[Reader-list] Police stops screening of Jashn-e-Azadi

[Vedavati Jogi]

nationalism/patriotism are much more important than secularism & liberalism.. some indians like sanjay kak have totally forgotten that.
 
vedavati> Date: Tue, 31 Jul 2007 15:52:57 +0530> From: adityarajkaul at gmail.com> To: reader-list at sarai.net> Subject: Re: [Reader-list] Police stops screening of Jashn-e-Azadi> > If you all agree that there is freedom of speech, then why can't you> tollerate my freedom of expression. We have a right to have different> opinions, who has stopped you to have a view.> > If one studies Sanjay Kak's Jashn'e-aazadi and its screenings till now, it> has received a very negative response from the common citizens. In its Delhi> screening he stopped people from entering the auditorium and then saw> protests forcing to stop the screening. He also invited terrorist Yasin> Malik or "Yasin Sahab" (in his words) as a special guest for the first> screening. Then came this Mumbai screening, where the DVD's were confiscated> and the screening was stopped by Mumbai Police.> > When I said "learned people" it wasn't abt Police, it was about the people> who had reported about this movie screening to the police and also who have> till now positively criticised this movie. I hope you agree that the> "Intellectuals" are not only limited to this Sarai Network. There is a world> beyond it as well.> > When Sanjay had the ability of screening the movie in Kashmir and even in> Delhi and parts like Bihar, Pune etc. how come he didn't show the movie to> another chunck of people having stake in Kashmir - known as the Kashmiri> Pandits. Maybe he could have organised a screening in Jammu camps or else> somewhere in Delhi where they have a good population. Or is this movie for a> certain "Intellectual brass" and also to impress a few individuals.> > Documentary isn't a work of Fiction. Documentary film is a broad category of> visual expression that is based on the attempt, in one fashion or another,> to "document" reality.> > Its quite easy to note how far Sanjay's work is from reality. He ignored the> thousands of suferers of the bullets of terrorists like Yasin Malik and in> reverse made him the hero of his feature film. Kashmiri's have suffered and> this needs to be highlighted as Inder has put it but it should be in the> right perspective. Even the authorities and government is to be blamed with> the Terrorists but you can't simply put the blame entirely on the army. Be> mature enough to read the history of the land of last two decades and you> might get your answers.> > I wonder what this psuedo-secular army is upto.> > On Shivam's Joke, I need not comment much. Delhi Police is high-tech and> they need not arrest me or confiscate my Computer. They can simply keep a> track on me through constant survelliance. Btw, Shivam have you moved out of> Tehelka and joined some Delhi Mirror ? ;)> > Regards> *Aditya Raj Kaul*> *www.kauladityaraj.blogspot.com* <http://www.kauladityaraj.blogspot.com>> > On 7/31/07, rashneek kher <rashneek at gmail.com> wrote:> >> > Even if it is a masala movie yet it is no one's business to stop screening> > of a movie which has a censor certificate.Sanjay Kak has a prespective no> > matter how incorrect.We are not a banana republic that we go on stopping> > movies.We have to learn to accomodate diffrent points of view,no matter> > how biased they are.> >> > Rashneek> >> >> > On 7/30/07, Aditya Raj Kaul <adityarajkaul at gmail.com> wrote:> > >> > > It is a great news to see the alert attitude by Mumbai Police. We all> > > should> > > welcome this bold step by the authorities. Sanjay Kak's so called> > > documentary Jashn-e-Azadi (nothing more then a hindi masala movie) is> > > only a> > > propaganda which is being originally directed by some anti-national> > > elements.> > >> > > Either Sanjay is blind and cannot watch the complex issue of Kashmir> > > from> > > the angle of suferers or its that he is acting on someone;s direction> > > which> > > is quite visible.> > >> > > We should have Freedom of speech in the this free and democratic country> > > and> > > more importantly freedom for the press. But people who play with this> > > freedom should be taken to task.> > >> > > Its time Sanjay introspects as he is a well-known director and we all> > > respect him for his past works and his knowledge in this field.> > >> > > Its easy to choose an issue to get easy fame and money, but its quite a> > > task> > > to study the history of the issue, research it for months on ground and> > > then> > > present the real picture on ground.> > >> > > Hope Sanjay learns something from what happened to him in Mumbai. And,> > > this> > > will not stop here.....whenever he tries to play with an issue and make> > > something which presents a fake situtation, he will be questioned and> > > targeted by the learned people of this society.