Adil Najam
Ordinarily, I might have just posted this photograph below as a comment on yesterday’s post on Diwali celebrations in Karachi (also here). But please, just look at the people in this photograph; its way too interesting to be relegated to a comments section.
The occasion is a Diwali celebration at the Islamabad Headquarters of the Pakistan Muslim League, standing (and clapping) extreme left is Syed Mushahid Hussain, Secretary General of the Pakistan Muslim League, next to him is Ijaz ul Haq (Minister of Religious Affairs, and son of Gen. Zia ul Haq), fourth from left is Tariq Azim, State Minister for Information.
The Daily Times (31 October, 2006) provides more details of the event:
Members of the Hindu community from across the country participated in the event where they performed their religious rituals and traditional dances in candlelight to mark the event… A number of office bearers of the party and ministers, including PML Secretary General Mushahid Hussain Syed, Minister for Religious Affairs Ijaz-ul-Haq, State Minister for Information Tariq Azim, Minister for Minorities Affairs Mushtaq Victor and members of the National Assembly (MNAs) Bindara, Donia Aziz, Akram Masih Gill and others were present on the occasion. Officials of the Indian High Commission also participated in the event.
Hussain said that Quaid-e-Azam had envisioned a Pakistan where all the religious minorities enjoyed equal rights. He underlined the importance of inter-faith harmony for the greater prosperity of the nation and announced that the PML would also celebrate the birthday of Baba Gurunanak next week. He said that the minorities played a vital role in building any nation. He said that the present government was allocating high importance to giving all minorities’ equal. Hindus are playing a leading role in country’s economic development and the present government will leave no stone unturned to ensure their safety and well being, he added.
This is, of course, a political gesture – some might even say a gimmick. But if so, let us have more such gestures and gimmicks. They will, in time, hopefully help change our perceptions and treatment of religious minorities in Pakistan.
[quote post=”393″]Why not? Are we Muslims so fragile and insecure in our own beliefs that we cannot be happy in someone else’s happiness. And by the way what is a ‘non-Islamic’ activity? [/quote]
I wonder what made you to declare yourself follower of “Siratul Mustaqeem” by spoofing orignal alias. Greeting and celebration are two different things. as a Muslim, I am allowed to Greet my non-muslim friend but I am not allowed to participate in their festivals/customs.
The prophet[saw] clearly instructed in hadith about celebrating non-muslim festivals.
Whoever imitates a people is one of them
and it has come in Sahih and Sunan Dawood.
Why do you forget that Islam came to kill all pre-Islamic customs. Ever pondered why the first Qiblah was changed from Baitul Muqaddas to Ka’aba? Just because that it’s holy for jews as well and jews as munafiq used to bow infront of first Qiblah to pretend as “Muslims”. It tells how Islam is cautious for not giving any reflection other religions.
Your hajj example is entirely baseless. THe practise of Hajj pre and post Islamic law is very different. I think you re ne of those who consider tawaf, circling aroung a blackbox and hajj to perform various physical exercise while in reality tawaf is all about seeking Allah and Hajj is obeying Allah’s order and remembering the efforts made by Abraham[AS] and His family[AS]. Also remember that every Prophet on earth has performed tawaf of Ka’aba and other practise whch later packaged as “hajj” so technically Hajj is not a “Unislamic” custom because we as muslims believe that every prophet from Adam[AS] to Muhammad[AS] was a muslim,submitted to Allah. No Islamic practise was introduced for Physical stunts , they are rather to give strength spiritually. A chritian perform his body movement in namaz style will NEVER gain any benefit a muslim gains while performing namaz.
According to your theory, I can participate in Hindu pooja[worshipping an idol] so would it be according to Islam and not violate my religon.
[quote post=”393″]And by the way what is a ‘non-Islamic’ activity? Is typing on the computer ‘Islamic’? If it is not, then it must be ‘un-Islamic’![/quote]
I can sense your source of following a “Siratul Mustaqeem” ;)
Well in Pakistan we’ll do what the Quaid-e-Azam (Mr. Mahomed Ali Jinnah) did… and the first religious service he attended after the creation of Pakistan was a Christian Church service…
I’ll take my cues about right and wrong from there instead of your “highly respected” scholars. It is my prerogative.
Greywolf
I’m surprised you’re asking this question. Please read my comments again. I’m saying that Muslims shouldn’t celebrate or participate in non-Islamic activties. I didn’t say a word about restricting non-Muslims from celebrating their festivals in Pakistan.
“And who determines this “rightâ€
Ibrahim,
Are you saying minorities should not be allowed to celebrate?
And who determines this “right” and “wrong”?
This is a baseless gesture and completely against Islam. When the most right opinion is that celebrations such as Eid Melaad-un-nabi cannot be celebrated then how come these things be allowed?
Rashogulla, you are talking with little knowledge. No one is criticizing other religions’ celebration. What Ahmer is criticizing is Muslims celebrating non-Islamic activities. Other religions might not consider it to be wrong to celebrate just about anything but in Islam celebrations need to come under strict limits. Also, you might want to read things more closely, Shaykh Feiz was BORN in Australia. He is not “converging” in on Australia. Kudos to Ahmer Khan for his comments…JazakumAllah khair Ahmer.