ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2017 11

Vienna: A survey of Muslims in 15 European Union countries finds most are willing to embrace people of other faiths, but they often feel rebuffed by the majority populations of the places they live.The findings released recently

by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights reflect the views of 10,527 Muslim immigrants and children of immigrants who were interviewed between October 2015 and July 2016. Nine out of 10 of those surveyed reported having friends from other religious communities and 92 percent said they tended to feel comfortable with neighbours of a different religious background.But more than half — 53 percent — said they had felt discriminated against when they looked for housing because of their names. On the employment front, 35

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In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

EU Survey Finds Muslims Willing to Embrace People of Other Faiths92 percent respondents said they tended to feel comfortable with neighbours

of a different religious background.

percent of the women who had looked for work felt discriminated against because of their clothing, compared to 4 percent for men.The people surveyed were over age 16 and had been living for at least a year in Austria, Belgium,

Cyprus, Germany, Denmark, Greece, Spain, Finland, France, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Sweden, Slovenia and the United Kingdom.— Nearly half of the respondents did not find interfaith marriage objectionable, with 48 percent reporting they would feel "totally comfortable" with a family member marrying a non-Muslim.At the time of their survey interviews, 27 percent of respondents said they had experienced harassment because of their Muslim backgrounds during the previous 12 months. Another 2 percent reported being

physically assaulted.Of the Muslim women who wore headscarves or face veils, 31 percent reported harassment. Inappropriate staring or offensive gestures were reported by 39 percent of the women who wore the coverings, while 22 percent said they were targets of offensive comments and 2 percent said they were physically attacked. For

women who did not wear veils or headscarves, harassment was experienced by 23 percent.The survey participants came from or had at least one parent originally Turkey, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Asia. In two countries, respondents also included Muslims from other countries outside Europe who had

immigrated within the previous 10 years.The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights said the survey had "multiple margins of error" since results were calculated differently for each ethnic group and country and because Muslims living in areas with fewer immigrants may not have been reached. n

Amanath Bank New Board of Directors Elected

Bengaluru: The syndicate of candidates supported by Mr. Rahman Khan, MP and former Union Minister, was elected to the Board of Directors of Amanath Cooperative Bank in elections held on September 19. None among the opponents could make it to the Board. The winning group was led by Syed Abdul Kabeer, Chartered Accountant who has been elected the Chairman of the new Board of Directors. Only 921 among the 33,502 shareholders who are eligible to vote, cast their votes in the elections. Of these 145 votes were rejected as they exceeded the

limit candidates while choosing them for stamping of the ballot papers. Mr. Kabeer is a chartered accountant and is Chairman of the Alpine Constructions. He also runs the Alpine International School. He had worked in Saudi Arabia for a few years.

The members elected to the new board of directors other than Mr. Kabeer are: B. J. Abdul Azeem, Nisar Pasha, Yacoob Sharief, M. K. Rizwan, M. Riyaz Ahmed, Md. Shafi, Qurratul Ain Shabana, Rasheed Begum, and K. Chhaya.

(By A Staff Writer)

ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2017 2

The Myanmarese Army itself has admitted that 176 of 431 villages inhabited by ethnic Rohingya have been emptied. According to the report, Rohingya said that soldiers, police and vigilante groups would sometimes encircle a village and fire into the air before entering, but would often

just storm in and start firing in all directions."When the military came, they started shooting at people who got very scared and started running. I saw the military shoot many people and kill two young boys. They used weapons to burn our houses," one survivor said. "There used to be 900 houses in our village; now only 80 are left. There is no one left to even bury the bodies," he added. Pillars of FiresAmnesty said it was able to corroborate the burning by analysing photographs taken from across the Naf River in Bangladesh, showing huge pillars

FocusRohingyas

Myanmar Following Ethnic CleansingAround four lakh Rohingyas pushed into Bangladesh; 176 villages torched; UN

describes ‘textbook example’ of ethnic cleansing

With nearly 400,000 Arakanese Muslims pushed out of their homes into Bangladesh, the issue of Rohingyas has burst into the international limelight since Burmese Army crackdown on August 25 in Rakhine. Rakhine region of Myanmar was previously known as Arakan. It had been ceded by the Burmese Kingdom to the British Indian Government in 1826. It became a part of Burma in 1948 after the country gained independence. As of now, 52% of its total population of 37 lakhs consists of Buddhists while 42.7% are Muslims. The Hindus constitute 0.5% while Christians make up 1.8%. Myanmar had been constantly under a military government since its Independence. The federal government has been pursuing a policy of forcible assimilation of ethnic minorities into the Buddhist mainstream. The policy has encountered opposition in several regions including Rakhine. Rohingya Muslims have faced decades of persecution in Buddhist-majority Myanmar, and are denied citizenship despite centuries-old roots in the Rakhine region. Many people in Myanmar don’t call them Rohingya, and instead use the term “Bengalis” and say they are people who migrated illegally from Bangladesh. Significantly, Bangladesh and Myanmar share a 271-km long border. Myanmar expert Dr. Maung Zarni says the military considers Rohingya “borderlands people”, who have cultural and historical ties with both Burma (now known as Myanmar) and East Bengal (a Muslim majority area formerly known as East Pakistan and now Bangladesh).

Current PhaseThe current phase of Rohingya exodus started after August 25 when the Myanmar Army began its onslaught against villages and towns inhabited by Rohingyas in the name of flushing out Rohingya militants. It alleged raids by the militants belonging to Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) on Army camps. According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other aid agencies, nearly four lakh Rohingyas have entered Bangladesh during the last one month, of whom 60%

are children. Three Rakhine townships of Maungdaw, Buthidaung and Rathedaung have been set ablaze by the security forces and 2,000 homes have been destroyed. Bangladesh, itself a land and resource-scarce nation, cannot afford to take refugees. Muslims constitute more than

80–96% of the population near the border with Bangladesh and the coastal areas, even though they are subject to a government rule limiting them to two children per family. According to various local surveys conducted after the riots of 2012, it was found that if the +1 million diaspora outside Burma were included, the Rohingya would constitute about 62.7% of the population of the state of Rakhine.

Scorched-Earth PolicyAmnesty International said Security forces and vigilante mobs in Myanmar are carrying out a scorched-earth policy in the majority-Muslim region of Rakhine State, burning down entire Rohingya villages and shooting at people as they try to flee. According to new satellite imagery, fire-detection data, photographs and videos from the ground, the human rights group said on September 15 that there were at least 80 large-scale fires in inhabited areas across northern Rakhine State since 25 August.Irrefutable Evidence"The evidence is irrefutable - the Myanmar security forces are setting northern Rakhine State ablaze in a targeted campaign to push the Rohingya people out of Myanmar," said Tirana Hassan, Amnesty International's Crisis Response Director.

of smoke rising inside Myanmar.The international rights organisation said that in some areas, local authorities warned villages in advance that their homes would be burned, a clear indication that the attacks were both deliberate and planned.Myanmar Prime Minister Aung

San Suu Ki, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, has described reports in the disturbing coverage in the Western media as ‘huge iceberg of misinformation’ and is clearly on the defensive. Bangladesh’s situation is precarious, caught as it is between its adverse economic conditions and public opinion against pushing Muslim refugees back into the hands of the ‘murderous Myanmarese army’. Conflict takes on different forms in Myanmar, with armed hostilities, political and inter-communal violence, and ethnic conflict all contributing to ever-growing displacement figures. Myanmar’s military has been engaged in armed conflict since

the country gained independence in 1948, with more than 30 ethnic insurgent non-state armed groups emerging over the last 70 years. The military dictatorship of the last two decades ended in 2015, when the country’s first contested national election since 1990 resulted in a victory for the National League for Democracy. The Panglong Peace Conference brought together almost all ethnic armed groups for the first time, and a peace and reconciliation process is under way. The continued marginalisation and displacement of minorities such as the Rohingya, however, created new tensions and conflicts. In Rakhine state, chronic poverty and competition for resources, combined with historical religious and ethnic tensions between the Rohingya and Rakhine’s Buddhist majority, led to inter-communal violence in 2012. The government has no policies to address the marginalisation of the state’s Buddhists, who fear that the growth of the Muslim population will marginalise them even further. In the absence of a programme to tackle the existing deprivation suffered by all of Rakhine’s inhabitants, tensions between the two communities worsened. Large numbers of Rohingya have fled across the border into Bangladesh, where they are facing renewed displacement in the form of forced returns as the government seeks the repatriation of all Myanmar nationals who have taken refuge in Bangladesh since the 1970s. n

Bangladeshi Minorities Condemn Violence against Rohingyas

Thousands of people in Bangladesh, mostly religious and ethnic minorities, protest-ed on the streets of Dhaka to condemn ongoing deadly violence against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar’s Rakhine State.A coalition of 19 re-ligious and ethnic minority organiza-tions that included the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist

Christian Unity Council, Bangladesh Minorities Rights Forum, Bangladesh Buddhist

Federation, Bangladesh Christian Association and Bangladesh Adivasi Forum staged the rally

outside the National Press Club."The world pain-fully watches as Myanmar continues its genocidal crack-down", said Rana Dasgupta, a Hindu Supreme Court law-yer and secretary of National Coordination Committee of

Bangladeshi religious and ethnic minorities stage a protest outside the National Press Club in Dhaka on Sept 14 to condemn deadly violence

against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. (Photo by Robin Bhabuk)Page 7

ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2017 33

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US-Muslim Dialogue Stresses Cross-Cultural Communication

New York: The World Muslim League (MWL) recently hosted a conference in New York city focusing on the cultural communication between the

United States and the Muslim world, with the participation of the United Nations, and the presence of 450 scholars and thinkers representing 56 countries under a forum titled, “Civilizational

Communication between the United States and the Islamic World”. The Secretary-General of the Muslim World League, Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Abdul-Karim Al-Issa said in his speech that civilized communication between the Muslim world and the United States has a long history of exchange and cooperation of humanitarian knowledge, economic and political subjects. “This distinguished civilized relationship over the years has revealed the grave error of the “Clash of Civilizations” theory that was based on stirring up hatred and racism and erecting imaginary barriers,” Al-Issa said. “But what is important is our understanding of the need for co-existence and cooperation in the light of this understanding to serve not just mutual interests, but to also serve

all humanity, to promote social peace and intellectual security and to defeat evil, while enshrining the concepts of righteousness, charity, all without religious, sectarian, ethnic, political,

intellectual or other distinction,” Al-Issa added. Dr. David Nasser, senior vice president for spiritual development at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, said his Christian

university promoted openness among students and encouraged them to communicate with Muslims in the US, who were also committed to religious principles

First Islamic Summit on Science and TechnologyAstana: Moroccan Energy and Nuclear Physicist Rajaa Cherkaoui El-Moursli was honored for her contribution and noteworthy achievements in science and technology, during the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) First Islamic Summit on Science and Technology, held in the Kazakh capital of Astana on September 10 and 11. Distinguished by her scientific achievements in the field of nuclear physics, El-Moursli was honoured by the OIC along with four other

selected scientists: Yusuf Yagci (Turkey), Mohammed-Slim Alouini (Tunisia), and Assan Jaye

(Gambia).The Astana gathering, which aimed to shed light on scientific and technological

issues, innovation, and scientific research, was attended by many heads of state, parliamentarians,

government officials, researchers, and experts from Muslim countries, who shared their knowledge and experiences at the event. The summit, designed to encourage scientists in Muslim countries, is the first of its kind which brought together government officials to discuss science and

technology and decide the agenda of innovation and scientific research for the next decade. n

Page 12

ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2017 55

Page 7

sociAl mediAAhmedabad-Mumbai Bullet Train

Fallacies Mask the Project All that it means is that Japan is in win-win situation while we are

caught in no-win situation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that we are getting the Ahmedabad-Mumbai Bullet train almost for free. But the facts are totally at variance with the claim. The total cost for the Project which entails some under-the-sea tunneling and some elevated track,

is pegged at Rs. 110,000 crore. Of this, Rs. 88,000 crore are coming via loan from Japan.

The IIM-Ahmedabad has released a report titled “Dedicated hi-speed Railway Network in India: Issues in Development".

According to this report prepared by G. Raghuram and Prashanth Udaykumar, the loan repayment will begin when the Bullet Train completes 15 years of operations. The interest rate applicable is stated to be 0.1%. The IIM-A report says, if the Railways decide the fare for this 300-km journey at Rs. 1,500 in the 16th year of its operation, the Bullet Train will have to carry 88,000 to 110,000 passengers daily in order to be able to repay the loan with interest in time. To carry these many passengers, the Bullet Train will have to make 100 trips daily. Only then the loan will be repaid on time. Now, one can imagine if it would be possible for Bullet Train to be a viable proposition and if would be able to make a hundred trips in a day. According to Mr. M. K. Venu who writes for the wire.com, the

repayment will be far more than Rs. 88,000 crore because the Indian Rupee is constantly losing its value in exchange to the more world powerful currencies. While Japanese Yen is stable, our Rupee has been depreciating all through at the rate of 3%. So after 15 years

of operation of the Bullet Train, it might fall much lower than what obtains now. So given the history of depreciation, we may have to return a far higher amount than Rs. 88,000. Going by 3% fall in value of the Rupee, the repayment may go up to Rs. 150,000 crore.

Now this repayment is all about Mumbai-Ahmedabad sector. We are talking about having similar Bullet Trains in North, South and Eastern India under the Diamond Quadrilateral Network. So you can imagine the quantum of burden of international borrowings. Naturally all this burden will be shifted to every child getting born

Dr. E. Sreedharan, the chief architect of the Delhi Metro Rail, which was built and operationalised three years earlier than its target schedule under

his stewardship, says, India is still not ready for Bullet Train operations. He says the Indian Railways will not be ready for at least 8 to 10 years hence, for this kind

of technology.

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ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2017 6trAvel diArY

Visiting Mosques in JapanThe first mosque was built in Japan in the city of Kobe. The Kobe Mosque was

built in 1935 with the contributions of Indian, Tatar and Japanese financial support.

By Dr Sameen Ahmed Khan

Recently, I was in Tokyo the capital of Japan to participate in the 24th Congress of the International Commission for Optics held during 21-25 August 2017. During the brief visit, I had the privilege to visit two mosques in Tokyo. This enabled me to interact with the Muslim community comprising, both locals and immigrants/visitors. Before reaching the mosque, I relied on the website http://www.qiblaway.com/ to know the Qibla (direction of Kabah) to perform the prayers. Muslims constitute a very small minority in Japan. The history of Islam in Japan is recorded in isolated documents. The oldest records mentioning Japan in this context are that of the

celebrated Persian geographer, Abu’l-Qasim Ubaydallah ibn Abdallah ibn Khordadbeh (820-912 CE). He is also known as Ibn Khordadbeh and Ibn Khurradadhbih. In the years 846/847, Ibn Khordadbeh wrote Kitāb al Masālik w’al Mamālik (The Book of Roads and Kingdoms). This encyclopedic work covers the vast geographic areas now including: South Asia, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, Koreas and Japan. Leaping into the modern times, we note that the first mosque was built in Japan in the city of Kobe (http://kobe-muslim-mosque.com/). The Kobe Mosque was built in 1935 with the contributions of Indian, Tatar and Japanese financial support. In the year 1938, the capital Tokyo had its first mosque, which is known as the Tokyo Camii or the Tokyo Mosque. The Tokyo Masjid was rebuilt by the Presidency of Religious Affairs of Turkey in the year 2000. These two Masjids were the principle mosques in Japan till the 1970’s. Now, there are over two hundred mosques

across Japan. The Muslim population in Japan is estimated to be about 200,000. This is to be compared with the total

population of Japan, which is 126 million. There are over a dozen translations of the complete Quran in Japanese, dating from 1920. For my visit to the Masjid, I had to choose from over a dozen Masjids in Tokyo. The name of Daar Al-Arqam caught my attention due to its name and landmark significance in the early Meccan period (before the Hijrat/Migration of the Prophet (Pbuh) to Madinah). It is to be recalled that the Dar Al-Arqam (House of Arqam) served as the centre, as there was no mosque in Makkah

at that time. The Daar Al-Arqam is located in the locality of Asakusa. Hence this Masjid is also known as the Asakusa

Masjid/Mosque and is not far from the well-connected Asakusa Metro Station. It was founded in 1992 by the Islamic circle of Japan. Like most Japanese Masjids, Daar Al-Arqam is multi-storied with one floor exclusively for women. And as expected, the Masjid had a good library. The second Masjid, I visited was the Masjid Otsuka or the Otsuka Mosque, run by the Japan Islamic Trust (JIT). This Masjid is very close to the Otsuka Metro

Station. The JIT is vibrant with a variety of activities. The JIT runs an International Islamic School covering Arabic and Islamic Studies along with the regular curriculum. JIT holds

regular classes for both Arabic and Japanese languages. The latter is of immense help to the immigrants and visitors. JIT remarkably supervises the burial services at the Yawara Muslim Graveyard, which is about 53km from the Otsuka Masjid. The Yawara Muslim Graveyard has an office and prayer room. The graves are available absolutely free of cost. But the costs of the digging, burial services and maintenance of graveyard have to be managed by the relatives and well-wishers of the deceased. This is a onetime expense of about 1200 US$. JIT is active in the Refugee Assistance Programs, during the calamities and disasters in Japan and beyond! Otsuka Masjid has several social activities like arranging summer camps as an outdoor activity with family and kids during summer vacations. (The writer is Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics and Sciences, College of Arts and Applied Sciences (CAAS), Dhofar University, Salalah, Sultanate of Oman)

The history of Islam in Japan

is recorded in isolated

documents. The oldest records

mentioning Japan in this context are that of the

celebrated Persian geographer, Abu’l-Qasim Ubaydallah

ibn Abdallah ibn Khordadbeh (820-912 CE).

Masjid Daar Al-Arqam, Tokyo Masjid Otsuka, Tokyo, Japan

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ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2017 77 Youth voice

Studying in Malaysia‘Robust Academics, Affable People’

A research student from Bengaluru recounts her experiences in the National University of Malaysia.

By A Staff Writer

Malaysia with its luxuriant greenery could be a dream destination for any student wanting not just a scenic campus, but also a really vibrant research

environment. Ayesha Firdose who landed in the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in February this year, had no idea what the nation had to offer her. But seven months into her research, she finds the country pleasant, people amiable and environment adorable. Ayesha is pursuing her Ph.D. in Microbiology at the National University of Malaysia or Universiti Kenbangsaan Malaysia(UKM) at Bangi, 35 kms south of Kuala Lumpur. UKM is one of the five research universities in the country. It was ranked 259th in the world by QS World University Rankings in 2014. It is ranked 98th place in the 100 best new universities established within the last 50 years in the world.Ayesha had completed her M.Sc. course with 92% marks from Mount Carmel College for Women in Bengaluru in June this year. She received a scholarship for overseas study from Karnataka Minority Development Corporation (KMDC). Talent Promotion Trust too chipped in helping her with funds for several formalities prior to travel. Her topic is “Biodegradation of Palmoil Mill effluents”. According to her, bio-oxygen demand (BoD) from raw effluents is very high as the effluents when released from palmoil refineries carry particulate matter at 40,000 ppm. It is useful to know that palm is the chief crop of Malaysia and the nation produces nearly 13 million tons of palmolien oil annually. Here she speaks to

Islamic Voice on her experiences in Malaysia. Excerpts:

What aspects of education in the Malaysian University appealed to you most?

