Banner Advertiser

Sunday, February 16, 2014

[mukto-mona] গণজাগরণ : তাহরির পারেনি, শাহবাগ পেরেছে



গণজাগরণ

তাহরির পারেনি, শাহবাগ পেরেছে

মনজুরুল আহসান বুলবুল | আপডেট: ০০:০৮, ফেব্রুয়ারি ১৭, ২০১৪ প্রিন্ট সংস্করণ
 

শাহবাগ বিপ্লবদুই বছর আগের চিত্র। তাহরিরে আরব বসন্ত কেবল আপাত সাফল্য পেয়েছে। ৩২ বছরের মোবারক শাসন অপস্রিয়মাণ। ঢাকায় মাল্টিন্যাশনালে কর্মরত এক শীর্ষ মিসরীয় কর্মকর্তা সান্ধ্য আড্ডায় জানাচ্ছেন, উত্তেজনা ধরে না রাখতে পেরে কাউকে কিছু না জানিয়ে উইকএন্ডেই চলে গিয়েছিলেন তাহরিরে। নিয়ে গিয়েছিলেন ঢাকার পোশাক কারখানায় তৈরি কয়েক শ টি-শার্ট। তাহরিরের বিপ্লবী যোদ্ধাদের গায়ে বাংলাদেশি টি-শার্ট চড়িয়ে সেই বিপ্লবের সঙ্গে বাংলাদেশকে একাত্ম করার কৃতিত্ব নিচ্ছিলেন তিনি।
কয়েক মাস পরে ওয়াশিংটনে গণমাধ্যম নিয়ে আন্তর্জাতিক সম্মেলনে সব ছাপিয়ে আরব বসন্ত, সোশ্যাল মিডিয়ার দাপট। কায়রো আমেরিকান বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ের এক শিক্ষিকা তরতর করে তুলে ধরছেন তাহরিরের বিস্ময়কর চিত্র। সফল বিপ্লবের যোদ্ধার অহংকার ছিটকে পড়ছিল তাঁর চোখ-মুখে।
আনুষ্ঠানিক বক্তব্য শেষে প্রশ্নোত্তর পর্বে হাত তুললাম, খুব সহজ ভাষায় জানতে চাইলাম বিপ্লব থেকে তাঁদের অর্জনটা কী, কীভাবেই বা এই বিপ্লব ভবিষ্যৎ পথ ধরে এগোবে। জবাব যেন ঠোঁটের আগায়: বিপ্লবের অর্জন হলো ৩২ বছরের স্বৈরশাসনের অবসান, বিদায় নিয়েছেন হোসনি মোবারক। আর ভবিষ্যৎ হলো, মিসর এখন এগোবে গণতান্ত্রিক পথে। এর মধ্যেই সেনাবাহিনীর নেতৃত্বে কাউন্সিল দায়িত্ব নিয়েছে এবং সেনাবাহিনীই মিসরে প্রতিষ্ঠা করবে গণতান্ত্রিক ধারা! জবাবের শেষ অংশ শুনে আঁতকে উঠলাম। পাশে বসা পাকিস্তানি আর নাইজেরীয় সাংবাদিক বন্ধুদের দিকে তাকিয়ে দেখি, তাঁদের চোখও কপালে উঠেছে। সেনাশাসন কীভাবে গণতন্ত্র ফিরিয়ে দেয় বাংলাদেশ, পাকিস্তান আর নাইজেরিয়ার চেয়ে আর কার সেই অভিজ্ঞতা আছে!
সেই আরব বসন্তের দুই বছর পূর্তিতে ২৫ জানুয়ারি (২০১৪) তাহরির স্কয়ার সরব, উৎসবমুখর। সব প্রবেশপথে সেনাপ্রহরা, নিরাপত্তার কারণে এক-একজন করে ঢোকানো হচ্ছে। দিনের উত্তপ্ত কায়রোর পথে পা বাড়িয়েও গুটিয়ে নিলাম নিজেকে। দেশের বিভিন্ন স্থানে সহিংসতা চলছে। কায়রোর বন্ধুরা পরামর্শ দিলেন—সন্ধ্যায় বের হও, তখন তাহরিরমুখী মানুষের ঢলের কাছে সব ধুয়েমুছে যাবে। ঘটলও তা-ই, সন্ধ্যা থেকে মধ্যরাত গড়িয়ে তাহরিরের ভিন্ন রূপ।
কিন্তু এবার ২৫ জানুয়ারির গোটা তাহরির যেন অন্য রকম। তরুণদের চেয়ে বেশি মাঝবয়সীরা, মহিলাদের অংশগ্রহণ ব্যাপক। গোটা তাহরির ছেয়ে গেছে সেনাপ্রধান ও প্রতিরক্ষামন্ত্রী জেনারেল সিসির ছবি, পোস্টার, ব্যানারে। বিক্রি হচ্ছে জেনারেল সিসির মুখোশ, কোটপিন। প্রায় সবার মাথায় সিসি ছবির ক্যাপ, পট্টি। আর শিশু-কিশোরদের ভুভুজেলায় কেবল টানা সিসি, সিসি। ব্যাখ্যা করলেন মিসরীয় গণমাধ্যম কর্মী, বললেন, গণতন্ত্রের একটু ঝলকে ব্রাদারহুড নামক যে ঝড় মিসরের ওপর দিয়ে বয়ে গেছে, তাতে আতঙ্কিত মিসরের সাধারণ মানুষ।
ব্রাদারহুড নেতাদের বিচার হচ্ছে। আরব বসন্তের হতাশ সৈনিকেরা গণতন্ত্র চাইছে কিন্তু বিপ্লবের পতাকা নিয়ে এগিয়ে যাবে তেমন নেতা বা সংগঠন নেই। ফলে আবার সেই সেনাবাহিনীই ভরসা। বিশেষ করে এবার তাহরিরের বেশির ভাগজুড়ে যে মাঝ বয়সীদের অবস্থান, তাঁরা চান আধুনিক মিসর চালাতে পারেন এমন একজন দৃঢ় শাসক। সেই দৃঢ়তা নিয়ে এগিয়ে আসবে এমন কোনো রাজনৈতিক সংগঠনই নেই। ফলে একমাত্র ভরসা সেনাবাহিনী। আর সেই শক্তি নিয়েই মঞ্চে জেনারেল সিসি। ঘোষণা দিয়েছেন, সেনাবাহিনী সমর্থন দিলে আর জনগণ চাইলে তাঁর প্রেসিডেন্ট হতে আপত্তি নেই!! সেনাবাহিনী সমর্থন দিয়েছে, বিপ্লবের দ্বিতীয় বার্ষিকী উদ্যাপনের এক দিন পর তিনি হয়েছেন ফিল্ড মার্শাল আর তাহরিরের জনস্রোত তো এখন তাঁরই পক্ষে। কাজেই অপেক্ষা কেবল ঘোষণার।
