Kashmir on protest…

The whole of Kashmir is protesting.

And this time round it isnt ‘azadi’ in its specific socio-political context that Kashmiris are asking for, but it ranges from things like polluted roads to getting jobs.

Suddenly there seems to be a surge in the number of demonstrations that are done daily. The electropathy graduates (some branch of medicine) ask for jobs, school children ask for roads to be fixed coz of the pollution..

The forms are varied – hunger strikes (where some decide to burn themselves), boot-polish strike, where doctors/professionals seeking jobs etc, polish shoes of the people on the road, rayda kapda sale, where professional sell clothes on a make-shift portable shop (that is the closest i can get to describing a rayda).
Another very innovative protest was a group of people carrying an empty coffin to symbolise the death/apathy of the system.

The cutest I saw yesterday on TV was school children protesting against pollution due to trucks and bad roads….

The slogans remain the same…
“Naarai takbeer.. Allahoakbar…
apna haq hum laykar rahayngay..”

Kashmiris keep on protesting… is anyone listening?

To mourn or not?

Boris Yeltsin is dead.

Finally.(If I may be allowed to add.)

I read the news. And I go back a few years in time and remember my literature class…

The evil that men do lives after them;
The good is oft interred with their bones;
So let it be with Caesar. (Shakespeare, Julius Caesar)

And I remember the death of the man painted as the demon – no other than Saddam Hussein.

Both tyrants.
Both dead.

Yet one remembered as a “Giant of History” and the other as “demon”. The irony of it all.

Strange and sickening, but unfortunately this is how the world we live in works.
Yeltsin died – of old age, of being drunk, of whatever reasons. The country laments his death. They mourn and give him a respectful burial. The priests pray for him. And he is remembered as a giant of history.

I wont display graphic images of the brutalized Chechens … but something to serve as a reminder:

I will always associate Boris Yeltsin with my grimmest ever job as a journalist too. In the spring of 1995, I stood in a field in Chechnya. Lines of civilian corpses, some charred by flames, lay awaiting burial. This was the result of the Kremlin’s heavy-handed response to the breakaway region’s bid for independence. (JAMES RODGERS, BBC’s Moscow correspondent for periods 1991-2007)

You decide whether you wish to mourn or rejoice.

Round table

Question:
Why are conferences on ‘critical’ and ’serious’ issue discussed on a round table?

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Ans:
Coz the talk goes round and round in circles forever and ever…

(ah.. reminds me of Buddha, and moksha or freedom from the cycle of rebirth…)

Doubled and troubled – Dimensions…

It is one of the most thought provoking statements that I have heard lately.. and obviously I cant help but comment on it.

They say, that they (as in ‘unn’ with loads of tameez) said that the Kashmir problem has TWO dimensions. It must take someone who is a genius indeed to come up with a an actual analysis of a problem so complex and with so many dimensions that it looks more like a blob without dimensions to people (less than genius) like me.

Well if you haven’t heard it till now, its about time that you also get to know… oh yes. the Kashmir problem…. (even the word problem is problematic to use in this reference)… has two dimensions as per the Prime Minister of the Indian state.
1. Internal
2. External

Internal could mean anything from a ‘zara sa’ stomach ache coz of eating peanuts to a malignant tumor. While the external could range from a slight increase in temperature to a tsunami. Anyways, the extent of the dimension was not elaborated on.

Anyways.. with all that annoyance vent out…we read about sincere intentions and desires…

”It is our intention and sincere desire to advance on both fronts towards resolving the problems through a process of dialogue,” Dr Singh said in his opening remarks at the third roundtable on Kashmir convened by him.

2 decades of pain and we are still only trying to identify the dimensions to the problem (and that too not to the satisfaction of commoners like me)… so much to speak of intentions…

Islamic History – 3

(continued from Islamic History series…)

The Prophet (at Medina)
In the previous post we looked briefly at (part 1) Arabia before Islam, (part 2) the Prophet(s.a.w.) at Mecca, until Hijrah (or the migration). In this part we will look at the life of Prophet(s.a.w.) after Hijrah.

Brotherhood:
The migrants (muhajireen) and the locals (ansaar) were bound together in brotherhood whereby making the migrants feel welcome at Medina and helping them settle down.

Treaty with jews:
At Medina there were the jews and the pagans before arrival of Islam. The Jews at Medina were of 3 tribal groups – Banu Nadir, Banu Quraiza, Banu Qainuqa.
During the first year after Hijrah, a treaty was signed between the Prophet(s.a.w.) as the head of the state, and the Jews. According to this treaty, the Jews had equal right to citizenship and complete religious freedom.
However, the Jews and the hypocrites together tried to sabotage the Muslim work and this has been frequently mentioned in the Quran.

