It is disconcerting to note that SuBain persistently resorts to sarcasm towards Islam and Muslims, which only helps to create antagonism towards him and no commensurate benefit whatsoever. If he intends to spread messages of moderation towards the Islamists, he must do so without first insulting them. The 1st paragraph of his email is the blatant insult and the 2nd paragraph is moderation tinged with insult. Why would a moderate Muslim or even a 'Muslim by birth' (like me) be branded an 'unreal Muslim'? Whether a Muslim is 'real' or 'unreal' or 'agnostic' or 'atheist' is his or her individual choice, not for somebody to label him as such.
Now coming back to the issue of an institution such as as Ashram or a college or a University in Bangladesh in the Shantiniketon or Bishwabharati style, I am all for it and applaud it wholeheartedly. I may point out that there is a fantastic institution in Tangail called the Kumudini Medical College and Hospital (as well as an orphanage and a girls' school in the same site). So, having an institution in the Shantiniketon model would not be million miles away in concept. Of course, Islamists would oppose it, as they will view it as a threat to their Islamic ideology.
So, we should all work together to make it a success, rather than waste time in mutual mud-slinging. If Saudi Arabian money can establish thousands of madrassas, mosques etc in Bangladesh, I can't see any logical barrier in setting up a Shantiniketon style institution or even a Mandir or a Synagogue in Bangladesh, as long as the money comes from abroad. Multiculturalism and multi-disciplined cultural institutions can only enrich the country. I hope the project becomes a reality as soon as possible.
- AR
On Saturday, 25 April 2015, 18:11, "Sukhamaya Bain subain1@yahoo.com [mukto-mona]" <mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
Well, Professor Chakrabarty, have you really read the Quran and the Hadits before making up your mind that a school like the Bishwabharati would not be a treat to Islam or Muslim culture? It will enrich Bengali culture alright, but Islam (which is the real Muslim culture) is not open to enrichment; because, to real Muslims, Islam is the ultimate wisdom, the ultimate enriched way of life.
Now, if you talk about Muslims who want to be good human beings without caring about how much of Islam to follow, they would embrace any kind of inclusive philosophy/institution. These unreal Muslims, who are Muslims primarily because they were born in Muslim families, are basically as good as any other kind of humans, and they do not pose any threat to the human civilization.
SuBain
====================================== On Saturday, April 25, 2015 9:01 AM, "Subimal Chakrabarty subimal@yahoo.com [mukto-mona]" <mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
No doubt there are bullies in the forum. One my friends quit the forum because of these bullies.
Any way, I am not concerned at all with the possible establishment of a university after the Bishwabharati and Shantiniketan model. It will bring in a greater diversity in our education system. Unity in diversity will enrich the nation intellectually and spiritually as well. Probably even the worst enemy will not complain that Bishwabharati-Shantiniketan model teaches hatred. I don't think any of the students--Indian and foreign-- embraced Rabindranath's Brahma Dharma after attending this institute. You will even find atheists among the students. Instead of being sectarian, it is all embracing. It is true that Rabindranath's spiritual mind was greatly shaped by the Upanishads, but his 'religion of man' also relied heavily on bards of Bengal like Lalan, and Kabir, and others. Has Paschimbongo been badly influenced by the Bishwabharti-Shantiniketan model? I don't think so. If Poschimbngo is O. K., why should we not be O. K.? Is it because 90% population is Muslim? Will it be a threat to Islam? Not at all. Will it negatively affect Muslim culture? I don't see how. Rather, I will say, it will enrich our Bengali culture.
Sent from my iPhone
Sent from my iPhone
On Apr 24, 2015, at 6:43 PM, Rezaul Karim rezaulkarim617@gmail.com [mukto-mona] <mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
Which words/sentence of the article, you both are so critical of? Pl make your point. Don't just brush off everything with the same excuse of "Pakistani ghost" that you still are carrying on your shoulders.I don't know this author at all either. but I've read some of his writings. Is he a Muslim or a Hindu, who cares? Is he saying something that we should be concerned. I think we should. India and Bangladesh are two separate sovereign nation with unique characteristics and distinctive cultures based mostly on religious values that can not be denied. You may buy it or not but that's the fact. Moreover, India's hegemonic attitude, being the big neighbor is not unknown to all of it's neighbors....Lastly, before you say someone "scoundrel", make sure of yourself if you fall in that category,too.. Naming something after some one is nothing wrong, be it an Airport or an university. In this case, it's not naming this university after Rabindranath, its adopting a curriculum of " santineketon" that's solely based on Hindu religion and culture. Plus, think why Hindu India would be so interested in it. The recent actions by Modi's people with Muslims would tell the rest of the story.Thanks a lot.~ Rezaul Karim.On Apr 23, 2015 7:57 PM, "Borakh Bash" <borakhbash@gmail.com> wrote:মাথা মোটা এবং বেকুব কারা , পাঠকের নিশ্চই বুজতে বাকি নেই Iআমদের বাঙালিদের বড় সমস্যা হচ্ছে স্বাধীনতার ৪৪ বছর পার hহলেও কিছু পিউর রাজাকার আছেন যাদের মন এখনো পড়ে আছেকরাচী,লাহোর,ইসলামাবাদে , কেননা ওখানেই তো ছিল উনাদের বসবাস Iনব রাজাকারেরা কখনই বাংলাদেশ কে স্বীকার করেনি বোধহয়কখনই করবেনা I আল্লাহ ওদের ক্ষমা করো I--২১ এপ্রিল, ২০১৫ ২:৪২ am এ তে, Farida Majid <farida_majid@hotmail.com> লিখেছে:Check out this intensely COMMUNAL scoundrel with a phony namespreading this type of "Hate-India" element in the news ~ ~
Why does he not mention the brand new airport in West Bengal named after Kazi Nazrul Islam?
From: shahadathussaini@hotmail.com
To: nabdc@googlegroups.com; bangladesh-progressives@googlegroups.com; pfc-friends@googlegroups.com; chottala@yahoogroups.com; farida_majid@hotmail.com
Subject: {PFC-Friends} "আরে ভাই রবীন্দ্রনাথের নামে বিশ্ববিদ্যালয় হলে সমস্যাটা কি ?"
Date: Mon, 20 Apr 2015 23:55:55 -0400
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Mukto Mona plans for a Grand Darwin Day Celebration:
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http://mukto-mona.com/wordpress/?p=68
http://mukto-mona.com/banga_blog/?p=585
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