One does not understand Singh’s definition of ‘cultural nationalism’ but he has been an inconsistent president of a party which claims to be truly “nationalistic.” Is he the same Singh who sung the “terrorist” song immediately after the so-called ‘encounter’ at Batla House? Why did he sing a different song after the arrest of Sadhvi? Is it because of the difference in religious affiliation of those who were killed at Batla House? Or did ‘acquaintance’ prompt him to defend Sadhvi? The widely-circulated picture of Singh with Sadhvi does not incriminate him but as we say in journalism: A picture speaks a thousand words.

One must note that like the accused of the Batla house, Sadhvi remains an accused and not a “terrorist.” A terrorist tag can only be accorded by a court of law.

Sadhvi has created so much confusion within the BJP. Initially, BJP disowned her when it was revealed that she was once a part of its student-wing, Akhil Bharthiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). BJP changed its official policy the moment Uma Bharati joined the strange enigma of Sadhvi. Uma Bharati was merely a political trap; Singh easily succumbed to it. After all, Singh and Bharati share the same saffron soul with varying degrees.

BJP’s state of no-acceptance no-rejection of Sadhvi makes its case ambivalent.

A president of a nationalist political party should always stick to one song on a one theme no matter whoever may be the target audience.

BJP spokesman Ravi Shankar Prasad thought Singh’s song was not enough and decided to write the whole script. His utterance was a good example of hysteria’s triumph over common sense. “Why this lead (the alleged involvement of Students Islamic Movement of India in Malegaon 2006 cemetery blast) has not been followed in the 2008 blast?” Prasad asked.

Mr. Ravi Shankar should at least know that the motorcycle used in the blast was registered in the name of Sadhvi.

L.K. Advani, who has responded cautiously to Sadhvi episode, must take notice of his party’s official ignorance.

Meanwhile the response of the saffron Hindutva groups has been highly intolerant. The rabid display of the ‘majoritarian nationalism’ or to put it more precisely ‘mobocracy’ went unnoticed in the mainstream media. Thousands of the saffron souls protested outside a Nasik court on November 3 where the accused were brought for the trial. They carried placards, chanted highly provocative slogans and openly defended Sadhvi and other army men allegedly involved in the Malegaon blast.

India, being a civilised democracy, gives a right to defend an accused. I am glad that Indian Muslims have never ever done such a protest outside a court. Indonesia, the largest Muslim country, did not witness any such protest when Bali bomb blasts’ Muslim bombers were executed on the order of the country’s highest court.

Nathuram Godse is dead but his legacy of hatred still thrives on. Himani Savarkar, Godse’s niece and president of Abhinav Bharat – the organization allegedly behind the Malegaon blast – has advocated an eye for an eye theory. “If we can have bullet for bullet, why not blast for blast?” she has asked. She has even advocated that Indian Muslims should go and find a Muslim country to live!

Post-Independent India was infected with caste and communal riots. Now the bomb blast is an easy and alternative way to infect the body of India. It has begun to bleed with sickening regularity. Do we Indians realise that the war is no longer across the border? It is being fought within. China and Pakistan are not our biggest enemies. Our biggest enemies are fellow Indians who are striking at will wearing the cloak of anonymity.

Sadhvi episode has highlighted one crucial fact in Indian context: Terrorism is not a Muslim specialty. The bomb blasts in mosques in the Marathwada region (Nanded, Parbhani, Purna, Jalna etc.) were indeed carried out by Hindutva fanatics but government and intelligence agencies ignored it lest they antagonise the majority community. Army men’s involvement in the Malegaon blast should not come as a surprise. Our intelligence agencies do have people who share the right-wing ideology. Those who have followed the Nanded 2006 blast will agree that the role of India’s Criminal Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been highly controversial and biased.

Initially ATS suspected that SIMI was the behind the Malegaon blast. The ATS knew it from the day one that the killer motorcycle belonged to Sadhvi but yet they continued their combing operations in Muslim areas of Malegaon! The sudden ‘right-turn’ in the investigation was a result of Muslim resentment across the state of Maharashtra. Dozens of Muslim corporators belonging to Congress-NCP had sent their resignations directly to chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and home miniter R.R. Patil.

With elections round the corner, a dual-theory is being propagated by political pundits. Batla encounter was carried out to pacify Hindus and Malegaon arrests were made to “appease” the Muslims! Congress is being accused of playing a dual game.

A murmur has begun to develop in Muslim mohallas that Congress is indulging in a psychological war of perception management. Is Congress playing a game with Muslim sub-consciousness? We can’t say with certainty. But at the same time it can’t be ruled out. There is at least one reason to suspect. ATS is yet to apply the draconian MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act) although they have slapped it on Malegaon blast accused of 2006. It is still being “considered.”

Quite a Muslim question: Are there two set of different laws for two different communities? That’s a question which Vilasrao Deshmukh needs to answer.

The Muslim vote will depend upon his answer and not mere lip-service as his government has been doing for the last 9 years. Sri Krishna Commission report is just the tip of an iceberg. The iceberg of genuine Muslim issues may sink Vilasrao’s political boat.

This time ‘nine days wonder’ trick will not save Congress-NCP government.

A question worth-debating: Can Muslims of Maharashtra sing a different song?

Durga Puja is widely celebrated in all over India. But it takes the greatest form in West-Bengal and Tripura where a five day Holiday is observed. In north India Durga Puja is referred as Navratri. Navratri is the celebration of 9 nights dedicated to nine forms of Durga. Each night is dedicated to each form.

The nine forms of Devi Durga are as follows:

1. Shailaputri
2. Brahmacharini
3. Chandraghanta
4. Kushmanda
5. Skandamaata
6. Kaatyayani
7. Kaalratri
8. Mahagauri
9. Siddhidaatri

Navratri is widely celebrated in Punjab, Jammu-Kashmir, Himachal, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, and some states in South India.

In Bengal and Tripura Navratri is not celebrated widely but in place of Navratri Durga Puja is celebrated. Durga Puja starts from Mahalaya (Devi’r Agomon). The First day is known as Prothoma, Second day is known as Dwitiya, Third day is known as Tritiya, Fourth day is known as Chaturthi, Fifth day is known as Maha Panchami, Sixth day is known as Maha Soshthi, Seventh day is known as Maha Saptami, Eight day is known Maha Ashthami, Ninth day is known as Maha Navmi. The Tenth day marks the end of the festival and is known as Vijya Dashami. The Eleventh day is celebrated by Fasting usually kept by married women with Children and is known as Ekadoshi.

Durga Puja is not only the greatest festival of Bengalis but also it marks the culture of Bengal. Durga Puja apart from India is celebrated widely in Nepal and Bangladesh. In Bangladesh according to 2007 census there were 27000 Puja held over. Alone in Dhaka there is 470 Puja Pandals. The prominence of Durga Puja increased gradually during the British Raj in Bengal. After the Hindu reformists resemble Durga with India, she had become an icon for the Indian independence movement. On the first quarter of 20th Century, the tradition of Baroyari or Community Puja was popularized due to this. After independence, Durga Puja became one of the largest celebrated festivals in the whole world.

Durga Puja includes the worships of Shiva, Lakhshmi, Ganesha, Saraswati, Kartikeya and Mahishasura also. Modern tradition have come to include the display of decorated Pandals and artistically depicted idols of Durga, exchange of Bijoya Greetings and publication of Puja Annuals.

