By Imam Abdullah El-Amin, MMNS

Alhamdullilah,  ALLAH, The Almighty, has blessed us to nearly complete another Ramadan season and fast.  The blessings of this glorious month have been showered on the faithful believers as payment for the conscious restraint we have placed ourselves under by fasting.  ALLAH has said this Ramadan fast is solely for the purpose of increasing our Taqwa.  It is ordered for us yearly because we are not to think that we can just exercise this fast once and that is enough for a lifetime.  Our memories are too short for that.

But one of the things we can do to get the benefit of the fast throughout the year is to consciously focus on the restraints which lead to the benefits of the fast.  So many thoughts of wrong doing and sin enter our minds each day that it is a constant struggle to focus on righteousness.  And don’t feel that you are a no-good person because these thoughts enter your mind.  It happens to every human being in varying degrees.  And for some of us it is more of a challenge than it is for others.

I know of several people that are challenged by bad behavior brought on by a history of physical and mental deficiencies.  They may allow themselves to be denigrated and spit on by people who are really less than they are. These un-practicing ones (not practicing or following the scripture to gain strength) may have a history of spousal or child abuse where they find it almost impossible to resist the same type of abuse they have been accustomed to in the past because they think they deserve it.  And they only feel they deserve it because they have been told they deserve it by the Evil One.  But our Rabb lets us know that this is not the life existence He desires for His servants.

ALLAH is so aware of our shortcomings and so merciful to us because of them, that He actually gives us a blessing for thinking to do a wrong thing but NOT doing it.  This is so because you have actually done a good thing by restraining yourself from whatever you allowed to slip into your consciousness.  Whether you are thinking of slandering someone, abusing someone with less strength than you, or even thoughts of doing wrong to yourself – it is all the same.  If you don’t do it, ALLAH will reward you for your restraint and patience.  Fasting in Ramadan gives us this strength to remember ALLAH and gain more self-restraint.

After we have fasted the month, the Eid day brings out smiles and happiness in the Muslims.  If we think of it in the proper manner, it is a recurring happiness that seems almost automatic.  Virtually no one argues on Eid day.  In many communities gifts are given to the children and exchanged by adults in such a gleeful, unselfish manner that happiness is almost guaranteed.

This is supposed to be the way we live each and every day of our lives.  We collect money during this time to give to those in the community who may be undergoing financial difficulties so they can have less worry on their minds and they can enjoy the Eid as well.  ALLAH, the Almighty, does not wish for us to be unhappy and sad.

As we focus on our blessing for being Muslim, let us show our gratitude to our Creator by trying with all our heart to obey Him.  It’s the right thing and also smart; because that’s the only way to success.

As Salaam alaikum
Al Hajj Imam Abdullah El-Amin

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By Adeel Chowdhry

Adeel Chowdhry is a medical student and he is currently working with Cleaveland Clinic as a researcher

Nationwide protesting of the planned Islamic center to be erected in downtown Manhattan has elicited a myriad of politically charged and remarkably partisan reactions from the vast majority of Americans.  As an American Muslim, I find the backlash to the Cordoba House Project to be remarkably concerning, although, unfortunately, not entirely unexpected.

The project, called Park 51, will be comprised of a 13 story community center complete with a lecture hall, a restaurant, a swimming pool, and, of course, a prayer space.  Objectively, one would hardly find a reason to protest its construction simply due to its proposed function as a religious center; after all, the First Amendment guarantees the right for citizens to practice their respective religions free from persecution and interference.  The proprietors of the space recently cleared the final hurdle necessary for constructing the Islamic Community Center from a legal standpoint with the unanimous vote determining that the construction location is not eligible for landmark status.

Keeping this in mind, the initial concern for many American Muslims, including myself, was that the proposed location of the religious center was the root of the protesters’ concern.  After all, the location of Park 51 is in proximity to Ground Zero.  The events of September 11, 2001 united the nation and reminded us that there are those whose misguided ideologies pose a threat to the safety of our families.  It was a tragedy that continues to link all Americans, including Muslim Americans, some of whom comprise the families of the victims that unnecessarily lost their lives that day.  Ultimately, for the vast majority of Muslims in America and all over the world, (as documented in Who Speaks for Islam? What a Billion Muslims Really Think) the attacks were nothing short of a cowardly perversion of an ideology that is not, and never has been, sanctioned by Islam.

