LETTERS

Maqbool Ahmed Siraj's article (Islamic Voice Nov, 2009) is thought provoking. It is hard-hitting against all those who delude themselves with stereotyped phrases like Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world.

We require brain-storming sessions and coordinated action among a group of thinkers and should do so without blaming others.

When Arabs discovered oil 50 years ago, they wanted expertise and skilled manpower for exploration. It were only the European countries who could offer technical expertise. Skilled labour came from India and the Philippines. So the Arab wealth was manipulated and managed by the Europeans and Asians. Arabs and the Muslims received only minuscule benefits.

India serves as the best role model for the oil-rich Arabs. India prepared a vast knowledge pool and reservoir of technical hands. Despite socialistic dogma, IITs were built with help from leading Industrialised nations. Nehru laid a firm foundation of basic industries which led to creation of secondary and tertiary industries. R&D labs and institutes helped prepare technical manpower. India went for knowledge, not for money.

The Muslim world need to follow the Indian model and take up the challenge of casting off lethargy and cynicism.

The US public was understandably outraged by the loss of life at the military base last week. President Obama and various congress people have stated in the Fort Hood aftermath that all Americans are outraged and hurt by American military fratricide. But there is no profound sense of anger by the same public or by its president over US military murders of Iraqis or other non-Americans around the world. Why the discrepancy? Why are American lives so much more valuable than non-Americans? If we understood this, we could better understand how easily the US public tolerates wars for the sake of the empire. The North Koreans, North Vietnamese, Somalis, Salvadorians, Afghans and the Iraqis know this. And they all know that US shipped its troops to their lands, against the wishes of their masses, and then killed wantonly in wars it chose to conduct in the interests of American consumers and corporations. America is an empire and its only regrets are when its self-generated violence blows back on its own citizens and citizen warriors. What happened in Ft. Hood will never be forgotten, just as the lives and deaths of the millions of victims of deliberate, sanctioned, American mass murder will never be remembered.

This refers to the piece 'Incubators of Cosmopolitanism' (Islamic voice, October 2009) makes interesting reading. Islamic Voice must be complimented for its bold acceptance of the realities and highlighting the attributes of the followers of other faiths. Undoubtedly, the Christian missionaries have done a yeoman service in reaching succour to the people in pain and agony, regardless of their religious affiliations. Instead of ignoring their services, it will be better for the Muslims to take inspiration from them and be of service to everyone in the society.

We are pleased to introduce the Old City Consumer Organization working in Hyderabad city on consumer issues. We are registered under the A.P.'s society's Act. We have been receiving complaints from consumers of Hyderabad about the authenticity of Halal food at Hyderabad stores like KFC, McDonald, Pizza Hut, Dominos etc.

Though these stores have Halal certificates and assert that they purchase chicken from companies where Halal slaughtering is carried out, the question as to who was checking the Halal process still persisted. Firstly, we checked some outlets of KFC which buy chicken from Venky's India limited, Pune and has been certified by Mahkama-e-Sharia, Jama Masjid, Bandra, Bombay which was issued three years ago with no expiry date. Also Venky's website claims that they slaughter chicken as per Islamic rites. We went to Venky's plant at Kamshet near Pune which is also a major supplier to stores all over India on Nov. 7, 2009. But the management at the plant refused to show us the Halal process saying that they needed permission from their corporate office at Pune. Even our intimation to the corporate office about our visit was of no avail. They could not even put us across those responsible for carrying out the halal slaughter. We wonder as to why Venky's refuse to be above board about the Halal process and why the certificates are old without expiry date. We would like this to be brought to the notice of all readers.