Will the world shed a tear?

As the New Year dawns, the world is again a mute witness to a massacre.

310 people killed and more than a 1000 reported injured in the first 48 hours alone.

At this point, if you are inclined to shake your head in disbelief because you have not heard of this, you are not to be blamed. This news will never assume enough importance to tug at the conscience of the average Westerner. Not because they do not care. Because they will not know. Because their governments would have simply brushed it under the carpet. Because these lives have been deemed cheap.

The facts are simple. Israel has illegally occupied West Bank and Gaza strip since 1967. During the last 7 years, 14 Israelis have been killed by mostly homemade rockets fired from the Gaza strip in desperation, while more than 5000 Palestinians were killed by Israel with some of the most sophisticated US weapons. Israel has punished the 1.5-million people in the Gaza strip with an inhuman blockade of essential supplies since Hamas was elected democratically to power by the Palestinian people in 2006.

Ah but the Jews were so persecuted by the Nazis, where will they live? Surely so many atrocities have been committed against them, surely we must protect them?

Who committed the atrocities against Jews? Who were the perpetrators of the Holocaust?

From the way the world is now, it would have made more sense if the aggressors had been Palestinians/Muslims. Then their collective punishment and humiliation would have some explanation.

The truth is that the Western governments are responsible for the mass murder of the Jews. Now they are in the throes of a perpetual guilt complex and will not realize that the innocent child that they traumatized and then rescued has now grown up to become a bully, a psycho who kills without conscience. Such is the absence of logic and reasoning when it comes to Israel.
Muslims do recognize the need for Israel to have its right to exist but so do the Palestinians. Common sense says that you cannot grab one baby’s bottle to feed another. That is exactly what Europe and US have been doing for Israel at the expense of the Palestinians.

The rest of the world understands that executioner and victim cannot be deemed equal. We do cry when we remember the Holocaust and honour the Jews that were killed unjustly but we are ever aware of the role Israel is now playing in tormenting the Palestinians, trampling their rights, eroding their credibility and culture to the point of their extinction. Recognizing one does not negate the other.

I begin this year with a silent prayer for a peaceful solution to the misery of the Palestinians and insecurity of the Israelis that will enable both to live with dignity, mutual respect, prosperity, and peace.

Eternal Star

On a clear starry night,
There once was a magical sight,
A single star grew so bright,
Glowing wisely in her own light.

With soothing words and tender thoughts,
Soon she captured all our hearts,
Every lonely creature felt her warmth.
Venus held her luminous arms,
Mercury succumbed to her charms.

All the planets jilted the sun,
And fled to this glorious one.

The angry sun summoned a cloud,
In sharp cruel words thundered aloud:
“Go and ambush that new star,
I will watch you from afar!”

Edged on by his overlord
Descended upon her this dark cloud,
Shrouding her from all and sundry.
Venus hid her face in shame,
Moon cried and felt so lame.

But judicious Jupiter could not be fooled
And spoke thus, “This is just a passing cloud.
When this dark night is gone,
Another day is to dawn,
Grieve not over this eternal star.”

India-A phoenix in slumber

Gandhi said on the eve of independence, “Independence must begin at the bottom. … every village has to be self-sustained and capable of managing its affairs even to the extent of defending itself against the whole world.”

Standing amidst the devastation wrecked on Mumbai after the recent terrorist attacks, an ordinary citizen exclaimed in exasperation that she would rather every Mumbaiker stopped giving their taxes to the government and instead used it themselves for the progress and defence of their city. She was thus lamenting the helplessness of the common man and the complete lack of accountability and transparency in the functioning of the central and state governments.

In vain, we expect cosmetic fixes like resignation of the Home Minister or even the installation of a new party at the helm to instill fresh life into the anachronistic system. Even an ostrich burying its head in the sand will laugh at our naiveté.

We must strike at the root of the problem. The solution is to usher in peacefully a decentralized democracy that will bring real power to the people. Imagine a system of governance where every citizen has the power to make decisions that affect him directly like water, food, electricity, roads, security, healthcare, etc. Imagine every street in India clean, secure, and well lit with no signs of desperation or dehumanising poverty. No corruption, no slums, no ostentatious display of wealth while people die of hunger, no obesity or sloth or depression or anxiety but a sharing conscientious society that is content and has no communal or parochial inclinations. There will still be inequality in that there will be some who are richer than others but there will not be anyone without dignity. There will not be any beggars nor will the rich indulge in mindless philanthropy that is self-serving. The more privileged (in terms of wealth, education or any asset) will be humble custodians ever ready to serve the less privileged but the right to private property will be preserved. There will be healthy debates, diversity will be encouraged, differences upheld and unity preserved.

Would you decry this as an utopia, unattainable and unrealistic? Would you rather preserve the status quo until we sink into more depravity, violence, and finally the crumbling of the very society whose fabric we wish to protect and enrich? Would you for fear of the unknown hold on to the present stalemate and refuse to move your cheese?

Let us start our political reforms. Let us begin to understand the dreams that Gandhi envisaged for India. Let us bring the government to the people. From the ashes of Mumbai, let us rise.

Sacrifice

Bakrid falls on Monday and it reminds me of sacrifice as Bakrid is celebrated in memory of Abraham’s (peace be upon him) sacrifice to Almighty God. Last week in the Mumbai terror attack so many brave people--policemen, men from national security guard and navy and antiterrorism squad, hotel staff--sacrificed their lives to save that of others. Gandhiji sacrificed his life for our nation. Mother Teresa sacrificed her life in the service of the poor. Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, Abraham Lincoln---the list goes on---so many men and women of our times who have loved beyond the call of their daily life and found truth and victory in their sacrifice.

I feel so small when I compare myself to these noble souls but compare I must in order to escape from the trappings of daily life and rise beyond the petty thoughts of anger, envy and pride that I sometimes fall prey to. It helps to remember that human beings just like us have overcome their fears and desires to make the world a better place.

When we face insurmountable inequalities (economic, political, social), we shrug it off saying, “What can one person do?” Well, history teaches us that it is precisely the ‘one man’ who has always changed the world.

Apart from these bright stars that inspire, I take courage from the so many faceless heroes that are all around me-I see a young boy of 14 sacrificing his education and his dreams to support his elderly parents; a young woman divorced by her husband because their daughter has cancer, struggling to keep her alive, refusing countless marriage proposals and sacrificing her desires; a young girl of 13 who kept her honor without succumbing to the advances of men who frequented her prostitute mother and growing up to be a fine woman having a respectable marriage and educating her sons, a middle-aged lady who bore the emotional abuse of her alcoholic husband countering it with love and faith reforming him with endless patience, mothers who eat less so that their children would have more to eat, husbands who work hard braving poor health and old age to support the extravagances of wives they cannot help but love---the myriad tales of sacrifice.

As I look at their lives, my heart fills up with warmth, my soul lifts up in prayer, and I become nothing.

Religion and Terrorism

No religion should be maligned for the errors of its followers. The term follower itself is misleading. Ordinarily religion is inherited and not chosen after careful deliberation. In the hustle and bustle of daily life, few people strive to unearth the truth in their scriptures. They only view religion as an identity. Knowing only the outer shell of religion, they are drawn to charismatic extremist leaders and willingly become pawns in their hands. Any ideology is capable of producing fanatics under these conditions. Have not we heard of environmental terrorists?

The Y behind the X

Internet makes the lure of anonymity utterly irresistible. It provides a new avenue for a second life on a scale never before imagined. Why do people clamour for this escape from reality? By withholding certain aspects of their lives, are they not indulging in dishonest behaviour? Or by keeping back those outer aspects of life, which are mere embellishments to the soul, does this anonymity serve to bring out the real person in them? Let us explore briefly the Ys behind the ‘X factor.’

Traditionally, nondisclosure amounts to untruthful behaviour. It implies the need to hide and indicates a dichotomy of identity and personality leading to hypocrisy. When outer life fails to accurately represent the inner life, there is a splitting of the mind. It often arises from the lack of courage or vision to bring one’s ideals into practice. It also portends a repressive physical and emotional environment that inhibits true yearnings and hence the need for an alter ego. However, anonymity becomes acceptable or even desirable in real life when dangerous truths have to be revealed in order to avoid threatening consequences.

On the other hand, Internet poses challenges that are unique. Identities are often stolen, misused or hijacked by undesirable elements. There is a constant need to fend off predatory behaviour. The degree of exposure to the unknown is considerably higher on the Internet than in the real world where monetary, physical or social considerations limit sense of adventure. Under such difficult conditions, a pseudonym becomes an attractive choice.

Apart from its protective aspect, anonymity also serves to be therapeutic. Painful secrets can be revealed and understanding sought in the form of comments and opinions that gives a sense of solidarity and relief. Many poignant stories are told in these secret exchanges in broad daylight. When the burdens of the heart are made lighter, solutions to long-held problems can be adequately framed. Relationships acquired through these exchanges also prove invaluable in tiding over times of great emotional upheaval. Unlike the real world, a person can open up to others without fear of any stigma or any repercussions that are binding.

In addition to the above sober considerations, there is a fun side to anonymity. Often people embark on such journeys just for a new experience. The freedom it offers is exhilarating. It also becomes an arena to explore new facets of personality. It could also be a litmus test to a person’s true worth in the absence of societal pressures or accountability.

