Juma Qutba of Moulana Syed Jalaluddin Umari

The arrest of Professor Ghulam Azam: a grandchild's account

Our last visit was limited to a paltry half hour with the four of us observed by eleven standing security personnel and several CCTV cameras. My grandfather was laid across the prison bed, physically weaker than I have ever seen him to be, yet encouragement emanating from his eyes and softly spoken words. I am reminded of his last message. before arrest, calling on his followers to prioritise the protection of the nation and its people over any concern for him and to obey the law. It is a testament to his courage in the face of adversity, his devotion to his country and his spiritual strength while the rest of us quail. My grandfather has always been a frank and honest man. He has remained steadfast by his ideals and his hopes for his country, dedicating his life to these causes in a way I have never witnessed from any other person. As I witness his unchanged spirit in his prison cell, I realise that a man of integrity cannot be conquered.

A. Azam in Open Democracy. (A. Azam is the grandchild of Professor Ghulam Azam and a writer based in Britain.) More Here

The arrest and ordeal of Ghulam Azam Sahib

Veteran leader of the Islamic Movement in the Indian sub-continent Janab Ghulam Azam Sahib is languishing in jail for the past eighteen days. He is 89 years old and affected with age related complications. The attitude of the Bangaladesh Government is depressing, agonising and shameful. What does it want to achieve by torturing a 89 year old leader? The silence of the world community is deafening.

Ghulam Azam Sahib moving with the help of two policemen

Ghulam Azam Sahib waiting for help

Ghulam Azam Sahib - prison van

Inside the prison van

Ghulam Azam getting down from the prison van

Yet you can make a difference. Just click the link How can you help and do the needful. More Photos Here

“I am worried about my husband’s life”

“After seeing him today, I am worried about my husband’s life. At 10.30 am on Friday, the prison authorities agreed 3.30 pm for me to meet my husband at the prison cell. When I arrived there on time, the authorities of the prison cell made me, an 80 year old woman, wait for an hour without even having the courtesy to give reasons. The man (my husband) who left the house for court 16 days ago on 11 January 2012 walking was almost unrecognizable today. He was so weak that he could merely sit on his bed with the help of two people. He is not able to have a single meal in peace. “

“An 89-year-old man needs constant care and support,, whereas he even has to [perform menial tasks such as] washing his own plate. The inhuman behaviour towards him shown by the hospital and prison authorities is a gross violation of human rights. After many oral and written efforts, we could not yet provide him with Qur’an, Hadith, Qur’an Translation and Tafsir (commentary) for the last 17 days that could keep him going in his solitary life. In spite of trying for two weeks, no barber was arranged for him. After the specialist’s recommendation and many oral and written applications, he was allowed some additional foods on Thursday. He is not getting the types of food he needs. There have been around 10-12 applications to the hospital and prison authorities most of which have not even been replied. The way both the authorities are trying to avoid our family is hurtful and extremely discourteous. “

More Here.

A lion roars..!

Do you hear கர்ஜனை  of the lion? I received this photo taken in a mobile thru a friend. The oldman with the mike is Janab P A Syed Muhammad Sahib of Coimbatore. He has been attached with the Islamic Movement for the past fifty years. He has served the Movement in various capacities. He has been the circle Incharge, unit president and district organisor. More than thirty brothers and sisters of his family (sons, daughters, grand sons, grand daughters) are active workers of Islamiya Iyakkam. He is seen here wielding the megaphone canvassing for the canditate contesting in Corporation election in Coimbatore. A placard depicting the symbol of the canditate (Globe) is lying beside him. You can also see a flag of SIO too. Curiously there is no sign of the flag of Welfare Party of India.

Eleven brothers and sisters are in the fray this time. In the last election Br T Muhammad Ismail of Vaniyambadi got elected as MC in the Municipality of Vaniyambadi. He is the first member of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind in the whole of India to get elected to a Municipality. Now this time Br A. Syed Nazeer is contesting for the Municipal Chairmanship in Krishnagiri. If he gets elected he would be the first Municipal Chairman of the Islamic Movement in Tamil Nadu Insha Allah.

Dr Fazlur Rahman Fareedi (Faridi) is no more!

