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It is the era of short messages, and in keeping with the times we kick off a new feature where our writers tell it like it is, in just a few words. Today, Faisal Kidwai tells us why Imam Bukhari is wrong in calling on Muslims to boycott Anna Hazare's anti-corruption movement
The Imam Bukhari of New Delhi's [ Images ] Jama Masjid has proved that you need real commitment to preach sheer stupidity.
In a statement carried he has appealed to Muslims to stay away from Anna Hazare's movement because the protesters are raising slogans such as 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' and 'Vande Mataram' which, according to him, are un-Islamic.
Well, first things first. The incumbent, Syed Ahmed Bukhari's father Syed Abdullah Bukhari has always supported the government in power. He has a long history of backing the administration, whether it is VP Singh's government, the BJP or the Congress.
These days the Congress is in power, so Imam Bukhari is supporting them by taking a stand against Anna Hazare.
His views are not based on religion, the Holy Book or even principles. All he cares about is maintaining his ever-dwindling power base.
His political stand can be summed up by the statement made by Groucho Marx: "Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others."
Contrary to perceptions created over years by the media regarding Imam Bukhari, he does not even represent the Muslims of Delhi, let alone Muslims of India.
He was created by the Congress, helped by the media and his support base has always been limited to areas surrounding the Jama Masjid.
Apart from those who want to ride on his coattails, Muslims around the country have never paid any attention to his statements or his diktats.
Now, in an effort to remain in the news, he has called on Muslims to not support a protest movement, not because the movement might lack merit or that the Jan Lokpal Bill might have glaring shortcoming.
No, sir, his stand, like always, is not based on rational reasons, but on headline-grabbing.
By the way, how is 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' un-Islamic? As far as I can see, it is just a slogan in praise of your country. If anything, having an imam like Bukhari is un-Islamic.
If Imam Bukhari has such a problem with 'Vande Mataram' or 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' then he should, frankly, leave India and live somewhere else, preferably in Pakistan, where he would feel very comfortable among the religious nuts ruling the streets
--Agencies
Lucknow: Maulana's ask Muslims to back Anna | Siasat
---------- Post added at 09:42 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:40 AM ----------
Lucknow, Aug 22 (IANS) Prominent Maulanas and Islamic scholars of Uttar Pradesh have reacted strongly to Delhi's Shahi Imam Ahmed Bukhari's appeal to Muslims to keep off Anna Hazare's anti-corruption campaign because his supporters were raising chants of "Vande Mataram".
Leading Sunni cleric Maulana Abul Irfan Mian Firangi Mahli and well known Shia scholar and cleric Maulana Kalbe Jawaad said that since Hazare was not forcing Vande Mataram on anyone, there was nothing wrong if Muslims joined the campaign launched by the social activist.
"The issue is not about Vande Mataram but corruption. I see absolutely no reason why Muslims should be dissuaded from joining this campaign when we all know how corruption is eating into our system and making the lives of people miserable," Maulana Firangi Mahli said.
He added: "After all this slogan of Vande Mataram was widely used by Mahatma Gandhi during the freedom movement in which so many Muslims stood by him and remained part of the struggle."
"The time is now ripe to exhort the youth of this country to rise up in arms against corruption. The best way to do so could be by ensuring that the corrupt are not voted to power.
"That could be done by ensuring that Muslims just do not support any candidate who spends tonnes of money in his campaign. We must remember that anyone using money power in his election was bound to recover the same by illegal means no sooner that he gets elected."
Maulana Kalbe Jawaad said: "While we do not subscribe to chanting of Vande Mataram which goes against the spirit of Islam, we have to join this great battle against corruption.
"After all Anna is not forcing anyone to chant Vande Mataram. So while others recite Vande Mataram, Muslims can call out 'Allah-o-Akbar' or just remain quiet. Yet they can continue to be a part of the anti-corruption movement that has gained so much momentum."
Referring to reports that Hazare was supported by the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), he said: "If some are trying to create this confusion, then it would be pertinent for Anna to remove these doubts."