এবার খোদ কায়রোতেই সেই বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ের শিক্ষিকার কিছুটা শুকনো সুর, বড় নিঃশ্বাস ফেলে মন্তব্য, 'আমরা বিপ্লব করতে পারি কিন্তু তা ধরে রাখতে পারি না।' সময় লাগবে। কত দিন? স্পষ্ট জবাব তাঁর কাছে নেই। কায়রোতে পরের তিন-চার দিনে কি সাংবাদিক, কি মন্ত্রী, কি আইনজীবী, কি কফিশপের সাধারণ মানুষ—কেউই এই প্রশ্নের জবাব দিতে পারেননি।
দেশে ফিরেই দেখছি উদ্যাপিত হচ্ছে শাহবাগ বিপ্লবের, গণজাগরণের প্রথম বার্ষিকী। তাহরির এবং শাহবাগকে হয়তো অতিসরলীকরণ করে একসঙ্গে মেলানো যাবে না। অর্জন এবং সাফল্য-ব্যর্থতাও হয়তো একই নিক্তিতে তোলা যাবে না। তবে একটি জায়গায় অসাধারণ মিল, তা হচ্ছে নতুন প্রজন্মের হাত ধরে ইতিহাসের নতুন পাট উন্মোচন। তাহরিরের তরুণদের প্রত্যাশার সঙ্গে প্রাপ্তির মেলবন্ধন হয়নি। কারণ, সেখানে রাজনীতি ছিল না, কিন্তু তাঁরা যে পরিবর্তনটি চেয়েছিলেন তা ছিল রাজনৈতিক। একটি রাজনৈতিক প্রত্যাশা পূরণে রাজনৈতিক নেতৃত্বই প্রয়োজন।
কিন্তু শাহবাগের যে কিছুটা সাফল্য তার কারণ তাদের প্রত্যাশাটি যেমন রাজনৈতিক, তেমনি সেই প্রত্যাশা পূরণের রাজনৈতিক ও সামাজিক শক্তিও দৃশ্যমান। কথা উঠেছে, শাহবাগ কি একটি বিকল্প রাজনৈতিক শক্তি? সহজ কথায় বোধ করি জবাব হবে—না, প্রচলিত ধারার রাজনীতির বিকল্প নয় শাহবাগ। শাহবাগ নিজেই তার স্বকীয়তা নিয়ে ইতিমধ্যেই নিজেকে প্রতিষ্ঠিত করেছে এমন একটি শক্তিতে, যা প্রকৃত প্রস্তাবে বাংলাদেশের মূলধারা। প্রচলিত রাজনৈতিক শক্তি যে ভুল-বিভ্রান্তি আর আপসকামিতার মরীচিকায় পথ হাতড়ায়, সেখানে শাহবাগের অবস্থান স্পষ্ট।
তাহরিরের সহজ তরুণদের বিপুল প্রত্যাশার স্বপ্ন যেমন গ্রাস করেছিল মিসরের ধর্মের লেবাসধারী অপরাজনীতি, তেমনি শাহবাগের প্রবল উত্থানে বাংলাদেশেও সেই ধারার শক্তি তাদের রক্তখেকো দাঁত-মুখ-নখ দৃশ্যমান করে মাঠে নেমেছে। প্রকাশ্যে এদের দেখলেও শাহবাগের সমীকরণ আমাদের রাজনীতিকে সতর্ক করেছে সেই অপরাজনীতির শক্তির নেপথ্য নায়কদের সম্পর্কে, যাঁরা নানা পেশায়, নানা পরিচয়ে এই স্বাধীন বাংলাদেশে বসবাস করেও বাংলাদেশ নামক রাষ্ট্রটির অস্তিত্ব মুছে ফেলার চক্রান্তের নকশা আঁকছেন প্রতিনিয়ত।
আমাদের প্রচলিত রাজনীতির অনেক অসম্পূর্ণতা পূর্ণাঙ্গ করতে, অথবা পূর্ণাঙ্গ করার ক্ষেত্রে সচেষ্ট হতে এই যে সতর্কবাণী আকাশভেদী কণ্ঠে উচ্চারণ করল শাহবাগ, তা-ই বা কম কিসে? জন্মের মাত্র তিন বছরের মাথায় যে বাংলাদেশ তাঁর পথ হারিয়ে ফেলেছিল, সেই বাংলাদেশকে মূলধারায় ফেরাতে শাহবাগ যে প্রবল দাপটে জেগে রইল, সে যেন পিতৃপুরুষদের ভুল ও বিভ্রান্তির দায় শোধ করার জন্যই। এই তরুণদের উত্থানে বাংলাদেশ যেন স্বস্তি এবং শান্তি পেল।
দেশমাতৃকাকে এই শান্তি ও স্বস্তি দিতে শাহবাগের সূর্য তরুণদের যে উজ্জ্বলতা, তা ম্লান করতে কত কালিমাই না তাদের ওপর চাপিয়ে দেওয়ার চেষ্টা হলো! ধর্মের নামে, সামাজিকতার নামে কতই না অপবাদ! কতই না অপপ্রচার! কতই না হুমকি! কিন্তু কোনো কিছুই কি তাদের আটকাতে পারল? পারল না, কারণ চূড়ান্ত বিচারে সবকিছুই নষ্ট-ভ্রষ্টদের হাতে চলে যায় না। রাজনৈতিক লক্ষ্য অর্জনের জন্য রাজনীতির ভাষাতেই কথা বলতে হবে, পথ চলতে হয় রাজনীতির ব্যাকরণ মেনেই, নিজেদের উজ্জ্বলতা দিয়েই দূর করতে হয় সমমনা রাজনীতির সীমাবদ্ধতাটুকু। তাহরিরের সঙ্গে শাহবাগের পার্থক্য এখানেই।
তাহরিরের তরুণেরা দুই বছর আগে দুনিয়াকে জানান দিয়েছিলেন তাঁদের রাজনৈতিক আকাঙ্ক্ষার, কিন্তু সমমনা রাজনৈতিক শক্তি সেই ধারাটিকে ধরে এগোতে পারেনি। আর শাহবাগে উচ্চারিত রাজনৈতিক প্রত্যাশার সঙ্গে যুক্ত হয়েছে বাংলাদেশের শতকোটি মানুষের প্রত্যাশা। শুধু ধর্মের আবরণে তাকে পৃথক করে ফেলা যায়নি। বরং যাঁরা পৃথক করতে চেয়েছিলেন, তাঁরাই পৃথক হয়ে গেছেন। বাংলাদেশের মুক্তিযুদ্ধস্পর্শী রাজনৈতিক-সামাজিক-সাংস্কৃতিক শক্তি যত স্পষ্টভাবে শাহবাগের সেই মৌল চেতনাটি ধারণ করতে পারবে, ততই নিশ্চিন্ত হবে বাংলাদেশ।

