Whenever I dress my kid in an onesie, I am immediately reminded of the image of a dead child dressed in a white onesie, his cuddly lifeless body being held up in the air as a protest against the Israel attacks on Beirut last year. The child was only 1 when he met his death right there in his crib. Oh, how I wish the death came like a soft cloud to him, tickling him, all the while murmuring sweet lullabies to him.
Sweet Dreams sweet baby....you are in a much better, much kinder world.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
I am a Muslim and I am proud of that
Last night I came across a news piece in a newsletter published by Church World Services called “Afghanistan 2001- year of despair and Hope”. The piece said that Taliban’s religious police have asked local hindus to carry yellow stickers so as to differentiate them from Muslims. The demand is meant to save hindus from harassment, but frankly that sounds like a laughable excuse. This reminds me of the anti-Semitic actions of Hitler in Germany, where notices saying "Jews not admitted" and "Jews enter this place at their own risk" were displayed at various public places and Jews were banned from public parks, swimming-pools and public transport.
How is the religious extremism being propagated by the so called “upholders of Sharia” and “demolishers of vice” different from the anti-Semitic practices of Hitler. The blessed Taliban have actually taken it to a whole new level because in order to qualify for the position of “kafir” in their eyes, you don’t even need to be a hindu. You can simply walk out of the house without a burqa or be caught taking a swig from a Pepsi can and Lo and Behold….you are a certified Kafir.
This is heart-breakingly sad (is that even a word??) at so many levels. I want to teach my kids to love Islam as the religion that is based on love and compassion and benevolence, the religion that recognizes and respects you for what you are. A way of life that gently nudges you to follow the true divine path but doesn’t judge you or kill you if you don’t follow that path, partially or fully. I want to know, and to know with surety that in being a muslim, I am a better person, a more humane person, i want to be proud of being the follower of Muhammad. And I will not let the likes of Sufi Muhammad rob me off my pride, No i will not!!!!
How is the religious extremism being propagated by the so called “upholders of Sharia” and “demolishers of vice” different from the anti-Semitic practices of Hitler. The blessed Taliban have actually taken it to a whole new level because in order to qualify for the position of “kafir” in their eyes, you don’t even need to be a hindu. You can simply walk out of the house without a burqa or be caught taking a swig from a Pepsi can and Lo and Behold….you are a certified Kafir.
This is heart-breakingly sad (is that even a word??) at so many levels. I want to teach my kids to love Islam as the religion that is based on love and compassion and benevolence, the religion that recognizes and respects you for what you are. A way of life that gently nudges you to follow the true divine path but doesn’t judge you or kill you if you don’t follow that path, partially or fully. I want to know, and to know with surety that in being a muslim, I am a better person, a more humane person, i want to be proud of being the follower of Muhammad. And I will not let the likes of Sufi Muhammad rob me off my pride, No i will not!!!!
Monday, April 27, 2009
The two sides of a coin
I look at my 6 months old being treated like a rag doll by her elder brother; her delicate body being hurled and tossed, I see that nary a feature changes form and I wonder about the resilience of human body.
I look at the liberty attack footage; the traffic warden who takes one single shot in the chest, his tall proud frame crumbles to the ground like a wax statue, and wonder about the fragility of human body.
I look at the liberty attack footage; the traffic warden who takes one single shot in the chest, his tall proud frame crumbles to the ground like a wax statue, and wonder about the fragility of human body.
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