Eminent Islamic Scholar, Ideologue and Islamic Economist, Dr. Fazlurrahman Faridi expired today (monday, 25th July 2011) morning. (Inna lillahi wa inna iliaihi rajiiwoon.) Namaz-e-Janaza and Tadfeen will be on 26th July 2011 at 8:30 AM at Aligarh.

Dr. Faridi has been the member of Markazi Majlis-e-Shura of Jamaat, Editor of Zindagi-e-Nau, Director Research and Study, and has been on board of many trusts and organisations. He wrote many books on Islamic Economic, and on the ideology and strategies of Tahreek in India.

His books on general economics and Islamic Economics are:
1. Nature and Significance of Economic Activity in Islam.
2. Towards a Theory of Fiscal Policy in Islam.
3. Economic Developments and Islamic Moral Values.
4. Essays in Islamic Economic Analysis.
5. Islamic Economics and Economy of Indian Muslims.
6. Living as a Muslim in a Plural Society.
7. Economic Development and Fiscal Policy in Egypt.
8. Indian Economic Development and Planning (1951-1965).
Dr. Faridi was born on 2nd April 1932 in Machli Shahar, Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh. He got Primary Education, high school and intermediate from Jaunpur. He learnt Arabic and Islamiat from Rampur. He did Masters in Economics and Ph.D. from Aligarh Muslim University. He retired as Professor of Economics after a long career in research and teaching in India and abroad.

More Here and Here

H Abdur Raqeeb writes:  

May Allah grant him Jannah

Dr Fazlur Rahman Faridi, was the Chairman of Indian Centre for Islamic Finance-ICIF, New Delhi which is spearheading and striving the cause of Islamic Finance and Banking in our country. One year ago, when he was in the hospital he inaugurated the website of the organization viz., www.icif.in, which is extremely popular and seen in over 50 countries of the world. (News of the launching ceremony Link Here)

When RBI constituted a Working Group in 2005 to study the feasibility of Islamic banking instruments, he was the chief convener of an international conference by JIH, entitled- Equity & Justice: Message of Islamic Banking in FICCI Auditorium which provided an impetus to the activities increasing awareness among the masses, madarsas and mainstream media and the regulators, the need and relevance of Islamic Finance and Banking in our great country.

May Allah grant him Jannah

H Abdur Raqeeb, General Secretary, ICIF in email.

Erdogan leads Turkey - and the Middle East

Situating oneself in a fairly recent decade, if one were to suggest that someday Turkey, a staunchly secularist country, could have an Islamist head of government, it would have seemed a joke. And to suggest that an Islamist leader could as well prove to be the longest-serving leader in that country, second only to Kemal Attaturk, its founder and father figure, would have seemed a macabre joke.

"No way, the Pashas will never allow it to happen." That would be the repartee. The Pashas, or civil or military authorities, are confined to barracks. The results of the parliamentary elections held in Turkey on Sunday need to be put in historical perspective.

Without doubt, the resounding victory by the ruling party AKP (Justice and Development Party) led by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, with a mandate of 50% of popular support is a landmark event. Victory was expected, but not on a scale exceeding the 47% mandate of the 2007 elections.

The heart of the matter is that Turkey is reaching unprecedented heights of economic prosperity and is a land at peace after several decades of strife, bloodshed and chronic political instability. The contrast couldn't be sharper with its neighborhood, which is passing through great upheaval and uncertainties.

Turkey's economy grew at a rate of 9% last year, second only to China's among the Group of 20. The economy is already the world's 17th largest and growing income is beginning to percolate and give people hope of a better tomorrow.

Today, Turkey borrows more cheaply than Spain; a far cry from the not-too-distant past when it used to hold a begging bowl before the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Yet, it also showcases the IMF's success. Turkey has been one of IMF's biggest borrowers - US$25 billion in the past decade - but is well-poised to pay back its debts by 2013. The contrast with Greece, a pristine European Union (EU) member country, is at once obvious.

Unsurprisingly, a Turkish name that spontaneously sailed into view as a terrific candidate for the vacant post of managing director of IMF was of Kemal Davis, who nursed the sick Turkish economy at a critical phase when it was in intensive care. Arguably, it would have been a bitter pill to swallow for EU member countries if a brilliant Turkish wizard were to be employed to restore their economies to recovery.

