Muslim Personal Law belongs to 'Mullah' not 'Allah' 34 Muslim aspirants successful in Civil Services Examination

Transcription

1 Vol. : 5, Issue : 9 May 16-31, 2016 Muslim Personal Law belongs to 'Mullah' not 'Allah' 34 Muslim aspirants successful in Civil Services Examination Jamate Islami leader hanged in Bangladesh Burqa banned in Bulgaria Telangana government to give allowance to Imam

2 For Private Circulation Vol. 5, Issue - 9 May 16-31, 2016 Advisor Prof. Rakesh Sinha Translation & Compilation Shri Manmohan Sharma Editorial Assistance Shiv Kumar Circulation Sudhir Kumar Singh ( ) Publisher INDIA POLICY FOUNDATION D-51, First Floor, Hauz Khas New Delhi Tel : Fax : indiapolicy@gmail.com Website :

3 Contents SUMMARY NATIONAL I. Attempt to unite Barelvi and Deobandi sects II. 34 Muslim aspirants successful in Civil Services examination III. NIA in the line of fire of Urdu media IV. Fight for control over Madarsa V. Muslim Personal Law belongs to 'Mullah' not 'Allah' VI. Gang of terrorists arrested WORLD I. Jamate Islami leader hanged in Bangladesh II. Burqa banned in Bulgaria III. Nawaz woos to quit politics if allegations proved against him IV. US cuts add to Pakistan V. Two teachers punished for disrespecting Islam WESTERN ASIA I. Major reshuffle in Saudi Arabian ministry II. Iranian will not be able to observe Haj III. Clicking picture in a mosque a sin! IV. Fifty thousand employees given pink slip V. 30 Sunni religious missionary killed in Iran VI. Number of women increases in Iranian Parliament VII. Indian women sold in Gulf countries VIII. Three thousand Saudi in IS Army OTHER I. Ten suspected terrorist released II. Three months Jail term for keeping cow meat III. Condition of Shia in the country miserable IV. Muslim girls are sold in Hyderabad to Arabs V. Telangana government to give allowance to Imam VI. Grant of Rs 177 crore VII. Over 21 per prisoners Muslims in Indian jails

4 Summary Attempts are being made to establish unity between the two schools of thoughts Indian Muslims Deobandi and Barelvi - after over 150 years. It is said that behind the move of this proposed unity there were hands of Sunni Muslims sitting outside the country. It was alleged in the recently held World Sufi Conference that terrorism in India was being incited by Wahabi and Deobandi. Sunni leaders sitting outside the country became active after Sufi Conference and put pressure on both these sects to join hands. However, a section of Barelvi Muslim was openly opposing this move. They asked that action must be taken against four Deobandi maulanas first who called propounded of Barelvi sect a kafir (a non-believer) only then normalcy in relations could be thought about. Delhi police claimed to have arrested a gang of 13 Islamic jihadi. When this news report got published, Muslim leaders have started putting pressure on the government and the police succumbed to their pressure and arrested persons were immediately released. A new example of the dual policy of Muslim leaders was visible recently. Muslim leaders have been generally alleging that the police implicate innocent Muslims in false cases. Jamiat Ulama e Hind has prepared a battery of lawyers to fight for the cases of these accused and payment of these lawyers is born by Muslim organizations. Chief of this committee Gulzar Azmi claimed that due to their efforts 59 terrorists have been released so far. But this appeared little strange that when some of the accused in Malegaon were given clean chit by National Investigation Agency, it was not liked by these Muslims and they started campaign against NIA. Relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia are getting tense by the day. Saudi Arabia refused to give visa to Iranians. Perhaps for the first time in the Islamic history, Saudi Arabia refused to give visa to even Haj pilgrims. Another Jamate Islami leader in Bangladesh was hanged for helping Pakistan during freedom struggle of Bangladesh in 1971 by massacring minorities. Strange thing is that demonstrations were held in Pakistan against his hanging. The Pakistan government is planning to take up the matter in United Nations. Jamate Islami in India also opposed this hanging and demonstration at several places took place. India Policy Foundation May 16-31,

5 NATIONAL I Attempt to unite Barelvi and Deobandi sects From the past 150 years two Islamic sects Deobandi and Barelvi are at the loggerheads. Both these sects call each other as non-believer. Doors of mosques of both these sects are closed for each other even the dead body is not buried into each other's cemetery. In the recent International Sufi Conference organized in Delhi, Deobandies and Barelvies were alleged to be responsible for terrorism in India. Considering growing confrontation between both the sects, their masters sitting in the foreign countries are trying to have unity between both the sects. Akhbar Mashriq in its editorial on May 10 expressed happiness to the fact that after the arrest of several Muslim youths by the Delhi police for having links to terrorist organization Jaish e Mohammad, chief of Barelvi sect Tauqeer Raza unexpectedly reached Deoband. He contacted the family of Shakir Ansari and reached his house. He emphasized that Muslims must unite burying their differences. He claimed in a press conference that the RSS and its affiliate organizations were trying to divide Muslims into different sects and defame them. After meeting the family of Shakir, Tauqeer Raza reached Darul Uloom, Deoband to meet its chief Abdul Qasim Naumani. In the past 150 years this is the first incidence when any person from the Barelvi sect entered Darul Uloom. Deobandis gave him a grand welcome. Tauqeer Raza expressed satisfaction to the fact that due to pressure from Deobandies the police had to release Muslims arrested on terror charges. Maulana accepted that there was ideological difference between Deobandis and Barelvis but it was important for Muslims to get united by setting aside their sectarian differences as environment was being made in the country against the community at the moment. The newspaper emphasized that different sects of Muslims must unite to fight Hindu communalism. President of Jamiat Ulama e Hind and famous Deobandi leader Arshad Madani welcomed efforts made by Maulana Tauqeer Raza. All Urdu newspapers published several write ups and newspapers in which satisfaction was expressed that Muslims were getting united forgetting their differences. Sahafat on May 10 published a report expressing happiness that Maulana Tauqeer Raza visited Deoband for the interest of Muslims and he was trying to unite both the sect. The newspaper reported that earlier Jamiat Ulama led by Mahmood Madani organized a convention. It was emphasized in this convention that Muslims and Dalits must make a front. Inquilab on May 10 reported that several ulamas of Barelvi sect opposed this unity. Vice president of Ulama board Maulana Nooruddin said that visit of Maulana Tauqeer Raza to Deoband was violation of ideological stand. He said that this was the same Maulana Tauqeer Raza who opposed Sufi Conference. Principal of Jamia al Rizvia Maulana Kamarul Jama Musbahi called it unfortunate. He said that we had old differences with Deobandies and still there was no change in our stand today. Therefore Maulana Tauqeer Raza visiting Darul Uloom, Deoband was an unfortunate step. India Policy Foundation May 16-31,