Various individuals and entities have maliciously attempted to use the events of that emotional day to distort the realities of the Islamic Community Center, intentionally misguiding concerned Americans, especially New Yorkers, many of whom are frustrated that the individuals responsible for orchestrating the September 11th attacks are still at large.  Perhaps the most vile of the nicknames given to the Cordoba House Project is the “Ground Zero Victory Mosque,” which zealots describe as a monument to the triumph and domination of Islam in New York, citing abstract and skewed generalizations regarding a perceived historical pattern regarding the construction of mosques in non-Muslim countries.

Those familiar with the project would venture, based on the reactions of New Yorkers and Americans overall, that it is not widely known that the area in question was already a prayer space for Muslims prior to the events of September 11th, nullifying the suggestion that the construction represents a new “victory” mosque.  Conversely, the construction of the community center can most accurately be described as an upgrade in order to offer more services to its congregants and the people of New York City.  Furthermore, the actual location of the site in question is not literally on Ground Zero, as many politicians and news outlets seem to relay.  Rather, it is where the aforementioned prayer space had always been, two blocks away from where the Twin Towers once stood in downtown Manhattan.

These observations clearly demonstrate that the facts regarding Park 51 are intentionally misrepresented, which explains why the latest CNN poll suggests that nearly 70% of Americans oppose the construction of the Cordoba House Project as planned.  Bearing this in mind, many American Muslims, such as myself, are concerned that there is a far more subversive force at work.  These sentiments become apparent when observing the changing climate towards Muslims in general nationwide.

In addition to the Islamic community center in Manhattan, the country has witnessed protests of mosques and Islamic Community Centers in California, Tennessee, Kentucky, as well as several other states.  To many Muslims, this opposition to Islamic centers demonstrates that most Americans are not differentiating between mainstream, moderate Islam, as practiced by over a billion people in the world, and various extremist perversions; including the ideology that fueled the September 11th attacks and continues to express itself worldwide, much to the detriment of not only America, but many other Muslim and non-Muslim nations as well.

Religious extremism has traditionally been designated as distinct from its respective mainstream counterpart.  For example, when Timothy McVeigh bombed the A.P. Murrah Building in 1995, there was no need for Christian leaders to denounce the militant “Christian Identity Movement,” which Timothy McVeigh represented, as contrary to the principles of Christianity.  Furthermore, when a few members of the radical Jewish group, “Gush Emunim,” attempted to destroy the mosque at the Dome of the Rock, Americans did not expect a uniform apology from Jewish leaders.  It is generally understood, as demonstrated in these cases, that the perpetrators of these acts of religious terror either acted alone or within the confines of a limited misguided group; their actions, understandably, should not be associated with mainstream Christianity nor Judaism.

The same understanding has not been extended to Islam, especially after September 11th.  A general fear of Islam, or Islamophobia, began to sweep Americans, and Muslims at large were criticized for apparently lacking a unified condemnation of the World Trade Center attacks.  The fact is that many Muslims, including myself, do not feel a sense of identity with the extremists that were responsible for the World Trade Center attacks.  Instead, we did feel the pain of the unnecessary and barbaric loss of life that took place that day.  For moderate and mainstream Muslims, these individuals acted in a profoundly un-Islamic manner.  In addition, it is necessary to understand that Islam, like its fellow Abrahamic religions, Judaism and Christianity, is not a monolithic entity, as it is so often portrayed in the media.  Adherents of Islam practice the faith in their own individual ways.  As a result, the vast majority of Muslims denounced the attacks, while others simply refused to even associate themselves with the ideologies espoused by these fanatics.

Who or what is responsible for distorting the understanding of the nation’s citizens about Islam?  Clearly, those who purposefully denounce Islam to further their own political goals are to be held accountable.  Most recently, politicians like Newt Gingrich and Sarah Palin have been among the most vocal critics of Islam, rarely, if ever, taking the time to differentiate between extremism and the faith practiced by Muslims all over the world.  Our own Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid, does not embrace the current location of the proposed Park 51 project.  Individuals from both political parties appear to be playing to the fears and uncertainties of the nation.  Utilizing fear as a tactic for consensus is not a new concept in American politics, as demonstrated by McCarthy-era Red Scare hysteria; as a matter of fact, it has been shown to be a highly effective, if not morally reprehensible, tool.

