Ever wondered the reason for different reactions by Middle East Muslims and Muslims of Indonasia/Malasia? I think if Indonasia/Malasia was also the play field of USA and allies like Middle East is, the reactions would have been same. As for India, well, we have lot many leaders with mindset like that of VHP or SIMI which has roots in history, so our ways of reaction has to be like this only. Malasia/Indonasia don’t have such history. Still it is to the credit of Indonasia/Malasia that they are showing wisdom. When our Hindu brothers have not forgotten the injustice done to them few centuries ago by some zealous and ignorant Muslims kings (not following the tenets of Islam), how do we expect that people of Middle East will fail to react to the injustice done to Palestinians and invasion of Iraq on false charges of WMD?

Having said that, yes I agree that with friends like ‘this’, as you said, we don’t need enemies.

Hi Gargi!

Thanks for replying. Your point about lack of leadership is well taken, as also the reason for its absence in middle-east and Pakistan. I am not an analyst who can give expert opinion, but here is what I think about lack of Muslim leaders in India:

Post independence, the trauma of Partition of India had sent Indian Muslims into a shell. Prior to Partition, Muslim intellectuals had confidence of political dialogue; post-Partition, this community had little scope for such political activism, being accused of partitioning India. The rubber-stamp presence of leaders like Maulana Azad and Zakir Hussain did not help much. In the present times, the fracture in Muslim community on shia/sunni and barelvi/deobandi lines is major stumbling block. And it also does not help that there is active lobby working against this community to subvert its progress and mislead it into oblivion thru trick and con.

Social reforms and women’s education is indeed good things that happened earlier, and should continue. But in the ‘glimps’ quoted by you, I see mention of ‘daring literature’ of Ismat Chugtai. Now, if you mean such an empowerment of women to be ‘daring’ in the manner of Ismat Chugtai’s litrature, I think it amounts to taking the Muslims away from their Constitution.

You know, Indian Constitution has a term called ‘Basic Structure of Constitution’ or something like that. What it means is that any legislature has to conform to this ‘Basic Structure’, otherwise the Learned Judges of Supreme Court can strike it down. Same way, Muslims have their Constitution, and any proposed reform has to confirm to it, otherwise the Learned religious leaders can strike it down. In whatever liberal manner you interpret this Muslim Constitution, the Ismat Chugtai type of reform just does not fit in. What then? One way is to rewrite/change this Constitution - Quran - and that is impossible, as this Constitution itself says that no power on earth can succeed in changing it. The other way is to just ignore this Constitution and do whatever one likes. Choice is in the hand of people, and the majority view prevails. And majority Muslim view is that any reform has to confirm to this Constitution.

And thanks for ’sati’ tip! I shall remember it.