Some people resort to a nom de plume to escape from an illustrious name and the preconceptions that accompany it. It then becomes an opportunity to get an unbiased readership and shun sycophancy. Anonymity lends a mystic aura to the writing. It provides a fresh slate, the hope of a new beginning.

As with anything that life has to offer, anonymity too has its pitfalls if it is not handled with equanimity. There is the danger of excessive attachment to the pseudo identity at the cost of reality. Self control, as always, is the decisive factor.

Thus as science opens up new frontiers of existence, the doors to novel experiences are thrown open. Old rules do not apply here. New ones are yet to arrive. In this twilight zone of unlimited freedom how man behaves will prove his true mettle.

Attrition of India

Within a couple of decades, there has been a drastic change in lifestyle in India. We have seen globalisation spawning new wealth, which has unfortunately remained in the hands of a few privileged. Economic growth has not been inclusive. That means the poor have remained poor. The lower middle class, a unique educated class trapped in low-paying jobs that had somehow managed to hold its head high over the years has eroded into poverty. There has however been a rise of a new upper middle class through IT and other high-growth sectors. This young and elite crowd has displayed an opulent lifestyle rivalling even that of the traditionally rich.

No, I am not going to vent self-righteous anger against the IT crowd and blame them for all evils. That is just plain stupid. When you are young, naïve, and suddenly exposed to a heady mix of wealth and easy accessibility to luxury, it is natural to stumble into the rabbit hole of materialism.

That brings us to the second point. Earlier, there was no way a moderately rich person could buy a Merc and live outside his means. That prevented unnecessary spending and acted as a check against overt consumption. Today, you just get a bank loan and voila! Move over ambassador, here comes the Skoda Bravia or a Jaguar or even a Ferrari?

Third point, it has led to wealth being concentrated in a few cities and occupations and overwhelming misery to other parts of the country and other means of livelihood. As people from villages flock to the city in search of a better life, abandoning their fields and livestock, cities have become more polluted, congested, and frankly unsustainable. Agriculture has collapsed, farmlands have been sold, artisans are in despair, and farmers are committing suicide.

Thus having smothered our talents and pawned our resources leading to a gradual decline in self-sufficiency, there is greater dependence on other countries for food (physical, intellectual, political, cultural, spiritual, moral). We keep looking outwards for solutions forgetting that an inward gaze at any level is the best remedy.

As people flee from their natural environment, time-honoured practices are shelved. Many languages, art forms, and beliefs die. An indigenous culture that held together a vibrant pluralistic society is lost. Intolerance raises its ugly head. The rest is history.

Standing at the threshold of total bankruptcy, let us begin afresh.

Common sense of the Common Man

All ideologies are vulnerable to extreme interpretations. It is man’s innate tendency to always believe that his values are the best. From this pride arises all conflicts and violence towards others. All major religions including Hinduism and Islam advocate moderation and respect for divergent views. However, human nature as weak as it is sometimes succumbs to chauvinism. When we cease to merely tolerate others but start to love them, we will see differences as bright colours to be admired in the great palette of life. Paradoxically, religion practised in its purity serves to inculcate this love for others. Parents must instill in children a sense of respect for variety. The common man in India has always understood this rationale and hence the majority of the people have lived harmoniously over the years. It is up to the government and our political leaders to take up this common sense of the masses and show unity in protecting us against terrorism without maligning the reputation of any ideology.

Four wives and a funda

Of late, Christopher has been watching the debate on polygamy in Islam. He wanted to clarify a few doubts with Zubeida, his Muslim friend.

Christopher: What exactly does the Quran say about having four wives?

Zubeida: As far as I know, there is one particular verse in the Quran that deals with this clearly and it is as follows – “If ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, marry women of your choice, two or three or four; but if ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one...." This can be found in the Chapter 4 titled ‘Women.’ That chapter also contains other verses on fair dealing with orphans and women.

Christopher: Who were these orphans?

Zubeida: In those days, because of war, there were a lot of widows and kids without any guardians. Muslims were obligated to offer them protection and dignity by receiving them into their family. It was a period of great social crisis when men were less in number and orphans were aplenty. When the men found it difficult financially or otherwise to take care of the orphans and the burden became too great for them and the existing wives, more wives were allowed--up to a max of four--to take care of the little ones. These women were themselves widows or orphans of marriageable age.

Christopher: Now I understand! Also the verse says that if a man cannot deal justly with so many wives, then he can have only one wife, right?

Zubeida: Exactly!

Christopher: It is hard to get along with one wife and I can’t imagine being fair to four! No way, man!

Zubeida: That about sums it up then. In fact, verse 129 from the same chapter kinda says the same thing. Polygamy is quite a controversial subject.

Christopher: Well, there is a rumour going around that one reason for polygamy is to allow men to fulfil their needs when they keep away from their wives during their monthly cycles. It also claims that when a man works abroad, he can take other wives.

Zubeida: I have already told you the only criterion for polygamy. Apart from this, nothing is mentioned in the Quran to the best of my knowledge and I have gone over it several times and read the opinion of experts in order to answer your questions accurately. Polygamy was merely tolerated and not encouraged in Islam. Anyway, marriage without mutual consent is not allowed and adultery is absolutely prohibited.

Christopher: I guess the best way to approach religious matters is with an open mind.

Ancient Wisdom

India is a paradox for foreigners who care to study it. Some of them often wonder why India does not show pride in its rich heritage. They feel that Indians berate themselves despite their achievements and lack true nationalism. To them, India is a young nation still coming to terms with its realities perhaps even bogged down by a turbulent past. They also wonder why Hindus often champion Muslim or Christian causes with such enthusiasm sometimes even to the detriment of their own. What they do not realise is that India is not a young child establishing its new identity who must first reject all that is alien and reclaim its rightful place.

India has in spite of all its sufferings not lost its continuity from the ancient times and is ever the wise mother who cuddles in her lap the eldest child Hindu, the youngest child Muslim and all the other sons and daughters. If she appears to be kinder to the youngest, it is only because she knows in her infinite wisdom that it is the most fragile. She has much hope and trust in her eldest, the wise one, whom she expects to be a shining example capable of carrying even the youngest on its wings. It is this karuna (compassion) and dharma of the eldest that is often mistakenly perceived as weakness by westerners but its tolerance flows not from frailty but a higher source of strength, justice, and steady vision rooted in true knowledge of the Vedas (sacred texts of Hinduism). Only the strongest can look inward and laugh at their own defects while extolling the virtues of others. The younger children must in turn imbibe from the eldest that knowledge, the most ancient of all that is the aim of life and only then will their own wisdom be complete.

Now we come to the youngest, the Muslim. The Quran contains within it the exhortation to study and learn past scriptures. Thus every Muslim is obligated to learn the Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads, etc. I write this only because Islam is now a much misunderstood and maligned religion even amidst some of the most learned. The teachings in Islam if properly understood is a continuation of the ancient knowledge, a reaffirmation of all that came before. In truth, it claims not to be a new religion but only an extension. Allah is only the Arabic word for Almighty God, eternal and absolute and not any new name and as the Quran says all beautiful names belong to him. Is not Brahman the most beautiful of names? Thus at its core, there is no essential Hindu-Muslim conflict in ideology.

Selfish people in search of power have always corrupted religion, dividing men and causing inordinate suffering. This truth is grasped by our Hindu brethren unlike most of the Western world which does not understand the basic unity and spirituality underlying all religions and so India is the country that treats Muslims the best. I must also add one more thing because I am truly afraid. If the misconceptions about Islam continue to be propagated around the world by both terrorists and clueless western intellectuals, there might soon be great violence against innocent Muslims who are caught in between them. I have read Islamic and Hindu scriptures quite extensively and I earnestly state that there is nothing in both that encourages violence. It is merely a spiritual and moral guide.

Unfortunately in the hands of mischievous men, the most sacred of symbols and teachings get denigrated through misrepresentation and deliberate association with violence. Did not Aurobindo (Indian sage) grieve at the usage of the Swastika by the Nazis? Muslims grieve about the loss of the sanctity of noble words like Jihad, Islam, Mujahid, Muslim, etc. to such an extent that now being a Muslim has become synonymous with being a terrorist in certain parts of the world. If in India such paranoia has ceased to exist, it is because we know the truth and the Brahmins, the most learned men of India have taken the time and effort to study the Quran and found it to be true and in accordance with Sanatana (eternal) Dharma (right way of living). It is because of this magnanimity and clarity of thought that we have assimilated ancient wisdom with the new. It is because of this that India is the magnificent smorgasbord of plurality that defies logic.

Defining the Muslim identity

Christopher has been reading about ‘Islamic terrorism.’ When he met his Muslim friend Zubeida, he had many doubts that he wanted to clarify. Zubeida told him that though some terrorists may have Muslim names, they are not Muslims. The following is a fictional conversation between Zubeida and her friend Christopher.

Christopher: Who is a Muslim then?

Zubeida: A person who bows to the will of Almighty God. The word Islam means peaceful submission to the will of Almighty God. By this definition, many people who call themselves Christians or Hindus or Jews could be true Muslims, while many who have Muslim names are not.

