Gilgit-Baltistan: Pakistan’s game-plan, Islam and Politics, NewAgeIslam.com

Islam and Politics

Gilgit-Baltistan: Pakistan’s game-plan

By Rekha Chowdhary

Sep 08, 2009

Due to this, the area has suffered unrest for quite some time. Local grievances forcefully articulated during the last few decades, have not only been in the context of lack of a modern democratic system but also the suppression of the political identity of the area and the people. By denying it its traditional name, Gilgit-Baltistan, its status was reduced merely to that of a geographical entity. Further, there were allegations of substantial demographic and territorial interventions by the Pakistani state. Apart from the transfer of around 5000 sq km of the area to China, which is aggressively pursuing its interests in the area, the Pakistani government has been accused of pushing demographic change in this Shia-dominated area. It is alleged that Pakistani rulers by allotting the land to outsiders, especially Punjabis, Pathans and other Sunnis, encouraged them to settle in this area. There is a general feeling that this demographic engineering has altered the area’s traditional culture of harmonious co-existence. There have been several incidences of sectarian violence in the last few years.

http://newageislam.com/gilgit-baltistan--pakistan%E2%80%99s-game-plan-/islam-and-politics/d/1740

Masjid wahin Banayenge’ is stupid, Interfaith Dialogue, NewAgeIslam.com

Interfaith Dialogue

Masjid wahin Banayenge’ is stupid

Insistence on rebuilding the Babri mosque in the same place is asking for the moon

By Jamsheed Basha Abumohammed, Chennai

18 October 2008

Gulam Muhammed is one of the many Muslims in this country who think that the demolition of Babri Masjid was a mistake. That is all right, but to say that it was the symbol of Muslim religious freedom in India is nothing but stupidity on the part of such people. The Babri masjid was in disuse for the past several years before its forced demolition by Karsevaks in 1992. It was locked with idols of Ram Lalla kept inside, when there was a dispute. Hindus revered that place as according to them it was the birth place of Rama. To Muslims it was a mosque built by Babar.

It is also a fact that it was Rajiv Gandhi who opened gates of the disputed structure for Shilanyas in 1989. That was the turning point of the entire issue followed by a movement to build Ram Temple in that place. Mr. L K Advani even suggested that the Hindutvawadis were prepared to relocate the mosque elsewhere in Ayodha. To Muslims it was not acceptable. What followed thereafter is history.

The larger question here is what Muslims should do to resolve this thorny problem that has divided the two great religious groups? I, for one, believe that there must be a give and take policy. When Tipu Sultan could build a mosque and temple side by side in Srirangapattinam and that exist even today, why not Ram Mandir and Masjid side by side? This would not be acceptable to puritans among the Muslims or to those who spearhead the cause of the demolished mosque. Liberal Muslims of India feel otherwise. They always believe in peaceful co-existence between various communities. One should go a mile further to buy peace for the country.

http://newageislam.com/masjid-wahin-banayenge%E2%80%99-is-stupid---/interfaith-dialogue/d/895