He added: "As far as I am concerned, I am convinced that Anna has taken up the right cause and Muslims must stand up in his support with full force."
Lucknow: Maulanas ask Muslims to back Anna
The Imam Bukhari of New Delhi's [ Images ] Jama Masjid has proved that you need real commitment to preach sheer stupidity.
In a statement carried he has appealed to Muslims to stay away from Anna Hazare's movement because the protesters are raising slogans such as 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' and 'Vande Mataram' which, according to him, are un-Islamic.
Well, first things first. The incumbent, Syed Ahmed Bukhari's father Syed Abdullah Bukhari has always supported the government in power. He has a long history of backing the administration, whether it is VP Singh's government, the BJP or the Congress.
These days the Congress is in power, so Imam Bukhari is supporting them by taking a stand against Anna Hazare.
His views are not based on religion, the Holy Book or even principles. All he cares about is maintaining his ever-dwindling power base.
His political stand can be summed up by the statement made by Groucho Marx: "Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others."
Contrary to perceptions created over years by the media regarding Imam Bukhari, he does not even represent the Muslims of Delhi, let alone Muslims of India.
He was created by the Congress, helped by the media and his support base has always been limited to areas surrounding the Jama Masjid.
Apart from those who want to ride on his coattails, Muslims around the country have never paid any attention to his statements or his diktats.
Now, in an effort to remain in the news, he has called on Muslims to not support a protest movement, not because the movement might lack merit or that the Jan Lokpal Bill might have glaring shortcoming.
No, sir, his stand, like always, is not based on rational reasons, but on headline-grabbing.
By the way, how is 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' un-Islamic? As far as I can see, it is just a slogan in praise of your country. If anything, having an imam like Bukhari is un-Islamic.
If Imam Bukhari has such a problem with 'Vande Mataram' or 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' then he should, frankly, leave India and live somewhere else, preferably in Pakistan, where he would feel very comfortable among the religious nuts ruling the streets
--Agencies
Lucknow: Maulana's ask Muslims to back Anna | Siasat
---------- Post added at 09:42 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:40 AM ----------
Lucknow, Aug 22 (IANS) Prominent Maulanas and Islamic scholars of Uttar Pradesh have reacted strongly to Delhi's Shahi Imam Ahmed Bukhari's appeal to Muslims to keep off Anna Hazare's anti-corruption campaign because his supporters were raising chants of "Vande Mataram".
Leading Sunni cleric Maulana Abul Irfan Mian Firangi Mahli and well known Shia scholar and cleric Maulana Kalbe Jawaad said that since Hazare was not forcing Vande Mataram on anyone, there was nothing wrong if Muslims joined the campaign launched by the social activist.
"The issue is not about Vande Mataram but corruption. I see absolutely no reason why Muslims should be dissuaded from joining this campaign when we all know how corruption is eating into our system and making the lives of people miserable," Maulana Firangi Mahli said.
He added: "After all this slogan of Vande Mataram was widely used by Mahatma Gandhi during the freedom movement in which so many Muslims stood by him and remained part of the struggle."
"The time is now ripe to exhort the youth of this country to rise up in arms against corruption. The best way to do so could be by ensuring that the corrupt are not voted to power.
"That could be done by ensuring that Muslims just do not support any candidate who spends tonnes of money in his campaign. We must remember that anyone using money power in his election was bound to recover the same by illegal means no sooner that he gets elected."
Maulana Kalbe Jawaad said: "While we do not subscribe to chanting of Vande Mataram which goes against the spirit of Islam, we have to join this great battle against corruption.
"After all Anna is not forcing anyone to chant Vande Mataram. So while others recite Vande Mataram, Muslims can call out 'Allah-o-Akbar' or just remain quiet. Yet they can continue to be a part of the anti-corruption movement that has gained so much momentum."
Referring to reports that Hazare was supported by the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), he said: "If some are trying to create this confusion, then it would be pertinent for Anna to remove these doubts."
He added: "As far as I am concerned, I am convinced that Anna has taken up the right cause and Muslims must stand up in his support with full force."
Lucknow: Maulanas ask Muslims to back Anna
