Comments on: Rethinking Islam and Hinduism http://www.razarumi.com/2008/03/04/rethinking-islam-and-hinduism/ In search of the unsearchable: O, my soul! where would you find your house? Mon, 08 Sep 2008 07:48:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Sidhusaaheb http://www.razarumi.com/2008/03/04/rethinking-islam-and-hinduism/#comment-4280 Sidhusaaheb Thu, 27 Mar 2008 19:48:48 +0000 http://www.razarumi.com/2008/03/04/rethinking-islam-and-hinduism/#comment-4280 Religion has become the source of so much conflict and blood-shed over the centuries, even as no major religion in the world preaches hatred or intolerance. What can be done about that? Frankly, I don't know. Better men have tried to figure that out and failed. Religion has become the source of so much conflict and blood-shed over the centuries, even as no major religion in the world preaches hatred or intolerance.

What can be done about that? Frankly, I don’t know. Better men have tried to figure that out and failed.

]]> By: Rethinking Islam And Hinduism | Indian Muslims Blog http://www.razarumi.com/2008/03/04/rethinking-islam-and-hinduism/#comment-4041 Rethinking Islam And Hinduism | Indian Muslims Blog Tue, 11 Mar 2008 02:26:34 +0000 http://www.razarumi.com/2008/03/04/rethinking-islam-and-hinduism/#comment-4041 [...] This article was first published at Jahan-e-Rumi.  [...] [...] This article was first published at Jahan-e-Rumi.  [...]

]]> By: Dastagir http://www.razarumi.com/2008/03/04/rethinking-islam-and-hinduism/#comment-4027 Dastagir Sun, 09 Mar 2008 07:31:13 +0000 http://www.razarumi.com/2008/03/04/rethinking-islam-and-hinduism/#comment-4027 You may not be Irfan Habib of Aligarh.. but still... welcome to my world. You shine in your own way. Level of scholarship is gong down. Everything is becoming graded and quantified. A lifetime has to be spent - and its a risk ! A personal life has to be destroyed at the altar of scholarship. Its not a pleasant life. It is a very painful, lonely, frustrating life... but fame and respect compensate in some way... Yet its all hollow... and one knows it deep down ! When one is sick and ill and penni-less... the ugly reality dawns... and it is such a tearing, daunting moment and feel. However, some people are born (cursed) to serve at the altar of scholarship. It is a very selfish (or atleast self-centered) station.. one is led away from reality... to an ivory tower of one's own making ! Yet, the scholalrly minds of a nation are its true assets ! So, weldome Syed Irfan Habib... with your expertise, personality, contribution and sensitivity. May God bless you in the work that you do.... and Raza Rumi is the source (zariya) for bringing together people of diverse talents, interests and short-comings. We are not perfect and are hugely flawed... yet there are some common threads. Connecting this threads is synergy. We have to learn a lot because we have lost an empire... we have to learn from the Bengali Reniassance. In today's inflationary times, DOING (KARMA) is next to impossible.... yet the flame of hope has to be kept alive. I spend days and nights dreaming... Its better to dream... than be barren. Barren is not practical / pragmatic... its a vegetable / dead existence. The Muslim Civilisation lost the battle cuz it became too practical (micro-based). A certain idealism and romance is the heart and soul of a civilisation. You become too personalised... and you go the way of the titanic. It is impossible.. and one hates it... but 'SHARING" is key... and charity must begin from "home". Thats the first step..... i You may not be Irfan Habib of Aligarh.. but still… welcome to my world. You shine in your own way. Level of scholarship is gong down. Everything is becoming graded and quantified. A lifetime has to be spent - and its a risk ! A personal life has to be destroyed at the altar of scholarship. Its not a pleasant life. It is a very painful, lonely, frustrating life… but fame and respect compensate in some way… Yet its all hollow… and one knows it deep down ! When one is sick and ill and penni-less… the ugly reality dawns… and it is such a tearing, daunting moment and feel. However, some people are born (cursed) to serve at the altar of scholarship. It is a very selfish (or atleast self-centered) station.. one is led away from reality… to an ivory tower of one’s own making ! Yet, the scholalrly minds of a nation are its true assets ! So, weldome Syed Irfan Habib… with your expertise, personality, contribution and sensitivity. May God bless you in the work that you do…. and Raza Rumi is the source (zariya) for bringing together people of diverse talents, interests and short-comings. We are not perfect and are hugely flawed… yet there are some common threads. Connecting this threads is synergy. We have to learn a lot because we have lost an empire… we have to learn from the Bengali Reniassance. In today’s inflationary times, DOING (KARMA) is next to impossible…. yet the flame of hope has to be kept alive. I spend days and nights dreaming… Its better to dream… than be barren. Barren is not practical / pragmatic… its a vegetable / dead existence. The Muslim Civilisation lost the battle cuz it became too practical (micro-based). A certain idealism and romance is the heart and soul of a civilisation. You become too personalised… and you go the way of the titanic. It is impossible.. and one hates it… but ‘SHARING” is key… and charity must begin from “home”. Thats the first step….. i