6 Hamara Samaj on May 10 published a special editorial welcoming efforts made to unity between Deobandies and Barelvies. According to Hamara Samaj (May 15), Maulana Tauqeer Raza, who is trying unity between Barelvi and Deobandi, said that organizations like RSS and the BJP were trying to make India a Hindu nation therefore Muslims must oppose it vehemently. He said that a formation like Bihar would be constituted for the 2017 UP Assembly elections so the BJP does not come to power. He claimed that he did not do any un-islamic act so people were opposing and those who were opposing his move were actually enemies of Muslims and not friends. According to Roznama Rashtriya Sahara (May 14), Maulana Tauqeer Raza said he was not going to apologize anyone because he did not do anything wrong. He said that Muslims were not harmed by the RSS rather they were more harmed by Muslims. II 34 Muslim aspirants successful in Civil Services examination Roznama Rashtriya Sahara on May 11 published a news report on the front page in which happiness was expressed that this time round 34 Muslim candidates were successful in competitive examination of IAS. Athar Amir of Jammu and Kashmir secured the second position. The newspaper also claimed that Muslim youths were trained for free by different Muslim organizations for All India competitive examination. And due to this reason Muslim representation in All India Services is increasing. According to the newspaper, 17 successful Muslim candidates were trained by Zakat Foundation while seven were trained at centers run by Rahmania Foundation and the other seven were trained at the centre run by Jamia Milia training centre. Hamara Samaj on May 12 claimed that 36 Muslims were successful in the All India Services. Urdu newspapers published the statement of a successful candidate Ansar Sheikh from Maharashtra in which it was claimed that no one was ready to rent out houses for him being a Muslim. When he told his name Shubham next time he got the house easily. Ansar Sheikh is a son of auto rickshaw driver. He said that he would especially work for Muslims. Ansar Sheikh belongs to Jalna district of Maharashtra. He said that his father had three wives and there was no environment of studies at his home. His other siblings give up their studies. Ansar was successful in his first attempt. This is to recall that last year 38 Muslim candidates were successful in All India Services. According to Dainik Sahafat (July 4, 2015), eight selected Muslim candidates were associated with centre run by Rahmani Foundation while seven successful candidates were linked to Jamia Millia Islamia training centre. This is to recall that several Muslim organization provide free training to Muslim candidates to appear in this All India competition. Their objective is to increase Muslim participation in All India Services. This is to recall that nine candidates have been successful from Jammu and Kashmir. India Policy Foundation May 16-31,

7 Analyzing Civil Services examination, Inquilab on May 13 published a write up saying that as per 2011 census Muslim population in the country is 13 per cent and as per Muslim population 144 Muslim candidates should have been selected but this has not happened. It is alleged Muslims are discriminated in these examinations. They accepted that Muslim participation in these examination was very less so they were not selected. He claimed that if a Muslim can secure second position in All India Examination so it was clear that discrimination cannot be done against Muslims. Muslim students get discouraged when such thing is talked about and they don't participate in these examinations. According to Inquilab (May 10), speaking on the topic 'Role of Civil Services in Nation Building' organized by Aligarh Muslim University former agriculture secretary Siraj Hussain accepted that interest of Muslim candidates to participate in civil cervices examination is declining. Zafar Mahmood said that founder of Aligarh Muslim University Sir Syed Ahmed Khan wanted Muslim students to participate in maximum numbers in the civil services examination. In 1883 he created a civil fund for the helping Muslim students who wanted to take civil services examination by going to London. Hindustan Express in its editorial on May 13 writes that success of Muslim candidates is attributed to the study centers being run by Muslim organizations. III NIA in the line of fire of Urdu media On one hand Muslim organizations cause uproar by saying that Indian security agencies implicate Muslims on false charges but when accused of Malegaon bomb blast case Sadhvi Pragya Thakur was given clean chit recently then Muslim organizations started making noise. According to Hindustan Express (May 13), national president of Jamiat Ulama e Hind Arshad Madani announced that the decision of National Investigation Agency would be challenged in the Supreme Court. He alleged that NIA was playing in the hands of the government and since Sadhvi Pragya Thakur was associated with Sangh leaders therefore NIA gave her clean chit. Hamara Samaj in its editorial on May 15 criticized clean chit given to Pragya Thakur. The newspaper writes that last year former lawyer of NIA Rohini Saliyan alleged that the government was putting pressure on her to have a lenient approach on cases like Pragya Thakur. The newspaper said that due to political pressure NIA whitewashed ATS investigation report and alleged that Maharashtra police kept RDX at his house while his arrest was being made. The question is if Sadhvi is innocent of Malegaon blast case then who is the culprit? Lawyers and intellectuals of the country expressed concern and anger over clean chit given to Sadhvi Pragya Thakur. Inquilab in its editorial on May 15 criticized the decision of giving clean chit to Pragya Thakur. The newspaper said that Hemant Karkare collected lots of evidences against saffron terrorists but after his killing the matter has gone in jeopardy. The newspaper also said that the Congress was also soft on saffron terrorism and they were deliberately not punished. India Policy Foundation May 16-31,