There are quite a few aspects

which impressed me. Firstly, it is the dynamic atmosphere at UKM which provides opportunities for building significant academic and social links with people from different backgrounds. UKM promotes collaborative learning which is a very good platform to learn and understand the academics and research at global level. One of my personal favorites is the student exchange programs offered by the UKM which according to me not only exposes students to different community and cultural perspectives, but also helps in building a strong personality, self-confidence, accommodative nature, competitive spirit and global awareness. Secondly, UKM has excellent facilities for the students which include free shuttle around the campus, free medical center, multi-cuisine restaurants, massive library, shopping stores, bank, stadium etc. which cut down a lot of outward travelling costs and saves students time and energy. Food within the campus costs half of what it might cost outside. Last but not the least, the campus itself is gorgeous, with greenery all around, it is very well maintained. Being a PhD student far away from home, peace of mind is very important to me for staying focused and the atmosphere inside relaxes and rejuvenates my mind.

How do you find the country and the people?

The country is immensely beautiful with lush green

highlands and water bodies ever brimming with freshwater. Everything from the streets to the offices, schools, public places etc. is very clean, maintained really well and highly organized. There are places for visit which are simply jaw-dropping coupled with amazing architecture

and infrastructure. Malaysia is a melting pot of cultures as it takes in all that entire Asia has to offer. The population is mélange of Malays who are called Bhumiputra (original inhabitants), Chinese who are very enterprising and people of Indian origin, basically Tamilians. There is wide variety of food and I don't think any foreigner would have any kind of food related problem in Malaysia. People are very friendly, helpful and welcoming.

How expensive is education and living as a student from India there?

One of the most prominent reasons for choosing Malaysia for my PhD was the reasonable expenses at UKM in comparison to Universities I had applied in other countries. Although it is a little expensive for me being a student from India, but it surely is fairly inexpensive compared to the other foreign universities. This is also due to the fact that the UKM is a public university and charges considerably lower tuition and hostel fee for students in relation to other privately owned universities. All in all, it is highly advisable to keep yourself away from loans and opt for universities in countries like Malaysia and Singapore as these are developing at a faster pace and you would not have a tough time thinking and arranging the finances.(Ayesha Firdose can be reached at ayeshafirdose27@gmail.com)

Ayesha Firdose is working on bringing down BoD level of

effluents from palmoil refineries in Malaysia.

Palm oil is the country’s chief export

commodity. Ayesha Firdose in UKM Campus at Bangi.

Mosques as Temporary SheltersThe Georgia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Georgia)

announced that a dozen mosques across the State of Georgia plan to serve as temporary shelters for Georgia and Florida residents fleeing Hurricane Irma.Mosques as far north as Marietta, as far east as Savannah, and as far south as Macon are encouraging travelers, evacuees and others displaced by the Category 5 storm

to check the listing of participating mosques, and seek refuge in the one closest to them.

"When Hurricane Harvey struck Texas, dozens of Houston mosques served as shelters for residents left stranded or homeless by the disaster. Georgia mosques stand ready to provide the same service to our neighbors of all faiths and backgrounds," said Hamid Qureshi, executive director of the Atlanta

chapter of the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), one of the nation's largest Muslim charities. "Because most Georgia mosques contain carpeted prayer halls, our houses of worship can easily shelter large numbers of people," said Dr. Khalid Siddiq, a member of Al-Farooq Masjid, the largest mosque in Georgia. n

today and will be aged between 15 and 18. Some people might think that 0.1% of interest is next to nil. But again this is a fallacy. The Japanese banks offer only 0.04% of interest on Government bonds. The Indian banks offer 6.5% interest. This difference between our and Japanese banks is due to the fact that Japanese banks are flush with funds. This is why Japan wants their money to be put to use and in circulation and bring back dividends. Besides this, we will be purchasing a lot of material for the Bullet Train tracks, rolling stock and coaches from Japan itself. All that it means is that Japan is in win-win situation while we are caught in no-win situation. Dr. E. Sreedharan, the chief architect of the Delhi Metro Rail, which was built and operationalised three years earlier than its target schedule under his stewardship, says, India is still not ready for Bullet Train operations. He says the Indian Railways will not be ready for at least 8 to 10 years hence, for this kind of technology. The

current state of Indian Railways is quite unstable. We keep hearing of frequent derailments and crashes. The Railway Minister prior to Mr. Suresh Prabhu (who was given another portfolio recently), had said that the Indian Railways immediately needs Rs. 120 lakh crores to refurbish the track, improve the services and put in new coaches on the entire network in the country and to ensure security and safety of the services. The issue of Bullet Train needs to be seen in this background. We need Rs. 120,000 crore for the upgradation of the existing services while the nation is spending Rs. 110,000 crore on putting up a Bullet Train on a small sector of the network. Now that this IIM-A report highlights the fallacies about the Bullet Train, most of us will be able to understand what priorities stare into the eye of the nation, and what the Government has decided to go ahead with.(Source: Transcribed by a staff writer from Vinod Dua’s presentation on wire.com)

Page 5

Page 2

Bullet Train ...

Bangladeshi minorities ... Religious and Ethnic Minorities Organizations."We condemn this bloodthirsty campaign as a crime against humanity and appeal to international community to hold Myanmar accountable and lay war crimes charges against the perpetrators in the International Criminal Court," Dasgupta added.Ashoke Barua, former secretary

of the Bangladesh Buddhist Federation said violence against Rohingya in Buddhist-majority Myanmar is a blow to Buddhist philosophy of peace and tolerance."We call for an end to conflict in Rakhine because the atrocities committed against the Rohingya are totally against the teaching of Buddha," Barua said. n

ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2017 8

Page 14

Women’s voice

Afghanistan’s First All-Female TV Station Zan’s task is to build an audience by developing cutting-edge shows on

issues affecting Afghan women.

Zan TV launched in Kabul, Afghanistan, some months ago, is the first TV station in Afghanistan to be made for, and run entirely by women. It’s a bold initiative for a country where the television

industry is run solely by men and where just some years ago, journalism and even access to education for women were banned. “We want women to

have an active role in politics and society,” says Nasrine Nawa, Zan’s director of news programming. “We’re empowering them to lead independent lives outside the home.”Nawa’s mission is to train the next generation of female Afghan journalists. Some fifty women aged 17 to 28, work for Zan, half are qualified, half are learning on the job. “Many trained journalists are jobless because most TV stations won’t employ women, so we do. We also want to train young women who might not have access to education because of where they live or their family,” says Nawa. Zan also employs 10 men to train women in operating cameras and editing film.

Afghan Media LandscapeThe TV station was founded by the media entrepreneur Hamid Samar, who saw a gap in the market when going through dozens of job applications from women at another TV station. The Afghan media landscape is already packed, with about 70 satellite TV stations, and

competition for ratings is rife. Zan’s task is to build an audience by developing cutting-edge shows on issues affecting Afghan women. The most popular shows are the Daily News show hosted

by Yasamin Yarmal and a weekly evening show that features conversations with Afghan women. Zan also runs a daytime cookery programme on how to make speedy healthy meals. In the evening, the hour-long entertainment show, In Focus recently showcased an all-female orchestra. “What makes us stand out is that we talk about everything that has touched women’s lives,” says Nawa. “Women have been a marginalised community for so long in Afghanistan. We want to prove they have the power to take control and change their lives, if they want.”

Abuse Towards WomenFor a new TV station, the ratings are impressive. According to Samar recently, an average of 90,000 people are tuning into the morning news programme. Mehria Azali, 22, is a journalist and presenter at Zan. She is keen to introduce a strong female narrative to the Afghan news agenda and explore issues such as underage marriage, rape and access to education. “During the Taliban’s rule, women were wanted in the home to satisfy male needs,” she says. “Things have got better, but rights for women are still very bad, especially outside Kabul. When they watch TV, Afghan women don’t see issues that affect them being talked about. We want to change that.”In 2015, research by the NGO Global Rights found that nearly nine out of 10 women in Afghanistan were subjected to physical, sexual or psychological violence. Now, Nawa and her team are talking directly to those women. “A lot of abuse towards women is hidden by police, so we have a whole programme about justice for women,” says Azali. “We want to lead by example of what women can be,” she

says. “Increasing their economic potential by showing them a new set of options.” Azali and Nawa also want to challenge the Afghan view of feminism. “Some TV stations

in Afghanistan prepare reports about the abuse of women,” says Nawa, “but they don’t report everything as they don’t want to be accused of being feminist. Most forms of women’s empowerment are seen as divisive and anti-men, but we want to remove the negative attitude to

women’s issues in this country.”(Extracted from www.

theguardian.com)

Mehria Azali, 22, is a journalist and

presenter at Zan. She is keen to introduce

a strong female narrative to the

Afghan news agenda and explore issues such as underage

marriage, rape and access to education.

Report Shows 80% of Job Seek-ers in Saudi Arabia are WomenWomen continue to search for jobs up to the age of retirement, given that 3,488 women aged 57 to 66

were still registered as job seekers.

Women constituted over three quarters of job seekers in Saudi Arabia, according to a report covering the last quarter of 2016. Women represented 80.6 percent of registered job seekers as reported by the General Authority for Statistics, indicating a problem in accommodating a qualified female workforce in both the public and private sectors. The report showed that women continue to search for jobs up to the age of retirement, given that 3,488 women aged 57 to 66 were still registered as job seekers. There were only 167 male job seekers in the same age

group. Abdulrahman Al-Rashed, head of the economy and energy committee of the Shoura Council, said obstacles include the fact that women are prevented from occupying some positions, as well as logistical issues. Although the Ministry of Labor and Social Development has been working on encouraging women’s employment through legislation, many are still unemployed.Al-Rashed is however optimistic about the future. He said that boosting the female workforce is an essential part of the Vision 2030 reform plan. Women’s

ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2017 99 Women’s voice

Rise in Demand for Mufti Course among Women

The Jamiat-ul-Mominath seminary at Moghalpura in the Old City is the first and only institution to

offer a Mufti course for women.

Hyderabad: More women are now becoming muftis in the city in order to reach out to Muslim women who are hesitant to approach male muftis to sort out their problems. A mufti is a legal expert who is empowered to give rulings or advice on religious matters. Muftis issue fatwas based on the questions asked and in the light of Islamic laws and preaching. Several Islamic seminaries and schools in the country offer Mufti courses. But almost all of them are for men.The Jamiat-ul-Mominath seminary at Moghalpura in the Old City is the first and only institution to offer a Mufti course for women. “We want Muslim women to also seek advice after discussing their issues openly and without any social stigma. Keeping this in mind, the course was started,” said Hafiz Mastan Ali, founder of the academy. He said that initially, only a handful of women enrolled for the course, but later on the numbers are now encouraging. “This year we have about 17 women who are taking the course.” Those who have passed the ‘Fazil course’ (post-graduation) offered by any Islamic seminary are eligible for the Mufti course of

one year’s duration. The academy has so far trained 355 women as muftis and the process is continuous. “A total of 1,000 questions pertaining mostly to women’s issues have been prepared and every

day we give three or four questions to the students and ask them to find answers for it along with references,” said Nazima Aziz, head of the Fatwa department at Jamiat-ul-Mominath.Students here are now, also learning how to use computers and enrolling for other vocational courses, such as tailoring, hand embroidery and craft courses. The institution also offers modern education including English language. The demand for this has come from the students themselves who are looking to get jobs after completing the courses. • Jamiat ul Mominath was set

up in 1991.• The Mufti course for women

was started about 12 years ago.

• About 2,500 girls and women study at the institution, and around 400 live in its hostels.

• The institution offers vocational training to its students as well as modern education.

(Extracted fromdeccanchronicle.com)

Laws For Women, Not Against MuslimsIt is anybody's guess as to how many ordinary Muslims understand the

spirit of the Holy Quran or its underlying principles of gender justice.

By Noorjehan Safia Niaz and Zakia Soman

The reform of personal laws is critical for Indian democracy and citizenship, but it has been neglected too long. On one hand, Muslim women are excluded educationally and socio-economically owing to government neglect, and on the other hand they suffer from the near-absence of any legal framework in matters of family, marriage, divorce, custody of children, and so on. Unlike women from other communities, Muslim women are denied their legal rights in the personal realm despite Quranic injunctions. Practices such as triple talaq and halala persist in our society despite the fact that the Quran does not sanction them.This situation has arisen because of the way that Muslim personal law is understood and practised in India. The whole arena is mired in ambiguity, obfuscation and apathy because of the long stranglehold of patriarchal elements. The Quran gave clear rights to women 1,400 years ago in marriage,

family, society and public life, but in reality there has been a persistent denial of these rights. So much so that a perception has arisen that in Islam, men have superiority over women. Within several conservative sections, the dominant belief seems to be that Muslim women must live a life of subjugation within the four walls of a home.

Rampant ViolationsThis hegemony of patriarchal forces has continued even after 1947, till date. Muslim women such as Shayara Bano and others are only calling for a halt to the rampant violations of their rights in family matters, and seeking justice. The absence of a comprehensive codified

personal law in our country has resulted in the Muslim woman suffering in matters of divorce, halala, polygamy, guardianship and custody of children, share in property, and so on. The Shariat Application Act, 1937 is silent on all these matters. It is claimed that Indian Muslims are governed by Shariat. But the Shariat as practised currently in different parts of the country is undefined and unwritten. It is subject

to multiple interpretations and misinterpretations which, more often than not, are unfair to women.Often the injunctions of the Holy Quran are violated in the

name of Shariat; the widespread incidence of triple talaq is the most common example. Unfair practices pertaining to age of marriage, mehr, divorce, alimony, child custody, property are all passed off in the name of Shariat. It is anybody's guess as to how many

ordinary Muslims understand the spirit of the Holy Quran or its underlying principles of gender justice. It is not difficult to guess as to what is the perspective and understanding of some of those men dispensing justice in Shariat courts across the country. Most times, the verdicts in family matters end up being unfairly pro-men and entirely anti-women. This can hardly be said to be based on Quranic injunctions. The Hindu community got their laws codified in 1955.

Muslim Family LawThe Christian and Parsi minority communities also have their laws codified. Over a period of time, these laws have been amended to make them more gender-just. For

various historical and political reasons, Muslim family law has remained un-codified. The first attempt was made in 1937 with the passing of the Shariat Application Act, followed by Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act in 1939. After almost four decades, the Muslim Women's Protection on Divorce Act was passed in 1986. These three pieces of legislation are clearly not enough, and have left many personal law issues unaddressed. For instance, there is no legislation on divorce, age of marriage, polygamy, custody of children, inheritance, or the mehr amount. The lack of legal protection in these matters have left the Muslim women at the mercy of community justice mechanisms, which can be regressive and patriarchal.All communities, minorities and majority, are entitled to their personal laws, a right protected by Article 25 and 26 of the Constitution. The demand for codification of Muslim law stems from this part of the Constitution. When the BMMA asks for codification, we are only asking for what other communities have, and what is mandated by the Constitution. We are only asking for legal protection, which already exists for all other communities. In this context, for the Muslims, a uniform civil code is a long way off, when we don't even have the privilege of a codified personal law. The mention of a UCC is found in the Directive Principles of the Constitution, which do not enjoy the same status as the various Articles enshrined as Fundamental Rights. In this entire debate where does the issue of UCC fit in?As a Muslim women's organisation, there are many unanswered questions that have to be addressed by all stakeholders, and not just by the Muslim community. For instance, why is the issue of UCC raised only in the context of Muslim women's legal rights? Is the code going to be made applicable only to Muslims? Have the Hindu majority or the other minority communities already expressed their approval? Even after so many decades of debate around a UCC, why haven't we seen even a single page of this elusive code? Is it not a bogey raised only to strengthen conservative positions? And why have there

been no attempts to strengthen and popularise the Special Marriage Act, which, for all practical purposes, is an optional civil code? These challenges, and several others, confront the very conceptual framework of the UCC, and it is everybody's responsibility to address them. To confine the issue and discuss it only within the Muslim context, is to do disservice to the idea of a civil code that is devoid of any reference to religion. Before we even attempt a draft UCC, the moot question is -- are all communities willing to give up

their respective religion-based family laws? If the answer is not unambiguous, then we are still far, far away from a Uniform Civil Code. In the meantime, let us allow Muslim women to have a codified personal law which will give them much needed legal protections, on par with their co-citizens.(The writers are co-founders of the Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan, which recently fought for triple talaq to be struck down by the Supreme Court)

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

The Quran gave clear rights to

women 1,400 years ago in marriage,

family, society and public life, but in reality there has been a persistent denial of these

rights.

Zakia Soman and Noorjehan Safia Niaz

ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2017 10

By Waheeduddin Ahmed

One of the greatest blessings for mankind in modern times is the Internet technology. Through it, information of any kind and on any subject is at one's fingertips. A semi-literate person can write without making spelling mistakes and even comply with grammar. Both, the erudite and the imbecile can propagate their thoughts and find audience, often captive and coerced. On the flip side however, there are great dangers lurking in the shadows in cyberspace which, if not taken care of, can destroy humanity. The biggest danger comes from the potential of spreading hatred. Never before has humanity been so vulnerable and at the disposal of destructive forces.Muslims are either unaware or unwittingly instrumental in the ritual of their own destruction. Antagonism to Islam extends widely. Muslims face tremendous odds arrayed against them. This is not to say that we are completely lacking in articulation. Our "scholars" are ever so ready to tear each other apart in sectarian and doctrinal discussions. Our best brains are busy researching the matters of dress and menstruation. The dons of sectarian divisions among Muslims have sharpened their teeth and nails to devour their opponents. These are “scholars” of internal contradictions and conflicts. What does it take to

attain that position? Ask any irate antisocial Muslim individual. He will tell you that intellectualism is “un-Islamic”. He will also tell you that everyone except he or she is going to hell.So, all an outside opponent has to do to prevail is to create avenues of divisive discourses, directly or indirectly and then watch our "scholars" reach for each other's throats, which also happens on the Internet.I am thoroughly disgusted with the verbosity I encounter on the Internet, irrespective of where it is coming from: Sunni, Barelvi, Deobandi or any other mouth. My advice to them:STOP! Your children are watching you and are disgusted with you. The future generations of Muslims may even w ant to get out of religion altogether because of you. Then they will lose the spiritual canopy and the moral shelter which are essential for solace and which humans have needed from day one.My advice to our cyber socialites is: don't respond to hate mongers in the name of religion. Turn a deaf ear to the sectarian hooligans. We should not attack other religions. We are forbidden to do so. Be balanced when you discuss Islam. Be rational; use logic (our philosophers used it to the full extent), without being a pedant.(The writer can be reached at ahmed.waheeduddin@gmail.com)

letters

Dear ReadersWe thank you immensely for your continued support and encouragement all through these years and God willing for many more years.

