Muharram, Martyrdom of Imam Hussain and the "Hussaini Brahmins": Strengthening the Beautiful Blend of Indo-Islamic Tradition

By Ghulam Rasool Dehlvi, New Age Islam 31 July 2023 ہند میں کاش حسین ابن علی آجاتے چومتے ان کے قدم پلکیں بچھاتے ہندو جنگ کرنے یہاں شبیر سے آتا جو یزید اس کو راونڑکی طرح دھول چٹاتے ہندو (Translation: Had Imam Hussain come to India, he would have been greatly venerated and revered by the Hindus. If Yazid were here to wage a war against the Imam, Hindus would have defeated him the way they humiliated the Ravana) While commemorating Muharram and recalling Imam Hussain’s martyrdom, we Muslims often forget those who stood by Hussain in his harshest times. Those who exerted concerted efforts to fight for truth and justice, though they did not belong to Islam, the religion of Imam. One of the most notable, but regrettably forgotten supporters of Imam Hussain was an Indian community historically...

Festive Spirit Replaces the Spirit of Mourning During Muharram Processions India and Pakistan

By New Age Islam Staff Writer 31 July 2023 6 Persons Die Of Electrocution In Jharkhand And Gujarat Main Points: 1. Tazia processions are taken out on the 10th of Muharram. 2. The spirit of mourning has disappeared from Muharram processions. 1. 3.Tall Tazias cause accidents. 3. Processions sometimes turn violent. 4. Shias mourn the martyrdom of Imam Hussain. ------- Three accidents of Electrocution during Moharram procession reported in Bihar, Jharkhand and Gujarat (Image Source - Gujarati Jagran) ----- In India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, the first ten days of the Islamic month of Muharram is observed as days of mourning the martyrdom of Imam Hussain and his family members in 680 A. D. at Karbala by the army of Yazeed. The two communities of Muslims Shia and Sunni...

Shia Muharram Procession in Kashmir Permitted After Several Years, Passes Without Any Anti-India Slogan Shouting After Three Decades

By New Age Islam Staff Writer 31 July 2023 30,000 People Gathered to Witness the Event Main Points: 1. Shias of Kasmir had long been seeking permission to hold Ashura procession. 2. The procession was permitted on Guru Bazar Dalgate Road. 3. The LG Manoj Sharma was present. 4. The procession was permitted to show that normalcy had returned in the valley. ------ Muharram procession in Kashmir -------- Shias, one of the most persecuted Muslim communities had the reason to rejoice in Kashmir as they were allowed to hold Moharram processions on the 8th and 10th of Muharram after three decades. The organisers had sought permission every year but the situation in the valley was not conducive to such events in the backdrop of centuries of Shia-Sunni clashes in the region. Praveen...

Syria: Resistance, Revolt and Renunciation; Struggling between Chaos and Conservation

By Mushtaq Ul Haq Ahmad Sikander, New Age Islam 31 July 2023 Revolt in Syria: Eye Witness to the Uprising By Stephan Starr London, Hurst & Company Pp 226. ISBN: 9781849041973 ------ The phenomena of what is known as Arab Spring started in Tunisia in 2011. Since then, it has spread over most of the Arab world, with dictatorships and monarchies falling apart under the mass peaceful protests of people. The Arab Spring received an arousing welcome in many Arab countries and it spread quickly to others. Wherever the Arab Spring bloomed it had varied influences, impacts and ramifications. The spring resulted in somewhat peaceful transformation of power in Tunisia; the change of guards was good in Egypt too. Libya after some reluctance and bloodshed ousted Colonel Ghaddafi. The dynamics...

Does A Plagiarist Have a Prick of Conscience?

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 31 July 2023 "Adabi Sarqa Koi Nai Baat Nahin Hai. Duniya Mein Jo Bhi Likha Gaya, Kaha Gaya Aur Gadha Gaya, Woh Kahin Na Kahin Pahle Hi Kaha Ya Likha Jaa Chuka Hai. Farq Bas Itna Hai Ke Kisi Ne Kisi Ka Khyaal Churane Ke Baad Use Qubool Kiya, Kisi Ne Uski Parvaah Nahin Ki Aur Kisi Ne Bebaak Hokar Churaya Aur Khaamosh Raha. Hum Kuchh Naya Nahin Kar Rahe Hain. Kaainaat Ki Pahali Sahar Ke Baad Jo Kuchh Hota Aa Raha Hai Woh Faqat Uss Subha Ka Mukhtalif Sooraton Mein Inkishaaf Hai." Ali Sardar Jafri (Plagiarism is not something new. Whatever has been spoken, written or created is a mere repetition of things already said and accomplished. The difference lies in someone's honest acceptance of plagiarism, his/her total disregard for creative pilferage and someone's...

Why Islamic Calendar Started from Hijrat and Not the Day Revelations Started? Does This Mean Islam Is a Political Ideology and Not a Spiritual Path to Salvation?

By Md Salim Uddin, New Age Islam 29 July 2023 The Islamic calendar, known as the Hijri calendar, begins from the year of Hijrat (migration) of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) from Mecca to Medina. This choice has raised questions regarding why it did not commence from the day revelations started in Mecca. Additionally, some argue that Islam's relegation of pre-Hijrat Meccan verses to the end of the Quran suggests a devaluation of their teachings on co-existence, peace, fraternity, patience, and perseverance. This essay aims to reflect on these questions and explore their implications. The Significance of Hijrat The decision to start the Islamic calendar from Hijrat holds deep historical and symbolic significance for Muslims. The migration marked a critical turning point for the Muslim...