> > >> > > Regards> > > *Aditya Raj Kaul*> > > *www.kauladityaraj.blogspot.com* < http://www.kauladityaraj.blogspot.com>> > >> > >> > >> > > On 7/29/07, reader-list-request at sarai.net <reader-list-request at sarai.net> > > >> > > wrote:> > > >> > > > Send reader-list mailing list submissions to> > > > reader-list at sarai.net> > > >> > > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit> > > > https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/reader-list> > > > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to> > > > reader-list-request at sarai.net> > > >> > > > You can reach the person managing the list at> > > > reader-list-owner at sarai.net> > > >> > > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific> > > > than "Re: Contents of reader-list digest..."> > > >> > > >> > > > Today's Topics:> > > >> > > > 1. Police stops screening of Jashn-e-Azadi (Nishant)> > > > 2. I-fellow: Papa Ajoba post no. 4 & 5 (anuja ghosalkar)> > > > 3. Re: A Madrasa with a Difference (M H)> > > > 4. A View From Within: Kashmir's Largest Madrasa: Dar ul-Uloom> > > > Raheemiyyah, Bandipora (Yogi Sikand)> > > >> > > >> > > > ----------------------------------------------------------------------> > > >> > > > Message: 1> > > > Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2007 07:27:30 +0000 (GMT)> > > > From: Nishant < nicheant at yahoo.co.uk>> > > > Subject: [Reader-list] Police stops screening of Jashn-e-Azadi> > > > To: Reader List <reader-list at sarai.net>> > > > Message-ID: < 102065.38042.qm at web27904.mail.ukl.yahoo.com>> > > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"> > > >> > > > Police stops radical film on Kashmir> > > >> > > > Disrupt screening of Jashn-e-Azadi at Bhupesh Gupta Bhavan on> > > suspicion> > > > that the documentary may be provocative and inflammatory> > > >> > > > Mumbai police on Friday disrupted the screening a radical film on> > > Kashmir> > > > called Jashn-e-Azadi on the suspicion that the feature-length> > > documentary> > > > could be "inflammatory and provocative." The 2-hour, 18-minute long> > > > documentary, directed by Sanjay Kak, was just about to begin when cops> > >> > > > barged into the Bhupesh Gupta Bhavan at Prabhadevi and seized all the> > > dvds.> > > >> > > > "We were told that the documentary is provocative and inflammatory.> > > > Therefore we requested the organisers to let us watch the movie before> > > it> > > > was screened", Deputy Commissioner of Police, D N Phadtare, told> > > Mumbai> > > > Mirror. But getting the cops to play censor was not acceptable to the> > > show's> > > > organisers, Vikalp. "We told them in that case it would not be> > > possible to> > > > allow them to screen the film and confiscated the DVDs," said> > > Phadtare.> > > >> > > > Ironically, Jashn-e-Azadi, which has already been screened in> > > Bangalore> > > > and Delhi, without anybody getting inflamed or provoked, explores the> > > > implications of the struggle for Azadi in the Kashmir Valley. As the> > > blog on> > > > documentary ( http://kashmirfilm.wordpress.com) says: In : In 2007> > > India> > > > celebrates the 60th anniversary of it's Independence, this provocative> > > and> > > > quietly disturbing new film raises questions about freedom in Kashmir,> > > and> > > > about the degrees of freedom in India.> > > >> > > > When contacted director Sanjay Kak said: "I've been holding a number> > > of> > > > private screenings across the country for filmmakers and other> > > interested> > > > viewers to start a conversation about the film and get feedback. The> > > Osian> > > > film festival in Delhi was the first and only public screening we've> > > had.> > > > The screening today was in a private property for a small group of> > > invitees.> > > > Vikalp got a call in the morning from the police asking for a copy of> > > the> > > > film. When we landed at the venue there was a battalion of cops and> > > they> > > > asked us not to screen the film. When we told them to watch it with us> > > they> > > > were not willing," said Kak, adding that the cops refused to tell them> > > who> > > > had filed the complaint or what the problem was. "All they were> > > willing to> > > > say was, 'hamare seniors ka order hai,' and till they had seen the> > > film they> > > > could not allow us to go ahead," he said.> > > >> > > > (Source: Mumbai Mirror)> > > >> > > >> > > > ___________________________________________________________> > > > Yahoo! Answers - Got a question? Someone out there knows the answer.> > > Try> > > > it> > > > now.