Durga Puja is known by various names in Bengal like Akal Bodhon (Untimely Awakening of Durga), Sharodiya Puja (autumnal worship), Sharodotsab (festival of autumn), Baro Puja (Grand Puja), Maayer Puja (Mother’s Puja) or just by Puja or Pujo. In East Bengal (Bangladesh) it is known as Bhagabati Pujo.

Durga Puja:
Durga Puja is the largest festival celebrated by not only the Hindus but also by Muslims and Christians. The word Puja means Worship and Durga Puja means worship of Devi Durga. It is generally celebrated in the month of Ashwin which is the sixth month according to the Bengali calendar. However due to Lunatic systems it may be celebrated in the month of Kartik. According to the Gregorian calendar it is celebrated in the month of September or October. Since it is celebrated in the Kaal (Time) of Shorot (autumn) it is also known as Sharodiya. The main Puja starts from Maha Saptami and continues till Maha Dashami. The Puja starts with bathing of Kola Bou (Banana tree) in the dawn of Maha Saptami. Kola Bou is considered as wife of Lord Ganesha. In Maha Saptami people use to give Tilaks or Photas in there important places like main door and almirahs.The traditional dhunuchi Naach is observed in Maha Ashthami.

During Ashthami Bhog (Khichri) is prepared in Various Pandals and whole area enjoys them. It’s a really good experience to have Bhogs with known and unknown people. It is said during this 9 days the peak time actually Devi Durga appears is in the Time which is called Sandhi Khon (Sandhi Puja). Durga Puja is also incomplete without Dhak (Dhols or Drums). The Dhakis (People who play Drums) usually comes from far villages from Bengal usually from a place called Basirhat. At the end day of celebration Vijaya Dashami is observed. Married Women plays with Sindurs and is also known as sindoor khela (Play with Sindur). After this Mother is worshipped for the last time and then the idol is immersed in the Ganga. The people can be seen crying and crying since the mother has gone and she will come only after next year.

There are many sayings regarding the Puja. According to Krittibas Ramayana, Rama invokes the goddess Durga in his battle against Ravana. Although she was traditionally worshipped in the spring, due to contingencies of battle, Rama had to invoke her in the autumn akaal bodhan. Today it is this Rama’s date for the Puja that has gained ascendancy, although the spring Puja, known as Basanti Puja [One of the oldest ’sabeki’ Basanti Puja held every year at spring in Barddhaman Pal Bari is also present in the Hindu almanac.

According to Bengali culture sayings Mahishasura started to kill Devtas and he continued his misdeeds. Devtas began to think how to get rid of this demon. They went to Brahma who advised them to go to Shiva. When Devtas gone to Mahadeva (Shiva) he was busy in his Tapasayas (Meditations). The Devtas started shouting “Trahi Maang …Trahi Mang” (Save us…Save us). Shiva waked up and he created Devi Durga a woman who is the ultimate source of power. She was awakened untimely so this festival is also known as Akalbodhon. Durga was given Astra-Shastra (Weapons) by Devtas like Brahma, Shiva, Narayana, Vishwakarma, Barun Dev etc. With these weapons she went to the battle field and successfully killed the demon. At the time of his death Mahishasura repented and cried a lot. Mother forgives him and he is blessed by her blessings. From here started the acceptance of truth that every woman is the ultimate source of power. They are forms of Durga.

This incident took place in Mahalaya and in Mahalaya Devi Mantras is enchanted in the Dawn. It is usually enchanted by Famous artist Binoy Krishno Bhadra. It’s a great experience to listen to these Mantras that starts from 4 AM in Mahalaya. It is known as “Agomonir Aohan” (Welcoming of Mother)

Durga Puja marks the coming of Durga at her Father’s house Himalaya. It has a saying that Uma (Another Name of Durga) takes a break from her family life and with the permission of her Husband Shiva she comes to her father’s home along with her children Lakhshmi, Ganesha, Saraswati, Kartikeya. It is said that she first comes and stays for a day in the house of a Bagdi (a backward class) and have her breakfast there. The breakfast includes “Panta Bhat” (A rice preparation). After having her breakfast she moves to different places.

The Pujas are held over a ten-day period, which is traditionally viewed as the coming of the married daughter, Durga, to her father, Himalaya’s home. It is the most important festival in Bengal, and Bengalis celebrate with new clothes and other gifts, which are worn on the evenings when the family goes out to see the ‘Pandals’ (temporary structures set up to venerate the goddess). Although it is a Hindu festival, religion takes a backseat on these five days: Durga Puja in Bengal is a carnival, where people from all backgrounds, regardless of their religious beliefs, participate and enjoy themselves to the hilt.

History of Durga Puja:
According to some sayings Puja was first celebrated by the Maharaja of Taherpur in Bangladesh. Some says Raja Sool has started or other says it is started by Sasanka. Various literatures exist regarding Durga in the Bengali language and its early forms, including Avnirnaya (11th century), Durgabhaktitarangini by Vidyapati (14th century), etc. In the medieval period Durga Puja was popular in Bengal and records says that it is being held in the courts of Rajshahi (16th century) and Nadia district (18th century). In the 18th century, however, that the worship of Durga came to its peak among the elite society of Bengal, Zamindars. The most Prominent Pujas were conducted by the landed zamindars and jagirdars, enriched by British rule, including Raja Nabakrishna Deb, of Shobhabajar, who initiated an elaborate Puja at his residence. Many of these old Pujas exist to this day. Today, the culture of Durga Puja has shifted from the princely houses to Sarbojanin (literally, “involving all”) forms. The first such Puja was held Guptipara - it was called barowari (baro meaning twelve and yar meaning friends).

The mood starts off with the Mahishasuramardini’ – a famous radio programme that has been popular with the community since the 1950s. Earlier it used to be conducted live, later a recorded version began to be broadcast. Bengalis traditionally wake up at 4 in the morning on Mahalaya day to listen to the enchanting voice of the late Birendra Krishna Bhadra and the late Pankaj Kumar Mullick on All India Radio. As they recite hymns from the scriptures from the Devi Mahatmyam or Chandi.

During the Puja week, the entire state of West Bengal as well as in large societies of Bengalis everywhere, life comes to a complete standstill. In traffic circles, playgrounds, ponds, wherever space is available — elaborate structures called Pandals ‘are set up, many with nearly a year’s worth of planning behind them. The word Pandal means a temporary structure, made of bamboo and cloth, which is used as a temporary temple for the purpose of the Puja. While some of the Pandal are simple structures, others are often elaborate works of art with themes that rely heavily on history, current affairs and sometimes pure imagination.

