Islam Misunderstood

Unfortunately Islam has now become a faith associated with terrorism. Angst was heightened worldwide after the 9/11 attack where Muslims were portrayed as people associated to the concept of destruction and fear. Before we knew it, a once peaceful religion and culture was now defined as promoter terrorism and unjustly seen as the ultimate enemy, overnight, primarily because of the mistakes of a small group of people.

Few questions that are mostly asked which I would like to answer or clear to my readers:

1) Does Islam promote violence and killing of innocents?

NO religion promotes violence, nor does it ask its followers to kill others. These inhuman choices are purely based on individuals using their religion to attack others and not because of the Quran or any other Holly book.

In the Quran [sura 5, verse 32] it states: “If anyone slays a person, it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people.”

Using the religion to justify mass murders is even more cruel and upsetting than the act itself. That’s because two sins are committed—the murders themselves, and then defamation of Islam by using the religion to justify them. To put it lightly, it’s an outright insult to Islam and the above verse.

Although, it’s in my honest opinion that our religion is established purely on our individual perspective. It’s how we interpret it or in most cases, it’s how religion has been interpreted to us as we grown up. More often then not, our beliefs are much the same as those we grow up with in our family surroundings and social settings. It’s the beliefs that we are raised with. Sure we might question these as we grow older, but these beliefs are the fundamentals to our growth and the stepping stones we adopt through out our life.

2) Why are Muslims targeting “the west”?

A widely asked question, Once again, this is just generalization. Muslims have nothing against the west and in fact, most Muslims go there to live a peaceful and beautiful life. That of which we can definitely understand why.

The west is being targeted by a group of individuals in the name of their faith as they declare “a holy war” even against each other, their own people. There are 5-12 million Muslims in the United States alone, but that’s not a reason to claim each and every single one as a terrorist.

In saying that, we need to remember that the west is not the only one suffering from terrorism in the world. Countries like India, Iraq and Pakistan are also enduring the true suffering of terrorism right now. Pakistan itself has groomed terrorists for many years but is now suffering from the adverse effects of it. The horrific attack in Peshawar is testament to the devastation that has occurred in Pakistan which has broken hearts all around the world. The west is not suffering, the world is suffering.

3) Does all Muslim countries promote extremism?

They don’t. Extremism has stemmed from the individuals of this world, not religion. It can also be based on an individual country. Take North Korea for example which is said to be one of the most extreme countries. North Korea is under complete dictatorship and is essentially isolated from the world because of its nuclear capabilities that can pose a serious threat worldwide at any moment, especially to it’s neighbours South Korea and Japan. But – Are we scared of North Koreans when we recognize one? Do we tarnish every North Korean we see with the same brush? No!.  Muslims must not be  seen as the ultimate enemy, it is the extremist or clearly put, terrorists who are the enemy of humanity.

4) Why does Islam not practice equal rights?

This is another hugely common misconception of Islam. Many Muslim countries practice equality and have the same rights for women as westerners. These practices are based on the individual country and what that country imposes, not Islam as a whole. The media creates so much emphasis on the combination of ISIS and Muslims and the association of the sickening acts they prevail with that it becomes difficult to judge or understand.

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Being a Muslim I should say I am ashamed of what these religious extremist are doing around the world,the killings of innocent people, children's,women, The so called Islamic state is even selling them as slaves but I will say I am saddened but not ashamed as they are not Muslims. Terrorists don't belong to any religion, they are not holy warriors and have no right or say over Islam or any religion.

We all belong to different religion and culture, humanity should be are first religion and that is what all Holy books teach us.

Ending on a personal note, I am Muslim and an Indian which I am proud of. I don’t wish to be discriminated just because some group of people think they are true followers of Islam which is wrongly put and used by them. We all are religious people but terrorism has no religion.

My Mother My Pride

One day out of the year, we have this beautiful opportunity to give back the people who have given us so much: our moms.

So, Mom, this one is for you:

Thank You For Your Unconditional love. 

Mom you have sacrificed so much in order to give your children a better life than we could ever dream.

Life has been difficult at times for you, from loosing abba in such a age where you were suopose to be enjoying the new chapter of your life and be carefree about the harsh world outside. Mom I remember the times of your loneliness, I was 2 but I could still feel the pain my mother was going through but it never came to her face and to the heart of her children. Well thats how strong my mother is. A graceful beautiful lady with high morals and esteem,  a highly qualified Delhi girl who faught all the battels alone and reached to become the highest and most respected cadre of J&K" a "KAS Officer". Mom you have been a social worker, you have helped many and most of all you have encouraged thousands of people around. You are an amazing mother, a high headed honest strong officer, sn amazing cook but the surest is you are a wonderful caring mother. You truely have super powers.