8 According to Roznama Rashtriya Sahara (May 15), CPM criticized giving clean chit to Sadhvi and other people and said that the Central government was compromising on the matter of terrorism. They demanded that the matter must be investigated under the supervision of the Supreme Court. President of All India Democratic Front Maulana Badruddin Azmal criticized that investigating agencies were working as per instructions given by the RSS therefore terrorists are given clean chit. The same newspaper criticized clean chit given to Sadhvi Pragya Thakur and also to the fact that NIA was deliberately defaming former ATS chief Hemant Karkare and he was being alleged that he kept RDX at Colonel Purohit's house. The newspaper also alleged that NIA officers were working under some pressure. According to Hamara Samaj (May 14), Congress spokesperson Meem Afzal called giving clean chit to Sadhvi Pragya a dangerous step and said that NIA was working under pressure from the RSS and Central government. Sahafat on May 14 published a news report on front page in which Congress leader Digvijay Singh alleged that people in the government were associated with saffron terrorism therefore under pressure from the government security agencies saved them. Tenure of NIA was extended to get clean chit. Samajwadi Party MP Munawwar Salim alleged that martyr Hemant Karkare was brought to disrepute. Trinamool Congress MP Sultan Ahmed alleged that the Modi government deliberately encouraging terrorism. Janata Dal (U) general secretary K C Tyagi said that investigation agencies were dancing at the tune of the government. Senior lawyer Prashant Bhushan said that saffron terrorists were being released gradually under pressure from the government which was very dangerous and would have very serious repercussions. IV Fight for control over Madarsa According to Hamara Samaj (May 3), one of the Madarsa of Imarat e Sharia has been occupied by its manager and office bearer of this building have been alleged to be attacking this madarsa. The name of person who attacked madarsa is said to be Junaid. According to the newspaper, this madarsa is two kilometers away from the head office. There are over 400 students in this madarsa and over a dozen teachers. The land for this madarsa was bought by former chief of Shriat and Junaid was made its secretary. Now Junaid claims to be the owner of this Madarsa. According to Dainik Inquilab (May 3), Imarat e Sharia terminated Mufti Junaid from all posts and after this announcement students and teachers took to the streets and demonstrated in which the police had to intervene. Mufti Junaid lodged FIR against 32 people in which it was alleged that people from Imarat e Sharia want to capture his madarsa. Even his life is threatened. Statement issued by Imarat e Sharia said that Mufti Junaid was removed from his post due to corruption and indiscipline. Maulana Suhail Nadvi has been appointed as the new secretary while Maulana Shakil Ahmed Qasmi as manager, Maulana Minnatullah Qasmi has been appointed main teacher. Mufti Junaid alleged that India Policy Foundation May 16-31,

9 removing him from the post was against the rules. He was appointed secretary on March 19, 2016 once again therefore there was no reason removing him. According to Inquilab (May 4), new manager of Imarat e Sharia Mufti Shakil Ahmed refused to take charge of Madarsa. He alleged that Imarat e Sharia was deliberately encouraging groupism in the madarsa. Meanwhile suspended mufti Aneesh ul Rahman Qasmi claimed that there was no big madarsa in Patna therefore he contacted Ahmed Raja Khan and five bigha land was purchased. He claimed that Madarsa did not belong to Imarat e Sharia rather belonged to Darul Uloom Islamia, Raja Nagar. He said that this Madarsa had a different trust and it did not have any relations with Imarat e Sharia. V Muslim Personal Law belongs to 'Mullah' not 'Allah' According to Weekly Chauthi Dunia (April 25), Yusuf Ansari writes in his special write up that the woman from Uttarakhand Shaira Bano has done a daring thing by challenging Muslim Personal Law in the Supreme Court. Another woman Afsa also complained against his judge husband to the chief justice. The committee set up on instructions of the Supreme Court found triple talaq wrong, unconstitutional and against the spirit of Quran. The Committee was set up by the UPA government in 2012 and it has 14 members. When the Supreme Court decided to consider Muslim Personal Law, it was opposed by Muslim Personal Law Board and Jamiat Ulama. Now the Central government is very soon going to submit its petition to answer the questions posed by the SC on the matter. The newspaper said that board and Jamiat both were lying. Muslim laws in India are not the law of God but laws of Mullah. Several clarifications are against the spirit of Quran and in this women and orphans have been deprived from their rights. This law says against verse 35 of the Quran that there is no need to discussion on divorce rather a man can divorce. There are 44 verses on divorce in Quran in which it is said that if relation between a woman and her husband is not good and there is a situation of divorce then lawyers would be appointed from both the sides to reach a compromise. But when there is no way out left for compromise then a man can divorce his wife. But after divorce neither the wife would be thrown out of the house, nor would man go out of the house. The time period of divorce is three months 10 days and if they reach a compromise between this time frame or physical relation is established, and then divorce cease to exist automatically. If they were unable to reach a compromise then they have two options either husband stops his wife and marries her or divorces her by sending her off. The Quran says: talaq is twice (Sura al Baqar verse 229) therefore it is wrong to say divorce thrice to break marriage. If a person divorces his wife twice and instead of marrying he divorces her for third time then both of them have separate ways to take to and the woman can marry once again with another man. If her second husband dies or divorces her then she can marry her first husband. As per Muslim law orphaned grandson does not have right in the property. Islamic law says that if son dies while father is alive then his share would not be given to grandson and granddaughter. However, the God decided hell for such people who don't give rights of orphans. Mulla claiming to Islamic scholars they are India Policy Foundation May 16-31,