Christopher: But how can a Christian or Hindu be a Muslim?

Zubeida: The Quran teaches us that only Almighty God can judge who really submits to his will. All people who believe in Him and live a righteous life are Muslims. For us Quran is not the only holy book. It is only the last of many sent out by Almighty God to instruct man on how to seek Him.

Christopher: Does this mean you have read scriptures of other religions?

Zubeida: Yes, but first of all, there is only one religion.

Christopher (Incredulous): What?

Zubeida: Submission to God might be called by different names but from the beginning Almighty God has taught us the same thing—to worship Him alone and be righteous. This message can be found in the teachings of Jesus-Peace be upon him-, Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads, etc. and all the scriptures brought out through different messengers of God. In fact, Allah is only the Arabic word for Almighty God. It is not a name of a new God.

Christopher: But ..

Zubeida: One sec, let me give you an example. Say there is an author who has been writing countless books on a particular subject over several years. His knowledge, originally perfect, has not changed over the years and he writes the same things, sometimes in different languages, sometimes published by different companies, sometimes received by people in only one part of the world, sometimes released all over the world, etc.

Christopher: How is this relevant?

Zubeida: Messengers of Allah are like different publishers and scriptures are the books! So same message, same author, different messengers, different languages, different readers.

Christopher: Then why do people fight in the name of religion saying that their religion is the best?

Zubeida: The Quran explicitly warns against divisiveness. It says mankind is one and that people only differ amidst themselves due to selfishness. It emphasises the brotherhood of all those who believe and are righteous. This is the Muslim brotherhood. It includes righteous believers among those who call themselves Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, Jews, etc. as well. From now on when I use the words Allah and Muslim, you must remember its true meaning.

Christopher: Terrorists call themselves Muslims and all their outfits have Muslim-sounding names like Mujahideen, Jihadi, Islami etc. etc.

Zubeida: Terrorists bring destruction to themselves and those around them. Their violent actions are anything but righteous and hence they are not Muslims! Quran says that if you kill one person unjustly, it is akin to killing the whole of mankind. So, are you convinced now that terrorists are not Muslims and Muslims are not terrorists?

A humble request

If indeed it is true that there are young men with Muslim names resorting to terrorism, then it becomes imperative that the Muslim community stands even more united with the rest of world in the fight against terrorism for only that can successfully defeat terrorism. As far as I can gauge, Muslims have always condemned terrorist acts committed in its name from the very beginning. Even where there have been genuine grievances, Muslims believe in standing peacefully for justice because such an attitude is encouraged in the Quran.

The following words from the Quran amply illustrate this – “Let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety: and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do.”

Also if they have any information regarding terrorist activities, a true Muslim will divulge it, standing as a witness even against his family. The following exhortation from the Quran makes that clear – ""O ye who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to God, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor: for God can best protect both."

Strict adherence to the law of the land that houses them is the duty of every Muslim and as such, true Muslims will not resort to terrorism but as in every religion, there are black sheep. These hide within us without our knowledge like wolves in sheepskin beguiling us, striving ever to instill fear in our hearts and divide us. Therefore, it becomes very important that sensible people from all communities unite and refrain from throwing blame against each other for this is exactly what the terrorists want.

Terrorists use the symbols of Islam, while not adhering to its tenets, to further their cause and to recruit more people. Muslims are trying to oppose this insidious campaign and retain the purity of words like Islam, jihad, etc. so that the whole community does not look complicit in the atrocities by a few misguided youth and also because we want to prevent further innocents from being misled. There has to be total alienation of terrorists from our community so that they can be apprehended and for this we require the help of the media. We understand that the media only wants to expose the presence of terrorists and try to comprehend the rationale behind the violence. In truth, Islam does not condone the killings of innocent people even if there is an atom of justification in the intended cause. While it would be very welcome if the injustices perpetrated on the Muslim community (Palestine, Gujarat genocide, Srebrenica, etc.) are addressed, it is not a precondition and it is mischief to imply such a thing as it will cause sympathy to the terrorists and make them look “our own” which is dangerous.

I humbly request that the media abstain from using words like Islamic terrorism (an oxymoron!), jihad, Muslims, etc. while describing terrorists or their activities. Please do not give them any dignity as they are killing innocent people but please, please do not destroy our dignity for we, the Muslim community are fighting a lone battle against murderers. Will not our brothers help us?

Tough choices

We are being constantly admonished that taking the bitter pill of tougher laws alone can eradicate the plague of terrorism while there is ample evidence to the contrary. Curtailing the rights endowed by the constitution in the guise of strengthening the existing laws is self-immolation. Whether our Prime Minister can walk the tight rope of justice and fair play while fending off the constant clamour for stringent measures remains to be seen.

What is alarming however is the success with which the Bharatiya Janata Party has indoctrinated the visual media leaving no stone unturned in beguiling the general public. Refusal to kowtow to its narrow vision immediately brings forth the charge of minority appeasement and/or being unpatriotic in a manner quite reminiscent of the American President’s terror tactics.

In addition to simple but effective preventive measures like beefing up the intelligence apparatus, identifying and choking the source of funding for terrorist groups, and addressing the combination of social, political, and economic grievances that feed terrorism, it is my opinion that greater sensitivity is required when dealing with informers and witnesses in order to instill confidence and encourage more of them to come forward. (The recent episode of the young boy witness being whisked away in an aggressive manner is still etched in our minds.)

If indeed the scourge of terrorism is to be vanquished, it should be tackled effectively at the grassroots level. There exists the need for parents to instill Ahimsa as a life-skill and encourage it aggressively by exemplifying it with their lives. In every scripture, there are verses that call for moderation and peaceful coexistence. The choice of forgiveness in the face of injustice is a difficult one and I am not even qualified to make such a lofty suggestion but in the face of the endless cycle of violence that will consume and taint all that is sacred in life, there is no other option. Forgiveness does not necessarily mean forgetting or conceding victory to the aggressor but it is the decision to wrest control of the power that our tormentor still exercises on us when we allow negative thoughts to assail our minds. When we decide not to be hurt, we will not be and when we decide to be happy, we will be. After all, thought is the precursor to words and action and when thoughts are purified, all will fall into place.

Much ado about nothing

There is a lot of righteous indignation in the wake of the bomb blasts which is of course understandable but definitely being taken too far. There is a great need for everyone to calm down. The TV channels are whipping up a frenzy that makes the bomb blasts appear like an unparalleled catastrophe that merits our sole attention. The opposition parties are moving in for the kill, demanding the head of the home minister and the resurrection of POTA. The media instead of remaining independent and objective is aiding them. The loss of life caused by the bomb blasts is indeed sad. Human life is undeniably precious. So indeed why are we categorizing only the bomb blasts as terrorism and forgetting the numerous other killings that are going on in our country? What about the casualties of Orissa, Karnataka, Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat to name a few? Why is there hardly any interest in that? Is not that terrorism?

Terrorism by definition is the unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence by a person or an organized group against people or property with the intention of intimidating or coercing societies or governments, often for ideological or political reasons. By this standard, the killings of Christians in Orissa, killings of Muslims in Gujarat are all terrorism. Why was not anyone held responsible then? Which minister resigned? Which new law was brought in to tackle it?

Is it that when a few masked men kill indiscriminately (victims are from all denomination), they are to be dreaded more than the thousands who take to the streets and choose their victims carefully according to religion and kill them one by one in an organized and precise manner? Nary a word is said about those who visibly aided and abetted them, the VHP, the Bajrang Dal, the BJP. Which TV channel is abuzz with the demand for their ban?

If SIMI is responsible for violent acts, it should be banned. No sane Muslim is going to oppose it. If the families of the victims of the parliament blasts want Afzal Guru hanged, no sensible Muslim is going to oppose their demand for life for a life. Who are spreading these lies about Muslims caring about these things? We care that justice be delivered. We do not want any favors (No more reservation based on caste and religion please, what we require is reservation based on economic status. Brahmins, if they are economically backward, should also be brought under reservation.), only that is ours by right; that is the right to live peacefully and fearlessly. We need to put things in perspective. We need to think about alleviating poverty and building the nation, not turning our country into a police state or bringing back a party that has blood on its hands. I do not want to be pushed to a corner and compartmentalized as “Muslim.” I wish India would start acting in a way that reminds me I am an Indian.

Senseless act

In the holy month of Ramzan, as Muslims all over the world abstain from food, anger, and all desires in a remarkable show of restraint, a little known terrorist group explodes bombs in Delhi in the name of defending Muslims. What for? So that we can weep in shame? Everywhere I turn to, ordinary Muslims comment, “How can they do this, that too in this month of peace and use Allah’s name to justify their evil intent?” If ever Muslims in India had an enemy, its name is Indian Mujahideen. Every single righteous Muslim even in his innermost thoughts will condemn this dastardly act and pray that Allah help the victims and save India from those who kill the innocent and soil Islam. When the rest of India mourn, Muslims grieve for not only the loss of lives but also for the fact that their religion is being misused by cruel men to justify their violence. As Orissa, Jammu & Kashmir and Gujarat have amply demonstrated, all religions have become convenient tools in the hands of the unscrupulous to torture and murder innocents and wrest power. A crime is most often than not committed by those who stand to gain the most from it. In this case however, even such logic stands defied! The need of the hour is for right-minded people of all religions to unite in condemning the hijacking of their faiths and thwart these self-appointed guardians of morality.

