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Mr. Reza Sami,

Thanks for posting so many links in your comments to defend the politics of Iftar party - you didn't need to send so many links as many of readers all ready know what is going on, and besides many working people don't have time to read so many links. Just to make you aware of one fact that many of so called moderate leaders in non-Muslim countries are really tired of Muslim terrorists and as a result many of them (like Bush of USA) have taken two ways in dealing with this menace - on one hand they attack so called Muslim terrorists or any Muslim with crooked plans to do destruction, and on the other hand create a facade of being friends of Muslims (which is also called minority/Muslim appeasement) by attending so called Iftar parties. In countries like India and other democratic countries - it is mainly minority appeasement because of the vote bank based politics (which I think is a serious flaw in the democratic society). Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Christians are being unfairly treated by this system as it is increasingly biased towards minority Muslim appeasement. (Many politicians have this delusion that by appeasement they will not only get Muslim votes but they might also help reduce the Muslim terrorist acts. This type of thinking hasn't worked in the past and it won't work in the future).

Since so many non-Muslim countries are celebrating the Iftar party - it only says about the greatness and openness (whether it is justified or not) of these non-Muslim countries and their people (and not the Muslim people themselves). I would ask Mr. Reza to send some links (or any link) where a Muslim country lights their national buildings (like in New York) or blocks main roads like in Patna, to honor Hindu religion, or Sikh religion or even Christian religion with the same fervor, and do similar acts to honor other religions of the world. It is just opposite - people of non-Muslim faith can't even get citizenship or equal justice in those Muslim countries like Iran or Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and many others, even if they were born there. Non-Muslims (like Bahai religion folks) in Iran are not qualified to get Iranian passport unless they change their religion and become Muslim. In Pakistan Muslims destroyed and burned all Hindu temples, to the point that they non-exist today, but Muslims in India demand for mosque to be built in Ayodhya (in the place of a very important Ram temple that was destroyed by these same Muslims). In non-Muslim countries, minority Christians are prosecuted/attacked, their churches attacked on a routine basis without any protection from the Muslim majority government. In Bangladesh and in Kashmir, Muslims attack minority Hindus houses and throw stones to damage Hindu properties even when in games like cricket, the Indian cricket team beats Pakistan's team (as if the infidels are not supposed to beat the Muslims even in games). Why is it so different? Because Koran teaches Muslims to kill those who are not Muslims in order to go to heaven. (and that is the difference). I guess Mr. Sami you have read the Koran which teaches Muslims - Verse 9:123 - "Believers, make war on the infidels who dwell around you."

I was also told by my Muslim friend that a true Muslim would never attend a Iftar party thrown by a non-Muslim.

Anyway, the Bihar politicians recently looked like clowns with funny caps on their head and when they go around hugging Muslims, but when it comes to salvaging the Bihar and its economy then they never go to Muslims to ask for money - and Muslims seldom donate to these hugging politicians for uplifting the condition of Bihar. But these same Muslims demand the main roads in cities like Patna to be blocked for them to offer Namaz (without having any respect for inconvenience caused to other people).. And these clown Hindu politicians are too happy to oblige. Hindus and Christians should try to block a main road in Tehran or Islamabad to offer prayers and will find out soon the treatment of the Muslim governments. These Hindus and Christians will arrested for offering mass prayers on the road, if not stoned by the local Muslim crowd in Muslim countries. How many times have you (Mr. Reza, or like yours) donated to Bihar government or to so called hugging Iftari politicians to uplift the condition of Bihar? When it comes to raising the fund for uplifting Bihar conditions - these same very clown politicians come begging to NRIs that are mostly Hindus, Christians, Sikhs because they know these people of these faiths are more generous than people of the other faith!! - Ronkin Nasa - Oct. 15, 2007

Ronkin Nasa,

Answers to your points:

>"Thanks for posting so many links in your comments to defend the politics of Iftar party - you didn't need to send so many links as many of readers all ready know what is going on, and besides many working people don't have time to read so many links."<

Believe me folks like you do need to be educated about the fact that Muslims are not just the rickshaw-wallas and meat vendors of Vaishali but are a worldwide community and the majority in fifty-five countries in the world and a significant minority in almost an equal number of countries. I do not know how hard you or Mr Albert John work but it would help if you took time off to understand your fellow countrymen.

>Just to make you aware of one fact that many of so called moderate leaders in non-Muslim countries are really tired of Muslim terrorists and as a result many of them (like Bush of USA) have taken two ways in dealing with this menace - on one hand they attack so called Muslim terrorists or any Muslim with crooked plans to do destruction, and on the other hand create a facade of being friends of Muslims <

You and your ilk need further education on the following important fact. EVERYONE including Muslims the world over are "tired" of terrorists and that goes for ALL terrorists be they Muslim, (like Al Qaeda) or Hindu (like the LTTE, and the Bajrang Dal), or Christian (like the Mizo National Front or the Irish Republican Army). If powerful countries like the USA and France can "attack" and destroy Muslims they do not need any facade of being friends with Muslims. They can destroy them all without regrets. The only reason they are reaching out to Muslims is because Muslims themselves are the greatest sufferers from terrorist violence. The USA, France Britain and Europe are genuine in making the distinction between a terrorist who claims to act in the name of religion and those who merely follow a religion of their choice, To fight such terrorists it is important to have the support of those whose religion is being misused. We should salute the USA in particular and follow its lead in building an alliance to fight this menace. We should similarly build trust and friendship with ALL minorities particularly those who might feel apprehensive or persecuted.

