The above observation I gathered from my own experience in my early life at my village, where I used to listen to sermons during Milad Mohafils. Those sermons used to scare the hell out of me as a child. I did not know what they would do to us afterwards, and I used to get scared whenever they would hold such occasions. I know this is not supposed to be the image of any religion, but who is responsible for it?
If you must "Judge" Islam, it is best to go to the source (The Qur'an and authentic hadith of the last messenger of Allah PBUH).
As a nation, we have many successes and many failures. Projecting fear among non-Muslims is one of the biggest FAILURES of Bangladeshi Muslims. NO where Islam says, we have to follow certain country to be a good Muslim. Rather it says, we have to stay true to the Qur'an and authentic Hadiths to make that claim.
I am sad to hear your experience about Islam and (It may tickle your imagination) I also had many "Questions" about Islam when I was younger. Fortunately, I came across some great Muslims who tried very hard to live according to Islam and reflected inner beauty of Islam. My non-Muslim friends used to ask me many difficult questions and I had to research to find answers for them. In the process, I found Islam to be a beautiful religion.
So I am grateful to Allah(SWT) for all the blessings that lead me to better understanding of Islam. I still try to learn new things and Inshallah (God willing) will keep trying to be a student of Islam till my last day. :-)
According to Islam, one has to establish faith in "One unseen God", however out of His mercy, he gave us many clues about Islam in our holy books and gave the greatest example in last messenger of Allah (PBUH). So one can be VERY logical and have structural approach to this particular religion.
My two cents...
Shalom!
From: Jiten Roy <jnrsr53@yahoo.com>
To: mukto-mona <mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Mon, Jan 21, 2013 11:21 pm
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] Re: [Alapon] Fwd: Indian Muslims March in Protest Against Saudi Wahhabi Cultural Vandalism
From: QR <qrahman@netscape.net>
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] Re: [Alapon] Fwd: Indian Muslims March in Protest Against Saudi Wahhabi Cultural Vandalism
To: mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com
Date: Monday, January 21, 2013, 9:58 AM
>>>>>>>>>>> I agree with you that, there are some religious leaders like this and unfortunately they make the headlines.
I was fortunate to meet some big time leaders who were humble, courteous, honest and helpful (To all people). Which helped me a lot in understanding my own faith. Excessive authoritative and arrogant people cannot claim to reflect teachings of prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Even his enemies used to trust him (Named him Al-Ameen or the trust worthy) and praised his gentle nature.
Not only I agree with your observation and I would say it is a failure of Muslims of Bangladesh (In general sense not personal) that, we failed to reflect beauty of Islam in our lives (As a group). I pray that Muslims of Bangladesh learn more about Islam and reflect teachings of the holy Qur'an and examples of prophet Muhammad (PBUH). So even if someone disagrees with us ( In matter of religion), they can still be our good friends.
Shalom!
From: Jiten Roy <jnrsr53@yahoo.com>
To: mukto-mona <mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Mon, Jan 21, 2013 5:49 am
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] Re: [Alapon] Fwd: Indian Muslims March in Protest Against Saudi Wahhabi Cultural Vandalism
From: SAHANNAN <sahannan@sonarbangladesh.com>
To: mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, January 19, 2013 8:13 PM
Subject: RE: [mukto-mona] Re: [Alapon] Fwd: Indian Muslims March in Protest Against Saudi Wahhabi Cultural Vandalism
Sent: Saturday, January 19, 2013 10:49 PM
To: mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [mukto-mona] Re: [Alapon] Fwd: Indian Muslims March in Protest Against Saudi Wahhabi Cultural Vandalism
--- On Sat, 1/19/13, SAHANNAN < sahannan@sonarbangladesh.com > wrote:
From: SAHANNAN < sahannan@sonarbangladesh.com >
Subject: RE: [mukto-mona] Re: [Alapon] Fwd: Indian Muslims March in Protest Against Saudi Wahhabi Cultural Vandalism
To: mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com
Date: Saturday, January 19, 2013, 9:22 AM
Sent: Saturday, January 19, 2013 7:11 AM
To: mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] Re: [Alapon] Fwd: Indian Muslims March in Protest Against Saudi Wahhabi Cultural Vandalism
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Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Re: [mukto-mona] Re: [Alapon] Fwd: Indian Muslims March in Protest Against Saudi Wahhabi Cultural Vandalism
>>>>>>>>>>> Broadly, our lack of authentic Islamic education. Thankfully, we are improving in this area. 30-50 years ago (In most cases) parents used to send their dumb kids (Who could not fit in with the world) for "Allah's sake". Today I see very bright energetic educated young men and women learning about Islam from authentic sources. Often they challenge "Authority figures" in our country and elsewhere.