> > > > http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/> > > >> > > >> > > > ------------------------------> > > >> > > > Message: 2> > > > Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2007 02:56:26 -0700 (PDT)> > > > From: anuja ghosalkar <anujaghosalkar at yahoo.com>> > > > Subject: [Reader-list] I-fellow: Papa Ajoba post no. 4 & 5> > > > To: Reader List <reader-list at sarai.net>> > > > Message-ID: <997606.63545.qm at web54502.mail.re2.yahoo.com >> > > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"> > > >> > > > www.papaajoba.blogspot.com> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > ____________________________________________________________________________________> > >> > > > Building a website is a piece of cake. Yahoo! Small Business gives you> > > all> > > > the tools to get online.> > > > http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/webhosting> > > >> > > >> > > > ------------------------------> > > >> > > > Message: 3> > > > Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2007 16:36:38 +0530> > > > From: "M H" <mhulikal8360 at gmail.com >> > > > Subject: Re: [Reader-list] A Madrasa with a Difference> > > > To: reader-list at sarai.net> > > > Message-ID:> > > > < edc751a50707280406n7f7ba6dcte7175508fe2d812c at mail.gmail.com>> > > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="WINDOWS-1252"> > > >> > > > Ridiculous...> > > >> > > > Looks like you have taken your prejudices a little too far - RSS => > > > fanatics> > > > = criminals.> > > >> > > > About your claim that RSS are in the police, army and committing> > > > atrocities,> > > > any sources? Or should we safely guess and commend you on your> > > abilities> > > > as> > > > an undercover journalist?> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > > On 7/28/07, jumana bandukwala <jumanab12 at yahoo.co.uk> wrote:> > > > >> > > > >> > > > > Ms Jogi is doing nothing but advocating to make India a hot bed of> > > > bloody> > > > > terrorists. She supports the arm training of vidyabhavan, durga> > > vahini,> > > > and> > > > > other RSS wings, which is against the Indian law but these are> > > happening> > > > > very much in the constitutional area of India. And the governments> > > are> > > > well> > > > > aware of it but since the governments are pro hindu they turn deaf> > > ear> > > > to> > > > > all this and then blame only the muslim people who are fighting for> > > > > discrimination in public services, schools, colleges, and above all> > > > police> > > > > and army attrocities. RSS members are in army and police who does> > > fake> > > > > killings of innocent muslim youths and raping minor girls in> > > Kashmir,> > > > > Gujarat, Maharastra and other Muslim dominated areas. They are above> > >> > > > Indian> > > > > Law such as TADA, POTA, MOCOCA, and the likes just because they are> > > > HINDUS.> > > > > So many innocent muslims killed by the hindus fanatics (RSS members)> > > but> > > > not> > > > > a single person had been on trial even after media present their> > > faces> > > > but> > > > > they stil going scot free> > > > > just because they are RSS men.> > > > >> > > > > Now decide who is the real terrorist breeder. But nothing to say as> > > > Indian> > > > > muslims are subject to these kind of attrocities even after giving> > > their> > > > > lives for India. We should kill the reason behind all these> > > activities> > > > then> > > > > we can have good and peaceful India.> > > > >> > > > > Think twice before blaming others.> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > > Vedavati Jogi <vrjogi at hotmail.com> wrote:> > > > >> > > > > To develop a national system of education which may mould the> > > posterity> > > > > into such a youthful generation as fully saturated with the feelings> > > of> > > > > Hindutva and patriotism, having completely attained all-round> > > physical,> > > > > mental, intellectual and spiritual development> > > > >> > > > > equating vidyabhavan with terrorist breeding madrasas is nothing but> > > > > mental bankruptcy. imagine muslim dominated india in 2050 where> > > hindus> > > > will> > > > > be in minority. do you want your next generation to experience the> > > 1947> > > > > partition trauma again? 1947 happened 60 years back, you might have> > > > > forgotten that...just 18years back what we experienced in muslim> > > > dominated> > > > > kashmir....can you afford to forget that?> > > > > we need many more vidyabhavans, many more rss...> > > > >> > > > > vedavati> > > > >> > > > >> > > > > From: prashant at csdms.inTo: mrsg at vsnl.com; reader-list at sarai.netDate:> > > > Fri,> > > > > 27 Jul 2007 12:17:43 +0530Subject: Re: [Reader-list] A Madrasa with> > > a> > > > > Difference> > > > > <>> > > > > If you read the responses of the so called 'modern clergy', you will> > > see> > > > > that there is a distinction being made about the morally good> > > modernity> > > > and> > > > > morally corrupt modernity. This is typical of half baked ideas of> > > > secularism> > > > > being accepted, wherein the traditions cannot be challenged on the> > > > grounds> > > > > of tolerance. In fact many traditions of hindu life are to be> > > challenged> > > > too> > > > > and one is surprised that these orthodoxies are not event entering> > > the> > > > > discussions. There is clearly a class issue which is neglected. So> > > the> > > > women> > > > > are to decide how to be huh. What if a majority of women say they> > > want> > > > to> > > > > carry on with obnoxious traditions? What then? Difference for> > > > difference's> > > > > sake becomes a mantra for upholding community values and not one for> > > an> > > > > individual to challenge not just the extreme orthodoxies but those> > > that> > > > are> > > > > current in everyday life.