Withdrawing from the peace movement
May31, 2007
Dear Ms. Sheehan:
I am saddened by the circumstances that led you to your heart felt and disappointing decision to withdraw from the peace movement. My first reaction was to implore you to reconsider, but that would have been intellectually and emotionally very selfish of me.
I have admired the purity of your reasons and the tenacity of your purpose. Inevitably it requires tremendous sacrifices. The loss of a son is a horrible tragedy in itself, but to lose him for a cause that is evil is much harder. The hardship of your younger children and other personal sacrifices of family relationships are immeasurable.
I empathize with your sense of revulsion at being exploited as a cog in a political machine that is called the Democratic Party. Some how one feels unclean after the purity of intensions are muddied and co-opted by the snare of the other side that did not have the courage to oppose the evil.
I wish you and your family happiness, and hope you would come closer to finding solace and sustenance in each other. I hope, in time you will heal emotionally. In a few years after meeting the responsibility towards your children, you will find the rejuvenated inner strength to rejoin in the struggle to free our country from the Imperialistic foreign policy that has been supported by the power structure in both the parties. Thanks and warm regards,
Mirza A. Beg
http://mirzasmusings.blogspot.com/
Mab64@yahoo.com
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
America the Noble 02-09-23
America the Noble
Mirza A. Beg
Written on Sept. 23, 2002
Commentary on APR, Wednesday Oct. 23, 2001
The dust has settled from the ignoble blasts of September 11th. It has only partly settled, at least in the political and global terms. How our leaders conduct themselves in the struggle to wipe out terrorism is yet to unfold.
Two noble traits of the American character have been reaffirmed. Not that we had any doubts about them but a tragedy of this proportion, biblical proportion, sets them in stark contrast to the evil. One, we do have true heroes, and second, Americans are a decent and fair people.
The fire-fighters and the rescue workers were going in when people were running out from an about to collapse inferno. The collapse of the first tower would have been warning enough, but they continued to do their duty to the suffering humanity. They did not consider the race, religion or nationality of the people they were saving. They did not do it only because of duty, honor and country. They would have done it even if they were on another continent. They did it simply because it was good. They did it because it was right. They did it because they were truly human. The fire fighters belonged to different religions and races. At least one of the fire fighters at the Pentagon was a Muslim Arab American. The religious fire fighters in their hearts at least knew that there is a here after for them. Imagine the non-believer, in his mind he went to nothingness, but he too did it because it was good, it was right, it was human.
Some day, some where there will be a monument to the rescue workers and the fire fighters but there already are more than 270 million monuments to them in each American heart. There will be a loftier reason for children to wear a fire-fighters hat in their pretend games. To paraphrase the Qur’an, the terrorists tried to kill the humanity by killing innocent people, the fire fighters and the rescue workers redeemed and saved the humanity by saving innocent people.
In this era of spectator sports and entertainment personalities the definition of heroism had been debased and modified to pay homage to personalities from sports and tinsel town. The rescue workers and the fire fighters have helped the language and society to reclaim the word hero to its proper definition.
The heroism of the fire fighters and the rescue workers is the stuff of which legends are made. But the average American showed heroism of character and belief by defending the principles of our national creed and the sublime piety that wells up when we see injustice heaped on a few whom we may not even know.
Few begets waiting in the wood-works for an opportunity to revel in their putrid hate emerged from their dark recesses. Three people were killed in far-flung places in this vast land. At least one can definitely be classed as hate related. In California, Texas and New York some Masjids (Mosques) were disfigured in the shadow of the night. People with evil in their hearts may have thought that they will attract more of their kind. They were disappointed to find that there are not many like them. Overwhelming majority of Americans were appalled and tried to make amends the best they could. They visited Masjids, apologizing for the misdeeds of a miniscule few; a few out of approximately 270 million. People brought flowers, wrote cards and condemned the acts of bigotry.
There are reports from Chicago, Seattle and many other places that people in true Christian spirit have taken up round the clock vigil to ensure the safety of Masjids. In Minnesota some Churches have offered their premises to Muslims to pray in safety. There are female volunteers to escort Muslim women wearing scarves to go about their daily chores outside their homes.
There has been one act of bigotry in Tuscaloosa and tens of thousands acts of kindness, neighborliness and friendship. Some of the students at the University were scared for a day or two but the outpouring of support from the university and the community has replaced fear with friendship. Veterans of foreign wars have offered to show the flag if needed, to ward off any lurking miscreants. Police has taken special care to safeguard property.
The United States celebrates freedom, individualism and equality of opportunity. It guaranties freedom of religion, and freedom from religion. In this country of immigrants, no matter from where in the world you come, you can call it home. This is my home.
Mirza A. Beg welcomes your comments at mab64@yahoo.com
Mirza A. Beg
Written on Sept. 23, 2002
Commentary on APR, Wednesday Oct. 23, 2001
The dust has settled from the ignoble blasts of September 11th. It has only partly settled, at least in the political and global terms. How our leaders conduct themselves in the struggle to wipe out terrorism is yet to unfold.
Two noble traits of the American character have been reaffirmed. Not that we had any doubts about them but a tragedy of this proportion, biblical proportion, sets them in stark contrast to the evil. One, we do have true heroes, and second, Americans are a decent and fair people.
The fire-fighters and the rescue workers were going in when people were running out from an about to collapse inferno. The collapse of the first tower would have been warning enough, but they continued to do their duty to the suffering humanity. They did not consider the race, religion or nationality of the people they were saving. They did not do it only because of duty, honor and country. They would have done it even if they were on another continent. They did it simply because it was good. They did it because it was right. They did it because they were truly human. The fire fighters belonged to different religions and races. At least one of the fire fighters at the Pentagon was a Muslim Arab American. The religious fire fighters in their hearts at least knew that there is a here after for them. Imagine the non-believer, in his mind he went to nothingness, but he too did it because it was good, it was right, it was human.
Some day, some where there will be a monument to the rescue workers and the fire fighters but there already are more than 270 million monuments to them in each American heart. There will be a loftier reason for children to wear a fire-fighters hat in their pretend games. To paraphrase the Qur’an, the terrorists tried to kill the humanity by killing innocent people, the fire fighters and the rescue workers redeemed and saved the humanity by saving innocent people.
In this era of spectator sports and entertainment personalities the definition of heroism had been debased and modified to pay homage to personalities from sports and tinsel town. The rescue workers and the fire fighters have helped the language and society to reclaim the word hero to its proper definition.
The heroism of the fire fighters and the rescue workers is the stuff of which legends are made. But the average American showed heroism of character and belief by defending the principles of our national creed and the sublime piety that wells up when we see injustice heaped on a few whom we may not even know.
Few begets waiting in the wood-works for an opportunity to revel in their putrid hate emerged from their dark recesses. Three people were killed in far-flung places in this vast land. At least one can definitely be classed as hate related. In California, Texas and New York some Masjids (Mosques) were disfigured in the shadow of the night. People with evil in their hearts may have thought that they will attract more of their kind. They were disappointed to find that there are not many like them. Overwhelming majority of Americans were appalled and tried to make amends the best they could. They visited Masjids, apologizing for the misdeeds of a miniscule few; a few out of approximately 270 million. People brought flowers, wrote cards and condemned the acts of bigotry.
There are reports from Chicago, Seattle and many other places that people in true Christian spirit have taken up round the clock vigil to ensure the safety of Masjids. In Minnesota some Churches have offered their premises to Muslims to pray in safety. There are female volunteers to escort Muslim women wearing scarves to go about their daily chores outside their homes.
There has been one act of bigotry in Tuscaloosa and tens of thousands acts of kindness, neighborliness and friendship. Some of the students at the University were scared for a day or two but the outpouring of support from the university and the community has replaced fear with friendship. Veterans of foreign wars have offered to show the flag if needed, to ward off any lurking miscreants. Police has taken special care to safeguard property.
The United States celebrates freedom, individualism and equality of opportunity. It guaranties freedom of religion, and freedom from religion. In this country of immigrants, no matter from where in the world you come, you can call it home. This is my home.
Mirza A. Beg welcomes your comments at mab64@yahoo.com
Am Muslims India 03-07-15
Yearnings of American Muslims from India
Mirza A. Beg
Written, July 15, 2003
The Muslim Observer, Volume 5, Issue30, July 28,2003
Muslims from India, as other communities from India in this country have an umbilical attachment with India. They have left India mostly for economic reasons, but they carry India in their hearts.
A multi ethnic and multi cultural society such as India is like a symphony when it works well as the oft-repeated phrase, "unity in diversity" suggests. One needs to appreciate that the chorus of India will not be in harmony if the Muslim or any other voice from the great cultural fabric of India is neglected or silenced. This is true of any nationality but it is even more valid for India, which has more diversity than any other people on Earth.
India is Aryan, Dravidian, Semitic, Mongol and Aborigine (Cols, Bhils and Santhals). India is Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Jain, Sikh, Parsee (Zorostrian), Jewish and Animistic. India is many languages and thousands of dialects. All inhabitants of India are historical immigrants, except perhaps for the Aborigines; even they come from some where to a land probably devoid of human habitation.
India is a much older melting pot than America. One may say it was the original melting pot. India is at its best when it celebrates this rich fabric to comfort itself and its children. India was tolerant long before it was fashionable to be tolerant. However unfortunately that great heritage is under sever stress these days.
Muslims in the United States hail from practically every linguistic, ethnic and racial groups of India. Their yearnings are the same, to live in freedom; freedom of thought with safety of life while contributing to the society.
They suffer when India suffers. They suffer even more when the suffering is inflicted, by some sons of India who refuse the rights granted by nature and the constitution, to the other sons of India. When some believe that "All Indians are equal, but some are more equal than others", especially in the last couple of decades when narrow minded fascistic parties have taken power in some State Governments as well as the Central Government. These parties are trying to substitute crass majoritarianism in place of constitutional democracy under the law.
Indian Muslims speak the same language of culture and religion that was welded in the sub-continent long before the idea of modern India took shape. There are Urdu, Hindi, Assami, Bengali, Panjabi, Gujarati, Marathi, Oriya, Telgu, Tamil and Malyali speaking Muslims.
There are Sunni Muslims, Shia Muslims, Ismaili, Bohra, Meman, Khoja and Qadiani Muslims in the United States. Just as there are Catholic Christians and many denominations of Protestants from India. There are Brahmin, Kshatrya, Vashya and Shudra Hindus, and many casts and sub-casts in between. To the credit and farsightedness of our founding fathers in India, at least officially the scourge of "Untouchability" for those considered outcasts has been abolished. Though it regularly raises its ugly head resulting in massacre of untouchables but India has made considerable progress socially in recognizing their rights.
Muslims from India have come of age in the last thirty years or so. They have put roots in the richly textured American soil. A whole new generation has been born and raised in the US. They try to impart their religious and cultural values with roots in India, to the up-coming generation, as they grow learn and adopt what is good in this new land they call home.
Over the years many Masjids (Mosques) have sprung up to fulfil their spiritual needs just as there are many Hindu Temples and religious centers. The Mosques are centers for religious sustenance while one is busy pursuit of temporal gains and happiness.
Almost all Muslims living in this country have loved ones in India with whom they are in regular contact. They visit India as often as they can. Most families send remittances to families, friends and charities in India. It is their way of helping loved one's and to repay in some small measure the debt of gratitude they owe to the land of their birth.
The calamity that has befallen the Muslims in Gujarat at the hands of government sponsored pogroms will not deter the enlightened Hindus, Muslims, Christians and all other ethnic and religious communities of India. They simply have to redouble their efforts to defeat the forces of darkness and help realize the potential greatness of India. The blood of countless generations from India harkens Muslims as all Indians back to India that they carry in their hearts.
Mirza A. Beg can be contacted by email at mab64@yahoo.com
Mirza A. Beg
Written, July 15, 2003
The Muslim Observer, Volume 5, Issue30, July 28,2003
Muslims from India, as other communities from India in this country have an umbilical attachment with India. They have left India mostly for economic reasons, but they carry India in their hearts.
A multi ethnic and multi cultural society such as India is like a symphony when it works well as the oft-repeated phrase, "unity in diversity" suggests. One needs to appreciate that the chorus of India will not be in harmony if the Muslim or any other voice from the great cultural fabric of India is neglected or silenced. This is true of any nationality but it is even more valid for India, which has more diversity than any other people on Earth.
India is Aryan, Dravidian, Semitic, Mongol and Aborigine (Cols, Bhils and Santhals). India is Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Jain, Sikh, Parsee (Zorostrian), Jewish and Animistic. India is many languages and thousands of dialects. All inhabitants of India are historical immigrants, except perhaps for the Aborigines; even they come from some where to a land probably devoid of human habitation.
India is a much older melting pot than America. One may say it was the original melting pot. India is at its best when it celebrates this rich fabric to comfort itself and its children. India was tolerant long before it was fashionable to be tolerant. However unfortunately that great heritage is under sever stress these days.
Muslims in the United States hail from practically every linguistic, ethnic and racial groups of India. Their yearnings are the same, to live in freedom; freedom of thought with safety of life while contributing to the society.
They suffer when India suffers. They suffer even more when the suffering is inflicted, by some sons of India who refuse the rights granted by nature and the constitution, to the other sons of India. When some believe that "All Indians are equal, but some are more equal than others", especially in the last couple of decades when narrow minded fascistic parties have taken power in some State Governments as well as the Central Government. These parties are trying to substitute crass majoritarianism in place of constitutional democracy under the law.
Indian Muslims speak the same language of culture and religion that was welded in the sub-continent long before the idea of modern India took shape. There are Urdu, Hindi, Assami, Bengali, Panjabi, Gujarati, Marathi, Oriya, Telgu, Tamil and Malyali speaking Muslims.
There are Sunni Muslims, Shia Muslims, Ismaili, Bohra, Meman, Khoja and Qadiani Muslims in the United States. Just as there are Catholic Christians and many denominations of Protestants from India. There are Brahmin, Kshatrya, Vashya and Shudra Hindus, and many casts and sub-casts in between. To the credit and farsightedness of our founding fathers in India, at least officially the scourge of "Untouchability" for those considered outcasts has been abolished. Though it regularly raises its ugly head resulting in massacre of untouchables but India has made considerable progress socially in recognizing their rights.
Muslims from India have come of age in the last thirty years or so. They have put roots in the richly textured American soil. A whole new generation has been born and raised in the US. They try to impart their religious and cultural values with roots in India, to the up-coming generation, as they grow learn and adopt what is good in this new land they call home.
Over the years many Masjids (Mosques) have sprung up to fulfil their spiritual needs just as there are many Hindu Temples and religious centers. The Mosques are centers for religious sustenance while one is busy pursuit of temporal gains and happiness.
Almost all Muslims living in this country have loved ones in India with whom they are in regular contact. They visit India as often as they can. Most families send remittances to families, friends and charities in India. It is their way of helping loved one's and to repay in some small measure the debt of gratitude they owe to the land of their birth.