Somewhere inside these complex edifices is a stage on which Durga reigns, standing on her lion mount, wielding ten weapons in her ten hands. This is the religious center of the festivities, and the crowds gather to offer flower worship or pushpanjali on the mornings, of the sixth to ninth days of the waxing moon fortnight known as Devi Pakshya (lit. Devi = goddess; Pakshya = period; Devi Pakshya meaning the period of the goddess). Ritual drummers – Dhakis, carrying large leather-strung Dhak –– show off their skills during ritual dance worships called aarati. On the tenth day, Durga the mother returns to her husband, Shiva, ritualized through her immersion into the waters ––

Bishorjon also known as Bhaashan and Niranjan. Today’s Puja, however, goes far beyond religion. In fact, visiting the Pandals recent years, one can only say that Durgapuja is the largest outdoor art festival on earth. In the 1990s, a preponderance of architectural models came up on the Pandal exteriors, but today the art motif extends to elaborate interiors, executed by trained artists, with consistent stylistic elements, carefully executed and bearing the name of the artist. The sculpture of the idol itself has evolved. The worship always depicts Durga with her four children, and occasionally two attendant deities and some banana-tree figures. In the olden days, all five idols would be depicted in a single frame, traditionally called pata. Since the 1980s however, the trend is to depict each idol separately. At the end of six days, the idol is taken for immersion in a procession amid loud chants of ‘Bolo Durga mai-ki jai’ (glory be to Mother Durga’) and ‘aashchhe bochhor abar hobe’ (’it will happen again next year’) and drumbeats to the river or other water body. It is cast in the waters symbolic of the departure of the deity to her home with her husband in the Himalayas. After this, in a tradition called Vijaya Dashami, families visits each other and sweetmeats are offered to visitors (Dashami is literally “tenth day” and Vijay is “victory”). Durga Puja is also a festivity of Good (Ma Durga) winning over the evil (Mahishasura the demon). It is a worship of power of Good which always wins over the bad.

Creation of Sarbojanin Puja:
Initially the Puja was organized by rich families since they had the money to organize the festival. During the late 19th and early 20th century, a middle class, in Calcutta, wished to celebrate the Puja. They created the community or Sarbojanin Pujas.

These Pujas are organized by a committee which represents a locality or neighborhood. They collect funds called “chaanda” through door-to-door subscriptions, lotteries, concerts etc. These funds are pooled and used for the expenses of Pandal construction, idol construction, ceremonies etc. The balance of the fund is generally donated to a charitable cause, as decided by the committee. Corporate sponsorships of the Pujas have gained momentum since the late 1990s. Major Pujas in Calcutta and in major metro areas such as Delhi and Chennai now derive almost all of their funds from corporate sponsorships. Community fund drives have become a formality.

Despite the resources used to organize a Puja, entry of visitors into the Pandal is generally free. A few Puja conducted in Gurgaon by wealthy Bengalis charge a fee. Pujas in Calcutta and elsewhere experiment with innovative concepts every year. Communities have created prizes for Best Pandal, Best Puja, and other categories. When you do Puja you get blessed.

Idol Creation:
The entire process of creation of the idols from the collection of clay to the ornamentation is a holy process, supervised by rites and other rituals. On the Hindu date of Akshaya Tritiya when the Ratha Yatra is held, clay for the idols is collected from the banks of a river, preferably the Ganges. After the required rites, the clay is transported from which the idols are fashioned. An important event is ‘Chakkhu Daan’, literally donation of the eyes. Starting with Devi Durga, the eyes of the idols are painted on Mahalaya or the first day of the Pujas. Before painting on the eyes, the artisans fast for a day and eat only vegetarian food.

Many Pujas in and around Calcutta buy their idols from Kumartuli (also Kumortuli), an artisans’ town in north Calcutta.

Celebration in Kolkata:
Apart from whole of the Bengal (including Bangladesh) and Tripura special incidences take place in Kolkata. This festival is the greatest festival in this city. The season the winds the water the sky says “yes mother is coming”. The whole city is decorated with lights. Crore of rupees are spent on Pandals. The Pandals are a temporary structures used for keeping the idols of Durga. People spend crore of money on this Pandals and their decorations are really worth to see. People from far apart even from US, UK, Europe etc come to Kolkata to see these decorations. During the Pujas the roads are full of Panipuri walas, Bhel Puri Walas and lots and lots of stalls are launched. Some of the famous landmark Puja include: Telengana Bagan, Irritolla Sarbojonin, Iritolla Sitola Madir, Mohammed Ali Park Pujo, Santosh Mitra Square, Sealdah Lebo Park, Forward Club, Mudiyali, are very few to name.

People wear new clothes and this Puja shopping starts before a month of Pujas. Children have real fun and Bengali Babu continues with their Addas (Gossips). Sweets are distributed. Some of the famous Puja sweets include “Rossogolla”, “Chom Chom”, “Kheer Kodom”, “Malai Chop”, “Parijat”, “Gulab Papri”, “Choclate sondesh”, etc are very few names and the list continues. Some of famous sweet makers in Kolkata are Nabin Chandra Moira, Balaram, Sen Mahasay, Nakur, Satyanarayan etc.

In traditional Bengali family women wear Red Bordered white sari (Lal Pere Sari) with lots of Jwellery and with An Arti Thali she along with her Husband and Children goes for the Pushpanjali (Worship with Flowers –Pushp). With a long red Sindur on her head and traditional Sankha Pola (A type of Bangles usually from Dhaka, married women wears) she looks beautiful. She cooks for the whole family with lots of delicious dishes.

Celebration in Dhaka and other places in Bangladesh:
In Dhaka, according to 2007 census there were 947 Pujas held in this year it has rises up to 1200. It’s a very big festival for everyone in Dhaka. People from all religions come to Goddess Durga for her blessings. One of the biggest Puja is held in Dhakeshwari Mandir Complex. Another Puja is held in Telengi para, one in Buriganga, one in Naba Krishna Halder Street to name a few.

In Chittagong (ChottoGram) Devi Chotteshwari, Chatgan Kali Bari, Raja Bhudev Sarkar Er Pujo (Raja Bhudev Sarkar’s Puja) is very important.

In Jessore Durga is worshipped as Maa Joshoreshwari. In Narayangunj there are more than 1300 Puja held. Overall in all Bangladesh it is celebrated with great zeal. Muslims and Christians even pray to Durga for her blessings. In Bangladesh there is even an official holiday in Vijaya Dashami.

Celebration outside India or Bangladesh:

Durga Puja is organized by communities comprising of Indians in the US, Europe and Australia. Although Pandals are not constructed, the idols are flown in from Kumartuli in Bengal. The desire by the Diasporas peoples to keep in touch with their cultural ties has led to a boom in religious tourism, as well as learning from priests or purohits versed in the rites. Also recently, the immersion of the Durga idol has been allowed in the Thames river for the festival which is held in London. In the United States the Puja are often hosted during weekends with very few exceptions. The Puja weekends are time for Bengal friends and family to gather together to spend the weekend savoring Bengali culture. Cultural programs are Helds; there is food; stalls selling ethnic clothes/Jwellery/books/music/dvds - there is a general atmosphere of festivity.

Environmental Impact:
There are lots of controversies regarding the immersion of Durga idols in Ganga. According to Ramapati Kumar, a toxics campaigner for Greenpeace “Commercialization of Hindu festivals like Durga Puja in the last quarter of 20th century have become a major environmental concern as devout Hindus want bigger and brighter idols and are no longer happy with the ones made from eco-friendly materials”

Environmentalists say the idols are often made from non-biodegradable materials such as plastic, cement and plaster of Paris, and are painted using toxic dyes. This can be really harmfull to drinking waters.

