qur'an 16:126]
 
 
"O ye who believe! stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair
dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to
wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety: and fear
Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do."
[Al Qur'an 5:8]
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---

-----Original Message-----
From: Md. Aminul Islam <aminul_islam_ raj@yahoo. com>
To: notun_bangladesh@ yahoogroups. com; history_islam@ yahoogroups.
com; dahuk@yahoogroups. com; banglarnari@ yahoogroups. com;
khabor@yahoogroups. com; Bangla Zindabad <Bangladesh-Zindabad
@yahoogroups. com>; Sonar Bangladesh <sonarbangladesh@ yahoogroups.
com>; bangla vision <bangla-vision@ yahoogroups. com>; wideminds
<WideMinds@yahoogrou ps.com>; vinnomot <vinnomot@yahoogroup s.com>;
Dhaka Mails <dhakamails@yahoogro ups.com>; alochona
<alochona@yahoogroup s.com>; ayubi_s786@yahoo. com; faruquealamgir@
gmail.com
Sent: Sun, May 9, 2010 8:44 am
Subject: [ALOCHONA] Rabindranath: enemy of Bangladesh People n humanity


 


Rabindranath: enemy of Bangladesh People n humanity
 
Dear All,
Do you know that Poet" Bshakobi " rabindranath
 
1 )compelled his Muslim subjects Giving Chanda For Puja
2) compelled his Muslim subjects  giving Tax for Bared ( Lari rakharv
jonno kor Adai korto)
3)He never established a single school in  his jomidari in Bangladesh(
silaidoh , shajatpur or potisosr)
4)He opposed and protested the establishment of Dhaka University
5)oppression on subjects by Rabindranath is a  well established Truth.
He was getting Khetabs , as supported the British colonial regime when
nazrul was jailed for  his role against the British regime.
 But sometimes some so called manobotabadi ask for establish the ideal
of This rabindranath.
 
 What kind of "Manobotabadi was Rabindranath n his supporters?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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[ALOCHONA] MI5 faces allegations over torture of British man in Bangladesh



MI5 faces allegations over torture of British man in Bangladesh

Security service accused of involvement in abuse of Birmingham businessman

Ian Cobain and Fariha Karim in Dhaka
 

The Security service is facing fresh accusations of involvement in the abuse of terrorism suspects after a British man was detained in Bangladesh and allegedly tortured while being questioned about his activities and associates in both countries.Lawyers representing Gulam Mustafa, a 48-year-old Birmingham businessman, say there is evidence he has been severely mistreated since being arrested in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, in mid-April.

The case appears to present an immediate challenge to a new government, and will give some insight into the manner in which it will deal with the growing number of allegations of collusion in foreign torture.At their last party conference, the Liberal Democrats passed a resolution calling for a judicial inquiry into the UK's role in torture and rendition.

The Conservatives, however, have said only that they will not rule out an inquiry. Labour ministers have issued blanket denials of collusion in torture, but have declined to address specific allegations.Mustafa appeared to have a swollen face when he was paraded before television cameras shortly after his arrest, according to his family.

When he appeared in court 11 days later, a journalist working for the Guardian could see that he was unable to stand throughout the proceedings, at one point sinking to his knees.The businessman told a British consular official he had been forced to assume stressful positions for long periods during questioning at a detention centre known as the Taskforce for Interrogation Cell, where the use of torture is alleged to be common.

Lawyers for Mustafa's family said there were strong grounds to believe that British officials had been complicit in his mistreatment and they were considering bringing legal action against the government.They were angry that the UK High Commission in Dhaka had failed to secure consular access to Mustafa for more than two weeks after his arrest or arrange for him to be seen by a doctor.

The family's solicitor, Gareth Peirce, said in a letter to the foreign secretary, David Miliband: "It is already well known that MI5 has been co-operating with the Bangladeshi authorities and providing and exchanging information with them about Mr Mustafa."

She said a number of Mustafa's associates in the UK had been questioned about him, adding: "There is serious reason to believe that the security services have therefore been mixed up in the ill-treatment carried out by the Bangladeshi authorities and this is still ongoing."In his reply, Miliband said Mustafa's welfare was the "primary objective" of the Foreign Office, but he did not address the allegations of MI5 complicity in the mistreatment.

Asked about the allegations, a Foreign Office spokesperson said: "The government's position on torture is clear. We condemn it wholeheartedly."We do not torture people, and we do not ask others to do so on our behalf. We take all allegations of torture and mistreatment very seriously. With an individual's permission, we can take up any justified complaint about ill-treatment with the relevant authorities."

The Foreign Office told the Guardian it had made repeated requests to see Mustafa before finally being allowed access to him on 2 May.The Bangladeshi foreign ministry rejected this statement, saying it had received only one such request – the day after Mustafa's lawyers wrote to Miliband – and that the request had been promptly granted.

Mustafa has been of interest to MI5 for several years. In April 2007, a month after he travelled to Bangladesh, leaving his wife and six children at the family home in the Sparkhill area of Birmingham, the Bank of England employed counter-terrorism powers to impose financial sanctions upon him, freezing his assets and prohibiting others from making funds available to him.

Mustafa's family said he was frightened to return to the UK after this happened.After his departure, a number of his associates in Britain were questioned by MI5 officers, close relatives said.Shortly afterwards, Mustafa moved into a flat in an upmarket suburb of Dhaka and told his family the rent was being paid by one of the country's intelligence agencies, the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI).

His wife repeatedly asked him to return to Birmingham, and he told relatives, in a telephone call in November that year, that he was planning to do so. Five days later, he was arrested and charged with a firearm offence.

Mustafa's defence was that he watched police officers plant the weapon during a search of the flat and, when he demanded to know why they were doing it, he was told it was at the instigation of British authorities.He was convicted and sentenced to 17 years in prison, but was released on bail in January pending an appeal.He was re-arrested on 16 April and accused of distributing funds to Harakat-ul-Jihad al-Islami, a militant Islamist organisation banned in both Bangladesh and the UK.

Twelve months ago, Jamil Rahman, another British terrorism suspect who had been detained and allegedly tortured in Bangladesh, told the Guardian British intelligence officers had threatened him with reprisals if he did not give evidence against Mustafa in an English court.

"They told me that they would arrange for somebody to give evidence against me in court if I didn't agree," he said.Rahman, 32, a former civil servant from south Wales, said that, after being tortured by DGFI officers, he was repeatedly interrogated by men who identified themselves as MI5 officers.

He was never charged with any offence and eventually returned to the UK, where he began civil proceedings against the government.The next government will inherit this case and a number of others lodged by British citizens and residents who were victims of rendition or who allege they were tortured before being questioned by British intelligence officers.

One of the litigants has been convicted of terrorism offences. None of the others has been charged with any offence.The government is expected to offer out-of-court settlements to a number of the men after the court of appeal earlier this month dismissed an attempt by MI5 and MI6 to suppress evidence of alleged complicity in torture.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/may/11/mi5-torture-allegations-briton-bangladesh



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