The calamity that has befallen the Muslims in Gujarat at the hands of government sponsored pogroms will not deter the enlightened Hindus, Muslims, Christians and all other ethnic and religious communities of India. They simply have to redouble their efforts to defeat the forces of darkness and help realize the potential greatness of India. The blood of countless generations from India harkens Muslims as all Indians back to India that they carry in their hearts.
Mirza A. Beg can be contacted by email at mab64@yahoo.com
Agony of Liberia 03-07-22
Agony of Liberia, and the US
Mirza A. Beg
Written, July 22, 2003
Tuscaloosa News, Sunday July 27th 2003
The Birmingham Post-Herald, Monday July 28th 2003
The Anniston Star, Thursday July 31st 2003
Liberia is the only country on the African continent with which the US has historical ties, one could say blood ties. In 1847 freed American slaves, with the help and support of the United States established it as a democracy.
Liberia was a reasonably well running democracy by the African standards. Liberia and the US maintained very close ties up to 1980, when a coup by Samuel Doe against the established government brought on a long period of instability. Economic collapse and corrupt administration resulted in civil war by late 1980s. Doe was executed, but instead of peace the rebels fought each other, the Liberian Army and the West African peace keeping force.
In 1997 Charles Taylor became president and in 1999 the neighboring states accused him of supporting the brutal rebels in Sierra Leone. The civil war in Sierra Leone was finally brought to close by Great Britain, the former colonial power. Last month (June 2003) the UN war crimes tribunal indicted Mr. Taylor for atrocities by his forces in Sierra Leone.
The agony of Liberia has been on the back pages of our newspapers and occasionally on our television screens. It has been going on for years. We have closed our eyes and conscience to it. President Bush claims to be watching the situation carefully, as thousands of Liberians are dyeing, millions starving and begging America in the name of humanity and historical ties to come to their rescue.
President Bush waits and watches, "carefully monitoring", using the circular diplomatic logic of neglect.
President Bush demands that Taylor must leave before peacekeepers are deployed. Taylor retorts, he is ready to resign and accept an offer of asylum in Nigeria, but peacekeepers must come first.
This is akin to tying a Gordian knot and willingly surrendering the initiative to the "evil doer", to use a phrase from President Bush.
This brings to mind the recent genocide in Rwanda. Approximately 800,000, mostly Tutsis were massacred in Rwanda in mid 1990's. The UN secretary General tried hard to get the world's attention, but the regional powers and the only superpower made do with platitudes and empty condemnations. The world could barely suppress its yawn; there were other more important hotspots to attend to. Sub-Saharan (Black) Africa did not matter. Some said Rwanda was of no strategic value, others accused the west of racism.
Belatedly the self proclaimed civilized world chastised itself for ignoring the human calamity, indulged in a little breast beating and mea culpa. President Clinton apologized to the Rwandans. The UN established war crime tribunal to punish the Hutus by the thousands who indulged in this genocide. The dead Rwandans could not speak.
It seems the Bush administration is again using the discredited arguments that Liberia (meaning sub-Saharan Africa) is of no strategic importance. Many argue that we are militarily over extended. This is coming from those who were ready to deploy hundreds of thousand soldiers to fight in Iraq and North Korea, a two front war, at the same time, only six months ago. But they can not spare a few thousand troupes for peace keeping in Liberia.
Regional countries in West Africa are poised and ready to help, if the US takes the lead. Some 750 Nigerian troops are ready to go in, but they will not want to get caught in the middle of the fighting without the US help. The regional leaders are keen to get as much support from the United States as possible before committing themselves. While negotiations and discussions drag on, Liberian civilians are getting increasingly desperate and are squarely blaming the United States.
Liberia is not a rich country but the diamond trade from Sierra Leone through Liberia is reputed to be the currency of choice by many terrorist groups, and we are ostensibly at war with terrorism. We claim to and want the world to know that we keep our commitments, and obligations. France and Great Britain have intervened in Civil wars in their former colonies as a moral commitment. The world, the Africans and most of all the Liberians are looking askance at us to see if we really mean what we say. Meanwhile innocent Liberian dead are piling up out side our embassy's gate in Liberia.
Mirza A. Beg can be contacted by email at mab64@yahoo.com
Mirza A. Beg
Written, July 22, 2003
Tuscaloosa News, Sunday July 27th 2003
The Birmingham Post-Herald, Monday July 28th 2003
The Anniston Star, Thursday July 31st 2003
Liberia is the only country on the African continent with which the US has historical ties, one could say blood ties. In 1847 freed American slaves, with the help and support of the United States established it as a democracy.
Liberia was a reasonably well running democracy by the African standards. Liberia and the US maintained very close ties up to 1980, when a coup by Samuel Doe against the established government brought on a long period of instability. Economic collapse and corrupt administration resulted in civil war by late 1980s. Doe was executed, but instead of peace the rebels fought each other, the Liberian Army and the West African peace keeping force.
In 1997 Charles Taylor became president and in 1999 the neighboring states accused him of supporting the brutal rebels in Sierra Leone. The civil war in Sierra Leone was finally brought to close by Great Britain, the former colonial power. Last month (June 2003) the UN war crimes tribunal indicted Mr. Taylor for atrocities by his forces in Sierra Leone.
The agony of Liberia has been on the back pages of our newspapers and occasionally on our television screens. It has been going on for years. We have closed our eyes and conscience to it. President Bush claims to be watching the situation carefully, as thousands of Liberians are dyeing, millions starving and begging America in the name of humanity and historical ties to come to their rescue.
President Bush waits and watches, "carefully monitoring", using the circular diplomatic logic of neglect.
President Bush demands that Taylor must leave before peacekeepers are deployed. Taylor retorts, he is ready to resign and accept an offer of asylum in Nigeria, but peacekeepers must come first.
This is akin to tying a Gordian knot and willingly surrendering the initiative to the "evil doer", to use a phrase from President Bush.
This brings to mind the recent genocide in Rwanda. Approximately 800,000, mostly Tutsis were massacred in Rwanda in mid 1990's. The UN secretary General tried hard to get the world's attention, but the regional powers and the only superpower made do with platitudes and empty condemnations. The world could barely suppress its yawn; there were other more important hotspots to attend to. Sub-Saharan (Black) Africa did not matter. Some said Rwanda was of no strategic value, others accused the west of racism.
Belatedly the self proclaimed civilized world chastised itself for ignoring the human calamity, indulged in a little breast beating and mea culpa. President Clinton apologized to the Rwandans. The UN established war crime tribunal to punish the Hutus by the thousands who indulged in this genocide. The dead Rwandans could not speak.
It seems the Bush administration is again using the discredited arguments that Liberia (meaning sub-Saharan Africa) is of no strategic importance. Many argue that we are militarily over extended. This is coming from those who were ready to deploy hundreds of thousand soldiers to fight in Iraq and North Korea, a two front war, at the same time, only six months ago. But they can not spare a few thousand troupes for peace keeping in Liberia.
Regional countries in West Africa are poised and ready to help, if the US takes the lead. Some 750 Nigerian troops are ready to go in, but they will not want to get caught in the middle of the fighting without the US help. The regional leaders are keen to get as much support from the United States as possible before committing themselves. While negotiations and discussions drag on, Liberian civilians are getting increasingly desperate and are squarely blaming the United States.
Liberia is not a rich country but the diamond trade from Sierra Leone through Liberia is reputed to be the currency of choice by many terrorist groups, and we are ostensibly at war with terrorism. We claim to and want the world to know that we keep our commitments, and obligations. France and Great Britain have intervened in Civil wars in their former colonies as a moral commitment. The world, the Africans and most of all the Liberians are looking askance at us to see if we really mean what we say. Meanwhile innocent Liberian dead are piling up out side our embassy's gate in Liberia.
Mirza A. Beg can be contacted by email at mab64@yahoo.com
Advani's New Avatar 05-06-08
Advani's New Avatar
Mirza A. Beg
Written, Wednesday, June 8, 2005
Published Milli Gazette Delhi, Thursday, June 16th 2005
Politicians are known to scheme engaging in double speak. Mr. Advani is a past master. The Brouhaha convulsing the Sanghites is interesting, even entertaining. They may heed the warning in the 1875 poem by Robert Burns, addressed to a mouse, "The best laid schemes of Mice and Men oft go awry, and leave us nothing but grief and pain, for promised joy."
Sanghites are in knots over the Advani reversing its cornerstone policy of Akhand Bharat. To add insult to injury he came to this epiphany in Pakistan, declaring, "the creation of Pakistan was an unalterable reality of history", one that could not be undone." In April 2000 RSS chief, Sudarshan declared, "At the appropriate time we will form 'Akhand Bharat' (United India). We have to regain the areas welost in 1947."
Advani, the president of BJP, sent another javelin towards the heart of the 'Parivar' by eulogizing Mr. Jinnah, an anathema to Sanghites, as a scion of secularism.
All these may be considered real politick tricks. Having solid base with impeccable Hindutva credentials, he may be trying to outflank the secularist left. After all, others have successfully reversed course before. Nixon the ardent anticommunist magically pulled Chinese rabbit out of his hat, by recognizing the communist China, banishing Taiwan from the UN. Sadaat of Egypt and Begin of Israel did it as well. Vajpayee donned a humane mask to become the Prime minister on the coat tails of communal frenzy created by Mr. Advani.
But the most amazing verbal act of gymnastics is Advani's claim that the demolition of the Babri Masjid was the saddest day of his life. Of all the Hindutva leaders he is by far the most responsible for making Ayodhya, "The issue" to gain power for the BJP, rising from a measly two seats in the Parliament to the halls of power. Under his presidency in 1989, the BJP embraced the cause of building a Ram temple at the Babri Masjid site.
To whip up the communal frenzy and bring virulent groups such as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal in BJP fold, he rode a slow chariot in 1990, from the Somnath temple in Gujarat to the widely publicized destination of Ayodhya. Bajrang Dal ritualistically anointed him with blood soaked "Tilak" on his forehead invoking success towards building a temple in place of the Babri Masjid. In its wake it sparked communal riots, killing thousands, accruing huge vote
dividends of communal appeal for the BJP.
He was the chief luminary of the BJP and Hindutva brigade along with other lesser lights, ensconced on the platform on 6th of December 1992, when it took five grueling hours to demolish the historic mosque brick by brick. After attaining power, he shunned the subject to avoid culpability in the resulting law suites.
Now that he has shed huge crocodile tears and raised the subject, it is time for the reporters to ask probing questions, the answers to which he can avoid only at his own peril.
Mirza A. Beg welcomes comments at man64@yahoo.com
Mirza A. Beg
Written, Wednesday, June 8, 2005
Published Milli Gazette Delhi, Thursday, June 16th 2005
Politicians are known to scheme engaging in double speak. Mr. Advani is a past master. The Brouhaha convulsing the Sanghites is interesting, even entertaining. They may heed the warning in the 1875 poem by Robert Burns, addressed to a mouse, "The best laid schemes of Mice and Men oft go awry, and leave us nothing but grief and pain, for promised joy."
Sanghites are in knots over the Advani reversing its cornerstone policy of Akhand Bharat. To add insult to injury he came to this epiphany in Pakistan, declaring, "the creation of Pakistan was an unalterable reality of history", one that could not be undone." In April 2000 RSS chief, Sudarshan declared, "At the appropriate time we will form 'Akhand Bharat' (United India). We have to regain the areas welost in 1947."
Advani, the president of BJP, sent another javelin towards the heart of the 'Parivar' by eulogizing Mr. Jinnah, an anathema to Sanghites, as a scion of secularism.
All these may be considered real politick tricks. Having solid base with impeccable Hindutva credentials, he may be trying to outflank the secularist left. After all, others have successfully reversed course before. Nixon the ardent anticommunist magically pulled Chinese rabbit out of his hat, by recognizing the communist China, banishing Taiwan from the UN. Sadaat of Egypt and Begin of Israel did it as well. Vajpayee donned a humane mask to become the Prime minister on the coat tails of communal frenzy created by Mr. Advani.
But the most amazing verbal act of gymnastics is Advani's claim that the demolition of the Babri Masjid was the saddest day of his life. Of all the Hindutva leaders he is by far the most responsible for making Ayodhya, "The issue" to gain power for the BJP, rising from a measly two seats in the Parliament to the halls of power. Under his presidency in 1989, the BJP embraced the cause of building a Ram temple at the Babri Masjid site.
To whip up the communal frenzy and bring virulent groups such as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal in BJP fold, he rode a slow chariot in 1990, from the Somnath temple in Gujarat to the widely publicized destination of Ayodhya. Bajrang Dal ritualistically anointed him with blood soaked "Tilak" on his forehead invoking success towards building a temple in place of the Babri Masjid. In its wake it sparked communal riots, killing thousands, accruing huge vote
dividends of communal appeal for the BJP.
He was the chief luminary of the BJP and Hindutva brigade along with other lesser lights, ensconced on the platform on 6th of December 1992, when it took five grueling hours to demolish the historic mosque brick by brick. After attaining power, he shunned the subject to avoid culpability in the resulting law suites.
Now that he has shed huge crocodile tears and raised the subject, it is time for the reporters to ask probing questions, the answers to which he can avoid only at his own peril.
Mirza A. Beg welcomes comments at man64@yahoo.com
Freedom and Muslim 07-05-10
Absence of Intellectual Freedom an Impediment for Muslim Societies
Mirza A. Beg
May 10th 2007
Muslims, humbly acknowledge that all our intellectual and worldly possessions are by the grace of God. All that is unsavory within us springs from our baser instincts (Nafs). We are strongly urged to use the gift of free-will to rise above our baser instincts to be the best we can be. The paradox of free will has been dissected by many Islamic as well as other scholars, such as Al Ghazali and St, Augustine, but no one has provided a coherent explanation devoid of polemics. One of the most thriving baser instincts is the anti-intellectual indolence that inhibits rationality and logic.
In the late medieval period when the Islamic power was in decline, it was in the interest of the decadent regimes to elicit validation from the state supported scholars to curb the free-will that questions the established authority. The idea that the doors of ‘Ijtehad’ were closed took hold. The general meaning of ‘Ijtehad’ is to derive from the Quran and Hadeeth understandings and interpretations of contemporary situations to find better solutions. Though Islam does not subscribe to the Divine right of the rulers, a challenge to the authoritarian system was reduced to being not only a temporal crime, but a crime against God as well.
Intellectual pursuits tend to weaken the bonds of absolute authority. With rampant illiteracy and the support of the state this sinister dogma took root. It was a time when Europe was emerging from the dark ages by challenging the draconian anti-intellectual Church doctrines with the help of knowledge adapted from the work of Islamic scholars. Though the idea of an earthly religious authority intervening between an individual and God is alien to Islam, but in the service of the state such a closing of the mind was considered good. In effect an idea that is patently un-Islamic was misrepresented as Islamic.