> > > > >> > > > > There is no point in potraying religious education as secular. There> > > is> > > > a> > > > > point however in breaking the trope of the Madrassa as a tarining> > > camp> > > > for> > > > > future terrorists and extremists.> > > > >> > > > > Perhaps a more worrysome case is that of the Safron Schools like the> > > > Vidya> > > > > Bharati network of schools, whose self-professed vision is "To> > > develop a> > > > > national system of education which may mould the posterity into such> > > a> > > > > youthful generation as fully saturated with the feelings of Hindutva> > > and> > > > > patriotism, having completely attained all-round physical, mental,> > > > > intellectual and spiritual development".> > > > >> > > > > This is a much bigger network. It has about 6000 schools under its> > > arm.> > > > > The Vidya Bharati also controls some 60 colleges and 25 higher> > > education> > > > > institutions. Frontline did a cover on these schools in 1998. But> > > they> > > > do> > > > > not seem to draw the deserved flak from society.> > > > >> > > > > ----- Original Message -----> > > > > From: MRSG> > > > > To: Yogi Sikand ; reader-list at sarai.net> > > > > Sent: Friday, July 27, 2007 11:44 AM> > > > > Subject: Re: [Reader-list] A Madrasa with a Difference> > > > >> > > > > First the dignity of veil, then a secular Huriayat which loves> > > Hindus> > > > and> > > > > Buddhist and now a Modern Madrasa. Hope all these can be considered> > > as a> > > > > comic relief for serious reader-list netizens.> > > > >> > > > > ----- Original Message -----> > > > >> > > > > From: Yogi Sikand> > > > > To: reader-list at sarai.net> > > > > Sent: Friday, July 27, 2007 10:01 AM> > > > > Subject: [Reader-list] A Madrasa with a Difference> > > > > A Madrasa with a DifferenceYoginder SikandContrary to how the media> > > > > generally portrays them,madrasas in> > > > > India are not entirely opposed to reform.Indeed, the winds of change> > > are> > > > > being felt even in theportals of the more conservative madrasas,> > > such as> > > > > thevast network of Deobandi seminaries spread across the> > > > > country. One such instance is the recently-establishedJamia> > > ul-Umoor, in> > > > > New Delhi's Muslim-dominated AbulFazl locality. Set up in 2005, the> > > > Jamia> > > > > ul-Umoor is the brainchildof two young graduates of the Dar ul-Ulum,> > > > > Deoband,> > > > > India's largest and most influential madrasa.Maulanas Khalid> > > Saifullah> > > > > Qasmi and Azmatullah Qasmi,the men behind this venture, are both in> > > > > theirmid-twenties and represent a new generation ofDeobandi scholars> > > > eager> > > > > to embrace and promote modern> > > > > knowledge along with traditional Islamic learning.After having> > > received> > > > > their degree from Deoband theyenrolled at the Dar ul-Umoor, in> > > > > Srirangapatanam, near> > > > > Mysore, for a year's course in a range of'modern' disciplines. Like> > > > their> > > > > teachers, the twenty-odd students at Jamiaul-Umoor are all graduates> > > of> > > > the> > > > > Deoband madrasa.Having completed a rigorous eight-year course in> > > > > Islamic Studies there, in the Jamia they are now beingexposed to a> > > whole> > > > > new world of learning. The two-yearcourse that they are undergoing> > > > consists> > > > > of lessons inEnglish, Computers, Economics, History, Geography,> > > > > Mathematics, Management, Political Science, PhysicalSciences,> > > Journalism> > > > > and Comparative Religionsâ€"allsubjects that they have had little or> > > no> > > > > exposure toin their years at Deoband. Judging by the ease with> > > > > which the students converse in English, despite havingstudied it for> > >> > > > less> > > > > than half a year, they seem to befast and eager learners and their> > > five> > > > > teachers,zealous instructors. The students, neatly dressed in> > > spotless> > > > > kurta-pajamas> > > > > and topis, sit in a circle on a large quilt. On beingprompted by his> > >> > > > > teachers, Tauqir Qasmi, who has justturned twenty, stands up and> > > > delivers an> > > > > impassionedspeech in Arabic on the importance of modern education> > > > > and on how Islam positively encourages it. Hiscolleague, Aslam> > > Rafiqi> > > > > Qasmi, follows after him, witha remarkably clear speech in English> > > on> > > > the> > > > > problemsof