]]> By: S Irfan Habib http://www.razarumi.com/2008/03/04/rethinking-islam-and-hinduism/#comment-4016 S Irfan Habib Fri, 07 Mar 2008 09:24:25 +0000 http://www.razarumi.com/2008/03/04/rethinking-islam-and-hinduism/#comment-4016 I am overwhelmed by Mr Dastagir's kind words of appreciation. However, I feel I should clarify my identity, something I had been facing for the last 25/30 years of my academic career. I am not Irfan habib from Aliogarh though I share the name and the subject. `S' was added to my name for publications, as suggested by Prof Irfan habib, but even that does not help sometimes. I thank you again and would surely keep you informed about my little interventions on the subject. My main thrust area had been history of science during colonial India. cheers irfan I am overwhelmed by Mr Dastagir’s kind words of appreciation. However, I feel I should clarify my identity, something I had been facing for the last 25/30 years of my academic career. I am not Irfan habib from Aliogarh though I share the name and the subject. `S’ was added to my name for publications, as suggested by Prof Irfan habib, but even that does not help sometimes.
I thank you again and would surely keep you informed about my little interventions on the subject. My main thrust area had been history of science during colonial India.
cheers
irfan

]]> By: amina http://www.razarumi.com/2008/03/04/rethinking-islam-and-hinduism/#comment-4009 amina Thu, 06 Mar 2008 09:10:21 +0000 http://www.razarumi.com/2008/03/04/rethinking-islam-and-hinduism/#comment-4009 very good post, objective and sober! very good post, objective and sober!

]]> By: Dastagir http://www.razarumi.com/2008/03/04/rethinking-islam-and-hinduism/#comment-4007 Dastagir Thu, 06 Mar 2008 08:06:23 +0000 http://www.razarumi.com/2008/03/04/rethinking-islam-and-hinduism/#comment-4007 Ah ! Alam Khudmiri... His younger son was my senior at school. I had a picture of him with me. It was a group photo.. Mr. Khundmiri, his wife, me, Prof. Annemarie Schimmell and Akbar Ali Khan (Barrister)... and Prof. Ghulam Dastagir "Rasheed". It was clicked by Ms. Schimmel's camera.. and she sent me the picture from Harvard, Mass. I was in my "O" levels then... and had listened to every single of Prof. Schimmel's lectures (her first visit to Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India). I took a bus and got down at Law College, Osmania University. That is where (Auditorium / Law College OU), Prof. Khundmiri had arranged a Lecture for Dr. Schimmell. Prof. Khundmiri read his paper, and i was naturally very impressed. Prof. Schimmel, was a gifted scholar. I saw her working. She had a small type-writer... on which she used to type endlessly... (She Stayed at the home of Peter Sewitz, Director, Max Mueller Bhavan Hyderabad., at his beautiful home at Masab Tank, Hyderabad.. Mrs. Peter Sewitz was a very fine, highly refined and great hostess !). Personally Dr. Khundmiri looked scholarly with greek features.. and a strong resemblance with Mr. Z.A. Bhutto of Pakistan. His voice was the best part of his personality. We knew Alam Khundmiri was a big man., so was Prof. Ghulam Dastagir Rashid.. and of course... Annemarie Schimmel was the "Amma" of Indo-Muslim Culture (academically) ! . Prof. AnNnemarie Schimmel (Harvard) visited Hyderabad for the first time.. and created a sensation... and left a huge impact on the elite of the city . She was accorded a Saint's Reception. ! I heard Alam Khundmiri.... today i read the fine passage written by Irfan Habib.. and his face and memories came to mind. Ah ! Alam Khudmiri… His younger son was my senior at school. I had a picture of him with me. It was a group photo.. Mr. Khundmiri, his wife, me, Prof. Annemarie Schimmell and Akbar Ali Khan (Barrister)… and Prof. Ghulam Dastagir “Rasheed”. It was clicked by Ms. Schimmel’s camera.. and she sent me the picture from Harvard, Mass. I was in my “O” levels then… and had listened to every single of Prof. Schimmel’s lectures (her first visit to Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India).

I took a bus and got down at Law College, Osmania University. That is where (Auditorium / Law College OU), Prof. Khundmiri had arranged a Lecture for Dr. Schimmell. Prof. Khundmiri read his paper, and i was naturally very impressed.
Prof. Schimmel, was a gifted scholar. I saw her working. She had a small type-writer… on which she used to type endlessly… (She Stayed at the home of Peter Sewitz, Director, Max Mueller Bhavan Hyderabad., at his beautiful home at Masab Tank, Hyderabad.. Mrs. Peter Sewitz was a very fine, highly refined and great hostess !).

Personally Dr. Khundmiri looked scholarly with greek features.. and a strong resemblance with Mr. Z.A. Bhutto of Pakistan. His voice was the best part of his personality. We knew Alam Khundmiri was a big man., so was Prof. Ghulam Dastagir Rashid.. and of course… Annemarie Schimmel was the “Amma” of Indo-Muslim Culture (academically) ! .

Prof. AnNnemarie Schimmel (Harvard) visited Hyderabad for the first time.. and created a sensation… and left a huge impact on the elite of the city . She was accorded a Saint’s Reception. !