Some specific cultures related to Puja:
Durga Puja is one of the most important events in the Bengali society’s calendar. Many Bengali films, albums and books are released to coincide with the Puja. The West Bengal government gives a fortnight of holidays for the Pujas. This time is used in various ways. Many people travel in India or abroad. Gatherings of friends called “Aadda” in Bengali is common in many homes and restaurants. A lot of shopping is done, and retailers cash in on this opportunity with special offers.

Visiting Pandals with friends and family, talking and sampling the food sold near them is known as Pandal Hopping. Young people embrace this activity. TV and Radio channels telecast Puja celebrations. Many Bengali channels devote whole days to the Pujas.

Bengali and Oriya weekly magazines bring out special issues for the Puja known as “Pujobaarshiki” or “Sharadiya Sankhya”. These contain the works of many writers both established and upcoming and are thus much bigger than the regular issues. Some notable examples are Anandamela and Shuktara.

Durga Puja marks the beginning of new life in every Bengalis heart. It gives us a moral that women are the form of Durga or Shakti. They are not for the desires of men. It is always to be remembered that a women has saved this world from the Demon Mahishasura.

Durga Puja is such a festival that every Bengali apart from their religion really enjoys this time with their family and friends. Muslims of Bengal also worships Maa Durga. An example of it is Kazi Nazrul Islam who is one of the greatest poets of Bengal. He has written lots of Shyama Sangeet (Songs dedicated to Durga) in Bengali. Some of his famous song dedicated to Durga are: “Bol Re Jaba Bol”,” amar Mayer paa e joba hoye oth re fute mon”,”Bol re joba bol kon sadhanae peli re tui Shyama ma er charan tol”..to name a few.

It is my request to the readers that they if possible visit any part of Bengal (Including Bangladesh and Tripura) to see how this celebration occurs. It is my challenge to all states in India “Celebrate an occasion like we celebrate”. So, whether you are Hindu or Muslim or Christian or any one even Atheist you are always welcome in Maa’s Court. Happy Durga Puja to all!!!

“The last date for substitution is October 15,2008 and no case would be entertained thereafter,” it added. The press release also stated that after the expiry of October 15 deadline, the accomodation expenses would be charged from the intending pilgrims, who are unable to proceed for Hajj, while the rest of the amount would be refunded to them. -APP

Stringent security measures were taken in the all major cities of the country on this occasion. The biggest Eid congreegation was held here at historic Faisal Mosque in which a large number of people belonging to different walks of life, diplomats from various Muslim countries, offered their Eid prayers. President Asif Ali Zardari offered Eid prayers here at the mosque of Aiwan-e-Sadr.

This was the first Eid of President Zardari after he was elected as the democratic head of the state and took oath of the office. The President was joined in the prayers by his staff and officials of the Aiwan-e-Sadr. After th e Eid prayers the President mingled with the people at the mosque and exchanged Eid greetings.

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani offered Eid-ul-Fitr prayers at a mosque of Prime Minister House on Wednesday. Federal Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik, Secretary Interior Syed Kamal Shah and staff of PM house offered prayers along with the Prime Minister.

In Karachi the main Eid congregation was held at Polo Ground where Sindh Governor, Dr Ishratul-Ebad Khan offered Namaz Eid-ul-Fitr along with provincial ministers present in the city Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal, Chief Secretary Fazlur Rehman, IGP Sultan Salahuddin Babar Khattak, diplomats, senior officials and city notables.

Strict Security arrangements were made on the occasion of Namaz-Eid-ul-Fitr. The biggest Eid congregations in Balochistan capital Quetta, were held in the provincial capital at Eidgah Toghi Road, Jamay Masjid Quetta, Liaqat Park, Railway Hockey Ground, Sarawan House, Eidgah Alamdar Road, Jamay Masajid of Satellite Town, Sariab Road and Jinnah Town where Khateebs Maulana Anwar-ul-Haq Haqqani, Allama Shehzad Attari, Maulana Sadiq, Allama Mehdi Najafi and Maulana Hakeem delivered special sermons about significance of the day and stressed the need for Ummah’s unity and for ending differences.

Balochistan Governor Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi offered Eid prayer at Eidgah Toghi Road where some members of the provincial cabinet and senior civil officials also offered Eid prayer. Later, the Governor exchanged Eid greetings with the people and extended his profound greetings to them.

Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Muhammad Aslam Raisani offered Eid prayer at Sarawan House and later, he exchanged Eid greetings with the people. He extended Eid greetings to them. Eid ul Fitr was also celebrated with great enthusiasm and religious fervor in the Frontier Province and tribal agencies. The main congregation of Eid was held at Eid Gah Charsadda Road which was led by Chief Khateeb Roohullah Madni.

The Governor and Chief Minister offered their prayers at lawn of Governor House. A large number of civil and military officials, elite, and public offered Eid there. In Lahore, millions of faithful offered Eid prayers in more than 900 mosques and open places in the city including Masjid Wazir Khan, Darus Salam, Bagh-i-Jinnah, Masjid Shuhada, Khalid Jamia Masjid Cavelry ground,Ittefaq Masjid Model Town, Jamia Masjid DHA and Masjid Data Darbar.

The main congregation of eid was held at historic Badshahi Mosque where Governor Punjab Salman Taseer also offered Eid prayers. Armed Forces celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr with traditional zeal and fervour. Large Eid congregations were held in garrison mosques where senior serving/retired military officers offered Eid prayers with troops and prayed for the prosperity and well-being of the country.

Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Tariq Majid alongwith other high ranking military and civil officials offered Eid prayers at Joint Staff Headquarters’ Mosque. The congregation offered special prayers for the solidarity and prosperity of Pakistan. An Eid congregation was also held at Chaklala Garrison where the Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and a large number of high ranking military officials offered Namaz-e-Eid with troops.

In Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Northern Areas, Eid congregations were held in different mosques, Imam Barghas and Eidghas in this regard. The day dawned with special prayers at Namaz-e-Fajir in all mosques of Azad Kashmir. The special prayers were offered for the solidarity, integrity, prosperity of the country and for the unity of Ummah, supremacy of Islam and early liberation of Indian held Kashmir and other Muslim occupied territories from the foreign occupation.

The Eid congregations were held in all eight districts of Azad Kashmir like other parts of the country. The Ulema and khateeb threw light over different blessings of holy month of Ramazan and stressed to follow the teachings of Islam so that problems of Muslim Ummah could come to an end by showering of special blessings of Almighty Allah.
Input from agencies

Did you say Iftar party? Are you still confused that the holy word ‘Iftar’ has been joined with that of an unholy entity called ‘party’? Don’t be. The marriage between the two is a unique union of strange bedfellows. What emerges from this union is an unholy alliance for an unholy purpose: to woo Muslim masses on every count! The moment anybody utters the term Iftar party, the image that conjures up in mind is that of a political party which has come into existence just to exploit religious observation of the Muslims. There is no other party in the world whose sole motto is so narrow and totally based on negativity. In Iftar party’s manifesto everything else dominates over the true spirit of Iftar. But how can Iftar, a sacred act of the Believers, be connected with politics or vice-versa? Iftar is an Arabic word which is derived from the root word fatrann. It signifies breaking of the fast. What a political party has to do with the breaking of the fast? Political parties have their own system of interpretation. Let’s try to unlock their interpretative code!

