Unholy dig

The excavations begun for purportedly 8216;research8217; reasons by Israeli authorities, just next to Al-Aqsa mosque, one of the holiest Islamic places of worship, have been widely commented upon in the Urdu press. On February 1, Akhbar-e-Mashriq, published from Delhi and Kolkata, writes in a page-one story that this place is considered holy for Jews, Christians and Muslims. The paper writes that 8220;it is feared it would cause great damage to the structure.8221; The Hyderabad-based daily Siasat, on February 11, has described this as 8220;intolerable aggression8221;. In an editorial it has 8220;condemned the firing on namaz congregation of Friday, injuring a large number of children and old people who were attacked by gas shells and grenades. These namazees were protesting against the excavations.8221; Rashtriya Sahara in an editorial on February 15, seems to agree with an Egyptian leader8217;s plea, that 8220;the only answer to such aggression would be for Islamic countries to have their own nuclear bomb, to meet such threats.8221;

Meeting Advani

The visit of some Jewish religious leaders to New Delhi and their meeting with some Muslim intellectuals and clerics at the residence of the Leader of Opposition L.K. Advani has given rise to a lot of criticism. New Delhi-based Hindustan Express on February 7, in its lead, named eminent Islamic scholars and businessmen and Imams who met at Advani8217;s home. This report led to statements issued by

Jamaat-e-Islami and the Shahi Imam of the Fatehpuri Masjid who described such a meeting as 8220;highly objectionable, in view of situation faced by Muslims the world over.8221; Jamiat-Ulema-e-Hind described this meeting 8220;as a plan for misleading Muslims8221; and said 8220;the secret nature of this meeting is alarming.8221; Akhbar-e-Mashriq, Rashtriya Sahara, Hindustan Express and some other papers have written editorials criticising the meeting. In fact, some of those present there thought it necessary to 8220;explain8221; their presence through statements and press conferences.

Ayodhya 8212; what8217;s happening?

In an 8220;exclusive8221; report on January 30, Akhbar-e-Mashriq writes that there are 8220;severe violations of the Supreme Court strictures against altering the status of the structure in Ayodhya.8221; The paper writes, 8220;the construction of a steel cover for the Ramlalla idol at the spot are continuing in full swing8221;. It writes that 8220;iron walls are also being built on three sides of one acre of the disputed area, in violation of the Supreme Court orders to maintain status quo.8221; The paper says that Mulayam Singh and the UPA government are 8220;partners barabar ke sharik hain, in wanting to give a permanent shape of a temple to the structure.8221;

Jinnah, revised

National Herald group8217;s Qaumi Awaz writes in an editorial on February 12 that 8220;the biggest and most influential Islamic organisation of Pakistan, Jamiat-Ulema-e-Islamia, has said that 8216;Jinnah did not really do anything extraordinary for Pakistan that he should be remembered8221;8217;. The chief of this organisation, Maulana

Fazlur Rehman also leader of opposition in the National Assembly, has expressed this opinion about Jinnah, saying that 8220;we cannot accept him as one of the Mujahidin-e-Azadi freedom fighters. It was also reported earlier in Pakistan, that it was 8220;the discrimination against Muslims that led to partition, not anything that Jinnah did8221;. It appears that leaders of opposition in both Pakistan and India have a penchant for re-evaluating Jinnah8217;s role, periodically!

P.S.: On February 13, Hindustan Express quotes a recent 8216;law8217; in Pakistan. The community leaders in the Khar tribal

region have put barbers virtually out of business. They have 8220;warned them against even the touch of razors or scissors on beards of any Muslim.8221; In case of violations, the barbers would be 8220;punished severely8221;.

Compiled by Seema Chishti