Let’s Respect Each Other’s Religions and Religious Symbols
Remarks by Sports Development Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, son of Tamil Nadu Chief minister, that
“Sanatana Dharma” must be eradicated from the country. It was reported in the press and social media that a Hindu priest in U.P., Paramhans Acharya, burnt a photograph of Udhayanidhi Stalin against his statement, and announced a reward of Rs.10 crore for anyone presenting the head of the minister.
In this connection, the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, who was in Rajasthan, slammed the DMK and Congress for insulting the country’s heritage and Sanatana Dharma.
In this regard, all should respect all religious ideologies and also have the freedom to express their views without hurting anyone’s feelings. Earlier, the former spokeswoman of BJP also made controversial remarks about the Prophet Muhammed ﷺ. No justification for anyone’s remarks.
Chowdhry Nisar Ahmed
Noorullah Pet, Ambur (Tamil Nadu)
Persecution of Hui Muslims
It seems Muslims of whatever ethnicity live in China face persecution. According to news published in the media, the world only knows about human rights abuses against Uyghur Muslims. Hardly any reports highlight the sufferings of Hui Muslims. Their places of worship are being demolished. I don’t know how mosques are a threat to the Chinese Government.
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is currently visiting Xinjiang to find out for themselves about the situation of Uyghur Muslims. I don’t know how much freedom they will have to assess the situation as guests of the Chinese Government. It will also be interesting to see if the OIC visits Hui Muslims too.
Salman Choudhury
London U.K.
Securing Places of Worship, the Australian Way
The Australian Attorney General’s Department has introduced the Securing Faith-Based Places grant, offering funding of between $25,000 to $500,000 per applicant. This initiative comes in response to the growing need for enhanced security measures within faith-based places including places of worship and independent faith-based schools and religious organisations. Th Australian administration has encouraged mosques, Islamic schools, and Islamic organisations across the country to apply for this grant if they are at risk of being targeted by crime and violence motivated by religious or racial intolerance. Acts of vandalism, hate speech, and violence underscore the imperative of securing these spaces to ensure the safety of faith communities.
In India too, Muslims more often than not face acts of vandalism. The managements of mosques, Muslim-run schools, madrasas and Islamic organisations need to equip their premises with security measures on their own if not from the state administration.
Khalid Ahsan
Melbourne
Australia
Teachers change the fate of entire nation
If a country has to make notable progress, it needs dedicated teachers, who come in different forms and can inspire ordinary students to dream extraordinary things. Teachers open the mind, touch the heart, shape the future. They have the power to change the fate of entire nation as today’s student/reader is tomorrow’s leader.
- S. Karthik
27/120 Halls Rd, Kilpauk, Chennai