Perhaps a politician’s limited brain with unlimited mischief thinks that the Iftar party gives him an opportunity for future capitalization among the Muslim masses. It gives him the ultimate advantage of mixing with the Muslims where he can flex his political muscles without any opponent present in the ring! It provides him a pleasant platform to talk about the confluence of Ganga-Jamni tehzeeb (existence of pluralistic society) although his main aim is to garner Muslim votes. It is an attempt to showcase who is who of the politics. It is a race to boost public image of the politician where parameter of power is measured on the basis of cash flow. It is a public relation exercise where each and every object of presentation (read flashbulbs, chairs, tables, plates, delicacies etc.) is chosen carefully after close scrutiny. It acts as an ointment to pacify old wounds of the Muslims! Iftar party is like a fisherman’s net whose sole function is entrapment!

An Iftar party is a place where Jinnah comes alive: untouchable Jinnah caps suddenly become touchable. A politician’s favourite Nehru cap is replaced by the Jinnah cap!

Unfortunately some of the self-appointed messiahs of the Muslims who grace Iftar party happen to be Muslim Ulemas. It is altogether a different matter that most of them are hired. Beware, we are living in an age of hire and fire!

Muslims, beware! Don’t be seduced by the aroma of the political food because it contains ingredients which can impair one’s independent way of thinking! Those who visit political Iftar party tend to confine themselves to pigeon-holes!

As Ramadan readies to depart, there is a sudden surge in political Iftar parties. It would be worth recalling Dr. Mustafa Kamal Sherwani’s beautiful poem on political Iftar parties:

Count all the known ‘BEARDS’ with utmost care,

Seduce them all into our Party’s voting share.

Give them the title of ‘ULEMA’ of high esteem,

When they come, like a beeline, it must seem.

Manage to make them sit in separate rows,

To send a strong message to our foes.

For us, all of them are a great asset,

Their every motion must be recorded in cassette.

The ‘LONGER BEARDS’ must occupy central places,

From all sides, the media must cover their faces.

On this gullible community is resting our hope,

To blunt its mind, these ‘IFTARS’ are a dope.

With round caps on, like them, you must look,

To trap these ‘FOOLS’, it is the best hook.

Tailpiece: Minorities especially Christians remain tense in South India as the dance of hate and naked communalism continues. A little known mysterious organisation called Sri Ram Sena (Army of God) has claimed in a press conference to have “1132 members” in their suicide squad. Their aim is to kill “anti-Hindu and anti-national” elements. Now with the emergence of mob terror, should Indian Penal Code take backseat? Instead of acting against the rabble rousers Police has played down the entire incident by terming Sri Ram Sena as “all talk and false threat.” Are there two set of laws in India?

As I conclude the column, terrorists strike Delhi once again. We don’t know much at this point of time but yet electronic media is indulging is guessing journalism. “Splinter group” is the new slogan. Police says they are looking at “all possible angles” but yet not so expert TV correspondents are selling the thesis that the blast “could have been carried out by the splinter group of those who are already in Police custody.” ‘Could have been’ can never be a part of responsible journalism. Was Indian Mujahideen behind the blast?

Several Programmes will also be telecast and air on television and radio to aware the intending pilgrims about the rituals of Hajj. Up to 165,000 intending pilgrims under both government and private schemes will be airlifted to Saudi Arabia for Hajj this year.

According to officials sources in the Ministry of Religious Affairs, 149,323 applications were received under the government scheme which were about 13,000 less in number as compared to last year. As many as 17,890 applicants who were rejected consecutively two years in the ballot, have been declared successful.

This year too, machine readable passport will be issued to the pilgrims. The first Hajj flight will operate on November 2 and 164,647 pilgrims will be airlifted to Saudi Arabia by PIA and Saudi Airlines during 31 days. About 30,000 pilgrims will directly be airlifted to Madina from Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore airport.-SANA

Farideh Mahdavi Damghani will translate the book into French and Iran’s cultural attaché in Canada will sponsor the English version. The head of the Centre of Persian and Central Asian Studies of the New Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru University, Akhtar Mehdi is translating the book into Urdu and, once completed, the Urdu version will be distributed in Pakistan, India and Afghanistan.

Iran’s cultural attaché in Tashkent will publish the Urdu version of the book that is now being translated by Shakirjan Alamov. Published by Madreseh Publications, the theme of the book is the life of Prophet Muhammad (S). Hassanbeigi’s book for elementary school children entitled “Golden Fish and Silver Fish” was translated into Turkmen by Maral Batirova and published in Turkmenistan recently.

He blamed the Hindu organizations for the present crisis in Kashmir as they had imposed economic blockade of the Valley. “Economic blockade is the root cause of the present crisis in the Valley. The situation arose only after the terrorist organizations like BJP, VHP, Bajrang Dal and RSS blew the Amarnath land transfer issue un-proportionately and imposed economic blockade of Kashmir. Such organizations should be banned for promoting hatred,” Paswan told reporters on the sidelines after laying foundation stone laying of Steel Processing Unit, here.

He said that the ban on the saffron groups will send a positive signal to the liberation organizations in Kashmir. “There is a trust deficit towards India in Kashmir and this step will help in reducing that gap,” he said.

The union minister asserted that the minorities are not safe in India as they are being regularly targeted by RSS, BJP, Bajrang Dal and VHP. “The saffron parties are not posing threat to Muslims only but are also targeting the Christians. The Hindu activists have been attacking churches and Christians in Orissa, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh,” he said, adding, “Minorities cannot be safe unless saffron parties are banned”.-SANA

The killing of two Ahmedi doctors in one week has sent the shock wave among human rights defenders and frightened the Ahmedis who are denied all rights being a minority sect. An eminent Ahmedi physician and cardiologist was shot dead in Mirpurkhas on September 8 and the very next day, another prominent Ahmedi was killed in Nawabshah. The Ahmediyya community suspected a link between both killings, but could not ascertain the motive. Since 1974, when the first elected prime minister of Pakistan, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, has brought an amendment in the 1973 Constitution in which he declared Ahmediyya sect, non Muslim. The amendment, as an historic event, is known as “Second Amendment” which has not only changed their status for good, but also paved the way for future unending sufferings.

Bhutto’s official biographer, Salmaan Taseer wrote in “Bhutto: A Political Biography” that “In deference to conservative Muslim opinion, he (Bhutto) acquiesced in 1974 in banning the Ahmediyya, a quasi-Islamic sect. Bhutto was no bigot, and the incident left an unpleasant taste in his mouth”. Except a change in the status, no further curbs were imposed on them by Bhutto. But later, General Zia Ul-Haq who overthrew Bhutto played the same politics using religion as a shield and legitimized his rule. In 1984, he decreed that Ahmedis are non Muslims and barred them from reciting the Kalima, and calling for prayers.

Today, their separate mosques and their humiliation are the manifestation of his dream. Recently, in a programme “Alam Online” on Geo TV the host Dr. Amir Liaqat called openly for the killing of Ahmedis. He repeatedly called Ahmedis “Wajub ul Qatal”. This irresponsible attitude on TV should not be tolerated and Pakistanis which are always looking for excuses to go on streets have accepted it and except the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) no sane voice has echoed this concern. Dr. Amir Liaqat, once involved in the controversy of his degree” is very articulate, extempore and knows how to fan the emotions of innocent Pakistanis. He should rightfully be banned on TV for using hate speech, but we have received this orientation to accept the injustice to boost the morale of majority.