 

মনজুরুল আহসান বুলবুল, সাংবাদিক।

http://www.prothom-alo.com/opinion/article/148795/%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B0_%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BF_%E0%A6%B6%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%97_%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%9B%E0%A7%87



__._,_.___


****************************************************
Mukto Mona plans for a Grand Darwin Day Celebration: 
Call For Articles:

http://mukto-mona.com/wordpress/?p=68

http://mukto-mona.com/banga_blog/?p=585

****************************************************

VISIT MUKTO-MONA WEB-SITE : http://www.mukto-mona.com/

****************************************************

"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it".
               -Beatrice Hall [pseudonym: S.G. Tallentyre], 190





__,_._,___

Re: [mukto-mona] Fw: Book extract: India’s Muslim Spring and the new Indian Muslim - Why is Nobody Talking about it?



Being a monotheist is the next best thing than being an agnostic/atheist.  Discard one God and his messiahs/ prophets and you are there.

Sent from my iPad

On Feb 16, 2014, at 7:18 PM, SITANGSHU GUHA <sbguha@yahoo.com> wrote:

 

Book extract: India's Muslim Spring and the new Indian Muslim - Why is Nobody Talking about it? 

A screengrab of the book cover 



Let me confess that this is not the book I set out to write. The book I had in mind was about the unchanging face of Muslim fundamentalism in India. But barely a few weeks into research, I discovered I was completely on the wrong track. The big story staring me in the face was quite the opposite— far from flourishing, Muslim fundamentalism was actually dying a slow death. As I travelled across the country and spoke to people, I found that over the past decade there had been a profound change in the Muslim mindset. Today's Indian Muslim, I discovered, was altogether a different species—educated, aware, wiser, less sectarian and more pragmatic .... 

Away from the sensational headlines about Islamic extremism, a quiet revolution is taking place. The Muslim discourse has moved on from an obsessive focus on sectarian demands (does anyone remember the last big debate on Muslim Personal Law, for example?) to the more secular bread-and-butter issues. Where once the dinner table talk in Muslim households was unremittingly negative and pessimistic (it was all about how Muslims were being 'crushed' and trampled upon, and had no future in India), today it is about change and looking forward. There is a new optimism abroad that is hard to miss. What is significant is that the change is being urged upon not by the usual suspects—the agnostic left-wing Muslim intellectuals...— but by 'gold-plated' practising Muslims, deeply conscious of their Muslim identity and unapologetic about flaunting it. 

There is a new generation of Muslims who want to rid the community of its insular and sectarian approach by concentrating on things that affect their everyday lives: education, jobs, housing, security. They despair of mullahs and self-styled Muslim 'leaders'. And they speak a language that is modern and forward-looking. Their interpretation of Islam stresses inclusion and tolerance. They abhor the use of violence in the name of Islam. They may not be wildly enthusiastic about the western notion of free speech and ... some even tend to share the conspiracy theories about Salman Rushdie's alleged motives [behind writing The Satanic Verses], but they condemn the campaign of intimidation and harassment to which he has been subjected in the name of 'defending' Islam and the Prophet. They are embarrassed by such antics which, they say, bring shame to the community and, indeed, Islam itself. There is a feeling of having been let down by previous generations—their parents, grandparents—who they believe were too timid to challenge the fundamentalists. 'We want to draw a line under all that and move on,' is a common refrain. 