10 neither merciful to helpless women nor they are merciful to children. The most shameful thing is that literate Muslims are slaves of these mullas. Muslim community must speak out on such social issues. If anyone speaks out he is immediately declared a kafir. Muslim intellectuals are unable to speak against mullas and support them blindfold. If the RSS and the court try to bring them justice hue and cry is made by saying that it is interference into the internal matter of Islam. Interesting thing is that Muslim Personal Law was implemented in India in 1937 under these laws for marriage, mehar, divorce, succession and waqf traditional Islamic laws are applicable. Arguments in the courts are done on the basis of arbitrary clarifications, contradictory views of Hadith and age old fatwa. After the Shah Bano ruling of the Supreme Court in 1986, the Rajiv Gandhi government was forced to bring in a bill in Parliament to change it. The then Union minister Arif Mohammad Khan opposed it and he was forced to resign. Resentment in the Hindu community was attempted to tone down by getting doors of Ram Janmabhoomi opened. Now people like Chidambaram and Digvijay are saying that the decision of the then government on Shah Bano case was wrong. Actually organizations supporting All India Muslim Personal Law Board are not here to save Islam rather to save their shops. Muslims must understand when they accept law in criminal and civil matters then why is there problem to accept court ruling in the matter of marriage, divorce and succession? A law was made by the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly in 2007 to short out civil matters of Muslims. If such thing is possible in Jammu and Kashmir then why not in rest of the country? Muslim Personal Law is called the Law of the God but it misses justice and equality. All India Muslim Personal Law Board and Jamiat e Ulama e Hind must stop the game of taking political dividend by inciting sentiments of Muslims. The community must also understand that these organizations don't have any legal importance rather they are just shops. The Supreme Court should set up a committee of people who know law of the land, who understand Quran so they can hand over a draft on marriage, divorce, mehar, alimony and adoption. Parliament must pass it to make it a law and it must be implemented sternly. This will help victims of triple talaq, widows and orphans. The law passed by Parliament must be applicable to every section of the country. Why people having faith in one Islam and one Quran are not ready to accept one legal system. If Islam advocates rights of women, victims, widows and orphans, then why not it allows legal sanctions against it? VI Gang of terrorists arrested According to Akhbar Mashriq (May 5), Delhi police arrested 13 terrorists belonging to Islamic terrorist organization Jaish e Mohammad. Out of these people nine were arrested from Delhi while four from Deoband. Instruments to make bombs were recovered from them. According to Delhi police, arrested people have links to terrorist activities. As per the cases filed with the police, this gang was active from the past six months. Arrested people included Jishan (Chandbagh), Sheikhwat (Chandbagh), Mohsin, Azim, Imran, Sazid, Imran (2nd), Gulmar and Shakir. Last year in December a meeting of terrorists was held in Sajid's house and his hand was injured while making bomb. The police said that Shakir was India Policy Foundation May 16-31,

11 ready to go to Pakistan. People say that most of the arrested people are minors while the police are calling them major. According to a news report, president of Jamiat Ulama Maulana Arshad Madani criticized arrest of 13 Muslim youths by the Delhi police. He alleged that investigating agencies deliberately implicate Muslims on false charges. He alleged media for partiality. Hamara Samaj in its editorial on May 6 alleged that media for being anti-muslim and deliberately defaming them. The moment anyone is arrested, media starts a campaign to prove him guilty. The newspaper expressed satisfaction over the fact that Union Home Minister announced that no one should doubt patriotism of Muslims. But there is a need to take care that the Police don't trouble innocent Muslims by declaring them terrorists. Media must stop the campaign against a particular community. According to Hamara Samaj (May 6), Delhi Shahi Imam Ahmed Bukhari criticized the arrest of Muslim youths and termed it a conspiracy against Muslims. He said that people arrested from Delhi belong to poor families. It would be difficult for them to contest the case. General secretary of All India Milli Council Dr Mohammad Manjoor Alam said that on one hand Union Home minister announced that terrorist organizations were not active in India on the other 13 innocent people had been arrested in the name of Jaish e Mohammad. He alleged that Media was partial and deliberately tried to defame Muslims. Inquilab in its editorial on May 6 claimed that security agencies were deliberately arresting Muslims on false charges. Most of them get released by the court as security agencies fail to prove the case against them. This has been the case so far that majority of people arrested on terror charges have been proved innocent. Only three people have been hanged on terror charges so far while hundreds of people have been released for being innocent. The newspaper demanded that special court should be constituted to hear the cases of people arrested on terror charges so they could get speedy justice. According to Dainik Inquilab (May 5), Imam of Aanand Vihar mosque Maulana Mujahid Qasmi has been arrested for participating terrorist activity. The newspaper alleged that people arrested were innocent and were falsely implicated. According to Inquilab (May 5), as per media reports four people have been arrested from Deoband on terror charges while government sources confirmed just one arrest. This person used to ferry to sell goods. Roznama Rashtriya Sahara on May 6 published a news report claiming that fear prevails in Delhi over these arrests. Hindustan Express on May 5 alleged in its editorial that Muslims were arrested on false charges. India Policy Foundation May 16-31,