Explaining Erdogan's mandate

Ironically, as a Bloomberg report wrote, "Rebuffed in its efforts to join the EU, Turkey now borrows at 10-year yields lower than at least eight members of the 27-nation bloc." The Turkish electorate is grateful to Erdogan's government for successful economic management. However, Erdogan's renewed mandate to lead the country for a third successive four-year term demands a much broader explanation.

Personal charisma was certainly a factor, as there is no one today in Turkish politics who can even come up to his shoulders in sheer stature as a statesman. It is a saga that becomes the stuff of an absorbing political biography - a long journey from the backstreets of a Black Sea town to Ankara via Istanbul, from a prison cell to the office of the prime minister, from rabble-rousing Islamism to consensual politics, from a Turkish politician to a towering regional figure who might very well end up in the years ahead moulding the New Middle East in a far more enduring and humane way than the Ottomans from Suleiman the Magnificent could manage through centuries.

The Turkey which Erdogan inherited in 2003 was a practicing democracy in appearance but still had common characteristics with the authoritarian regimes of the Middle East.

The military as the self-appointed Praetorian Guards of the Turkish state; the strong authoritarian undercurrent of the "deep state"; coercion as the instrument to smother dissent; a form of secularism that was as militant and suffocating as any religious extremism; the deep-rooted religiosity of the common people who were observant Muslims but steeped in worldly concerns; and, the inability or refusal to comprehend and to come to terms with political Islam - these were as much features of the Turkish crisis.

Erdogan proved himself to be a "liberator" and a "conqueror". He gently eased Turkey to face the reality that practicing or holding religious beliefs is not antithetical to the state or modernity. The thought churning through the Turkish mind when Erdogan took over the leadership was whether the practice of women wearing headscarves was compatible with the tenets of a secularist state.

M K Bhadrakumar in Asia Times. Here

Moulana Shafi Moonis Sahib is no more!

Moulana Shafi Moonis

Veteran Islamist and old van guard of the Islamic Movement in the Indian subcontinent Moulana Shafi Moonis is no more. He has passed away in New Delhi today. Inna lillahi Wa inna ilaihi rajiwoon. With his demise the Islamic Movement has lost a jewel. An eventful era has come to an end. He was a great tahreeki leader, a contemporary of Moulana Syed Abul A'la Moududi, one who has seen the ups and downs of the tahreek..!

Ameer-e-Jamaat expresses his grief

On his demise Ameer e Jamaat e Islami Hind, Maulana Jalaluddin Umari expressed his deep sorrow and grief and said, ‘a vacuum is created with his demise which seems difficult to fill. His services to the Jamaat and the community are countless and invaluable. May Allah elevate his position.’ (Ameen). More Here
 

Life and times of Moulana Shafi Moonis He was from Muzaffar Nagar District of Uttar Pradesh and born and brought up in a village. He was attached with the socialist group of Congress party. A Salfi Aalim tried to win him over but was originally not successful. As a strategy that Salfi Aalim provided him books written by Maulana Abul Aala Maudoodi. After reading volume three of the book Islam aur Siyasi Kashmakash he was convinced and started participating in the activities of the Jamaat. Thus instead of joining the Salfi movement, which the Salfi Aalim had intended, he was won over by the Jamaat.

He has served the Islamic Movement in various capacities. He was Ameer-e-Muqami of Ghaziabad and when he shifted to Delhi he became Ameer-e-Muqami of the Delhi Jamaat. He has also served as Ameer-e-Halqa of Delhi, Western UP and erstwhile Hyderabad Halqa and Andhra Pradesh zone at various occasions. He had served as Secretary General of the Jamaat for some time. He has been member of the Markazi Majlis-e-Numaindgan and Markazi Majlis-e-Shura for many many decades. Even for this term too he had been elected as a member of Markazi Majlis-e-Numaindgan. Read More 

Jamaat's Iron Man sleeps forever

Moulana was 93 and served the cause of Islam till his last breath. He was a true dayee, mujahid and leader. He was very disciplined and hard worker. I met him last November in the All India Members Conference held in Delhi. I wished him and he gave a brooding look and that's all. He was very frail and weak due to age. Inspite of that he attended the sessions with the zeal of a new convert.