Role of media in a democracy

Media is assumed to be an independent and fair entity in a democratic state. In reality, to what extent is this basic belief in its objectivity justified?

Ideally media serves as a spotlight that shines on matters that have a significant bearing on society. Thus at its outset itself media is invariably linked to the society that it caters to. Any pluralistic society has within it, majorities and minorities whose aspirations and fears should be sufficiently reflected in the media but adequate representation actually ensures that the majority view is heard loudly and more clearly over that of the minorities because the nature of the society itself demands that. Giving equal space to all voices, when the societal makeup does not reflect such a situation leads to a skewed view. Thus an essential requirement for the proper functioning of the media is to mirror the diversity of the community it represents in proportionate amounts. The initial notion of an egalitarian and united agenda must be cast aside. This is true only of media that is accessible to all. National newspapers usually belong to this category.

In this age of specialization, the target audience of the media has shrunk. So we now have small groups sponsoring media to make sure their issues are given prominence. For example, the upper middle class with its nouveau IT-endowed riches dominates the airwaves and news items that exposes the stark poverty and suffering of the majority of the population of India escapes its attention. Even if some calamity manages to divert it from its inherently voyeuristic and self-gratifying agenda, when the initial shock abates, callousness kicks in ensuring that the coverage is always perfunctory and fleeting. Closely linked to these materialistic inclinations of the mass media that is prompted by the vested political and economic interests that controls them is the disdain for anything that threatens this moral stagnation. Having ingratiated itself with a West-aping NRI-desi amalgam of an audience, it attacks and demonizes anything that hovers beyond their sensibilities.

In spite of the aforementioned biases in its outlook, media is an indispensable unit of a democratic state. It is the single most powerful embodiment of free speech. It is looked up to and expected to act responsibly, to expose the shams and corruption that plague the government, to shed light on new scientific data, to entertain, to instruct as well as inspire.

Most people are well resigned to the failures of our inefficient bureaucracy. Inflation has ensured that to maintain the same lifestyle, the average Indian citizen has to work twice as hard. This leaves him little time to ponder about nation building or sympathize with the less fortunate. If all he is exposed to is escapist fare and an affluent lifestyle that invites mimicking and even more materialistic inclinations, he will live and die in a cocoon of ignorance. Like a compassionate but effective parent, the media must dole out reality in acceptable doses and nudge him gently to see a world beyond the mad rush for comfort, to take a quiet moment of contemplation and think about what he can contribute to the country.

Many technological marvels that we strive hard to possess are dispensable but the time that we waste in its pursuit is priceless. Perhaps, just perhaps if we cease to run on autopilot, we might be able to feel the emptiness that plagues our lives. In those vulnerable moments when you acknowledge that not even a new plasma TV or I-pod can offer you happiness, what do you do?

This is where the media can prove invaluable by giving direction and meaning to our lives. It can instill in us a sense of responsibility towards our fellow citizens by unveiling their plight, enlighten us as to the corrective measures that we can adopt to alleviate their suffering, build a national consensus on how best to tackle poverty, corruption, and violence. It can provide the tools to coordinate a task force dedicated to nation building and bless us with the knowledge that we can make a difference.

Secret Ingredient

What renders beauty to a faraway land? It is the fond remembrance of a loved one who resides there, far removed from our touch and immediate sight that makes it special.

Switzerland is one of the most stunning places in the world with excellent living conditions but its beauty for me is unreal and remote albeit awe-inspiring and admirable. On the other hand, if my best friend lives in the Sahara desert, then for me, the Sahara reverberates with the joy of our friendship and immediately becomes endearing. The love that binds me with my friend animates a hitherto unknown entity by sheer association. The land is evocative of our precious bond and thus every particle of sand is vibrant with the presence of a loved one. The belief that those sands house the object of my affection unconsciously stirs my imagination and evokes a subliminal response that establishes a relationship with an inanimate object like a desert and endows it with richness.

Perhaps this is how faith moves mountains and makes deserts fertile! True faith colors the landscape with vivid tones of love and is the secret fuel that energizes the body, the mind, and the soul. Without it, the world loses both meaning and beauty.

Food for thought: Faith satiates whereas materialism leaves you hungry for more.

Do not let this giant fall!

Time draws nigh for the second freedom struggle--freedom from poverty, freedom from corruption, freedom from prejudices. The first served its purpose well but now half a century later, we must hurry on to the second without a moment to spare. Gandhiji envisaged this emancipation but his mortal body could not endure to oversee it but he lives on in us as the flame of Ahimsa and compassion, the tools that he wielded well, which can act as the catalysts for the alleviation and eradication of poverty and achievement of social and economic parity. Let our love for the country pour over us, binding us together, so that while acknowledging and encouraging every diversity, we must simultaneously work towards its advancement and unity.

This soil has witnessed philosophies and movements as varied as Shaiva Siddantha, Kartabhaja movement, Advaita Vedanta to name a few. Dazed by our variety and unable to compare with their singular model, it was the British Protestant missionaries who for their convenience categorized this multifaceted way of life into a sweeping generalization called Hinduism to contrast with Islam and Judaism that they were already familiar with. In reality, all faiths including Islam, Christianity to Buddhism and Advaita Vedanta as it exists in India are assimilated and indigenized versions and are not really competing entities but complementary and make India complete. This unparalleled conglomeration of assorted ever-transforming beliefs that we call Bharat has to now act as a coherent unit and walk the straight path of progress.

Masked menace

Terrorism by definition is the unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence by a person or an organized group against people or property with the intention of intimidating or coercing societies or governments, often for ideological or political reasons. Counter-terrorism measures employed by concerned governments often victimize the very citizens they must protect. Thus civilians are the casualties of both terrorism and ‘war on terrorism.’

The primary tactic of the terrorist is to locate an unsettled score and inflame passions, exploiting human frailty. The terrorist defines the identity of his victims in a manner that benefits him and tries to establish legitimacy by aligning himself with an existing benign ideology and moulding it to suit his goals thereby mutilating its fair face. Consequently he tries to generate the image of a rift between the original ideology and the targeted power structure whereas in reality none exists. This in turn maligns the former and taints the reputation of its adherents. It produces a climate that is of advantage to the terrorist in that it draws out rogue elements on the targeted side who subvert the institutions of the state which were holding them in check. They incite violent measures, which instead of containing terrorism actually oppress a hapless community and curtail civil liberties. The constant suspicion and perceived banishment from the mainstream hangs like a Damocles’ sword over the beleaguered community. Meanwhile the terrorist hides behind the garb of the ideology that it owned to serve its ends and perverts it further and finally hopes to eradicate the original values and substitute its corrupt version in its place and spread its tentacles throughout the population. The rival messiahs of hate on the opposing side are not too far behind and they too strive to overthrow the existing structures and mobilize support. Thus the innocent citizens of two communities are pitted against each other by extremists on both sides and needlessly get drawn into an endless cycle of violence.

The terrorist needs a cause to feed into the undeveloped fears and prejudices of the people. Naturally an egalitarian and prosperous society without grievances cannot become fodder for the terrorist. Strengthening the instruments of justice and welfare hampers the efforts to create strife and promotes belief in existing traditional structures like courts and governments. In short, social and economic equity and integrity is actually the greatest threat to terrorism.
Because terrorism is waged by a few erring minds, it is always impossible to completely eradicate it but instilling confidence in citizens and strengthening their hand always serves to isolate the terrorist. The terrorist should not be allowed to usurp the identity of any community and media focus should always be on exposing the true nature of the terrorist and not validating his claims.

Responsibility cannot exist where there is no freedom. When ordinary citizens are convinced that they will not have to bear the brunt of excesses on the part of governments, they will readily divulge information and become willing partners in locating illegal activities and apprehending miscreants and wiping out adequately the self-perpetuating ogre of terrorism.

Whether perpetrated by invisible individuals of a particular community or illustrious figures of the state apparatus, terrorism knows no empathy and is never justified. Power is the single-most compelling motive for terrorism. The violent acts are always committed to ensure that a few mighty can flaunt their clout, wrest complete control, stifle diversity and churn out mindless zealots in multitudes to implement a warped world view.

An idealistic and unifying vision that is at first inviting metamorphoses in the hands of the terrorist into an intolerant and elitist propaganda that knows no compassion. Truth is often the first casualty but the innocent blood that is cheaply shed leaves an unmistakable clue to the ugliness behind the alluring visage.

A conscientious media goes a long way towards ensuring that the common man is not enticed by divisive forces which promises distracting quick fixes to their daily woes. After all, as Gandhi wisely remarked “Pure goals can never justify impure or violent action.”