>In countries like India and other democratic countries - it is mainly minority appeasement because of the vote bank based politics (which I think is a serious flaw in the democratic society). Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Christians are being unfairly treated by this system as it is increasingly biased towards minority Muslim appeasement. (Many politicians have this delusion that by appeasement they will not only get Muslim votes but they might also help reduce the Muslim terrorist acts. This type of thinking hasn't worked in the past and it won't work in the future).<

This is hilarious ! The last time I checked the United States WAS a democratic country WITH a democratically elected President. Muslims in the USA comprise only about 1 % of the population, and in no way affect the electoral process. The Presidents of USA, France and the Philippines do not need Muslim votes to win their elections. The reason they organise and attend Iftar parties is because they acknowledge Muslims as a minority. The practice of Iftar has been going on since much before 9-11 when in 1998 the United States did a religious census and found the Muslims as a distant but nonetheless third largest minority after the Jews. The US President also attends Hannukah or Channuka the most important festival of the Jews and of course Christmas and Easter. No-where in the USA is there any outcry against attending any religious function whether it is Iftar, Hannukah or Christmas.

No religious census has ever been held in independent India but conservative estimates put the Muslim population in India at between 11 to 13 % which means there are at least 110 million Muslims in India. The practice of Diwali, Holi, Iftar, Gurparab, has been observed by every Indian prime minister and president including those staunch opponents of minority "appeasement" such as Atal Bihari Vajpayee (with a Muslim hat looking like a clown) http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl1726/17260040.htm and L. K Advani http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/nov/22pic2.htm

Here are the links of Muslim countries celebrating festivals of other religions:

1. Durga Puja and Buddha Panchami are established official holidays in Bangladesh where the streets are lit up and Pooja Pandals abound http://rezwanul.blogspot.com/2005/10/durga-puja-in-bangladesh-durga-puja-is.html

2. Indonesia the country with the largest Muslim population officially celebrates Ram Navami and stages Ram Lila performances (where the actors are all Muslims) http://www.asia-planet.net/indonesia/ramayana-dance.htm

3. Pakistan Celebrates Christmas with a gusto http://pakistantimes.net/2004/12/26/top3.htm


4. Pakistan preserves and maintains Sikh Gurudwaras http://www.sikhsangat.org/publish/printer_630.shtml and celebrates Guruparab (Checkout November 2007 calendar on official Pakistan tourism page http://www.tourism.gov.pk/vpy/events-festivals.htm)

5. Hindu Temple in Dubai http://members.tripod.com/~esh/toi_dubai.htm

The staunch opponent of minority appeasement Mr L. K. Advani the grand destroyer of the Babri Mosque went to Pakistan praised Jinnah and helped the Pakistani authorities inaugurate the re-building of a Hindu Temple. (http://www.hindu.com/2005/06/05/stories/2005060507210100.htm)

For your FURTHER education:

1. Blocking roads for religious or political activity is a favourite pastime in Bihar. Roads are blocked during Durga Puja, Eid, Chat, Mohurrum and Deepawali. It is the job of the traffic police and administration to keep the roads clear. While not justifying the act it is possible that the administration does take a rather lenient stand on Muslims festivities blocking the road perhaps because Muslim festivals are briefer (four Friday afternoons during a month) and two or more days later in the year (as against ten consecutive days during Dussehra, four days during Holi and three days during Chat ).

2. Throwing stones, killing, and burning down places of worship are the hallmarks of a violent communal society driven with religious strife and divisions, which I admit is India's unfortunate and sorry state today. Communal activity is as prevalent amongst sections of the majority as it is amongst sections of the minority who are inevitably the loser in any communal conflict as was proved during the Bhagalpur riots of 1989. As the examples of Europe, France, and the United States have shown it is the responsibility of the majority to foster unity and a sense of security in the minorities so as to keep them away from influences that would seek to exploit them for harming the interests of the nation. Symbolic gestures like Iftars do serve a purpose, however limited.

3. Like India the other nations of South Asia (Pakistan, Bangladesh) are equally affected with the communal virus which affects the majority community there, We should improve our situation and set an example not follow theirs.

4. The Middle East is home to one million Indians (90 % of them Hindu) and there are Hindu temples in Oman, Bahrain and Dubai. The fact that more Hindus wish to go, work and live in these Muslim majority countries is evident by the fact that there are long lines at the Gulf consulates seeking work visas and recruiters and touts do a brisk business with prospective emigrants willing to pay a small fortune for the opportunity. If Islam was such an intolerant religion this would not have been the case.