Sensationalistic news stories perpetrated by media outlets also serve to convolute this issue. Both directly and indirectly, these news agencies have helped merge the ideas of radical and moderate Islam by pursuing stories that repeatedly fail to capture the religion as practiced by over a billion people, instead choosing to focus on, and subsequently empowering, a handful of zealots that Americans are led to believe represent mainstream Islam.

The American public continues to be the victims of these distortions.  Well-intentioned citizens are encouraged to fear Muslims by individuals and entities that knowingly attempt to merge religious extremism and moderate Islam with the goal of disseminating fear and confusion in order to manufacture a fictionalized unified adversary in Muslims.

This pitfall can be avoided by unveiling the curtain of ignorance that separates Americans and Muslims in America.  A fair and balanced representation of all sides of Islam is necessary for the people to draw their own conclusions about any perceived threat from Islam.  The fundamental factor paramount to achieving this goal is dialogue.  Substantive interactions between Muslims and the non-Muslim majority in this country can serve to offset the popular misconceptions purposefully circulated regarding Islam.

The irony is that one of the primary purposes of the expansion of the prayer hall by the Cordoba House Project to a community center is to serve as an outreach initiative to the very community most in need of understanding the difference between religious perversion and moderate Islam: the families and friends of the victims that lost their lives to religious extremism.  It is unfortunate that the plans for Park 51’s construction are currently opposed by a majority of New Yorkers.
Many Muslims, including myself, believe that not only should the Cordoba House Project, Park 51, be constructed as is, but that its location is perhaps its strongest attribute.   The responsibility lies with its proprietors and supporters to understand that we are in a position to help those most in need of understanding that Islam as whole is not responsible for the actions of a disillusioned few.  Ideally, this project can be used as a means of allowing those unfamiliar with Islam to get to know the Muslim Americans that are present in all facets of society.

The Park 51 project represents a celebration of American values and freedoms, not a symbol with the intention of undermining them.  I implore those reading to consider the amazing potential for learning and healing that this community center can foster.

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By Adil James, MMNS

The Lansing Mayoral Iftar was a celebration of mutual goodwill, from the Democratic politicians of Lansing to the Muslim community of Southeast Michigan.

The keynote speaker for the event was, appropriately, Congressman Andre Carson (D-7th-IN) who is only the second Muslim elected to the Congress in American history–who is serving with Keith Ellison (D-12th-MN), the first Muslim congressman.

The event began at about 7pm in a large banquet hall in downtown Lansing, the Lansing Center, adjacent to Lansing’s Lugnut Stadium.  Lansing has thrived over the past five years–it is clean and has an active night life and a vibrant downtown with new office and apartment buildings within sight of the Capitol Building, and in the vicinity of the Lansing Center.

About 720 people attended the Ramadan Unity Dinner and Iftar, including many prominent people from the Democratic party in Michigan, such as Lansing mayor and Gubernatorial frontrunner Virg Bernero, and East Lansing mayor Vic W. Loomis Jr.

The evening was really billed as a fundraiser for hungry people in Michigan rather than as an interfaith event or an outreach event to Muslims, or as a religious event, although the name of the event and the many Muslims invited communicated the message of an attempt to build bridges to the Muslim community. 

Accordingly, representatives of several Michigan food banks were recognized and applauded by the speakers. 

In fact the event had more of a political air than a religious one, demonstrating that this was more of an outreach to Muslims by non-Muslims rather than the reverse.  As an example, there was no Qur`an reading, and the invocation was by a Christian preacher rather than a Muslim. 

Still, the event was very positive. The MC, Dr. Katranji began by welcoming the guests and explaining that the purpose of the event was to fight hunger, and he welcomed two food bank representatives to the event.  He emphasized, “the Almighty wants us to work together–Lansing, Michigan, the USA, to make the world a better place–to build unity regardless of faith.”