In evident dichotomy it is a matter of pride for Muslims that Prophet extolled the virtue of excellence in education. He is reported to have urged Muslims to spare no effort in pursuit of knowledge, if needed, even go to China; a far off land requiring perilous journey.
Few great scholars painstakingly compiled the sayings of the Prophet called Hadeeth, about two hundred years after his death. It is popular to quote piecemeal from the collected Hadeeth and find quick answers to suite preconceived notions. Quick answers are often not well thought out and devoid of intellectual rigor. They even tend to be contradictory. Interpretations from scholars controlled by the state are and ought to be suspect as they have historically proven to be self-serving.
A good example is the nature of the Islamic government. The Prophet was well aware of his impending death. He had preached that all Muslims should be aware and be prepared for death, sure to come. Yet he did not designate a successor to lead the nascent Islamic community, knowing that there were many avowed enemies lurking within and around. It was not an oversight. In effect he willed Muslims to think, evolve and design a system according to our best lights. The nascent Islamic polity did choose, though not without dissentions, within the limits of polite decency. It germinated as a proto democratic system for the first 29 years.
After the first four Caliphs, the emerging democratic Islamic political ethos was damaged in 661 CE when Muawiyah governor of Syria militarily challenged Ali’s caliphate. Ali was assassinated by Kharijites and Mauwiyah become the Caliph. Though a successful and astute ruler, Muawiyah gave the Islamic political ethos a more injurious body blow in 680 CE. Just before his death he maneuvered the succession of his inept young son Yazid, making the Caliphate a hereditary office.
It is important to note that the hereditary imperial caliphate and later the marginalization of the caliphate could be considered un-Islamic, if the practices of the Prophet and the first four Caliphs are used as standards, as most Muslims believe. But the Islamic jurists subservient to the power of the state could not, therefore did not oppose these developments and the consensus based Shariah (Islamic codes) avoided the subject.
Muslims found enough reasons to fight against each other for many real and imagined deviances, fracturing into dozens of sects. The wars were some-times couched in religious and sectarian terms, but essentially they were for the supremacy of the dynasties supported by a small coterie in military and civil administration. By mid 11th century with a succession of weak caliphs, the Abbasid Caliphate had lost most of the temporal power. The Caliph remained a figurehead in Baghdad. The provinces had become independent Sultanates, ruled by changing Arab, Persian but mostly Turkic Dynasties, keeping a pretense of Caliph’s supremacy alive.
The first half of the Abbasid period saw tremendous flowering in the fields of arts, sciences and medicine, because Muslim scholars though denied political freedom, confidently used the gift of intellectual freedom in arts and sciences. They liberally borrowed, learnt and built upon the knowledge from the earlier Hindu, Persian and Byzantine-Greek civilizations. Though the conquered people were not considered political equals, they found more freedom and peace than they had under their co-religionist. The Christian, Jewish, Zoroastrian and Hindu scholars were not only given personal freedom, but were often celebrated for their learning and given places of influence under the new rulers..
The breakup of the unitary Islamic state liberated the Ulema (scholars and jurists) from centralized authority of the degenerated Caliphate, ushering a new era of contemporary interpretation of Islamic laws (Ijtehad), with a wide spectrum of modern day equivalent of liberal to conservative. The Sufi movements of personalized mystic spiritualism that were considered to be on the fringes, even heretic by the orthodoxy of establishment, made considerable inroads in the mainstream. By the dawn of the 12th century, Al Ghazali (1058-1111) brought about a synthesis of Sufism with the orthodox Islam, gaining much wider acceptance and eventually great popularity.
Freedom of intellectual pursuits continued to be celebrated by many Sultans. Great centers of learning had sprung up in Damascus, Baghdad, Cordova and Cairo. By the time these centers declined the central Asian and Indian states took up the slack.
People who do not understand Islamic history often call for reformation of Islam through a figure like Martin Luther. Clergy never dominated the Islamic civilizations as in European Christendom. Muslims had that freedom. They need to draw from their intellectual liberal past to overcome the sloth of the last three centuries. Mutazallite School (rationalist) that flourished in early Islamic centuries, itself became ritualized. Considering its true rationalist roots, it has a lot to teach modern Muslims.
The rate of accumulation of knowledge, particularly the scientific knowledge suddenly increased with the advent of the industrial revolution of the mid 19th Century. In modern times, the rate of growth is almost exponential building on the preceding great discoveries. Many Muslim scholars have taken up the challenge. Muslim philosophers, scientists, engineers, doctors and intellectuals in all fields of knowledge are emerging and striving to break out of the sloth of the last three centuries and rise to the principles once considered precious.
Yet there are loud voices who resent the freedom of intellectual pursuit. They tend to read laudatory accounts of past glories of Islamic civilization, but do not like to read or understand other religions and societies. Even when they do, it is usually with jaundiced eyes looking for holes to punch, not to learn from them.
Why is the West ascendant with many obvious shortcomings? One word answer is freedom; ‘freedom to think’. The detractors of such freedom selectively quote the pitfalls and mistakes of individuals. They do not understand that there is no freedom to think great ideas without concomitant freedom to think ideas that some would castigate, many ideas would be innocuous; some would even be stupid.
According to Islam, God has given each of us unique gifts and freedom to use them for good, evil or not use them at all. We know the parameters according to which we will be judged. The quest for the hereafter is based on the purity of intentions. Islam also tells us to live life to the fullest and make the best use of our faculties. As we learn more through sciences, we realize how little we know. Each Human life is a mini universe of interactions and memories, yet it is so insignificant in the expanse of the Universe. The Universe appears even more awe-inspiring with our advancing knowledge. Even the definition of the Universe tests the confines of human language.
The exercise of free-will is not easy. All challenges towards excellence are daunting. Caution, bordering on fear curbs creativity and stifles intellectual exploration. Fear of the intellect deprives the community of its best minds. The idea of democracy that gives freedom of thought and expression was an intrinsic part of the early Muslim polity. The intellectuals understood that all human endeavors and system are flawed by their very nature. There is no perfection in human affairs. With tug and pull of debates, ordinary people work in small ways to achieve extraordinary greatness. Often taking two steps forward and one back aspiring for a better system , and not get lost in the mirage of an illusive ‘perfect system’.
Mirza A Beg invites comments. He may be contacted at mab@yahoo.com
Mirza A. Beg
May 10th 2007
Muslims, humbly acknowledge that all our intellectual and worldly possessions are by the grace of God. All that is unsavory within us springs from our baser instincts (Nafs). We are strongly urged to use the gift of free-will to rise above our baser instincts to be the best we can be. The paradox of free will has been dissected by many Islamic as well as other scholars, such as Al Ghazali and St, Augustine, but no one has provided a coherent explanation devoid of polemics. One of the most thriving baser instincts is the anti-intellectual indolence that inhibits rationality and logic.
In the late medieval period when the Islamic power was in decline, it was in the interest of the decadent regimes to elicit validation from the state supported scholars to curb the free-will that questions the established authority. The idea that the doors of ‘Ijtehad’ were closed took hold. The general meaning of ‘Ijtehad’ is to derive from the Quran and Hadeeth understandings and interpretations of contemporary situations to find better solutions. Though Islam does not subscribe to the Divine right of the rulers, a challenge to the authoritarian system was reduced to being not only a temporal crime, but a crime against God as well.
Intellectual pursuits tend to weaken the bonds of absolute authority. With rampant illiteracy and the support of the state this sinister dogma took root. It was a time when Europe was emerging from the dark ages by challenging the draconian anti-intellectual Church doctrines with the help of knowledge adapted from the work of Islamic scholars. Though the idea of an earthly religious authority intervening between an individual and God is alien to Islam, but in the service of the state such a closing of the mind was considered good. In effect an idea that is patently un-Islamic was misrepresented as Islamic.
In evident dichotomy it is a matter of pride for Muslims that Prophet extolled the virtue of excellence in education. He is reported to have urged Muslims to spare no effort in pursuit of knowledge, if needed, even go to China; a far off land requiring perilous journey.
Few great scholars painstakingly compiled the sayings of the Prophet called Hadeeth, about two hundred years after his death. It is popular to quote piecemeal from the collected Hadeeth and find quick answers to suite preconceived notions. Quick answers are often not well thought out and devoid of intellectual rigor. They even tend to be contradictory. Interpretations from scholars controlled by the state are and ought to be suspect as they have historically proven to be self-serving.
A good example is the nature of the Islamic government. The Prophet was well aware of his impending death. He had preached that all Muslims should be aware and be prepared for death, sure to come. Yet he did not designate a successor to lead the nascent Islamic community, knowing that there were many avowed enemies lurking within and around. It was not an oversight. In effect he willed Muslims to think, evolve and design a system according to our best lights. The nascent Islamic polity did choose, though not without dissentions, within the limits of polite decency. It germinated as a proto democratic system for the first 29 years.
After the first four Caliphs, the emerging democratic Islamic political ethos was damaged in 661 CE when Muawiyah governor of Syria militarily challenged Ali’s caliphate. Ali was assassinated by Kharijites and Mauwiyah become the Caliph. Though a successful and astute ruler, Muawiyah gave the Islamic political ethos a more injurious body blow in 680 CE. Just before his death he maneuvered the succession of his inept young son Yazid, making the Caliphate a hereditary office.
It is important to note that the hereditary imperial caliphate and later the marginalization of the caliphate could be considered un-Islamic, if the practices of the Prophet and the first four Caliphs are used as standards, as most Muslims believe. But the Islamic jurists subservient to the power of the state could not, therefore did not oppose these developments and the consensus based Shariah (Islamic codes) avoided the subject.
Muslims found enough reasons to fight against each other for many real and imagined deviances, fracturing into dozens of sects. The wars were some-times couched in religious and sectarian terms, but essentially they were for the supremacy of the dynasties supported by a small coterie in military and civil administration. By mid 11th century with a succession of weak caliphs, the Abbasid Caliphate had lost most of the temporal power. The Caliph remained a figurehead in Baghdad. The provinces had become independent Sultanates, ruled by changing Arab, Persian but mostly Turkic Dynasties, keeping a pretense of Caliph’s supremacy alive.
The first half of the Abbasid period saw tremendous flowering in the fields of arts, sciences and medicine, because Muslim scholars though denied political freedom, confidently used the gift of intellectual freedom in arts and sciences. They liberally borrowed, learnt and built upon the knowledge from the earlier Hindu, Persian and Byzantine-Greek civilizations. Though the conquered people were not considered political equals, they found more freedom and peace than they had under their co-religionist. The Christian, Jewish, Zoroastrian and Hindu scholars were not only given personal freedom, but were often celebrated for their learning and given places of influence under the new rulers..
The breakup of the unitary Islamic state liberated the Ulema (scholars and jurists) from centralized authority of the degenerated Caliphate, ushering a new era of contemporary interpretation of Islamic laws (Ijtehad), with a wide spectrum of modern day equivalent of liberal to conservative. The Sufi movements of personalized mystic spiritualism that were considered to be on the fringes, even heretic by the orthodoxy of establishment, made considerable inroads in the mainstream. By the dawn of the 12th century, Al Ghazali (1058-1111) brought about a synthesis of Sufism with the orthodox Islam, gaining much wider acceptance and eventually great popularity.
Freedom of intellectual pursuits continued to be celebrated by many Sultans. Great centers of learning had sprung up in Damascus, Baghdad, Cordova and Cairo. By the time these centers declined the central Asian and Indian states took up the slack.
People who do not understand Islamic history often call for reformation of Islam through a figure like Martin Luther. Clergy never dominated the Islamic civilizations as in European Christendom. Muslims had that freedom. They need to draw from their intellectual liberal past to overcome the sloth of the last three centuries. Mutazallite School (rationalist) that flourished in early Islamic centuries, itself became ritualized. Considering its true rationalist roots, it has a lot to teach modern Muslims.
The rate of accumulation of knowledge, particularly the scientific knowledge suddenly increased with the advent of the industrial revolution of the mid 19th Century. In modern times, the rate of growth is almost exponential building on the preceding great discoveries. Many Muslim scholars have taken up the challenge. Muslim philosophers, scientists, engineers, doctors and intellectuals in all fields of knowledge are emerging and striving to break out of the sloth of the last three centuries and rise to the principles once considered precious.
Yet there are loud voices who resent the freedom of intellectual pursuit. They tend to read laudatory accounts of past glories of Islamic civilization, but do not like to read or understand other religions and societies. Even when they do, it is usually with jaundiced eyes looking for holes to punch, not to learn from them.
Why is the West ascendant with many obvious shortcomings? One word answer is freedom; ‘freedom to think’. The detractors of such freedom selectively quote the pitfalls and mistakes of individuals. They do not understand that there is no freedom to think great ideas without concomitant freedom to think ideas that some would castigate, many ideas would be innocuous; some would even be stupid.
According to Islam, God has given each of us unique gifts and freedom to use them for good, evil or not use them at all. We know the parameters according to which we will be judged. The quest for the hereafter is based on the purity of intentions. Islam also tells us to live life to the fullest and make the best use of our faculties. As we learn more through sciences, we realize how little we know. Each Human life is a mini universe of interactions and memories, yet it is so insignificant in the expanse of the Universe. The Universe appears even more awe-inspiring with our advancing knowledge. Even the definition of the Universe tests the confines of human language.
The exercise of free-will is not easy. All challenges towards excellence are daunting. Caution, bordering on fear curbs creativity and stifles intellectual exploration. Fear of the intellect deprives the community of its best minds. The idea of democracy that gives freedom of thought and expression was an intrinsic part of the early Muslim polity. The intellectuals understood that all human endeavors and system are flawed by their very nature. There is no perfection in human affairs. With tug and pull of debates, ordinary people work in small ways to achieve extraordinary greatness. Often taking two steps forward and one back aspiring for a better system , and not get lost in the mirage of an illusive ‘perfect system’.
Mirza A Beg invites comments. He may be contacted at mab@yahoo.com
Abortion Non-debate 07-04-17
The Abortion Non-debate
Mirza A. Beg
Friday, April 19, 2007
Abortion debate is euphemism for a ‘non-debate’. Mostly it is slogan mongering past each other. There are no liberal positions. Both the positions – the pro-abortion and anti-abortion have solidified into an anti-intellectual anti-liberal dogma.
The liberal position is supposed to favor rationality and concern for those suffering the most, especially for no fault of their own. But in this shouting match, the protagonists are shooting from the hip and missing the whole side of the barn.
Let us state the classic adamant position taken by both the sides:
Loud Conservative voices – Life begins at conception. All abortions for any reason are murders. No exceptions for rape or incest. Conception is not the baby’s fault.