A memorable incident involving Moulana Shafi Moonis
One memorable incident happened at that Ijtima. The conference concluded at the third day itself. The next day a grand public meeting was arranged. It was announced that the meeting would start at 9.00 AM next day. As I was anxious to occupy a seat in the front row I rushed to the auditorium at 8.30AM itself. The auditorium was near empty. Only Dr S. Q. R. Ilyas and some others were there.

Moulana gets down from the dias with the help of volunteers

Then a heartrending incident happened. Moulana Shafi Moonis walked in with the help of two volunteers. They were giving their shoulders to him for support and he moved slowly, slowly step by step. He was very weak and I could feel the difficulty with which he moved his legs. The time was 8.55 AM. With misty eyes I turned back to see the auditorium. It was near empty.

He was there in the dias throughout the programme. It took more than five and half hours. But Moulana Shafi Moonis didn't move from his seat. From where on earth we would bring such dedicated, disciplined workers of the movement. It aches.

நினைவில் நின்ற காட்சி!

மாநாடு முடிந்த பிறகு நான்காம் நாள் பொது நிகழ்ச்சி ஒன்றுக்கு ஏற்பாடு செய்திருந்தார்கள். காலை ஒன்பது மணிக்கு நிகழ்ச்சி தொடங்கும் என அறிவித்திருந்தார்கள். முதல் வரிசையில் இடம் பிடித்து அமர வேண்டும் என்பதற்காக எட்டரை மணிக்கே மாநாட்டுத் திடலில் ஆஜராகிவிட்டோம். நிகழ்ச்சி தொடங்குவதற்கு ஐந்து நிமிடங்களுக்கு முன்பு சரியாக எட்டு ஐம்பத்தைந்துக்கு இரண்டு பேரின் தோள்களில் கைகளை ஊன்றிக் கொண்டு மேடையில் வந்து அமர்ந்துவிட்டார் மௌலானா முஹம்மத் ஷஃபி மூனிஸ். 94 வயது முதியவர் அவர். அறுபதாண்டுகளுக்கும் மேலாக இயக்கப் பணிகளில் ஊறித் திளைத்தவர். அவருடைய ஆர்வத்தைக் கண்டு கண்கள் பனிக்க திரும்பிப் பார்க்கின்றேன். பாதி அரங்கம் காலியாக இருந்தது. 

நிகழ்ச்சி ஐந்து மணிநேரத்துக்கும் அதிகமாக நீடிக்க தம்முடைய இருக்கையிலிருந்து எழாமல் கடைசி வரை பங்கேற்ற அவர் எங்கே? நாம் எங்கே? நேரந்தவறாமையும் ஒழுங்கும் கட்டுப்பாடும் மிக்க அத்தகைய ஊழியர்களை எங்கிருந்து கொண்டு வரப் போகின்றோம்?

And one has to read his last interview. Dr Waquar Anwar interviewed him for Radiance Views weekly. It is pleasing, inspiring to read. The answers are to the point, blunt and very guarded. You can see the typical Shafee Moonis stamp on them. Dr Waquar Anwar has tried very hard to get stuff from the Moulana. But, it might have been a very adventorous experience of him. The Jijhak, dar with which he placed and phrased his questions is very palpable.

The issues raised are varied. You can see the thoughts and personality of the Moulana in it.  Read the full interview Here and Here and Here

Other reports

Pillar of the community

He played an active role in the Muslim community’s affairs during the last five decades and was considered as one of the important pillars of the community in recent decades.

-From Milli Gazette. More Here

Intellectual, visionary, guide and mentor amongst the pioneers of Islamic movement in India, Mr. Shafi Moonis has authored books on personal laws, history of Jamaat and the poems in Urdu.

-From Newzfirst. More Here

And a report in Karavali Times Here

Maulana Moonis was a great pillar of the the Indian Muslim community for the last six decades and played an active and leading role in all the affairs of the community these past decades. A certain void has been created by the death of such a senior leader of the community who was involved with its affairs till his last days. While we deeply condole his sad demise, we pray to Allah ta’ala for his maghfirat and high station in Paradise.