Notably, it is the young women, often in 'hijab', who are driving the change. Contrary to the stereotyped image of the 'Muslim woman', they are educated, articulate, conscious of their rights and have aspirations that are no different from those of any other modern Indian woman. I found them more progressive in many respects than their male peers. And their struggle is greater as they are engaged, simultaneously, on two fronts—challenging the male Muslim orthodoxy and fighting for a wider change in the community that they hope would alter the prevailing negative perceptions of Muslims.

Paradoxically, at one level this is also perhaps the most religious post-independence generation of Indian Muslims ... . More Muslim youth wear beards today than ever before and young Muslim women proudly show off their 'hijabs'. ... Yet, it is also the most open-minded and self-confident generation; and—most importantly—optimistic about its future in India. India is their home and this is where they see their future.

'It is the best place in the world,' is a phrase that I heard over again and again. For all the talk of Muslim 'alienation', today's young Muslims are remarkably well-integrated ... . Today's young see no contradiction in being proud practicing Muslims and proud secular Indians. They find it insulting to be asked whether they regard themselves as Muslims first or Indians first. To them the question smacks of the questioner's own prejudices. On the Muslim street, it is dismissed as a 'bogus' debate contrived to force Muslims to choose between their religion and their country—a choice that Hindus are not asked to make.

'It is a false choice that we are asked to make. Call me an Indian Muslim or a Muslim Indian, it makes no difference. When I'm abroad and people ask me my nationality I simply say I'm an Indian, but when they ask me my religion I say I'm Muslim. It's as simple as that. There is no question of one taking priority over the other,' said Ishrat Jahan, a hotel executive.

... Indian Muslims are having their own 'spring'. It may not have the shape of an organised movement, and we may not see people going around waving banners or picketing 'mullahs', but it is genuine, widespread, and it looks like it is here to stay. The media has largely ignored the change that is sweeping India's Muslim community and continues to play up the extreme voices because they make 'news'. Yet, five or ten years from now, it might realise that it missed the biggest story of its time unfolding right under its nose.

Living through the worst phase of Indian Muslim fundamentalism from the 1970s through to the 1990s, I never thought I would live to write its obituary. The depressing prospect of having to live the rest of my life in a climate of competitive Muslim-Hindu fundamentalism, feeding on each other in a toxic double act, was one reason why at an age when many migrants contemplate returning 'home', I decided to take a break from India and moved to Britain. I simply couldn't take it anymore.

At one extreme, there was the creeping 'Hindutva-isation' of India with a resurgent Hindu Right flexing its muscles, and at the other, a wave of Muslim fundamentalism dragging the whole community into a long dark tunnel of isolation... . With such friends, Muslims didn't need external enemies. ... The Babri Masjid fiasco was as much the doing of chest-thumping Muslim 'leadership' as it was a calculated act by the right-wing Hindu middle class, to humiliate Muslims. Arbitrary 'fatwas' based on the most regressive of interpretations of Islam were commonplace. I heard of more fatwas in the 1990s than I had in the previous half century. Those who didn't agree with the fundamentalist view were denounced, portrayed as closet 'RSS stooge', and hounded.

That was then. A decade later, there is a sea change, thanks to the coming of age of a new generation of Muslims—less excitable and wiser—having learnt from the follies of their predecessors. And certainly more realistic about their place in a Hindu-majority India. All you need to do is to get out a bit more, talk to people, listen to the voices around you, and you'll discover how refreshing the air smells today ... .

****************************** *******



The notion that a practising Muslim cannot be liberal has become conventional wisdom, but over the past decade it has all changed, writes Hasan Suroor in his new book, India's Muslim Spring. Excerpts from the book

A Hindu friend once told me, even as he profusely apologized for his bluntness, that there was only one kind of Muslim — the fundamentalist kind. The idea of a 'liberal Muslim' was a 'misnomer' according to him. Such a person was first and foremost a liberal who also happened to be a Muslim because of the sheer accident of having been born in a Muslim family.
'Their liberalism doesn't derive from Islam. It has nothing to do with their being Muslims. They are liberals despite being Muslims and not because they are Muslims. I have yet to meet a devout Muslim who doesn't have fundamentalist views. And mind you, I'm 70 plus and have known at least three generations of Muslims,' he said.
The notion that a practising Muslim cannot be liberal has become conventional wisdom. And, to be honest, I have often found myself broadly agreeing with this view. Working in Delhi as a journalist until the late 1990s, I had a hard time finding sane, liberal voices, even in educated Muslim circles, on issues such as free speech, Muslim personal law, women's rights, and secularism. There were either the agnostic/atheist, mostly left-wing secular Muslims who felt almost embarrassed to be defined by their religious identity, or there were 'mainstream' devout Muslims — defensive, insular, intolerant and deeply suspicious of their secular peers contemptuously dismissing them either as communists or government stooges.
There is no doubt that all faith groups are divided along liberal/fundamentalist lines (Hindus, Sikhs and Christians have their own share of fundamentalist 'mullahs') but the divide among Muslims was particularly stark. It was as if these


__._,_.___


****************************************************
Mukto Mona plans for a Grand Darwin Day Celebration: 
Call For Articles:

http://mukto-mona.com/wordpress/?p=68

http://mukto-mona.com/banga_blog/?p=585

****************************************************

VISIT MUKTO-MONA WEB-SITE : http://www.mukto-mona.com/

****************************************************

"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it".
               -Beatrice Hall [pseudonym: S.G. Tallentyre], 190





__,_._,___

Re: [mukto-mona] Do Hindus respect their women? Any Mukto monas beating their wives and having multiple mistresses?