the Indian Muslims. He refers to the 'shameful> > > > > and lamentable' Partition of India and the'massive and most> > > horrendous'> > > > > killings of Hindus,Muslims and Sikhs that ensued. The Indian> > > Muslims,> > > > > hesays, 'continue to pay a heavy price for thePartition', being> > > 'wrongly> > > > > branded as> > > > > anti-nationals by many Hindus'. He refers to theliterally thousands> > > of> > > > > Muslims who have lost theirlives in hundreds of organized pogroms> > > and> > > > riots> > > > > inIndia since 1947, and of the discrimination that they> > > > > continue to face in many spheres. He ends his speechby stressing the> > >> > > > need> > > > > for Muslims to take to bothreligious as well as modern education.> > > The> > > > > welcome addresses over, I sit with the studentsand discuss their> > > > studies.> > > > > One of them wants to know> > > > > how to secure admission in the English department ofthe university I> > > > teach> > > > > in. Another wants to know howhe can get the articles he has written> > > > > published inthe Times of India. A third asks me, in impeccable> > > > > English, 'Why are Muslims, especially the ulema ofDeoband, thought> > > of as> > > > > terrorists by many, while theyhad actually played a leading role in> > > > > India'santi-colonial struggle?'. The students and their teachers> > > insist> > > > that> > > > > the> > > > > Deobandi elders are not against modern education perse, as is> > > commonly> > > > > imagined. Hasan, a young studentfrom> > > > > Bihar, argues, 'Islam says that all beneficialknowledge can be> > > acquired> > > > > and so our ulema have neveropposed what is good in the modern> > > > educational> > > > > system.What they were opposed to, however, was Western> > > > > culture. We can and, indeed, should acquire knowledgeof all the> > > > beneficial> > > > > modern disciplines, providedthis is done according to our culture> > > and> > > > that> > > > > ithelps us become better Muslims'. Ali, anotherstudent, adds, 'In> > > Islam,> > > > > there is no distinction> > > > > between religious and secular education. All forms ofbeneficial> > > > knowledge> > > > > should be had'. Says anotherstudent, Abdur Rahman, 'Learning> > > English,> > > > > ComputerApplications and other modern subjects will help us in> > > > > our task to telling others about Islam'. Maulana Furqan, senior> > > teacher,> > > > > nods his head inagreement. He tells me that three graduates of> > > > > Jamiaul-Umoor's first batch, which passed out last year,are now> > > studying> > > > at> > > > > a regular university, the Jamia> > > > > Millia Islamia, in New Delhi. 'We want our graduatesto go on to join> > > > > universities and then take up a range> > > > > of careers, not necessarily as maulvis or religiousspecialists', he> > > > says.> > > > > 'In the past, madrasasproduced both ulema as well architects,> > > > > astronomers,scientists and so on', he informs me, 'and so wemust go> > > back> > > > to> > > > > that holistic conception of education> > > > > and bridge the gulf between the ulema and those whohave studied in> > > > > universities'. 'Working in variousfields, and not just as maulvis,> > > our> > > > > students can playan important role in promoting social reforms as> > > well> > > > > as communicating the message of Islam to others', headds. 'In> > > today's> > > > > world, you need to know Englishin order to tell others about Islam.> > > > Also,> > > > > there is awealth of useful knowledge in English', he explains.> > > > > 'Hence', he stresses, 'it is important thatmaulvis, too, must learn> > > the> > > > > language'. I ask Maulana Khalid Saifullah what he feels about> > > > theargument of> > > > > some conservative maulvis that madrasastudents should not enroll in> > > > colleges> > > > > for fear that> > > > > they might go astray.'It depends on the individual student',> > > heanswers.> > > > > 'If the students' moral and religioustraining is sound, there is no> > > > reason> > > > > to fear thattheir faith would weaken if they join universities. In> > > > > fact, they might have a positive impact on otherstudents, who might,> > > by> > > > > witnessing their example, seekto come closer to religion'. 'To> > > further> > > > > strengthen their commitment to thefaith', he adds, 'we arrange for> > > pious> > > > > Sufi> > > > > scholars to come here to interact with the students,so that, by> > > being in> > > > > the company of men of God, theywill learn to devote themselves to> > > the> > > > faith,> > > > > ratherthan to the pleasures of the world'. Maulana Saifullah tells> > > me> > > > about> > > > > the 25 other students> > > > > of the Jamia ul-Umoor, who are enrolled in the hifzcourse to> > > memorise> > > > the> > > > > Quran. In contrast to mostother institutions that specialize in> > > hifz,> > > > > thestudents here must also study English, Mathematics and> > > > > Science. He also refers to his plans to arrange forhis students to> > > > > simultaneously enroll for the tenthgrade examinations, so that after> > > > they> > > > > finish theircourse they can join various different departments in> > > > > regular universities. 