Unholy agenda

The communal conflagration that is being insidiously fanned in Jammu & Kashmir by certain vested interests to further their electoral prospects has to be doused expeditiously lest it consumes the whole country. During the freedom struggle, there were exemplary leaders who set such high moral standards that they were able to elevate ordinary people above partisanship and chauvinism of all hues. There are weighty issues that demand India’s immediate attention like eradication of poverty and enhancement of infrastructure that are being neglected in the endless rhetoric of violence and hate. Where are the visionary leaders who can steer the dialogue gently back into the sphere that matters-that of social and economic welfare? When will the limelight be on the millions who languish in hopelessness and hunger? When will India rise to her potential and its sons unite to build an egalitarian and prosperous society? Religion is a tool, which if wielded responsibly can inspire honesty, kindness, dharma, and Ahimsa. It should not become a colorful but lifeless shroud that smothers compassion.

An inconvenient truth

People in Haiti are eating mud cakes (yes, real ones made of mud). More than one quarter of America's food or about 96 billion pounds of food a year goes to waste.

India, the land of contradictions, contains within it many Haitis and many Americas. In India, the upper class and urban middle class reveling in their newfound wealth have forgotten that more than 220 million people are living below the poverty line, not to talk about millions more who barely hold themselves above it.

Our eyes fall on their face everyday but do we really see them? How can we wrap ourselves in the latest brands and zoom away in fast cars when barely a few houses across, maybe even at our front gate, someone is struggling to have a clean glass of water? Does that mean we have to give away all our wealth and become equally poor? Does it mean that every time I put on a new dress, I have to be ashamed of myself? No one will readily part with their wealth (even I will not) but I am not talking about that kind of self sacrifice which only a few are capable of (I salute those who can).

Let us at least do what we can. Let us not waste any resources. Let us be prudent about what we spend beyond our basic comforts or future security. If a certain amount of food is going to waste everyday at your house, make it a habit to give that to the poor instead of throwing it in the dustbin. Isn’t one lamp enough to illuminate the book that you are reading? Please switch off the rest. If we have enough clothes or shoes that we need, please let us not buy more to satisfy our vanity. Let us only buy things that we need. If you have the money to invest in rainwater harvesting, bio-gas, solar energy and other clean technologies while building your home, go for it. Let us spend on our essentials while bearing in mind that an ostentatious display is highly insensitive to the millions dying all around us of poverty. At least after you have assured yourself that you have kept enough money for your great grandson, please start thinking about others! This is not satire. I am being serious here. Just because we are not capable of that level of altruism that is commendable, we should not shy away from at least our brand of social conscience. Remember, everything helps and something is always better than nothing.

Man has at his disposal the bounties of nature. How he chooses to use them defines his own destiny.

Understanding the other side

When dealing with terrorism allegedly wearing the garb of Islam, what we must bear in mind is that the vast majority of Muslims are peaceful and law-abiding citizens. In fact, I have personally not come across anyone who is not. Despite this, the persistent terror attempts in Gujarat certainly leads to the sad conclusion that there are a handful of gullible youth disillusioned by Islamophobia and anti-Muslim pogroms who are enticed by the thought of taking the law into their hands. Witnessing mass murders of Muslims is certainly a traumatic event that could lead to an unbalanced psyche and thirst for revenge in some immature individuals. The presence of opportunist elements ready to fan such fires is definitely a dangerous trend. Let us not forget that these tendencies are not isolated to any particular religion or ideology (just remember environmental terrorist groups whenever you feel like bashing religion).

What is the solution? Apparently prompt apprehension and punishment of miscreants by the government could have averted many disasters. Sadly the wheels of justice turn in an excruciatingly slow manner. Meanwhile the sane majority (of all religions) can make a difference by reassuring those affected and providing physical, financial, and most important of all, psychological help to the victims. Respective religious leaders should invite them to walk the tougher path of forgiveness and forbearance and illuminate the portions of the sacred texts that enjoin such a response.

For beginners here are verses from the Quran (Chapter 5 Verse 8) - “Let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice.” (Chapter 5 Verse 2) “Let not the hatred of some people lead you to transgression (and hostility on your part). Help ye one another in righteousness and piety, but help ye not one another in sin and rancour.”

A stumbling block to such efforts would be half a century of religious apartheid and ghettoization of Muslims in Gujarat that has bred a virulent climate of mistrust. There should be encouragement of intercommunity interactions and transactions until it becomes the norm and the question of the “other” becomes nonexistent and all are known and understood to be simply human, blood to blood, brother to brother.

Tough times

The suffering of ordinary people from the abominable bomb blasts is heartrending. I am so utterly saddened by this cruel act that I cannot even bring myself to respond to the speculations on the identity of the perpetrators. The need of the hour is to help the victims and render them support in rebuilding their lives. It is also equally important to prevent further atrocities. If reiterating that Muslims do not support this violence helps in doing that, I readily do so.

A fine balance

As a law, exotic flowers do not bloom frequently. The two extremes of exquisite beauty and morbid ugliness exist in nature but do not manifest as often as the unremarkable but pleasing jasmine or lily. The ubiquitous jasmine makes up by its consistency and quality what it lacks in colorfulness. Though every flower has its place, it is the unimaginative jasmine that we seek for daily usage. Thus in nature, the mundane edges out the unfamiliar with its usefulness, relevance, reliability, and comforting flavor.

Religion like any facet of nature ranges from the sublime to the subversive. Some ideas uplift man, some hold man hostage by its heartless inflexibility. These opposing ideologies add to the diversity of human thought but again as in nature only the middle path can carry the majority. It is the straight path of faith, righteousness, kindness, love, honesty, responsibility, and duty. It lies at the heart of every human idea worth its salt. This is the essence of every religion that has ever existed.

The passionate construction of a clueless child will be washed away by the relentless sea. Without structure or order, a stable house cannot be built. On the other hand a dreary windowless edifice built with precision cannot house breathing, loving, vibrant people whose spirit will be killed by its macabre rigidity. A feeling of largesse, abundant light, fresh air-these timeless factors-contribute to the making of a good house.

If this is the case with building a home, how much more important are subtle eternal qualities of freedom and love when fashioning a human being? Rituals, rules, duties, and responsibilities are essential cornerstones but without love, kindness, friendship, and honesty to enrich them, man will suffocate and languish in a prison of his own making. The converse is also perfectly true. Good intention executed without proper guidelines or a definite purpose is akin to an elegant catamaran decked with flowers adrift at sea.

How can we attain this fine balance? Where will we draw the line? What criteria will define right and wrong? For a believer, religion provides these answers effectively. Within each religion, apart from the universal message of belief and righteousness that is common to every religion, there are laws that are specific to a time, place, and people. In the course of human evolution, revelations have addressed unique needs as well as eternal ones. (When exclusive solutions are stretched into sweeping generalizations, they wear thin. This is the cause for all religious conflicts.)

Now what about the atheist? Is individual human thought capable of making an adequate delineation? Will human laws be sufficient to tackle the intricacies of the human mind? Will it rein in his baser instincts, inspire noble thoughts? After all, the finest of thoughts have all emanated from religious personalities. Can the atheist shun them all? Or will he accept them but not the origin?

I recently read that the dinosaurs were wiped out at the exact moment of their evolutionary surge. If we accept the idea of chance to explain the existence of the universe, how come the right choice always is made at the right instance with such exacting accuracy every single time in nature? What explains the complexities and the intrigues? Why did so many wise men insist on the same wisdom over the span of centuries and millennia spread all over the globe? Just a human tendency to believe in something bigger than him? An elaborate hoax? Or an eternal truth which sagacious men at varying times have by divine munificence discovered again and again and tried compassionately to simplify in order to convey it to the masses? What seems more probable? You tell me.

When fish do not fly

An important part of life is to know when to leave people alone. Sometimes things are best left undisturbed. For example an encroachment into the lives of endangered tribes brings in its wake death and destruction to them as they lack the immunity to survive the diseases that accompany it. There are nomadic tribes who are not accustomed to a roof over their head. Providing them with modern housing and schooling might seem a rational solution but such a drastic departure from their set norms will spell disaster for them. Thus what is perfectly normal for one person might prove the nemesis for another. (The US is realizing this as its attempt to stuff democracy down Iraq’s throat backfires.) This lack of uniformity in nature is what makes the world so special.

Our individual lives are a microcosm of the larger contradictions that pervade the material universe. People often build perfectly blissful relationships unaware of the idiosyncrasies of their partners or precariousness of some situation. For an outsider this might seem like a fool’s paradise and could lead to a great temptation to interfere and inform but such a seemingly wise step will upset the fragile balance that preserves the harmony of that unique union. The earlier we realize that our ideas of happiness need not meet that of others, the sooner will we stop committing mischief.

Every person faces predicaments in life. On closer examination, we will realize that the severity of one person’s trouble is directly proportional to the capacity of that person to solve it. As people are unique, so will also be the problems that they have to endure. Another interesting factor in life is that even if more difficulties lurk beneath the more obvious ones, most people do not identify these until they have become capable of resolving them. This is a defense mechanism that protects them. Intruding into their lives and explaining to them the extent of the problems that surround them before they have the ability to tackle them would thus be a form of cruelty.

Any meaningful transformation requires patience and opportunity. Only self-driven changes endure. Indigenous solutions can delve into depths that extraneous ones cannot fathom. Forced remedies shock, impede, and finally wither away. Evolution is an essential component of life but only when time is right will things fall into place.

The story of the three vases

Once upon a time, there were three extraordinarily beautiful vases with equally exquisite lids. They were immaculate. Having fashioned them out of one of the best moulds, their maker entrusted them with the responsibility of collecting potable rainwater. He also reminded them to call him if they needed help.