During the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad, it is said, there was no religion called Islam.  So only "authentic Islam" may be no Islam.  Islam of Abu Bakr burned down Fatima along with her hut.  Islam of Yazid slaughtered Hussain bin Ali, and Islam of the Abbasids mowed the Umayaads on a dinner table.  There is no dearth of atrocities in Islam.  So authentic Islam, by any definition, would not be free from violence.

Sent from my iPad

On Feb 16, 2014, at 7:30 PM, Shah Deeldar <shahdeeldar@yahoo.com> wrote:

 


"My opinion is that shaking off the idea of "authentic" Islam will bring unity among the Muslims."

Another moronic word with no practical meaning! Only God knows what that man means with authentic Islam? Has anybody practiced that yet? If so, why was it discarded? Why would that damn doctrine be reinvented and applied to any society? It sounds like we need new prophets, who will feed us again the same cool-aid?
Look, QR will go on until he is blue on his face. Just give it up bro!
-SD

 
"I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues."
-Seuss



On Saturday, February 15, 2014 8:18 PM, Subimal Chakrabarty <subimal@yahoo.com> wrote:
 
You talk a lot about "authentic" Islam. By trying to be true to your "authentic" Islam, you are negating the diversity in the Muslim society. When you do this, you bring in a competitive environment. This can be so competitive that one group will try to annihilate other groups. That's unfortunately what we see in countries like Pakistan and Iraq. 

Untouchability is illegal in India. Admittedly this sin has not been completely washed away from the minds of people. That's why we see empowerment of Dalits and social boycott of Dalits at the same time. Theories on origin of untouchability are contradictory. Factors other than religion may also be very important. If you look at the Indian social history, you will see that a lot of religious reformers defied casteism and untouchability. I think this defiance acted as one of the strengths for those who drafted the Indian constitution. We can say that this social ill slowly but surely going away. 

My opinion is that shaking off the idea of "authentic" Islam will bring unity among the Muslims. 

Just a thought. 


Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 15, 2014, at 1:30 AM, QR <qrahman@netscape.net> wrote:

 
In Muslim society there is unofficial classification into ashraf and atraf which, as far as I know, are based on ancestral roots.

>>>>>>>>> You are right about it. It is based on "Ancestral roots". However it does not have any place in Islamic teachings or history. "Cultural Muslims" may have entertained this idea in our sub-continent but Islamic scriptures speaks boldly against any form of racism.

Even at it's worst any form of "Asharaf/Atraf" controversy (As such concept is not accepted by Islam) is fundamentally different than caste system (Which is accepted by Hindu customs and scriptures).


But the kind of untouchability we see in the Indian society is unknown any other society.

>>>>>>>> You are right. Sadly few months ago I saw a report about a small town in Rajshahi where a tribal (Possibly garo) person was discriminated by a local Muslim man. It reminded me again the importance of educating our Muslim population about "Authentic Islam" (Against cultural Islam).

Islam is 100% against discrimination and Qurán is very clear about it.

Shalom!



-----Original Message-----
From: Subimal Chakrabarty <subimal@yahoo.com>
To: mukto-mona <mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Fri, Feb 14, 2014 5:17 pm
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] Do Hindus respect their women? Any Mukto monas beating their wives and having multiple mistresses?

 
I am sure there has always been discrimination based on race and ancestral roots even within same religion. We have seen segregation in America which is now officially history. In Muslim society there is unofficial classification into ashraf and atraf which, as far as I know, are based on ancestral roots. But the kind of untouchability we see in the Indian society is unknown any other society. 

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 13, 2014, at 6:39 PM, Kamal Das <kamalctgu@gmail.com> wrote:

 
Islam is riddled with castes. QR, being an impolite ignoramus as he is, chooses not to know it. The worst defender of caste-ism in Islam was Zia al din Barani, a contemporary of Muhammad bin Tughlaq.  

Sent from my iPad

On Feb 13, 2014, at 6:47 PM, Sukhamaya Bain <subain1@yahoo.com> wrote:

 
Well, brother QR, let me try to educate you. First, I am sorry that I have ignored quite a few of your posts that had commented on my comments.
 
Let me tell you now where you are wrong. For example, your position on my comment that you highlighted below are wrong. You do not have the power to dictate, (and I am not dictating either), but you should have no respect for any injustice, no matter from where it originated (Hinduism, Islam, atheism, whatever). If you have to be sensitive, it could not be from any sense of honor or respect; it could only be for saving yourself from the followers of that injustice.
 
You need to stop calling people arrogant, when they do not respect idiotic, unjust and hateful minds.
 
Now let me tell you why you should oppose unjust edicts from any religion (including the one where your mind has been brain-washed to belong). For example, when a man allows his daughters, sisters or mother to be like possessions of men, he does not have a sense of honor. How could you expect any justice for you from him?
 
Your respect, indifference and sensitivity for the unjust and dishonorable minds would only contribute to perpetuating injustice and dishonor in the world.
 
SuBain
 
===============================
From: QR <qrahman@netscape.net>
To: mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 5:24 AM
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] Do Hindus respect their women? Any Mukto monas beating their wives and having multiple mistresses?

 
Sure. You are welcome to "Educate me". However in order to do that, you have to know about the subject you are discussing.

If you can pin point where I can be educated, I am open for knowledge from any source.


QR's kind of minds need serious re-education to see that a good human world cannot respect religious edicts that take away people's rights/dignity.