12 World I Jamate Islami leader hanged in Bangladesh According to Siyasat (May 10), chief of Jamate Islami Matiurahman Nizami lodged in Dhaka jail was hanged. He was alleged to have supported Pakistan during the freedom struggle of Bangladesh. The court sentenced death to 73-year-old Jamate Islami leader. He refused to file mercy petition against this sentence. Matiurahman was hanged at 12 in the night in Dhaka central prison. According to the government sources, he was hanged for 20 minutes and during his hanging tight security arrangements inside and outside prison were made. Matiurahman was in the jail for past six years. According to Inquilab (May 10), huge protests took place in Pakistan over the hanging of Matiurahman. External Affairs minister of Pakistan had earlier requested the Bangladesh government to reconsider its decision of hanging to Jamate Islami leader. The Bangladesh government had refused the request of Pakistan with its protest when spokesperson of external affairs ministry of Bangladesh said that Pakistan did not have any right to interfere into the internal matters of the country. According to Akhbar Mashriq (May 13), Pakistan is taking up the matter of Bangladesh hanging Jamate Islami leaders to the United Nations. The Pakistan government had sent a letter to United Nation secretary general Ban Ki-Moon in which it was requested that United Nations must put pressure on Bangladesh not to hang Jamate Islami leaders on false charges. The step taken by Bangladesh government is open violation to the 1974 pact between both the countries. Hindustan Express on May 12 published news reports about hanging very prominently. According to the newspaper, there were protests all across Bangladesh against this hanging. In the past two years four Jamate Islami leaders have been hanged. Maulana Matiurahman was alleged to be part of an organization called Al Badar that was formed with the help of Pakistan and was responsible for killing hundreds of people. Chief of Pakistan Jamate Islami Sirajul Haq criticized the hanging and termed it killing of an innocent. Jamate Islami in India also criticized this hanging. Its chief in India Maulana Jalaluddin Umri alleged the Bangladesh government that it was deliberately in a revengeful manner hanging these leaders. According to Hindustan Express (May 14), there were protests all across Pakistan over hanging of Jamate Islami leader and slogans were shouted against the Sheikh Hasina Wazed government. They said that Pakistan was keeping mum on the issue. India Policy Foundation May 16-31,

13 II Burqa banned in Bulgaria Roznama Rashtriya Sahara on April 29 reported that Bulgaria completely banned donning Burqa. This is to recall that there are around 8 lakh Muslims in Bulgaria and they are of Turkish origin. According to the government sources, women found donning Burqa would be fined. The government spokesperson said that though women don't wear burqa but this propensity was increasing. III Nawaz woos to quit politics if allegations proved against him According to Inquilab (May 4), Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif announced to quit politics if corruption charges on him is proved. He will not only resign from the post but also quit politics. This is to recall that Nawaz Sharif was alleged to be having secret account in Panama. Nawaz Sharif claimed that he was ready for judicial commission to inquire into secret account in Panama. This is to recall that after Panama paper leaks everyone is demanding Nawaz Sharif's resignation. He said while addressing a crowd that he came to power after you elected him and quit only if you say so. Seven opposition political parties are planning a nationwide campaign against Nawaz Sharif. Leader of Upper House of Pakistan Ittejat Hussain accepted that there were differences among Opposition political parties over demand of resignation of Nawaz Sharif but the unity of Opposition was not going to break. They demanded that the PM and his relatives' accounts in Panama must be investigated and this inquiry must be ended in three months. IV US cuts add to Pakistan According to Roznama Rashtriya Sahara (May 4), foreign ministry of the US confirmed that the US Congress stopped the US add to purchase F-16 aircraft. Now Pakistan would have to manage the money to buy these aircrafts its own. This is to recall that the US had decided to give financial assistance to buy eight F-16 aircraft but now this decision has been changed. Advisor to the matters of foreign affairs to Pakistan Tariq Fatmi said that this was the duty of the US administration to put pressure on the US government to change its decision. He said that deal was not over from our side. He said that the India Policy Foundation May 16-31,

14 campaign started by Pakistan against the terrorists would benefit the US along with other nations. This is to recall that the US recommended military assistant to Pakistan to the tune of $74.20 crore. According to the US defence ministry the fighter plane that were to be supplied to Pakistan cost around $70 crore. Some of the members of the Congress expressed concern that this would disturb the security equilibrium of the sub-continent. The Indian government also opposed this deal. V Two teachers punished for disrespecting Islam According to Siyasat (April 28), two Hindu teachers have been sentenced to 6 month jail for making derogatory remarks against Islam in Bangladesh. One of them made this derogatory comment last week in his class. When Muslims in the city demonstrated against this comment, he was supported by the main teacher who was also a Hindu. Protesting crowd had beaten them up and closed them in a room. Later on they were rescued from the crowd by a local official of United Nations. A court ruled six months jail to them. Muslim-majority Bangladesh is an Islamic nation where there are still British laws in place under which there is a provision of punishment for derogatory remark against any religion. These two teachers were punished under some provisions of these laws. This is to recall that a campaign is unleashed against Hindus in Bangladesh and the number of cases of atrocities against Hindus increased. India Policy Foundation May 16-31,