- Syed Shahabuddin, President All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat

Dr. Zafarul Islam Khan, working president of the Mushawarat. Here

Read  A glimpse on the last days of Moulana Shafi Moonis!

Br Sadat Husseini has described the last days of Moulana Shafi Moonis Sahib in his own way. It is very moving, mellowing and heartening. You could feel the dynamic personality and charm of the departed leader in this brief mail. More Here

Najmuddin Erbakan, Moulana Moududi and Hasan al Banna Shaheed

The departure of Najmuddin Erbakan (Necmettin Erbakan) is a great tragedy of our times. Najmuddin Erbakan could be truly called as the modern icon of Islamic Movement. He was a epoch making personality and one of the architects of modern history. The way vast multitudes of people thronged in his last journey and the way young and old, known and unknown people showered their love and affection towards their departed leader speaks volumes about the stature of the leader. It epitomises the overwhelming sway he held over the Islam loving people throughout the world. It also illustrates the deep impact he made throughout the Muslim world with his untiring struggle for the cause of Islam.

One of the famous poems of Allama Iqbal is Tulu Islam (The Rise of Islam). In it Allama succinctly and beautifully depicts the rise and renaissance of Islam throughout the world once again. The words mellow you. The poet of the East has listed out various factors leading to the renaissance of Islam in the world. One of the factors highlighted by the Allama is as follows:

Ataa momin ko phir dargaah-e-haq sey honay walaa hai

Shikoh-e-turkmaani, zahan hindi, nataq aaraabi

The Muslim is to be endowed again from the God’s  Court with

Turkman’s grandeur, Indian’s wisdom, Arab’s eloquence

The prophecy of the Allama had blossomed into reality soon after his demise. Moulana Syed Abul A'ala Moududi personified Zahan hindi (Wisdom of Indian) in the 20th century. Undoubtedly Moulana's real and major contribution could be termed as idealogical and intellectual contribution. He stimulated the intellect and presented the Islamic thought in its glorious form. At those times the critics of Islam were hell-bent in attacking Islam in all possible ways. Moulana effectively silenced them with his thought provoking, down to the earth and intellectually stimulating rejoinders. Besides he gave shape to the Islamic Idealogy and with his endeavours Islam rose to greater heights as an Ideological power house.


During the same period the Arab world witnessed the rise of two towering personalities viz Hasan al Banna Shaheed and Syed Qutb Shaheed in Egypt. These legendery leaders known for their superb communicaion skills, eloquence and power of speech mesmerised the Islamic world. They were the primary architects of Islamic renaissance in the Arab world.


Twentieth century witnessed Islamic revival in larger scale throughout the world. Infact it could be easily termed as the century in which Zahan Hindi (Wisdom of Indian) and Nataq A'arabi (Eloquence of Arab)  flourished and had lasting impact. The mammoth contribution of Moulana Moududi in the intellectual arena pointed to the dream of Allama Iqbal's Zahan Hindi (Wisdom of Indian). Similarly the emotional appeal and action packed contribution of Hasan al Banna and the Ikhwan symbolised Allama Iqbal's Nataq A'arabi. The beautiful and forceful convergence of Intellect and emotion triggered a new wave of Islamic Renaissance throughout the Islamic world. This new wave of synergy influenced and altered the course of the century.

The outcome of that synergy of intellect and emotion could be seen everywhere. Some eighty years back, Muslims were wary of revealing their Muslim identiy. They were diffident and hesitant to proclaim themselves as Muslims. But, today one can see mind boggling confidence and exuberance among the Muslims throughout the world.

The rise of Islam as the biggest force in the intellectual and idealogical world is one of the fruitful culmination of thes two great men. Infact Islam has emerged as the Idealogical super power of our times.
In this way the dream of Zahan Hindi and Nataq A'arabi of Allama Iqbal were fulfilled. Shikoh Turkmani was the one which needed to be fulfilled. And it take long time. It got culminated in the fag end of the twentieth century with the rise of Marhoom Najmuddin Erbakan as the symbol of Shikoh Turkmani. He gave new vigour and power to Islam and created shock and awe among the Baatil.