>>>>>>> That is your opinion. However if you cannot


__._,_.___


****************************************************
Mukto Mona plans for a Grand Darwin Day Celebration: 
Call For Articles:

http://mukto-mona.com/wordpress/?p=68

http://mukto-mona.com/banga_blog/?p=585

****************************************************

VISIT MUKTO-MONA WEB-SITE : http://www.mukto-mona.com/

****************************************************

"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it".
               -Beatrice Hall [pseudonym: S.G. Tallentyre], 190





__,_._,___

[mukto-mona] [মুক্তমনা বাংলা ব্লগ] '‘বিশ্বাসের ভাইরাস’: থাবা বাবার রক্তবীজ'

মুক্তমনা বাংলা ব্লগ has posted a new item,
''বিশ্বাসের ভাইরাস': থাবা
বাবার রক্তবীজ'

২০১৩ সালের ফেব্রুয়ারির
মাঝামাঝি সময়। কাদের মোল্লা সহ
সকল যুদ্ধাপরাধীদের সঠিক
বিচারের প্রত্যাশায় শাহবাগ
তখন উত্তাল। শুরুটা হয়েছিল
কুখ্যাত যুদ্ধাপরাধী কাদের
মোল্লার রায়কে কেন্দ্র করে।

মুক্তিযুদ্ধ চলাকালে
মানবতাবিরোধী অপরাধের দায়ে
অভিযুক্ত আব্দুল কাদের
মোল্লার রায় ঘোষণা করেছিলেন
আন্তর্জাতিক অপরাধ
ট্রাইব্যুনাল-২। শতাধিক হত্যা
ও ধর্ষণসহ মানবতাবিরোধী ছয়টি
অভিযোগে কাদের মোল্লার জড়িত
থাকার বিষয়গুলো
'সন্দেহাতীত'ভাবে প্রমাণিত
হওয়া সত্ত্বেও [...]

You may view the latest post at
http://mukto-mona.com/bangla_blog/?p=39806

You received this e-mail because you asked to be notified when new updates are
posted.

Best regards,
মুক্তমনা বাংলা ব্লগ ।



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

****************************************************
Mukto Mona plans for a Grand Darwin Day Celebration:
Call For Articles:

http://mukto-mona.com/wordpress/?p=68

http://mukto-mona.com/banga_blog/?p=585

****************************************************

VISIT MUKTO-MONA WEB-SITE : http://www.mukto-mona.com/

****************************************************

"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it".
-Beatrice Hall [pseudonym: S.G. Tallentyre], 190Yahoo Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mukto-mona/

<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional

<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mukto-mona/join
(Yahoo! ID required)

<*> To change settings via email:
mukto-mona-digest@yahoogroups.com
mukto-mona-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
mukto-mona-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo Groups is subject to:
http://info.yahoo.com/legal/us/yahoo/utos/terms/

Re: [mukto-mona] Do Hindus respect their women? Any Mukto monas beating their wives and having multiple mistresses?



I agree with Shah Deeldar. It is worthless to try to find the so-called authentic version of any religion.

What people really need to shake off is the concept of "my religion." Talking about Islam, for example, people should look at it as "a religion" as opposed to "my religion" or "someone else's religion." I for one, like some aspects of it, and dislike some other aspects of it. Whatever message/edict of Islam I like or dislike has nothing to do with me loving or hating Islam; it has everything to do with what the message/edict is worthy of.

SuBain

=================================


On Sunday, February 16, 2014 1:42 PM, Shah Deeldar <shahdeeldar@yahoo.com> wrote:
 

"My opinion is that shaking off the idea of "authentic" Islam will bring unity among the Muslims."

Another moronic word with no practical meaning! Only God knows what that man means with authentic Islam? Has anybody practiced that yet? If so, why was it discarded? Why would that damn doctrine be reinvented and applied to any society? It sounds like we need new prophets, who will feed us again the same cool-aid?
Look, QR will go on until he is blue on his face. Just give it up bro!
-SD

 
"I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues."
-Seuss



On Saturday, February 15, 2014 8:18 PM, Subimal Chakrabarty <subimal@yahoo.com> wrote:
 
You talk a lot about "authentic" Islam. By trying to be true to your "authentic" Islam, you are negating the diversity in the Muslim society. When you do this, you bring in a competitive environment. This can be so competitive that one group will try to annihilate other groups. That's unfortunately what we see in countries like Pakistan and Iraq. 

Untouchability is illegal in India. Admittedly this sin has not been completely washed away from the minds of people. That's why we see empowerment of Dalits and social boycott of Dalits at the same time. Theories on origin of untouchability are contradictory. Factors other than religion may also be very important. If you look at the Indian social history, you will see that a lot of religious reformers defied casteism and untouchability. I think this defiance acted as one of the strengths for those who drafted the Indian constitution. We can say that this social ill slowly but surely going away. 

My opinion is that shaking off the idea of "authentic" Islam will bring unity among the Muslims. 

Just a thought. 


Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 15, 2014, at 1:30 AM, QR <qrahman@netscape.net> wrote:

 
In Muslim society there is unofficial classification into ashraf and atraf which, as far as I know, are based on ancestral roots.

>>>>>>>>> You are right about it. It is based on "Ancestral roots". However it does not have any place in Islamic teachings or history. "Cultural Muslims" may have entertained this idea in our sub-continent but Islamic scriptures speaks boldly against any form of racism.

Even at it's worst any form of "Asharaf/Atraf" controversy (As such concept is not accepted by Islam) is fundamentally different than caste system (Which is accepted by Hindu customs and scriptures).


But the kind of untouchability we see in the Indian society is unknown any other society.

>>>>>>>> You are right. Sadly few months ago I saw a report about a small town in Rajshahi where a tribal (Possibly garo) person was discriminated by a local Muslim man. It reminded me again the importance of educating our Muslim population about "Authentic Islam" (Against cultural Islam).

Islam is 100% against discrimination and Qurán is very clear about it.

Shalom!



-----Original Message-----
From: Subimal Chakrabarty <subimal@yahoo.com>
To: mukto-mona <mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Fri, Feb 14, 2014 5:17 pm
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] Do Hindus respect their women? Any Mukto monas beating their wives and having multiple mistresses?