15 Western Asia I Major reshuffle in Saudi Arabian ministry According to Hindustan Express (May 9), there has been a major reshuffle in the ministry of Saudi Arabia. Five ministers have been dropped. Petroleum minister Ali bin Ibrahim al-naimi has been removed and he was replaced by Khalid al Falih. Haj minister Dr Bandarbin Mohammed al Hajjar, communication minister Abdul bin Abdul Rahman and social welfare minister Dr Majid bin Abdullah have been removed from their posts. Several ministries have been dissolved and some of them have been given new shape. This is to recall that petroleum minister who has been removed from the post was taking up the responsibility for two decades. Decline in the global oil market has adversely affected Saudi Arabian economy because 70 per cent of the income of Saudi Arabia comes from petroleum. For the first time a separate institution has been constituted for the culture of the country. II Iranian will not be able to observe Haj According to Akhbar Mashriq (May 13), there are serious differences between Iran and Saudi Arabia taking an ugly turn. Both the nations have not been able to come to terms on Haj pilgrims issue so Saudi Arabia refused to allow Iranian pilgrims to visit Saudi Arabia for Haj. This year Haj pilgrimage will start in September. With this allegations and counter-allegations intensified between both the countries. The Saudi Arab government claimed that not allowing Iranian for Haj did not have any political reason. Since the Iran government refused to sign contract on the management of Haj pilgrimage, so the Saudi Arab government refused Iranians for Haj pilgrimage. On the other hand foreign ministry spokesperson of Iran Hussain Jaberi Ansari said that if the Saudi Arabia government did not allow Iranians for Haj it would be entirely Saudi Arabia's responsibility. He said that none of the government has right to stop a Muslim observing Haj. This is to recall that there is no diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia. A delegation of the Iranian government spoke about the facilities given to Iranian pilgrims but no decision was reached in the discussion. Iranian spokesperson said that the Saudi Arabia government was not ready to provide transportation, aircraft and other facilities besides providing visa. This is to recall that last year around 2000 hajies were killed in a stampede during Haj in which 500 were Iranians. The Iran government said that Saudi Arab government was not ready to give visa to Iranian hajies. India Policy Foundation May 16-31,

16 According to Hamara Samaj (May 15), The Gulf Corporation Council alleged the Iranian government that it was deliberately giving it a political colour and was trying to defame the Saudi Arab government. Secretary of the organization Dr Abdul Latif alleged that Haj was the responsibility of every Muslim still the Iranian government was causing hurdle in it. If the attitude of Iran is not changed then relations between Islamic nations would be spoilt. He said that Iran did not enter into deal with Saudi Arabia intentionally. III Clicking picture in a mosque a sin! According to Inquilab (May 4), some of the main maulanas of Saudi Arabia issued a decree saying that clicking picture while worshipping at Kaba or while doing parikrama is a sin. It is said in the decree that mosques were only to worship Allah so they cannot be used for any other purpose. A mosque can be used for offering namaj, Talawat e Quran (recitation of Quran) and Khuda ka jikra (sermon about the God) nothing else. If someone does anything else, then it is against Islam. This fatwa was issued after a seminar in which it was said that give and take, selling things and physical exercise is against Islam but scholars accepted that wheelchair could be used for parikrama of Kaba. Scholars said that sitting in alleys of mosques, bringing eatables inside and men mixing with women and vice versa were against Sharia. This is to recall that these days people are found clicking picture while offering Namaj and doing parikrama while observing Haj and Umra. This fatwa is just to stop this propensity. IV Fifty thousand employees given pink slip According to Inquilab (May 1), one of the biggest manufacturing company of Saudi Arabia Bin Laden group retrenched over 50 thousand people after the Saudi Arabia government indicated economic slump. The Saudi Arabia government is victim of economic slump due to declining prices of oil forcing the company to close several projects started by the company in international market. Recently protest took place in the company due to non-payment of salary. It is said that several thousands of Indians rendered jobless due to this decision. People retrenched are mostly foreigners. They demanded that unless their entire salary is paid they would not go away. This is to recall that 80 per cent income of Saudi Arabia comes from oil only. It is said that their government was trying to get a loan of $10billion. India Policy Foundation May 16-31,

17 According to Dainik Inquilab (May 2), 50,000 retrenched people demonstrated in Mecca and set many buses on fire. This company's 75 per cent workers are foreigners. The total number of workers is around 2 lakhs. People thrown out of the job are foreigners. V 30 Sunni religious missionary killed in Iran According to Hindustan Express (May 2), the Iranian government got killed over 30 Sunni religious missionaries. Killing was mostly done in the Kurdish area. They were alleged to be conspiring against Iran. Seven other people are also to be hanged besides an Imam. It is said that Sunni religious missionaries were lodged in Iranian jails and they were alleged to be addressing from mosques. Such people who were hanged they were alleged to have charges of murder. Relatives of Islamic missionaries lodged in jails alleged that their relatives were in jail for past five years. They were neither produced in the court nor were cases filed against them in the court. VI Number of women increases in Iranian Parliament According to Inquilab (May 3), change in Iranian politics could be assessed from the fact that in recent elections woman were more successful than ulama. As per the result of Parliamentary elections, liberal supporters of President Hasan Ruhani have been elected in big number while radicals were defeated. So far 17 women have been elected to Parliament while 16 Islamic scholars got defeated. This is for the first time after Iranian revolution in 1979 that Islamic scholars got defeated. In 1979, 164 Islamic scholars got elected to Parliament but after that there was a gradual decline in the number of Islamic scholars getting elected to Parliament. In the second Parliament just 153 Islamic scholars got elected, in the third it further declined to 85, in fourth Parliament it reached to 67 while in fifth Parliament it was just 52. At present the number of Islamic scholar is 17 and they include 13 radicals and 4 liberals while all women are liberal. The last Parliament had 9 women and all belonged to radical party. India Policy Foundation May 16-31,