-----Original Message-----
"I would say it is a failure of Muslims of Bangladesh (In general sense not personal) that, we failed to reflect beauty of Islam in our lives (As a group)."
Thank you, Mr. Rahman.
So far we have been shown that - if you disagree with us, you are a Kafir, and you deserve to be condemned and punished. That's the image Islamists are projecting.
I want to see the beauty of Islam also. Why are they suppressing that beauty, and why others are not putting an end to this misguided notion are beyond my understanding at this stage. I know some people are actively trying to do so. I heard Dr. Judy Jesser's point of views in Islam; it sounds impressive, but - many in this forum don't like him probably because of his pro-American slants.
So, Mr. Rahman, I believe - Islam has many confusing and conflicting components, which baffle not only outsiders, but also most insiders. It's the most complex religious system in the world. I do not know if the beauty of Islam, as a religion, will ever be able to surface outside of it's political skin. This phenomenon is unique in Islam.
Context is very important while reading Quran, and if it is not understood correctly – interpretations of Quran could be very wrong. I think - most Moulanas probably think - they are still in the early stages of Islam, fighting with infidels all over the world. In other words, they are constantly fighting Jihad inside themselves. As a result, they are always spewing hostile sermons in the mosques and madrassahs day-in and day-out. In doing so, they did not find time to show the goodness of Islam.
The above observation I gathered from my own experience in my early life at my village, where I used to listen to sermons during Milad Mohafils. Those sermons used to scare the hell out of me as a child. I did not know what they would do to us afterwards, and I used to get scared whenever they would hold such occasions. I know this is not supposed to be the image of any religion, but who is responsible for it?
Jiten Roy
I have encountered with, are pretty authoritative and arrogant; most of them think of themselves as some sort of holy-figures, and expect others to follow them only, not question them. When someone raise questions, they get mad, instead of replying to the questions.
-----Original Message-----
Thank you Hannan-Bhai. I wish most people in the religious diaspora would think like you, and would learn from you. This is what I expect from a religious man. Unfortunately, many religious leaders and people, I have encountered with, are pretty authoritative and arrogant; most of them think of themselves as some sort of holy-figures, and expect others to follow them only, not question them. When someone raise questions, they get mad, instead of replying to the questions.
Most people in this forum, I believe, are nonreligious, and that includes me. Your views on religion are breath of fresh air. If a religious view can be defended with reasoning, I have no problem to accept them. I have problem with accepting something with faith alone, without any justification. I believe – people in this forum should be allowed to express their differing viewpoints. If everybody agrees with everything, it will be just boring conversations only. You don't need to apologize for any of your views. I know - you firmly believe in them. I appreciate your gentle candor. I have replied to your defense of religious divisiveness under a related subject. Please read it and reply, if you like to.
With Regards,
Jiten Roy
Respected brother,
Best regards and Salam.
The world has been more divided by nationalism (on the basis of geography, language etc) and communism (on the basis of class).Religion united much more people. Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism unite billions of people.
I am conscious of abuse of religion in the past and now. These have to be tackled. But without religion moral foundation can not come. Extreme moral decline of the world is directly linked with pushing religion on the sidelines.
In any case, kindly excuse me for my views.
Shah Abdul Hannan
From: mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com [mailto: mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of Jiten Roy
Hannan Saheb,
I do not disagree with you that most of the good in this world came from good people, and many of them are (moderately) religious. It's all about the level of religiosity in people. Yes, most people were/are to some extent religious. Problem is not there; problem is with the undeniable divisions religions have introduced in the world that have been the root of all troubles.
Also, I agree with you that ' conviction ' is the key to the success, be that religious or scientific. My question is - where will you invest your conviction, in religion or science? Religious fanatics invest most of their conviction in religion. That's a waste, in my view.
You won't able to show me a single benefit that we could not have achieved without religion. People often tell me that we got morality from religion. But, when you dig into the life histories of religious leaders, you will find that most of them are peppered with immoralities. What we do with it? We choose to ignore or cover up those dark spots to hide our stupidity. In that effort, we try to praise them even more with colorful terms to camouflage their dark past. We do so – because we do not have the courage or power to confront it; religion is really a big powerful political tool now. There is no way out.
