India's Cash-for-Fatwa Scandal

India's Cash-for-Fatwa Scandal

Many Muslims in India, like their counterparts around the world, gathered on the streets to burn effigies of the Pope and shout slogans denouncing him for his remarks on Islam and violence. Even before that fully died out, however, a new controversy erupted — one that has turned Muslim ire against some of their own local clerics.

India's "cash-for-fatwas" scandal broke out when a TV channel broadcast a sting operation that showed several Indian Muslim clerics allegedly taking, or demanding, bribes in return for issuing fatwas, or religious edicts. The bribes, some of which were as low as $60, were offered by undercover reporters wearing hidden cameras over a period of six weeks. In return for the cash, the clerics appear to hand out fatwas written in Urdu, the language used by many Muslims in Pakistan and India, on subjects requested by the reporters. Among the decrees issued by the fatwas: that Muslims are not allowed to use credit cards, double beds, or camera-equipped cell phones, and should not act in films, donate their organs, or teach their children English. One cleric issued a fatwa against watching TV; another issued a fatwa in support of watching TV.
Adding to the shock in India, home to the world's third-largest Muslim population (approximately 150 million), is that some of the clerics apparently caught in the sting operation teach at important institutions — one belongs to India's most famous Islamic seminary, the Darul Uloom at Deoband. At least two of the clerics have been suspended from their posts, but that hasn't satisfied everyone. Students at one madrassa in north India denounced the clerics, and in the city of Meerut, where a mufti, or cleric, had been caught on camera, the congregation at one mosque refused to offer prayers until he came before them, admitted to taking the money, and apologized.

The "cash-for-fatwas" scandal has also led to a renewed debate on what constitutes a fatwa, and who has legitimate authority to issue one. Fatwas — like the one passed by Iran's Ayatullah Khomeini in 1989 against the novelist Salman Rushdie, or those issued by Osama bin Laden in 1996 and 1998 against America — have come to epitomize the intolerance of Islamic fundamentalists. Yet many Muslims argue that the purpose of fatwas has been misunderstood: A fatwa is, technically speaking, a ruling on a point of Islamic law made by a recognized Muslim scholar in response to a question put to him. Since Osama bin Laden is no Islamic scholar, many deny his right to issue a fatwa. The sway that fatwas hold over Muslims is also not as great as many outsiders think. Last year, a Muslim cleric issued a fatwa stating that it was un-Islamic for Sania Mirza, India's most famous tennis player and a Muslim, to wear sleeveless tops or short skirts on court. Mirza simply dismissed the ruling; indeed, many, if not most, urban Indian Muslims do not take fatwas seriously. However, in rural communities, a well-respected mufti's fatwa — on issues ranging from marriage to health to women's rights — can carry considerable influence. India's Muslim leaders announced that they will soon create a new body that will monitor the passing of fatwas in the country, in a bid to preserve that influence, and nip the popular anger swirling around this scandal.

Words to think About...

Isn't it amazing that George Carlin - comedian of the 70's and 80's - could write something so very eloquent...and so very appropriate.
A Message by George Carlin:
The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways , but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.
We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.
We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...
Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.
Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.
Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.
Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.
Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.
Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
If you don't send this to at least 8 people....Who cares?

Church attacks dent Karnataka's civilised image

Submitted by Mudassir Rizwan on 24 September 2008 - 9:05am.
India News
By Fakir Balaji and Maitreyee Boruah, IANS,
Bangalore : Karnataka's reputation as a communally harmonious state has taken a severe beating following brazen attacks on churches widely blamed on rightwing Hindu groups.
The widespread revulsion over the vandalism that began Sep 14 in coastal Karnataka is giving way to concern that the violence as well as allegations that Hindus are being converted may be used by fringe groups to create a gulf between Hindus and Christians.
This is the first time in Karnataka that such a largescale assault on churches and prayer halls has taken place, including in cosmopolitan Bangalore.
The vehemence of the Christian protest in the coastal city of Mangalore, which bore the brunt of the vandalism, was also unprecedented.
The attacks have caused severe embarrassment to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) because they happened just three months after it came to power in Karnataka -- and in south India -- for the first time.
With the Bajrang Dal reportedly owning responsibility for some of the attacks, the BJP has been exposed to criticism that Hindu groups linked to it are emboldened because the party is in power.
Industry leaders, writers, expatriates and even the man on the street IANS spoke to in Bangalore are furious that the authorities failed to prevent the attacks.
"Such violence is not acceptable in a civilised society. Differences, disputes and grievances have to be resolved in a peaceful manner and through dialogue, not by taking law into hands," said Infosys Technologies board member T.V. Mohandas Pai.
"It is ridiculous to attack places of worship whatever be the cause or provocation. The incident shows the state's law and enforcement machinery has failed," he added.
Biocon chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw said from Spain: "It is very shocking that such things are taking place in a cosmopolitan city like Bangalore. The government should have pre-empted them in the wake of similar attacks in other parts of the state.
"Such incidents in a global IT hub like Bangalore bring a bad name, spoil the fair image of its citizens and cause apprehension in the minds of investors - in India and overseas."
According to Jnanpeeth awardee U.R. Ananthamurthy, it appears extremists in BJP are doing this to unseat Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa and bring in "a Modi" -- a reference to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who is a hero for Hindu groups.
Said theatre personality, playwright and another Jnanpeeth awardee Girish Karnad: "The perpetrators are testing the tolerance of our society. Violence, abuse and taking law into one's hands is not justified, whatever the cause or provocation."
Christians are also shocked that this could happen in Karnataka.
Said Mary Triza of Don Bosco Institute: "As devout Catholics or Protestants, we are never in favour of conversions, especially forcible. If such things are happening, let the law take its course.
"By attacking churches or prayers halls, they will not be able to stop such activities. Such acts will only provoke people and lead to counter-attacks."
Expatriates in the IT hub, estimated to be around 18,000, including about 4,000 students, are simply stunned.
Stephanie Collins, a language trainer from Canada who has worked in Bangalore for two years, said: "Bangalore is one of India's best cities and it offers everyone, even expatriates, a sense of belonging.
"But the recent attacks on Christians is making me think twice. Why in a secular country like India are Christians considered outsiders and are vulnerable to violence?"
Saba Khan, a student of biotechnology from Iran, said he came to Bangalore a year ago as the city provides the best - and safe - educational opportunities.
"But now I am scared. My parents in Tehran are worried," said the 22-year-old pursuing a masters in biotechnology at Bangalore University.
Ester Rupa Sahu, a BPO employee from Shillong, felt such incidents were damaging the reputation of Karnataka, known across the country as an "oasis of peace".
D. Muralidhar, president of the Federation of the Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FKCCI), added: "It is a bad dream. Karnataka is known for harmonious relations among different communities. Industry is concerned about such attacks as they do not take place in any civilised society."
G.B. Atri, a former wing commander in the Indian Air Force and now the Brahmin face of the Bahujan Samaj Party in Karnataka, was of the view that the "level of patience in the society is coming down. Goondas (thugs) should not be allowed a free hand".
(V.S. Karnic contributed to this story)