I heard Alam Khundmiri…. today i read the fine passage written by Irfan Habib.. and his face and memories came to mind.

]]> By: Dastagir http://www.razarumi.com/2008/03/04/rethinking-islam-and-hinduism/#comment-4006 Dastagir Thu, 06 Mar 2008 07:49:17 +0000 http://www.razarumi.com/2008/03/04/rethinking-islam-and-hinduism/#comment-4006 What to say of Prof. Irfan Habib. I have the highest regard for him. He is a great scholar - i have read a miniscule part of his writings and it has touched my heart. I visited Aligarh - and secretly wished to meet him... but he was not in town ! Majaz's sister Saeeda Apa.. also lives there.. i wanted to.. but i did not meet her, either. Honestly one should NOT meet the people one admires... cuz then the myth is broken. Hence the distance !! Prof. Irfan Habib is appealing to the humane-ness of both Hindus and Muslims. Communalism in all its shades is bad and self-destructive. Jihadi Mullah is as dangerous as the RSS- knicker-walla. Together they will destroy S.E. Asia. Eclectic Hinduism will die at the hands of Savarkar's Hindutva... that is the first huge civilisational casualty. Likewise, the Jihadi Mullah will destroy the democratic soul of Islamic philosophy. How to counter the RSS and the JIhadi.. is the biggest intellectual challenge. It can be met... but that would need leadership of a very high calibre. India does NOT have such leadership today... and so the RSS is having a free reign. RSS has to be countered intellectually. Expose their lies. This is the battle of the mind.. this is the battle to save the SOUL of India. RSS is bent on destroying both Hinduism and India - simultaneously - thru its sadism. What to say of Prof. Irfan Habib. I have the highest regard for him. He is a great scholar - i have read a miniscule part of his writings and it has touched my heart. I visited Aligarh - and secretly wished to meet him… but he was not in town ! Majaz’s sister Saeeda Apa.. also lives there.. i wanted to.. but i did not meet her, either. Honestly one should NOT meet the people one admires… cuz then the myth is broken. Hence the distance !!

Prof. Irfan Habib is appealing to the humane-ness of both Hindus and Muslims. Communalism in all its shades is bad and self-destructive. Jihadi Mullah is as dangerous as the RSS- knicker-walla. Together they will destroy S.E. Asia.

Eclectic Hinduism will die at the hands of Savarkar’s Hindutva… that is the first huge civilisational casualty. Likewise, the Jihadi Mullah will destroy the democratic soul of Islamic philosophy. How to counter the RSS and the JIhadi.. is the biggest intellectual challenge. It can be met… but that would need leadership of a very high calibre.

India does NOT have such leadership today… and so the RSS is having a free reign. RSS has to be countered intellectually. Expose their lies. This is the battle of the mind.. this is the battle to save the SOUL of India. RSS is bent on destroying both Hinduism and India - simultaneously - thru its sadism.

]]> By: RR http://www.razarumi.com/2008/03/04/rethinking-islam-and-hinduism/#comment-3998 RR Wed, 05 Mar 2008 19:25:38 +0000 http://www.razarumi.com/2008/03/04/rethinking-islam-and-hinduism/#comment-3998 Id and Ignacio thanks for the comments.This is a great piece and I am most thankful to Irfan H to have shared it here. cheers, R Id and Ignacio
thanks for the comments.This is a great piece and I am most thankful to Irfan H to have shared it here.
cheers, R

]]> By: imigueldiaz http://www.razarumi.com/2008/03/04/rethinking-islam-and-hinduism/#comment-3996 imigueldiaz Wed, 05 Mar 2008 11:03:13 +0000 http://www.razarumi.com/2008/03/04/rethinking-islam-and-hinduism/#comment-3996 Hi Raza! Great post! Talking from a non islamic point of view I think that 'occidental' people as me must assume their part of guilt on this matter. We must really try to understand Islam talking with muslim people on 'peer-to-peer' basis and not letting ourselves being influenced by media etc... On 3 simple words: OPEN OUR MINDS Best, Ignacio Hi Raza!

Great post!

Talking from a non islamic point of view I think that ‘occidental’ people as me must assume their part of guilt on this matter.

We must really try to understand Islam talking with muslim people on ‘peer-to-peer’ basis and not letting ourselves being influenced by media etc…

On 3 simple words:

OPEN OUR MINDS

Best,
Ignacio

]]> By: IMeMy http://www.razarumi.com/2008/03/04/rethinking-islam-and-hinduism/#comment-3993 IMeMy Wed, 05 Mar 2008 01:07:03 +0000 http://www.razarumi.com/2008/03/04/rethinking-islam-and-hinduism/#comment-3993 Thanks for posting this Raza! This writing could perhaps douse the flames of divisiveness that have fanned fundamentalism in the devout souls of the world. What a well thought out and masterfully presented piece of writing! Thanks for posting this Raza!
This writing could perhaps douse the flames of divisiveness that have fanned fundamentalism in the devout souls of the world. What a well thought out and masterfully presented piece of writing!

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