Illiterate moulvis
WITH reference to the letter by Salman Baig (August 31), I think that the writer became emotional, denied some facts and favoured moulvis just for nothing.
It is not the right aspect of the picture. I used to say my Friday prayer regularly and at least observe the mosques and number of namaazis. If Mr Salman ever visits the mosque on Fridays, then he should observe the number of namaazis, who queue in rows outside the mosque, the mosque being deficient in accommodating the large number of faithful.
The moulvis are also wrong who do not teach the nation moral and ethical values and do not educate them to do righteous deeds and to be disciplined in every walk of life. Being illiterate and uneducated, moulvis do not have a broad vision and good calibres, so they are enthusiastic to discuss and exaggerate political, sectarian and ethnic issues. They feel happy to pray for the destruction of non-Muslims, a totally wrong doing, which even our Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) had never done, even though he was Rahmat al Allaameen.
It are the moulvis who distorted the concept of Islam and Jihad, and brought a bad name to the Pakistani nation around the globe. Mosques are social institutions of prime importance and moulvis are responsible to guide this nation in the right direction by teaching moral values and discipline.
To make mosques and moulvis of worth in leading this nation on a right path, the government should take some serious steps in this direction.
* Illiterate and uneducated moulvis should be immediately removed from the mosques.
* Requirement of minimum qualification of moulvis should be set to appoint one in a mosque.
* Required qualification should at least be a Masters degree in philosophy, physics and a good knowledge of Islam, Quraan, Hadith and Fiqaah.
* The moulvi should have a pleasant, charismatic and influential personality with good conversational skills.
* Posts of moulvis should start from Grade-17.
* A selection committee or commission e.g Public Service Commission should be made to select moulvis.
* Selected ones should be properly trained before their posting in mosques.
* Performance of moulvis should be monitored and they should be promoted on merit.
I think, if such a system is evolved, these educated moulvis can teach this nation to be disciplined with good moral values and maximum positive approach.
ATEEQ UR RAHMAN
Lahore
A nation pitted against itself
WITH respect to the interview of Aitzaz Ahsan (August 10), Mr Ahsan claims that we denied a part of ourselves, which was indeed in part Indian.
When a person embraces Islam he automatically enters the Muslim community and adopts an Islamic culture. If one feels that the conversion was inappropriate and sank him to the depths of confusion and identity crisis that means that he is not satisfied with his religion and the spirit of Islam never penetrated his soul.
We were not taught to hate India in schools, rather we learnt the facts of history. If we deny the truth we are bound to be a victim of split personality.
We were already a separate nation before partition. Quaid-i-Azam only provided us a place to live and have a government of our own. It is foolish to think that we assumed an identity that was extra-territorial. Indirectly it means that Quaid-i-Azam was wrong. No! He was appointed as the ambassador of the Hindu-Muslim unity at one time for his efforts to unite them. Sir Syed, Allama Iqbal and other great Muslim leaders also tried to live in peace with the Hindus. But alas, when all else failed there was no alternate but Pakistan where our roots lie.
SAIMA EMAN
Lahore
A cry for justice
WITH reference to the story, A cry for justice (September 14), I am a member of a human rights organizations. Our members are contacting the authorities and other human rights organizations to try and get some help for the person.
We have also requested our members to send letters, independently, to the Saudi Embassy about the case. One of our member’s is also contacting media managers in Saudi Arabia regarding the situation of the fellow.
NADEEM YOUSUF
E-mail
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