In Conversation with Anjum Zamrooda Habib

Eminent Political, Social, Women Activist and author of Prisoner No. 100 Anjum Zamrooda Habib in conversation with Mushtaq Ul Haq Ahmad Sikander about her life, activism, women, political prisoners and present political scenario

[courtesy: Milli Gazette]

You have been active in Social work since 1980s. What is your experience regarding the participation of women in Social activism, has it declined or progressed further?

Women activism has been on decline since the inception of militancy, as militancy dominated the hearts and minds of the society and social evils like dowry receded into oblivion, but new more serious social problems like widowhood and orphans emerged and nothing substantial was undertaken to address these challenges. In the name of rehabilitation the widows were exploited by the government agencies and others, reinforcing the fear and vulnerabilities of women more, plus life of women are hard hit by the raging conflict and the repercussions of militancy are still felt, and these all factors coupled together are responsible for the decline of women activism.

So you mean to say that Women activism and participation declined with the inception and prolonging of the armed struggle?

No, only the spheres of activism and participation changed, when the armed struggle started whole nation was on streets prominent among them being women, who alongwith men protested and even used to save their men from the brutal hands of occupational forces and police, but when the State opted for an Iron fist policy to suppress the resistance the women occupied the backseat, by looking after their children and family if their husband or any other family member was killed or in detention. Hence women still play an active role at the grassroot level of the society. Women are still the ocean of sacrifice and without her participation no resistance can survive. They are still quite active within the confines of their home but unfortunately their sacrifices aren’t taken into account, which they always offer readily, continuously without any desire for recognition.

The War within Islam | Beyond Politics: Assassination of Maulana Showkat Ahmad Shah

11 Apr 2011, NewAgeIslam.Com

By Mushtaq Ul Haq Ahmad Sikander

The tragic assassination of Maulana Showkat Ahmad Shah, President of a faction of Jamiat e Ahli Hadees, Kashmir, ahead of Friday prayers, on 8th April, 2011 came as a rude shock to me. Once again the streets of Srinagar turned red with the blood of a religious preacher.  I didn’t know Maulana personally, but frequently used to read his statements in Press, as he had jumped into the field of the Pro Freedom politics. My maiden acquaintance with Maulana is still fresh in my memory, though shocking and surprising was my maiden encounter. In the month of Ramadan, 2006 on Sunday 22, October Jamai Ahli Hadees, Gaw Kadal, Srinagar on whose footsteps Maulana was assassinated, hosted a religious congregation where different religious scholars belonging to the Ahli Hadith school of thought were scheduled to deliver sermons, and all were welcome. I too joined as one of the scholars with whom I newly had gained acquaintance but never witnessed him speak was too was on the list of speakers, thus being a reason for me to join the congregation, despite being a born again Salafi those days I rarely went to listen sermons, as I relied more on self study, which later led me to embrace the inclusive Sufi stride of Islam, in contrast to the puritanical Salafism. Maulana Showkat too was scheduled to deliver his Presidential address, but when the Asar Prayer was ready it was announced that Maulana alongwith his close associate has been attacked, while traveling in his personal vehicle, but they have escaped unhurt, and the announcer requested all people to join peaceful protests after prayer to nearby Kralkhud Police Station where Maulana was safe under Police Cover. I too alongwith my newly acquainted scholar went there, least bothered by protests and continuing our scholarly discussion but expressing solidarity with Maulana and demanding the culprits to be brought to book, which they never were. After this shocking but memorable incident, I never had the chance to listen to Maulana, and in the aftermath Maulana was always accompanied by the Personal Security Officers (PSO). During his Presidentship, Jamiat Ahle Hadith was always mired in controversies and it came to be divided in various factions and various allegations were leveled against Maulana from being a dictator to corruption. His predecessor Prof Muhammad Ramzan too was assassinated by unknown men at the doorsteps of the same mosque. Factionalism, accusations over money swindling and controversies were a norm during his tenure. Not many in the party were happy with his Presidentship.

The Flying Carpet to Baghdad | Book Review

The Flying Carpet to Baghdad

Author= Hala Jaber

Publisher= Pan Macmillan, London

Year of Publication= 2010

Price= $ 7.99                                 Pages= 298

[courtesy: The Education Today ; Bangalore]

Calamity, destruction, misery and tragedy always follow the War. During and in the aftermath of War, human loss is reduced to mere statistics, usually the mainstream media neglects the human cost of war focusing on other issues. After the Second World War, mankind witnessed numerous wars of varying nature in which millions vanished in thin air without trace, whose life, tragedies, miseries, plight and agony yet remains to be documented. In the tussle for hegemony between the Two Super Powers during Cold War the sufferings of humankind were unaccounted, and after the end of Cold War in 1990s with the breakdown of U.S.S.R, the world turned into a unipolar one, with Uncle Sam reigning supreme, who quite early discovered the New Enemy in Muslims who were in dire need of discipline and democracy, hence the need for undertaking the civilizing mission in the garb of operation democracy was felt, which happened clandestinely before the tragedy of 9/11 and overtly in its aftermath in the form of brutal invasions of Afghanistan and then lately of Iraq.