 
I am sure there has always been discrimination based on race and ancestral roots even within same religion. We have seen segregation in America which is now officially history. In Muslim society there is unofficial classification into ashraf and atraf which, as far as I know, are based on ancestral roots. But the kind of untouchability we see in the Indian society is unknown any other society. 

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 13, 2014, at 6:39 PM, Kamal Das <kamalctgu@gmail.com> wrote:

 
Islam is riddled with castes. QR, being an impolite ignoramus as he is, chooses not to know it. The worst defender of caste-ism in Islam was Zia al din Barani, a contemporary of Muhammad bin Tughlaq.  

Sent from my iPad

On Feb 13, 2014, at 6:47 PM, Sukhamaya Bain <subain1@yahoo.com> wrote:

 
Well, brother QR, let me try to educate you. First, I am sorry that I have ignored quite a few of your posts that had commented on my comments.
 
Let me tell you now where you are wrong. For example, your position on my comment that you highlighted below are wrong. You do not have the power to dictate, (and I am not dictating either), but you should have no respect for any injustice, no matter from where it originated (Hinduism, Islam, atheism, whatever). If you have to be sensitive, it could not be from any sense of honor or respect; it could only be for saving yourself from the followers of that injustice.
 
You need to stop calling people arrogant, when they do not respect idiotic, unjust and hateful minds.
 
Now let me tell you why you should oppose unjust edicts from any religion (including the one where your mind has been brain-washed to belong). For example, when a man allows his daughters, sisters or mother to be like possessions of men, he does not have a sense of honor. How could you expect any justice for you from him?
 
Your respect, indifference and sensitivity for the unjust and dishonorable minds would only contribute to perpetuating injustice and dishonor in the world.
 
SuBain
 
===============================
From: QR <qrahman@netscape.net>
To: mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 5:24 AM
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] Do Hindus respect their women? Any Mukto monas beating their wives and having multiple mistresses?

 
Sure. You are welcome to "Educate me". However in order to do that, you have to know about the subject you are discussing.

If you can pin point where I can be educated, I am open for knowledge from any source.


QR's kind of minds need serious re-education to see that a good human world cannot respect religious edicts that take away people's rights/dignity.


>>>>>>> That is your opinion. However if you cannot respect another person, do not cry if they do not appreciate your arrogance. My position is simple. I do not support caste system but as a non-Hindu I do not wish dictate billions of Hindus about how they should practice their faith.

If a Hindu reformer (We had Raja Ram Mohan before us) wish to dissolve caste system, I'll support that. But being sensitive to religion followed by billion people is good manner.

Now tell me WHERE was I wrong???

Shalom!




-----Original Message-----
From: Sukhamaya Bain <subain1@yahoo.com>
To: mukto-mona <mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tue, Feb 11, 2014 6:25 pm
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] Do Hindus respect their women? Any Mukto monas beating their wives and having multiple mistresses?

 
Mr. Chakrabarty has made perfect sense below, but addressed to the wrong person. There is no point in talking rationally about religions with people like QR whose minds are slaves of their religions. QR's kind of minds need serious re-education to see that a good human world cannot respect religious edicts that take away people's rights/dignity.
 
SuBain
 
=======================================
From: Subimal Chakrabarty <subimal@yahoo.com>
To: mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, February 10, 2014 10:36 PM
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] Do Hindus respect their women? Any Mukto monas beating their wives and having multiple mistresses?
 
I will touch only one point. I don't know what you mean by your statement that I see every thing through religious glass. Did you mean that an atheist should  be indifferent to whatever is going on in the name of religion? I don't think so. Even a sensible believer should not be indifferent. As a responsible member of the society everybody should give his opinion. 

Regarding showing respect to a religion by the state, you are fundamentally wrong. By making polygamy legal only to show respect to a religion, the state is discriminating against our women. According to you, by making Hindu caste system illegal, the Indian government is showing disrespect to Hindu religion. 

You are really confus






__._,_.___


****************************************************
Mukto Mona plans for a Grand Darwin Day Celebration: 
Call For Articles:

http://mukto-mona.com/wordpress/?p=68

http://mukto-mona.com/banga_blog/?p=585

****************************************************

VISIT MUKTO-MONA WEB-SITE : http://www.mukto-mona.com/

****************************************************

"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it".
               -Beatrice Hall [pseudonym: S.G. Tallentyre], 190





__,_._,___

[mukto-mona] Fw: Why US and allies should support the present BD Govt. ?





On , Muhammad Ali <manik195709@yahoo.com> wrote:


On , Muhammad Ali <manik195709@yahoo.com> wrote:


On Sunday, February 16, 2014 4:00 PM, Muhammad Ali <manik195709@yahoo.com> wrote:
Under the prudent leadership of Hon. Sheikh Hasina , Bangladesh has become a role model among the Muslim Countries to fight against the fundamentalists . Look at Iraq , Afghanistan , Syria and Pakistan where death of innocents by the terrorists are daily matters ! US and Allies have been spending trillions of dollars to abolish global terrorism by the fundamentalists but couldn't curtail it completely .

Since coming to power in 2009 , Hon. Sheikh Hasina has taken 'Zero Tolerance' to the act of terrorism . Before that when BNP led Govt. was in power, Bangladesh was a safe haven for the terrorists . They tried to make Bangladesh another Afghanistan . On the street of Dhaka in open day light they used to chant slogan, "We are Taliban , Bangladesh will be Afghanistan" . Not only that , the Pro Taliban group exploded bombs in 450 places all over Bangladesh at a same time , killed progressive intellectuals and political leaders . But the BNP led Govt. didn't take any actions rather was aloof about these heinous activities . On August 21 , 2004 , with the blessings of BNP led coalition Govt. , the Pro-Taliban forces tried to kill the present PM Sheikh Hasina,. She survived the close call by the grace of Almighty but 25 innocent peoples were killed and many were injured . Even India was not safe from the attack of the terrorists during BNP-Jamaat coalition Govt. ! 10 trucks, full of lethal weapons, were captured during that time which was in intent to smuggled to India to armed the United Liberation Front Of Asam , an insurgency group based in Assam . 