Dr. Katranji welcomed Virg Bernero, pointing out that Bernero had taken a break from his hectic campaign schedule of meetings and fundraisers, as an indication of the importance of the Ramadan event to him.

“Look how this event has grown,” said Mayor Bernero, pointing out steady improvements in the event over the past 4 years.  Bernero gave a description of Ramadan and its significance to Muslims, and said “I am proud to call Muslims my friends,” explaining that “Muslims are an integral part of the Michigan community.”

“Welcome,” he said, “from the bottom of my heart.”  “Welcome, and thanks to each and every one of you.”

Bernero expressed the hope that he would win the approaching gubernatorial election and said, “Who knows, maybe I’ll be welcoming you to the state Ramadan dinner” next year.

The highlight was likely the speech by Rep. Carson,  who demonstrated the charisma which helped him to reach his present position.  He referred to the intense opposition that he and Ellison had faced on their accession to the Congress, saying that in the early days of his election, his detractors, shocked at his and Ellison’s success, were saying “Here comes Shari’ah law!”

Carson explained that that bitterness has faded in the intervening years, however.

Carson showed his nimble wit, self-confidence, and friendly nature by making jokes based on the speeches that immediately preceded his.

Carson referred to the hadith that sadaqa does not diminish wealth, arguing that we have to help other people around the world in difficulty, referring to Haiti.
“We are a monotheistic community but we are not monolithic,” pointing out the ethnic diversity in the Muslim community.

Carson gave an example of an aid to Gaza bill which he voted in favor of because of the benefits it conferred on people in Gaza, but for which he faced intense criticism from Muslims who did not understand how his vote for the legislation actually was positive and not harmful to citizens of Gaza.

He confronted Muslims with hard questions, saying that we had failed to argue strongly against the members of our own faith who failed us, referring to an egregious example of domestic violence which he said the Muslim community had not condemned strongly.  “That kind of hypocrisy does not go unnoticed,” he said pointedly.

Carson pointed out problems external to the Muslim community, like racial profiling, but emphasized problems internal to the Muslim community like racism among Muslims.

Carson ended his speech with an admonishment to those present to shore up the government.  Quoting Ben Franklin, he said “you have a republic, if you can keep it.”

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K. Alec Mahmood appointed CFO of HealthMarkets, Inc.

HealthMarkets Inc., a provider of insurance for the self employed, has appointed K. Alec Mahmood as the company’s senior vice president and Chief Financial Officer.

Mahmood joined HealthMarkets, Inc. as Senior Vice President of Budget, Planning and Analysis in June 2007. Before the appointed  he served as a Director and Senior Vice President, Financial Planning & Analysis of The MEGA Life and Health Insurance Company, Mid-West National Life Insurance Company of Tennessee (based in Texas) and The Chesapeake Life Insurance Company.

Prior to joining HealthMarkets, Mr. Mahmood served as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Medicaid Division (Healthcare USA) and General Manager, Medicare Special Needs Plans Division for Coventry Health Care, Inc. Mr. Mahmood served as Vice President of Financial Operations of Ardent Health Services, from 2003 to 2005. Prior to Ardent, Mr. Mahmood was at Health Net Inc. from 1999 – 2003 and served as Chief Financial Officer of Health Net’s Arizona Division and of its behavioral health subsidiary, MHN.

Mr. Mahmood earned his Master’s of Health Administration from the University of Southern California, and earned a B.A. in History from Creighton University.

Illinois state police sued over Muslim chaplain controversy

CHICAGO,IL–The Council on American Islamic Relations on Monday filed a discrimination lawsuit against the Illinois State Police for revoking a Muslim Imam’s chaplaincy.

Filing on behalf of the Imam Kifah Mustapha the lawsuit accused the  police of “relying upon false allegations and unfounded suspicions of illegal activity” and “tarnishing the plaintiff’s professional reputation.”

“Constitutionally a person can only be held responsible for their own activities, their own conduct. And if Imam Kifah has never committed a crime, then what is he being denied for? I think that’s an answer we never received from Illinois State Police,” said Christina Abraham, CAIR, civil rights director.

Tennessee Muslims get support in wake of arson

NASHVILLE, TN–The Muslim community in Tennessee is getting wide support after arson hit the construction site for a new mosque in Murfreesboro.

