suryau's submission that maneka did towel advertisements to humiliate mrs. indira gandhi is wrong. she did those advertisments for dcm before she married sanjay. one reason for the fallout between indira and menaka was that menaka's mother mrs.amteshwar anand was perceived to be a very domineering type by mrs. gandhi and they two families never got along.

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Orginally posted by Desi in Alberta

I was born in India but I was always called non-Indian. Imagine telling a 7 year old boy that you don't belong here. Even after all that, I love my country and wish I would go back to a peaceful India.

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Are you there?

As a child I was taunted by grown-up men wearing khakhi shorts (half-pants). At school/university the teachers treated me differently - I always felt that I will have to do more to be equal (that benefitted me a lot in my later life). [This could be compared to how we in Canada have to do much more at work than any other white person to justify that we deserve the job and career in Canada.]

Later on (after graduation) during my post-teenage years at my work place.

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I would like to share with you a few lines from Holy Qur'an emphasising these points:

The Islamic principles God proclaims in the Qur’an account for this peaceful and temperate policy of Prophet Muhammad. In the Qur’an, God commands believers to treat even the non-Muslims kindly and justly:

[...God does not forbid you from being good to those who have not fought you over religion or driven you from your homes, or from being just towards them. God loves those who are just. God merely forbids you from taking as friends those who have fought you over religion and driven you from your homes and who supported your expulsion...] (Surat Al-Mumtahanah 60:8-9)

The verses above specify the outlook of a Muslim on non-Muslims: A Muslim should treat all non-Muslims kindly and avoid making friends only with those who show enmity to Islam. In case this enmity causes violent attacks against the existence of Muslims, that is, in case they wage a war against them, then Muslims should respond them justly by considering the humane dimensions of the situation. All forms of barbarism, unnecessary acts of violence and unjust aggression are forbidden by Islam.

In another verse, God warns Muslims against this and explains that rage felt for enemies should not cause them to drift them into injustice:

[You who believe! Show integrity for the sake of God, bearing witness with justice. Do not let hatred for a people incite you into not being just. Be just. That is closer to heedfulness. Heed God (alone). God is aware of what you do.] (Surat Al-Ma’idah 5:8)

DIA... I wont blame you for that.. Whereas you had these taunts, I being a Hindu was discriminated by the Higher caste's at my college. The reason was simple, I was a non telugu living in their town/area and gobbling up all the top jobs that came in the college. So discrimination was obvious.
The RSS folks that you are talking about represent an extreme fringe portion of the Indian diaspora. I do not condone most of their actions (some I do... but when it comes to religious aspects I totally disagree with them). You have quoted extensively from the Shura's and Hadith's of the Quran. Ppl back home look down upon the Muslim community for a couple of things. I will state them as follows. I raised these points with a friend of mine also (he was a Muslim also..from Lucknow). Let me state these points and maybe you can comment on these. I have reservations on these myself and you can say this is why I suppor the BJP and other such parties. However, I would like your opinion on these points :-

1.) Muslim men have a simple and easy option of triple talaq (stated anywhere and anytime..though this is disputed by others..). Muslim women on the other hand have to produce 2 reliable witnesses who can vouchsafe for the women and only then the Qazi can annul the marriage. This apparent discrimination was appropriately raised by the BJP and exploited by it. Remember the Shah Bano case ? Rajiv Gandhi and the Congress (influenced by the IUML) rescinded on the Supreme Court decision in giving alimony to Shah Bano.. Can you explain these inequalities ?

2.) The good old question of Uniform Civil Code ! In Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia I (as a non muslim) have no right to practise my faith and religion, leave alone having separate civil rights. In a country like UK/USA Muslims have to and readily follow the unform civil code of the land. Why is it that in India Muslims see the concept of Uniform civil code as an "attack" on secularism ? My friend did not have an answer to this so I would like your opinion on this. This fact caught the imagination of folks back home and hence translated into support for the BJP.

I suppose these are the two main reasons why you faced such discrimination back home ! Ane before you think that I am an anti-Muslim pls do not think so.. Other than being anti- Jihadi (like the rest of the world) I have many things to learn from Islam. I still rue my fate that I never got the chance to receive my Masters degree from Dr. Kalam when he was the chief guest during the convocation (and yeah he is my role model !)
Will be looking forward to your reply

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Dear Ottawa Nerd,
Yes, each and every person in India has been subjected to racism many times during their lifespan – either by religion, caste, language, the way someone dresses, by level of education, by darkness (or fairness) of skin, colour of eyes… the list is endless.

Thanks for asking me these questions. I am really pleased that you have a very positive frame of mind. I am afraid my answer will be long but it will be worth it.

Islam is the most misunderstood religion – even Muslims don’t fully understand it. I have met just a few individuals so far who understand it. In my previous post I have quoted only from the Holy Qur’an (the word of Allah revealed to Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) 1400 years ago).

Answering your 1st point:

Triple talaq (divorce): There is nothing like “triple” talaq in Islam. It is just “two” talaq. There are very tough conditions for getting a divorce both for men and women. All efforts shall be made to prevent breakdown of marriage. Man and woman both need two witnesses. Talaq cannot be proclaimed while you are angry. There must be 4 months between two talaqs then only the divorce is valid. Remember this is 1400 years ago, if you know history of Europe, women were not even treated as a human being until just 70 years ago. Please see below some verses from the Holy Qur’an dealing with this issue:

Quote:
2:226. For those who take an oath for abstention from their wives, a waiting for four months is ordained; if then they return, Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.