Your feedback is extremely important for us. We welcome your letters of appreciation or brickbats which we will take in the right spirit. Let us know which pages inspire you in Islamic Voice which, if any, you think we could improve or even do without.

We welcome your suggestions for improvement.

Please email to workmailsedit@gmail.com or you may drop a post card to The Editor, Islamic Voice,

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editoriAl

oPinion

Muslims and the InternetI am thoroughly disgusted with the verbosity I encounter on the Internet, irrespective

of where it is coming from: Sunni, Barelvi, Deobandi or any other mouth.

Thanks for the Encouragement!I was very happy to receive such a beautiful response from one of the readers of Islamic Voice (Miss Dolcy from Bengaluru ), for my story which was published in the children’s page of the paper. Thank you very much for your precious words that encourage me a lot,

and I promise to write more articles and value based stories for Islamic Voice, God willing!

Fatima Khanjk27294@gmail.com, Bhopal, (class 10 student)

Extremism can be Defeated with Sir Syed’s Vision , says AMU VC

Aligar: The Department of Shia Theology, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) in collaboration with Iran Cultural House, New Delhi recently organised an International Seminar on ‘Reason and Religion: Way to Defeat Extremism, Contribution of India and Iran in Development of Kalam-e-Jadid (with special reference to role of Sir Syed as the founder of Kalam-e-Jadid)’. Presiding over the inaugural function, AMU Vice Chancellor, Prof Tariq Mansoor said extremism can be defeated with Sir Syed’s vision of tolerance and large heartedness. “People need to be tolerant towards history and culture of all communities in the world and a special stress should be paid on education of masses,” said the Vice Chancellor. Talking about

women’s education, Professor Mansoor said that no community in the world can progress without educating their women.The Vice Chancellor further said that

AMU has started a Centre for Interfaith Understanding with Prof Syed Ali Mohammad Naqvi as the Director to foster a culture of liberal views and tolerance. He pointed out that the Centre

will be a platform for scholars of various religious faiths to come together for useful dialogues and interactions. Delivering the keynote address, Prof Majid

Maarif (Dean, Faculty of Theology, Tehran University, Iran) said that Islam regards reason as one of the greatest blessings bestowed by God on human beings. He added that it is by means of reason that we understand ourselves and the world around us. Dr Ali Dehgahi (Cultural Counsellor of Iran), who attended the function as the chief guest said that to defeat extremism we need to redouble efforts. He added that Islam aims to

build a society in peace, serenity, friendship, collaboration, altruism, justice and virtue. “We need to send across the right message of Islam to the world,” he pointed out.

(Extracted from twocircles.net)

AMU VC Prof. Tariq Manssor addressing during the International Seminar at Deptt of Shia Theology BW

Deal Cautiously with Rohingya Issue

The plight of Rohingyas has received international attention, with the junta in Myanmar going on a ‘kill, rape, burn and loot’ campaign in the Rakhine region. A huge number of Rohingya refugees have streamed across into impoverished Bangladesh, a nation itself in perpetual misery. The fresh onslaught of the Myanmar military is said to be in retaliation against attacks by the Rohingya-Arakan Salvation Front prior to August 25, when the military began its operations. Though Nobel Peace Prize winner Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi is heading the government in Naypyitaw, she is in no position to restrain the human rights abuses and forcible eviction of people from their homes by her own army. She has been in power only for the last two years after decades of house arrest and all kinds of restrictions. Even now the military occupies 25% of the parliamentary seats and retains the veto power against the decisions by the executive head. It was only after her advent into power that a Rakhine State Commission was formed to address the issues with Rohingyas, a term anathema to the ethnic Burmese. She had even agreed to issue them IDs of residency, a step short of conferring citizenship. There are similar issues with other ethnic minorities in Kachin and Shan regions of Myanmar from where dislocated people have taken shelter in China. No purpose will be served by demanding the Nobel Prize Committee in Sweden revoke the honour conferred on the lady in 2009. She has to precariously balance her position between the merciless army of her country, international pressure and the prick of her own conscience. The neighbouring nations must allow Suu Kyi’s democratic experiment to succeed and hinge hopes on her steering the country away from international isolation. Much of the brouhaha vis-a-vis atrocities against Rohingyas seems to be motivated by politics. The leaders who lost their face on the issue of arbitrary and unilateral provision of three talaqs have found a new emotive issue to remain in the limelight. One could question as to why there were no similar protests against Saudi Arabia’s brutal attack and bombardment of impoverished Yemen. Obviously, no Muslim leader or outfit has the guts and the gumption to be seen on the ‘wrong’ side of the faceless regime ruling the Saudi Kingdom. Similarly, there was hardly any murmur of protest against mass dislocation of people from Syria, a country now virtually bombed into 18th century. It is not the time for demonstration of street power on an issue whose ramifications are little understood by the Muslim masses. It is time to organize relief and see to it that sorrow and anger does not transform into violence and militancy. No wars can occur in South Asia without disastrous spillover of violence across international frontiers and protracted ethnic strife, as we learnt from the Tamil imbroglio in tiny Sri Lanka. Silent and substantial work with the focus on peace and compromise should be the objective.

ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2017 1111 issues

One-day Workshop on Inclusive Policies for MinoritiesRevisiting the Development StrategiesA one-day workshop on “Policy formulation for the Development of Minorities in

Karnataka” held on August 31 under the aegis of Centre for Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy (CSSEIP) at the National Law School of India University (NLSIU)

threw up a host of issues thwarting the development of minorities in Karnataka.

Prof. Abdul Aziz, Head of the CSSEIP, set the tone for the workshop with his presentation of the highlights of the extensive study of minority situation in the State carried out by the CSSEIP. Here are the highlights from the study: �Sex ratio among the minorities

is not favourable to women except among Christians. An imbalance can be seen in the ratio as most minority communities have lesser number of female children than male ones.

�Younger people of working age are lower among minority communities in comparison to the general Hindu population while children are somewhat more which can be interpreted as more dependant members in minority households. There is need to bring down fertility rate among Muslims and Buddhists.

�Literacy rates are comparable with the majority community, but Sikhs and Buddhists have lower literacy rates.

�Female literacy rate among Muslims is lower in comparison to general female literacy.

�Presence of minorities in higher education is lower, particularly among Muslims and most Muslim students prefer to opt for general degrees rather than professional or technical qualification which have better prospects in the job market.

�Awareness about Government welfare schemes was found to be very less among the minorities. There was need for officers to go to Hobli (village) level.

�Landlessness among the minorities in rural areas was found to be very high and even those who possessed land, the dimension was generally smaller than those owning land among the majority community.

�Minorities have disproportionately lower representation in urban jobs.

�Clubbing of certain backward communities among minorities with general BCs results in disadvantage for the

minority OBC communities as the General BCs corner the opportunities.

�Most minority individuals subsist upon self employment where gains are lower and the sector is generally unorganized.

�Low education accompanied

with poverty leads to marginalisation and poor quality of life. Most areas inhabited by Muslim and Christians suffer from lack of or inadequate civic amenities such as power, water, garbage disposal and street lights. This results in high morbidity among these sections. Poor

individuals do not avail of facilities in Government hospitals as waiting time there is more and they risk losing day’s wages.

�Issues like cow protection, ‘Love Jihad’, Ghar wapsi, terrorism leads to insecurity among the minorities.

�Generally minorities have abysmal representation in legislative bodies which leads to inadequate participation in decision-making bodies.

�Miniscule communities like Parsees and Sikh may be nominated to legislatures as they do not have adequate numbers to elect their own representatives.

�Gerrymandering of the Muslim or Christian

dominated constituencies during delimitation has made the communities incapable of translating their voting strength into legislative seats.

Prof. Babu Mathew, NLSIU: Liberalisation, privatization and Globalisation has not increased

jobs. The nation is witnessing jobless growth. The people in IT industry are also forming trade unions now as retrenchment of employees between 45 to 60 years leaves them in a quandry. Neo-liberalisation excludes 70% of rural people and 50% of urban people as is corroborated by the Food Security Act which covers 67% of rural and 50% of urban population. Prof. Khajapeer, former VC, Karnatak University, Dharwad: The low representation of Muslims in higher education in the State owes itself to the fact that most Muslim boys and girls study through Urdu medium schools (the state has nearly 5,000 Govt Urdu medium Higher Primary and High Schools). Inadequate exposure to Kannada and English breeds disinterest in education being imparted in English or Kannada at college level. Dropout happens soon after these students transit from Urdu to other medium schools which may be after 7th standard or 10th standard. The State should adopt a policy of intensive and rigorous coaching in Kannada and English as mother tongue is not helpful in corporate sector. Sociologist Sukhadeo Thorat found discrimination against Muslims and SCs at the interview level. Only 33% of Muslims were called and fake upper caste applicants were created in order to maintain the same level of call of interviews from that section. The State should adopt a policy of intensive and rigorous coaching in Kannada and English.

Maqbool Ahmed Siraj, Journalist:There is a growing realization that the Muslim society too is stratified on caste line, although the caste is known as ‘Biradri’ among Muslims. Islam may be an egalitarian religion, but when it comes to marital alliances, people

take traditional occupational category or ‘Biradri’ into consideration. Except for untouchability and exclusion from priestly class, some of the Biradries in lower hierarchy do suffer from social exclusion. It is time Dalit status is extended to Muslims as well as Christians too. As for raising level of competency of minority students in English and Kannada, the competency level of Govt Urdu School Teachers must be raised as well as tested and certified periodically. Session on Christian CommunityChristians constitute 1.9% of the State population. They are mainly concentrated in the coastal belt and in Bengaluru. Coastal Christians are converts from Billavas or Bunts. In eastern belt, the Christians are converts from Madigas, a group within SCs. The Christians in eastern belt suffer from extreme poverty and high morbidity. Number of Muslims

and Christians in denotified slums is higher. (The State is obliged to provide power and water and extend garbage disposal only in notified slums.) Though literacy level among Christians is comparable to general literacy in the State, Dalit Christians are more inflicted with illiteracy. There must be programmes to upgrade slums. Most Christians are self employed and here the returns are low. Banks provide loans only on the basis of projects and collaterals. Study shows that only 2.4% of the needy households borrowed money from the Karnataka Minorities Development Corporation (KMDC). Only 6% reported awareness about them.

Session on Jain CommunityProf. R. G. Desai in his overview of the status of Jain community in the state observed that the community’s population in the state is around 4.5 lakh. A preponderant majority of Jains belong to Digambara sect who are rural and poor. The Jain community visible in the cities of the State belongs to Pitambra sect which has migrated to the state from Rajasthan and other Hindi-speaking states. They are urban, educated and engaged in business and industry and well-off. The traditional Jain temples in Karnataka are known as Basadis. Most of them are not covered under Muzrai or Wakf departments of the Government. Jain pundits are extremely poor. Seventy per cent of Digambara community members are landless and labourers. Sixty per cent of them are concentrated in only six districts of the State. KMDC schemes have not reached them. Minorities Directorate should maintain a data bank on all the communities covered under them. Sixty seven Jain temples are covered under Muzrai Department (this department looks after the maintenance of Hindu temples in the State. They need to be put under a separate category with allocation of funds as many of them are of archaeological value. Jain community wants them to be excluded from the Muzrai department.) Since Jain population is sparse and not capable of electing a representative on its own

Minorities need to improve gender

balance as number of females

among them is generally lower than the general

Hindu population. Christian community

is however an exception.

Competency level in English as well as Kannada needs to be improved in Govt Urdu Schools

as job market requires better communication

capacity in these languages. Urdu teachers while being recruited

should be tested for their competency of English and

Kannada.

Page 20

ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2017 12communitY rounduP

Creating Social EntrepreneursThe Association of Muslim Professionals met in Mumbai recently to work out

a time-bound plan for the economic empowerment of the Muslim community.

By Zeeshan Shaikh

While a slew of efforts have been undertaken over the years for the educational upliftment of Muslims, a new initiative being planned aims at the economic upliftment of the community. Behind the initiative is a group of young Muslim professionals, who under the aegis of the Association of Muslim Professionals met in Mumbai recently to work out a time-bound plan for the economic empowerment of the Muslim community. “Over the last 20-odd years, a lot of

work has been done for the educational upliftment of the Muslim community. We feel it’s time to take the next step to ensure their economic upliftment as well. Our idea is, enchain the educated Muslims to this project whereby we can create a facilitating body to create social entrepreneurs within the community,” said Aamir Edresy, convenor of the Association of Muslim Professionals and the brain behind the project. Over the past two decades, there has been a concerted effort on the part of the Muslim community

to get itself educated. Between 2001 and 2011, the total number of graduates in India increased by 64 per cent from 3.76 crore to 6.2 crore. At the same time, the total number of Muslim graduates increased by 98.8 per cent, from 23.9 lakh to 47.52 lakh.In spite of this, Muslims remain one of the most poor and deprived sections of society. The average monthly per capita expenditure (MPCE) for Indians stands at Rs 1,128. It is, however, the lowest for Muslims at Rs 980. There is, however, a wide social disparity within the community, which also has a substantial number of successful and wealthy entrepreneurs. The group, which included senior Muslim professionals from the

corporate world, brainstormed to set an economic agenda for the community. “The community has no voice when it comes to help formulate economic policies. Our idea is to create a system whereby the community’s entrepreneurs can play some role in making themselves useful in facilitating the drafting of economic policies. We are also seeking to create an environment whereby fledgling Muslim entrepreneurs are provided both mentorship as well as economic support if required,” Edresy said. The group plans to hold meetings in this regard across the country and in the coming years wants to come up with a concrete roadmap. “We are planning to come out with a roadmap,

which we plan to submit to the government by next year on steps that can be taken to help in the economic empowerment of the community,” Edresy said. Businessman Suhail Khandwani said the initiative was to help create a sustainable network within the community to help entrepreneurs. “We are looking at creating a system which will facilitate not only business-to-business ties, but also business-to-consumer ties. The whole aim is to create an environment for social entrepreneurs who uplift the community and help in creating a better and prosperous society,” said Khandwani, CEO of Khandwani Group and who is a part of the initiative.

(Source: indianexpress.com)

Violence in the Name of Cow Vigilantism Must Stop: SC

The Supreme Court has recently said any violence in the name of cow vigilantism must stop in the country. It asked all the states to appoint a nodal officer in each district to check such violence and incidents. "If the law is in place, why can't the violence stop. Who will do it? This must stop. It is not permissible. There must be quick action. Some kind of planned action is required", a three-judge bench presided over by Chief Justice Dipak Misra said. Hearing a petition filed by Tushar Gandhi, the court asked Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Maharashtra, Haryana and Rajasthan as to why they cannot nominate a single police officer

in each district to ensure that vigilante groups do not take the law into their hands.The court posed a similar query to D K Singh, Additional Advocate General of Uttar Pradesh, who claimed that only one incident took place after "this (present) government came into power". After Mehta and Singh agreed to the suggestion, the court directed all states to appoint a nodal officer in each district for the purpose. It also asked states to nominate a police officer for highway patrol to check such violence. "If any deviance takes place, he (officer) shall take strong action in accordance with law," the bench, also comprising Justices Amitava Roy and A M Khanwilkar, said n

Support for Rohingyas

BJP Expels Muslim LeaderGuwahati: Benazeer Irfan, the BJP leader from Assam, has been suspended from the party for attending a programme organised by a Guwahati NGO, United Minority People's Forum on September 16 to support the cause of Rohingya Muslims. Benazeer had supported the Prime Minister’s plea for ban on triple divorce as she herself had been a victim of triple divorce. She told TV channels that although she had been invited for the programme, she did not attend the same. But the Assam unit of the party expelled her from the organisation citing participation in a programme without seeking permission from the party. However, Benazeer had posted her comments on Facebook in support of the Rohingyas

and against atrocities being perpetrated on them in Myanmar. Benazeer was the Muslim face of BJP in Assam and had joined

it following a triple divorce from her husband. In her reply to a query by The Economic Times, Benazeer said: I myself have suffered triple divorce in my life and had expressed solidarity with Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi on the issue. But my party has ‘divorced’ me without calling for an explanation. She said she was angry with the party's action and would take her complaint to the High Command.

The BJP has been ambivalent on the issue of Rohingyas. In an affidavit in the Supreme Court on September 18, the Union Government had described the

Rohingya migrants as illegal and dubbed them a threat to the security of the nation. It had further submitted that only legitimate citizens were eligible to reside in any part of the country and illegal migrants cannot seek protection by way of a right from the Supreme Court.(Translated from Urduwire.com)

Benazeer Irfan had been the Muslim face of BJP in Assam supporting its plea for a ban on triple

talaq. But support for the Rohingyas earned her

expulsion from the party.

that called for development and prosperity. The chairman of the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments in the UAE, Dr. Mohammed Al Kaabi, said Muslims believed cultural communication with the US should be based on the shared principles of Islam and the American constitution, which respect freedom, democracy and human rights. Secretary-General for the World Council of Religious Leaders, Dr. Bawa Jain said that the “process requires moving from a stage of accepting the other to one respecting the other”. n

US-Muslim Dialogue ...

Page 4

ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2017 1313

Nancy Dupree, Archivist of Afghanistan Heritage

Kabul: Nancy Hatch Dupree, renowned archivist of Afghan artifacts died on September 3 at the age of 89. A historian and writer, she had arrived in Afghanistan in 1962 and devoted several decades to preserve the country’s heritage which suffered damage during the war and rule by the Taliban.

Mrs. Dupree wrote five books, and more than 100 articles and pamphlets, on Afghanistan. Her legacy, which she often described as the completion of her husband’s vision, is an academic oasis: the

PeoPle Obituary

Obituary

Halima Yacob, 63, a Malay woman, former Speaker of the Parliament, was on September 14 sworn in as the President of Singapore. She will hold the largely c e r e m o n i a l office for six years. The election process however raised several eyebrows as the election department had severely constricted the nominations from private sector putting stringent condition of the candidate having a record of heading a company with paid up capital of at least Singapore dollars 370 million and a Malay. Halima was Speaker of the Parliament for three years. Walid Al-Omary, Al-Jazeera Bureau chief in Jerusalem was barred from attending a seminar about freedom of speech being held in Israel, on express instructions from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on September 6. Israel and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have asked Government of Qatar

to close down the Al-Jazeera, the only independent media in the GCC region. In July, Netanyahu announced plans to expel Al-Jazeera after accusing it of incitement. Israel had also announced it would withdraw accreditation of one of the broadcaster’s journalists, Elias Karam, but he has since been given a six-month reprieve. Dara Khosrowshahi, an Iranian-American businessman was appointed the CEO of Uber, the multinational cab company

on August 28. Te h r a n - b o r n , Dara and his family had migrated to the United States a little before the Iranian Revolution that

threw out the American puppet Shah Mohammad Raza Shah Pehlvi. His family owned Alborz Investment company which ran several industries in Iran. Dara graduated from Brown University in 1991 and began his career from Allen & Company. Before joining the Uber, he headed the Expedia, the American travel company which also owns TripAdvisor, Hotels.com etc. He married Sydney Shapiro in 2012.