Change in Qibla:
The change in Qibla from Jerusalem to Kaaba came next.

Expeditions against the Quraish:
The Prophet(s.a.w.) as the head of the state had to deal with the Quraish who kept plotting against the Prophet. Several expeditions were led against them. In these expeditions only the Muhajireen participated.

Battle of Badr.
A rumor had spread that Abu Sufyan’s caravan was attacked (from Syria). The Quraish dispatched an army under Abu Jahl to invade Medina. When the attack from Quraish was led, the Prophet(s.a.w.) decided to capture Abu Sufyan’ caravan on its way to Mecca. The Muslims marched towards Badr ( a few miles from Medina) near water of Badr.
Abu Sufyan turned back, and the Muslims met the army of Quraish at Badr.
The Muslims were very less in number compared to the Quraish – 313 Muslims versus 1000 Quraishites.
Shaiba, Utba and Walid from Quraish fought against Obaida, Hamza and Ali from the Muslims.
The Muslim victory came with about 70 Quraish killed and about the same number taken as prisoners. Abu Jahl was killed in this battle.
14 Muslims men were martyred in this battle – 6 being from the Muhajir and 8 from the Ansaar.
It was in the same year that Fatimah (the daughter of the Prophet s.a.w.) was married to Ali.

Battle of Uhud:
The Quraish thirsty for revenge, took help of the tribes of Kinana and Tihama. An army of 3000 soldiers under Abu Sufyan marched towards Medina.
The Muslims waited at Uhud (near Medina) with a force of 1000 men. Abdullah bin Ubbay (Munafiq) withdrew his forces (about 200 men).
50 archers were appointed at th pass of the hill.
Ali, Hamza and Abu Dajnah fought very bravely. Khalid Bin Walid (still a pagan) came and turned the Quraishite defeat into victory.
A rumour spread that the Prophet(s.a.w.) was killed. Umar on hearing this threw away his sword saying it was no use to fight now. The Muslims surrounded the Prophet to protect him were Abu Bakr, Talha, Zubair, Ziyad, Umm Amara. The Meccans brutalized the dead and the wounded e.g. Hamza.

Banu Kalb:
In 626 A.D, the chieftain of Banu Kalb requested the Prophet(s.a.w) to send some Muslims to his tribe. The Prophet (s.a.w.) dispatched 70 men, but all of them were killed at the well of Mauna. Khubaib (one of the Muslims) was captured and sold to the Quraish where he was publicly tortured to death.

The Jewish conspiracy:
Ka’b bin Ashraf, a jewish chief and renowned poet, even planned the Prophet’s (s.a.w.) assasination.
Banu Nadir refused to renew the charter of alliance and secretly planned for a show down. Muslims beseiged their fort and after 11 days, Banu Nadir surrendered. They were allowed to take all their movables except for arms and weapons with them.

Battle of Khandaq:
In 627 A.D. (the 5th year of Hijrah), the Meccansudner the command of Abu Sufyan attacked Medina. Various tribes (e.g. Ghatafan) joined the Quraish and an army of 10,000 men attacked Medina.
Muslims only 3000 in number under the advice of Salman Al-Farsi dug a trench around Medina and guarded it. Quraish stayed for a few weeks surrounding Medina. However a fierce wind blew and the Quraish had to leave leaving Ghatafan behind. So Ghatafan people also fled finally.

Banu Quraiza:
According to the treaty Banu Quraiza was supposed to support the Muslims when attacked by outsiders. However, during the battle of Khandaq they stayed back. They even conspired against the Muslims and tried to attack the fortress where the Muslim women and children were kept during the battle of Khandaq.
After the seige of about 1 month, Banu Quraiza had to surrender unconditionally. Sa’d ibn Muadh was the arbitrator and brought to judge as to what needs to be done, and the decision was taken based on that.

Treaty of Hudaibiyyah:
In 628A.D. (6th Hijrah), March, the Prophet and his companions set towards the Kaaba to do Umrah (1400 men). An ambassador was sent to the Quraish to allow the Muslims to enter.First messenger to Quraish was ill-treated and his camel hamstrung. Finally Uthman was sent to Mecca to negotiate on behalf of the Muslims.
During this time news came that Uthman had been killed, and it was then that the Prophet took oath from his companions that they would stay by him.
This pledge is known as Bayit al Ridwan.
Finally a treaty was signed with the Quraish for a period of 10 years. This is known as the treaty of Hudaibiyyah.
These 10 years gave tranquility and stability from Quraishite attacks. People all over were invited to Islam including Heracleus (Byzantine Emperor), Khosroe Pervaiz (Persian head), Negus (Abyssinian monarch) and the chiefs of Egypt, Yamama and Syria.