A New Campaign to Absolve Yazeed of the Responsibility of the Martyrdom of Hussain Has Been Intensified

By New Age Islam Staff Writer 29 July 2023 Some Ulema Give Arguments in Favour of Yazeed Main Points: 1. Yazeed was the caliphate at the time of the battle of Karbala. 2. Ibn Ziyad was the governor of Kufa. 1. 3.72 members of the prophet’s family faced Yazid's army at the banks of Euphrates. ------ On the 10th day of Muharram in 60 A.H. the family of the prophet pbuh led by his grandson Hazrat Hussain faced Yazeed's army in Karbala at the banks of the river Euphrates, Furat in Arabic meaning that which quenches the thirst. The irony is that it was prevented from quenching the thirst of the prophet's holy family. Before the arrival of Hazrat Husain a.s. to Karbala, the governor of Kufa was Noman bin Bashir, a Sahabi (the prophet's companion) and was naturally sympathetic...

Men Are Not Always Cruel and Women Are Not Always Oppressed

By Kaniz Fatma, New Age Islam 27 July 2023 Min Points: 1. Allah created unique skills and qualities in all living beings, with intelligence, trade, and artistic abilities. 2. Reform discussions are constructive, but discretion is needed. 3. It's important to recognize that both men and women need reformation, as three recent events demonstrate. ------ The All-Mighty Allah created the sky, the earth, and all living beings. Every species has unique, particular skills and qualities. When we think about it, we see that if Allah Almighty gave some species-particular characteristics that made them distinct, He also gave some other beings different attributes. It becomes obvious that these qualities and skills vary when one considers what constitutes a human being. Some are intelligent,...

Muharram Or Shia Genocide: Pakistan Recreates Karbala for Shia Muslim

By Saquib Salim, New Age Islam 29 July 2023 “The very thought that Muharram is arriving sent chills down my spine. When these terrorist organizations keep attacking the mosques and localities of their opponents (Shias) during other months, one can only imagine the terror they will unleash during the month of Muharram.” Popular Pakistani Urdu poet Jaun Elia wrote these words in May 1999. Shia Muslims protesting in Karachi, Pakistan ------ The fear that Jaun Elia, a muhajir (a person who had migrated from India after the partition), had was not unfounded. Shias in Pakistan have been facing constant sectarian attacks since the very foundation of this nation. In 1963, on the Day of Ashura (10th of Muharram) Taziya processions were attacked by extremists in several cities and towns of Pakistan....

Listening To Mohammad Rafi on Old LP Records

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 29 July 2023 Poona has a sizable number of admirers of the great Mohammad Rafi whose death anniversary falls on July 31. There're many clubs of Rafi's countless fans. Here I know a few old army officers who're hardcore Rafi fans. Once in a month we meet at an officer's place and listen to Rafi's immortal numbers on old LP records. The feeling of listening to old songs on LP records is simply indescribable. July 31 is Rafi's 43 Death Anniversary. He shuffled off this mortal coil in 1980. ---- Retired Brigadier Pradeep Anand has a huge collection of Rafi's rare songs and very old LPs. The best part of this nostalgic musical experience is the anecdotes associated with the films, actors and of course Rafi. One more officer, Colonel Ranjeet Ray, who's in his...

Who Is a Muslim? Amid The Anti-Ahmadiyya Tirade, This Question Acquires Immense Importance

By Arshad Alam, New Age Islam 28 July 2023 Amid The Anti-Ahmadiyya Tirade, This Question Acquires Immense Importance Main Points: 1. The Andhra Pradesh Waqf Board passed a resolution in February, declaring the Ahmadis as non-Muslim; a resolution of the Jamiat Ulama e Hind supports that AP Waqf Board. 2. The Munir commission report interviewed various Ulama but none of them could agree on a singular definition of who was a Muslim. 3. The history of Takfirism goes back to the roots of Islam; it is very much part of the contemporary Islam. 4. Muslims need to be vigilant against such tendencies in their midst, else they might go down the Pakistan way. ------ In February this year, the Andhra Pradesh Waqf Board passed a resolution which declared...

Pakistan Army Involved in Drug and Sex Scandal in Islamiah University of Bahawalpur

By New Age Islam Staff Writer 28 July 2023 5500 Sex Videos Of Girls Retrieved From Retired Army Major's Mobile Phone By The Bahawalpur Police Main Points: 1. The scandal is one of the biggest in Pakistan's history as an Islamic country. 2. Girls were made drug addicts and blackmailed. 1. 3.5500 girls of the university are the victims. 2. Chief Security Officer of the University is a retired major of Pak Army. 3. Retired major of Pak Army is the main accused in the scandal. 4. 113 drug suppliers were active in the university under retired major Aijaz Hussain Shah. ----- A huge drug and sex scandal has rocked Pakistan. 5500 sex videos have been retrieved from the phone of the chief security officer of the Islamiah University of Bahawalpur Pakistan and his aides....

What Is Arabic-Malayalam: Has It Alienated Malayali Muslims from Their Local Culture and Literature, Or Can It Be Considered an Embodiment of Syncretic Pluralism?

By Grace Mubashir, New Age Islam 28 July 2023 Arabic-Malayalam is the way of writing Malayalam language in Arabic. There are twenty-eight letters in Arabic. Only fifteen of them can be written using Malayalam script. The remaining thirteen letters cannot be written. Malayalam vowels ‘a’, ‘aa’, ‘e’, ‘ee’, ‘u’ and ‘uu’ are the only vowels that could be in Arabic. ‘Ai’, ‘ae’, ‘I’, ‘o’, ‘au’ have no similar vowels in Arabic. For example, there is no Arabic letter that can replace the Malayalam letter ‘cha’. There is an Arabic letter pronounced ‘Ja’. With the letter 'ja' which is written with one dot, two more dots were added and pronounced as 'cha'. This is how each letter is replaced in Arabic script from Malayalam. Arabic words with the same pronunciation are not available to replace Malayalam...