6. Victories of the Indian cricket team have very frequently been on account of the brilliant and loyal display of cricketing ability by Indian Muslim players. If you have not heard of Irfan Pathan, Mohammed Kaif, Zaheer Khan, Jaffar then you are badly educated so far as cricket is concerned. Indian Muslims have no cause to throw stones at Indian cricket victories. Stones might be thrown by those wishing to provoke and conduct communal riots which as mentioned before remains India's tragedy.

Your ignorance of the Koran is profound :

The verse in question refers to the Siege of Madinah when the defenders are asked to fight the besiegers "near you". The verse refers to a specific event which obviously excludes those distant. Elsewhere the Koran exhorts the Muslims to defend themselves but first seek peace if the opposition is willing. For your education, the "opposition" here does not refer to Hindus (the Arabs were ignorant of India and Hindus at the time) but to those polytheist Arab tribes that had refused to tolerate any monotheistic faiths (which includes Christianity and Judaism).

I hope you educate yourself better, In this day and age ignorance and bigotry is a distinct disadvantage. I would invite you to an Iftar at a future Ramzan but that would have to wait till such time as you develop a better understanding of your own fellow countrymen. I hope that is not too far into the future. - Reza Sami - Oct. 16, 2007

Mr Ronkin Nasa,

I apologize I forgot to answer these points in your interesting post!

>Anyway, the Bihar politicians recently looked like clowns with funny caps on their head and when they go around hugging Muslims, but when it comes to salvaging the Bihar and its economy then they never go to Muslims to ask for money - and Muslims seldom donate to these hugging politicians for uplifting the condition of Bihar. But these same Muslims demand the main roads in cities >like Patna to be blocked for them to offer Namaz (without having any respect for inconvenience caused to other people)..<

It is a matter of opinion. During Holi these very same politicians look closer to clowns with clown caps, multi-coloured clothes and their faces painted red, and green hugging each other, high on Bhang. Politicians do not have to dress like clowns to be clowns. That is what they are... at least in India.

>But these same Muslims demand the main roads in cities like Patna to be blocked for them to offer Namaz (without having any respect for inconvenience caused to other people).. And these clown Hindu politicians are too happy to oblige. Hindus and Christians should try to block a main road in Tehran or Islamabad to offer prayers and will find out soon the treatment of the Muslim governments. These Hindus and Christians will arrested for offering mass prayers on the road, if not stoned by the local Muslim crowd in Muslim countries<

Blocking roads is favourite pastime in Bihar for both political, religious reasons or simply for a wedding or Baraat. Roads are blocked during Ramzan prayers, Mohurrum, Chat, Holi and Durga Puja. Read my response to this in my previous post. In any civilized society roads should NEVER be blocked by ANYONE. Encouraging one party to block roads will result in others demanding the same right.

Regardless who is blocking the road ( Hindus, Christians or Muslims ) ALL should be arrested for this offence. Additionally any religious festivities should be conducted keeping in mind the sensitivities of others so a rowdy aggressive Mohurrum procession or hooliganism during Holi BOTH should be stopped.

>How many times have you (Mr. Reza, or like yours) donated to Bihar government or to so called hugging Iftari politicians to uplift the condition of Bihar? When it comes to raising the fund for uplifting Bihar conditions - these same very clown politicians come begging to NRIs that are mostly Hindus, Christians, Sikhs because they know these people of these faiths are more generous than people of the other faith!!<

It is interesting that you should raise the question of NRI funds which again shows your profound ignorance on the NRI community abroad. 90 % of NRI's pay their taxes in India honestly ( which is more than can be said of Iftari hugging or Bhang addicted Holi politicians ) and support humanitarian and secular NGO organisations but have little trust in "Iftari or Holi " hugging politicians . There is however a darker side to the NRI financial equation and the funds that are sent from abroad. Some times these funds have been misused. Overseas expatriate Sikh, Tamil, Mizo (Christian), Hindu communities have at one time or another routinely funded disruptive movements. The LTTE, Babbar Khalsa, Mizo National Front and Ram Shila movements being prime examples. Today however almost ALL NRIs have little trust or respect for politicians and as I said before prefer to contribute to NGOs. The era of funding extremism in India is largely over.

A last word!

I have really very little expectations from "hugging Iftari politicians". While the practice of holding Iftar (and Christmas, Gurparab, Holi etc) is a positive step it should be only one factor in an overall policy of responsible secular democratic governance which alas is lacking so far as India is concerned. The USA also holds Iftar parties but it assures those living here security of life and property and non-discrimination in jobs and employment. A Muslim would prefer to live in the USA as against living anywhere else in the world (especially India ). It is regrettable but true that a lot of Indian Muslims have voted with their feet rather than their votes, Iftaris not-withstanding !. I would much rather have NO Iftari parties (and no Holi, Christmas either) in exchange for a secular democratic non-discriminatory governance.

As for your supremely ignorant views on Islam I can only refer you to an excellent book "Islam : a Brief History " by Karen Armstrong, the UK Central Minister for Cultural and Religious affairs. Read it an enjoy! - Reza Sami - Oct. 16, 2007

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