An extreme facetious argument could be that the wastage of egg and sperm that do not get to meet is also a sin, desecration of proto-life. It ought to be the responsibility of a caring society to facilitate their union to achieve fulfillment.
Loud Liberal voices - A woman’s body is her own and she has a right to decide. There is no other comparable right. She can have abortion on demand up to the natural birth when the fetus legally becomes a baby. The word fetus is important for legal purposes.
An extreme facetious argument could be that the human babies are absolutely dependent on the mother for at least a few months after birth. During this period it is really a fetus-plus or a pre-baby, leaving room for post-birth abortions. The word birth may be changed to transition from intra-uterus to extra-uterus.
A thoughtful dialogue could take place if all sides stipulate, “we do not know everything”, and decide to take a rational humane view. Let us consider the rights of all concerned.
Woman – She has the burden of carrying the child/ fetus. Therefore she should have an absolute say in getting pregnant. No ifs, no buts. If she is forced, the society will punish the culprits, and will take all precautions for such eventuality not to happen.
Man –The other, not so uninvolved party. Irrespective of denials, with modern DNA techniques, he can be nabbed easily. He is responsible for nurture of the woman while pregnant, and the child, in case of the birth. Many men find abortion a convenience to avoid the consequences.
The Baby – We have scientific definitions and names for the various stages of development from Zygote to Fetus until it is born and declared a baby. The nomenclatures are empirical descriptors. They do not have intrinsic unchangeable scientific definitions.
Society – A social contract, to function with justice. Norms should be based on humane consideration of competing rights and responsibilities – not on power relationships. Therefore the rights of those who are unable to speak for themselves ought to be a very important consideration.
Among the competing interests, the potential babies have the most to loose – their lives. The next party that suffers the most and carries the heaviest burden is the woman. Man and the society come next in that order.
Reflective liberals accept that abortion should be permissible but rare. This argument is generally used in politically charged atmosphere to silence their vociferous critics. No serious thought is given to the methods and consequences.
Most thoughtful people will agree that scientifically, we do not know when life begins. We don’t even have a ‘perfect’ definition of life. Therefore, when society is making binding (legal) decisions for others, they should not be made based on political dogma, but on the best information available.
Science seldom provides perfect answers. It gives us ranges based on the current knowledge. How we use that knowledge is based on our sense of morality. For a law that affects all, the policy should be based on the best information available, and should be re-evaluated as more or better information becomes available.
The paramount principle is – a woman’s inviolate right not to get pregnant. Barring illegal coercion, if taken seriously, with the advancements in medical technology, it is almost fool proof. If she does become pregnant the right of the potential baby, the right of the father and society follow in that order.
Since we do not have a scientific consensus as to “when does life begin”, perhaps a good place to start would be when medically it is viable to keep the baby alive and healthy outside the mother’s womb. This will change with better technology and should be re-evaluated with time. It follows that until the time the baby can survive outside the womb, if the woman chooses, she should have the right to abortion. At this time it is about five months, with better technology it is likely to shrink. This will provide a very good platform for debate to start.
This completely obviates the horrible late term abortions that can only be defended by the partisan battle cry, “not to give an inch lest they take a mile”. This also takes care of the cases of Incest, rape or any other criminal behavior, confining an overwhelming number of abortions from the first three days to first six weeks, when the woman knows for sure that she is pregnant.
If the mother does not want to have a baby, she should have the right to give it up for adoption, so many people want to adopt children, and if the state considers the rights of the baby important it should be the adopter of last resort.
Every one agrees that the life of the mother should take precedence over the resident in her womb. But if her life is not in danger then the life of a viable baby becomes equally important. If at all, the arguments about the health of the mother will hold water only in rare cases and the arguments have not been made cogently. Every one knows that life is not fair. We take our lumps for our mistakes and go on. It usually teaches us responsibility. Life of a being should take precedence over the health of another being.
Those who consider prevention of pregnancy even the next day after a rape are welcome to practice their morality, but imposing it on others is inimical to a pluralistic society. Those who insist on the sacrosanct principle of the absolute right of the woman to choose, violate it illogically when they advocate banning the reprehensible practice of some women in India and China who choose to abort female fetuses, because of cultural mindset, an artifact of male dominated society.
In a pluralistic society the personal morals ought to be advocated, but not imposed. A consensus is needed based on thoughtful discussions not throwing brickbats; “baby killers against women haters.”
Unable to think logically and compromise based on principles; liberals have taken an illiberal dogmatic position in supporting unbridled abortions. This has forced ordinary people to gravitate to single issue rightwing groups and help elect Manchurian candidate for president, to lead the country into serial follies - and the country bleeds, beholden to their inept agenda.
Mirza A. Beg can be contacted at mab@yahoo.com
Mirza A. Beg
Friday, April 19, 2007
Abortion debate is euphemism for a ‘non-debate’. Mostly it is slogan mongering past each other. There are no liberal positions. Both the positions – the pro-abortion and anti-abortion have solidified into an anti-intellectual anti-liberal dogma.
The liberal position is supposed to favor rationality and concern for those suffering the most, especially for no fault of their own. But in this shouting match, the protagonists are shooting from the hip and missing the whole side of the barn.
Let us state the classic adamant position taken by both the sides:
Loud Conservative voices – Life begins at conception. All abortions for any reason are murders. No exceptions for rape or incest. Conception is not the baby’s fault.
An extreme facetious argument could be that the wastage of egg and sperm that do not get to meet is also a sin, desecration of proto-life. It ought to be the responsibility of a caring society to facilitate their union to achieve fulfillment.
Loud Liberal voices - A woman’s body is her own and she has a right to decide. There is no other comparable right. She can have abortion on demand up to the natural birth when the fetus legally becomes a baby. The word fetus is important for legal purposes.
An extreme facetious argument could be that the human babies are absolutely dependent on the mother for at least a few months after birth. During this period it is really a fetus-plus or a pre-baby, leaving room for post-birth abortions. The word birth may be changed to transition from intra-uterus to extra-uterus.
A thoughtful dialogue could take place if all sides stipulate, “we do not know everything”, and decide to take a rational humane view. Let us consider the rights of all concerned.
Woman – She has the burden of carrying the child/ fetus. Therefore she should have an absolute say in getting pregnant. No ifs, no buts. If she is forced, the society will punish the culprits, and will take all precautions for such eventuality not to happen.
Man –The other, not so uninvolved party. Irrespective of denials, with modern DNA techniques, he can be nabbed easily. He is responsible for nurture of the woman while pregnant, and the child, in case of the birth. Many men find abortion a convenience to avoid the consequences.
The Baby – We have scientific definitions and names for the various stages of development from Zygote to Fetus until it is born and declared a baby. The nomenclatures are empirical descriptors. They do not have intrinsic unchangeable scientific definitions.
Society – A social contract, to function with justice. Norms should be based on humane consideration of competing rights and responsibilities – not on power relationships. Therefore the rights of those who are unable to speak for themselves ought to be a very important consideration.
Among the competing interests, the potential babies have the most to loose – their lives. The next party that suffers the most and carries the heaviest burden is the woman. Man and the society come next in that order.
Reflective liberals accept that abortion should be permissible but rare. This argument is generally used in politically charged atmosphere to silence their vociferous critics. No serious thought is given to the methods and consequences.
Most thoughtful people will agree that scientifically, we do not know when life begins. We don’t even have a ‘perfect’ definition of life. Therefore, when society is making binding (legal) decisions for others, they should not be made based on political dogma, but on the best information available.
Science seldom provides perfect answers. It gives us ranges based on the current knowledge. How we use that knowledge is based on our sense of morality. For a law that affects all, the policy should be based on the best information available, and should be re-evaluated as more or better information becomes available.
The paramount principle is – a woman’s inviolate right not to get pregnant. Barring illegal coercion, if taken seriously, with the advancements in medical technology, it is almost fool proof. If she does become pregnant the right of the potential baby, the right of the father and society follow in that order.
Since we do not have a scientific consensus as to “when does life begin”, perhaps a good place to start would be when medically it is viable to keep the baby alive and healthy outside the mother’s womb. This will change with better technology and should be re-evaluated with time. It follows that until the time the baby can survive outside the womb, if the woman chooses, she should have the right to abortion. At this time it is about five months, with better technology it is likely to shrink. This will provide a very good platform for debate to start.
This completely obviates the horrible late term abortions that can only be defended by the partisan battle cry, “not to give an inch lest they take a mile”. This also takes care of the cases of Incest, rape or any other criminal behavior, confining an overwhelming number of abortions from the first three days to first six weeks, when the woman knows for sure that she is pregnant.
If the mother does not want to have a baby, she should have the right to give it up for adoption, so many people want to adopt children, and if the state considers the rights of the baby important it should be the adopter of last resort.
Every one agrees that the life of the mother should take precedence over the resident in her womb. But if her life is not in danger then the life of a viable baby becomes equally important. If at all, the arguments about the health of the mother will hold water only in rare cases and the arguments have not been made cogently. Every one knows that life is not fair. We take our lumps for our mistakes and go on. It usually teaches us responsibility. Life of a being should take precedence over the health of another being.
Those who consider prevention of pregnancy even the next day after a rape are welcome to practice their morality, but imposing it on others is inimical to a pluralistic society. Those who insist on the sacrosanct principle of the absolute right of the woman to choose, violate it illogically when they advocate banning the reprehensible practice of some women in India and China who choose to abort female fetuses, because of cultural mindset, an artifact of male dominated society.
In a pluralistic society the personal morals ought to be advocated, but not imposed. A consensus is needed based on thoughtful discussions not throwing brickbats; “baby killers against women haters.”
Unable to think logically and compromise based on principles; liberals have taken an illiberal dogmatic position in supporting unbridled abortions. This has forced ordinary people to gravitate to single issue rightwing groups and help elect Manchurian candidate for president, to lead the country into serial follies - and the country bleeds, beholden to their inept agenda.
Mirza A. Beg can be contacted at mab@yahoo.com
Abel & Cain-Allegory 02-07-17
Abel and Cain, An Allegory for our time
Mirza A. Beg
Written, July 17, 2002
Birmingham News, Sunday July 28, 2002
Writing about human suffering caused by ethnic conflicts was on my mind, Kurds, Kosovo, Bosnia, Chechnya, Palestine, Kashmir, Northern Ireland, Southern Sudan, Sri Lanka, Rwanda and many others. The names and histories are different but the basic reason is the same. Some people in the name of “what ever” want what some other people have or deny to others what they have chosen to keep for themselves.
The demise of the colonialism in mid 20th century gave the hapless inheritors, a longed for breath of freedom to claim a place among the community of nation. But they lost their way in the avarice of want. The inspiring goals and slogans that saw them through the dark nights of occupation were caricatured into slogans for the persecution of minorities.
It does not matter what the differences are, they may be religion, race, language, color, creed, ethnicity, or any other contrived to suite the purpose.
With time the ideals gave way to propaganda, finding the drudgery of governance too difficult, the rulers and power-brokers looked for scapegoats and found them in the “other”, what ever the they chose the other to be, even if they had to invent one.
Socialism swept away the feudal Russia, but gave way to Stalinism. Republican China of Sun yat-sen morphed into Chiang Kai-shek and then Mao. In India, the avatars of a fascist ideology that assassinated Gandhi have finally succeeded Gandhi and Nehru. Jinnah’s vision is caricatured into an oppressive and broken Pakistan, a legacy of Bhutto and Zia. In Middle-East the rulers are exploiting the ruled and oppressing the minorities in the name of straight-jacketed Islam on one extreme and perverted secularism on the other.
Iraq is in a class by itself in its ignominy, secular Saddam will exploit anything he can.
But the conflict that defines the late 20th century and has overshadowed all other conflicts is the Israel – Palestine conflict. Where the dispossessed Jews from Christian Europe after deprivation and wandering for about 1,900 years returned to a land of their dreams, in the name of God, to dispossess an other people.
The metaphorical story that comes to mind is George Orwell’s “Animal Farm” where oppressed become oppressors. The Pigs lead a revolt against Mr. Jones the oppressive farmer and frame a motto that “Four legs good, two legs bad”. In time when the Pigs acquire decadent human attributes, they conspire to modify the motto to “Four legs good, two legs better”.
While musing, I received a collection of poems from Omair Ahmad a young friend from India. One of the poems is “Abel’s Lament”, based on a story of creation and conflict, common to Jewish, Christians and Muslim scriptures. It is truly a metaphor for all conflicts but is specially poignant and pertinent to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. It is a good rendition of Indo-Islamic Sufi style in English. With his consent, I am sharing it with you!
Abel’s Lament
Omair Ahmad
1998
Whom do I blame?
Tell me, whom do I blame, Brother Cain?
When a starving man
steals a crust of bread
from out of my hands,
whom do I blame?
Knowing, I am starving,
knowing, the crust of bread
is all I have!
Whom do I blame Brother Cain?
When a brother stabs a brother,
whom do I blame, brother Cain?
When God frowns
on your hoeing and sowing,
on your weeding and reaping,
on the harvest of your dreams,
whom do I blame?
Tell me, whom do I blame, Brother Cain?
Wealth of smiles on me,
denied to you, for eternity
whom do I blame?
Sharpening a knife,
Thinking, I see you not?
whom do I blame, brother Cain?
I lie here,
feeling life slip away,
scratching out these words
upon the blood-soaked sand,
Whom do I blame?
Tell me, whom do I blame, Brother Cain?
My back? The knife?
Your hand?
Whom do I blame, brother Cain,
for a fate
that leaves me dead
and you damned?
Mirza A. Beg can be contacted by email at mab64@yahoo.com
Mirza A. Beg
Written, July 17, 2002
Birmingham News, Sunday July 28, 2002
Writing about human suffering caused by ethnic conflicts was on my mind, Kurds, Kosovo, Bosnia, Chechnya, Palestine, Kashmir, Northern Ireland, Southern Sudan, Sri Lanka, Rwanda and many others. The names and histories are different but the basic reason is the same. Some people in the name of “what ever” want what some other people have or deny to others what they have chosen to keep for themselves.
The demise of the colonialism in mid 20th century gave the hapless inheritors, a longed for breath of freedom to claim a place among the community of nation. But they lost their way in the avarice of want. The inspiring goals and slogans that saw them through the dark nights of occupation were caricatured into slogans for the persecution of minorities.
It does not matter what the differences are, they may be religion, race, language, color, creed, ethnicity, or any other contrived to suite the purpose.
With time the ideals gave way to propaganda, finding the drudgery of governance too difficult, the rulers and power-brokers looked for scapegoats and found them in the “other”, what ever the they chose the other to be, even if they had to invent one.
Socialism swept away the feudal Russia, but gave way to Stalinism. Republican China of Sun yat-sen morphed into Chiang Kai-shek and then Mao. In India, the avatars of a fascist ideology that assassinated Gandhi have finally succeeded Gandhi and Nehru. Jinnah’s vision is caricatured into an oppressive and broken Pakistan, a legacy of Bhutto and Zia. In Middle-East the rulers are exploiting the ruled and oppressing the minorities in the name of straight-jacketed Islam on one extreme and perverted secularism on the other.