Mufti Ashraf Ali

Bengaluru: Maulana Mufti Ashraf Ali, 77, muhtamim of the Darul Uloom Sabeelur Rashad passed away on September 9 in Bengaluru after brief hospitalization. He was 77. He was buried the next day in the campus burial yard besides his father Sheikh Abu Sawood Ahmed, the founder of the madrassa. Mufti Ashraf Ali was founding member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board and general secretary of the Milli Council.Hundreds of his disciples are carrying on duties as imams, khateebs and mudarris (teachers) in mosques of Karnataka. They attach ‘Rashadi’ as a suffix, denoting their association with the Darul Uloom as is the convention with several madrassas.

A stylish writer in Urdu, Mufti Ashraf Ali though did not author any books, wrote scores of articles which have been compiled in two volumes titled ‘Auj e Ashraf’ by Maulana Maqsood Imran of the City

Jama Masjid. It was to be formally launched on September 16 in Bengaluru. He also edited Persian classics such as Pandnamah, Guftagunamah, Chehal Sabaq which have been published from Al-Musahif Publications, Bengaluru.His son Mohammad Muaz Rashadi was appointed the new muhtamim by the advisory council of the Darul Uloom Sabeelur Rashad which met after his funeral was over.

Qamarul IslamQamarul Islam, MLA representing North Gulbarga and former minister of Karnataka died in Bengaluru on September 18 after being hospitalized for a few days. He was 69.Qamarul Islam was first elected to the Karnataka Assembly in 1978 on Muslim League ticket. He was subsequently elected five times from the seat on Congress ticket. He joined Janata Dal for a brief period and was elected from Gulbarga seat for the Lok Sabha for the 1996-98 term. However, he quit Janata Dal thereafter and rejoined Congress Party. He was inducted into the state cabinet by Mr. S. M. Krishna for the first time. He again served as a cabinet minister under Mr. Siddramiah but was dropped in 2016. He resented it and there were rumours of his intention to leave the party. However, he was assigned the secretary ship in the All India Congress Committee and was put in-charge of affairs of the party in Kerala which he visited a little before his death. Qamarul Islam was born in 1948 in a family which had come down from Gujarat and settled in Gulbarga. His first victory in election was stunning

as he contested on Muslim League and trounced a veteran Congressman, Mohammad Ali who was transport minister under Chief Minister Devaraj Urs. This led to the Muslim League fielding 18 candidates in the 1982 elections in the State, resulting in defeat

of several Congress candidates in the Assembly election from Muslim dominated seats and advent of the first Janata Party (later rechristened Janata Dal) government headed by Mr. Ramakrishna Hegde.Qamarul Islam had earned a degree in engineering and was an avid sportsman. He set up Kallerawan Charitable Trust and an engineering college, a pharmacy college and a teachers training college under it in Gulbarga. Several of his siblings ran a string of educational institutions in the city. Since he had no offspring, he adopted a boy Faraz ul Islam. He was buried in Gulbarga on September 19 after a funeral attended by thousands of mourners.

Sultan Ahmed

Kolkata: Trinamool Congress MP Sultan Ahmed died on September 4 after suffering a cardiac arrest. He was 64. Ahmed

was elected to the 15th Lok Sabha from Uluberia (Lok Sabha constituency) on a Trinamool Congress ticket. He also served as the Union Minister of State for Tourism in the Manmohan Singh government. Ahmed had been a two-time Congress MLA from Entally (1987–91 and 1996–2001) before joining Trinamool Congress.

He was associated with several educational and community welfare organizations.

Afghanistan Center, a state-of-the-art research hub that houses more than 100,000 items of primary and secondary sources. Nancy Hatch was born in 1927 in New York state and grew up in Kerala (formerly Travancore state) where her parents were advisors to the Maharaja of Travancore on

development affairs. She moved to Kabul (then known as Paris of the East) in 1962 where she met Louis diplomat who was actually working for the CIA, who later became her second husband. She was intensely pained at the blasting of statues of Buddha in Bamiyan during the reign of Taliban. She travelled between Peshawar and Kabul during those tumultuous years of Soviet invasion and Taliban rule and came back to settle there. She set up the Society for the Preservation of Afghanistan’s cultural Heritage which was later converted into the Afghanistan Centre at Kabul University. Here she

stored and preserved nearly one lakh items of Afghanistan’s heritage. Her husband died in 1989 and his ashes were buried at Bagh e Bala. Mrs. Dupree too was laid to rest by his side.

Collection: Dupree examines a photo taken by National Geographic photographer Steve McCurry at the

Afghanistan Center at Kabul University

More News of People, Tidbits and Upcoming Events on Page No. 14

ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2017 14

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Jamia Ranked 801 on Times ListJamia Millia Islamia has for the first time made it to the prestigious Times Higher Education (THE) World University Ranking 2018. The university has been ranked 801-1000 this year, out of 1102 institutions worldwide. Teaching was found to be the strongest pillar while making the assessment for JMI. The World University Rankings are generated from five pillars, each of which represents a key area of higher education excellence: teaching, research, citations, industry income and international

uPcominG events

tidbits

Mumbai: The Centre for Study of Society and Secularism based in Mumbai is organising a two-day international conference titled ‘Sufism and Social Harmony’, in Mumbai on the 22nd and 23rd February 2018. The main purpose of the conference is to introduce scholars, journalists, activists, students and interested lay persons to this great tradition which has been largely sidelined and ignored.

National Seminar in Jodhpur

A two-day national seminar on “Towards Equality, Justice and

outlook. These are constituted of 13 metrics each. Among the 42 institutions from India, the 2018 The World University Ranking has placed JMI at 18th rank.

Global Peace Festival

On September 18, a global peace festival celebrating the 3rd Annual Commemoration of the World Alliance of Religions' Peace (WARP) Summit was held at Hwaseong Sports Complex in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. Over 200,000 people in 30 countries including USA, South Africa, United Kingdom, China, and the Philippines participated in the summit.

PeoPle

Mohammed TasleemuddinA grassroots man, he was elected from various constituencies and earned

the sobriquet ‘Seemanchal Gandhi’ in Bihar.

Mohammed Tasleemuddin, RJD member of Parliament representing Araria in Bihar died in a private hospital in Chennai on September 17. He was attending a Parliamentary Committee meeting in Chennai last month when he developed breathing problem and was admitted there. He was elected to the Bihar Assembly and the Lok Sabha from various constituencies in Araria, Kishenganj and Purnea in north-eastern parts of Bihar. His legislative career spanned over almost five decades. He was 74. He was born in Sisauna village of Jokihat tahsil of Bihar in a farm labourer’s family and began his

political career as Sarpanch of the Jokihat Gram Panchayat. He was first elected to the Bihar Assembly in 1969 on a Congress ticket. He represented various Lok Sabha

constituencies in 1989, 1996, 1998, 2004 and 2014. He was appointed the Minister of State for Home in Prime Minister Mr. Devegowda's cabinet when Janata Dal was the dominant partner

of the coalition. He had earned the sobriquet ‘Seemanchal Gandhi’ due to his affectionate association with people of the region for whom he was a sentinel of courage, dedication and constant struggle. He had constantly raised issues of backwardness of the region at various legislative forums. Away from corruption and

extremely dedicated to the cause of the poor, Tasleemuddin did not believe in having an aura around himself and would reach out to the suffering masses and the aggrieved people at a time they wanted him most. He leaves behind three sons and two daughters. His death was widely condoled in Bihar and Delhi. n

Raymond Zondo and Suleman Bux How an act of kindness by a Muslim, helped a man

to become a top jurist In South Africa.An Indian-origin Muslim shopkeeper in South Africa became an overnight sensation after the new Deputy Chief Justice of the country recalled his generosity over four decades ago when he was looking for a loan to fund his studies. Suleman Bux, 76, who at that time ran a small general store in Ixopo town, had forgotten about the young man with whom he had struck a deal to be a good student by giving him groceries for his family so that they could save what they would have spent on this for his studies. Judge Raymond Zondo, 57, who has been recently appointed as the Deputy Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court, recalled how he had sceptically approached Bux when he started his studies in 1981, unsure of whether he or anyone else would give a loan to a 20-year-old man. Zondo approached Bux, who helped him with groceries for his family. Zondo's emotional video at his

installation to the second highest judicial post in the country recently went viral as he recalled Bux's influence on his life, expressing a desire to meet him again after the fasting month of Ramadan was over. Zondo met with Bux and his extended family to thank him personally. Bux shrugged off the

huge media attention. After he began earning, Zondo tried to repay Bux, but the shopkeeper, who is still running a wholesale store, told Zondo to rather finance some other young students. "I helped him because it was the right thing to do. As a Muslim, helping others is important, but you do it because you want to, not because you want recognition and for everyone to know," Bux added. n

contribution to the economy is significant and is further growing, given the short period of time since women entered the labor market, he added. The number of private-sector Saudi female employees registered at the General Organization for Social Insurance (GOSI) reached 496,800 by the end of the third quarter of 2016. This marks a 144.62 percent increase from the 203,088 jobs that were occupied by women at the end of 2012. The government plans to increase the number of women in the workforce from 23 percent to 28 percent, and decrease the unemployment rate to 9 percent by 2020.

(Extracted from arabnews.com)

Jobs in Saudi ...Page 8

Fraternity in Contemporary India - Creating a Better Tomorrow through Islamic Studies” will be held on October 20-21, 2017, at Maulana Azad University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan. The Institute of Objective Studies, New Delhi, is organising the seminar in collaboration with Maulana Azad University, Jodhpur.

ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2017 1515 book revieW

muslims & educAtion

An Honest Mirror for Muslims

Sanjiv Bhatla’s book “Islam is Good, Muslims Should Follow It!!” serves as a very necessary

reminder to get back to basics and to understand the Quran and Prophetic wisdom in their true spirit, which will help present-day Muslims

tackle the troubles and tribulations in which they are trapped today.

Islam is Good, Muslims Should Follow It!!Author: Sanjiv BhatlaPublisher: Crabwise Press, Email: admin@crabwisepress.comPages: 330Year: 2017Price: Rs 395

Reviewed by Nigar

Stepping gingerly into my office after a heavy spell of rain the other day, I quietly surveyed the damage that the downpour had done to the files, papers, tables and chairs! I felt sad, I must confess. As my chattering mind went on and on about this and that, a little neat packet arrived by post. Lo and behold! It was a book with a fascinating title: “Islam is Good, Muslims Should Follow It!!” (the

exclamation marks added to the mystery!) The book’s cover, in soft, pastel-shades, made it seem even more intriguing.“Islam is Good, Muslims Should Follow It!” serves as a very necessary reminder to Muslims to understand and follow the Quran and Prophetic wisdom in their true spirit, which will help them tackle the many troubles and tribulations in which they are trapped today. Author Sanjiv Bhatla, who lives in a small town near Mumbai, was born in 1953 in Mathura,

and graduated in Electrical Engineering from I.I.T Kanpur in 1975. He quit his profession early to pursue a career in writing. So far, he has published two novels and four books of poems. His novel, Injustice was long listed for The Man Asian Literary Prize 2007. Bhatla founded Poetry Chronicle in 1989 and edited it for four years until 1993. Based on intensive research, one core message that this book conveys is that one needs to make a clear distinction between Islam, on the one hand, and Muslims, on the other. Bhatla highlights many of the virtues of Islam, such as compassion, kindness, the dignity of women, and social equality, and at the same time, critiques Muslims for not practising these as they should, and for grossly misinterpreting the teachings of their faith. He provides readers with many precious nuggets of wisdom, from the Quran and the life of Prophet Muhammad, that

serve as valuable eye-openers. In the context of the contrast between Islamic teachings, on the one hand, and Muslim practice, on the other, which has resulted in Islam being invoked for purposes and projects that clearly violate Islamic teachings (and these are so common that they require no elaboration), Bhatla has a useful suggestion for Muslims to consider. He suggests that when

faced with an issue, Muslims must deeply reflect on what the Prophet Muhammad would have done in the situation they are faced with, if he were with us at this moment. “Along with the guidance of the Quran and Prophet Muhammad’s Sunnah, today’s Islamic jurists should ask this question to themselves while dealing with a case in hand”, he writes. “If they can evoke the Prophet’s spirit of kindness and fair play, their judgments would match with the best in the world.”“It stands to reason”, Bhatla further explains, “that if Islamic jurists had set the example of kindness and compassion as advocated by Islam, and additionally of tolerance and open mindedness as displayed by Prophet Muhammad himself, then a common Muslim too would have cultivated these qualities in his day-to-day conduct.” “As things

stand”, Bhatla notes, “because of the Islamic jurists’ rigidity, a common Muslim walks around with a halo of intolerance hanging over his head. It surely puts him

in a bad light in comparison to people from other faiths.” “To love a religion is one thing,” Bhatla rightly explains in his concluding chapter, but “to be haughty about it is another. Muslims by and large do not seem to understand the difference.” “We only have to look around to see how Islam has been sullied

by none other than its own aficionados, the modern day Muslims”, he continues. “And they alone can amend their ways to restore the glory and respect that Islam truly deserves”.(For those like me, who might hear of the word “aficionado” for the first time, DICTIONARY.COM informs us, it means " an ardent devotee; fan, enthusiast”) A true friend is not someone who will incessantly praise you. Rather, he or she is someone who will not hesitate to show you a mirror so that you can spot your flaws and set about remedying them for your own good. Sanjiv Bhatla’s book is a gift of that sort of very necessary mirror to Muslims so that they wake up, realize where they have gone wrong, understand the beautiful wisdom of the Quran and the true message embodied in the life of Prophet Muhammad in their true spirit, and implement it practically, so that they can lead peaceful, truly spiritual lives and spread peace and spirituality around to others, too. While some readers may not agree with everything that the book says, several of its basic arguments are very useful and offer a refreshing perspective on Islam and Muslims.(Sanjiv Bhatla’s book is available on https://www.amazon.in/Islam-good-Muslims-should-follow/dp/8191077795) www.amazon.in

A true friend is not someone who will incessantly praise you. Rather, he or

she is someone who will not hesitate to show you a mirror

so that you can spot your flaws and set about remedying

them for your own good. Sanjiv Bhatla’s book is a gift of that sort of very necessary

mirror to Muslims so that they wake up, realize where they have gone wrong.

There are some precious nuggets here that serve

as valuable eye-openers.

American Students at BET CollegeBengaluru: Eighteen girl students from Gustavus Adolphus College and Concordia College, Minnesota (United States) visited the BET Degree College for Women here on September 13. Journalist Mr. Maqbool Ahmed Siraj spoke to them about advent of Islam in India, interaction with Indian culture, emergence of composite culture and changing dimension of Muslim existence in Independent India following partition of the subcontinent. The students are here on a study

trip to India for a semester and are being hosted by the NGO Visthar.They also interacted with the girls from the BET college.

Madrassa ModernisationRs. 8.72 Cr. Sanctioned to

98 InstitutionsBengaluru: The Directorate of Minorities has released a one-time grant of Rs. 8.72 crore to 98 madrassas in Karnataka. In its notification dated September 17, Director Mr. Akram Pasha said the one-time grant is being sanctioned for providing modern, formal and computer education to the students in these madrassas. The list has 21 madrassas from Vijayapura (formerly Bijapur), 18 madrassas located in Bengaluru, 12 in Yadgir districts, 11 in

Coorg district, eight in Haveri district, nine in Bidar, seven in Dakshin Kannada district, three in Koppal district, two each in Uttara Kannada, Dharwad and Kalaburgi districts and one each in Tumakuru and Shivamogga district. n

They will be visiting Gulbarga for a week to understand the Sufi strand of Islam and to interact with various other communities in North Karnataka region. n

ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2017 16book revieW

Our Ecological Sins

The horrific state of the environment stems at root from our ignoring the fact that this

creation is God’s and that we must relate with it as God wants us to.All Creation Groans With Pain

Author: Thomas MenamparampilPublished by: St. Pauls, MumbaiPages: 120

Reviewed by Yoginder S. Sikand

All creation groans with pain, says the Bible (Romans 8:22), and, as this book reminds us, this is quite literally true because of the environmental crisis of global proportions that human greed has engendered. Our notions of ‘progress’, based on unlimited economic ‘growth’, this book reminds us, are playing havoc with the state of the planet. Endless ConsumptionThe ecological crisis necessitates a complete revision of how

we understand the purpose of human life, Menamparampil suggests. Life isn’t about endless consumption, about owning and using things. Each time we consume something—even if just a sheet of paper—it is a reduction of the earth’s resources, and a worldview premised on the notion that ‘success’ is all about maximizing consumption is, therefore, guaranteed to result in environmental disaster. Menamparampil calls the assault on God’s creation by human greed as ‘ecological sin’, and also speaks of human beings practice of ‘apartheid’ against other species. Ignoring the fact that the earth is God’s, and not ours, human beings think they can do what they like

with it, which, the book tells us, has led to the present ecological crisis and could also lead to the end of the human race. Arrogance of Human BeingsThe root of the current crisis is our forgetting who we are—creatures of God—which has resulted in forgetting that it is God, and not we humans, who owns the world. The horrific state of the environment stems at root from our ignoring the fact that this creation is God’s and that we must relate with it as God wants us to. The disaster humankind faces is a natural result of this arrogance of human beings, who have sought to divinise the ‘Market’, resulting in, Menamparampil says, our converting the global market economy as a ‘new form of god’, or ‘the idol of our times’. In place of ‘conquering’ nature—which is what the materialist worldview goads us to do—we need to relate with nature in a nurturing fashion as befits our status as God’s trustees on earth. ‘Today’, Menamparampil writes, ‘there is a call to bring this cerebral, scrutinizing, exploitative and patriarchal era to an end’, giving ‘attention to cooperation with nature’ and promoting a ‘dynamic balance among living creatures’. Menamparampil believes that the human greed that is creating

havoc with the environment and with non-human species must be brought to the scrutiny of religious ethics and morality. It is ‘rejection of religion’, he says, ‘that maybe the case of human alienation from the earth.’ God expresses Himself in and through nature, Menamparampil relates, reminding us that only a spiritual solution, based on an alternate worldview, can overturn the ecological crisis that we face. Reminding us that ‘the physical power of science is

absolutely destructive if it is not controlled by spiritual strength’, Menamparampil provides readers with valuable insights into the ecological wisdom of various religious traditions that can provide the basis for a sane approach to the man-ecology interface. We read about Christian monks who sought out the wilderness in order to encounter God, of Francis of Assisi, who felt everything in creation was related to him in a personal way (as ‘sister’ water, ‘mother’ earth, brother sun, and so on), and of the Eastern Christian tradition that considered rocks and weeds as ‘voiceless theologians’. We also learn about the respect for nature in Islamic, Hindu and Buddhist traditions. An Environmental CrisisNothing less than a transformation of our worldview, of our understanding of the purpose of human life, can do anything substantial to alleviate the ecological crises that we are confronted with, this book tells us.

