"Now the question is how do you sift the truth from the lies?"-----M. Rahaman
Gather data and facts, analyze them, and so on. Obviously not an easy job all the time. Spatial and temporal distances make the job lot harder. Past is continually being explored using various tools. An "established" fact is turning out to be a complete lie. You have given example of history of liberation movement of Bangladesh. There are many versions. The basic fact is still the same and unquestionable: the barbarism of the Pakistani army to suppress the Bengalis. You are right that Pakistan gives the Pakistani kids a completely different picture. But the real truth is gradually coming out. Imran Khan, a political leader and a potential leader of Pakistan, has openly accepted the view that we cherish in Bangladesh.
What is "Allah's message"? The Koran is not an easy book. You will find conflicting teachings. There is more than one Hadith. There are many interpretations. Many believers may not agree to what you think as Allah's message. That means faith is not enough. You have to make judgment using reason.
The Prophet had treaty with the Jews. The Jews welcomed him to Yatrib (Medina). He had bitter experience with some Jews. That may have been reflected in a Koranic Sura. According to Karen Armstrong Muhammed was a pragmatic and dynamic man, those who take his teachings too literally without looking at the contexts are not. Whatever has been written in the Koran or whatever has been said by Muhammed 1500 years ago should not prompt you to be anti-Jewish. This is outrageous. The world owes to them heavily for the advancement we see in all sectors.
From: MUSTAFIZUR RAHMAN <mustafiz84@hotmail.com>
To: Mukto-mona Mukto-mona <mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 8:46 AM
Subject: RE: [mukto-mona] Re: Economics of Fundamentalism & Growth of Political Islam in Banglad esh !!!!!!!!!
Thanks.
You have raised a key point namely, " by accepting the truth - - -". Now the question is how do you sift the truth from the lies? People trained in intelligence work will tell you that propagandists when they want a message to be accepted by the general masses or even unsuspecting intelligentsia, prepare their message using 95% truth, only the crucial 5% or so lie is mixed with it. Now like a hungry fish, the target group swallows the whole bait without being able to discern the falsehood in it. Like an expert angler the writers take great care and pain to weave the lies with the truth.
Now for a Muslim, once he accepts Allah's message, he is asked to be careful of this particular pitfall. And how to safeguard oneself from it? Let me clarify with an example from contemporary history. People of Bangladesh know one view of their history since 1971, or even before it. But read the views churned out by the Pakistani writers and fed to their youngsters. Is it the same? No. Both are speaking of the same events, citing proofs for their arguments etc. Now image a young mind born long after 1971 in, say US. He reads both sides in details. There is a chance that he will miss the TRUTH you are referring to.
Here comes in faith. A Bangladeshi MUST have faith that the history he is taught, is the true one. Or else he will be branded as a traitor/unpatriotic etc. In the same manner one who has accepted Islam as the last and true religion cannot, and should not, go about reading views who do not have any faith in it. For them all the TRUTH is enshrined in the Quran. That's the reason for " rejecting Hitty and Armstrong straight away ." My faith tells me that the source of all TRUTH is found. Eureka!! Period!! No need to dig out"truth" from other sources and pollute my mind. This way I am at peace with myself - the meaning of Islam!
Now the Quran and the Prophet of Islam has cautioned the Muslims to be wary of one group of people on this earth till doomsday. And that is the JEWS. When I accept Islam, I also by default, accept this cautionary message.
Why have the Muslims been cautioned is a different and a long story.
Mustafizur Rahman
To: mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com
From: subimal@yahoo.com
Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 15:45:38 -0800
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] Re: Economics of Fundamentalism & Growth of Political Islam in Banglad esh !!!!!!!!!
To: mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com
From: subimal@yahoo.com
Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 15:45:38 -0800
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] Re: Economics of Fundamentalism & Growth of Political Islam in Banglad esh !!!!!!!!!
There is a term called orientalism. Eduard Said did extensive research on it. It is a recommended read for an inquiring mind. What a western scholar sees in the east and its past may not be unbiased and undistorted. I am not going into the possible reasons. Even Bankim was vocal against this sort of orientalism although the term had not been coined yet. The lesson is that we do not have to take every thing written by a western scholar about the oriental history, culture, and wisdom to be granted. But we also should not blindly reject every thing they have written about us.
I can ensure MR about one thing: by accepting the truth we know ourselves better and neither we nor our religions lose, we and our belief systems become more and more refined. Instead of rejecting Hitty and Armstrong straight away, we should read them critically while keeping an eye on other authentic resources.
From: MUSTAFIZUR RAHMAN <mustafiz84@hotmail.com>
To: Mukto-mona Mukto-mona <mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, January 29, 2012 12:22 PM
Subject: RE: [mukto-mona] Re: Economics of Fundamentalism & Growth of Political Islam in Banglad esh !!!!!!!!!
To: Mukto-mona Mukto-mona <mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, January 29, 2012 12:22 PM
Subject: RE: [mukto-mona] Re: Economics of Fundamentalism & Growth of Political Islam in Banglad esh !!!!!!!!!
If one gets pleasure and satisfaction by reading cocktails of truth and lies by Philip K. Hitty or Karen Armstrong, or any one else he is free to do so. Islam or its believers will not be affected.
Mustafizur Rahman
To: mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com
From: kamalctgu@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 08:36:30 +0600
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] Re: Economics of Fundamentalism & Growth of Political Islam in Banglad esh !!!!!!!!!
From: kamalctgu@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 08:36:30 +0600
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] Re: Economics of Fundamentalism & Growth of Political Islam in Banglad esh !!!!!!!!!
Abu Talib always protected his nephew, whose uncle cum brother in law
was less sympathetic to the 'insan-i-kamil'. Talib's final answer to
Islam was that he could not trust in a religion whose follower prayed
with his posterior raised above his head. Moreover, when monotheism
was dominant in the nearby lands of Abyssinia and Damascus, the
prophet gained about seventy followers in about twelve years. The
'faith' became strong when brigandage committed by him from Yatrib
became successful. The poets believed in revelations always. Each
Arabian poet had their personal 'Kahin' from whom (s)he got her/his
verses. Poetry competition was a part of their national fesival. Abu
Lahab and his wife were superior poets than the prophet. Their sons
were married to the prophet's daughters. But soon the poetry
competition and ensuing enmity soured their relationship. The
marriages split up and the rest is history. Anyone interested may
read Philip K. Hitty or Karen Armstrong.
was less sympathetic to the 'insan-i-kamil'. Talib's final answer to
Islam was that he could not trust in a religion whose follower prayed
with his posterior raised above his head. Moreover, when monotheism
was dominant in the nearby lands of Abyssinia and Damascus, the
prophet gained about seventy followers in about twelve years. The
'faith' became strong when brigandage committed by him from Yatrib
became successful. The poets believed in revelations always. Each
Arabian poet had their personal 'Kahin' from whom (s)he got her/his
verses. Poetry competition was a part of their national fesival. Abu
Lahab and his wife were superior poets than the prophet. Their sons
were married to the prophet's daughters. But soon the poetry
competition and ensuing enmity soured their relationship. The
marriages split up and the rest is history. Anyone interested may
read Philip K. Hitty or Karen Armstrong.
__._,_.___