Hon. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has taken bold steps to make Bangladesh free of fundamentalists . Hundreds of terrorists are in captive and others are on run now . On the other hand , opposition led by  BNP-Jamaat are trying to save the terrorists and for that reason they are trying to tarnish the image of moderate , democratic minded present Govt. to the western world , especially to USA . BNP-Jamaat alliance not only boycotted the recent general election in Bangladesh , they relentlessly tried their best with violence and terrorism to stop the election . Throwing fire bombs into motor vehicles , they have killed many innocent peoples , have burned down schools all over the country . Still they could not stop the election . According to US based polling observation team about 40% people cast their votes in the last election . Many people didn't go to the polling center due to fear . Otherwise participation would have been much higher . 

Now BNP-Jamaat alliance are still in mission to topple the present Govt. . For that reason they have hired expensive solicitors to convince the West that the present Govt. is illegal , election was not fair , etc. Their main aim is to come to power by any means . The West specially USA should be aware that if BNP comes to power  then Bangladesh would become a safe haven for the terrorists again .  The terrorists will infiltrate into India to make the country unstable with act of terrorism . That's why , for the sake of peace and harmony in the south east Asia , US and West should support the present Bangladesh Govt. Otherwise they have to pay price like Iraq and Afghanistan .

Muhammad Ali Manik , M.D.
Atlanta , Georgia .
USA.








__._,_.___


****************************************************
Mukto Mona plans for a Grand Darwin Day Celebration: 
Call For Articles:

http://mukto-mona.com/wordpress/?p=68

http://mukto-mona.com/banga_blog/?p=585

****************************************************

VISIT MUKTO-MONA WEB-SITE : http://www.mukto-mona.com/

****************************************************

"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it".
               -Beatrice Hall [pseudonym: S.G. Tallentyre], 190





__,_._,___

[mukto-mona] Fw: Why US and allies should support the present BD Govt. ?





On Sunday, February 16, 2014 4:00 PM, Muhammad Ali <manik195709@yahoo.com> wrote:
Under the prudent leadership of Hon. Sheikh Hasina , Bangladesh has become a role model among the Muslim Countries to fight against the fundamentalists . Look at Iraq , Afghanistan , Syria and Pakistan where death of innocents by the terrorists are daily matters ! US and Allies have been spending trillions of dollars to abolish global terrorism by the fundamentalists but couldn't curtail it completely .

Since coming to power in 2009 , Hon. Sheikh Hasina has taken 'Zero Tolerance' to the act of terrorism . Before that when BNP led Govt. was in power, Bangladesh was a safe haven for the terrorists . They tried to make Bangladesh another Afghanistan . On the street of Dhaka in open day light they used to chant slogan, "We are Taliban , Bangladesh will be Afghanistan" . Not only that , the Pro Taliban group exploded bombs in 450 places all over Bangladesh at a same time , killed progressive intellectuals and political leaders . But the BNP led Govt. didn't take any actions rather was aloof about these heinous activities . On August 21 , 2004 , with the blessings of BNP led coalition Govt. , the Pro-Taliban forces tried to kill the present PM Sheikh Hasina,. She survived the close call by the grace of Almighty but 25 innocent peoples were killed and many were injured . Even India was not safe from the attack of the terrorists during BNP-Jamaat coalition Govt. ! 10 trucks, full of lethal weapons, were captured during that time which was in intent to smuggled to India to armed the United Liberation Front Of Asam , an insurgency group based in Assam . 

Hon. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has taken bold steps to make Bangladesh free of fundamentalists . Hundreds of terrorists are in captive and others are on run now . On the other hand , opposition led by  BNP-Jamaat are trying to save the terrorists and for that reason they are trying to tarnish the image of moderate , democratic minded present Govt. to the western world , especially to USA . BNP-Jamaat alliance not only boycotted the recent general election in Bangladesh , they relentlessly tried their best with violence and terrorism to stop the election . Throwing fire bombs into motor vehicles , they have killed many innocent peoples , have burned down schools all over the country . Still they could not stop the election . According to US based polling observation team about 40% people cast their votes in the last election . Many people didn't go to the polling center due to fear . Otherwise participation would have been much higher . 

Now BNP-Jamaat alliance are still in mission to topple the present Govt. . For that reason they have hired expensive solicitors to convince the West that the present Govt. is illegal , election was not fair , etc. Their main aim is to come to power by any means . The West specially USA should be aware that if BNP comes to power  then Bangladesh would become a safe haven for the terrorists again .  The terrorists will infiltrate into India to make the country unstable with act of terrorism . That's why , for the sake of peace and harmony in the south east Asia , US and West should support the present Bangladesh Govt. Otherwise they have to pay price like Iraq and Afghanistan .

Muhammad Ali Manik , M.D.
Atlanta , Georgia .
USA.




__._,_.___


****************************************************
Mukto Mona plans for a Grand Darwin Day Celebration: 
Call For Articles:

http://mukto-mona.com/wordpress/?p=68

http://mukto-mona.com/banga_blog/?p=585

****************************************************

VISIT MUKTO-MONA WEB-SITE : http://www.mukto-mona.com/

****************************************************

"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it".
               -Beatrice Hall [pseudonym: S.G. Tallentyre], 190





__,_._,___

Newer Posts Older Posts Home