In the year of 2004, four Ahmedis have been killed: Basharat Ahmed Mughal in Karachi on February 24, Dr. Gulam Sarwar in Peshawar on March 19 and those mentioned above. Since 1984, 91 Ahmedis have been killed including 15 doctors. It is a visible threat to the coexistence of all sects where protection of lives of minorities is at stake. No halt to the practice of hate preaching has been demanded except HRCP which has set a dangerous precedent. The role of media in forming public opinion is vital and such encouragement for violence against minority in a longer run will not be benefited to majority either. I have been writing for media freedom, but with a mushroomed growth of electronic media, it has also brought responsibility which media has yet to accept with freedom. The wave of extremism and terrorism has hit the country badly and this clear division among the society will not let the good intention to be harbored. On the pretext of blasphemy, the brutal killing of Pakistan’s citizens does not help the country to send a positive signal to the international community as a moderate society and labels it as one of the worst human rights violators. The cultural of tolerance is a phoenix now and the urge to blow the dissenting voices is getting strength with every passing day. Pakistan has a flaw of being a society where there are different forces that cannot cohabit and lack the will. Though, it appears a cliché now but the foundation of Pakistan was not laid on the principle of extremism, rather Pakistan should have been tolerant to those who differ in their thought, beliefs and religion. In Hindustan, both Hindus and Muslims coexisted for centuries, where Muslims were the biggest minority and later they fought for their rights. How come Pakistanis can be forgetful and ungrateful of their own past which dates back to 1947 and refuse giving due respect and right to their minorities?

After a long and hectic journey of about 10 hours, I finally reached Islampur. Shibu was waiting for me on the station. He welcomed me with a great smile and a big hug. After all we are meeting after 8 years. From station we catch up a “Tanga” (Horse Cart) and moved towards his house. He had a very traditional styled Bengali Haveli(house) and also he belonged to a very noble family of Landlords.
Within 15 minutes we reached his house. We just started our gossips when suddenly the phone buzzed. Shibu attended the call and then suddenly he became apologetic. I asked him what happened. He told me that he had to go for an emergency operation in Mumbai. He was feeling very sorry but I asked him to leave because it was more important because it was about life and death. With all this huffs and puffs he finally left.

Now, I was alone in his house. His mother asked me to take a quick shower to get fresh since I was very tired. After a cool shower she offered me the traditional Bengali breakfast “Loochi Aloor Dum” and “Rasgoolas”. I enjoyed the delicious food very much. But happy times don’t last for long. After taking breakfast I was thinking what to do next. I thought of taking a nap or what…I finally make up my mind to visit the nearby villages to explore Islampur.

I started wandering to and fro, since this place was not very familiar to me. I lit up a cigarette and started roaming. Suddenly, I heard a sound, a voice….coming from a very distant place. I could easily make up that it’s a voice of a boy hardly 9 or 10 years of age. He was shouting “10 minute er khela Babu 10 minute er khela” (In English: 10 minutes Game…Oh sir! It’s just a 10 minutes Game”). I thought that it was probably or for sure another case of child labor. Since I was left with no other option to move towards that place.

It was not very far placing. Just a few minute walk and I reached that fellow. I saw that boy was showing some magic games and was entertaining people with his circus shows. He was also having a pair of monkeys. One was a child and other was an adult female monkey. He was entertaining people with his magic shows and circus acts like walking on head or balance games. Children were really enjoying as it was evident by their smiles and claps. He also managed to play a show in which he was showing the female monkey as a teacher and the baby monkey as her student. Seeing this shows, reminded me of my childhood. I was feeling so nostalgic that that I didn’t even noticed that his 10 minutes had extended to 1 long hour.

At the end of the show when everybody was leaving, I was also about to leave when he shouted upon me. “Oh Babu…..Tumi to kichu poisa na diyei chole jacho…?” (In English: Oh Sir!! You are leaving without giving me a single paisa”). I laughed and called the boy. I asked his name. His name was Anwar. I paid him 10 rupees. I also asked him with whom and where he is living. He told me that he is staying in a nearby village with his mother. I enquired whether he is going to school or not. I was shocked to hear his answer. He answered me with a pale face that “Pora shone kore ki hobe…..Asol hoche Taka babu” (In English: What to do with studies….the real thing is money”). I got very much annoyed and he is just a bogus fellow. I paid him 10 rupees and left immediately.
I returned to Shibu’s house. His mother was very congenial towards me. They served me the best Bengali food I have ever taken. After having the lunch, I was thinking about Anwar. A face full of innocence was just a show? Or maybe there is some other naked truth that he was trying to hide. With all this thought process I could never know when I fall asleep. I wake up after 5:30 in evening when Samina (Shibu’s sister) waked me up for a cup of tea.

With the end of the last sip in the cup of tea I went for an evening walk, when I saw Anwar again. I called him. He hurriedly stepped towards me. I asked him how much he had earned in the morning. With a jolly smile he replied 35 rupees. With a bit of little interference in his personal life I asked him what the hell he was going to do with the money. He replied with a sad expression that he would buy foods and medicines. I recalled the word “Medicine”. I curiously asked him in details. He told me that he was going to buy some medicines for his mother who was suffering from cancer. His father expired when he was 1 year of age. He was the only earning source in his house. After hearing these facts I was feeling very sad and I was cursing myself, that without knowing the real fact how I could blame the boy. His family load was so huge that money has replaced his all happiness his joy his sorrow…..his education his childhood…his everything. I could do nothing but at least to satisfy my cursed soul I gave him 50 rupees.

I requested Anwar to take me to his house. He welcomed my wish with a joy. I reached his village within 5 minutes. As soon as I was entering their house a crowd of Hindu mass ordered me not to enter the house because those people were Muslims. They told me “Bauner er beta, Bacha, jeo na oder ghore…jaat jaabe…” (In English: You are a Brahmin, please don’t enter their house…Else you will lose your religion and cast). I was very much disheartened and got really red faced on hearing these words. In India and especially in communist states like Bengal people are still like this? I wondered. I didn’t care about them and just by ignoring these nuts I entered the house. Let I lose my religion and cast, no problem but humanity was my preferred religion.

I entered the house and saw a lady in her mid-thirties was lying in bed. Sickness had made her very much dependable to her bed. Her face turned pale and she was crying bitterly. I hold her in my arms and asked not to cry. I asked her not to cry but I could not know the way how I could sooth her for not crying. There was no one to help them as it was very apparent from the neighbor’s attitude. I learnt from Anwar’s mother that Anwar’s father was in army and was martyred in the borders of Kashmir. Also I came to know that no pension is provided by the government to them. I wondered how people could have a great family like Anwar’s whose father had sacrificed his life just for our happiness. “Just because they are minority?” I didn’t have my answer…so I came back to Shibu’s house.