2:227. But if their intention is firm for divorce, Allah heareth and knoweth all things.

2:228. Divorced women shall wait concerning themselves for three monthly periods. Nor is it lawful for them to hide what Allah Hath created in their wombs, if they have faith in Allah and the Last Day. And their husbands have the better right to take them back in that period, if they wish for reconciliation. And women shall have rights similar to the rights against them, according to what is equitable; but men have a degree (of advantage) over them. And Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise.

2:229. A divorce is only permissible twice: after that, the parties should either hold Together on equitable terms, or separate with kindness. It is not lawful for you, (Men), to take back any of your gifts (from your wives).

2:241. For divorced women Maintenance (should be provided) on a reasonable (scale). This is a duty on the righteous.

Unquote

[Do you remember what the main issue in Shah Bano case was? It was regarding monthly allowance. The muslim leaders who were opposed to giving maintenance to Shah Bano. I am sorry to say they did not even know what’s written in Qur’an – so much ignorance! There was more politics (of winning votes) than religion in that case.]

Quote:

65: 2. O Prophet ! when you divorce women, divorce them for the prescribed period, and thereafter reckon the period; and fear ALLAH, your Lord. Turn them not out of their houses, nor should they themselves leave unless they commit manifest indecency. These are the limits set by ALLAH; and whoso transgresses the limits of ALLAH, he, indeed, wrongs his own soul. Thou knowest not; it may be that thereafter ALLAH will bring something new to pass.

65: 7. Lodge the divorced women during the prescribed period in the houses wherein you dwell, according to your means, and harass them not that you may create hardships for them and thus force them to leave. And if they be with child, spend on them until they are delivered of their burden. And if they give suck to the child for you, give them their due recompense, to be fixed in consultation with one another according to what is customary; but if you meet with difficulty from each other, then let another women suckle the child for the father.

4:129. And if a women fears ill treatment or indifference from her husband, it shall be no sin that they be suitably reconciled to each other; and reconciliation is best. And people are prone to covetousness. And if you do good and are righteous, surely ALLAH is Aware of what you do.

Unquote

Answering your 2nd point:

I have lived in Saudi Arabia for five years. I did not think that they are following the word of Allah correctly – again power politics works here. The king doesn’t want to give up his throne. Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) never discriminated between Jews and Christians at the time. Muslims believe in Jesus, Moses, Abraham and all the prophets in between. Prophet Abraham lived more than 4500 years ago.

Quote:
2:256. Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And Allah heareth and knoweth all things.

5: 69. Say, ‘O People of the Book, you stand on nothing until you observe the Torah and the Gospel and what has now been sent down to you from your Lord.’ And surely what has been sent down to thee from thy Lord will increase many of them in rebellion and disbelieve; so grieve not for the disbelieving people.

5: 70. Surely those who believed, and the Jews, and the Sabians, and the Christians - whoso believes in ALLAH and the Last Day and does good deeds, on them shall come no fear, nor shall they grieve.

2:177. It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces Towards east or West; but it is righteousness- to believe in Allah and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer, and practice regular charity; to fulfil the contracts which ye have made; and to be firm and patient, in pain (or suffering) and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the Allah.fearing.

22: 18. As to those who believe, and the Jews and the Sabians, and the Christians, and the Magians and the idolaters; verily, ALLAH will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection. Surely, ALLAH watches over all things.

3: 96. Say, ‘ALLAH has declared the truth; follow, therefore, the religion of Abraham who was ever inclined to ALLAH, and he was not of those who associated gods with Him.’

4:125. But whoso does good works, whether male or female, and he or she is a believer, such shall enter heaven, and shall not be wronged even as much as the little hollow in the back of a date-stone.

4:126. And who is better in faith than he who submits himself entirely to ALLAH, and he is a doer of good and follows the religion of Abraham ? And ALLAH took Abraham for a special friend.

2:136. Say ye: "We believe in Allah, and the revelation given to us, and to Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) prophets from their Lord: We make no difference between one and another of them: And we bow to Allah (in Islam)."
Unquote.

The last item in your email talks about jihad. If you read through the Holy Qur’an – jihad is to fight evil and injustice. Jihad is not recommended when fighting injustice creates more injustice. Examples of jihad are what Gandhiji (non-violent) and Subashchandra Bose (it involved violence but did not harm innocent folks) did for our country’s freedom.

If you have time, borrow the English version of Holy Qur’an from the local public library. I also welcome your comments and questions. I would also welcome having a phone talk with you if you feel this works better. Please send me a private message and I will give you a call.

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Orginally posted by Desi in Alberta

If you have time, borrow the English version of Holy Qur’an from the local public library. I also welcome your comments and questions. I would also welcome having a phone talk with you if you feel this works better. Please send me a private message and I will give you a call.

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Let's talk about it - send me your phone number privately and a good time to call.

I am interested in knowing where you found conflicts - let's resolve the issues. It would be a good learning opportunity for me as well.