If at root the environmental crisis is a product of a certain worldview, premised on materialism, the

solution is an alternate worldview, one based on God-consciousness. It is only through awareness of the Creator—God—and of the fact that this world is God’s, not ours—can we develop a truly respectful attitude towards nature

and other species. A spiritual transformation is thus the only way out of the ecological crisis and for extricating us out of the morass of soul-numbing materialism in which we are drowning. Mere tinkering around with things, such as by trying to promote less polluting technologies or growing more trees or inventing battery-powered cars—standard responses to the ecological crisis—won’t make any real difference. Only going back to God and seeking to live life as God wants us to can do that. The minimalist lifestyle stressed by many religious traditions and the consciousness of accountability to God for one’s actions (including for every act of consumption) in the Hereafter can alone one bring man to cut down on his seemingly unstoppable greed for ownership and consumption of material things that underlies the global ecological crisis. n

Mere tinkering around with

things, such as by trying to promote

less polluting technologies or

growing more trees or inventing battery-

powered cars—standard responses

to the ecological crisis—won’t make any real difference. Only going back to God and seeking to live life as God wants us to can do

that.

The author reminds us that only a

spiritual solution, based on an

alternate world view, can overturn the ecological crisis

that we face.

ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2017 1717

it is written that Muslims must "speak in a most kindly manner (unto those who do not share [your] beliefs)." There is also no way a Muslim can force others to believe in Islam, as the Quran (2:256) mentions that "there is no compulsion in religion." The

"jihad" in these contexts is one in which Muslims have to work on treating non-Muslims with respect and dignity.The Christian "jihad" also requires that Christians do not retaliate "evil for evil." Romans (12:17) demands that Christians "live at peace with everyone." People who call themselves Christians, yet call for the demise of Islam and anything related to Muslims, should heed to the demand of this verse and search for ways to build bridges for peace instead of fanning the flames of hatred and bigotry. In a similar way, Muslims who call for violent "jihad" should remember that the Quran (4:9) asks Muslims to leave others alone if they leave Muslims alone: " refrain from fighting... and offer [them] peace, then God gives you no way to go against them."The Christian "jihad" can be explored further in the wisdom left by Jesus' disciples. Peter, for example, is considered "the rock" of Jesus' church because he spoke about the struggle to maintain the Christian faith at all costs. In 2 Peter (3:14), he stated "... make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with [Jesus]." In this verse, Peter is highlighting one of the ultimate aims of Christianity -- avoid wrongdoing and own sins. A true Christian such as Peter cared more for fixing his own transgressions rather than attacking others for their sins. He encouraged Christians to struggle with overcoming their personal dilemmas first before bickering and complaining over the errors of others. In essence, he believed progress is rooted in the individuals' ability to change their

essAY

Indeed, few religions in the world place so much emphasis on knowledge as

Islam. "Knowledge" is mentioned more

than 700 times in the Quran.

Craig Considine on Some Shared Ground between Islam & ChristianityChristians and Muslims share an obligation to seek out knowledge and apply that

knowledge in good faith for the betterment of humanity.

By Dr. Craig Considine

Politicians and anti-Muslim activists frequently take to audiences and websites to criticize the term "jihad" as a form of Islamic supremacism, oppression, and violence. Muslim extremists, on the other hand, argue that "jihad" refers to a "holy war" against non-Muslims. Viewing the term "jihad" though these frameworks alone, however, would be playing into the hands of extremists who forego the other elements encompassed by the term "jihad."In Islam, "jihad" has several different components, which include personal struggles, such as the struggle against an addiction; social struggles, such as the struggle to become tolerant of others; and occasionally a military struggle, if and when necessary in self-defense. When asked, "What is the major jihad?" Prophet Muhammad replied: "The jihad of the self (struggle against the personal self)." Contrary to the rhetoric and misinformation about "jihad" in anti-Islam networks, Muhammad did not say that the violent struggle was the most important form of "jihad."

Common Characteristics of "jihad"The hype in America and abroad over "jihad" has brought me to consider the term through a Christian perspective. In this piece I seek to do two things—explore how forms of "jihad" are present in Christianity and pinpoint different ways of looking at "jihad" in Christian and Islamic texts. Doing so can help find common characteristics of "jihad" so that Christians and Muslims can build bridges of mutual understanding and tolerance.Although the term "jihad" is not literally used in Christian scripture, the idea of struggling is at the very heart of Christianity. There are a number of instances in the New Testament which provide guidance for Christians who are struggling with different problems or dilemmas in their lives.

Struggle against the DesireOne major aspect of the Christian "jihad" is the practice of non-violence. When the Roman soldiers arrested Jesus and brought him to Pontius Pilate, the man who contributed to Jesus' crucifixion, Jesus said: "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my [disciples] would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place" (John 18: 35-36). Violence, therefore, is antithetical to Jesus' teachings. He did not require his followers to take up arms to show commitment to his teachings. Indeed, it was quite the opposite. In Matthew (26:53), Jesus told his followers that "... for all who take the sword will perish by the sword." Jesus, as you can see, encouraged his disciples to struggle against the desire to use force when frustrated or antagonized.Similarly, the Islamic holy scripture also encourages Muslims to struggle against the use of violence. The Quran (5:32), for example, notes that ".... If anyone slew a person unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land it would be as if he slew the whole humanity: and if anyone saved a life it would be as if he saved the life of the whole humanity." In another Quranic (2:190) passage, Muslims are told to "fight in the case of God those who start fighting you, but do not transgress limits (or start the attack); for God loveth not transgressors." It is clear that these two passages echo the Christian "jihad" of struggling in the name of non-violence.Another element of the Christian "jihad" is to show love for those around you. Jesus wants Christians to "love your neighbor" and even beyond that, "love your enemies," a point which arises in Luke (6:27). In Matthew (5:9), it is written that peacemakers are blessed, "for they will be called sons of God." The New Testament demands that Christians struggle in the fight for peace, even if it means embracing your sworn enemies and those who wish to harm you.

Speak Well of OthersThe Quran also requires that Muslims search for ways of making peace instead of war. Muslims, for example, are required to speak well of others even if they are not believers of Islam. In the Quran (17:53-54),

attitude and behavior in struggling to adhere to the teachings of Jesus.In addition to Peter, Paul of Tarsus, another disciple of Jesus, also embraced the Christian "jihad." Paul made "every effort to do what leads to peace" (Romans 14:19). In Timothy 6:12, he encouraged Christians to "Fight the good fight of the faith," which can be interpreted as spreading peace and love in the spirit of Jesus. In addition, in 2 Timothy (4:7), Paul stated, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race. I have kept the faith." There is an inherent non-violent tone in these statements. Never did he ask Christians to take up the sword or use violence as a means of showing faith in Jesus.

Quran's Frequent Emphasis on "ilm"Moreover, in 2 Peter 1:5-7, Peter stated that a Christian must "make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control' and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance; godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love." Peter's emphasis on doing good and searching for knowledge mirrors the Quran's frequent emphasis on "ilm," which means "knowledge" in Arabic. Indeed, few religions in the world place so much emphasis on knowledge as Islam. "Knowledge" is mentioned more than 700 times in the Quran.In the Quran (58:11), God raises

in rank "... those who have been given knowledge." Muhammad also emphasized knowledge in a hadith, or saying of the Prophet, in which he said that "Seeking knowledge is a must for every Muslim, male or female, from cradle to grave in any part of the world." Muhammad also stated in another hadith that "the ink of the scholar is more sacred than the blood of the martyr." Christians and Muslims, therefore, share a similar "jihad" in terms of their obligation to seek out knowledge and apply that knowledge in good faith for the betterment of humanity.Jesus, like Muhammad, taught his disciples and future believers that struggling is a fundamental element of the Christian faith. He told his disciples to "strive to enter in at the narrow gate...", which mirrors the popular Muslim notion of staying on the "straight path" and maintaining dedication to practising Islam to the best of one’s ability. Ultimately, Christians and Muslims are guided by their scripture to persevere in the face of their struggles. They are encouraged to struggle in this life, to maintain belief in God, in exchange for a higher reward when this life inevitably ends.In essence, Christians and Muslims share a similar "jihad." This "jihad" is one of nonviolence, the love of humanity, the perfection of the soul, and the search for knowledge.(Craig Considine is a US-based Sociologist, Speaker & Writer)

ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2017 18muslim PersPectives

soul tAlk

Islam and PluralismThe fact and value of religious and legal pluralism has not been recognized,

or accepted, by many Muslims, especially Muslim rulers.

By Asghar Ali Engineer

Listening carefully to what God tells us in the holy Qur’an, we can easily make the case that, fundamentally and clearly, Islam not only accepts the legitimacy of religious pluralism, but considers it central to its system of beliefs. There are numerous Qur’anic statements that are unambiguous. Verse 5:48 is one of the most lucid:Unto every one of you We have provided a (different) law and way of life. And if Allah had so willed, He could surely have made you all one single community: but (He willed it otherwise) in order to test you by means of what He has given you. Vie, then, with one another in doing good works! Unto Allah you all must return; and then He will make you truly understand all that on which you were wont to differ.

An Open RoadThis seminar affirmation of the fact and value of religious and legal pluralism has not been

recognized, or accepted, by many Muslims, especially Muslim rulers. Yet commentaries on this verse, by both classical and modern scholars, abound. In the context of this essay’s theme, the most significant and operative words are: “Unto every one of you have We appointed a (different) law and way of life.” The phrase “every one of you” obviously denotes different communities. Every community—that is, religious or religio-cultural community—has its own law (shir‘atan) and its own way of life (minhaj); thus, every community realizes its spiritual growth in keeping with its own law and way of life. The term shir‘ah or shari‘ah signifies, literally, “the way to a watering place” from which humans and animals derive the element indispensable to their life); so in the Qur’an, this word denotes a system of law necessary for a community’s social and spiritual welfare. The term minhaj, on the other hand, denotes an “open road,” that is, a way of life.

So it is clear that Allah sent prophets to different communities (ummah), and these prophets proposed laws and ways of life that corresponded to the people’s genius and promoted their spiritual and material growth. This is further emphasized in

the next part of the verse: “And if Allah had so willed, He could surely have made you all one single community.” It was not difficult for Allah to fashion all

of humankind into one single community. But Allah graced us with pluralism in order to add richness and variety to life. Each community has its own unique way of life, its own customs and traditions, its own law. These laws or ways of life, in all their splendid diversity, are given to ensure the growth and enriching of life. Allah does not want to impose one law on all; Allah creates communities rather than community.

Diversity of ScripturesBut there is a further purpose to the plurality of communities that Allah has brought forth. The diversity of scriptures and laws/ways of life is also meant to try and test human beings by calling them to use this diversity as building blocks for peace and harmony among all communities. Diversity, according to the will of Allah, is not meant to bring about the clash of civilizations, but rather the cooperation and enrichment of civilizations. Allah creates diversity so that

humans can live with and learn from their differences—and vie with one another in good deeds!In the last part of the verse, Allah says that unto Him all will return and it is He who “will make you truly understand all that on which you were wont to differ.” So it is not for human beings to decide for themselves who is right and who is wrong. This will only lead to conflicts and the breaching of peace. Better, therefore, to leave it to Allah to make such final determinations when all humanity will “return unto Him.” In promoting such an idea, the Qur’an is, I believe, a pioneer. Here we have a practical way to do away with interreligious and intercultural conflict and to promote the acceptance of the religious and cultural other with dignity and grace.(Source: Extracted from Asghar Ali Engineer’s essay ‘Islam and Pluralism’, in Paul F. Knitter (ed.) The Myth of Religious Superiority, Orbis Books, Maryknoll, USA, 2005)

Allah sent prophets to different

communities (ummah), and these prophets

proposed laws and ways of life that corresponded to

the people’s genius and promoted their

spiritual and material growth.

Words of WisdomBy Hazrath Inayath Khan

Seek the Good in ManThose people who glorify God for His beauty, should see the beauty of God in all His creatures. It is of no use to praise God for His beauty, and then to criticize and find faults in His creation. For one's life to be prayerful, one must always seek the good in man. Even the worst man has a good spot, and this should be sought and not the bad points. We can learn virtue even from the greatest sinner, if we consider him as a teacher. There is a tradition that Moses asked Satan to tell him the secret of life. In Communion with GodThere are many virtues, but there is one principal virtue. Every moment passed outside the presence of God is sin, and every moment in His presence is virtue. The whole object of the Sufi, after learning this way of communicating is to arrive at a stage where every moment of our life passes in communion with God, and where our every action is done as if God were before us. Is

that within everyone's reach? We are meant to be so. Just think of a person who is in love: when he

eats or drinks, whatever he does, the image of the beloved is there. In the same way, when the love of God has come, it is natural to think of God in everything we do. n

The Real Disarmament

“Politicians and world leaders are trying their best to achieve arms control and so forth, and this is very useful. At the same time, we who have certain beliefs have a duty and responsibility to control our own bad thoughts. This is the real disarmament, our own arms control. With inner peace

and full control of bad thoughts, external control is not particularly significant. Without inner control, no matter what steps are taken, external efforts will not make much difference.”(Source: The Dalai Lama, in Paul J. Griffiths (ed.) Christianity Through Non-Christian Eyes)

The Paradoxical CommandmentsPeople are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.Love them anyway.If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.Do good anyway.If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.Succeed anyway.The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.Do good anyway.Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.Be honest and frank anyway.The biggest men and women

with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.Think big anyway.What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.Build anyway.People really need help, but may attack you if you do help them.Help people anyway.Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.Give the world the best you have anyway.(Contributed by Fatima Khan, Class 10th Student, Bhopal)

ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2017 1919 livinG islAm

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The art of anger management is the art of converting your anger into forgiveness. You

have to be able to respond positively even in negative

situations.

Islam Requires PositivityTo utter the phrase Alhamdulillah! in a spirit of thrill, you have to forget about all

negativity, you have to be free of all hate and revenge. Once, a Companion of the Prophet asked him: “O Prophet, give me a master advice by which I may be able to manage all the affairs of my life.” And the Prophet replied: “Don’t be angry.”

By Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

The root word of the term Islam is silm, which means peace. Islam, correctly understood, is a religion of peace. In Islam, one name of God Almighty is As-Salam, which means Peace. So, God Himself is peace and is the source of peace. In the Quran, Paradise is called Dar us-Salam or the home of peace (10:25). In the Quran, the Prophet of Islam is referred to as rahmatunlil-alamin, meaning ‘a mercy to all mankind’ (21:107).So, this is the real picture of Islam.I think that peace is the summumbonum, the greatest good, because peace has no limit. We all say that we want peace. We never say that we want ‘limited peace’, because peace has no limit. Peace is indispensable for every sort of progress. Without peace, you can’t do anything properly, not even walk on a street

with peace of mind. All positive activities will come to a halt if there is no peace. Whether it be in religion or in secular affairs, in every sphere of life peace is essential for progress. That is why it is the summumbonum.All the verses of the Quran have a connotation of peace, either directly or indirectly. For instance, the Quran says as-sulhkhayr, “reconciliation is best” (4:128). It means peace is best. From this teaching, some Sufis adopted the formula of sulh-e kul, which means peace with all.The very first verse in the Quran has a connotation of peace. It says: Alhamdu lillahi Rabbil Alameen, which means “All praise is due to God, the Lord of the Universe.” (1:2) here, praising God means giving thanks to Him and acknowledging Him. When you realize that God has created you, that He has created every single thing in the universe, you feel a certain thrill. You feel that God is so very great! You are amazed thinking of the many blessings He has blessed you with, and so you want to acknowledge this by praising Him. You express this acknowledgement by saying Alhamdulillah (praise be to God!).

Now, you can truly be thankful to God for His blessings in this way only when you are at peace, only when your mind is filled with positivity. Unless your mind is free from agitation, from conflict, from negativity, you cannot truly praise God in this way. If you are living in hate and violence,

you cannot say Alhamdulillah! Or maybe you could do it only as a matter of lip-service, but not from the heart. To utter the phrase Alhamdulillah! in a spirit of thrill, you have to forget about all negativity, you have to be free of all hate and revenge.‘Alhamdulillah’ requires positivity. It requires a positive mind. It requires a positive personality. So, in such a situation, terrorism has no place in Islam. Violence and hate have no place in Islam. Islam requires positivity.

Once, a Companion of the Prophet asked him: “O Prophet, give me a master advice by which I may be able to manage all the affairs of my life.” And the Prophet replied: “Don’t be angry.”‘Don’t be angry’ means don’t be angry even when provoked.

Anger is a reaction to provocation. Without provocation, there is no anger. So, what the Prophet was teaching was that even if you are provoked, you have to try to live without anger.Since human beings are compelled to face negativity and provocation every now and then, how can they live without anger? For that, you have to learn the art of anger management. And the art of anger management is the art of converting your anger into forgiveness. You have to be able to respond positively even in negative situations. Then only can you can live without anger.Alhamdulillah is the gist of all the teachings of Islam, of all the

forms of worship in Islam. The greatest experience for us is that we are receiving great blessings from God at every moment. God supplies us with sunlight, without which we cannot see. God supplies us with oxygen day and night, without which we would die. We need so many things just in order to survive, and God gives all of these to us without us having to pay anything for them! So, when you feel you are a blessed person, that every moment you are receiving great blessings from God, then you say Alhamdulillah! This is the greatest worship, the greatest act of Islam. You cannot say Alhamdulillah in the true spirit if you are living in hate and negativity.So, you can say that a true momin or believer is one who lives in positivity. A believer is a positive personality in the complete sense of the term. All the Islamic requirements—kalima (reciting the Islamic creed), salat (prayer), fasting, zakat (almsgiving) and Haj—can be properly performed only if you have a positive mind. All these teachings of Islam require positivity.

(Source: newageislam.com)

Some Inspiring Hadiths of ProphetMuhammad (pbuh)

A man once requested from the Prophet the use of a camel. The Prophet replied, “I can loan you a camel’s baby.” “What use to me is a camel’s baby?” queried the man. Laughing, the Prophet quipped, “Isn’t every camel the baby of another?”(Recorded in Abu Dawud)

“Fear Allah wherever you are; if you follow an evil deed with a good one you will obliterate it; and deal with people with a good disposition.” (The Prophet Muhammad [pbuh], as recorded in Tirmidhi)

The Prophet would play with his grandchildren and carry them on his shoulders. Once when he was carrying Hasan on his shoulders, someone remarked, “O Hasan, what a great ride you have.” The Prophet smiled and replied, “And don’t you see what a great rider I have!” (Recorded in Shamayal an-Nabi) “Much silence and a good disposition, there are no

two things better than these.”(The Prophet Muhammad [pbuh], as recorded in Bukhari)“Shall I tell you of him who will be shut out from the fire (of hell)? Every quiet, good-natured fellowman.”