Vase #1 staved off mud and grime keeping himself clean. He waited patiently for the day the rains would come but secretly he was convinced that he would not be fit for such a noble task as collecting water. He was always cautious and fearful but being proud never asked for any help. However, he was unable to collect any water. Soon he even started to wonder whether his maker had lied to him and if such an entity as rain ever existed.

Vase #2 on the other hand could not resist any content. He imbibed dust and dirt, rolled down a step or two and even broke his lid. When it rained, the water that was collected took on a brackish hue. He was very much troubled by the impurity of the water and complained constantly about the fetid rain.

Vase #3 was very humble. He tried as best as he could to keep himself neat. He remembered his maker’s words and asked for his help to remove the lid. To his astonishment, he found that it was raining all the time and how pristine the water was! Finally the sun came up and having fulfilled his duties, the vase shone with contentment and was a source of joy to all who came up to him to satisfy their thirst.

Thus ends the story of the three vases. All of us go through life hoping for peace and happiness like the elusive rainwater that the vases yearned for.

Some people like vase #1 are righteous and rigid, approaching religion with a ritualistic fervor but they never surrender to God wholeheartedly because of their pride or ego. They consider themselves self-sufficient. They remain blind to their deficiencies and instead of asking for the Almighty’s help to remove the lid that veils his grace, they lose heart and never find the joy of life. Thus as grace flows freely like the ever-pouring rain all around them, their resistance to surrender makes them unsuitable to receive it.

Another group of people like vase #2 indulges themselves freely in every desire. They pollute everything they touch and even the best of gifts will for them become a horrible burden. They go through life cribbing about the unfairness of life and will never perceive that their own unhealthy views alone distort the unflawed landscape.

A few are like vase #3, the grateful ones who submit to the will of God. They are aware of their faults and strive incessantly to purify themselves but they also know that God alone with his abundant grace can bring about true transformation. With humility and devotion they serve and obey God. They have joy in all that they do having been blessed with true vision and becoming a fount of ecstasy to all that come to them.

The question is which vase would you like to be?

The importance of extracurricular reading

Books have always served as a second parent to me, offering an escape into its fantasies, revealing a world that distracts, instructs, and enthralls. In silent moments wrapped in the warmth of words, I have discovered love, kindness, and wisdom beyond the realm of daily existence. Without moving an inch, I have been swept away to faraway lands and mingled with creatures both real and imaginary. With the passage of time, the passion for books has only grown stronger and it enchants me to drink from its eclectic, sometimes even esoteric fount. Thus it is my deep desire that the simple pleasures of reading is made available to everyone.

Hence it saddens me deeply to note that the current system of education in India does not succeed in inculcating a healthy appetite for books in children. Of course, the advent of TV, video, and computer games has ensnared the attention of children but I still feel that if there is an honest effort at school to plant the seed of reading, monitor its progress, and emphasize its importance in the form of grades and other incentives, a lifesaving skill can be fostered. Parental nudging alone, from my own experience, does not bear fruit as children already weighed down by the extensive syllabus and its nuances tend to view all books with trepidation. Therefore, it is absolutely essential that schools find a competitive way to work it into the curriculum in the form of book reports or other innovative methods so that adequate time is available to our kids to pursue the joy of reading books of their own choice.

Responsibility

Thought, speech, action—the three pillars of life—are responsibilities to be undertaken with great deliberation. People in positions of authority need to exercise these tools in a noble manner that encourages unity and peace. This seldom is the case and often, powerful men leave a blazing trail of violence behind them owing to their incendiary remarks, foolish demeanour, and muddled thoughts. The politicians in Jammu and Kashmir have played their vitriolic games vitiating an already virulent atmosphere.

Human beings are a crude mixture of good and bad qualities. It is always best to concentrate on decent behaviour and hope for positive reinforcement though murkier details are often more exciting and hence easily publicized. Thus the mass media holds great potential for promoting welfare or mischief depending on the nature of their priorities.

Violence breeds more violence. Mahatma Gandhi realized that perfectly when he fought British colonialism with Ahimsa. Truth, justice, patience, forgiveness and all virtues alone can overcome the endless spiral of hatred and war. When we fight with what is best, even our enemy will incline towards peace. These are not just lofty ideals to remain enshrined in the Quran or any other such religious books. It is pragmatic to adopt it sincerely in our daily lives if we are to succeed as a nation. Only peace can bring prosperity and progress to the beleaguered territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

All that is black is not foul

As someone once said, change can either challenge or threaten us. A casual glance at a busy street in Kochi today reveals an eclectic crowd with khimar-clad women dominating the scene. Barely three decades ago, this exotic attire was a rarity. This visible transformation is but a harbinger of a deeper evolution.

Quran was a distant but deeply revered symbol of Islam then. Today it is widely read and understood.

Viewed superficially, these changes appear to represent a deepening diversion of Muslims of India from an earlier more local form of Islam. Therefore it is viewed with suspicion and as a distancing of Muslims from Indian culture and traditions. What essentially is the truth behind the scenes?

It is very important to acknowledge that the diversity of Indian Muslims is such that all cannot be painted in a single brush stroke. I am primarily taking a closer look at those who appear to be very conservative on the outside (wearing khimar, etc.) but there are hordes of Muslims who do not wear their religious identity on their sleeve but still adhere loyally to its tenets. There are also many who shun it completely and are Muslim only in name. The reason I am examining the former class of Muslims is because they are easily the clearest targets of Islamophobia and are viewed with suspicion and denigrated even by other Muslims.

(It is the fear of the unknown that primarily evokes this response. Then there is the inherent human affliction of believing in the superiority of our own beliefs and looking down upon anything seemingly alien. The fact that both the conservative and liberal camps are very aggressive in promoting their brand of belief does not help either. But I am digressing …)

The war in the Middle East (Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan), the destruction of the Babri Masjid, Srebrenica, the Gujarat riots have all significantly altered the outlook of the Indian Muslim. There is bitterness and fear. Nevertheless, it is a clear understanding of Islam that has led to a complete rejection of terrorism and prevents many an ignorant victimized Muslim from succumbing to its temptations. The newfound grasp of the meanings of Quran has only led to Islam in India becoming a more vibrant, rich, and living religion compared to an earlier mindless ritualism and ignorance.

Now, Muslim women armed with this knowledge are educated, tech-savvy, and aware of their rights. They reject dowry and demand their mehr (money paid by the bridegroom). They reach out to the poor and uneducated and strive to uplift them.

Muslims fulfill their civic duties and wholeheartedly respect, cherish, and celebrate this country that has given them their freedom and opportunities. It is the duty of every Indian citizen to work towards the betterment of our nation but for a Muslim it also becomes a religious duty. Now is that bad?

Silence of the lambs-the ground reality

Muslims have always shied away from establishing a single powerful body of leaders that can truly represent their hopes and aspirations. This has at once been our boon and bane. We believe that the Koranic teachings alone can serve as an adequate guide and have eschewed the showering of power on fallible mortals. Busy eking out daily lives, Muslims have largely shunned the stray small-time leaders who have tried to make their presence felt. While the lack of leadership prevents gross misuse of authority and large scale mischief, it has left a huge void.
This glaring difference from other organized religions is little understood. When there are riots involving Buddhist monks, a single declaration by the Dalai Lama that he stands for peace makes a world of difference. So the larger community is immediately absolved of any complicity and blame falls on a few miscreants. Similarly catholic interests are protected by the Pope. But in the case of Islam, anybody who makes noise immediately grabs media spotlight and is unwittingly portrayed as speaking for the whole community.

In truth, Islam wants to prevent such a scenario of power being held in the hands of a few because of the degree of corruption and exploitation that this can lead to. In spite of this, unwanted media attention on self-proclaimed leaders has marred this legacy. Anybody who reads the Koran fully with an open heart will understand that Islam does not stand for terror. Not only that, it is highly inclusive and exhorts moderation in all things and supports healthy competition with other religions. It is pro-science, pro-life, and pro-democracy. It also promotes tremendous respect and tolerance for other religions. This is the ground reality. In India no matter what the international media might say, our Hindu friends know this because they see it all around them firsthand. Compare this with the media view of Muslims being cloistered, fatwa-declaring maniacs with little tolerance for any other religion. By selectively illuminating the bad apples and keeping out the successful silent majority, a negative halo has been cast around Islam and a question mark on the loyalties of Muslims.

It is common knowledge that media focuses its attention on where the dirt is but in this case unwittingly, it has played right into the hands of both the terrorists and the Islamophobics. So endless rhetoric between these two groups hog the limelight and we poor daily-bread earning, 5-time-praying Muslims are colorless mute spectators. Over the years, what has this led to?

Number one: In countries where Muslim populations are less, perceptions about Muslims are shaped by media content and not by how the majority lives as there is hardly any personal contact. So, predictably, many Americans and Europeans are actually buying into the media view. Muslims really were hoping that common sense would prevail and we would be judged fairly but now we are beginning to fear that this might not be.