Leading the call for tolerance was state Governor Phil Bredesen who urged urged politicians in both parties not to use the ongoing mosque controversy for partisan gain.

According to authorities, a fire broke out early Saturday morning at the planned Islamic Center of Murfreesboro. It destroyed a heavy hauler, according to Eric Kehn, spokesman for the Nashville office of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Three other pieces of equipment were damaged.

“The investigation continues into a suspected arson fire,” Kehn said, adding the investigation is being handled by the BATFE as well as the FBI and Rutherford County, and authorities are also looking into whether the incident may be a hate crime.

The incident comes amid a heated debate in Murfreesboro over the planned mosque as well as the national controversy over plans by a Muslim group to build a community center near the World Trade Center site in New York City.

Meat packer sued over discrimination against Muslim workers

GREELEY, CO–The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed suit Monday against JBS USA, alleging the meatpacker created a hostile work environment for Somali and Muslim workers due to their race, national origin and religion.

Two lawsuits were filed in U.S. District Court in Denver, both stemming from complaints about worker mistreatment during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan in September 2008. While those complaints involved scores of workers’ Ramadan experience at JBS’ Greeley and Grand Island, Neb., facilities, the suits claim that the pattern of discrimination and mistreatment has continued in the plants.

The EEOC reported last September that its investigation into the two facilities found evidence of harassment, retaliation and discrimination against the Muslim workers. The government agency and JBS USA then began a several-month period of conciliation talks.

“That was not successful, and as soon as that failed we looked at the case and decided whether to file suit,” said Mary Jo O’Neill, regional attorney for the EEOC. “It’s not just what happened in 2008. It’s our allegation in our complaint that this behavior has continued. We think they’ve continued to engage in harassment based on race, religion and national origin. We think the violation of the law has continued.”

Permit sought while mosque is being constructed

PITTSBURGH, PA–Muslims in Marshall Township are planning to get a temporary permit to pray at a site where a mosque is being constructed. The construction is proceeding at a slow pace and therefore they have asked the township to allow them to use a nearby house for prayers temporarily.

Township manager Neil McFadden told the Post-Gazette on  Monday night that council approved site and building plans for a mosque in 2007, but a group called the Muslim Association of Greater Pittsburgh, members of the Islamic Center of North Pittsburgh, will need a zoning variance to use the house adjacent to the property in the meantime, because the house is built in an area zoned for residential use only. The Islamic Center of North Pittsburgh is developing the land and building the mosque.

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By Geoffrey Cook, MMNS

Medford OR–I talked to Khalid Masaud almost a year ago in Berkeley, but forgot where I  had put the notebook with my jottings until recently.   Yesterday (August 28th)  with the flood water breaching the Arabian Sea flooding a 200,000-sized town, it  is important to reminder that Pakistan is one of the most Islamic of Muslim  States, and  in  its recovery Islamic law will play a part. 

Khalid is a leading Islamic jurist scholar who is a part of the  Pakistani government whose job description is to prove or disprove whether a proposed piece of legislation fits within the constitutionally defined confines of Pakistani’s legalistic “Islamic Modernism.”

He is the Chair of the Council of Islamic Ideology.  It is fairly a recent occurrence that the Islamic States have structurally melded with the contemporary idea of the nation-State.  Jurists have started accepting the laws of the secular State, but the word “secular’ is being interpreted within the Islamic tradition. Masaud stated that “Law is always shaped by the needs of the people.” 

Dr. Masaud deems Islamic law to be unchangeably constant, but it may be made amendable to Post-Modern sensibilities without giving up its universal sensibilities.  Historically, Jurists have formulated it, but it lacked a comprehensive methodology because it was created over the centuries. 

Thus, there is a gap between theory and practice.  The law has a residue of Islamic Medievalism of the period from which its foundation was generated. 

Therefore, it has to speak its truths in the vocabulary of the Contemporary believer today.

Traditional Islamic Law is Divine, and, therefore, cannot be really reformed!  Islamic Legal Modernism must, consequently must be recognized by (in) the Divine. The theories within Islamic regulation must be reduced to its elemental base, and, hence, the traditional procedures have to become modernized.    Still, the community has to accede on any new particular legislation even though the learned Ulema (jurists) have to play an authoritative role. 