Iraq is in a class by itself in its ignominy, secular Saddam will exploit anything he can.
But the conflict that defines the late 20th century and has overshadowed all other conflicts is the Israel – Palestine conflict. Where the dispossessed Jews from Christian Europe after deprivation and wandering for about 1,900 years returned to a land of their dreams, in the name of God, to dispossess an other people.
The metaphorical story that comes to mind is George Orwell’s “Animal Farm” where oppressed become oppressors. The Pigs lead a revolt against Mr. Jones the oppressive farmer and frame a motto that “Four legs good, two legs bad”. In time when the Pigs acquire decadent human attributes, they conspire to modify the motto to “Four legs good, two legs better”.
While musing, I received a collection of poems from Omair Ahmad a young friend from India. One of the poems is “Abel’s Lament”, based on a story of creation and conflict, common to Jewish, Christians and Muslim scriptures. It is truly a metaphor for all conflicts but is specially poignant and pertinent to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. It is a good rendition of Indo-Islamic Sufi style in English. With his consent, I am sharing it with you!
Abel’s Lament
Omair Ahmad
1998
Whom do I blame?
Tell me, whom do I blame, Brother Cain?
When a starving man
steals a crust of bread
from out of my hands,
whom do I blame?
Knowing, I am starving,
knowing, the crust of bread
is all I have!
Whom do I blame Brother Cain?
When a brother stabs a brother,
whom do I blame, brother Cain?
When God frowns
on your hoeing and sowing,
on your weeding and reaping,
on the harvest of your dreams,
whom do I blame?
Tell me, whom do I blame, Brother Cain?
Wealth of smiles on me,
denied to you, for eternity
whom do I blame?
Sharpening a knife,
Thinking, I see you not?
whom do I blame, brother Cain?
I lie here,
feeling life slip away,
scratching out these words
upon the blood-soaked sand,
Whom do I blame?
Tell me, whom do I blame, Brother Cain?
My back? The knife?
Your hand?
Whom do I blame, brother Cain,
for a fate
that leaves me dead
and you damned?
Mirza A. Beg can be contacted by email at mab64@yahoo.com
Ghaffar Khan- Peace 02-01-27
Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan: A Pashtun Martin Luther King Jr.
Mirza A. Beg
Written on Jan 21, 2002
Tuscaloosa News, Sunday, Jan.27 2002
Monday, January the 21st was a national holiday to commemorate the birth of one of Americas’ revered sons Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. He embodied for America, the moral force of peaceful resistance to evil and injustice. The tradition of civil disobedience against unjust laws and traditions is long and luminous. Many Sufis through the centuries defied temporal authorities through the spiritual force of faith. In modern times, the one person who embodied the spiritual force of peaceful resistance was Gandhi. Abdul Ghaffar Khan was Gandhi’s friend. When we honor Dr. King we honor his creed and his soul mates.
While discussing Dr. King’s birth anniversary, I asked my friends at “Challenge 21” a civic organization in Tuscaloosa, if they had heard of the Pashtun leader, Abdul Ghaffar Khan. The answer was no. The pity is that even the Pashtuns do not remember him any more. He loved them and served them with courage and honor till his last breath. He passed away in 1988 at a ripe old age of 98. These days the war-like Pashtuns occupy center stage in the news. It is worthwhile to remember a great soul that came from the fiercely independent tribal region inhabited by Pashtuns that straddles the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Those who loved him gave him the title of Khan thus he became Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan.
Ghaffar Khan was born in the village of Uthmanzai in 1890. In 1893, the British imposed a treaty on the Afghan king defining the border along the high mountains between British India and Afghanistan (the Durand line). Uthmanzai fell on the British side (now Pakistan) of the border barely a few miles from the famed Khyber Pass. His father Behram Khan, chief of the small Mohammadzai tribe was aware of the unwritten tribal law of the Afghans called, “Pashtunwali”. It celebrates a strict code of vengeance at the slightest insult to one’s honor. He raised his two sons to regard others with respect and honor.
The Pashtun area in North West British India was called the “Frontier”. The area of the great game of the Kipling fame. This land of fiercely independent and egalitarian warriors was a headache to the British rulers. To break the Pashtun spirit, some of the meanest administrators were sent to the region to mete out swift frontier justice.
After high school, a handsome 6 foot 3 inches tall Ghaffar Khan, son of a tribal chief, was given a position in the British military. He resigned within days. He could not punish his own people on behalf of the oppressor. He realized his people were backward, mired in poverty, apathy and violence because of lack of education, and ignorance of their own religion. He started schools in his and surrounding villages. Ghaffar Khan’s fledgling schools caught the ever-watchful eyes of the British, who did not want an awakened peasantry on the Frontier. The local mullahs and the landlords did not want it either. The British, the mullahs and the landlords harassed him. The schools were forcibly closed.
Dispirited he went into seclusion for forty days of fasting and introspection. He came out a lean emaciated man, still not sure of a course to follow, but resolute with an inner strength. He understood the meaning of Islam was to submit to the will of God, to engender peace. He realized that God does not need service, to serve God’s creation is to serve God.
He wrote, ”I have one great dream, one great longing. Like flowers in the desert, my people are born, bloom for a while with no body to look after them, wither and return to the dust they came from. I want to see them share each other’s sorrow and happiness. I want to see them work together as equals. I want to see them to take their rightful place among the nations of the world, for the service of God and humanity.”
About 1915, as Gandhi’s ideas spread throughout British India, Ghaffar Khan found a kindred spirit about 20 years his senior. He met Gandhi and the two became life long friends. Gandhi coming from Hindu tradition and Ghaffar Khan from Muslim beliefs found a common thread, a divine strength to resist evil and tyranny through a resolute spirit and love of humanity. Ghaffar Khan traveled through Pashtun villages in next three years and started an organization called “Divine Servants”. He taught the quick-tempered and straightforward Pashtuns, the true meaning of “Will”, strength of character and willingness to suffer for truth, the greater Jihad.
His example of piety, simplicity and honesty brought more than a hundred thousand followers to his cause, who for the first time defied British tyranny non-violently. The British could not believe it; to them a non-violent Pashtun was a contradiction.
They arrested and imprisoned him without trial with the dregs of humanity. They saw him take all the punishment the British could impose in silence and dignity. His prison mates, the thieves, the murderers could not understand him. He explained that they are paying a price for their crime, he was paying a price for his ideals. He was happy paying the price, for he loved his ideals. The prison atmosphere changed, the small fights and complaints of the prisoners stopped, they even stopped bribing the guards for small favors. This upset the system. He was released.
In the next thirty years his organization grew, he gained respect of his friends and enemies, but he kept paying the price. He spent cumulatively about 15 years in various jails, often banished from the Frontier region. Once in a while when released from jail the Pashtuns flocked to him calling him their king “Badshah Khan”.
He emphasized education for girls as well. In a speech he promised women, ”You will have equal share and place with your brothers in this country. We are like two wheels of a chariot, unless our movements are synchronized, our carriage will never move”.
The non-violent struggle of the masses caught the imagination of the civilized world. The British Empire weakened after the World War II was ready to grant Independence to India. The sectarian Hindu and Muslim leaders spread the virus of religious differences among the masses. Violence between the two communities broke out throughout Northern India. The weary British left India to two successor republics, Hindu dominated India and Muslim dominated Pakistan. The resulting convulsion created havoc for the fleeing Muslims from India and Hindus from Pakistan. Gandhi and Ghaffar Khan were morally opposed the partition and narrow-minded sectarianism. They were heart broken.
Gandhi fell to a Hindu assassin’s bullet within six months of India’s freedom. Ghaffar Khan found Pakistan sectarian and often dominated by military dictatorships. He spent the next thirty years, often in jail or in exile. He never compromised his ideals, and kept working for the dignity of the Pashtuns through love and service till his frail body released his indomitable soul.
Gandhi in Hinduism, Ghaffar Khan in Islam and Martin Luther King in Christianity demonstrated that non-violence and love for humanity is perfectly congruent with faith. They require great courage and can not be defeated by force.
Mirza A. Beg can be contacted by email at mab64@yahoo.com
Mirza A. Beg
Written on Jan 21, 2002
Tuscaloosa News, Sunday, Jan.27 2002
Monday, January the 21st was a national holiday to commemorate the birth of one of Americas’ revered sons Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. He embodied for America, the moral force of peaceful resistance to evil and injustice. The tradition of civil disobedience against unjust laws and traditions is long and luminous. Many Sufis through the centuries defied temporal authorities through the spiritual force of faith. In modern times, the one person who embodied the spiritual force of peaceful resistance was Gandhi. Abdul Ghaffar Khan was Gandhi’s friend. When we honor Dr. King we honor his creed and his soul mates.
While discussing Dr. King’s birth anniversary, I asked my friends at “Challenge 21” a civic organization in Tuscaloosa, if they had heard of the Pashtun leader, Abdul Ghaffar Khan. The answer was no. The pity is that even the Pashtuns do not remember him any more. He loved them and served them with courage and honor till his last breath. He passed away in 1988 at a ripe old age of 98. These days the war-like Pashtuns occupy center stage in the news. It is worthwhile to remember a great soul that came from the fiercely independent tribal region inhabited by Pashtuns that straddles the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Those who loved him gave him the title of Khan thus he became Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan.
Ghaffar Khan was born in the village of Uthmanzai in 1890. In 1893, the British imposed a treaty on the Afghan king defining the border along the high mountains between British India and Afghanistan (the Durand line). Uthmanzai fell on the British side (now Pakistan) of the border barely a few miles from the famed Khyber Pass. His father Behram Khan, chief of the small Mohammadzai tribe was aware of the unwritten tribal law of the Afghans called, “Pashtunwali”. It celebrates a strict code of vengeance at the slightest insult to one’s honor. He raised his two sons to regard others with respect and honor.
The Pashtun area in North West British India was called the “Frontier”. The area of the great game of the Kipling fame. This land of fiercely independent and egalitarian warriors was a headache to the British rulers. To break the Pashtun spirit, some of the meanest administrators were sent to the region to mete out swift frontier justice.
After high school, a handsome 6 foot 3 inches tall Ghaffar Khan, son of a tribal chief, was given a position in the British military. He resigned within days. He could not punish his own people on behalf of the oppressor. He realized his people were backward, mired in poverty, apathy and violence because of lack of education, and ignorance of their own religion. He started schools in his and surrounding villages. Ghaffar Khan’s fledgling schools caught the ever-watchful eyes of the British, who did not want an awakened peasantry on the Frontier. The local mullahs and the landlords did not want it either. The British, the mullahs and the landlords harassed him. The schools were forcibly closed.
Dispirited he went into seclusion for forty days of fasting and introspection. He came out a lean emaciated man, still not sure of a course to follow, but resolute with an inner strength. He understood the meaning of Islam was to submit to the will of God, to engender peace. He realized that God does not need service, to serve God’s creation is to serve God.
He wrote, ”I have one great dream, one great longing. Like flowers in the desert, my people are born, bloom for a while with no body to look after them, wither and return to the dust they came from. I want to see them share each other’s sorrow and happiness. I want to see them work together as equals. I want to see them to take their rightful place among the nations of the world, for the service of God and humanity.”
About 1915, as Gandhi’s ideas spread throughout British India, Ghaffar Khan found a kindred spirit about 20 years his senior. He met Gandhi and the two became life long friends. Gandhi coming from Hindu tradition and Ghaffar Khan from Muslim beliefs found a common thread, a divine strength to resist evil and tyranny through a resolute spirit and love of humanity. Ghaffar Khan traveled through Pashtun villages in next three years and started an organization called “Divine Servants”. He taught the quick-tempered and straightforward Pashtuns, the true meaning of “Will”, strength of character and willingness to suffer for truth, the greater Jihad.
His example of piety, simplicity and honesty brought more than a hundred thousand followers to his cause, who for the first time defied British tyranny non-violently. The British could not believe it; to them a non-violent Pashtun was a contradiction.
They arrested and imprisoned him without trial with the dregs of humanity. They saw him take all the punishment the British could impose in silence and dignity. His prison mates, the thieves, the murderers could not understand him. He explained that they are paying a price for their crime, he was paying a price for his ideals. He was happy paying the price, for he loved his ideals. The prison atmosphere changed, the small fights and complaints of the prisoners stopped, they even stopped bribing the guards for small favors. This upset the system. He was released.
In the next thirty years his organization grew, he gained respect of his friends and enemies, but he kept paying the price. He spent cumulatively about 15 years in various jails, often banished from the Frontier region. Once in a while when released from jail the Pashtuns flocked to him calling him their king “Badshah Khan”.
He emphasized education for girls as well. In a speech he promised women, ”You will have equal share and place with your brothers in this country. We are like two wheels of a chariot, unless our movements are synchronized, our carriage will never move”.
The non-violent struggle of the masses caught the imagination of the civilized world. The British Empire weakened after the World War II was ready to grant Independence to India. The sectarian Hindu and Muslim leaders spread the virus of religious differences among the masses. Violence between the two communities broke out throughout Northern India. The weary British left India to two successor republics, Hindu dominated India and Muslim dominated Pakistan. The resulting convulsion created havoc for the fleeing Muslims from India and Hindus from Pakistan. Gandhi and Ghaffar Khan were morally opposed the partition and narrow-minded sectarianism. They were heart broken.
Gandhi fell to a Hindu assassin’s bullet within six months of India’s freedom. Ghaffar Khan found Pakistan sectarian and often dominated by military dictatorships. He spent the next thirty years, often in jail or in exile. He never compromised his ideals, and kept working for the dignity of the Pashtuns through love and service till his frail body released his indomitable soul.
Gandhi in Hinduism, Ghaffar Khan in Islam and Martin Luther King in Christianity demonstrated that non-violence and love for humanity is perfectly congruent with faith. They require great courage and can not be defeated by force.
Mirza A. Beg can be contacted by email at mab64@yahoo.com
Dr. M. Anwer Beg 02-09-02
Dr. Mirza Anwer Beg
Nov. 8, 1918 - Sept. 2, 2002
Life is a harmonious combination of elements with a breath of soul,
Death is the fragmentation of elements and release from bondage.
September 2nd, 2002 turned out to be a very sad day for the friends and relatives of Dr. Mirza Anwer Beg. He passed away at about 7:00 PM without any apparent pain, he just slumped over sitting in his chair as if gone to sleep. One minute he was there and the next he was gone. He suffered from Asthma and a heart condition for 40 years and had become weaker with age. He had a slight attack of asthma on the last day but was much better by noon. Our prayers rise to heaven, may God grant him peace and paradise through His mercy and grace.