I want to thank you but thanking you myt be endless

Mom there have been times when I’ve felt like giving up, when things were not going my way. Each time, you were there to remind me of my worth as a human being. And to pass on your strength in me.

You encouraged me to keep reaching for the unreachable and never settle for anything less than I deserved. No matter how bizarre my dreams were — from becoming president or an astronaut— you always told me to go after what would make me happy. Thank you for believing in me, encouraging me to do my best.I have confidence and I believe in myself because of you. Thank you for supporting my dreams and ideas. I need to make mistakes and have failures to grow, so thanks for being there when I’m down, and for helping me find my way back up.

Thank you mom for keeping me warm, for keeping me calm and for keeping me sane.
Thank you for understanding that there were times that I would be mad with you but always forgiving me in the end.Thank you for sticking up for me, for encouraging me, for believing in me and
for letting me know that you never expected more than the best I could do. 

As I get older, I realize more and more how much you have done for me and continue to do every day. Ammi you are an  inspiration for me and this is just a  little effort to pay tribute to my pride my mother. 

Happy Mother’s Day, Mom.

Eve teasing a crime undealt

Our society is suffering from many social evils at the moment. One of The worst evils is the Eve Teasing, it has been growing like an epidemic. The structure of Indian society has always been male dominated. But in the modern era, women tried to break the centuries of shackles by venturing into male dominated areas.  Though, we have grown by leaps and bounds yet the most basic structure of society is showing no signs of improvement against it.

A thorough look at the news paper daily shows you so many incidents against woman and you  get to hear it from your loved ones too at times. Doesn't  it bother you? I on the other hand feel like taking the law into my hands and bring peace to the mind of the victim.Eve teasing is a huge issue .A large percentages of Indian women have faced or are facing this menace. Whether it is a public transport system or public places or shopping malls or multiplexes, women find themselves vulnerable to the threat of eve teasing everywhere. Nowadays Eve teasing has become intolerable.

A lewd stare, a sly whistle, a well-timed clap, an unwarranted bump, a seemingly casual touch, a lingering look at a vulnerable time, the humming of a suggestive song, passing downright uncouth comments, cheap gestures,some which I feel ashamed to even mention, all these are typical examples of eve teasing.The ways an eve teaser can harass a woman is surely endless! Unfortunately many Muslim youth have also adopted this disgraceful way of Eve Teasing. 

Remember that Islam has taught us to respect our womenfolk  and fear Allah regarding them as Prophet(peace be upon him) mentioned in his Last Khattab to the Ummah. Casting lustful glance at women is forbidden and can lead to grave consequences in the Hereafter.

Eve teasing is complex problem and it requires more attention that what it has actually got. Every man needs to be aware of ‘how to treat a woman. The traditional mindset often blames the eve teasing incidents on women that they provoke male by wearing scanty clothes, what about the ones wearing burkhas. That is actually a lame excuse. Even if females wear modern dresses it does not give men license to harass women. The answer lies in changing the mindset and inculcating morals and values.

Many women have been found carrying pins, chilli powder, pen-knives, and even daggers to protect themselves. Self-defense classes have mushroomed across metropolitan cities that teach martial arts and karate etc. If you feel too shy and reserved to defend yourself and keep the suffering to yourself, its time you get up and raise your voice. Although, you can always pretend to ignore all the lewd comments but things would be much better if you can just look straight into the eyes of the offender and speak up.

Eve teasing must be stopped. Women deserve respect. Men and women are equal. Our lack of consciousness has lead to a loss of many lives. But we don't want any more lives to say good bye to this world. Women have the right to live freely in the world. Independence is their birth right. The family and society of the victims or teased girls should have the courage and resolve to support them. Most often, they are misunderstood by their family whenever they inform the family members about teasing. The family and society should support them mentally. So as the govt. must take things seriously. The country wants both of them to be active in such issues. Changing this behavior is easier said than done. However, if things are left alone, they could hardly get better. A behavioral change is the only lasting solution to this problem. This requires an extensive public education aimed at every section of society at large. As an individual i have the courage and pledge to support in every possible way. Do you?

Ending it with My personal thought " I hate this shameless crime and as a brother,a son,a friend,I hate the feeling of even hearing what anyone has to go or had gone through. And it hurts to even trying to put myself in there shoes and feel the disgrace and pain caused over by such acts. Remember such crime less perpetrators are the only ones who groom into becoming  another Mukesh Singh, Ram Singh and the victims into Nirbhaya. Don't stray away from it, this is a serious matter. One old saying "let the dogs bark".... I say  "No let's not".