Jiten Roy
Jiten sahib's opinion, I can not share .Most of the good in the world are done by good people who are mostly religious. Faith does not mean , at least in the case of Islam irrational faith. The word for faith in Islam comes from the root word Amnun( Alif Mim Noon) which really means conviction. Please read the book Tauhid, its meaning for thought and life by Late Shahid Ismail Raji al Faruqi a former Professor of Temple University , USA .
Shah Abdul Hannan
From: mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com [mailto: mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of Jiten Roy
I said this before - religion has done more harm than good for the humanity. Most people cannot comprehend it.
The foundation of each religion is faith, which is totally opposite to the foundation of the science and technology. A religious mind is already contended with faith. Therefore, creativity cannot survive there very long. That's the reason for the lack of scientific developments and progress in the religious societies.
I believe, some creative functioning cells still exist in the brain of a religious moderate; therefore, number of religious moderates in a society may correlate with the scientific progress and prosperity in the society.
Yes, it is true that - much more devout fanatical religious brains can be found in the Islamic societies than religious moderates. That may explain societal backwardness and slow progress in those societies.
Jiten Roy
The Prophet ' s Mosque, Madinah.
The speakers, including Syed Babar Ashraf, National Secretary of the Board, expressed their anger against moves to deface the tomb of Prophet Mo ham mad and also demanded that Saudi Government must sign a treaty with the government of India and other governments assuring that no damage shall henceforth be done to any monument of Islam in India .
Maulana Mo ham mad Ashraf Kichowchhwi demanded that all the bulldozed cultural monuments and signs of Islam, including Jannatul Baqee and Jannatul Moalla, must be restored and developed and decorated accordingly.
Jannatul Baqee, the cemetery in Madinah of the Family, Companions, and Successors to the Prophet Mu ham mad sallallahualeyhisalaam, before its demolition by Saudi Wahhabis in 1925.
The devastated site of Jannatul Baqee, 2008 -- Photograph Via Wikimedia Commons.
The gathering was also of the view that Indian officers sent to Saudi Arabia during Hajj are selected on the basis of their ideology, and Wahhabis are given charge of the Hajj affairs, who have until now demonstrated that they are better suited to serve Saudi Wahhabi interests rather than the interests of Indian pilgrims.
Maulana Kichowchhwi also said that Saudi Wahhabi influences can be easily seen in the government bodies of India requiring Muslim representation. Almost all such selections are done on the basis of ideology and Wahhabis are chosen to represent Indian Muslim ignoring the very vast majority [almost 80 percent]. The Waqf boards and Waqf councils and Hajj committees are by now transformed as the centers of propagation of Wahhabism through government machinery.
He said demolition of the Ghausia Masjid in Delhi was not an isolated incident. It is well connected with the developments taking place in Libya, Egypt, Tunisia, Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India and of course in Saudi Arabia, leading them to ruin the cultural heritage of Islam everywhere.
In all the above mentioned countries tombs of Sunni Sufi saints and Godly Muslims are being targeted because they happen to be centers of propagation of peace and amity and tolerance in the human race much above individual faiths while Saudi Wahhabi ideology refuses to concede to tolerance and peace its proper virtue.