Anwer Beg was born in Jaunpur, a 13th century historic town in northern India in 1918. His father Mirza Haider Beg was a well-known and respected attorney. His mother passed away when he was 2 years old. He was the youngest of five children. His father did not remarry and devoted his efforts to raising Anwer and his siblings.
After his Masters in 1940 he helped his father establish a college for the education of young Muslims and served as its Principal from 1947 to 1950. He came to U.S. and earned a Ph.D. in international Law from the Columbia University. He worked at the United Nations in the South Asia Information Division.
He wrote for many Journals, on topics that were close to his heart such as Apartheid in South Africa, Palestinian struggle, Historical perspective on various Islamic countries, Justice and concept of justice in Islam. These were thoughtful and thought provoking contributions to the intellectual dialogue. He also wrote verses about the human condition and suffering.
In 1976 he Joined Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) as an editor for the Islamic Horizons and Ittehad. He edited and nurtured these journals with distinction and retired in December 1985.
He moved to Tuscaloosa, Alabama after retirement and lived a very productive life till the last moments. He kept writing and publishing articles and editing writings of friends and relatives just for the asking. He gave himself in full measure to whatever cause he helped.
A few hours before he passed away he completed a 50-page manuscript on the legacy of Kamal Ataturk for Turkey.
He lived a full productive life and touched those who knew him deeply. May God help his friends and relatives to bear the loss!
Nov. 8, 1918 - Sept. 2, 2002
Life is a harmonious combination of elements with a breath of soul,
Death is the fragmentation of elements and release from bondage.
September 2nd, 2002 turned out to be a very sad day for the friends and relatives of Dr. Mirza Anwer Beg. He passed away at about 7:00 PM without any apparent pain, he just slumped over sitting in his chair as if gone to sleep. One minute he was there and the next he was gone. He suffered from Asthma and a heart condition for 40 years and had become weaker with age. He had a slight attack of asthma on the last day but was much better by noon. Our prayers rise to heaven, may God grant him peace and paradise through His mercy and grace.
Anwer Beg was born in Jaunpur, a 13th century historic town in northern India in 1918. His father Mirza Haider Beg was a well-known and respected attorney. His mother passed away when he was 2 years old. He was the youngest of five children. His father did not remarry and devoted his efforts to raising Anwer and his siblings.
After his Masters in 1940 he helped his father establish a college for the education of young Muslims and served as its Principal from 1947 to 1950. He came to U.S. and earned a Ph.D. in international Law from the Columbia University. He worked at the United Nations in the South Asia Information Division.
He wrote for many Journals, on topics that were close to his heart such as Apartheid in South Africa, Palestinian struggle, Historical perspective on various Islamic countries, Justice and concept of justice in Islam. These were thoughtful and thought provoking contributions to the intellectual dialogue. He also wrote verses about the human condition and suffering.
In 1976 he Joined Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) as an editor for the Islamic Horizons and Ittehad. He edited and nurtured these journals with distinction and retired in December 1985.
He moved to Tuscaloosa, Alabama after retirement and lived a very productive life till the last moments. He kept writing and publishing articles and editing writings of friends and relatives just for the asking. He gave himself in full measure to whatever cause he helped.
A few hours before he passed away he completed a 50-page manuscript on the legacy of Kamal Ataturk for Turkey.
He lived a full productive life and touched those who knew him deeply. May God help his friends and relatives to bear the loss!
Education, a view 04-10-15
A Perspective on Education
Mirza A. Beg
Written September 20, 2004
Sadbhav Mission Patrika September-October 2004
As a former educator and a life long student, I have observed that human beings go through three stages of knowledge, or the idea of 'knowing'. The first stage is when people are unlettered, as it used to be when I was a young man in India. They could not read or write and they knew their knowledge was very limited. I used to make an effort to talk to them when I could, particularly while travelling in trains. An average poor villager was very religious in a ritualistic way (Hindus and Muslims), but I never heard him pass an unkind and insulting remarks about others. He was helpful, courteous in an unpolished (non-fake) way. He was what he was and he let others be what they were. However the upper cast people who held better jobs or wielded power were often less tolerant of others especially the week.
Gradually the literacy increased in India and around the world. Now people read, but unfortunately only those things that appeal to their preconceived notion of good that fortifies their base prejudices and make them feel good and superior to others. It is true in India, the US, and from the news I surmise in almost all other countries societies and religious traditions. It creates hatred for others, based on ignorance perpetrated in the garb of education. To reach their goal the fascists in India paid special attention to propaganda through textbooks, many eloquent articles have been written about the assault on education by the former fascistic ruling party (the BJP) in India.
To get to the third stage when people truly get educated is to realize how little one knows, and to strive with introspection to see events and ideas from the others perspective as well. It leads to the simple realization that humans have enormous amounts in common with miniscule differences. These small differences can even be useful with tolerant discourse and be actually helpful in the progress of the humanity.
Unfortunately most of the world is entrapped in the second stage of contrived and cultivated ignorance replacing the simplicity of "not knowing" because of being unlettered. Most of the news media thrives on half-truths packaged as news. To get to the third stage is the challenge of modern structured education. We become scientists, engineers, physicians, accountants and businessmen. Smart people, without any grounding in philosophy, history in its many shades, comparative religious studies, ethics and morality. The educational systems, from pre-school to XII grade need to work hard at it, because this is the essence of humane education and relationships.
The challenge is enormous. Various political systems in the world strive for prosperity and some sort of hegemony without acknowledging it. These systems may be classified in four broad categories.
1. The Religious supremacy states: Their time is on the wane, but still some are very much in vogue as in case of religion based states. "Islamic states" Saudi Arabia and many others, Israel's insistence on Jewish supremacy, even the fascists in India would like to see India in that group.
2. The Communistic States: Their time is also past, where party in the name of the people became the instrument of oppression by concentration of power in very few hands, such as former USSR, North Korea and China. China is gradually moving towards a hybrid capitalistic dictatorship with communist mask.
3. The Capitalistic states: They seem to get the highest billing these days. They are very successful in creating new opportunities and advances because of freedom to achieve by those best endowed with brains wealth and power. It creates new technology and wealth by the most capable but leaves much destruction and misery for those, unable cope, the weaker sections of the society. The US, and to a lesser extant many former dictatorships flourishing now are good examples.
4. The Socialistic States: Many European countries are doing very well after being stung or destroyed by capitalistic fascism and religious imperialism. India also belongs to this group or certainly used to. Among the post WWII, liberated poor countries that are at the threshold of breakthrough in the industrialized world, India is a unique example where the government, often inadequately tried to lift the masses along with the privileged into the future of freedom and opportunity.
Pakistan on the other hand tried the amalgam of 1st and 3rd categories. It lost Bangladesh and is teetering on the brink of further break up. Korea and China and other similar countries went the way of draconian dictatorships and have achieved much, by sacrificing about three generations, of millions of innocent lives lost and exploited.
Obviously bringing the teaming masses along slows down the progress, but it is worth the effort if one cares about the process and the humanity rather than the end result irrespective of human toll.
Today those taking credit for India's advancement are disingenuous in not giving credit the socialistic vision of Nehru and his colleagues.
Mass education it is a complex, difficult and multifaceted task. There are no clear compartmentalized answers. The government that does not worry about the deprived and the weakest sections of the society is not a good government. The government that does not facilitate a multifaceted liberal education is a party to the spread of discord in the country and the world.
Mirza A Beg invites comments. Mab64@yahoo.com
Mirza A. Beg
Written September 20, 2004
Sadbhav Mission Patrika September-October 2004
As a former educator and a life long student, I have observed that human beings go through three stages of knowledge, or the idea of 'knowing'. The first stage is when people are unlettered, as it used to be when I was a young man in India. They could not read or write and they knew their knowledge was very limited. I used to make an effort to talk to them when I could, particularly while travelling in trains. An average poor villager was very religious in a ritualistic way (Hindus and Muslims), but I never heard him pass an unkind and insulting remarks about others. He was helpful, courteous in an unpolished (non-fake) way. He was what he was and he let others be what they were. However the upper cast people who held better jobs or wielded power were often less tolerant of others especially the week.
Gradually the literacy increased in India and around the world. Now people read, but unfortunately only those things that appeal to their preconceived notion of good that fortifies their base prejudices and make them feel good and superior to others. It is true in India, the US, and from the news I surmise in almost all other countries societies and religious traditions. It creates hatred for others, based on ignorance perpetrated in the garb of education. To reach their goal the fascists in India paid special attention to propaganda through textbooks, many eloquent articles have been written about the assault on education by the former fascistic ruling party (the BJP) in India.
To get to the third stage when people truly get educated is to realize how little one knows, and to strive with introspection to see events and ideas from the others perspective as well. It leads to the simple realization that humans have enormous amounts in common with miniscule differences. These small differences can even be useful with tolerant discourse and be actually helpful in the progress of the humanity.
Unfortunately most of the world is entrapped in the second stage of contrived and cultivated ignorance replacing the simplicity of "not knowing" because of being unlettered. Most of the news media thrives on half-truths packaged as news. To get to the third stage is the challenge of modern structured education. We become scientists, engineers, physicians, accountants and businessmen. Smart people, without any grounding in philosophy, history in its many shades, comparative religious studies, ethics and morality. The educational systems, from pre-school to XII grade need to work hard at it, because this is the essence of humane education and relationships.
The challenge is enormous. Various political systems in the world strive for prosperity and some sort of hegemony without acknowledging it. These systems may be classified in four broad categories.
1. The Religious supremacy states: Their time is on the wane, but still some are very much in vogue as in case of religion based states. "Islamic states" Saudi Arabia and many others, Israel's insistence on Jewish supremacy, even the fascists in India would like to see India in that group.
2. The Communistic States: Their time is also past, where party in the name of the people became the instrument of oppression by concentration of power in very few hands, such as former USSR, North Korea and China. China is gradually moving towards a hybrid capitalistic dictatorship with communist mask.
3. The Capitalistic states: They seem to get the highest billing these days. They are very successful in creating new opportunities and advances because of freedom to achieve by those best endowed with brains wealth and power. It creates new technology and wealth by the most capable but leaves much destruction and misery for those, unable cope, the weaker sections of the society. The US, and to a lesser extant many former dictatorships flourishing now are good examples.
4. The Socialistic States: Many European countries are doing very well after being stung or destroyed by capitalistic fascism and religious imperialism. India also belongs to this group or certainly used to. Among the post WWII, liberated poor countries that are at the threshold of breakthrough in the industrialized world, India is a unique example where the government, often inadequately tried to lift the masses along with the privileged into the future of freedom and opportunity.
Pakistan on the other hand tried the amalgam of 1st and 3rd categories. It lost Bangladesh and is teetering on the brink of further break up. Korea and China and other similar countries went the way of draconian dictatorships and have achieved much, by sacrificing about three generations, of millions of innocent lives lost and exploited.
Obviously bringing the teaming masses along slows down the progress, but it is worth the effort if one cares about the process and the humanity rather than the end result irrespective of human toll.
Today those taking credit for India's advancement are disingenuous in not giving credit the socialistic vision of Nehru and his colleagues.
Mass education it is a complex, difficult and multifaceted task. There are no clear compartmentalized answers. The government that does not worry about the deprived and the weakest sections of the society is not a good government. The government that does not facilitate a multifaceted liberal education is a party to the spread of discord in the country and the world.
Mirza A Beg invites comments. Mab64@yahoo.com
Monday, May 21, 2007
Greetings for 2006 05-12-30
Greetings and Best Wishes for 2006
Mirza A. Beg
December 30, 2005
Dear Friends:
On the eve of the year 2005, I feel blessed in having you as friends and intellectual companions. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to have corresponded with you, learnt from you and indulged in one of the most intellectually civilized activity of discussing thorny and complex problems of our day with you.
We often agreed but sometimes disagreed with respect and care. Occasionally I did hear from people not on my mailing list, a few crude remarks. Some times even they came around to a civil dialogue. We seem to be blessed with more forbearance compared to the shrill and rude arguments of the last few years among our leaders, particularly the politico-religious types, who shroud themselves with religion or patriotism, insulting both in the process. In the name of the truth of their religions often they do not hesitate to tell a lie. The saddest part is that many fall for it.
The start of the third millenium was reasonably peaceful and the world appeared to be poised toward a better and more civil future. The selfish short sightedness of our leaders devoid of intellectual depth has derailed that hoped for future. I hope it is not as dire as expressed in the following lines.
History's sad tormented unblinking eyes,
have witnessed many a twist and turn.
Deeds of fleeting impetuous moments,
extracted grim price, from hapless centuries.
My ardent wish is that we would be instrumental in reversing the gruesome trend of the last few years, in 2006 and bring in an era of hoped for peace, civility and decency for our children and us.
May the New Year be happy and deeply satisfying to you and your loved ones and the humanity. Warm regards,
Mirza A. Beg
December 30, 2005
Dear Friends:
On the eve of the year 2005, I feel blessed in having you as friends and intellectual companions. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to have corresponded with you, learnt from you and indulged in one of the most intellectually civilized activity of discussing thorny and complex problems of our day with you.
We often agreed but sometimes disagreed with respect and care. Occasionally I did hear from people not on my mailing list, a few crude remarks. Some times even they came around to a civil dialogue. We seem to be blessed with more forbearance compared to the shrill and rude arguments of the last few years among our leaders, particularly the politico-religious types, who shroud themselves with religion or patriotism, insulting both in the process. In the name of the truth of their religions often they do not hesitate to tell a lie. The saddest part is that many fall for it.
The start of the third millenium was reasonably peaceful and the world appeared to be poised toward a better and more civil future. The selfish short sightedness of our leaders devoid of intellectual depth has derailed that hoped for future. I hope it is not as dire as expressed in the following lines.
History's sad tormented unblinking eyes,
have witnessed many a twist and turn.
Deeds of fleeting impetuous moments,
extracted grim price, from hapless centuries.
My ardent wish is that we would be instrumental in reversing the gruesome trend of the last few years, in 2006 and bring in an era of hoped for peace, civility and decency for our children and us.
May the New Year be happy and deeply satisfying to you and your loved ones and the humanity. Warm regards,
Greetings for 2005 04-12-14
A Wish for the Year 2005
Mirza A. Beg
Written, December 14, 2004
Muslims Wake Up (on line), Thursday, December 16,2004
http://www.muslimwakeup.com/main/archives/2004/12/a_new_years_wis.php
Al Jazeerah (on line), Friday, December 17, 2004
http://aljazeerah.info/Opinion%20editorials/2004%20opinions/December/17%20o/A%20Wish%20for%20the%20Year%202005%20By%20Mirza%20A.%20Beg.htm
Media Monitors Network, Friday December 17, 2004
http://world.mediamonitors.net/headlines/a_wish_for_the_year_2005
Axis of Logic.com, Saturday, December 18,2004
http://www.axisoflogic.com/artman/publish/article_14539.shtml
Tuscaloosa News, Sunday, December 26th, 2004
http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041226/NEWS/412260328/1013/EDITORIAL2
Birmingham Post-Herald, Thursday, December 30, 2004
http://www.postherald.com/co123004.shtml
The year 2004 is coming to a close, to fade into history. It is a time when many of us are prone to take stock and express our hopes and desires for the future. Those who can afford will find refuge in this season of festivities and let desires negate hope and trump reality.