(The Prophet Muhammad [pbuh], as recorded in Tirmidthi)

“The most beloved of people according to Allah is he who brings most benefit to people, and the most beloved of deeds according to Allah the Mighty, the Magnificent, is that you bring happiness to a fellow Muslim, or relieve him of distress, or pay off his debt or stave away hunger from him. It is more beloved to me that I walk with my brother Muslim in his time of need than I

stay secluded in the mosque for a month.”(The Prophet Muhammad [pbu], recorded in Tabarani – Hasan, Silsilah Saheeha, Al-AlBani)(Compiled by Sheima Salam Sumer)

ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2017 20interFAith hArmonYMuslim and Hindu Leaders Join

Onam CelebrationsFor the past 10 months, Kodinhi, a town in Malappuram district, has been in the news for all the

wrong reasons: the murder of Mohammed Faisal P, a local who had recently embraced Islam, had brought plenty of bad press for the town. However, in an

attempt to show that the city still had secular credentials intact, leaders of the Muslim and Hindu

communities celebrated Onam together.The celebration, which was organised by Nannambra Panchayat committee of Youth League, was attended by clerics from nearby mosques and priests from temples. Ahead of the function, organisers had invited functionaries of 19 temples and 50 mosques in Nannambrapanchayat and a community kitchen was organised for about 500 people. According to Nannambrapanchayat

member, P Chandran, the village is still upset over the incident, which most of them believe unfortunate. “They feel it created gaps between two communities,” he said.A floral carpet was jointly laid by activists of various political parties. The inaugural ceremony followed a feast.Author P Surendran delivered the keynote address. He said that the local issues could be solved by sitting together and attending a feast.The function was inaugurated by Swami Madhusree Gyanatapaswi, head of the Santhigiri Ashramam situated few kilometres from Kondinhi. He said that communal discomforts were the creation of divisive thinking of ill fated minds. “One’s religion, caste or creed should not be an impediment in the way forward for a progressive society. This kind of inclusive celebrations would surely impart a great message of cohesion and its importance,” Swami said.

(Extracted from twocircles.net)

Muslims Perform Last Rites of Kashmiri Pandit Woman

When a Kashmiri Pandit lady, Neelam (32) died of heart attack here at Batnag area of Tral in Pulwama district in Kashmir recently, her Muslim neighbours immediately rushed towards her house to console her family.They not only mourned at her demise, but also performed her last rites. According to the family of the deceased, Neelam complained of severe chest pain and within ten minutes expired. The neighbours, mostly Muslims, thronged Neelam’s house to console her family including her two little kids. As the news of her death broke, locals were inconsolable. A tearful Mohammad Yousuf Naik said: “She was just like my mother and used to treat me like her own son.”People from

adjoining villages reached her house to participate in her last rites.At least three Muslim women in her neighborhood fainted when they saw Neelam lying dead. Until their relatives from Jammu would reach Tral , the Muslims had kept all the arrangements ready for the last rites. Neighbour Bashir Ahmed Bhat says: “This is our primary duty to help our neighbours irrespective of their religion. Ashok is our neighbour and Islam teaches us to fulfill the rights of neighbour.”“We are thankful to our Muslim neighbors who treat us like a family. We never felt that we are from a different religion. We are the real symbol of Kashmiryat,” said Neelam’s father- in- law. n

strength, there is a need for nomination of at least one member in the State legislature. Prof. Shivanna observed that literacy rate among Jains is high, but work participation is low. Aged population is more leading to more dependants. Proportion of widows too is high. Digambara Jain members need to be covered under poverty alleviation programmes.

Session on SikhismSikh community member ,Mr. Baljeet Singh informed the participants that founder of the religion, Baba Guru Nanak visited Karnataka in 1520 AD and stayed at Bidar where Nanak Jhira shrine came up. The Sikh population in the state was put at 0.05% in Karnataka in 2011 Census which translates into only about a lakh of people. Some of them had arrived in the State in medieval times with Mughal armies, while the more recent migrants in the State were initially part of Army cantonments and settled down in the State after retirement.

Session on Parsee CommunityMr. Shehriyar Vakil, a member of the Parsee community in Bengaluru, observed that Parsees are just over a thousand members

in Karnataka. They need funds for Senior Living Home and for a Community Hall. He emphasized that some distinguished community member may be given nomination in the legislature and other decision-making bodies. He highlighted that the community needs protective discrimination measures for preservation and conservation from extinction of the race. The participants, other than those whose names appear above, included Prof. Sony Pellissery, Director, CSSEIP; Prof. N. Shivanna, Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC), Bengaluru; Prof. Chandrappa, Govt. College, Varathur; Prof. M. K. Ramesh, NLSIU; Prof. M. R. Narayan, ISEC; Prof.(retd), Jeevan Kumar, Bengaluru University ; Dr. Selvaraj, ISEC; Ms. Kausar Jehanara, Dept. of Economics, BES College; Prof. Asmath Afshan, Dept of Economics, Bangalore University; Mr. Azam Shahid, columnist; Mr. Atharulla Shariff, Jamaat Islami, Karnataka; Mr. Qaiser Ahmed, IPS (retd), former DySP; Mr. N. A. Ghori, former Acct. General; Dr. Joshi, Christ University; Mr. Cyrus, Parsee representative; (The report was compiled by Maqbool Ahmed Siraj.)

Page 11

Revisiting the Development ...

In Bidar, it’s a Short Hop from Madrasas to Science Labs

Hundreds of madrasa graduates are in mainstream colleges now, thanks to a project of Allama Iqbal Education Society, which runs the Shaheen College

in Bidar and other cities.

By Rishikesh Bahadur Desai

Looking like a doctor in a Hindi movie, Abu Sofyan can offer both — Dawa andDua (medicine and prayers) to his future patients. The second year MBBS student at Raichur Institute of Medical Sciences is a ‘Hafiz’, who can recite the Quran by heart.He spent over six years in madrasas in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu before getting into high school. The boy from Hebbal in Bengaluru, had never been to school before that, nor studied subjects like Science, Mathematics or languages other than Arabic and Urdu. But, the ‘disciplined madrasa life’ helped him get good grades in pre- university and a medical college seat. Ahmed Mehboobsaab, an engineering college student, also extols his early education. “I realise that the basic principles of engineering are about the wholesome study of nature that the Quran emphasises,” he says. Coming from a poor family in Chikkabanavara, in north Bengaluru taluk, he spent nearly a decade in a madrasa. “When I joined high school, I felt transplanted into a strange place. I had difficulty keeping up. But I managed to leave with good marks. I never imagined I would become an engineer,” he says. Their experiences are not isolated. Hundreds of madrasa graduates are in mainstream colleges now, thanks to a project of Allama Iqbal Education Society, which runs

the Shaheen College in Bidar and other cities. Six years ago, Shaheen colleges began offering Hifz–Ul- Quran plus course, bringing mainstream education to madrasa system students.Boys and youths from Haryana, UP and Karnataka who had completed 10-15 years of madrasa education were enrolled

in eighth and ninth standard. They underwent a 10-month bridge course, learning Kannada, English, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies. They were then ready to face the SSLC board. With their rigorous working style, most passed. They also got focused training, with one teacher for every four students. The Bidar centre has trained around 350 students since 2011.Students from Bihar, U.P. and West Bengal picked up Kannada and got good marks. Many are now studying arts, commerce and science. Some have got into engineering and medicine. Hifz-ul- Quran rates itself a success, with Shaheen college supervising the opening of 10 similar centres, including in Kolkata and some towns in UP. Shaheen runs a

centre in Bengaluru too.

Playing a Positive RoleWelcoming the initiative, Hafiz Moulana Waheedudin Umri, head, Ulema Council, Karnataka, says: “Some people blame madrasa education for making young people vulnerable to right wing influences. But it is not so. Several highly educated youth have joined terror outfits. It is the weakness in personality that attracts youth to such disastrous pursuits,” he says. “A youth with a wholesome education is less likely to stray. Full understanding of the world and exposure to modern subjects will help youth discard wrong influences,” he says. The number of students in Shaheen Hifz-ul- Quran plus class has gone up from 12 in 2011 to 200 now. There are nearly 400 Hafiz students in such courses. “Graduates of madrasas have few job opportunities. Most end up opening another madrasa. Almost all are deprived of chances of getting professional education or higher education. This may be their only chance,’’ says Abdul Quadeer, secretary of the Shaheen group of institutions.“We began in the face of skepticism from some Ulema, but we succeeded. Now, they have all come around as they realised we were training boys once they were out of the madrasas and not while they were inside,’’ Mr.Quadeer says.(Extracted from: thehindu.com)

ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2017 2121 ProFile

How a Muslim Woman from Malaysia became the Mother Teresa of Montreal

The sense of charity in Sabariah began long before she went to Canada. As one of six children in her family, she saw charity being practised every day by her parents.

By Yiswaree Palansamy

When the video of a tudung-clad woman feeding the homeless in Montreal was shared all over social media recently, people wondered how the cheerful 70-year-old woman who is Malaysia-born ended up in Canada. It turns out, Sabariah Hussein moved there some 30 years ago to work as a special education teacher and became a permanent resident after her marriage to Michel Paul Alain who is also known by his Muslim name, Mohamad Ali Abdullah. Her selfless work, feeding and caring for the homeless has gained her quite a reputation in Montreal, with many people dubbing her the Muslim Mother Teresa.However, that sense of charity in Sabariah began long before she went to Canada. As one of six children in her family, she saw charity being practised every day by her parents. Her father, a teacher, and mother, a homemaker, would even help sponsor kenduris for poor Muslims unable to afford a decent thanksgiving or wedding meal. "I used to follow my mother around and help her chop vegetables, meat and all," Sabariah says. Born in Johor, Malaysia, Sabariah's family lived in Singapore for many years after her father got a job as a teacher in the island republic in the 1950s. They returned to Johor after his retirement. "Even in Singapore, we were still helping the needy regularly. After all, that is what Islam teaches us," she said.

Home Made SandwichesAfter the death of her parents and a short stint working in Saudi Arabia, she got a job working as a special education teacher in Canada in 1985. "Since I have been here, I have been helping people. It all started 18 years ago. I used to see the homeless around town and I would give them sandwiches I made at home. "I also saw some Muslim sisters begging, so I invited them to my house for a meal. Staying on the streets is really terrifying, as they are exposed to so many bad things," Sabariah said.Troubled by what she saw and desperate to help the women get off the streets, Sabariah opened up her own home to them for one to two months, to shelter them from the cold. "Then I had an idea. If had some money, I could

then get them an apartment. At that time, I was close to the Muslim students association of the University of Concordia. "I approached them and said, ‘look, I think I have an idea as to how we can solve the problem of the sisters on the streets and those who are troubled. I asked them what they thought about

me selling some food items within the university premises to raise money for the apartment. The students agreed and sought permission from their university’."Alhamdullilah, it was successful and I started selling chicken biryani and salad. It was only five dollars for one plate and I was also allowed to use the university's kitchen. "I managed to make 200 to 300 dollars a day and when more people knew about my cause, they gave me more money for the apartment," Sabariah said. That was how her women's shelter in Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce which is open to non-Muslims as well came about.Today she runs a stall at a local mosque together with her team of volunteers, all in the continuous bid to make money to help the marginalised population in the city.

Partnering with ChurchesSabariah partners with two churches, a food bank and an NGO to provide food for the poor and the homeless. "About 10 years ago, I joined a food bank to help those who are troubled. I used to cook lunch for people who came to get lunch at the food bank. Then I asked myself if I could do more because here we only cater to about 50 to 60 people. "So I approached the church to help with their programme. Twice a week, the church will feed the needy, so I approached the co-ordinator and asked if I could chip in some food to help the destitute and the needy. They were elated and it's been 10 years now I'm working

with this church. "There's also an Anglican church I got involved with this year. We deal with the homeless there together with an NGO that call themselves Peace Initiative," Sabariah said. What is amazing is Sabariah does not get any aid from the Canadian government and runs her own show with donations and

money she earns from selling her food. "The Anglican Church and the Peace Initiative also help provide supplies like vegetables. Sometimes when I need certain provisions, the Anglican Church gives me. The Rivers Edge Community Church in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce also supplies necessities when asked. "I'm doing this full time for the people. God is great. He gives me rezeki all the time. He gives me enough to run the place and with the media attention now, I have my hands full," she added.Although she has had two strokes, Sabariah is not planning on hanging up her apron anytime soon and has instead adopted a semi-vegetarian diet in a bid to be healthier."You need to help as many people as you can. You have the ability, you go out there and do it. Help to serve the homeless and the defenceless. I have served Muslims in church, and they come because they know I'm serving food there. The more you mix with people, the more you understand and love each other better. Show love, show passion. We are compassionate people.”Now, she has turned her attention to the country of her birth. "I'm coming to Malaysia with two projects. In Johor, I have a cousin who is an imam there. We are trying to secure a piece of land,

it's wakf land, so I need to go see that. With the money I have received here, we are planning to build a two-storey orphanage for Rohingya girls and if we have more money, we can combine and make an orphanage for Malaysian children too," she added.

Does she have a message for those back in Malaysia?"Love each other. We are under one banner and only God can judge us. Don't be judgmental to others. Allah is the one

who is going to judge us. "As for religious intolerance, it is everywhere in today's world. There are good, devoted, dedicated people everywhere. Then there are some sick people out there too who are always trying to provoke and create tension and chaos among the religious groups. "So my advice is to ignore and shun them. Love and respect one another. United we stand and defeat this sick people’s mentality and ideology," she added.

(www.themalaymailonline.com)

What is amazing is Sabariah does not get any aid

from the Canadian government and

runs her own show with donations and money she earns from selling her

food. The Anglican Church and the Peace

Initiative also help provide supplies like

vegetables.

'Personality & Leadership Development Workshop based on Spiritual Quotient'

DISCOVER YOURSELF WORKSHOP SCHEDULEDYS WORKSHOP IN COLUMBIA

DATES: 06, 07 & 08 OCTOBER 2017CONTACT FOR DETAILS:

Email: kalibishi@gmail.com.

DYS WORKSHOP IN KOLKATADATES: 20,21 & 23 OCTOBER 2017

Timings: 09:00 AM to 06:00 PMOrganizers: TSSFT foundation

Contact: Zulfikar Niyazi: 9903992110, Email: zaniyazi@gmail.com

DYS WORKSHOP IN BAHRAINDATES: 02, 03 & 04 NOVEMBER 2017

Organized by: Indian Welfare Association (Dawah Wing)Contact: Imran : +973 39106822/ Sarwar: 38214017

Email: iwabahrain@gmail.com

DYS WORKSHOP IN SRINAGARDATES: 17, 18 & 19 NOVEMBER 2017

Timings: 09:00 AM to 06:00 PMContact: Dr Zahida: 9419003125,

Email: mothercarekashmir@gmail.com

DYS WORKSHOP IN MUMBAIDATES: 25, 26 & 27 NOVEMBER 2017

Timings: 09:00 AM to 06:00 PMOrganized by MEF (Maria Education Foundation), Mumbai,

Contact: Arafat Sheikh: 9769560053 Shabbir: 9892882029 , Email: shabbir550@gmail.com

DYS WORKSHOP IN NAGPURDATES: 01,02 & 03 DECEMBER 2017

Timings: 09:00 AM to 06:00 PMOrganized by JIH Nagpur Metro,

Contact: Mohd Ziyaullah Khan:9021144123Email: writeziya@gmail.com

DYS - TRAIN THE TRAINER WORKSHOPOne week Residential Workshop.

DATES: 22 - 30 DECEMBER 2017 PARTICIPANTS: BOTH MEN AND WOMEN

Email: dysworkshop@gmail.com

Email: dysworkshop@gmail.com, www.discoveryourself.in

ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2017 22

credentials which the Arabs presented to the world and by which they earned the respect and assumed the leadership of mankind. Neither at present nor in future, will they ever have any other credentials. They have no message other than Islam to give them a position in the world. The choice they have to face is either to be the standard bearers of the message of Islam and that will earn them recognition and honour, or to abandon it and go back to their earlier position when no one recognized them. The Arabs

should ask themselves what they can give to humanity when they abandon the message of Islam. Do they offer any great achievement in literature and arts? Many nations are far ahead of them in these fields. Nations of the world will not wait for any Arab genius to make his contribution because the need for such a contribution is not felt by anyone. Can they offer any great industrial advances to win the respect of the world and to compete in international markets? Many a nation has taken a lead over the Arabs in

QurAn sPeAks to You

reFlections

Page 23

Today mankind desperately needs this message to save themselves from the abyss of misery and worry in which they are sinking.

3:164

Holy Quran

Resist the Temptations from Satan

Indeed, Allah bestowed a great favour on the believers when he sent them a messenger from among themselves, to recite to them His revelations, and to

purify them, and to teach them the Book and wisdom, whereas previously they were surely in plain error.

(The House of Imran, Aal Imran: 3:164)

Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) concentrated on the practical meaning of purification and he accomplished this in the lives of the believers. The message of the Prophet has purified the concepts and practices of his followers to set them on the right course acceptable to Islam. The Islamic message has had practical effects on the lives of the Arabs. This enables us to appreciate the magnitude of the great favour Allah has bestowed on humanity by sending his last Messenger Muhammad (Pbuh).

The Standard Bearers"And to teach them the Book and wisdom". Those addressed by this verse were illiterate in every sense of the word. Not only they did not read and write, but their illiteracy was intellectual as well. According to international standards of knowledge, they lagged behind in every field. Their pre-occupation were not of the sort which encouraged or increased knowledge. When they received this message, they experienced a great transformation which made them teach it to the world. It endowed them with great wisdom. They became the standard bearers of an intellectual and social philosophy which was destined to save humanity from the depths of ignorance into which it had sunk. The same doctrine is about to

play the same role again, Allah willing, to save humanity anew from its contemporary ignorance which shares with past forms of ignorance, the same moral and social characteristics as well as the same goals and objectives it sets for human life, despite the great material advances of science and industry and the affluence such advances have brought about.Total Transformation"Whereas previously they were surely in plain error". They were certainly in error with regard to concepts and beliefs, goals and objectives, habits and practices, systems and standards, as well as moral and social values. The Arabs addressed for the first time by this verse undoubtedly remembered what their lives were like and fully appreciated the total transformation brought about by Islam. They recognised that without Islam, they would never have attained the high standards to which Islam elevated them. Such a transformation is totally unfamiliar in human history. They recognised that it was through Islam that they moved directly from the tribal stage with all its petty concerns and narrow minded-ness, not merely

to become a nation in the fullest sense of the word, but to become, all of a sudden, the nation to lead humanity and to set for it, its ideals and practical systems. They recognized that only through Islam, they acquired their national, cultural and intellectual character.

