The Liberhan report on Babri Masjid demolition: No point in revisiting the past, Islam and Pluralism

Islam and Pluralism

The Liberhan report on Babri Masjid demolition: No point in revisiting the past

Let us Focus on the Future

By A.M. Jamsheed Basha

Two outcomes are certain to happen after the report is released for public viewing. If the report gives a clean chit to the BJP leaders including Advani, then minorities would discredit the report as a whitewash. On the other hand, if the report indicts the BJP leadership for inciting demolition, then the party would have many things to explain to the people of the country.

There is another view on the issue. Advani maintained all along that he was saddened at the event and he almost had tears in his eyes during the time. Besides, he took utmost interest in the Commission proceedings giving his account of the events and his actual role. Even in his autobiography My Country My Life he has maintained that he was feeling both distraught and helpless when the Babri Masjid was demolished. It was deep sense of regret on the part of this great leader, and there is no reason why the Muslims should not accept this as admitted guilt and apology?

It may be remembered that in 2007, when commission counsel Anupam Gupta quit in disgust it shocked many. At that time, Gupta had told Outlook magazine that, "I am not sure whether Justice Liberhan would like to address L K Advani's role in the demolition." Will he be proved right?

However, a relieved Justice Liberhan, told after handing over the report to the PM that he felt relieved and independent. Justice Liberhan will be remembered for running the longest ever commission in India's history and that is nothing to be proud about for country's justice delivery system.

http://newageislam.com/the-liberhan-report-on-babri-masjid-demolition--no-point-in-revisiting-the-past----/islam-and-pluralism/d/1513

Gay Ho! Gay Ho! Homosexuality Is Legal!, Islam and Human Rights, NewAgeIslam.com

Islam and Human Rights

Gay Ho! Gay Ho! Homosexuality Is Legal!

By A.M. Jamsheed Basha

July 3, 2009

The reactions to the Delhi High Court judgement was mixed in the country. While Gay community celebrated it in Delhi and elsewhere along with their activists, others were up in arms especially the religious groups. Muslim clerics called homosexuality prohibited in Islam and the main source of the dangerous disease AIDS, hence unacceptable to them. The Christian priests called the act of homosexuality as unnatural to human behaviour that would disturb the society, though they have no comments on the legalisation in European countries, majority of which are Christians. Hindu priests one after another, came out with a statement that the legalisation of homosexuality would bring down the values of normal family life and the traditions. The society would stand to lose the best and well protected Hindu traditions. It’s unnatural and hence unacceptable to Hindu society. While cine celebrities welcomed it, as they will see more of "Dostanas" and "Fires" with actress Cerena Jaitely on the forefront, being an activist herself of the cause of gays in the country.

The political parties are in a bind. While Congress is neutral, BJP plays for time; SP is against it while Communists are the only political grouping to support the move to decriminalise homosexuality in private.

Now question arises, how does the Delhi judgement help the Gay community? Whether the rulings would be applicable nationwide or be confined to Delhi alone? The answer is the main benefit of the judgement for homos would be psychological as it reduces scope for their harassment. It may over a time reduce the social stigma as well.

http://newageislam.com/gay-ho!-gay-ho!-homosexuality-is-legal!--/islam-and-human-rights/d/1517

Muslims fall between two stools in Srilanakan conflict: ripe for fundamentalism?, Radical Islamism and Jihad, NewAgeIslam.com

Radical Islamism and Jihad

Muslims fall between two stools in Srilanakan conflict: ripe for fundamentalism?

LTTE ON THE RUN : PLIGHT OF THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY IN

SRILANKAN CONFLICT

A.M. Jamsheed Basha, Chennai-based columnist

More than two decade old ethnic conflict in Srilanka is most often regarded as one between majority Sinhalese and the minority Tamils. In this bipolar understanding of the conflict, the Muslim community seems to have no place, even though they constitute a large, close to between 35 to 40%, section of the population in the troubled Eastern Province. They were mercilessly expelled from the Northern Province too. More than sixteen years after expulsions, these Muslims are still living in camps and districts other than their own. This is an attempt to recount the plight of these Muslims and analyze the role of the political powers that have marginalized the Muslims in Srilanka.

Muslims in Srilanka were regarded as a separate ethnic group. But then their language Tamil led them to be close to the Tamil rank and file in the region. So much so that some of their youth had enrolled for military training with the rebels like LTTE in the Eastern and Northern Srilanka. Some of them joined and fought political elections too through Tamil ethnic parties. This relationship was always difficult to maintain, further deteriorated due to the ongoing conflict resulting in polarization between the two communities. Muslims have been systematically targeted, displaced, and dispossessed by armed actors of both the state and the LTTE and its breakaway faction TMVP.

http://newageislam.com/muslims-fall-between-two-stools-in-srilanakan-conflict--ripe-for-fundamentalism?--/radical-islamism-and-jihad/d/1096