The incident of caste bias at a temple wherein newlyweds belonging to the Dalit community were forced out of a temple in Tumakuru (Karnataka), made for really shocking reading. The couple were publicly insulted which goes to show how deep caste prejudices are, despite the fact that we live in a digital age with mankind making mindboggling progress.
The perpetrators of such abusive practices should be severely punished so that a message is sent out to those who harbour such caste bias that it has no place in a modern society. Our Constitution ensures equality to all citizens and so anyone discriminating against any segment of society for whatever reason it may be, should be continued to change their attitude.
Ameer Hussain
Bengaluru, Karnataka
Plight of Rural Masjids
Except a special status accorded to the House of Ka’aba in Makkah, Masjid-e-Nabawi in Madinah and Masjid-al-Aqsa in Jerusalem, all other Masjids, whether in urban or rural areas, are regarded and treated equal and same in Islam; and Islam doesn’t permit Muslims to make a difference between one’s Jaamat Masjid and other Masjids in the World.
Most urban Masjids in India are highly rich, gorgeous and magnificent and most of them centrally air-conditioned. Those who offer prayers (salat) inside them feel peace and comfort in mind. The Masjids have owned and possessed huge wealth and property enabling them to earn large amount from its houses let out for shops and offices every month. An enquiry will reveal that the bank account opened in the name of Masjid’s president/ secretary will show its credit balance amounted to rupees of several lakhs. Yet there is a “donation box” installed inside the premises of each Masjid. Regrettably, Masjid’s Imam and Mu’azzin are less paid as compared to its income. My question is: “Does Islam permit a Masjid to keep such huge wealth and property and cash concentrated in its hand without discharging its social obligations towards Muslim society?” The Qur’an states: “Woe unto… who hath amassed wealth thinking that his wealth will render him immortal.” (104:1-4) Rivalry in worldly enhancement diverts you, until you visit the graves.” (102:1-2). Hope our esteemed Ulama will clarify it.
Most rural Masjids in India are confronted with acute financial crisis, failing to develop its infrastructure and even to pay regular salary to its Imam every month. Imam is appointed in some Masjids only for leading Jumm’ah prayer on Friday owing to its inadequate funds. The Masjids are running with the subscriptions collected from locals who are mostly economically weak. I think, it would be a wise decision if the solvent urban Masjids had transferred its excess funds to the financially weak rural Masjids and madrasas for payment of salary to its Imam, teachers and infrastructure development.
Muhammad Abdus Samad
Ambari, Dhupdhara, Assam
Khamenei’s Murder Blot on Int’l Law
The calculated, targeted assassination of Iran’s supremo Ali Khamenei by imperialist US under Trump and Netanyahu, a convicted criminal for the Gaza genocide, is a black day for the world and for principles of sovereignty of nations and internationally defined laws and doctrines. The two forces of destruction – Trump and Netanyahu are on a rampage, uncontrolled, blatantly using force, and working with impunity against the international order for their narrow, vested interests.
Trump is a hypocrite too, as he attacked Iran while talks were ongoing at Geneva. From Saddam, Gadaffi, Assad and now Khamenei, the list of people opposing US and Israel’s hegemony in the Middle East have been eliminated in the name of peace and stability.
Pratap D, Kengeri
Chennai, Tamil Nadu