The degree of emphasis on customary State law is diverse within the Muslim world.  Yet the Islamic law followed must be responsive to the society in which it finds itself.  Often within the Islamic States of South Asia, the rulers had made their own interpretation of their secular and sacred laws.  There were experiments overlaying the Colonial with the Islamic law. 

(Even within modern-day Pakistan, it is easy to perceive Westminster Democratic institutions next to Islamic principles.)

The Council on Islamic Ideology’s assignment is to give the Pakistani lawmakers advice on mending their laws seamless with the Koran and Sunnah.  Fazlur Rehman, the founder of the Council (1919-1988), asserted that “Pakistan was a positive developing nation.”  For him, curiously, Hadith and Sunnah must be kept separate.  He argued the phraseology of the Koran to be eternal, but its expresser, the Prophet (PBUH) was human.  Accordingly, the role of religion is eternal; i.e., the Koran, but has to flow within time – the role of Mohammed (PBUH).  For this reason, it is a duty of Muslims to revise with the times (but not to abandon their established foundation). 

Most of the “reforms” is necessitated from the impact with the West — not the masses although the proposed new laws have a fair chance of acceptance.  “Legal Modernism is achievable”  even though the conservative scholars still reject them out of hand.

Yet, “Political parties [now] are running scared” by the rhetoric of the conventional Ulema.  (The present floods have brought a great concern over anarchy, and the breakdown of law and order.  In future articles your author hopes to discuss this in deeper derail.).

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By Parvez Fatteh, Founder of http://sportingummah.com, sports@muslimobserver.com

Four-time Canadian men’s champion Shahier Razik will lead Canada’s squash team into the 2010 Commonwealth Games. Since squash is not yet an Olympic sport, the October Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India are among the top events on the international squash calendar, with top squash-playing nations such as England, Australia, and New Zealand sending their top players.

“With all of our Canadian players competing on international circuits, we look forward to taking on many of the best players in the world in Delhi,” Canadian coach Yvon Provençal said in a release. “We know that players like Shahier and Alana [Miller] will provide great leadership to the younger players and we expect to create some upsets.” The Canadian team, with the players chosen based on individual world ranking, is a mix of experienced players and relative newcomers.

Razik, born in Cairo but raised in Toronto, will make his third Commonwealth Games appearance. He has also played in three Pan American Games, winning individual gold in 2003. He won the Canadian singles title in 2006, 2007, 2009 and this year. The games will take place in New Dehli, India from October 3rd thru October 14th.

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By Parvez Fatteh, Founder of http://sportingummah.com, sports@muslimobserver.com

What had to this point been a down year on the court for Indian tennis star Sania Mirza finally turned around this month. First, she steamrolled through the necessary three qualifying matches for the U.S. Open. Then, in the first round of the main draw she defeated Michelle Larcher de Brito of Portugal 6-3, 6-2. The  77-minute victory was a real confidence booster for Mirza.

“I am just going to enjoy it. I was happy when I won the first round of the qualifiers and I am happy again today. I love playing here on the hardcourts in New York and always seem to do well here,” Sania told One India News after the match. She was to face 20th seeded Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchankova in the second round.

Mirza has seen her world ranking drop to 159, with a nagging wrist injury largely to blame. And as a result she had to qualify for Grand Slam tournament for the first time since 2005. But, she has some momentum going at the moment, so there is no telling where it will take her.

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By Nilofar Suhrawardy, MMNS India Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Terrorism has created a new storm in Indian political circles over an issue which paradoxically is not linked with any recent terror-strike. Verbal missiles are being exchanged between rival political parties over usage of words “saffron terror” by Home Minister P. Chidambaram. While inaugurating a three-day conference of top police officers in the capital city, he said: “There is no let-up in the attempts to radicalize young men and women in India. Besides, there is the recently uncovered phenomenon of saffron terrorism that has been implicated in many bomb blasts of the past. My advice to you is that we must remain ever vigilant and continue to build, at the central and state levels, our capacity in counter-terrorism.” (August 25)

Chidambaram used the words “saffron terror” as in the recent past, some people associated with saffron brigade have been arrested for involvement in several militant activities. These include blasts in Mecca Masjid, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh (May 18, 2007), Ajmer, Rajasthan (October 11, 2007) Malegaon, Maharashtra (September 8, 2006) and Modasa, Gujarat (September 29, 2008).