Ulema and Mashaikh who have expressed their anguish over this sorry state of affairs include:
Hazrat Maulana Syed Mehdi Miya Chishti, Gaddi Nashin Ajmer Sharif (Rajasthan)
Hazrat Maulana Syed Alamgir Ashraf, Nagpur ( Maharashtra )
Hazrat Syed Jawed Naqshbandi, Delhi
Hazrat Farid Nizam, Dargah Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia, Delhi
Hazrat Maulana Nooruddin Asdaq, Nalanda ( Bihar Sharif)
Hazrat Mujiburrahman Urf Bablu Mia, Mainpuri (Uttar Pradesh)
Haji Yunus Solanki, Vadodra ( Gujarat )
Maulana Farooq Razvi, Ludhiyana ( Punjab )
Syed Hammad Ashraf, Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh)
Hayatunnabi Khan, Sajjada Nashin, Dargah Hafiz, Moradabad
Syed Ali Naim Chishti, Sajjada Nashin, Dargah Sultan Mia, Moradabad
Hafiz Iftikhar Husain Sabir, Sajjada Nashin, Dargah Pahalwan, Lajpat Nagar, Moradabad
Syed Shibli Mia, Sajjada Nashin, Dargah Shah Mukammal, Eidgah, Moradabad
Maulana Mo ham mad Noorani, Sri Nagar (Jammu & Kashmir)
Shahnwaz Warsi (Uttrakhand)
Maulana Ghulam Dastgir, Ranchi (Jharkhand)
Memorandum
To: Mr. Pranav Mukherji, Hon. President, Govt. of India, New Delhi
Mr. Manmohan Singh, Hon. Prime Minister, Govt. of India , New Delhi
Mr. Sushil Kumar Shinde, Hon. Minister of Home Affairs, Govt. of India , New Delhi
Mr. Salman Khursheed, Hon. Minister of External Affairs, Govt. of India , New Delhi
Mr. K. Rahman Khan, Hon. Minister of Minority Affairs, Govt. of India , New Delhi
Mrs. Chandresh Kumari Katoch, Hon. Minister of Culture, Govt. of India , New Delhi
Miss Kumari Selja, Hon. Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt. of India , New Delhi
Mr. Tejendra Khanna, Hon. Lt. Governor, Delhi Government
Mrs. Sheila Dixit, Hon. Chief Minister, Delhi Government
Sir/Madam,
India, home of second largest population of Muslims in the world, with a well recognized and rich Sufi culture contributing to the peace, amity and tolerance in the society, occupies a high place in the comity of Muslim nations.
Indian Muslims are aggrieved over the intention and impending move to deface the Tomb of Prophet Mu ham mad (Peace Be Upon Him) in the holy city of Madinah and demand that the government of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia should assure the world, including the government of India, that they are not going to do any harm to any of the Islamic signs and sites in their country.
It is to be noted that Indian pilgrims going to perform Hajj in Saudi Arabia are often not allowed to perform the rituals according to their profession and established practices. They are coerced to practice the infamous Wahhabi ideology against their own beliefs. The Indian officers deployed to take care of the pilgrims on most occasion side with the Saudi authorities and do nothing substantial to help Indian hajjis in performing hajj on the rightful lines of the age old Sufi tradition/practice. It is because the selection is done at the behest of Wahhabi organisations and government authorities send those officers who themselves are also the practitioners of extreme Wahhabi ideology. These people have gained access to the political, governmental and administrative quarters by duping the Government authorities and faking themselves as the true representatives of Indian Muslims.
Let it be also mentioned here that in our beloved nation Wahhabism, which endorses extremism, has gradually gained a powerful position by projecting themselves as the real representatives of Indian Muslims, which is totally untrue because more than 80 percent of Indian Muslims profess and practice Sunni Sufi ideology which preaches love to human kind. Almost all the bodies of government requiring Muslim representations have been hijacked by these Wahhabis and thereby the vast majority of Muslims goes unheard, unrepresented and badly ignored. Wahhabis, getting their foothold in the corridors of political power are now trying to dictate politics and their activities which started with a socio-preligious message finally turned into a political entity thus becoming a threat for the democracy of India and the social fabric of our beloved nation. These elements play with emotions of peace-loving Muslims and arouse the religious sentiments to create chaos and benefit themselves both socially and politically.
All India Ulema and Mashaikh Board, through this memorandum request your kindness to come to the aid of the Indian Muslim community and make the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia government respond regarding plans for expansion of Masjid-e-Nabvi [The Prophet ' s Mosque] and other sacred Islamic places in Makkah and Medinah. This is in no way an interference in domestic affairs of Saudi Arabia because these sacred places are the center of reverence for the Muslim Ummah all over the world.
It will be in the fitness of things if the Government of Saudi Arabia agrees to issue a White Paper and spells out the expansion program, while signing a treaty with all the governments of the world assuring it will not deface, demolish or destroy any of the signs of Islam, and restore all those sacred sites, including Jannatul Baqee and Jannatul Moallah, that have been bulldozed in the last century by the Saudi dictators.
The insanity of the Wahhabi Saudi regime has reached its zenith and now the Tomb of Prophet Mo ham mad (Peace Be Upon Him) is under threat, hence this earnest appeal from this leading body of the majority of Indian Muslims.
Thank you.
Regards
Maulana Syed Mo ham mad Ashraf Kichowchchwi
Maulana Syed Mo ham mad Ashraf Kichowchhwi.
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