'Our ulema must keepthemselves abreast of> > > modern> > > > > knowledge andcontemporary developments', he stresses. 'That> > > isessential> > > > for> > > > > them to provide proper leadership to thecommunity'.> > > > > Innovative madrasas like the Jamia ul-Umoor areincreasingly visible> > > > today,> > > > > although the media rarely,if ever, refers to them. These> > > institutions> > > > > indicatethe possibility of bridging the rigid dualism> > > thatcharacterizes> > > > > Muslim education, between the ulema and> > > > > those who have studied in 'modern' institutions,something crucial> > > for> > > > > promoting education amongMuslims more> > > > > generally.------------------------------------------Yoginder Sikand> > > > works> > > > > with the Centre for> > > > > JawaharlalNehru Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia,> > > > > New Delhi> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > > _________________________________________reader-list: an open> > > discussion> > > > > list on media and the city.Critiques & CollaborationsTo subscribe:> > > send> > > > an> > > > > email to reader-list-request at sarai.net with subscribe in the subject> > >> > > > > header.To unsubscribe:> > > > https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/reader-listList archive: <> > > > > https://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/>> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > > _________________________________________reader-list: an open> > > discussion> > > > > list on media and the city.Critiques & CollaborationsTo subscribe:> > > send> > > > an> > > > > email to reader-list-request at sarai.net with subscribe in the subject> > > > > header.To unsubscribe:> > > > https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/reader-listList archive: <> > > > > https://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/ >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > > No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition.> > > > > Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.10.22/921 - Release Date:> > > > 7/26/2007> > > > > 11:16 PM> > > > > _________________________________________________________________> > > > > Palate Teasers: Straight from Master Chef!> > > > >> > > > >> > > >> > > http://content.msn.co.in/Lifestyle/Moreonlifestyle/LifestylePT_101106_1530.htm> > > > > _________________________________________> > > > > reader-list: an open discussion list on media and the city.> > > > > Critiques & Collaborations> > > > > To subscribe: send an email to reader-list-request at sarai.net with> > > > > subscribe in the subject header.> > > > > To unsubscribe: https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/reader-list> > > > > List archive: <https://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/>> > > > >> > > > >> > > > > ---------------------------------> > > > > Too much spam? Try Yahoo! Mail and we'll help keep the junk out of> > > > your> > > > > inbox.> > > > > _________________________________________> > > > > reader-list: an open discussion list on media and the city.> > > > > Critiques & Collaborations> > > > > To subscribe: send an email to reader-list-request at sarai.net with> > > > > subscribe in the subject header.> > > > > To unsubscribe: https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/reader-list> > > > > List archive: < https://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/>> > > >> > > >> > > > ------------------------------> > > >> > > > Message: 4> > > > Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2007 17:39:40 +0530> > > > From: "Yogi Sikand" <ysikand at gmail.com>> > > > Subject: [Reader-list] A View >From Within: Kashmir's Largest> > > > Madrasa: Dar ul-Uloom Raheemiyyah, Bandipora> > > > To: "Sushil J. Aaron" <Sushil.Aaron at gmail.com>> > > > Message-ID:> > > > < 48097acc0707270509u793a6a70v2ec2b118319a857f at mail.gmail.com>> > > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="WINDOWS-1252"> > > >> > > > ---------- Forwarded message ----------> > > > From: Yogi Sikand < ysikand at gmail.com>> > > > Date: Jul 27, 2007 5:35 PM> > > > Subject: A View From Within: Kashmir's Largest Madrasa: Dar ul-Uloom> > > > Raheemiyyah, Bandipora> > > > To: Dr Zafarul-Islam Khan < zik at vsnl.com>> > > >> > > >> > > > *A View From Within*> > > >> > > > *Kashmir**'s Largest Madrasa: Dar ul-Uloom Raheemiyyah*> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > > *> > > > By Yoginder Sikand*> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > > Established in 1979, the Dar ul-Uloom Raheemiyyah, located in the town> > > of> > > > Bandipora, is the largest *madrasa* in Jammu and Kashmir. Founded by a> > > > graduate of the Deoband *madrasa*, Maulana Muhammad Rahmatullah, it> > > > currently has more than a thousand students on its rolls. Patterned on> > > the> > > > Deoband model, it is one of the few *madrasas* in the state that> > > provide> > > > Islamic education till the *takhasus *or specialization level.> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > > The Trust that runs the *madrasa* also runs several other> > > institutions,> > > > spread over three separate campuses. These include the Faiz-e Aam> > > school> > > > for> > > > girls (till the fifth grade) and a similar school for boys (till the> > > tenth> > > > grade). Both these institutions follow the curriculum prescribed by> > > the> > > > Jammu and Kashmir State Board for Education, besides providing> > > students> > > > with> > > > religious education. The *madrasa* is located on a separate plot of> > > land,> > > > donated by a pious elderly woman, the late Aziz un-Nisa, who is said> > > to> > > > have> > > > taught the Quran to hundreds of boys and girls in and around> > > Bandipora.> > > > Adjacent to the *madrasa* is a four-storey technical institute which> > > is> > > > scheduled to be opened this year, offering courses in computers,> > > > tailoring,> > > > painting and book-binding to students of the *madrasa* and others.> > > Work on> > > > a> > > > mosque that can accommodate some six thousand worshippers is almost> > > > complete. A new library is coming up, whose collection includes> > > numerous> > > > handwritten manuscripts in Persian and Arabic, some several centuries> > > old.> > > > In addition, the Dar ul-Uloom runs some sixty part-time *maktab*s in> > > and> > > > around Bandipora, most of whose teachers are senior students of the> > > > *madrasa> > > > *.> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > > Mufti Nazeer Ahmed, aged 40, one of the elders at the *madrasa*, is> > > known> > > > as> > > > a specialist in Islamic jurisprudence. His principal task is to> > > dispense *> > > > fatwas* and hear disputes in the *dar ul-qaza* or 'house of justice'> > > that> > > > is> > > > attached to the *madrasa*. Till date, the *madrasa* has received> > > several> > > > thousand requests for *fatwas*.> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > > When I enter his cell to meet the Mufti, I find him sitting in a> > > corner on> > > > a> > > > carpet, surrounded by men and women who have come to him for advice.> > > He> > > > asks> > > > an old woman, who cannot speak, to explain her problem. It relates,> > > like> > > > many other cases that he daily hears, to marital and inheritance> > > > squabbles.> > > > He then hears out the others who are party to the dispute and> > > eventually> > > > gives an opinion in the woman's favour.> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > > As the crowd shuffles out of the room, he beckons me to sit next to> > > him. I> > > > ask him if his *madrasa*'s acceptance of modern education, as> > > represented> > > > in> > > > the two schools that it runs, in addition to the *madrasa* itself, is> > > > unusual for the Kashmiri *ulema* community.> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > > 'Not at all', he replies. 'Many of our *ulema* believe that we need to> > >> > > > have> > > > both modern as well as Islamic education, including even for girls'.> > > > 'Students with knowledge of both', he adds, 'can effectively> > > communicate> > > > Islam, by their words and deeds, in a whole range of spheres, and not> > > > simply> > > > as religious specialists. A pious Muslim engineer or doctor is best> > > suited> > > > for preaching Islam to engineers or doctors'.> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > > Mufti Nazir offers added justification for this approach to education.> > > 'If> > > > *> > > > ulema* acquire law degrees, they will be in a better position to offer> > > *> > > > fatwas*. Or, if you want to establish an economic institution or> > > system> > > > run> > > > on Islamic lines, a degree in economics can be useful. Or, if a> > > > *madrasa*graduate studies journalism, he can use his skills to present> > > > a proper> > > > understanding of Islam to others and to counter anti-Muslim media> > > > propaganda. And for this, *madrasa* graduates must also study English> > > and> > > > other languages, so that they can communicate with people who do not> > > know> > > > Urdu'.> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > > The Mufti also refers to the need for technical training for> > > > *madrasa*students. 'This is important for those students who will not> > > > take up careers> > > > as *ulema'*, he explains.> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > > I ask the mufti about the Kashmir dispute, but he brushes aside my> > > > question> > > > politely. 