Last month Hindus celebrated Divali, the festival of lights; Muslims celebrated Eid, offering thanks after the month of Ramadhan. In December Jews celebrate Chanukah; and the Christians celebrate Christmas -- followed by the hope of renewal and a better future in year 2005, yet to unfold.
But will there be a renewal? The wars raging in Iraq and Afghanistan have claimed more than one hundred thousand innocent lives and more will be killed in the coming year. There are other great humanitarian disasters, some simmering, some raging, overshadowed by the war in Iraq.
The wars and disasters are raging in Chechnya, Palestine, Darfur and Congo to name a few. Fortunately there are some brighter spots. India and Pakistan have found more humane leaders, therefore hapless people of Kashmir are doing better. Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Kosovo are on an upward trajectory. There are a million indignities heaped by the politically and militarily strong over the weak. Average, decent, hardworking people around the world are too busy making the two ends meet - oblivious that in their names, man-made calamities are stalking not so far off lands.
In this season of gaiety, we can hope for the betterment of the world. But hope is not enough; a tremendous amount of work is required. It is prudent to recognize the realities imposed by our present leaders, mostly because of our inaction. In the words of my brother, "The sins of the rich and powerful are visited on the poor and the weak".
This means the meek shall inherit the Earth, in a very distant future, if at all. Let us not hold our breath. While paying lip service, such ideas are against the policy of the present occupant of the White House as well as many other leaders. It is sad that they are depriving and killing the meek and the poor in the name of their religions, and it is even sadder that they know they can blind us by invoking the name of our religions.
Those who see injustice and keep quite, end up being silent supporters of oppression, branded by the politicians as the silent majority. The "innocent" bystanders are no longer as innocent as they want to believe, especially in a democracy. If we do not object to our government's doing harm to others, at home and abroad, in the name of pre-emptive war, then we are guilty because in a democracy we are the government.
The convoluted definition of defense has become continuous offense, and unfortunately it is celebrated in the name of Nationalism.
There are many decent people around the world who believe and practice the code, "Treat others the way you want to be treated". If we look carefully, such people are not hard to find in our communities. I have had the good fortune of knowing many such people from different countries and religions.
Let us find such people and help them work for a more caring and peaceful world. There are courageous people from all religions and those who do not subscribe to any religion, who are bravely and humanely struggling to make it a better world for all.
· Hindus who worship "Bramha", the universal spirit, and work against the fascistic forces in India.
· Jews who resist all racism, not just anti-Semitism, and promote Palestinian rights.
· Muslims who resist oppressive, "Islamic regimes" and struggle for the rights of minorities.
· Christians who practice what Christ taught and not hegemonic interpretation of "The book of Revelation".
· Buddhists, Jains and those who practice to find peace for themselves and others.
· Those who do not practice any religion, but struggle for the dignity of all humans.
Let us have hope, but more important, let us help those who refuse to keep quiet and dare to raise their voices against all oppressions, foreign and domestic, so that 2005 and the years to come may be more in line with our aspirations.
Mirza A. Beg may be contacted at mab64@yahoo.com.
Mirza A. Beg
Written, December 14, 2004
Muslims Wake Up (on line), Thursday, December 16,2004
http://www.muslimwakeup.com/main/archives/2004/12/a_new_years_wis.php
Al Jazeerah (on line), Friday, December 17, 2004
http://aljazeerah.info/Opinion%20editorials/2004%20opinions/December/17%20o/A%20Wish%20for%20the%20Year%202005%20By%20Mirza%20A.%20Beg.htm
Media Monitors Network, Friday December 17, 2004
http://world.mediamonitors.net/headlines/a_wish_for_the_year_2005
Axis of Logic.com, Saturday, December 18,2004
http://www.axisoflogic.com/artman/publish/article_14539.shtml
Tuscaloosa News, Sunday, December 26th, 2004
http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041226/NEWS/412260328/1013/EDITORIAL2
Birmingham Post-Herald, Thursday, December 30, 2004
http://www.postherald.com/co123004.shtml
The year 2004 is coming to a close, to fade into history. It is a time when many of us are prone to take stock and express our hopes and desires for the future. Those who can afford will find refuge in this season of festivities and let desires negate hope and trump reality.
Last month Hindus celebrated Divali, the festival of lights; Muslims celebrated Eid, offering thanks after the month of Ramadhan. In December Jews celebrate Chanukah; and the Christians celebrate Christmas -- followed by the hope of renewal and a better future in year 2005, yet to unfold.
But will there be a renewal? The wars raging in Iraq and Afghanistan have claimed more than one hundred thousand innocent lives and more will be killed in the coming year. There are other great humanitarian disasters, some simmering, some raging, overshadowed by the war in Iraq.
The wars and disasters are raging in Chechnya, Palestine, Darfur and Congo to name a few. Fortunately there are some brighter spots. India and Pakistan have found more humane leaders, therefore hapless people of Kashmir are doing better. Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Kosovo are on an upward trajectory. There are a million indignities heaped by the politically and militarily strong over the weak. Average, decent, hardworking people around the world are too busy making the two ends meet - oblivious that in their names, man-made calamities are stalking not so far off lands.
In this season of gaiety, we can hope for the betterment of the world. But hope is not enough; a tremendous amount of work is required. It is prudent to recognize the realities imposed by our present leaders, mostly because of our inaction. In the words of my brother, "The sins of the rich and powerful are visited on the poor and the weak".
This means the meek shall inherit the Earth, in a very distant future, if at all. Let us not hold our breath. While paying lip service, such ideas are against the policy of the present occupant of the White House as well as many other leaders. It is sad that they are depriving and killing the meek and the poor in the name of their religions, and it is even sadder that they know they can blind us by invoking the name of our religions.
Those who see injustice and keep quite, end up being silent supporters of oppression, branded by the politicians as the silent majority. The "innocent" bystanders are no longer as innocent as they want to believe, especially in a democracy. If we do not object to our government's doing harm to others, at home and abroad, in the name of pre-emptive war, then we are guilty because in a democracy we are the government.
The convoluted definition of defense has become continuous offense, and unfortunately it is celebrated in the name of Nationalism.
There are many decent people around the world who believe and practice the code, "Treat others the way you want to be treated". If we look carefully, such people are not hard to find in our communities. I have had the good fortune of knowing many such people from different countries and religions.
Let us find such people and help them work for a more caring and peaceful world. There are courageous people from all religions and those who do not subscribe to any religion, who are bravely and humanely struggling to make it a better world for all.
· Hindus who worship "Bramha", the universal spirit, and work against the fascistic forces in India.
· Jews who resist all racism, not just anti-Semitism, and promote Palestinian rights.
· Muslims who resist oppressive, "Islamic regimes" and struggle for the rights of minorities.
· Christians who practice what Christ taught and not hegemonic interpretation of "The book of Revelation".
· Buddhists, Jains and those who practice to find peace for themselves and others.
· Those who do not practice any religion, but struggle for the dignity of all humans.
Let us have hope, but more important, let us help those who refuse to keep quiet and dare to raise their voices against all oppressions, foreign and domestic, so that 2005 and the years to come may be more in line with our aspirations.
Mirza A. Beg may be contacted at mab64@yahoo.com.
Greetings for 2004 03-12-09
A wish for the Year 2004
Mirza A. Beg
Written, December 9, 2003
Birmingham News, Sunday, December 28th, 2003
Tuscaloosa News, Sunday, December 28th, 2003
Birmingham Post-Herald, Monday, December 29th, 2003
This is a festive time of the year. With all the disheartening news from around the world, people who can afford to find refuge in this season of festivities.
In November, Hindus celebrated Divali, the festival of lights. Muslims celebrated Eid, to offer thanks after fasting for the month of Ramadhan. Thanksgiving is a secular feast. Jews celebrate Chanukah, and the Christians have celebrated Christmas, followed by the hope of renewal in the New Year, 2004.
These are festive occasions to be with the family. Most involve giving gifts, to each other, to loved ones and cherished friends.
One cannot help but be reminded that at the birth of this nascent New Year in the new fledgling century that a majority of the world’s inhabitants do not have enough to eat to sustain themselves. A majority suffers from paucity of food and rudimentary housing.
The order of the nature’s design of birth, childhood, maturity, old age and death is inverted in many parts of the world; the children die before the eyes of the helpless and hapless parents. Unfortunately, at the dawn of the 21st century, we still accept these realities as part of nature.
As if the vagaries of nature were not enough, humans add to that burden many fold, though they have the where with all and are capable of ameliorating it. The wars are raging in Chechnya, the Middle East, Kashmir, Southern Philippines, Aceh in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Iraq and Afghanistan. There are a million indignities heaped by the politically and militarily strong over the weak. Powerful wield the megaphone of access to the media, while the millions in Africa, Latin America and Asia suffer in “sound-proofed chambers" of neglect.
The continual din of loud barren pronouncements by self-serving world leaders drowns out the quiet, humane, selfless work done by thousands of decent human beings to wipe some tears, to put food in a hungry mouth and to tend to sick with no access to medical help. Yes, there are many who have worked tirelessly to wipe the tears of others simply because it was the right thing to do. Because they could not help but give more than expected. In many cases their lives.
Among the thousands of conscience-keepers of the world, a few names did emerge in the news, indelibly written across the year 2003. Martha Myers of Alabama, William Koehn and Donald Caswell of Texas, Kathleen Gariety of Wisconsin gave their lives targeted by the terrorists bullets serving the needy in Yemen. Rachel Corrie of Washington State died under the bulldozer shielding from demolition the homes of destitute Palestinians. Nameless Iraqi doctors and nurses cared for Jessica Lynch at a grave risk to their own lives. Dr. Hameed, chairman of Cipla drugs from India, shamed the Western drug producers into letting him mass produce the AIDS drugs for the world’s poor at cost, bringing the cost down from $12,000 to $140 per patient per year.
Most people pray for whatever they consider important. All decent people pray for peace and good will. Some invent a sectarian God to play favorites in their petty wars and pray to win. These prayers are almost as old as the human race. Oppressed pray for the defeat of the oppressor and, in time, adopt the same traits and oppress others.
It is time for a different prayer:
May the meek find the strength of pride!
May the arrogant taste humility!
May the oppressed find the strength to rebel!
May the oppressor suffer the pain of deprivation!
May the weak find inner strength!
May the strong find the grace to protect the week!
May those who have a lot find satiation!
May the destitute find dignity of being!
And may all of us find friends that care.
Mirza A. Beg can be contacted at mab64@yahoo.com.
Mirza A. Beg
Written, December 9, 2003
Birmingham News, Sunday, December 28th, 2003
Tuscaloosa News, Sunday, December 28th, 2003
Birmingham Post-Herald, Monday, December 29th, 2003
This is a festive time of the year. With all the disheartening news from around the world, people who can afford to find refuge in this season of festivities.
In November, Hindus celebrated Divali, the festival of lights. Muslims celebrated Eid, to offer thanks after fasting for the month of Ramadhan. Thanksgiving is a secular feast. Jews celebrate Chanukah, and the Christians have celebrated Christmas, followed by the hope of renewal in the New Year, 2004.
These are festive occasions to be with the family. Most involve giving gifts, to each other, to loved ones and cherished friends.
One cannot help but be reminded that at the birth of this nascent New Year in the new fledgling century that a majority of the world’s inhabitants do not have enough to eat to sustain themselves. A majority suffers from paucity of food and rudimentary housing.
The order of the nature’s design of birth, childhood, maturity, old age and death is inverted in many parts of the world; the children die before the eyes of the helpless and hapless parents. Unfortunately, at the dawn of the 21st century, we still accept these realities as part of nature.
As if the vagaries of nature were not enough, humans add to that burden many fold, though they have the where with all and are capable of ameliorating it. The wars are raging in Chechnya, the Middle East, Kashmir, Southern Philippines, Aceh in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Iraq and Afghanistan. There are a million indignities heaped by the politically and militarily strong over the weak. Powerful wield the megaphone of access to the media, while the millions in Africa, Latin America and Asia suffer in “sound-proofed chambers" of neglect.
The continual din of loud barren pronouncements by self-serving world leaders drowns out the quiet, humane, selfless work done by thousands of decent human beings to wipe some tears, to put food in a hungry mouth and to tend to sick with no access to medical help. Yes, there are many who have worked tirelessly to wipe the tears of others simply because it was the right thing to do. Because they could not help but give more than expected. In many cases their lives.
Among the thousands of conscience-keepers of the world, a few names did emerge in the news, indelibly written across the year 2003. Martha Myers of Alabama, William Koehn and Donald Caswell of Texas, Kathleen Gariety of Wisconsin gave their lives targeted by the terrorists bullets serving the needy in Yemen. Rachel Corrie of Washington State died under the bulldozer shielding from demolition the homes of destitute Palestinians. Nameless Iraqi doctors and nurses cared for Jessica Lynch at a grave risk to their own lives. Dr. Hameed, chairman of Cipla drugs from India, shamed the Western drug producers into letting him mass produce the AIDS drugs for the world’s poor at cost, bringing the cost down from $12,000 to $140 per patient per year.
Most people pray for whatever they consider important. All decent people pray for peace and good will. Some invent a sectarian God to play favorites in their petty wars and pray to win. These prayers are almost as old as the human race. Oppressed pray for the defeat of the oppressor and, in time, adopt the same traits and oppress others.
It is time for a different prayer:
May the meek find the strength of pride!
May the arrogant taste humility!
May the oppressed find the strength to rebel!
May the oppressor suffer the pain of deprivation!
May the weak find inner strength!
May the strong find the grace to protect the week!
May those who have a lot find satiation!
May the destitute find dignity of being!
And may all of us find friends that care.
Mirza A. Beg can be contacted at mab64@yahoo.com.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Greetings for 2003 02-12-15
Mirza A. Beg
December 15th, 2002
Greetings dear Friends:
This time of the year is for festivity tempered with reflections. We give and get gifts, some mundane, some meaningful. We feel the warmth or deprivation of the loved ones more acutely. In the past two Christmases, parts of the world that many of us did not know even existed, entered our lives to tug us in unfamiliar dimensions.
Those prone to reflection find confusing street signs in search of meaningful directions, others cling to the cliched moorings and fear exposure.
It is not as new and different a world as it appears. It had been on our television screens for a long time. Now it has spilled out in our lives. They think they know us, we think we know them, often as caricatures than fellow humans. It is not the time to draw a line between them and us; it is an opportunity to face the outside world with strength yes, but even more with understanding. Strength without understanding is usually misdirected.
