LETTERS TO EDITOR

This is with reference to the rejoinder by the Secretary of the Hazrat Hamidsha Dargah Management Committee in response to Islamic Voice report on the misuse of Dargah funds (November 2011 issue).
The reply is less than satisfying for observers of this institution to say the least. To begin with there was no justification for taking over the administration from an elected committee. But the Wakf Board took over the management from the previous committee rather rudely. The previous committee had put in good work and members were honest enough not to charge any expenses towards their sitting fee or TA. The Secretary in reply to the accusation admits that the committee members are being paid something for the same work which the earlier committee did without showing any expenses. Is it not shameful that the secretary is justifying something which has no justification? Should they charge sitting fee to discuss the affairs of management of property belonging to God?
The previous committee has all the reason to fight against their removal because they have not been replaced by an elected body, but one with hand-picked members. Why should the committee be removed in the first instance? Did they misappropriate the funds, or was there nepotism or corruption? The fact that they were not charging even the genuine expenses on meetings, is an evidence that they were honest and efficient.
It is also a travesty of truth that some member has been removed (or ceased to be member) for not attending the meetings. By this yardstick all district advisory committees should be dissolved, because meetings are hardly ever held and there are scores of members who never put up an appearance.
Unfortunately, the Wakf Board tends to take over only such institutions that are revenue-generating and self-sustaining or in short milch cows. Once such institutions are taken over, it works to their ruin and turns them into sick institutions. It is time intellectuals and social activists within the Muslim society protest intervention and interference of the corrupt Board which is yet to initiate action against the 34 officers indicted by the Justice Nisar Ahmed Commission of Inquiry for corruption.
Noor Mohammed, Yelwal, Mysore

I received the copies of the Islamic Voice. The front page review/story was a surprise. I am humbled by the fact my story was worth being presented in such a prominent way. I hope the book can help bridge the gap between the Muslim world and the West. For such a technological world surrounded by “information” it amazes me how truely ignorant and completely misinformed people are, especially about Islam. Without the contributions of the Muslim world and it’s rediscovery of Greek thought, the Western world would have stayed in Dark Ages for centuries. I was at a book signing recently (on the resort island of Amelia Island where Fox News is God) and a man sitting next to me was reading a newspaper story involving the supposed decline in violence worldwide (i.e, wars, atrocities).
He held up the story and said, “You know what’s missing? The Arabs.”
I just stared at him. Of course the “Arabs” were missing from the story, because in his mind Arabs and Muslims are the direct cause of the world’s violence. But this man was retired and wealthy and educated, but education doesn’t mean one can’t be easily brainwashed. Thank you for your paper and the efforts you make to open people’s minds. If I can assist in any way please let me know. I would love to write an article for the Islamic Voice from the perspective of an American soldier with an open mind; it could be interesting for your readers!
Take care,
Paul Kendel, pmkendel@yahoo.com

I completely agree with the contents of the article, “Taxing Times,” by M. Hanif Lakdawala, published in Islamic Voice of March 2011. I am of the view that the proposed provisions of the code, discriminate institutions established for the benefit of a particular religious community, and that such discrimination is not consistent with the provisions of the institution. I am sure Mr. Lakdawala or the Anjuman-i-Islam must have taken up the issues raised in the article with the finance ministry. If they have not done so, I suggest that they should at least now, take up this matter with the finance minister, North Block New Delhi, and mark a copy to the Standing Committee on Finance which is currently reviewing the Bill. Consideration should also be given to make a representation to Salman Khurshid , minister for minorities affairs and chairman of the National Commission for Minorities, Wajahat Habiullah in New Delhi.
Jal Sethna, jal.sethna@jasanigroup.com

This has reference to ‘The Wisdom of Silence’ by Nigar Ataulla in the November 2011 issue of Islamic Voice, wherein she advocates meditative quiescence to become aware of oneself. Neither the Quran nor Sunnah has any mention of such wisdom of silence! The writer exposes her unfounded assumption that the saints, sages and prophets must have attained wisdom through long periods of meditation and silence. Qur’an tells us that the Prophets and Messengers were taught the Book and Wisdom through the Angel Gabriel sent by Allah for this purpose. There is no sainthood in Islam. The introduction of the term Walaaya (sainthood) into the technical vocabulary of Sufism was the work of Hakim Al-Tirmidhi.
A.Aboobaker Sait, aboosait@yahoo.com