Number two: Now this is a scary one. What if some gullible Muslim youth fueled by the media portrayal and false arrests and constant monitoring and anti-Muslim riots and genocide start thinking about terrorist groups as being their allies (either u are with me or against psychology)?
Number three: What I know firsthand is that ordinary Muslims are really scared and sad now, that the whole world has a wrong image about us, that no Muslim will be given a visa to US, that people might look at us weirdly because of our attire, that good opportunities might pass us by because of our Muslim names, etc. etc. Muslims everywhere are just getting out of their homes and telling the world that we stand for peace (even the first Islamic TV Channel is called Peace TV). We are shouting from the rooftops that Islam teaches peace and not terror. We are willing to wear our ‘peace’ on our lapels. Is anyone listening?

Just say NO

Learning to say ‘no’ is very hard but it is an essential part of life. The art of saying no with the right touch of apology yet retaining your sense of dignity is a difficult one to master.

The first step is to pick your priorities in life and stick to it like a leech. Of course if you have made poor choices, life will steady you until you get it right but once you have understood them, nourish them and never let go. Only a fool will let trifles make him lose sight of a treasure.

It is crucial to dedicate the right amount of time to nurture your priorities and prepare towards chosen goals. As time is a limited commodity, it becomes necessary to refuse showering it on less deserving subjects.

After mustering up enough courage to decline an offer, care should be taken to do it gently without demonstrating any self-righteous anger or untoward guilt. It should be done quickly and firmly without unsavory justifications. Beware of your mind’s tendency to put the blame on someone else.

Once you have succeeded in uttering the dreaded words, it is important to never look back and wonder about what would have been. Let go of it like a bird released from a cage to freedom, never to revisit or mourn over.

Devoid of unnecessary remorse, this simple task can be lifesaving. With a lightened heart, unburdened by needless thoughts or actions, return immediately to what deserves your sincere attention and you will definitely succeed.

To err is human ..

Everyone has a different way of doing things and everybody makes mistakes. When living with other people, it is important to give them the room to err. If a home is to become a haven, a place to relax and rejuvenate, this is especially important.

I am not talking about major sins here, just common things like forgetting your mobile or spilling coffee. Home ideally is where someone is not breathing fire down your neck every time you make a silly mistake.

The intention behind correcting someone is mostly good but at home this assumes a whole new dimension and meaning. If a person is capable of doing something, for example, drink coffee 99 out of 100 days without spilling it then he/she has the right to mess it up at least one day without having to worry about it. This is not the time to jump in and teach them your perfect way of drinking coffee. What it will only serve is to make the other person feel impotent. It destroys their self esteem. Then he/she will have to constantly look over their shoulder for fear of being ridiculed or criticized and strive hard to be perfect in everything. That is the best case scenario. Mostly it serves to reinforce sloppy behavior and create resentment. It may even lead to complete indifference. Needless to say this causes a lot of unnecessary stress and deteriorating health.

Parents who behave like this will raise either a perfectionist or at the other extreme, an incompetent person who is incapable of assuming any responsibility for fear of failure. Spouses who do this will either be burdened with all the responsibilities or have partners who hate to come home.

All you have to do when someone makes a small slip is look the other way, pretend like it never happened. You refrain from taking the corrective action. Let them sort it out, make necessary adjustments themselves. What you are saying to the other person when you do this is that you trust them to make their own choices. This gives a boost to self confidence and creates a peaceful atmosphere. By letting small things slip by, mothers encourage innovation, free thinking, ability to experiment, think out of the box, and many such vital skills needed to be an exceptional person in their kids. In a marriage too such an attitude can work wonders. It promotes adventure, spontaneity, establishes respect and trust, and makes a loving home.

Growth Pangs

Truly the problem with reading a good piece is that it rubs off on you. It is a subliminal influence which is hard to shake off. This is true about matters beyond the world of books. A strong personality certainly evokes something in us that we cannot ignore. Our yearning for individuality and untainted success is such that we revolt against any outside force however benign it may be.

In teenage, when a young mind hitherto under parental domination strives to establish its cornerstones and defines its dimensions, this manifests itself as rebellion. The fear of not having a separate identity is very close to the fear of death as both are evoked by the threat of complete annihilation. A cornered animal in mortal fear will certainly fight back. So indeed an undeveloped mind supervised relentlessly by parental figures will lash out. It merely tries to assert its freedom, its right to exist, but in the face of what it perceives as continued subjugation, violence can erupt.

The time span in which an immature mind evolves into a fully developed one varies from individual to individual. There are late bloomers and early prodigies. Some never even grow up. Most do, by the end of the turbulent teenage years. For some it extends into their 20s or even 30s but growth is a necessity and the sheer agony of it persists until the process is completed.

Ideally the sole responsibility of a parent is to provide a fertile ground in which a young mind can grow fearlessly. The parent nourishes the blooming sapling with kindness and encouragement and pours love gently in adequate measures (remember! too much water and a plant will droop down and need a permanent support). Weeding out the garden is a complex process that should be undertaken with the utmost care but it is necessary and should not be shunned for fear of hurting the plant. An impressionable mind should similarly be discouraged from wayward behavior albeit tenderly. Each mind has unique needs and great attention is required to assess its qualities and requirements. Only an adult mind can nurture a fledgling and help it reach its potential. If parenting is attempted by an immature mind, its own deficiencies will get in the way of the young one’s growth and neither will be emancipated.

A mature mind is always an inclusive one. Having shed its fear of nonexistence, it now gains the strength to observe, learn, and assimilate from other minds without bias. No opinion however divergent from its own can shake it as a might oak will not be blown away by the evening breeze. Undaunted, it welcomes all life towards it and revels in its freedom to examine each idea closely; partakes in the varied joys of nature but yet retains its unique flavor. It becomes a source of shade, strength, and refuge for all.

O tender one,
A whole new world hides within you,
That is infinite, beautiful, and true;
Shed your fears,
Wipe away your tears,
And grow towards the sun.

The whole world waits breathlessly,
For you to advance into the light;
The earth guards you in a tight embrace,
The wind flows at a soothing pace.
With kind words that nudge you along,
With small hurdles that make you fight,
All life forms hover impatiently.

O gentle unborn,
Tire not, persevere.
The magnificent watches over you,
Gracious, irresistible and true.
Clasp firmly with your tiny hands,
This refuge that is so near.
Plant your roots deep,
With generous helpful deeds.
Relentlessly toil,
Enrich the soil,
This bountiful harvest you can reap,
When at last you go to sleep.

Religion of Peace

I condemn the violence perpetrated in the name of Islam. It is the duty of a Muslim living in any country to follow the law of the land. This is a solemn covenant which entitles all non-Muslims to the right to peace. It also means refraining from belittling whatever faith others follow. Unless there is great injustice and persecution and breaking of the covenant leading to complete subjugation of Muslims and inability to practice Islam, there can never be a call for a war. This completely overrides the flimsy logic of terrorists and exposes their un-Islamic justifications of violence.

My prayers and sympathies lie with the victims--ordinary people, both non-Muslims and Muslims--who die innocently in vain. I have great love for my country and I value the freedom and privileges that it offers and my endeavor like that of all Muslims would always be to make it a better place through education, Ahimsa (nonviolence), and other benign means.

The hand that rocks the cradle

What is the right age to impart sexual education to our children? I would say never too soon. Kids are exposed to all kinds of information coming at them through the visual media. If we wait as long as our parents did, it would be too late. Apart from these issues and the moral aspects, emotional education is also essential. Respect, trust, dignity--all of these precious qualities need to be instilled gently and the crux of the responsibility has to be borne by the parents. Centuries back, our schools bore the brunt of this burden but modern education has relinquished this awesome load.

Which school can teach humility now? The choice offered now is either we hog the limelight or let a bully take credit for our hard-earned success. This culture then extends into the workplace. If we choose to let our work speak for us, we are called dimwits! There are always people out there ready to advertise their strengths however little they may be and we always let them walk all over us. This has certainly led to a great crisis in politics in terms of genuine leaders qualified to take on problems and solve them. All top posts are grabbed by the crybabies while honest hardworking dudes languish at the bottom. Plastic surgery cannot cover up all the ugliness that lurks behind.

How many parents are teaching their kids that all that glitters is not gold? We need to teach our kids to recognize the true value of people and to guard against shallow pizzazz. Prepare your kids for the world, parents; truly the hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.

Grain and chafe

I was sitting on the prayer mat after Fajr prayer (morning prayer) today when it occurred to me suddenly that the kind of people that a person is surrounded by and the situation a person finds himself in, both good and bad are there for a reason.

I think it is meant to be an education, a way to come closer to God, to enrich us with what we lack in ourselves, to sharpen a character trait in us which is yet to blossom. The faster we realize this and learn the lessons with enthusiasm, the easier the transition will become. I find this true in my own life.

I also learned the hard way that running away from people or situations does not help as it haunts you wherever you go. I tried at first to flee if I could not tolerate someone but to my consternation found myself in the company of other people with the same character flaws that I was trying so hard to abscond from. When I realized I had to take the bull by its horns, I could forge in me a certain quality that I had hitherto lacked and did not know was vital to my spiritual journey (i.e. life). Nowadays when I meet a challenging person, I do not hesitate to recognize his value in making me a better person and I try not to shy away from him (better said than done).