Uproar was created in Upper House of Parliament with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena objecting strongly to Chidambaram using the words “saffron terror.” (August 27) Legislators from the left bloc and several parties, including Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), however, questioned the stand taken by BJP and Shiv Sena. Chaos in the House led to repeated adjournments.

Shiv Sena leader Manohar Joshi raised the issue as soon as the House assembled for the day. “The (Home) Minister should declare the names of people connected with terrorism when making such statements,” Joshi said as his party members shouted slogans. With too many people shouting at the same time, Chairman Hamid Ansari decided to adjourn the House for 15 minutes.

After the House re-assembled, leader of the Opposition Arun Jaitley (BJP) said that “a very large section of the House” objected to Home Minister using the words “saffron terror.” On this, Brinda Karat (Communist Party-Marxist) said later in the House that Jaitley had expressed his party’s views and not of majority in the House. “We disagree. Certain organizations operating in the name of Hindutva should be condemned,” she said.

LJP leader Ramvilas Paswan referred to association of Sangh Parivar  (saffron brigade), with terrorism and said that Chidambaram had made the statement as a responsible minister. “Saffron terrorism should be dealt with firmly,” he said. BJP leaders rose immediately objecting to his comments and demanded an apology from him.

While Congress leaders have tried to downplay the issue, the opposition parties have demanded an apology from Chidambaram and also his resignation from the cabinet. Several parties are using the occasion to display their “secular” image by condemning “saffron terrorism.” Asserting that terrorism has no color, Congress general secretary Janardhan Dwivedi said: “It is completely black in color, whether you associate terrorism with saffron, red, green, or white, it can never be connected to any color.” “Terrorism should be condemned. It is important to be restrained in using the language. Most importantly people should not object to any color as every color has its own tradition and history,” he said.

BJP leader Rajnath Singh strongly criticized Chidambaram and accused him of being “indifferent” to the importance of saffron, which he said is “a color of devotion, dedication, sacrifice and holds a very respectful position in our country.” “It is really sad that Chidambaram has associated saffron color with terrorism. Our national flag, the tricolor, has this color, our saints, mahatmas also wear this color. Now, Chidambaram is trying to place all of them in the category of terrorists,” he said.

Countering the Sangh Parivar, while addressing his party members, Union Minister for Agriculture Sharad Pawar (Nationalist Congress Party) said: “If ‘green terror’ is fine with them, why should ‘saffron terror’ upset them so much? Isn’t green too a color in our national flag?” “Some leaders are angry because they say ‘saffron terror’ is an insult to not just one party but to the entire country. They tell me, saffron is the color of our flag. But they forget that even green color is present in our flag,” Pawar said.

With Bihar Assembly elections round the corner, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and LJP have used Chidambaram’s “saffron terror” warnings to win over the Muslim votes in the state. While RJD boss Lalu Prasad strongly criticized the Hindu terror groups, LJP leader Paswan went a step further in demanding ban on Hindu extremist outfits. Both the leaders, in their respective meetings with media, also criticized the Congress for being “soft” towards “saffron terrorism.”  “The center should ban RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh), VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad) and Bajrang Dal if it is interested to rein in saffron terrorism,” Paswan said. Condemning both Hindu and Muslim communal forces, Paswan pointed to “innocent Muslim boys languishing in jails, while Hindu terror outfits were on the rage.”
Not willing to lose this opportunity of targeting the center, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has threatened to launch a campaign against usage of words “saffron terror.” Accusing the center of “maligning country’s cultural heritage for sake of vote banks,” while addressing a gathering, Modi said: “Saffron color is a part of our national flag. It is the color worn by saints and holy men and it is also the color associated to temple flags. Is the center associating all this to terrorism as well? This son of Gujarat demands an explanation from the Prime Minister and asks him to take back the words and apologize.”

Irrespective of whether uproar over “saffron terrorism” calms down soon or not, the occasion is certainly being exploited by all keen on displaying their political “colors.”

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