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Thu, 09 Mar 2006 16:41:00 Muslim Delegation Discusses Sectarianism and Gilgit at a Meeting with Ambassador Karamat
 Mr. Jehangir Karamat, Pakistan’s Ambassador to US |
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Washington D.C., March 7, 2006 – A delegation of Muslims lead by Imam Al-Khoei Foundation met with His Excellency Mr. Jehangir Karamat, Pakistan’s Ambassador to US in Washington, D.C. The delegation consisted of prominent members from the Muslim community of North America, including Syed Meesam Razvi, Dr. Mohsin Alidina, Dr. Sakhawat Hussain, Prof. Dr. Maqsood Jafri, Mr. Shabih Haider and Mr. Syed Shah. The delegation conveyed the concerns of North American Muslim community regarding the security situation of religious congregations and processions, especially during the lunar month of Moharram. “We appreciate and recognize the commitment and resolve of President Musharraf and his administration in tackling extremism, but feel that there is more that needs to be done to improve the situation”, said Syed Meesam Razvi, the United Nations Representative of the Foundation, while leaving the Embassy in D.C after the meet.
The delegation suggested the formation of a National Representative Council of Muslims facilitated by the Government of Pakistan. The delegation underscored this suggestion by stressing that such a council will help develop the much needed tolerance among sects.
The row over Islamic Studies curriculum in Gilgit was also discussed at length during the meeting where Dr. Mohsin Alidina, Director of Education Services at the Foundation, presented an elaborate plan to review and modify the existing curriculum. “The plan is to modify the curriculum while being mindful of the sensitivities of people of different sects and faiths”, commented Dr. Alidina while providing details on his plan.
The Ambassador was favorably disposed when the delegation asked for him to support a UN resolution, which condemns the bombing of the Holy Shrine in Samarra and calls for it to be rebuilt in its original splendor. Al-Khoei Foundation passed a resolution and led thousands of Muslims on February 26, 2006, in front of UN, to protest the bombings in Samarra. Read More
The Ambassador, who was assisted by two senior staff members of the Embassy, expressed his support for the suggestions and pledged personal interest in resolving these issues.
Imam Al-Khoei Foundation, established by Grand Ayatollah Al-Khoei (RA) in 1989, is the largest Shi'a Muslim religious-charitable organization. The Foundation has more than 15 branches all across the world, where it is responsible for the maintenance of Schools, Colleges, Universities and Islamic Centers.The Foundation is the only Shi'a Muslim organization that enjoys a General Consultative Status with United Nations. |
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From: abbas
Subject: The only way to live?
Comment: Wed, 12 Apr 2006 07:57:17 - I agree with you but you please reconsider your proposed solution.
From: Al Naqvi
Subject: The Only Way to Live
Comment: Tue, 04 Apr 2006 22:00:04 - Your pathetic doctrine of "steadfastness" for no worthy cause simply paralyzes the potential for badly needed progress. Such dogmatic misnomer is a recipe for encouraging a social psychology based upon masochistic orientations. “We have been created to shed blood, suffer and die” mentality results in unchallenged victimization of Shias. The obvious consequence is that our lives and properties have no value. If you wouldn’t honor your life, property and rights – be assured that no one else would. It was nothing but this mentality that has caused us to be the underdogs for an unbearably long time.
Your obvious next comment would be that “Imam taught us to be patient against atrocities”. This is incorrect as Imam didn’t ask us to tolerate injustice. My life, your life and the life of every Shia living in this world is worth just as much as any other human life. If our lives and rights are not protected, then it is time to pursue other options.
As Thomas Jefferson, our founding father, wrote in the Declaration of Independence “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. ......... But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”
Are fourteen centuries of atrocities and persecutions not enough to justify a move towards our future security? You can stay “steadfast” – I would prefer to be pragmatic. I believe that the future security of Shias is an independent and secure Shia state in the Southern Iraq. It would serve to balance the powers in that region and facilitate rapid spread of democracy.
From: abbas
Subject: in response to:this is no way to live
Comment: Sun, 02 Apr 2006 08:15:18 - To establish a separate estate is in no way a solution.The followers of right path have to face difficulties but they have to be steadfast.