The night was normal and I took my dinner then slept. But I was thinking and thinking…and I was not able to sleep for whole night. I puffed of a pack of cigarettes but it’s of no use. Next day after my breakfast I again reached that place where I had met Anwar first time. I waited a long but Anwar didn’t come. Finally I decided to go to his house. When I reached his house his house, I saw him playing with other boys. He was playing as if he had no burden in his life. I enquired why he didn’t come to show his game. He told me yesterday his full money got saved since I brought him food and medicines. Additionally I had given him 50 rupees. So he had lot of money for the day. I asked him what he was planning to do with this money. He answered a very infuriating answer. He said he would buy some foods and toys and a Blanket for himself.

I gave him a bad look to this rascal saying “Your mother is lying on the death bed and you are planning for yourself”. I was about to leave when suddenly another boy shouted to Anwar. I was listening to the conversation. That boy was saying to Anwar “Dekh amar kache Bat ache Ball ache tor kache kichu nei…tui Bhikhari” (In English: See Anwar! I have got a Bat, Ball but you have nothing you are just a beggar). Everyone was laughing at him. He was crying. Suddenly he replied ” Na amar kache onek taka ache ami kaal I sob kinbo..tokhon tora dekhbi…..” (In English: No I have got lot of money …and I will buy all the toys by tomorrow…..then you people will see…Who am i? …I will buy blanket for my maa(mother) and I will share with her. I will buy good foods for her).

After listening this conversation I realized, that Anwar was also a child. A normal and usual child with childish sentiments. He can also have wish to buy Bat and Ball..Because his age does not permit him to take the family load. He is also having a soul to have good foods. If my kind reader carefully observes his conversation, he can find that Anwar always tries to full fill his mother as well as his needs. Just think a child thinking this complex world’s truth. My God! He is also a kid his childish mentality had stopped him to work for the day. I can realize that in this age I myself sometimes bunk the office just to take rest.

I was worried about the condition of Children in India and also I feel for the minorities. I went to the DM but of no use. He was absent. He also bunked a day just like Anwar. On the third day, again I reached the same place where Anwar show his plays. Today he was there with a good crowd surrounding him. He was showing Magic Tricks etc but I was waiting for the monkey play. At last it started and today’s played featured the female monkey as mother and baby monkey as her child. Anwar asked the female monkey to hold the baby monkey in her arms and also asked her to help the baby to take bath, get him ready for school and serve him foods. The Monkeys were really smart. They played well. It was a show that touched my heart.

At the end of the show I asked Anwar about his mother. He replied that “she died in the early morning”. I angrily told him that your mother died and you are here. I shouted a lot. He left sobbing and crying.

I felt bad after some time. I make up my way towards his house. When I reached his house I saw him sitting on the floor like a statue with no emotions. He was not crying. Everybody was saying if Anwar had not gone in the morning to play the show, the last funeral of his mother was not possible.
I was feeling guilty now. I left that place. I hurried to a nearby field and sat calmly. I puffed a cigarette and was thinking; imagine a boy hardly 10 years of age. His mother died in front of him. But he was so unlucky that he had to go out for earnings for his mother’s funeral. He didn’t even have the chance to hold his mother on his chest and cry. I asked to myself “In today’s circus, Anwar why? Why Anwar…….you have shown the love between mother and son. When the play was going on what was going on in your mind Anwar? Your mother had died long before the play started….what would have been your feelings?”

On the 4th day I was planning to leave Islampur. I thought before leaving I should make a last visit to Anwar. But when I reached his house no one was there. The door was locked and no one was able to say where he had gone. I searched for him a lot. Finally I was getting late so I catch up the train to Kolkata.

I remembered that day was Maa Saraswati Puja in Bengal (Goddess Saraswati is the goddess of Education and knowledge). It is celebrated with great zeal in Bengal. I asked to Maa “Why Maa …why can’t u bless that child with your blessings? Why? What fault he has done?” But no answer came.

I thought and kept on thinking about Anwar. He was not getting out of my mind. In mean time I reached Kolkata. I didn’t celebrate the occasion and locked myself in my room.

I haven’t forgotten Anwar till day. I don’t know where he is…where he is showing his “10 Minute er khela”. But I wish for that child that wherever you are be happy for ever.

I don’t know when people will help others, love others, be unbiased to religion and biased to humanity. I don’t know when our government will pay the deserved Pensions. But till then thousands of Anwar will suffer. An innocent childhood will fade up on the Magic shows or in mechanic garage or in civil sites. And thousands of helpless mothers will die in the darkness of poverty and helplessness.

In the Arabic language, however, the day is known as Lailatul Bara’at, meaning the night of emancipation. Shab-e-Baraat is observed 15 days before the beginning of Ramazan. Shabaan is the eighth month of the Hijri calendar and falls between the two sacred months of Rajab and Ramazan.-SANA

It also had a significant impact in the life and story of Krishna and the story of Mahabharat where Draupadi, wife of Pandavas had tied a cloth around the wrist of Krishna to stop his blood, and Krishna promised to help her, which he did forever.

Celebration: The celebration is very simple - the sister and brother get up in the morning and after bath (and often in presence of God - or their temple at home) - perform the tying of rakhi. Sister ties the Rakhi and applies tilak to her brother and offers him sweets. The brother promises to take care of her through thick and thin. It celebrates the relationship between brothers and sisters. It is celebrated on the full moon of the month of Shraavana.

Rakhi is basically a thread - but the Rakhis have become fancy and stylish, however, they still depict sister’s love and blessings for the brother. While the sisters pray for the long life of their brothers, the Brothers promise that they will care for their sisters.

Here is a song that is my favorite which celebrates the love of Rakhi in this very beautiful composition.

Now, according to the average consumer of the Islamic banks in Pakistan they still have doubt in their mind from the scratch to the main services provided by Islamic Banks.

Consumers would be open to the thought of acquire Islamic banking products and services given that the organization that is offering the service is renowned, and better customer service features such as ATM access, phone banking and so on, are offered. This provides a great prospect for Islamic financial organizations in a market that already have many other competitive existing commercial banks. If Islamic financial organizations can make on their understanding and status in the monetary world, and can offer Islamic banking products/services in non Islamic markets such as Singapore, United Kingdom, Australia, they can plan to increase an emergent consumer base of the local residents in Pakistan, some of who may have beforehand excused themselves from dealing with the usual financial organizations because of the use of interest. The consumers still also believe on the fact the lack of consciousness about some basic concepts and philosophy of Islamic banking. In Pakistan, a number of consumers would not adopt halal banking products because they feel insecure that what will happen if credit facilities were taken away. In the Islamic monetary structure money is not lent out, as an alternative it is an asset-backed scheme where monetary organizations invest in projects. Consequently, financial organizations deal in equity, not debt. To counter this inadequacy, some banks have started issuing ‘debit’ cards. These cards are alike to the credit cards excluding the actuality that they use the consumers own funds as an alternative of trust on any credit. Another concern is that of sharing profits and not losses. A lot of consumers who have been using the Islamic banking services were not educated about the loss sharing concept earlier. This would designate that some economic organizations have been assuring profits. In fact, it breaches the fundamental law of Islamic financing structure that is, relating compensations to risk. Any kind of money earned on investment without risk is simply interest more willingly than profit.