Happiness of ManMost importantly, Islam gave them their human character which elevated them to a position of honour through Allah's grace. They established their whole life on the basis of this honour

and subsequently, imparted it to the world and taught it how to respect man and to give him the position of honour Allah has given him. In this, they were the leaders. There was no one ahead of them in Arabia or anywhere else. They also realized that only through Islam, they had a message to present to mankind. It involves a doctrine and a system to mould human life. All these are basic essentials for the existence of a nation which wants to play an important role on life's stage. The Islamic faith and its concepts of life and existence and its law and regulation of human life and its practical code which ensures the happiness of man were the

this respect as well. Or can they offer any social, economic or organizational philosophy of their own? Such philosophies, with varying practical effects, are abundant in our world. What can then the Arabs give to mankind in order to win a leading position which commands respect and demonstrates their excellence? They can offer nothing except their great message and unique system. This is the great favour which Allah has bestowed on them and favoured them with being its standard bearers. It is the message with which Allah saved mankind from ignorance.

Abyss of Misery and WorryToday mankind desperately needs this message to save themselves from the abyss of misery and worry in which they are sinking. This message is the identity card of the Arabs which they presented to the world in the past and commanded its respect. They can present it anew in order to save themselves and save the world. Every great nation has a message and the greatness of the nation is commensurate with the greatness of its message and system. The Arabs have this great message in their custody. They are its standard bearers, while other nations are their partners in it. What devil turns them away from their great role and their infinite wealth?The favour Allah has bestowed on this nation by sending them a Messenger from among themselves and by the message he conveyed to them is very great indeed. Only a wicked satan tries to turn them away from it. It is their duty to chase satan and resist his temptation. n

The Arabs should ask themselves what they can give to humanity when they abandon

the message of Islam. Do they offer any

great achievement in literature and arts? Many nations are

far ahead of them in these fields.

Interfaith Interaction: A Great Means for Personal Spiritual EvolutionRecognizing and reflecting on the ways in which people of other faiths have transformed our lives for the better and have helped us in our spiritual journey is a great way to overcome deeply-rooted

stereotypes that are so often harnessed to foment hate in the name of religion.

By Mary Huston

Today, one often hears about the pressing need for interfaith dialogue, mostly in the context of conflict-resolution and peace-building. Since many conflicts in different parts of the world today (as has been the case in much of humanity’s past) are between

people who claim to follow different faiths, interfaith dialogue, it is said, is an urgent necessity. If human beings are to learn to live at peace with each other, interfaith interaction and understanding are of paramount importance.That is true, of course, but

there is another reason why interfaith interaction is very useful—and that is, that it can be a wonderful means for our own spiritual evolution. Strangely, though, this aspect is rarely recognized or talked about. When I look back at my own life, it is striking

how much I owe to people from different faith backgrounds who have sought to live according to the teachings of their religion. I have learnt a great deal from them, and this has helped me in my own spiritual evolution. I would definitely not be the person I am now had it not been for all

ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2017 2323

granted as a reward to those who believe in God and do good deeds in this present life. Those who are not in this category are deprived of such comfort and bliss. The emperors Umar mentioned had perpetrated much injustice. Hence, their lot in the hereafter would be totally different from that of good believers who were keen to do only what God ordered and to refrain from what He had

forbidden. The Prophet's answer also alludes to the fact that whatever we enjoy or suffer in this life is of momentary nature. It soon changes and what remains is only what affects our position in the hereafter.Yet, Islam does not prescribe a life of self-denial, depriving

Page 22

hAdith illuminAtes our PAth

Hadith

Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) Lived an Austere Life

Anas says: "I entered the Prophet's (Pbuh) room when he was reclining on a couch whose material was

weaved with a string. Under his head was a pillow made of hide. Umar came in and tears sprang to his eyes. The Prophet asked him what he was crying for. Umar said: "What I am crying for is that I know for

certain that you are dearer to God and more honoured by Him than the emperors of Persia and Byzantium, and they are enjoying all the comforts of this world

and you are in this state I see." The Prophet said to him: 'Umar! Would you not be satisfied to know that they have what this life offers and we have the hereafter? Umar said: 'Yes, indeed, Messenger of

God!' He said: 'And it is so.”

(Related by Al-Bukhari in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad, Ahmad and Ibn Hibban).

Commentary by Adil Salahi

Anas ibn Malik served the Prophet (Pbuh) for the entire period he lived in Madinah, which was a little over ten years. He was so close to the Prophet and his household that people who came to Madinah to meet the Prophet used to think that he belonged to the Prophet's family. As such, he learnt and reported much of what we know about the Prophet's life at home. In one of his reports that mention something of this nature, Anas says: "I entered the Prophet's room when he was reclining on a couch whose material was weaved with a string. Under his head was a pillow made of hide. Umar came in and tears sprang to his eyes. The Prophet asked him what he was crying for. Umar said: "What I am crying for is that I know for certain that you are dearer to God and more honoured by Him than the emperors of Persia and Byzantium, and they are enjoying all the comforts of

this world and you are in this state I see." The Prophet said to him: 'Umar! Would you not be satisfied to know that they have what this life offers and we have the hereafter? Umar said: 'Yes, indeed, Messenger of God!' He said: 'And it is so.'" (Related by Al-Bukhari in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad, Ahmad and Ibn Hibban).This Hadith tells us that life in the Prophet's home was not one of comfort and luxury. Yet he could have had all the comforts he wanted. He was loved by his companions as no leader was ever loved. They would have given him whatever he wished to take of their money and property, but he never took anything from anyone, other than what he ate

as a guest in their homes. As we learn from other reports about this particular visit by Umar, the Prophet was ill with high temperature. Yet he was lying on a couch made of fibers and tied with a string.. That is a very rough place for someone who is ill to lie on, providing very little comfort. Hence, Umar, who dearly loved the Prophet, was in tears.

A Life of Permanent BlissThis was a natural reaction by a man who realized that the patient he was visiting was the noblest and most honoured human being that ever lived. Umar thought of the leaders of the two super powers of the time, the Byzantine and Persian empires. They had all the comforts of this life. Had either of them suffered a rise in temperature, he would have been in a most comfortable bed, receiving the best available

medical attention. Servants would be at hand weaving their fans to cool down his body. Umar also thought of the Prophet's standing with God, and could not control his emotion. He expressed his thoughts to the Prophet. The Prophet reassured Umar, reminding him of the life to come. That is a life of permanent bliss, comfort and happiness

oneself of comforts that may be available to one. On the contrary, such comforts may be enjoyed as one pleases, provided that they are earned in a legitimate way. God says in the Qur'an: "Say: Who is there to forbid the beauty which God has produced for His servants, and the wholesome means of sustenance? Say: They are (lawful) in the life of this world to all who believe - to be theirs alone on the Day of Resurrection." (7: 32).We have to remember that life in Madinah was mostly hard during the Prophet's lifetime. Although Madinah has its farms and dates, things were not easy, considering the frequent military expeditions that had to be sent, with unbelievers mounting attack after attack on Muslims, and threatening to annihilate them. Besides, the Muslims were only that group of believers in Madinah, and a handful of small groups and individuals from other tribes who could not migrate to Madinah. The Muslims had to endure that sort of life, sacrificing everything for their faith and proving that they were equal to the numerous challenges thrown at them. Hence, God later gave them provisions in plenty, and they were able to carry God's message to other communities in neighboring areas and states.The Prophet shared in the hardship when things were hard, and he shared in the comforts when things were plentiful. It is reported that at times, no cooking was done in the Prophet's homes for a whole month. Later, when the Muslims enjoyed their share of the produce of Khaybar, the Prophet used to give his family imperishable provisions that sufficed for a year. n

The Prophet's answer also alludes to the fact that whatever we enjoy or suffer

in this life is of momentary nature. It soon changes and

what remains is only what affects our position in the

hereafter. Yet, Islam does not prescribe

a life of self-denial, depriving oneself of comforts that may

be available to one. On the contrary,

such comforts may be enjoyed as one

pleases, provided that they are earned in a

legitimate way.

the many things I’ve imbibed from the many inspiring, loving, compassionate people from faith communities other than the one I happened to have been born into, whom I have had the good fortune of meeting over the years. These were people who, seeking to be faithful to their religion, led lives of charity and concern for others. Hardly any of them was ‘famous’—most were ‘ordinary’ people who were doing ‘little’ deeds of goodness with great love, deeds are at the heart of what religion ought to be. I thought of one such person the other day: a young Muslim woman who has been a good friend for many years now. She prays and fasts regularly, and, even though her income is quite

modest, she is very particular about taking out her annual zakat and spending it on the poor and needy. Interestingly, she gives a good proportion of her zakat—in some years, maybe even most of it—to non-Muslims. I can’t say I am even half as generous with ‘my’ money as she is with hers, but I do think that some of her charitableness has rubbed off on me as I’ve witnessed her generosity in action, year after year, that is inspired by the teachings of her faith.Besides zakat, my friend makes it a point to give what is called sadaqah or charity to one or more poor person when someone in her family falls sick, maybe in the hope of a cure. This beautiful practice, which I had never heard

of before, is something that is enjoined upon in Islam, I have since learnt. It is reported that the Prophet Muhammad said: “Treat your sick by giving charity.”Just the other day, when someone in my family was ill, I was inspired by this practice of sadaqah that I learnt about from my friend to contribute some money in charity. Incidentally, I gave it to a Muslim man who has been arranging for food to be cooked and served almost every day, for several years now, to a large number of very poor people from different religious backgrounds. Along with giving sadaqah when someone at home or a friend is sick, my friend also prays for them to be cured. Having been

brought up to believe that cure is just about potent medicines and a good doctor, my friend taught me a very valuable lesson here, too—about turning to God for healing. It is God that cures, she believes: medicines and doctors are simply a means for cure to happen.This friend of mine is one of many people from religious traditions other than the one I was born into from whom I have learnt many valuable things, which have played a crucial role in my spiritual growth. I owe them all a very great debt.Through interaction with people of other faiths, especially by cultivating close friendships, one can learn and adopt good practices that are enjoined in these faiths and that can help one

spiritually evolve, as I myself have experienced. Taking time off to think about and recognizing the many ways in which people of other faiths have transformed our lives for the better and helped us in our spiritual journey is also a great way to overcome deeply-rooted stereotypes that are so easily harnessed to foment hate in the name of religion. Every one of us has greatly benefited, directly or indirectly, from people of faiths other than the one we claim to follow, although we don’t often or easily acknowledge this fact. If we did so, it would do wonders in healing broken hearts and lives and bringing us all, children of the One God, into closer communion with each other. n

Interfaith Interaction...

ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2017 24mAtrimoniAl

WANTED GROOM

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KindnessIn a Prophetic tradition

narrated by ‘A’ishah, she said that Prophet

Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that the best of the believers is the one who is best in

manners and kindest to his own wife.

Require Land for Masjid

A Muslim family wishes to construct a Masjid

anywhere in Telangana State in their parents’ name.Any person willing to

donate or sell land for this noble purpose may kindly contact: awami.insaaf@

gmail.com

ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2017 2525 nAture & environment

Hashmath Fathima’s Garden of GraceHashmath Fathima has followed her passion for plants, creating an amazing ornamental garden that looks like something straight out of somewhere in

the picture-postcard English countryside!

By Nigar I felt like little Red Riding Hood setting off to a cottage to see a kind aunt when Hashmath Fathima told me that I could visit her at 3 pm at her home in Mysore.

That was around afternoon tea time according to my reading of Enid Blyton’s stories for children. And so, I imagined strawberry jam sandwiches sitting on a large plate and a mug of hot chocolate waiting for me! Arriving at Hashmath’s gate was like being ushered into a cottage in the English countryside! Winner of the first prize for ornamental gardens under the “Home Garden” category in the Annual Dasara Flower Show in Mysore 2016, Hashmath is passionate about Nature. And, as can be imagined

from this, she is the epitome of kindness. The beautiful outdoor ornamental garden around her home hosts some 80 species of plants, including herbs, shrubs, climbers, ornamental grasses, bulbs, trees and flowering plants.

Hashmath has won numerous prizes for her garden for over 15 years now. Hashmath Fathima (58) completed her diploma in costume designing from JSS in Mysore and did a course in teacher’s training for

nursery kids. “Since childhood I have loved admiring Nature and collecting different kinds of plants. I was very fond of embroidery and making dolls, and loved to keep the house in an artistic way,” she explains. “Once, while reading a magazine I saw the picture of a house with creepers growing on the roof and potted plants all over. I thought that if, one day, I have a house of my own, I’d do it up that way, too. I kept that house in my thoughts, and, by God’s grace, when I moved to where I

now live, I began developing a garden. Plants are my passion,” she says.A dress designer by profession, Hashmath runs a boutique at her home called “Seasons Shade Boutique” and spends much of her earnings on maintaining her garden. Every morning, she spends at least two hours tending to the plants.“My father passed away when I was very young, and my late mother, a teacher, brought us—my two sisters and a brother—up through hard work. She encouraged me in my passion for plants”, says Hashmath.Although Hashmath has been winning prizes for her ornamental garden for over 15 years now, she is very modest about her achievements. Introducing me to Safina Bano, her neighbour for over two years, Hashmath says that it was Safina who

took the initiative to write to the horticulture department about the

garden. Safina goaded her to open her garden to the horticulture officials, who then began visiting the garden and were completely enthralled! “My husband and I were looking around for a house. When we saw aunty Hashmath’s garden, we decided that the house next to hers would be ours! It’s so inspiring to see her working hard every day to maintain the garden” says Safina, who remarks how wonderful it is to wake up every morning to see so many beautiful flowers and plants next door.“Aunty is passionate about plants and she made the garden not to compete with anyone, but for sheer joy of being with nature. I am very proud that as a Muslim woman she has independently followed her heart and is conveying the message of preserving nature to people. She’s a child at heart,” Safina explains. n

“Hashmath Aunty is passionate about plants. She made

the garden not to compete with

anyone but for the sheer joy of being with nature. I am

very proud that as a Muslim woman she has independently followed her heart and is conveying the message of

preserving nature to people. She’s a child

at heart,” Safina explains.

Hashmath Fathima

ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2017 26liFe & relAtionshiPs

Discover Yourself WorkshopAn interesting approach to learning the concept of humanity

and human psychology, in the light of Quran-Islam.The Discover Yourself workshop was hosted by the Indian Institute

of Islamic Studies at the conference hall, JIH Qtrs, New Delhi, on the 25, 26

& 27 August 2017.

Some of the Participants Share their Experiences

�The workshop is designed to teach people to love mankind. It has helped me to reflect on myself, organize myself and to bring me closer to Allah.

�If I would not have attended this workshop, I would have never known who I am? Earlier I was in the box and now I am out of the box.

�An interesting approach to learning the concept of humanity- Human psychology in the light of Quran-Islam.

�This workshop made me understand that Islam itself is the real psychology and is complete.

�I would never have known that I was living in a box of my opinions, regrets, judgments, and loads of past. It opened my closed eyes and gave me a new vision.

�I was wearing glasses before the workshop and now everything is cleared. Best workshop and I would like to attend again. I started to see my world from a different perspective and started to accept the reality.

�Life has not changed, everything is going on in the same way, but I am thinking about changing myself, my inner-self so that I can bring a change in the world.

�It is interesting, captivating and really refreshing to the mind. Now, I realized that I should own up responsibility and keep my word.

�I feel some burden has slipped from my shoulders and happiness has entered my heart. I feel that family members are more loveable as compared to, before the workshop.

�I was serious and now I am relaxed and happy. I could find out the Absolute Truth; the path of submission; the approach of consequences and not of justification, Alhamdulillah.

�I have learned to become more 'observant' to accept things as they are and submit myself to Allah. This experience is helping me in handling my pressure at home as well as the office.

�All the topics opened my mind and perspective completely.

�I found a master key for Taqwa. I learned that purifying my inner-self is purifying my outside.

�Earlier I was judgmental and now I have stopped judging people. It is interesting, useful and should be held everywhere in the world.

�This workshop helped us to come out of loss, in the light of Quran and hadith. It helped me in getting peace. I learnt to have a good relationship with my parents and friends.

�Life-changing experiences which released all the baggage of the past, I forgave everyone and felt light as a free bird.

SALIM: MY life was 'My way and not Allah's way’. This workshop has changed ‘My way’ to 'Allah's way'. I have never attended before, such a wonderful workshop. You are doing a wonderful job, please continue doing, Allah will help you. I discovered myself who I am? My family members were shocked to see the changes in my life.

WAJIHA: Before the workshop, I wanted everyone to live according to my way, but now I realized that everyone must live according to Allah's way. This workshop gave me the power to forgive my friend. This was a very emotional moment for me, and I was literally crying. NOUMAN: It gave me the tools to fight the Satan. I had known about life, but the problem is that I did not have any tool to correct myself or to see Haq and Batil (Truth and Falsehood). After the workshop, life became easy and enjoyable. My family members see the changes in me. I feel that the veils are taken off and I can see clearly. Now, I am in that position to distinguish between Haq and Batil and accept reality. FURQAN: On the first day when Sir, said ' A new man will walk out on the last day from here, I

thought he was joking.' But now I can realize that how it has changed me and my thoughts. It helped me understand who I am and what are the basic principles of life? It was awesome. NASIR: Sir, I was very confused regarding the heart, mind, body, logic- reasoning, and wisdom etc. But after attending

this workshop, almost everything

is clear. You are doing excellent work and this message should reach everyone. MEHRUNISA: Before the workshop, my life was spent on knowing the religion, but I did not know myself. Now, after the workshop, I came to know who am I ? Alhamdulillah, many changes I could notice, and will

never listen to the instincts of my waswas. This workshop should be held in schools and colleges so that the younger generations learn a way of life of forgiveness and bring in changes. LUBNA: Before the workshop, my mind was diverted between the past and the future, life was full of tension. But, after the workshop, I feel relief, living in the present, I feel life is beautiful. My family members are very happy. This workshop has changed my

personality holistically. FIZA: Before the workshop, I thought that I am right and others are responsible for the adverse circumstances in my family. Now, after the workshop, I have changed my opinion towards others. I felt that sometimes I am also responsible for the adverse situations. I should not impose

my views on others without taking their suggestions. If I would not have attended the workshop I would have missed out many valuable things about life. SIFWA: Life before the workshop: I was caught up in a web of confusion in making decisions. Life after the workshop: No more fear of being wrong or right; I feel like having attained stability of mind and clarity of thought. If I would have missed this workshop, it would have been a great loss in my life. I wish my entire family

was part of this workshop. It is an excellent start to be able to see the reality and to bring oneself back to the real world. TUBA: Being the only child of my parents, I was a very frustrated and short-tempered girl. I always thought that my parents are over possessive about me and they do not trust me. But after the workshop, I found myself very relaxed and light. I feel all my burden has fallen and I feel free. It is an amazing, valuable and satisfactory workshop.