Battle of Khyber (629 A.D.):
Banu Nadir and Banu Quraiza had settled at a place called Khyber. The Jews sought help of Ghatafan tribe and decided to attack the Muslims.
In 7 days all the fortresses of the jews were captured by the Muslims. The Prophet(s.a.w.) granted them safe-conduct. Their lands and estates were restored to them. In return they had to pay 1/2 of the produce of their lands.

March 629 A.D. Umrah:
Prophet (s.a.w.) and 2000 men proceeded for Umrah (3 days) and then retreated back to Medina.

Battle of Muta’(630 A.D.):
Byzantinian emperor sent forces against the Muslims at the border of Syria. Muslims (3000 men) under the command of Zaid Ibn Haritha were sent. Zaid was killed, and the command was taken over by Ja’afar bin Talib and after him by Khalid bin Walid. The Muslims gained victory.

Opening of Mecca (630 A.D.):
Banu Khu’daa (ally of Muslims) attacked Banu Bakr (allies of Quraish). The Prophet (s.a.w.) sent emissary with 3 options to the Quraish:
- payment of indemnity to Banu’ Khudaa’
- or breaking alliance with Banu Bakr
- or abrogation of treaty of Hudaibiyyah
Abu Sufyan was reluctant. So Muslims marched 10,000 men on 10th Ramadan and camped at a short distance from Mecca. Abu Sufyan tried to negotiate now for renewal of treaty of Hudaibiyyah. Now it was too late.
The Prophet led the Muslims towards Kaaba. A general amnesty was declared. The Prophet (s.a.w.) entered Kaaba and declared that all idols be broken. This was the great victory that was gained without shedding any blood.

Battle of Hunain:
Tribes of Thaqif and Hawazin joine to attack the Muslims. The Prophet (s.a.w.) led an army of 12,000 men against them. Battle was at Hunain which is a deep ravine near Mecca.The enemy was routed. Banu Thaqif sought refuge in Taif, but Taif was also beseiged.
Prophet(s.a.w.) appointed governer at Mecca and returned to Medina.

Tabuk Expedition:
Roman Emperor Heraculeus wanted to fight Muslims for the indecisive battle at Muta’. So he gathered a huge force.
The Prophet (s.a.w.) collected a force of 30,000 volunteers with 10,000 horsemen. An appeal for public donations was made to support the war expenses. Ali was left incharge of Medina and Muslims awaited the enemy at Tabuk (midway between Medina and Damascus). The Muslims returned after 24 hours.

Year of Deputations(9Hj):
Large number of deputations came to Medina(among them were people of Taif). Ali captured the tribe of Tay. The Prophet (s.a.w.) set the captives free. As a result the whole tribe of Tay including their leader ‘Adi bin Hatim accepted Islam.
End of the eyar, non-muslims were prohibited from entering Mecca (during the Hajj led by AbuBakr where Ali read the declaration).

Farewell pilgrimage:
Last Hajj of the Prophet s.a.w. (10Hj). The Prophet set out from Medina on 23Feb 632AD

Prophet(s.a.w)’s illness and death:
This led to utter confusion and sadness. Abu Bakr took control of the situation and led the Muslims in following the method of the Prophet (s.a.w.).

Watch me ride the sakooter!

Early morning disappointment…
I created this flash banner for the blog… but well wordpress doesn’t allow flash banners… anyways… you can still see what I made…

here

Also, in the about, there is a link to the same, so you can come and watch it anytime. Do comment!

pent up

pent up inside
is a volcano of emotions
about to burst

a flood
that would come anytime

the fury of the thoughts
forming a hurricane

the soul which seems dead
is alive
and burning

no words

silence…

Islamic History – 2

(I will continue with the Islamic History notes series. In this post, we will look at the beginning of the Islamic History – the period of the Prophet (s.a.w.) (very briefly). )

We have already looked at Arabia before the Prophet. Now we will look briefly at the life of the man who changed the whole image of Arabia from a land of ignorance and decadence to a land of knowledge and learning.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) (at Mecca)
Muhammad (s.a.w.) was born on Monday, 12th of RabiayalAwwal 570 A.D. in the ‘year of the elephant’
He was a posthumous child, his father Abdullah died several weeks before he was born. His grandfather, Abdul Muttalib gave him the name ‘Muhammad’. His mother Amina had named him Ahmed. Halima of Banu Sa’d (a tribe) took care of him as a child for a period of 5 years.
Muhammad(s.a.w.) inherited from his father 5 camels, a flock of goat and a slave girl by the name Umm Aiman.
A very quiet child, he grew up to be known for his honesty as ‘Al-Amin’ (the honest).