The role of the Turks had been significant in the entire history of Islam. They were in the forefront in propagating and safeguarding Islam. They had plaved a major role in the history of Islam. Allama Iqbal had symbolised the grandeur, dignity and respect as Shikoh. Turks had increased the grandeur to manifold.

The return of the Turks to the Islamic camp, I feel, is the biggest event of the twenty first century. And Najmuddin Erbakan had played a vital role in this historic turnaround.

What is Shikoh-e-Turkmani?

If you want to feel the impact of Shikoh-e-Turkmani just go through the numerous write-ups, comments and observations published in American and western magazines. They scream with the provocative heading "The return of Ottomans" and depict the shock and awe that has engulfed the western psyche.

If you want to feel the Shikoh-e-Turkmani go to You Tube and just see the mesmerising speech of Tayyip Erdogon which he delivered in the Summit held at Davos. He lambasts the Israelie Prime Minister.

From a speech delivered by Sadatullah Husseini in a Taziyati Function held at Hyderabad. 

Translated by T Azeez Luthfullah

To be continued.....

The rise of Islamists in Tunisia

Mahan Abedin - Why haven't Islamists played a prominent role in the street protests? The people on the streets appeared to be of the trendy variety; left-wing beards and fancy veils dominated the scenes.

Rashid Al-Ghannouchi - Islamists can be trendy too! The Tunisian Islamists are different to Islamists in other parts of the Arab world. They have been fiercely harassed and repressed for decades and as a consequence they are reluctant to show themselves or to adopt an Islamist appearance. For the past 22 years they have kept their Islamic identity in their hearts as opposed to wearing it on their sleeves in the form of headscarves and beards.

Mahan Abedin - On a more serious note, you are adamant that Islamists played a leading role in the street protests that forced Zine El Abidine Ben Ali from power?

Rashid Al-Ghannouchi - No one can pretend that this revolution has been led by Islamists or Communists or any other group for that matter. This is a popular revolution and all the trends in Tunisian political society are present on the scene. At the same time it is clear that the Islamists are the biggest political force in Tunisia. The former regime suppressed all groups and in this transitional period all the groups are concentrating on rebuilding themselves.

Mahan Abedin - You are widely regarded as a reformist in the international Islamist current. In your interview with Al-Jazeera on 22 January you appeared to categorically reject the Islamic Caliphate in favour of democracy. Is this the culmination of your reformist Islamist thought?

Rashid Al-Ghannouchi - This is the authentic and realistic position. The notion of Khilafah (Caliphate) is not a religious one as some groups claim. It reflects a period of time.

 

Mahan Abedin - Is your embrace of democracy strategic or tactical?

Rashid Al-Ghannouchi - It is strategic. Democracy is crucial to dealing with and reconciling different and even conflicting interests in society. Islam has a strong democratic spirit inasmuch as it respects religious, social and political differences. Islam has never favoured a monolithic state. Throughout their history Muslims have objected to the imposition of a single all-powerful interpretation of Islam. Any attempt to impose a single interpretation has always proven inherently unstable and temporary.

Mahan Abedin - Of late Islamism has been more focussed on moral issues and identity politics, as opposed to taking concrete steps towards securing social justice. I refer to staple social justice demands, like affordable housing, cheap food and job security. Is Al-Nahda in a position to address these issues both at a theoretical and practical level?

Rashid Al-Ghannouchi - The origin of most Nahdawis [supporters of Al-Nahda] is in the rural areas of Tunisia. We understand social justice very well. 

 
Mahan Abedin - You used to have a left-wing outlook and rhetoric in your earlier days, especially the 1970s and early 1980s. Is that still the case?

Rashid Al-Ghannouchi - In my youth I was a Nasserist. Islam is against injustice and the monopoly of wealth and resources. The notion of Brotherhood in Islam has profound socio-economic implications in so far as it points to the equitable distribution of economic resources. In the economic sphere Islam is closer to the left-wing outlook, without violating the right to private property. The Scandinavian socio-economic model is closest to the Islamic vision. 

Mahan Abedin interviews Rashid Al-Ghannouchi for Religioscope. More Here.