18 VII Indian women sold in Gulf countries According to Siyasat (May 3), the Andhra Pradesh government has requested the Centre to interfere into the matters of women of Indian origin lodged in jails of gulf countries. It is alleged in this letter that Indian women were sold in gulf countries. This letter was sent to External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj by communication minister of Andhra Pradesh Raghunath Reddy. He alleged in this letter that some middlemen sent women from Andhra on false promises to Gulf countries. He alleged that these women were being sold in Saudi Arabia for four lakhs while their prices in Bahrain, United Arab Emirate and Kuwait were Rs 2 lakhs. Several women committed suicide due to torture of their Arab masters while some of them escaped from their grip. Reddy alleged that he requested embassies of these countries in India to take appropriate action but they did not take any action against them so far. Reddy requested Sushma Swaraj that these Indian women must be freed from jail and should be brought back to India. He also said that several of them didn't have even their passports therefore Indian Embassy must issue a travel document for them so they could be saved from the tortures of Arabic nations and they could be brought back to India. VIII Three thousand Saudi in IS Army According to Etemaad (May 3), the Saudi Arabia government accepted that there are at least three thousand Saudi Youths in the IS army. Spokesperson of Saudi Home ministry Maj. Gen Mansoor Ali Tarki said that the Saudi government was taking every measure to annihilate terrorism. All information about terrorists was being made available to the respective ministry. Defense ministry of Saudi Arabia was directly connected to international alliance against terrorism and Saudi Arabia was part of elimination drive of ISIS operatives in Syria. All information about this terrorist outfit was being sent to the army command for action so that could be used against this terrorist organization. He accepted presence of ISIS supporters in Saudi Arabia being handled from Syria. In the past one year there were 30 terrorist activities in Saudi Arabia. He alleged that terrorists were sent to Saudi Arabia from Syria who was working on expanding terrorist network there. He said that this was true that around 750 Saudi citizen fighting for IS in Syria have come back to Saudi Arabia. The government is taking appropriate action. India Policy Foundation May 16-31,

19 OTHERS I Ten suspected terrorist released According to Sahafat (May 9), ten suspected Jaish e Mohammad terrorists out of 13 arrested by the Delhi police have been released. Mohsin, Imran, Jishan and Imam of Loni arrested from east Delhi have been released due to lack of evidence. The police said that after investigation they were found innocent. The police are investigating the case of three others. According to Sahafat (May 7), Delhi Waqf Board president visited Chandbagh from where these youths were arrested and there he threatened that they would try to get these people released. President of the board Amanullah Khan alleged that the police arrested these Muslim youths under pressure from Sangh Pariwar. He claimed that cases of Muslim youths arrested on terror charges would be contested by Waqf Board. According to Sahafat (May 9), Tauqeer Raza of Millat Council reached Deoband and met with the family members of Shaqir Ansari who was arrested for terror charges. He alleged that Sangh Pariwar was intentionally running a campaign against Muslims. Muslims must unite to face it. He said that Muslims didn't have faith in security and intelligence agencies. Media is also involved in defaming the community. Hamara Samaj on May 9 wrote welcoming the release of 10 suspected terrorists out of 13 arrested by the Delhi police that credit for the release of all suspected terrorists across the country goes to Jamiat Ulama e Hind chief Arshad Madani. The newspaper alleged that the government and security agencies were deliberately implicating Muslim youths in false cases and the way police had to release 10 suspected Muslims made it clear that investigating agencies were working in partition manner. The newspaper suggested chiefs of investigating agencies should be such people, who were secular and impartial. Inquilab in its editorial on May 10 expressed satisfaction that for the first time the police had to release Muslim youths arrested for terror charges immediately after their arrest. Dainik Sahafat in its editorial on May 10 writes that now it is proven the police arrest innocent people and later on they are linked to any terrorist organization and Hindi newspapers and TV channels present them in a spicy manner before the public. The newspaper denounced the fact that Hindi newspaper intentionally declare every Muslim arrested a terrorist. India Policy Foundation May 16-31,