I would be content if I can remember God always for in the remembrance of God alone do hearts find true pleasure, everything else only temporarily excites but will eventually become a burden (again from experience!!!). So life is the great book that Allah unfolds before my eyes and I am a humble student trying to learn more.

A Fine Balance

There is a quiet cataclysmic wave sweeping through young middle-class Indian households shaking their budding marital lives to its foundations. At the root of this is the changing role of women in matrimony coupled with the reluctance of the Indian male to evolve.

In a typical middle-class family with global aspirations, girls grow up with equal opportunities as boys. In the race for academic excellence and thereafter successful careers, women are barely exposed to societal prejudices and limitations. Of course, along the way there is a faint realization of male hegemony but nothing prepares them for the shock of marriage and the sudden exposure to the blatant biases that follow.

The privileges and attention that a son-in-law enjoys stand out in sharp contrast with the duties and responsibilities that bog down a daughter-in-law. The bride’s family leaves no stone unturned in welcoming the groom into their household. Meanwhile the onus is on the girl to fit into the boy’s household. Overnight daughters have to blossom into meek demure ladies while sons too unrealistically have to metamorphose into gentle leaders ready to wield much domestic power. Needless to say both are unprepared to meet these expectations. The initial euphoria clouds these issues until suddenly they seem to manifest out of nowhere with the arrival of the first child.

The months spent out of employment, pre and post labour starve women of intellectual stimulation and intelligent company. This coupled with the usual postpartum depression and overt meddling by elders in the raising of the baby makes a deadly onslaught on a woman’s self confidence and independence. As the time to return to the job inches near, women find themselves torn between priorities.

Little does the new father realize that raising a child is not a skill that comes naturally only to the mother but is in reality like any other job which requires time and effort which he is as qualified as his spouse to take up or share in. So deeply ensconced is he in this myth that society has propelled for ages that he does not make any effort to contribute or falls disturbingly short of the requirements. He also fails to understand the reasons for the change in his spouse and retreats into the shell of his career trying to justify the aloofness with the added monetary burdens.

The solution lies in a fair division of labour and rotation of chores so that no one person is burdened with any mind numbingly monotonous task. There should be a realization that all responsibilities from going to the bank to changing the diaper can be done by either person. Having chartered a reasonable course of action, the pair should refrain from belittling each other or trying to push anyone’s style or method down the other’s throat. There will be some areas in which one person excels or fails miserably. After years of practice, in time a fair situation will be arrived at. I have seen a few couples who have been bold enough to make this quantum leap but in time hopefully this will become the norm and chauvinism will be a thing of the past. Until then bliss only belongs to those households where women have managed to carve their own niche in spite of the overwhelming odds by embracing the old adage that renunciation is the path to success.

Awareness

Silence is the language of the soul. We are so caught up in our harried daily lives that mental stillness is a concept that completely eludes us. A prelude to it is the ability to be aware of ourselves. Most of the time, we are unaware of what our bodies and minds are up to. We stagger through life in a drunken stupor completely devoid of any understanding of how and why we think, move, and act.

For a brief period while we are learning a new activity, we become aware of our bodies, thoughts and actions. There is great joy then. During this period, we are masters of our bodies and minds. We appreciate the feeling of being alive. Once our interest fades however we too fade away into a haze putting ourselves in a sort of autopilot. While such a system is perfectly capable of functioning, it lacks joy or zest for life. We do not pay attention to the details. Memory fades. Days float by and if we are asked of their content we are bewildered by our inability to recollect. We cannot remember because we were not aware. Do we want to live our lives like this?

Some people respond to this situation by changing their line of work often so that at least during that brief window of learning before the new work is mastered, they possess the joy of life. This is also the reason that most people start off any task brilliantly but as time goes on mediocrity again becomes the norm as awareness is lost and the cycle is repeated. Others who are incapable of changing their jobs try to change their wives or houses or bring in any new activity that can serve to hold their attention. A few others will always cruise through life unaware and are labeled depressed. In fact depression has in our century reached endemic proportions.

All these are quick fixes as they do not get to the root of the problem which is unawareness. It is like trying to blame the scenery for the poor view when the binoculars are damaged. Once a good pair of lens is put in, the beauty of the scenery can be captured. Similarly when we become aware and learn to hold our awareness, even mundane activities can thrill us and life becomes blessed. Continued awareness will eventually give us the power to choose the content of our thoughts and the state of our minds. We can even steer our minds to complete rest and in those moments of clarity and stillness enjoy the music of the soul.

Time for a facelift

The inevitable happened. Berlusconi won with a majority. So face-lift is in, lifting up the faces of the downtrodden is out. Viva Riches! Out goes any opportunity for any real change.

Meanwhile, I had a good weekend where I finally got to see the outside world after my surgery. One of Zak’s uncles who works in Uganda was here and it got me thinking about Uganda and Africa in general. Zak’s uncle was quite taken with the natural beauty and resources that Uganda is blessed with. He said that people could walk quite safely late into the night provided they offered no resistance if they were mugged. There seemed to be less hypocrisy there. Nobody pretended that there was no poverty, crime or corruption. The robbers performed their duties without too much aggression and the government officials actually did their work promptly after taking their bribes.

I was momentarily taken aback by his laissez faire attitude but come to think about it, the same issues plague my own country but the veil of hypocrisy is so impenetrable that all appears hunky-dory. Farmers die in debt-ridden agony and majority of the people live in collapsible huts while we, the great middle class shuts its eyes to the mayhem and either export our kids to any of the developed countries where we hope they will have opportunities that we never had or have them join IT companies where their souls are sold for huge salaries. The rich becomes richer at the expense of the poorest of the poor who have neither the education nor the wherewithal to further their cause. The educated middle class who could have been the keepers of our nation’s conscience is trapped in mindless gossips about Bollywood or the latest reality shows. Always the same refrain, “where is the time?” when serious issues are brought up or “Can one person really make any difference?”

From what I have read, I do not think that any country in the world remains immune to such complacence, decadence or hypocrisy. We have left our countries in the hands of the worst amidst us. Where are the great leaders who can bring out the best in us, the desire to serve, sacrifice, and obliterate ourselves in the betterment of our fellow beings?

Fitna

I recently watched a video on YouTube called Fitna by Geert Wilders, a Dutch parliamentarian. It was forwarded to me by one of my friends.

The video consists of readings of the Koran interspersed with violent images of terrorism and the point that the author wants to convey is that the ‘objectionable material’ that he quotes from the Koran should be deleted from it. He wants to make a direct link between violence and the core teachings of Islam. He also exhorts ‘others’ to defend their ‘freedom.’

As the Koran has taught me that all people are entitled to their opinions and judgment is better left to God, I do not judge him and I accept his right to have his own views.

I have been reading pages from the Koran daily for years now, more than a decade, and as of yet I have not found anything that incites spite or hatred or violence. If anything, it has only encouraged me to read other scriptures like Bible, Upanishads, Vedas, etc. and enhanced my respect for Jesus, Moses, Rama, Krishna, (peace be upon them) etc.

The Holy Koran was revealed to the prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) and it was written down and compiled under his supervision during his own lifetime. It is the cornerstone of Islam and contains wisdom, guidance, warnings, and glad tidings. It is a call to worship one God and lead a life of righteousness. It is the one book that even power-hungry Mullahs or unscrupulous opponents have not been able to corrupt. If given a chance, the wolves will rush in to circumvent matters to suit their desires.

As was the case with most prophets, when Prophet Mohammed started preaching his message, there was wide-spread opposition. He had to suffer much humiliation and torture in the hands of the nonbelievers and there were attempts on his life but he always bore them with patience and never lost his temper. It was when the believers were forced out of their homes and had to fear for their lives that they were exhorted by Almighty God through the Koran to defend themselves.

Now we come to the verses that are read in the video -

1. Sura 8 verse 60 – It deals with those who betray after entering into an agreement of peace and break it often so Almighty God says that it is better to throw the covenant back at them and fight on equal terms. It is immediately followed by verse 61 which of course Mr. Wilders does not quote viz – “But if the enemy inclines towards peace, do thou (also) incline towards peace, and trust in God: for He is One that heareth and knoweth (all things).”

2. S4 v56 –– This verse which Mr. Wilders wants to insinuate is a call for violence is actually only a description of the condition of people in hell. It is followed by description of the condition of people in heaven – “garden with rivers flowing …” which he does not quote.

3. S47 v4 –– This is a verse (Chapter is called Mohammed) addressed to the prophet advising him on how to behave during a war waged by those who hinder men from the path of God. Followed by “Thereafter (is the time for) either generosity or ransom: Until the war lays down its burdens.”
“And We shall try you until We test those among you who strive their utmost and persevere in patience; and We shall try your reported (mettle).”

The point is that it is possible to make at any juncture a similar video about any religious or nonreligious doctrine. This is not because any ideology is at fault. It is because there will always be people amidst us who are willing to resort to violence either for power or other reasons and they like to parade their ideologies as the reason for their own weaknesses. Fortunately those who really live by their ideologies and lead peaceful lives far outnumber them.

So Muslim brothers if you are reading this, please do not waste your time protesting against the video, just lead your normal lives in accordance with the Koran and show the world the beauty of Islam through your humble and peaceful lives.