'We have nothing to do with politics', he says. He stresses,> > >> > > > however, that allegations about madrasas in Kashmir being allegedly> > > > involved> > > > in promoting 'terrorism' are false. 'We are completely transparent, an> > > > open> > > > book, and have nothing to hide. Anyone can come and visit us and sit> > > in> > > > our> > > > classrooms', he replies. 'Not a single *madrasa* in Kashmir has been> > > > identified by intelligence sources as engaged in that sort of> > > activity'.> > > > To> > > > brand the madrasas as a whole as 'factories of terror' on the basis of> > > the> > > > activities of a few stray students is unfair, he stresses.> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > > We talk about inter-community relations and what Islam has to say> > > about> > > > them. It is wrong, the Mufti tells me, to equate all non-Muslims as> > > > 'enemies> > > > of Islam', as some fringe elements believe. 'You cannot generalize> > > like> > > > this> > > > about any community. There are good people in other communities, just> > > as> > > > there are bad people among Muslims. Our duty as Muslims is to approach> > >> > > > others with kind words and a good heart and tell them about Islam and> > > > impress them with our good example'. For that, the Mufti says, peace> > > is a> > > > must, so that others would be willing to listen to what Muslims say> > > about> > > > their faith. Moreover, he adds, 'we must learn about each other's> > > > religions,> > > > not to condemn and denounce others, but to understand them'.> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > > He tells me about a Hindu whom he met some days ago who had read about> > >> > > > Islam> > > > and the stress it lays on ethical values. 'He told me that he> > > appreciated> > > > Islam because of these values that it stands for, and not because of> > > > Muslims' behaviour. So, Islam must not be judged on the basis of the> > > wrong> > > > actions of some Muslims', he says.> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > > The call for the evening prayer comes floating in. As I get up to> > > leave,> > > > the> > > > Mufti hands me a bunch of booklets that the *madrasa *has published,> > > > including its monthly magazine, *Al-Noor*, which is published in both> > > Urdu> > > > and English. He asks me to spend the night if I want as it is getting> > > late> > > > and I might miss the last bus to Srinagar. I would certainly have> > > loved> > > > to—his cheerfulness, simplicity and hospitality have been so> > > endearing,> > > > but> > > > I really must leave. I promise him that I'll try to return soon and> > > spend> > > > a> > > > few days with him, to get a better understanding of *madrasa*s from> > > > within,> > > > something that few writers on this much talked-about subject have> > > actually> > > > attempted.> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > > * *> > > >> > > > *For more details, contact: The Manager, Dar ul-Uloom Raheemiyyah,> > > > Bandipora, *> > > >> > > > *Jammu and Kashmir**, 193502.*> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > > - --> > > > Sukhia Sab Sansar Khaye Aur Soye> > > > Dukhia Das Kabir Jagey Aur Roye> > > >> > > > The world is 'happy', eating and sleeping> > > > The forlorn Kabir Das is awake and weeping> > > >> > > >> > > > ------------------------------> > > >> > > > _______________________________________________> > > > reader-list mailing list> > > > reader-list at sarai.net> > > > https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/reader-list> > > >> > > >> > > > End of reader-list Digest, Vol 48, Issue 43> > > > *******************************************> > > >> > >> > >> > >> > > --> > > Aditya Raj Kaul> > > Blog: www.kauladityaraj.blogspot.com> > > Website: www.adityarajkaul.tk> > > _________________________________________> > > reader-list: an open discussion list on media and the city.> > > Critiques & Collaborations> > > To subscribe: send an email to reader-list-request at sarai.net with> > > subscribe in the subject header.> > > To unsubscribe: https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/reader-list> > > List archive: &lt;https://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/>> >> >> >> >> > --> > Rashneek Kher> > http://www.nietzschereborn.blogspot.com> > > > > -- > Aditya Raj Kaul> Blog: www.kauladityaraj.blogspot.com> Website: www.adityarajkaul.tk> _________________________________________> reader-list: an open discussion list on media and the city.> Critiques & Collaborations> To subscribe: send an email to reader-list-request at sarai.net with subscribe in the subject header.> To unsubscribe: https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/reader-list > List archive: &lt;https://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/>
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