Deoband versus Deoband

Mainstream Urdu papers this fortnight have commented widely on the Sachar Committee revelations, the Indo-Pak foreign secretary-level talks and the visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao. But off the mundane, here are some interesting issues that also made it to the press

While reporting on an international seminar hosted by the Dar-ul-Uloom Waqf in Deoband, Urdu papers have brought to light a rift in Deoband that was relatively unknown till now. Nearly two and a half decades ago, the historical Deoband school of Islamic theology had split, though both decided to follow a policy of live and let live. However, the Delhi-based Hindustan Express writes on November 17 in a Page 1 report, when the breakaway Waqf faction organised the seminar last fortnight, and called Lalu Prasad, V.P. Singh and Raj Babbar etc. 8220;and went ahead to release a book critiquing the doyen of Deoband 8212; Asad Madni 8212; it was clear that the gloves were off8221;. The seminar on theology was very well attended and extensively reported by Rashtriya Sahara and Delhi and Kolkata-based daily, Akhbar-e-Mashriq.

Jamaat-e-Islami in poll fray?

Hindustan Express on November 21 reports in a banner headline that the Jamaat-e-Islami has in a significant policy shift decided to contest elections from now on.

The paper writes that they have 8220;formed a four member political forum8221; with the idea of intervening directly in the political process. The Jamaat-e-Islami had been debating whether to contest elections in India at all as, according to them, it did not exactly come under the definition of Dar-ul-Islam 8212; Land of Islam but now, it appears after pressure from cadres, the debate has been clinched and 8220;the forthcoming elections in UP would be the starting point.8221; In the same paper, two days later, however, senior commentator Asrar-ul Haq Qasmi has criticised their decision and 8220;advised them to do what they do best, that is invite people to Islam8230; and leave electoral politics alone.8221;

Whither Muslim leadership

The Mumbai-based daily Inquilab in an editorial dated November 26 has made several disparaging remarks about Muslim leaders. It has said that 8220;several Mumbai and Malegaon-based organisations have written to Muslim MLAs and MLCs in Maharashtra asking them to do something about the 8220;arbitrary swooping down on Muslim youth by the police in the forthcoming assembly session in the state 8220;.

It also goes on to say that the 8220;Muslim leadership should know how unpopular it is amongst ordinary Muslims and 8220;if they don8217;t know yet, they should conduct a survey and inform themselves.8221; The paper writes that they 8220;should do something and stop behaving like simply middlemen.8221;

Bollywood Muslims

Jamaat-e-Islami8217;s mouthpiece, the bi-weekly Daawat November 25 has a piece on Bollywood depicting Muslim characters 8220;in a negative light8221;.

It writes that films like Ghadar, Zubaida, Bombay, Refugee and Veer Zaara try to reinforce the stereotype among Muslim young women that 8220;Muslim young men are violent and evil, whereas non-Muslim men are extremely well behaved, generous and well spoken.8221; This piece suggests that Muslim women are being told to 8220;not consider the hollow principles of religion but give primacy to good behaviour and generosity.8221; This may have to do with the fact that in all the films listed by this opinion piece, the Muslim women characters end up cohabiting with or marrying non-Muslim men !

8212;Compiled by Seema Chishti