Ameer (Chief) of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Maulana Syed Jalaluddin

Umari (Right) with Dr. AWS Khan

DYS WORKSHOP SCHEDULE ON PAGE 21

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Rustomjee-Prestige Training Centre22 Students Trained in a 6-Month Course

By A Staff Writer Bengaluru: The convocation of the first batch of student-trainees from the Rustomjee Prestige Vocational Education and Training Centre was held here on September 6. Twenty two students were presented the certificates on completion of the six-month training course in various trades related to construction industry and automobile and healthcare and hospitality sectors. This is the first such school in South India to train basic technicians for the above mentioned sectors modeled after a centre being run in Mumbai by Rustomjee Constructions.

The Centre which began its operations in February this year provided training programmes in construction, automobile, hospitality, facility service management and healthcare. The Centre came up with the Mumbai-based Rustomjee Academy for Global Careers and Prestige

Group from Bengaluru, joining hands to fulfill the growing need of skilled manpower across construction and other related

sectors. CREDAI collaborated with the Centre to ensure that the industry standards and benchmarks were maintained.Prestige Group Chairman Mr. Irfan Razack told the media persons that the initiative was part of Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi’s Skill India

Mission. He said having been in construction business for well over three decades, he found a large vacuum of skilled workers

The Centre will organize longer

duration certificate and diploma courses

once campus and attendant facilities come up in the city.

The eligibility criteria is 10th standard pass. There is no entrance test for the courses, but

an aptitude test is conducted.

such as brick-layers, carpenters, H-VAC technicians, tile-layers, fire fighting personnel. “Training as skilled personnel would impart self-pride in the humble workers employed by the industry. And as for the building industry,

how could builders and developers provide a five-year warranty on construction as required under the RERA which has just kicked in,” he said. Mr. Razack said the workforce in the construction and real estate sector will touch the figure of 76 million by 2,022, according to the National Skill Development Corporation’s (NSDC) report on Human Resource and Skill Requirement published in 2013-14. Of these, 97% of workers between the age of 15 and 65 are likely to have no training

before they start working. This is indicated by the findings of the National Sample Survey Organisation. Further on a survey by the Housing.com in 2015 says that only 4% of India’s workforce is skilled as compared to 96% in South Korea, 80% in Japan, 74% in Germany, 68% in the United Kingdom and 45% in China. These should set an alarm for all of us as we aspire to emerge as an economic powerhouse. Hence there is an urgent need to take measures to start addressing this situation immediately. According to Mr. Nitesh Poorey, Head of the Rustomjee Prestige Training Centre, the courses were divided into three parts viz, theoretical, practical and field trips for demonstration. The Centre will organize longer duration certificate and diploma courses once campus and attendant facilities come up in the city. The eligibility criteria is 10th standard pass. There is no entrance test for the courses, but an aptitude test is conducted to determine the sector that would suit the candidate. However, the first batch consisted of those who are already working in the construction companies. He informed that fees were borne by the sponsoring companies. According to Mr. Razack, the objective behind the training Centre is to touch as many people as possible and to benefit the builders’ fraternity as a whole. n

Software Freedom Marathon

Jodhpur: The Maulana Azad University here organized a Free Software Marathon in the third week of September to lend its support to universal plea for free access to software. Mr. Puneet

Rao, Director, Technosoft and Secretary, Software Technology Association of Rajasthan was the chief guest at the meeting held at the occasion on September 16. Significantly, the software used

for directly crediting the subsidy amount on the cooking gas into the users’ account was developed in Rajasthan. Students from several faculties of the University participated in the Marathon. n

Mr Irfan Razack

Indian Film wins Top Prize in Global ContestThe Complaint, a movie by Mrinal Bahukhandi which won the first prize, tells the poignant tale of how a Muslim technician and Indian retiree reconcile with old emotional scars over the course of a laptop diagnostic check.An Indian film on communal harmony won the top prize at #ACutBeyond, a global filmmaking competition aimed at empowering independent filmmakers all over the world to tell their stories and showcase their work to a global audience.The theme of the competition, organised by a Singapore-based startup, Filmwallas and supported

by HCL Technologies, an Indian multinational IT services company, revolved around next-generation technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Cyber Security, Automation, Digital and Analytics, and how these technological advancements are juxtaposed in today’s world and human Relationships. About 2,000 filmmakers from around the world expressed interest in the contest, and 70 teams participated in the contest.The Complaint, a movie by Mrinal Bahukhandi which won the first prize, tells the poignant tale of how a Muslim

technician and Indian retiree reconcile with old emotional scars over the course of a laptop diagnostic check. The short film, launched in partnership with Hamaramovie.com, on India’s Independence Day was widely appreciated and has already garnered more than 80,000 views on YouTube. “Most of us are so involved with social media that we forget to stop for a minute and think about the welfare of others,” said director Mohd Asif Hameed. “We can still bring about a huge change with that little piece of technology we carry in our hands and pockets every day,” he added. n

ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2017 2929 GlobAl AFFAirsUN Chief Urges Myanmar to Halt Attacks on Rohingyas

UN chief Antonio Guterres says that Rohingya Muslims were being ethnically cleansed in Myanmar as he called for a halt to a military campaign in Rakhine state. Speaking ahead of a Security

Council meeting to discuss the worsening humanitarian crisis there, Guterres described reports of security forces attacking civilians in Rakhine as "disturbing" and "completely unacceptable.""I call on the Myanmar authorities to suspend military activities and violence and uphold the rule of law," the secretary general said in a press conference. Asked if he agreed the Rohingya

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres

population was being ethnically cleansed, he replied: "When one-third of the Rohingya population has got to flee the country, can you find a better word to describe it?"The crackdown by Myanmar's army, which followed attacks by Rohingya militants late last month, has prompted around 380,000 to flee across the border into neighboring Bangladesh. Guterres called for authorities "to assure the delivery of vital humanitarian aid," with thousands of Rohingyas still crossing the border every day. The 1.1-million strong Rohingya have suffered years of discrimination in Myanmar, where they are denied citizenship even though many have longstanding roots in the country. Guterres said that the Myanmar government should either grant the Rohingya nationality or legal status that would allow them to live a normal life.

(Extracted from www.deccanherald.com)

“Let Us Pray for our Rohingya Brethren”, Says

Pope FrancisHead of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis has issued a stinging criticism on Myanmar’s harsh treatment of its Rohingya Muslim minority community, saying they had been tortured and killed simply because they wanted to keep their culture and Muslim faith.“They have been suffering for years…simply because they want to live their culture and their Muslim faith,” said the Pope, who is slated to visit Myanmar and Bangladesh between November 27 and December 2, where the Rohingya Muslim minority is

suffering extreme persecution. In August, condemning atrocities committed by Burma,

the Pontiff urging worshippers gathered in St Peter’s Square in Rome to pray that God “saves” the persecuted minority. “I would like to express my full closeness to them. Let us all ask the

Lord to save them, and to elicit men and women of goodwill to help them, for them to be given their full rights” the Pope said. He also advised:“Let us pray for our Rohingya brethren.”(Extracted from www.siasat.com)

Lord Buddha Would Have

Helped Rohingyas, says Dalai

LamaAmid mounting international concern over the treatment of the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has said that Lord Buddha "would have definitely helped" the minority community. Nearly 3 lakh minority Rohingya Muslims have fled the violence-hit Rakhine state where Myanmar's army has allegedly launched a crackdown following a raid by militants on August 25."Those people, you see, sort of harassing some Muslims. Then they should remember, Buddha, in such circumstances, would have definitely helped those poor Muslims," Dalai Lama told reporters. "So still, I feel that.. So very sad, very sad," he said. n

Catholic Bishop in Africa Gives Refuge to 2,000 Muslims Fleeing Christian Militias

Juan José Aguirre Munoz, a Spanish-born Catholic bishop in the Central African Republic (CAR), has given refuge to 2,000 Muslims who are living in fear of attacks from a mainly Christian militia. Munoz’s church compound is based in the south-eastern city of Bangassou. CAR has been experiencing sectarian violence since 2013, when the largely Muslim Seleka rebels seized power, and were accused of killing non-Muslim

civilians. Self-defense groups called anti-Balaka formed in response to the power seize by

Seleka rebels. Anti-Balaka groups have also been accused of atrocities. The UN believes that thousands have been killed in the violence and at least a million people have been displaced in CAR

since in the last four years. Munoz has been sheltering Muslims at his seminary since May 2017. He says , “Nearby,

Gaza Radio Station Gives a Voice to Refugees

On the air since the first week of August, Hawwa radio station in Nuseirat refugee camp in the Gaza Strip aims to become the voice of Palestinian refugees, and women in particular. It is the product of years of preparation, efforts to find funds and volunteer work. “I first had the idea to start a radio station in 2011, but it took me until 2013 to find the financial means to start online broadcasts,” Bahaa Abed, Hawwa’s director, says. He had no money to pay for an FM broadcast band so he used the internet. Abed saved until he could afford headquarters and equipment, and since Aug. 5, the radio station broadcasts both online and on the air. Hawwa (Eve) is the first radio station that targets women, children and refugees from Nuseirat refugee camp, which has been the home to displaced Palestinians since 1948.

Since Hawwa does not follow any specific political movement, it does not receive support from any party, and so the radio station is solely funded by Abed. For now, he said the station will rely on income from commercials. The 20-member team of presenters, talk show hosts and technicians all work as volunteers. Since Nuseirat camp is near several other refugee camps in central Gaza — such as Bureij, Maghazi and Deir el-Balah, Hawwa also aims to cover topics that are important in these camps. Abed noted that he would like Hawwa to be the voice of at least a quarter of a million refugees. Social, political and emotional issues in the refugee camps are high on the agenda of the radio station. Abed believes there are many issues in the camps that are not covered by mainstream media. (Extracted from al-monitor.com)

there are anti-Balaka militias who prevent Muslims from going out to search for food, water or firewood, they are completely confined inside the seminary. They would risk death if they ventured out.” Munoz is concerned that many aid organizations have stopped working in Bangassou. Munoz stands for humanity: “For us, there’s no such thing as a Muslim person or a Christian person, everyone is a human being. We need to protect those who are vulnerable”, he says.

(Extracted from https://craigconsidinetcd.com)

Sikh Volunteers Bring Aid to Rohingya Muslims Khalsa Aid Providing Langar & Water to Refugees

A team of volunteers from the Sikh organisation Khalsa Aid reached the Bangladesh-Myanmar border recently to provide relief to the many Rohingya Muslim families fleeing Myanmar. Amarpreet Singh, managing director, Khalsa Aid, India, who has reached Teknaf, a border town in Bangladesh where the refugees are living in the camps, said that condition at the border was “miserable to say the least”.“It was our first day here today and we did a pre-assessment before launching a major relief

operation. We had come prepared for providing relief to some 50,000 people, but there are more than three lakh refugees here. They are living without water, food, clothes and shelter. They are sitting wherever they can find a corner. It is raining, but people do not have anywhere to go. It is miserable to say the least. We will be providing them langar food (community kitchen) and shelter. We are arranging tarpaulins, but

since the number of refugees have overwhelmingly exceeded

our preparations, it can take some time to make arrangements,” he said.He added that there were huge camps at Teknaf and each one was crowded beyond its capacity. “A camp can accommodate at least 50,000 people, but in most of them there are more than one lakh refugees”, adding“The priority is to not let anyone sleep without food. Children

are roaming without clothes and begging for food. Those who do

not get space in camps are sitting along roads in hope of getting food from someone” .Khalsa Aid team is now serving langar and water to the refugees. “Teknaf is almost 10 hours ride from the capital Dhaka from where we are ferrying all the material needed to prepare langar. Connectivity issues and rain are creating hindrances, but we are trying our best to provide food to the maximum people at the earliest. The langar will continue here till crisis is over and refugees continue to reach the border,” he added. n

A Sikh volunteer from Khalsa Aid at Teknaf, on the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, helps Rohingya Muslims. (Photo Courtesy: Twitter/ VipulGulahe)

ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2017 30

children's corner

GlobAl AFFAirs

New Initiative Brings Quran to Gaza's Hearing-ImpairedGaza City: Gaza Strip: In an attempt to teach the Quran to the deaf in the Gaza Strip, the Future Society for Deaf Adults (FSDA) offers religious and awareness courses aimed at

interpreting the Quran using sign language. Courses are offered for deaf youth ages 12-18, targeting 500 deaf people in Gaza. The courses are held at the Dar al Quran al Karim WaSunnah, which has 14 branches in the Gaza Strip. Each class consists of 20 students. Mervat Hamdan, 14, is one of the students who enrolled in the courses. She was able to memorize a few verses of the Quran. Hamdan talked to Al-Monitor using sign language; her teacher Mervat Sayam interpreted the conversation. “I am very

happy to have memorized a few Quranic verses. "The FSDA offered us a booklet with image interpretations of the Quran in sign language and text in Braille, as I also suffer from impaired

vision,” she said. “At first, I had some difficulties in learning the Quranic verses and the hadiths. I did not find much encouragement from the people around me, as they do not know sign language. My mother was the one to encourage me to keep trying and to concentrate on memorization,” she added. “Every word in the Quran has a special sign that helps explain it. As for the process of memorizing, the Quranic verses are written on the blackboard in front of the students and then they are explained,” Sayam told

Al-Monitor. Sayam explained, “The courses start off with giving general information about the number of Quranic verses and their parts. The memorizing process is done through tutorial videos on LCD screens, explaining the verse using sign language." FSDA President Adham Eid told Al-Monitor, “Ten years ago, most of the deaf Palestinians did not know

who the Prophet was. However, today things have changed with the religious awareness courses in sign language, which were diligently prepared by Jordan's Conservation of the Holy Quran Society with the cooperation of the Jordanian Ministry of Awqaf and a professional team of sign language interpreters over the past five years.” According to

statistics by the Ministry of Social Affairs in 2015, there are 2,409 people above 18 and 1,243 under 18 who suffer from hearing impairment in the Gaza Strip. The only school in Gaza for the deaf is the Mustafa SadeqRifai Secondary School, which counts 160 students since its opening in February 2011. (Extracted from www.al-monitor.

com)

Pope Francis, Muslim World League Secretary discuss interfaith coexistence

Pope Francis, head of the Catholic Church, recently received the Secretary General of the Muslim World League Dr. Mohammed bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa, at the Vatican. During the meeting, both exchanged views on a number of issues of common interest related to peace and global harmony, and cooperation in issues of peace, coexistence and the spread of love. At the end of the meeting, Pope Francis and Al-Issa exchanged commemorative gifts. n

Burnt ToastYour Momma works hard day after day and she’s real tired.

And besides a little burnt toast never hurt anyone!

“When I was a little Boy, I remember one day in particular when she had made breakfast. She must have been very tired. My mom placed a plate of eggs, and rather burned toast in front

of my dad. I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed. Yet all my dad did was reach for his toast, smile at my mom, and ask me how was I ready for school. I don’t remember what I replied, but I do remember watching him smear butter and jam on that toast and eat every bite!

When I got up from the table, I remember hearing my mom apologize to my dad for burning the toast. And I’ll never forget what he said: ‘Baby, I love burned toast.’Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy and I asked him if he really liked his toast burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said, ‘Your Momma works hard day after day and she’s real tired. And besides a little burnt toast never hurt anyone!’ You know, life is full of imperfect things…..and imperfect people. I’m not the best football player either.What I’ve learned over the years is that learning to accept each other’s faults-and choosing to celebrate each other’s differences- is the one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship.We should learn to take the good,

the bad, and the ugly parts of your life and lay them at the feet of Allah. Because in the end, He’s the only One who will be able to give you a relationship where burnt toast isn’t a deal-breaker!http://haqislam.org/

Bad TemperWhen you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one.There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His Father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back

of the fence. The first day, the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, as he

learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence.Finally the day came when the boy didn’t lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper.The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone. The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said, “You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one.”

ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2017 3131 Enhance Your Word Power

Bay: A sea surrounded with land on three sides. ( �ج ل�ی خ

�) E.g., Bay of Bengal.

Cape: The tip of the conical landmass that is surrounded by sea on most sides. (راس). E.g., Cape Comorin, Cape of Good Hope.

Coral Reef: A coral reef is a long narrow mass of coral and other substances, the top of which is usually just above or just below the surface of the sea.

رماجن) اٹچن، اسیلح یک (ومےگن

Cyclone: A violent rotating storm which pelts immense amount of rain. Usually it has wind speed exceeding 40 miles an hour.

وطافن) کل�ون،دنمسری ئ

جار، اس� (رگد�

Delta: The triangular piece of land covered by a river which splits into several streams before entering the sea.

داہےن) ےک ا در�ی یسک وج خ زمی امن ثلثم ےہ اجیت نب (رپ

Fishing port: Port used by only boats and ships engaged in fishing. (اڈہ ری گی (امیہ

Harbour: Yard at the ports where ships anchor themselves.

راراگہ)ق

� یک (اہجزوں

Isthmus: Narrow strip of land

that connects two landmasses and separates two seas. (اخانکےئ) e.g.,

Lagoon: Coastal lake. (یل جھ� �(اسیلح

Mangrove: Thick bushes that grow on swamps along the sea coast forming a network of branches. The mangroves are an effective cushion against tidal destruction. ( (رمچ�خ

Monsoon: The oceanic winds that rise from the southern seas and bring rain to the South Asian

and Southeast Asia. ےس) دنمسروں ونجیب وج ی

ئوہا� اموسنن،

ی �ہ الیت جارش �)

Moorage: A place for mooring ships and charges for the same.

اگہ) (رگنل

Oceanography: Study of oceans. ات) (رحب�ی

Oceanarium: Enclosure for breeding sea animals. (اخہن (امیہ Peninsula: Triangular landmass that protrudes into the sea. (رہ ر�ی خ �ج (e.g., South Indian peninsula) .(امن

Shore: The land along the sea. Also called coast. (اسلح)

Seafaring: Travel through the sea. (رفس (رحبی

Seaman: Member of a ship crew. (اہجزراں)

Seaworthy: Capable of sea travel ومزوں) ےئل ےک رفس .(رحبی

Strait: Narrow strip of sea that separates two large landmasses and connects two seas. E.g., Palk Strait between India and Sri Lanka, or Strait of Malacca between Malaysia and island of Sumatara. (آانبےئ)

Tide & Ebb: Rise and fall of sea waves synchronizing with phases of moon. (رر خ �ج ا،دمو اھب�ٹ (وجار

Trade winds: Sea winds that blow towards the equator and were considered favourable for ships with merchandise. ( ی

ئوہا� (اجتریت

Tsunami: High oceanic tides caused by quake or volcanic activity under the sea which can cause destruction on the coastal areas. ر) ز�ی وج رہل وطافین وایل اےنھٹ می دنمسر وہ،انسیم ایھٹ ےس وہج یک ززلےل آب ےہ ظفل اج�پاین (ا�ی

Whirlpool: Circulation of water into the shape of a trough in seas.

(رگداب،ونھبر)

Terms Related with Oceansسمندر سے متعلق اصطالحات

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