We, in this country have been blessed with more wealth and opportunities than most in the world. In this season of giving and receiving, we need to keep in mind, "to those whom much is given, more is expected". Understanding is much harder to give and receive, than material things.
May you have a happy Christmas, and a peaceful and fulfilling New Year! With a prayer for "Peace on Earth and goodwill to mankind"!
You may Contact Mirza A. Beg at mab64@yahoo.com
December 15th, 2002
Greetings dear Friends:
This time of the year is for festivity tempered with reflections. We give and get gifts, some mundane, some meaningful. We feel the warmth or deprivation of the loved ones more acutely. In the past two Christmases, parts of the world that many of us did not know even existed, entered our lives to tug us in unfamiliar dimensions.
Those prone to reflection find confusing street signs in search of meaningful directions, others cling to the cliched moorings and fear exposure.
It is not as new and different a world as it appears. It had been on our television screens for a long time. Now it has spilled out in our lives. They think they know us, we think we know them, often as caricatures than fellow humans. It is not the time to draw a line between them and us; it is an opportunity to face the outside world with strength yes, but even more with understanding. Strength without understanding is usually misdirected.
We, in this country have been blessed with more wealth and opportunities than most in the world. In this season of giving and receiving, we need to keep in mind, "to those whom much is given, more is expected". Understanding is much harder to give and receive, than material things.
May you have a happy Christmas, and a peaceful and fulfilling New Year! With a prayer for "Peace on Earth and goodwill to mankind"!
You may Contact Mirza A. Beg at mab64@yahoo.com
Peter Dix - Memory 04-03-18
Mirza A. Beg
March, 18th 2004
A few days ago, I had a sad telephone call from John Breitbart, informing me of passing of Peter Dix.
My uncle whose initials were the same as mine was a very close friend of Peter for more than 40 years. He passed away in 2002. He spent his retirement years in Tuscaloosa. We often talked about Peter and occasionally called him on telephone.
In 1969 I came from India at the height of Vietnam War and visited my uncle in New York. Peter was the first American I met socially. I was immensely pleased to find that he was the very antithesis of the "Ugly American", the image projected of America at the time, by the Johnson and Nixon administrations and is being revived with gusto by the present administration.
Peter was one of the most honest and benign persons I have ever known. He lived frugally and worked tirelessly for the causes he supported. He was not an arm chair liberal. All of us know such liberals, all words and criticism of others but no action, from the comfort of a well-paid job and a warm home. He had the courage of his convictions, for which he put his lively-hood, his time, his material comforts, and even his health on the line.
I remember clearly that he suffered from acute asthma that eventually deteriorated to emphysema. Ignoring the persistent pestering cough, facing biting winter winds blowing through the crisscrossing gorges formed by the towering buildings of New York, he protested, demonstrated, and stood firm against what he believed to be injustices to the common man. Images of a strong resilient lonely reed standing firmly planted against the gale force Hurricane winds come to mind.
Peter saw what to him was obvious but others refuse to see. Sight is a faculty that all posses but seeing is an art that only a few are blessed with. Honing this art is not effortless. It requires sacrifice of time, opening of the eyelids burdened with cultural baggage. People like Peter become the conscience keepers of their religions and their societies. Very seldom are they cherished by the masses, never by the establishment. If and when the establishment adopts them or their creed, it is apt to misuse or misinterpret them.
To know him was to know the beauty of a caring soul. I know my uncle would have wanted to say much more, and more eloquently. I thank him for introducing me to Peter, and I will forever be indebted to Peter for showing me the beauty of humility, the strength that comes from the courage from deep unadulterated conviction, and the will to act on those convictions under the shadow of real or imagined dangers.
When I speak of these ideas at a gathering or to an individual, I feel I am passing a little of Peter on to others. Many around the world do not know Peter but they have been touched by his idealism and they have lost a true friend.
Mirza A. Beg
Mab64@yahoo.com
March, 18th 2004
A few days ago, I had a sad telephone call from John Breitbart, informing me of passing of Peter Dix.
My uncle whose initials were the same as mine was a very close friend of Peter for more than 40 years. He passed away in 2002. He spent his retirement years in Tuscaloosa. We often talked about Peter and occasionally called him on telephone.
In 1969 I came from India at the height of Vietnam War and visited my uncle in New York. Peter was the first American I met socially. I was immensely pleased to find that he was the very antithesis of the "Ugly American", the image projected of America at the time, by the Johnson and Nixon administrations and is being revived with gusto by the present administration.
Peter was one of the most honest and benign persons I have ever known. He lived frugally and worked tirelessly for the causes he supported. He was not an arm chair liberal. All of us know such liberals, all words and criticism of others but no action, from the comfort of a well-paid job and a warm home. He had the courage of his convictions, for which he put his lively-hood, his time, his material comforts, and even his health on the line.
I remember clearly that he suffered from acute asthma that eventually deteriorated to emphysema. Ignoring the persistent pestering cough, facing biting winter winds blowing through the crisscrossing gorges formed by the towering buildings of New York, he protested, demonstrated, and stood firm against what he believed to be injustices to the common man. Images of a strong resilient lonely reed standing firmly planted against the gale force Hurricane winds come to mind.
Peter saw what to him was obvious but others refuse to see. Sight is a faculty that all posses but seeing is an art that only a few are blessed with. Honing this art is not effortless. It requires sacrifice of time, opening of the eyelids burdened with cultural baggage. People like Peter become the conscience keepers of their religions and their societies. Very seldom are they cherished by the masses, never by the establishment. If and when the establishment adopts them or their creed, it is apt to misuse or misinterpret them.
To know him was to know the beauty of a caring soul. I know my uncle would have wanted to say much more, and more eloquently. I thank him for introducing me to Peter, and I will forever be indebted to Peter for showing me the beauty of humility, the strength that comes from the courage from deep unadulterated conviction, and the will to act on those convictions under the shadow of real or imagined dangers.
When I speak of these ideas at a gathering or to an individual, I feel I am passing a little of Peter on to others. Many around the world do not know Peter but they have been touched by his idealism and they have lost a true friend.
Mirza A. Beg
Mab64@yahoo.com
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Lessons of History 06-10-30
Lessons from History,
Tranquil Ripples to Convulsive Tides
Mirza A. Beg
Written, October 30th 2006
Voices in wartime – Wednesday, November 1, 2006 http://voicesinwartime.org/Home/Article/DisplayArticle.aspx?AuthorID=106932&TypeofContent=Article&ArticleType=1#369781
Counter Currents. Org. Friday, November 3, 2006
http://countercurrents.org/arts-beg031106.htm
Al Jazeerah, Friday, November 3, 2006
http://www.aljazeerah.info/Opinion%20editorials/2006%20Opinion%20Editorials/November/3%20o/Lessons%20from%20History%20Tranquil%20Ripples%20to%20Convulsive%20Tides,%20a%20Poem,%20By%20Mirza%20A.%20Beg.htm
The American Muslim (TAM), Tuesday, November 7, 2006
http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/poetry_lessons_from_history_tranquil_ripples_to_convulsive_tides/0011504
If the purpose of the war in Iraq was just to remove Saddam Hussain. The war was won in May 2003. But the selling slogans of the war were the WMDs and Al-Qaida connections in Iraq. They were proven to be false two years ago. Bringing democracy to Iraqis has also proven to be a farce. The administration has been winning election through fear mongering promising success in six to twelve month for the last three year s. The lies sold to us have come to haunt not only the perpetrators, but the whole country.
There are lessons from history for the arrogance of power that prohibits from accepting mistakes. It leads to an insidious march of folly towards a precipice of self imposed destiny. The following poem is a sort of "essay" on lessons of history. Will we learn?
The lessons of History
Perhaps history channels through 'Karma'
Yesterday's sorrows haunt our tomorrows
Every breath starts a ripple
In the fabric of space and time
Countless little ripples
In quiet repose attenuate
To form tranquil pools of harmony
But in cumulative seething anger of injustice
They build colossal waves to wash away
The burden of mighty Empires
In violent convulsions
June 28 of 1914, was a fateful day
An unknown Serbian, blinded by nationalism
Chauvinistically claimed Bosnia for Serbia,
Shot the visiting Archduke Ferdinand
Heir to the Austrian Empire, in Sarajevo
The shot reverberated to convulse Europe
In arrogance, Austria threatened Serbia
Russia , in Slavic unity threatened Austria
In pride, Germany threatened Russia
Britain and France allies of Russia mobilized
Conceited, 'civilized' denizens of Europe
Fell to propaganda, a delusional phrase,
"A war to end all wars". As cannon fodders,
They lined up to fall over the precipice
In an absurd march of folly
Imperial tyrannies spawn myriad ripples
To raise colossal tides of history
To crush formidable empires
Humbled arrogant Austria and Germany
And washed away the pompous rulers
Of shaky Russian and Turkish Empires
Lessons unheeded, keep on haunting
From generation to generation,
Thus came a greater World conflagration
To dismember Germany and incinerate Japan
In unimagined puffs of nuclear inferno
Mighty winners came up paupers too
British and the French shorn of empires
Confined to their national boundaries
Falling from grandeur of centuries past
New powers, Americans and the Soviets
Grappled to carve the world in bipolar halves
In proxy wars, destroying every innocence
Trampling the globe in a dance of death
The Korean, mid-East and the Vietnam Wars
Inflicting tyrants in the name of democracy
Selling arms, to those with no food
Sowing hunger, trampling hopes and dreams
Of unsuspecting millions in the web of lies
Then came the 'generous' Soviet invasion
Of Afghanistan, a graveyard of past empires
Pillaging and, slaughtering the proletariat
To liberate them, to enjoy the Soviet tyranny
The tortured sigh of the suffering Afghans
Crashed through to implode the Soviet Empire
In a cycle of 'Karma', oblivious of history
Blinkered citizens of the sole "Hyper-power"
Caught between arrogance of power and fear of 9/11
Succumb to an ignoramus bully at the cusp of history,
A fascistic slogan, "Those not with us are against us"
Concocted lies, for wars to create more wars
Maligning freedom, democracy and religion
To "Stay the course" to death and destruction
In validation of every evil in the name of good
Revenge for 3,000 American dead justifies killing
Hundreds of thousands and maiming millions in Iraq
Should the innocent dead Iraqis, be avenged?
Will the millions of ripples unite in a fateful tide?
To wash away the good that wrought so much evil?
Or will we learn, repent and avert the looming tide?
Mirza A. Beg can be reached at mab64@yahoo.com
Tranquil Ripples to Convulsive Tides
Mirza A. Beg
Written, October 30th 2006
Voices in wartime – Wednesday, November 1, 2006 http://voicesinwartime.org/Home/Article/DisplayArticle.aspx?AuthorID=106932&TypeofContent=Article&ArticleType=1#369781
Counter Currents. Org. Friday, November 3, 2006
http://countercurrents.org/arts-beg031106.htm
Al Jazeerah, Friday, November 3, 2006
http://www.aljazeerah.info/Opinion%20editorials/2006%20Opinion%20Editorials/November/3%20o/Lessons%20from%20History%20Tranquil%20Ripples%20to%20Convulsive%20Tides,%20a%20Poem,%20By%20Mirza%20A.%20Beg.htm
The American Muslim (TAM), Tuesday, November 7, 2006
http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/poetry_lessons_from_history_tranquil_ripples_to_convulsive_tides/0011504
If the purpose of the war in Iraq was just to remove Saddam Hussain. The war was won in May 2003. But the selling slogans of the war were the WMDs and Al-Qaida connections in Iraq. They were proven to be false two years ago. Bringing democracy to Iraqis has also proven to be a farce. The administration has been winning election through fear mongering promising success in six to twelve month for the last three year s. The lies sold to us have come to haunt not only the perpetrators, but the whole country.
There are lessons from history for the arrogance of power that prohibits from accepting mistakes. It leads to an insidious march of folly towards a precipice of self imposed destiny. The following poem is a sort of "essay" on lessons of history. Will we learn?
The lessons of History
Perhaps history channels through 'Karma'
Yesterday's sorrows haunt our tomorrows
Every breath starts a ripple
In the fabric of space and time
Countless little ripples
In quiet repose attenuate
To form tranquil pools of harmony
But in cumulative seething anger of injustice
They build colossal waves to wash away
The burden of mighty Empires
In violent convulsions
June 28 of 1914, was a fateful day
An unknown Serbian, blinded by nationalism
Chauvinistically claimed Bosnia for Serbia,
Shot the visiting Archduke Ferdinand
Heir to the Austrian Empire, in Sarajevo
The shot reverberated to convulse Europe
In arrogance, Austria threatened Serbia
Russia , in Slavic unity threatened Austria
In pride, Germany threatened Russia
Britain and France allies of Russia mobilized
Conceited, 'civilized' denizens of Europe
Fell to propaganda, a delusional phrase,
"A war to end all wars". As cannon fodders,
They lined up to fall over the precipice
In an absurd march of folly
Imperial tyrannies spawn myriad ripples
To raise colossal tides of history
To crush formidable empires
Humbled arrogant Austria and Germany
And washed away the pompous rulers
Of shaky Russian and Turkish Empires
Lessons unheeded, keep on haunting
From generation to generation,
Thus came a greater World conflagration
To dismember Germany and incinerate Japan
In unimagined puffs of nuclear inferno
Mighty winners came up paupers too
British and the French shorn of empires
Confined to their national boundaries
Falling from grandeur of centuries past
New powers, Americans and the Soviets
Grappled to carve the world in bipolar halves
In proxy wars, destroying every innocence
Trampling the globe in a dance of death
The Korean, mid-East and the Vietnam Wars
Inflicting tyrants in the name of democracy
Selling arms, to those with no food
Sowing hunger, trampling hopes and dreams
Of unsuspecting millions in the web of lies
Then came the 'generous' Soviet invasion
Of Afghanistan, a graveyard of past empires
Pillaging and, slaughtering the proletariat
To liberate them, to enjoy the Soviet tyranny
The tortured sigh of the suffering Afghans
Crashed through to implode the Soviet Empire
In a cycle of 'Karma', oblivious of history
Blinkered citizens of the sole "Hyper-power"
Caught between arrogance of power and fear of 9/11
Succumb to an ignoramus bully at the cusp of history,
A fascistic slogan, "Those not with us are against us"
Concocted lies, for wars to create more wars
Maligning freedom, democracy and religion
To "Stay the course" to death and destruction
In validation of every evil in the name of good
Revenge for 3,000 American dead justifies killing
Hundreds of thousands and maiming millions in Iraq
Should the innocent dead Iraqis, be avenged?
Will the millions of ripples unite in a fateful tide?
To wash away the good that wrought so much evil?
Or will we learn, repent and avert the looming tide?
Mirza A. Beg can be reached at mab64@yahoo.com
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