20 II Three months Jail term for keeping cow meat According Akhbar Mashriq (May 10), a court in Surat sentenced a person three years in jail for keeping cow meat. He was also fined Rs 10,000. Judicial magistrate C Y Vyas sentenced 35-year-old Rafiq Iliyas Bhai Khalifa under Gujarat Cattle protection Law under which keeping cow meat or stuff made from cow meat and selling them was illegal in Gujarat. Magistrate in his decision said the cow was venerable for a section in the society and this could disturb peace in the society therefore tough measures are necessary in this regard. He did not accept the argument of the defending lawyer that since the accused belongs to a poor family so some leniency should be given to him. This is to recall that 20-kg cow meat was recovered from him on October 18, 2014 by the Go Rakshak Sangathan. Another accused Haneef Yusuf was released by the court due to lack of evidence. III Condition of Shia in the country miserable According to Akhbar Mashriq (May 10), in All India Shia Muslim Personal Board conference concern was expressed on the deteriorating conditions of Shia Muslims. It alleged that Muslim organizations only take care of the problems of Sunni Muslims. The government also neglected problems of Shia from the beginning. There is no representation of Shias in any government organization. Secretary of the board Maulana Ali Hasan Kammi Rizvi said that All India Shia Muslim Personal Law Board was formed to look into the matters of problems of Shias because the other personal Law boards were under Sunnies control. Shias were not getting benefitted from them. They appealed Shias to unite forgetting all the differences. IV Muslim girls are sold in Hyderabad to Arabs According to Akhbar Mashriq (May 13), due to poverty and illiteracy in Telangana girls are being sold to Arabs. Pimps in India by charging huge money get these girls married to old Arab Sheikhs for a particular time period. Later on these Arab Sheikhs divorce their wives and return their countries. According to Hyderabad police, recently a 12-year-old girl Sabia was married to a 70-year-old Sudani. India Policy Foundation May 16-31,

21 Divorce papers were signed before Nikah. Arab Sheikhs were doing it for a limited period because rape was sin in Islam. The state government took several measures to stop such Nikah but due to lack of tough provision completely stopping such marriages couldn't have been made possible. According to Islam, signing any document of divorce before marriage is un-islamic. According to Hyderabad police, in the last one-and-half-year over a dozen minor girls have been married off to old people. Action has been taken against pimps and Qazies in these matters but taking the benefit from the poverty of the local people such marriages are continuing. V Telangana government to give allowance to Imam According to Etemaad (April 26), deputy chief minister of Telangana Mohammad Mahmood Ali gave away cheques of nine months' salary to 551 Imams. Speaking on the occasion Mahmood Ali announced that Imams and deputy imams of Telangana would be given Rs 1000 per month. He said that over 9000 Imams are already getting salaries. Next year the money would be increased. They were also given new cloths on the occasion of Ramzan. He requested Imams that they must tell people about initiatives taken by the government for Muslims. He also requested Imams that they must get their children enrolled in better schools and the state government would pay their fees. VI Grant of Rs 177 crore According to Siyasat (April 27), different trusts in the country donated Rs crore to different political parties in the country last year. The biggest amount was given to the BJP with Rs crore. A democratic reform organization said that this amount was made available by the trusts set up by the corporate houses. As per data available, the BJP got Rs crore, the Congress Rs crore and CPM got Rs 2.25 lakh. Six trusts that have made these funds available included Satya Election Trust (Rs 140 crore), Pragatisheel Trust (Rs crore), Janpragati Trust (Rs 4.02 crore), Bajaj Trust (Rs 3.05 crore), Trump Nyas (Rs 3.28 crore) and Samaj Trust (52 lakh). The 16 political parties that have got the money included the BJD, INLD and AAP. Satya Nyas gave Rs 5 crore to INLD but it is not mentioned in the declaration made to the elections commission. India Policy Foundation May 16-31,

22 VII Over 21 per prisoners Muslims in Indian jails According to Inquilab (April 29), the ratio of Muslims prisoners in different jails in India is 21 per cent while their population in the country is 14 per cent. The number of Muslim prisoners is more where their population is more. There is a big number of under trials in the jail. As per data made available to Rajya Sabha, there are around 82,190 out of that 59,550 are under trials while are such prisoners who have been sentenced. Union minister of state for Home told the Rajya Sabha that the percentage of sentenced prisoners is 16 while under trial prisoners are 21 per cent. Please send your suggestions, information, news and views from Urdu newspapers to the foundation. Editorial Board would try to accommodate them as per our editorial policy in forthcoming issues. India Policy Foundation May 16-31,

23 Review of Urdu Newspapers by IPF 1. Daily Urdu Times, Mumbai 2. Daily Inquilab, Delhi 3. Daily Akhbar Mashriq, Delhi 4. Daily Sahafat, Delhi 5. Rojnama Rashtriya Sahara, Delhi 6. Daily Hindustan Express, Delhi 7. Daily Hind Samachar, Jalandhar 8. Daily Pratap, Delhi 9. Daily Munsif, Hyderabad 10. Daily Siasat, Hyderabad 11. Daily Hamara Samaj, Delhi 12. Weekly Almi Sahara, Delhi 13. Daily Azad Hind, Kolkata 14. Daily Aurangabad Times, Aurangabad (Maharashtra) 15. Daily Salar, Bangaluru 16. Weekly Jadid Markaz, Lucknow 17. Weekly Nai Dunia, Delhi 18. Daily Andalib, Delhi 19. Daily Jadid Mail, Delhi 20. Daily Siyasi Taqdir, Delhi 21. Daily Urdu Action, Delhi 22. Weekly Chauthi Duniya, Delhi 23. Weekly Akhbar Nav, Delhi 24. Dainik Milap, Delhi 25. Daily Qaumi Tanzeem, Patna 26. Daily Jadid Khabar, Delhi 27. Daily Qaumi Salamati, Delhi 28. Daily Azizul Hind, Delhi

24 India Policy Foundation organised a discussion on Social Philosophy of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on May 14, 2016 Prof. Vivek Kumar Dr. Kaushal Panwar Dr. Narender Kumar Sant Audience INDIA POLICY FOUNDATION D-51, First Floor, Hauz Khas New Delhi Tel : Fax : indiapolicy@gmail.com Website :