At the age of 40 he was appointed as the last messenger of God. For the first 3 years, he preached only to his family and his intimate friends, and gradually others.
The first converts to Islam (in order) were Khadijah (his wife), Ali (his cousin), Zaid and Abu Bakr.
At the end of 3 years, the Prophet(s.a.w.) was told to ‘arise and warn’ — and thus began the open invitation to the submission to God’s will. In 616 A.D, the whole of mecca in opposition to the Prophet decided to boycott the whole of Hashimite clan.
Abu Talib (the Prophet’s uncle who supported him and was the head of the clan), passed away and Abu Lahab (also Prophet’s uncle) became the acknowledged head of the clan. Abu Lahab withdrew his protection from the Prophet.

615 A.D. marks the first immigration of the Muslims — or the Hijrah. The Muslims went to Abyssinia. It was here that Jaafar bin Abi Talib led the deputation to the court of King Negus.

The years 615 A.D. to 620 A.D. were the most difficult years of the Prophet’s life. It was during this period that his wife Khadijah and his uncle who supported him, Abu Talib passed away. The Makhzumi leader ‘Umar bin Hashim’, commonly known as Abu Jahal (the father of ignorance) led opposition to the Prophet. Ummayyad chief Abu Sufyan also joined him. The Prophet tried to get support from outside Mecca — frm Taif (southeast of Mecca) where Thaqif tribe lived, but without success.

In the year 620 A.D a very important event took place. This is known as ‘Al-Aqaba’
The people (6 people) from the tribe of Khazraj (Yathrib, later known as Medina) came to the Prophet to hear what the Prophet said. Next year, 5 of these 6 returned with another 7 people from Bani Aus.
There was a secret meeting between 12 of these and the Prophet (s.a.w) at Aqaba ( a mountain pass between Mina’ and Medina).

Ist Pledge of Aqaba:

“not to associate any other god with Allah,
not to steal or commit adultery,
not to kill their children,
not to make false accusations,
and not to disobey him (the Prophet s.a.w.) in anything that was lawful.”

2nd pledge of Aqaba:
In June 622 A.D., a group of 75 people including two women arrived from Yathrib with other pilgrims to Mecca to pledge their allegiance to the Prophet (s.a.w), and invite him to their city.
They swore:

to recognize the Prophet (s.a.w.)
to defend him as they would defend their own wives and children.

and it was then that Hijrah was decided upon.

Hijrah – 2nd July 622 A.D.
After the treaty of Aqaba, the hijrah started.
The Quraish were alarmed, and decided on the assassination of the Prophet (s.a.w)
It was then that Ali slept in the place of Prophet, while Abu Bakr accompanied the Prophet from Mecca to Medina.
Their arrival in Quba was greeted with jubilation by both Meccan emigrants and the Ansaar.
Three days after the arrival of the Prophet (s.a.w.) Ali joined them in Medina.

Read Islamic History – 1

no mood

I am in no mood to write.

Reshma ka jaadu – the magical man…?

Tera jaadu chal gaya….

For some weird reason I automatically attach this song to the phenomenon I witnessed 2 days back.

Kashmiri weddings are full of things that would astonish and amaze anyone not used to them. Not only are they lavishly extravagant in the food that is offered, but the whole process is truly a complex mechanism which is meant to make each wedding very special.

Much has been written about other things, but there is another ’something’ that strikes as interesting and thought provoking. While I sat amidst women all dressed up for the party, I see a man (umm… well he.. she… yeah.. he…) dressed up like a woman, with earings and long hair, eyebrows made up, bangles, ghungru (an anklet with many trinklets that makes loads of noise), with a tumbaknaer (traditional kashmiri drum) in his hands, singing in the center of a group of women.

I was told this is “Reshma” – I looked back in disbelief. It is known that this is one of the latest ‘famous’ singers in Kashmir that people bring home to sing and dance. I couldn’t get a picture or an interview with Reshma for you (even though I thought it would make a really interesting article… ) coz… well. .. It would have been really weird…

Anyways… what strikes me are a few things that really disturbed me.
- A man amidst women singing with women surrounding him on all sides. This is rather weird in a society where we have separate gatherings for women.
- The man dressed up like a woman — and pretty much accepted the way he was. I find it strange because it is this very same society that welcomes such men to parties, even slightest variations in dressing up is noticed and questioned — under various pretexts ranging from culture to religion.
- The man himself disturbed me. I was told he apparently has a son. A married man as such. What forced him to take up a profession (profession if we can call it) like this…

And with all these questions put forward, the fact remains that Reshma danced and sang the whole night and the next day, on and on … singing songs of Mehjoor and Rasool Mir…