I am in agreement with the suggestion given by Qasim Abbas (Radiance, 29 March 2025) that the prayer leaders in mosques should devote 30 minutes to the Arabic classes to be held after Isha prayer so as to teach Arabic to those attending prayer in mosques. A Muslim is obligated to learn the Arabic language as it is considered Ibadah in Islam. Arabic is one of the six languages recognised by the UN.
Big mosques should also hold a conference once a month inviting non-Muslims to it so as to discuss and dispel some misconceptions about Islam and Muslims. Islamic scholars, preferably those specialised in comparative religion, should deliver speech on Islam among them. Some people criticise Islam as they are unaware about the wisdom behind some Islamic teachings like polygamy, divorce, hijab and roles of women as enshrined in Islamic law.
When I was a student in Gauhati University, I often met with a Naga Christian student hailing from Kohima. In course of a discussion, one day I told him that Jesus Christ is regarded in the Quran as a renowned prophet of Allah and his mother Saint Virgin Mary as the best among the womenfolk in the world. A Muslim ceases to be Muslim if he/she does not believe in them as stated in the Quran. He listened to me with a rapt attention. Being astonished, he said that he was since nurturing a misconception that the Muslims are anti-Christ. He thanked me for removing this misconception. Then he said that the Muslims should necessarily disseminate the messages of the Qur’an among Christians so that it may help dispel misconceptions about Islam being nurtured by them in their mind for centuries soon.
Muhammad Abdus Samad
Ambari, Dhupdhara (Assam)
Corruption Cases in Higher Judiciary
Shri K. Chandru, retired Judge of High Court, has raised the issue of public interest and a quick answer to it by the SC.
Crows are black everywhere and the judiciary is no exception. It is a very sad fact that powers are always there to malign the higher judiciary so that they could get their cases solved as desired.
But on the other hand, the public is disturbed to see the actual happening and efforts to hide the culprits with privileged powers they have acquired to be supreme and neutral.
Judiciary has to come clean in the public arena or else its image is already downsized. Sooner the objectivity prevails, the better for itself and for the country.
DankeshOza
Ahmedabad, Gujarat
India’sPrompt Aid to Quake-Hit Myanmar
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has dispatched an 80-member team fromthe National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) for search-and-rescueoperations in the earthquake-affected regions of Myanmar. Code named ‘Operation Brahma’, India on Saturday dispatched the NDRFcontingent to Nay Pyi Taw for rescue work in quake-hit region of Myanmar wheremore than 1,600 are feared dead and over 2,000 injured or missing. New Delhihas also dispatched equipment and tools airlifted in two sorties for rescue andrelief work.
India’s active role as a “first responder” during the critical time in the neighbouring country is welcome.
Rashid Shaikh
Pune, Maharashtra