From: mazhar hussain
Subject: curriculum
Comment: Wed, 29 Mar 2006 09:44:55 - first salaam alakum & ya allah ali(as) madad and i pray to ahlul-bait(as) to give more power to resolved problems over the world ellahi ammin ya rabul allamin.I also pray to al-khoei foundation efforts may ahlul-bait(as) give you reward here & after ellahi ammin ya rabul allamin.please keep up good work.
From: Ali Naqvi
Subject: This is no way to live
Comment: Sat, 25 Mar 2006 19:11:23 - We have to negotiate simple rights such as our ability to learn our religion. We have to be afraid of practicing our faith. Our people are scared for their lives. They fear for their properties. Living under a Wahabi influenced state, regime or system is no way to live.
The solution is to establish a separate shia state. This state should be established by splitting Iraq. shias from all over the world should be able to move to the new state. A free shia state is the only solution to establish a buffer against terrorist philosophies being proposed and practiced by Wahabism.
From: Abbas
Subject: Curriculum
Comment: Sun, 12 Mar 2006 14:18:32 - We,from class 1 to 8,have been taught the 'Islamiat' books published by the Sindh Text Book Board, these books are written by both respected Sunni and Shia Scholars.Those were good books containing moral as well as historical materials.
But now some schools have adopted Islamiat books published by Hamdard foundation,these books have eliminated the historical facts.My experience of school life is that i faced much interrogations by my class fellows regarding my faith.Some students used to interrogate a shia teacher as well.That was the time when killing of innocent shia muslims were in full swing, at one time some student belonging to a terrorist sipahe sahaba brought a revolver at school.They used to abuse me,even a teacher who was also brain washed treated me very badly,he used to slap me only for nothing.Although you know what has been happening in our country in the name of Islam, i wish every concerned person and our Government take steps to accomodate everyone so that our country will prosper,inshaallah.
From: Shabbir Abbas Lakhani
Subject: The Gilgit Issue
Comment: Sat, 11 Mar 2006 23:27:08 - Dear Sirs:
I sincerely laud your efforts relative to the Islamic syllabus in Gilgit and hope it leads to a good conclusion. Personally I am not aware of the itemized syllabus and will appreciate if you would acquaint as to what the Government was trying to impose and what has our community suggested.
However regarding Gilgit and Skardu I acquired a good knowledge of the area since 1972. Baltistan predominantly Shia is not rich but it is rich in faith and a peaceful place. IT boasts many schools which teach religious studies and generally most young men visit and work in Karachi too.
But trouble is financed from the main town of Gilgit where the business is in the hands of the Sunni sect deeply influenced by the Salafis since the 1980s. As a result , trouble , murders rioting disturbing the Moharram processsion is common. In the time of Zia in fact many factions went to annihilate the region which thankfully did not happen. IN Skardu which is 95% Shiite saw the huge construction of Salafi mosques which led to undesirable consequences and terror attacks.
One way to redeem the situation would be to directly invest in business in Skardu and adjoining areas, promote good education build up transportation and communication in the area. And like you mention the promotion of an Islamic syllabus which amplifies unity and the pristine values of Islam. It is a difficult task but I commend your noble efforts in this behalf.
Truly yours
shabbir lakhani
From: Syed Meesam Razvi
Subject: Curriculum
Comment: Sat, 11 Mar 2006 00:21:35 - Our sources have indicated that the curriculum has still not been replaced. However, it may be a little too soon to comment as you attended the said meeting just last month. Let us all hope for the best.
From: Dr. Mohsin Naqvi
Subject: curriculums
Comment: Fri, 10 Mar 2006 23:43:30 - Salam Alaikum. I want to bring some facts to the public. Last year in the month of April,2005, i was invited by the govt of Pakistan to attend a high level meeting on the issue under discussion. I attended that meeting and on my and Dr. Fazal's suggestion tow books containing the pictures of prayer were replaced. In Feb this year i attended 7 days long meetings of Curriculm Comittee formed by govt of Pakistan, and we unanimously have set a curriculum for class one to XII. this curriculm is progressive and targetted at religious harmony and highest values of Quran. Dr. Mohsin Naqvi
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