So, it reveals the fact that, in order to recognize how the Islamic structure makes a distinction between profit and interest, they have to look at the dissimilarities in financial beliefs. Because past experiances have already shown that the rationale of ‘monetary and financial standing’ is very important for a consumer to select a particular bank. In capitalist theory, capital and entrepreneurs are taken care of as two separate identities of production where the first identity acquires interest and the second identity is permitted to get the profit. It is implicit that interest is a fixed return to offer capital, and profit can simply be produced after allocating the fixed return to land, labor and capital. On the contrary, the Islamic monetary system does not regard as capital and entrepreneurs as separate identities of production. It accepts as true that each individual who puts in capital in the figure of money to a business enterprise assumes the risk of loss and as a result is permitted to a proportional share in the actual profit. The system is caring of the entrepreneur, who in a capitalist economy would have to make fixed interest repayments even when the venture is making a loss. Capital has a fundamental aspect of entrepreneurship, until now as the risk of the industry is apprehensive and for that reason, rather than a fixed return as interest, it develops profit. So, as much profit one earn of the business, the more return on capital. The profit would be privileged if there are no fixed interest repayments. In this fashion the profits produced by the money-making activities in the public are uniformly dispersed among those who have given capital to the organization. In this way, an integration of social responsibility and extra Islamic values in rewarding consumers’ needs to be worthy of ultimate consideration as it signifies an excellent and basic discrimination between Islamic and conventional banking systems, and potentially competent to push Islamic banking to better pinnacle in securing consumers’ gratefulness and response.

Top researchers in the area of Islamic Finance have affirmed that assurance made by organizations that consumers will take delivery of a set rate of return without having to acquire losses are prohibited and immoral. Thus far, not only are financial organizations enduring the practice but government societies in Muslim nations are also contributing venture openings with certain income. Taking into consideration, that the Muslim administration is accountable for overseeing the structure in order to battle the prohibited practices of monetary institutes, by giving definite returns; the governments are seen to be overlooking the performance of the monetary organizations. Even though these proceedings may assist Islamic Banks develop in the short run, but in the long run overall cost will prevail over the profit in shape of damage to the repute and legitimacy. Such progress also offer ammunition to the detractors of the system who are previously questioning whether the structure is nothing more than an interest based system operating under the guise of profit.

The most essential information discovered by the past behaviors is that consumer satisfaction over and over again is directly related to the quality of services that Islamic banks offer. The excellence of services comprises of factors like taking care of consumers with politeness and admiration; workforce capability to put across faith and self-assurance; effectiveness and efficacy in managing any operation; and well-informed and attentiveness in offering clarifications and answers relating to the products and services of an Islamic bank.

As a result, Islamic bankers can no more rely only at marketing strategy of pulling religious and holy consumers towards them who might only worry about Islamicity of banking services. Some significant insights acknowledged on the bases of different thoughts of consumer baking selection criterion entails the requirement for Islamic banks to improve its quality of services which is at the present measured as an important success factor that have an effect on an institute’s competitiveness. With respect to the standing of a variety of bank selection criterion, some of these would undoubtedly revolutionize accordingly of people having turn out to be extra conscious of the culture of Islamic banking. For instance, media advertising would be probable to have an extreme good impact on Muslims. The aspiration by Muslims to be compensated a high rate of interest have to decrease. In case of non- Muslims, media advertising may turn out to be well rated accordingly of being uncovered to revealing bank promotion.

Besides this, an additional considerable subject, which needs awareness, is the need to strengthen community learning and understanding towards the distinguishing features of Islamic banks and how it may beneficially go with the concern of consumers in their economic transactions. Islamic banks have latent of being advertised to different sectors of consumers who are worried with the legality of the ability from Islamic viewpoint and those who try to find for service value, handiness and well-organized business. Customer learning programs are for that reason vital if they are to amplify the level of customer consciousness about the distinctive features of Islamic banking and the range of services and products offered by it.

On the whole, after consumers have been uncovered to the ethnicity of Islamic banking, it would be anticipated that consumer’s knowledge of what Islamic banking engages would enhance and their thoughts towards this type of banking should vary. The change would be estimated to be much bigger in local consumers. Similarly with the standing of the different banking selection criterion. Shifts would be likely, extra predominant with banking customers throughout the country.

The official said that despite increase in oil prices, the PIA would charge fare ranging from Rs 85,000 to Rs 70,000 from different Pakistani cities. He said that the ministry has finalised all arrangements for accommodating 89,000 pilgrims and arrangements will be finalised soon for the rest of the pilgrims.

The SC would review the policy. The apex court had ordered the Religious Affairs ministry to present the Haj policy in the court till August 31 during hearing a case of Haj operators. The court would hear the case tomorrow with reference to haj quota. Advisor to Prime Minister for Religious Affairs Hamid Saeed Kamzi told Geo News that Haj expenses have been increased this year as compared to previous year.

The Haj pilgrims on government quota had paid the Rs.135, 000 last year, which has been increased to Rs. 200,000 this year. He said that the reason of increment in expenses is over all price hikes. Airfares have also been increased. Hamid Kazmi said that a medical mission comprised of 320 officials and 260 Haj Khuddam would accompany the Haj pilgrims.

Mr. Jan Mohammad Khan Jamali said that Quran is a complete code of life which Almighty Allah provided us through the Holy Prophet, Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH). He exhorted the Muslims to follow the Islamic teachings as enshrined in the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet. Therein lies our salvation, added Mr. Jan Mohammad Khan Jamali.

Mr. Jamali, however, expressed satisfaction that some people were still patronizing Islamic culture such as Quranic calligraphy and in this connection appreciated the work being done by Khana-e-Farhang-e-Iran. The Ambassador of Islamic Republic of Iran, Mr. Mashhallah Shakeri, speaking on the occasion observed that the Holy Quran had been and will always remain a source of inspiration for the Muslims. Earlier, the Acting Chairman Senate witnessed the exhibition of rare manuscripts of the Holy Quran. -SANA

Talking to media after the meeting the law minister said that another committee will be formed for implementation of the proposals and enforcement of laws. He clarified amendments in the local laws of Swat, PATA regulation, was proposed. To a question he said that allies should not talk about quitting the coalition adding that they are ready to discuss if some mistake was committed as far as FATA operation is concern.

In Swat, a one-time tourist haven 100 miles from the capital, Islamabad, militants set five schoolgirls on fire, torched a primary school and burned down the country’s only ski resort.
Mullah Fazlullah, leader of the local Taliban chapter, used to work the chairlift. Last year he nearly brought the Pakistani military to its knees in brutal fighting that turned “little Switzerland” into something resembling Afghanistan before the fall of the Taliban in 2001.

The government sued for peace. Fazlullah agreed, on the condition that he would be able to implement Islamic law in the area. Meanwhile, in Waziristan, followers of Baitullah Mehsud, the physical trainer, have slaughtered at least 22 peace negotiators who arrived on behalf of the government seeking to cement a ceasefire accord. Both the CIA and Pakistan’s intelligence agencies say he is behind the attack that killed former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in December. Three years ago no one had even heard of these men. What happened?-SANA

One of the dweller told about this pond that it is one of charisma of Baba Peer Shah Matiya Macha Wali Sarkar and his shrine in Chak Snatha near Gakhar, Gujranwala. People have myth regarding this pond and Baba peer that he was blessed with treating allergies.

People bath in the pound of Baba peer Shah as the “Manat”.. It is different kind of worship people do usually in Hinduism.. where they believe bathing in Ganga and other rivers and streams will purify them from their wrong deeds.